Adult volunteer roles

As with all activities the Commissioner’s / Lead Volunteer’s approval is required before a staged public performance takes place. This should be an explicit permission for every performance and must not rely on “we’ve always done it” or tradition.

The Commissioner / Lead Volunteer should identify a Performance Chair.

For new performances or where performances need improvement to be public performance ready support may be available from the Programme Team.

Each staged performance must have an assessment to ensure that the performance is to an appropriate standard when being presented to the public. It is the responsibility of the Commissioner / Lead Volunteer to make sure that an assessment is carried out in liaison with the Performance Chair. If the Commissioner / Lead Volunteer is involved in the performance then they must seek approval from their Commissioner / Lead Volunteer.

The Chair will manage the overall performance (i.e. the production team, business management team and focus on the development of young people). They should not hold any other senior production roles. Ideally, they would have experience in performance, but most importantly should be a good manager of people.

The role of the Chair is to assure the Commissioner / Lead Volunteer that:

• The performance includes the specific and relevant actions required to meet the key policies of the Scout Association as set out in POR.
• Young people participate as part of the balanced programme within Scouting, and that the time commitment for the staged performance does not detract from this. 
• The content and material are suitable for the young people involved and the audience that will be attending.
• That the focus of the performance is on cast members under 25 (see below for further detailed information). 
• Adults are appointed to production roles as required. 
• All adults are members of the Scout Association or Girlguiding and must undertake all relevant vetting checks and mandatory training/learning.All adults working with young people at any stage of the show are aware of The Scout Association’s Child Protection Policy and Yellow Card. This includes all members of Girlguiding even if they are not members of the Scout Association.
• All legal aspects of public performances are adhered to as laid out below
• A business plan is submitted to the appropriate Commissioner / Lead Volunteer and Trustee Board and agreed as per the normal processes for events with such financial liability.
• There is formal agreement from the relevant Girlguiding Commissioner, where their members are involved.

(Note that these roles are very different to Scout roles i.e. Section Leadership Team member, Team Leader, support team member)

The roles will be different for each Staged Performance and may include any or all of the following positions depending upon the aims, size and nature of the production. Please note that this list is not exhaustive: 

• Producer / Director
• Musical Director
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Box Office
• Front of House
• Publicity
• Programme Design
• Fund Raiser / Sponsorship Coordinator
• Accompanist
• Choreographer
• Wardrobe Manager
• Make-up
• Chaperones
• Stage Manager
• Technical Director
• Lighting Operator
• Sound Operator
• Scenery Design
• Stage Crew

Members of the performance team   who require support and development can contact the National Performing Arts SASU for support and mentoring.