Volunteering
Have you ever considered volunteering with a scout group? Perhaps you have an interesting in helping and supporting young people achieve their goals or maybe you would like to give back to a local charity.
Volunteering with a scout group isn’t just directly working with young people on a weekly basis, there is a wealth of voluntary roles that might interest you. You can use the list below to find a volunteering role or position that might interest you. If you have an questions at all, please contact us at scouting@markinchscouts.org
Occasionally, we are asked about young people volunteering within the group for a period of time as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award. Whilst it is normally the case that the young person is an explorer scout, this does not have to be the case. You can volunteer with the group as part of your Duke of Edinburgh even if you aren’t in scouts. Get in touch and we can see if we can help.​
Volunteering roles
Leaders
When we think about volunteering with a scout group, we normally think of the individuals running around with our blue ninjas (beaver scouts) or up climbing hills with a group scouts. Whilst this is sometimes the case, this is not the only role – even as a leader. Leaders within the scouts are uniformed members of The Scout Association and make their promise, just like the young people. Leaders in the scouts have training requirements to ensure that the scouting we deliver is also of a high standard and is as safe as can be. Leaders are also typically split in to two parts.
Section leaders (SL)
Section leaders are the leaders in charge of a particular section. These leaders take on the responsibility to ensure that the section is well run, with a balanced programme. They also take on some administrative tasks in line with running a section.
Assistant Section Leaders (ASL)
Assistant Section Leaders support Section Leaders in running a particular section. These leaders are involved regularly with the section and step in to run the meetings when the Section Leader is unavailable. Assistant Section leaders might also take on some administrative tasks to help the section leader.
Section assistants
Section assistants (SA) are like Assistant Section Leaders except they do not become uniformed members of the Scout Association, meaning they do not need to complete the same training or make their promise. Section assistants are typically individuals who would like to help out regularly with a section but either don’t have the time to be a full leader or would not like to take on the additional responsibilities.
Executive Committee (trustees)
The Group Executive Committee plays a vital role in the running of a Scout Group. Executive Committees make decisions and carry out administrative tasks to ensure that the best quality Scouting can be delivered to young people in the Group. The group executive committee are charity trustees and must be eligible to serve as a charity trustee in Scotland.
Chairperson, treasurer and secretary
The three main positions that we always think about when we think of an executive committee, chairperson, treasurer and secretary.
The Chairperson leads the executive committee, ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities within the group. The chair will work closely with the Group Scout Leader and other relevant commissioners to achieve the purposes of the local scout group.
The Treasurer provides sound financial administration, support and information to the group executive committee.
The Secretary supports the chair and GSL to ensure the smooth functioning and sound administration of the scout group.
Committee members
Executive Committee members contribute to the running of the group by providing administrative support, strategic direction and compliance with relevant legislation including The Scout Association’s Policy, Organisation and Rules.
Parent helpers and occasional helpers
Parent helpers and occasional helpers are individuals who help out on a semi-regular basis with a section. Sometimes parent helpers assist with the section that their child is involved in. Sometimes this makes sense but on other occasions we sometimes ask willing parents to assist with other sections as it allows the young person some independence from their parents to grow and flourish.
Whilst in Scotland, we do not technically have occasional helpers, we do have something similar. This is because of the disclosure legislation in Scotland is slightly different. Occasional helpers are normally individuals who would like to help out the scout group occasionally but do not do this on a regular basis. Sometimes this is an individual with a particular skill set or someone who just likes helping out when they have some time, but no often enough to be considered a Sectional assistant.
Fundraising helpers
Scout groups are individual organisations, and we are a registered charity. As you can imagine, money can sometimes be tight and the activities we do can sometimes be quite expensive. Not to mention badges, tents, cooking equipment, sports kit, and resources for activities. So to help make everything we do happen, we are always looking for fundraising helpers. Fundraising normally sits as a sub-committee of the group executive committee. It is not a role that requires you to sit as a charity trustee, all you focus on is the fundraising.
Group Supporters
Group supporters are an unusual role, as it encompasses every role above. Sometimes people would like to help out with lifting a paint brush to put a fresh coat on the hall walls, or it might be helping transport items for a camp. Any help you can offer will always be gratefully received.