Summary of the research conducted with members

Summary of the research conducted with members

The decision to make changes to the membership fee paying process was informed by research which started with members in 2011. Focus groups were held across the UK to gather feedback on different options which could be put in place to ensure the UKHQ membership fee was not a barrier to adult recruitment. A wide variety of roles fed into the focus groups, from Section Leaders and Executive Committee members to Commissioners and managers at all levels.

At these focus groups, members were asked for feedback on the issues which would be encountered if they had to implement all the different options being looked at for the UKHQ membership fee.

The feedback and opinions collated at the focus group then led to an online survey being created to gather responses from all UK members. This survey was put in place to understand opinions on the options available and to get a true reflection of current local practice when it comes to covering the UKHQ membership fees. Members were asked for feedback on keeping the UKHQ membership system the same, or for moving to a system where local Scouting  only pays for the number of youth members involved in Scouting, and not for the number of adults they have volunteering.

Over 4,500 members responded to the online survey, providing great feedback and statistics on the preferred approach going forward. An external consultation agency conducted the research and analysis to ensure its development and analysis was independent.

Respondents were asked for feedback on the pros and cons of keeping the system the same, or changing to be a collection from young people only.

Key findings

Many respondents felt strongly that it is unfair for adult volunteers to pay to give up their time and that this request inadvertently suggested that their contribution is not valued. Many respondents also felt the adult payment puts off some members, particularly those in the Scout Network, and those who want to be involved on an occasional basis. However, many also explained that in their groups, adults are paid for out of group funds anyway.

Some were surprised to discover that volunteers have to pay at all. 86% of the respondents do not pay the annual UK HQ membership fee as adult volunteers out of their own pocket anyway – so this change would reflect and formalise local current practice.

Additionally, a number of respondents thought this reform would be of particular value to flexible volunteering. At the moment it can be costly for Groups and Units to have pools of part timers who share roles because all heads are counted, even though there are multiple people sharing one role.

Quotes taken from the research:
‘It makes us consider whether we should retain less active and involved Leaders [e.g. Scout Active Support members] when they are useful to call on when needed’.
‘100% support this idea, would solve lots of extra work locally in deciding who pays for multiple role holders and remove a barrier from more flexible leadership team models’.