Executive Committees are known as Trustee Boards. This came into effect for members in Scotland in July 2023, and all others from April 2023.'Executive Committee' and associated wording will still be visible on Compass and the website as we move to our new way of volunteering.
To learn more about what we are doing to improve how we volunteer at Scouts, visit the Volunteer Experience webpages.
This resource is designed to help explain the role of a Group Executive Committee Member. If you are reading this, you have probably taken on (or are considering taking on) this role and are looking for guidance and further information. It's the aim of this resource to provide you with advice and support. Other members of the Group (such as the Group Scout Leader or Group Chair), may also find it useful.
This resource should be treated as a guide and read in conjunction with other resources (including The Scout Association’s Policy, Organisation and Rules, referred to as POR throughout this resource). If you're new to Scouting or the role you may find it useful to read the ‘Understanding Scouting language’ section at the end of this publication.
This resource has been produced as part of a series, which also includes guides for the Group Chair, Group Secretary, Group Treasurer and young people on committees. You may find it useful to look through these resources to get an understanding of their roles and the wider role of the Group Executive Committee.
There are a wide variety of roles which need to be undertaken in any Scout Group. Some are part of the Group’s committee structure, and others involve much more practical tasks. As an Executive Committee Member you will sit on the Group Executive Committee and assist with the work of the Group Executive Committee; either by the committee delegating specific responsibilities to you or by being part of a sub-committee.
All of the tasks required of a Group Executive Committee are to ensure that the Group can provide the Scout programme for our young people both now and in the future.
You may be in your role because you were invited to volunteer by the Group Scout Leader or the Group Executive Committee.
You might even be in a role which required you to be nominated and seconded before being elected by the Group Scout Council. Either way, this resource will help you find out more about the Group, the Group Executive Committee and the role of a Group Executive Committee Member.
You are an Executive Committee Member of a Scout Group, and are more than likely an existing member of the Group Scout Council.
The Group Scout Council is the electoral body which supports the activities in the Scout Group. The Group Executive Committee is accountable to the Group Scout Council.
In reality, the Group Scout Council meets just once a year. This meeting, the Annual General Meeting, must be held within six months of the Group’s financial year end. The Group Scout Council receives annual reports and sets up the Group Executive Committee for the following year.
Membership of the Group Scout Council is open to all adults with appointments in the Group, as well as the parents of youth members in the Group, and Patrol Leaders. Other supporters, including former Scouts and their parents, may be admitted to the Group Scout Council. It's highly desirable to include all of those who support the Group.
The Group Scout Leader is the volunteer manager of the Scout Group. They are responsible for providing leadership and support to every adult and young person involved in the Group.
The Group Chair and the Group Executive Committee support the Group Scout Leader and ensure the effective administration of the Scout Group. The Group Scout Leader nominates the Group Chair and the relationship should be one of partnership and mutual support.
The Group Executive Committee aims to make sure that the Scout Group has the facilities and resources needed to deliver good Scouting in the Group.
The leaders in the Group work with their team of adults (who perform a variety of roles) to deliver an exciting and attractive programme of activities for young people in the Group. Their work is co-ordinated through the Group Scouters’ meeting (chaired by the Group Scout Leader), which includes the section leaders and assistants.
As a Group Executive Committee Member you may work closely with various members of the Group, especially the Group Scout Leader and the Group Chair.