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Principles

This POR 4a.1 outlines the principles underpinning our organisation and structures. It provides essential context for understanding how our teams operate and deliver our mission.

4a.1.1 Our fundamentals

4a.1.1.1 Our fundamentals 
The Scouts’ fundamentals are set out in POR Chapter 1.

4a.1.2 We operate in teams

4a.1.2.1 Team-based operation 

  1. Our volunteers operate in teams. Each team has a defined purpose and a set of tasks to achieve, as outlined in its team description. 
  2. Each team consists of Team Leaders and Team Members. The Team Leader of each Leadership Team is called the Lead Volunteer. 
  3. Members of a team must work together to fulfil the team’s purpose and team description.
  4. Responsibility for tasks lies with the team. Team Leaders are accountable for ensuring the team achieves its purpose, while the team’s members agree amongst themselves how their tasks will be achieved.  
  5. Each team member must understand their team’s purpose and their own individual contribution to it. 

4a.1.2.2 Sub-teams 
Where appropriate, any team except a Section Team may establish sub-teams. A sub-team must have a clear purpose, and their creation must be agreed by the Group, District or County Leadership Team as appropriate (see POR 4c.1.2, 4c.2.3 and 4c.3.2 respectively).

4a.1.3 Programme delivery is at the core

4a.1.3.1 Core purpose
We deliver skills for life to young people and we do that through the delivery of an inspiring programme enjoyed by and accessible to all young people (POR 4b.5).

Delivery of safe, fun, enjoyable and high-quality programme is therefore at the core of what we do. 

4a.1.3.2 Role of section teams 
Section Teams are responsible for coordinating and delivering an inspiring programme to young people. 

4a.1.3.3 Role of all other teams 
All other teams must ensure that their focus is supporting Section Teams to deliver the programme. This support may be direct or indirect and is described in the team’s team description. 

4a.1.4 Governance and Trustee Boards

4a.1.4.1 We are a Federation 
Each Group, District and County must operate as if they are a charity in law. This applies whether or not the Group, District or County is registered with a charity regulator (POR 5a.1.1.2) or (in England or Wales) is an excepted charity (POR 5a.1.2.2). 

4a.1.4.2 Role of the Trustee Board
Every member organisation of the Federation must have a Trustee Board to provide charity governance.  

Governance of a Group, a District or a County is described in POR Chapter 5b.