Open, change, merge, suspend or close a section

4d.2.1 Squirrel, Beaver, Cub and Scout sections

4d.2.1.1 Consultation to open, merge, suspend or close a section
Closing a section under POR 4d.1.1.2(b) or (c) does not require consultation.

The Group Lead Volunteer may open, merge, suspend or close Squirrel, Beaver, Cub or Scout section(s) following:  

1. consultation with the Group Leadership Team.   
2. consultation with the District Lead Volunteer.   
3. consultation with the sponsoring authority (if any)  
4. subsequent agreement by the Group Trustee Board to a resolution proposed by the Group Lead Volunteer to open, merge, close or suspend the section(s) 

4d.2.1.2 Merging of two or more Squirrel, Beaver, Cub or Scout sections
It is important that any merger is created as a true merger, rather than as a takeover of one section by another. The Volunteering Culture statement (POR Chapter 2c) provides a useful planning framework for creating a successful merger.

Any closure or opening of Drey(s), Colony(s), Pack(s) or Troop(s) as a result of the merger must be recorded on the membership system.

4d.2.1.3 Suspension of a Squirrel, Beaver, Cub or Scout section
In the case of suspension of a section, the membership of each member of the suspended section is suspended, unless membership of another section or Group is arranged by the Group Lead Volunteer or the District Lead Volunteer. 

4d.2.1.4 Closure of a Squirrel, Beaver, Cub or Scout section
In the case of closure of a section, the membership of each member of the closed section should cease, unless membership of another section or Group is arranged by the Group Lead Volunteer or the District Lead Volunteer. 

4d.2.1.5 Changing registration details
The recorded details of all Squirrel, Beaver, Cub and Scout sections must be maintained up to date on the membership system.

Changes in the recorded details of any Squirrel, Beaver, Cub or Scout section must be made directly on the membership system by the Group Lead Volunteer. 

4d.2.2 Explorer and Scout Network sections

4d.2.2.1 Consultation to open, merge, suspend or close a section
Closing a section under POR 4d.1.1.2(b) or (c) does not require consultation.

The District Lead Volunteer may open, merge or close an Explorer Unit or Scout Network following agreement by the District 14-24 Team Leader, the District Trustee Board and the Group Lead Volunteers of the District following.

1. consultation with the District 14-24 Team Leader.   
2. consultation with all the Group Lead Volunteers of the District 
3. subsequent agreement by the District Trustee Board to a resolution proposed by the District Lead Volunteer to open, merge or close the Unit(s) 

To suspend an Explorer Unit, see POR 4d.2.2.6.  

To suspend a Scout Network, see POR 4d.2.2.7.  

4d.2.2.2 Merging of two or more Explorer Units
For merging two (or more) Explorer Unit(s), the District Lead Volunteer must ensure that the merger is seen as that, rather than a ‘take over’. The Volunteering Culture statement (POR Chapter 2c) provides a useful planning framework for creating a successful merger.

Any closure or opening of Explorer Unit(s) as a result of the merger must be recorded on the membership system. 

4d.2.2.3 To move an Explorer Unit to another District

1. A decision to move an Explorer Unit from one District to another District must be approved by the District Lead Volunteers for both Districts.
2. Each District Lead Volunteer’s approval to move an Explorer Unit may only be given following: 
   1. consultation with their District Trustee Board
   2. if the proposed receiving District is part of a different County, consultation with the County Lead Volunteers for both Counties
   3. subsequent agreement by their District Trustee Board to a resolution proposed by the District Lead Volunteer to move the Explorer Unit
3. Before a District Lead Volunteer’s formal consultation with the relevant District Trustee Board:
   1. an assessment of the impact of the change must be undertaken jointly by the Team Leader for the Explorer Unit, both District 14-24 Team Leaders and both District Lead Volunteers. This assessment must address all identified risks, including the potential impact on:
      • any partnered Groups
      • the adult members of the Explorer Unit
      • parents and young people currently in the Explorer Unit
      • the reputation of Scouts in the Explorer Unit’s and both Districts’ local areas
   2. all adults appointed within the Explorer Unit (including the members of any partnered Group Trustee Board, and any Sponsoring Authority) must have the opportunity to present their views to both of the District Lead Volunteers, both of the District 14-24 Team Leaders and the members of both District Trustee Boards
4. An Explorer Unit may only move to another District if it will subsequently have its usual meeting place within that other District. 
5. Practical arrangements required to support the ongoing running of the Explorer Unit must be in place before the move.
6. If the change is approved, and there is an existing partnership agreement in place, this must be terminated as a part of the move.

4d.2.2.4 Closure of an Explorer Unit
In the case of closure, the membership of each member of the closed Unit should cease, unless membership of another Unit is arranged by the District 14-24 Team Leader or the District Lead Volunteer. 

4d.2.2.5 Changing registration details
The recorded details of all Explorer and Scout Network sections must be maintained up to date on the membership system by the District 14-24 Team Leader.

4d.2.2.6 Suspension of an Explorer Unit 

1. Suspension of registration is a purely temporary measure.
2. A District must have at least one Explorer Unit and one Young Leaders Unit (POR 4a.2.1.5) and so any suspension that would break either or both of those two criteria must take place only when there are extreme circumstances and suspension is the only available option. 
3. An Explorer Unit may be suspended by the District Lead Volunteer in consultation with the District Trustee Board and District 14-24 Team Leader.   
4. If the Explorer Unit has a partnership agreement with a Scout Group, the Group Lead Volunteer must be informed of the suspension. 
5. Suspension may also be a consequence of the suspension of the District. In such a case the County (^[NI] Country) Lead Volunteer may direct that Explorer Units should not be suspended but attached to a neighbouring District.  
6. During suspension  
   1. all Explorer Unit activities must cease 
   2. all the Unit’s Section Team members are automatically suspended as if each were individually suspended.  
   3. no member of the Explorer Unit may wear uniform or badges.  

4d.2.2.7 Suspension of a Scout Network 

1. Suspension of registration is a purely temporary measure.   
2. A District must have a Scout Network (POR 4a.2.1.5) and so suspension must take place only when there are extreme circumstances and suspension is the only available option.
3. A District Scout Network may be suspended by the District Lead Volunteer in consultation with the District Trustee Board and the District 14-24 Team.  
4. Suspension may also be the consequence of the suspension of the District. In such a case the County (^[NI] Country) Lead Volunteer may direct that the Scout Network should not be suspended but attached to a neighbouring District. 
5. Suspension may also be a consequence of the suspension of the County. In such a case the Chief Volunteer may direct that Scout Network members should not be suspended but attached to another District in another County. 
6. In the event of suspension: 
   1. all Scout Network activities must cease 
   2. all Scout Network members are automatically suspended as if each were individually suspended.  
   3. no Scout Network member may wear uniform or badges.  
7. A District Lead Volunteer who suspends a Scout Network must report the matter with full details to the County Lead Volunteer.