1st Aldershot Scout Group
The Constitution of the Scout Group
This is the Constitution of 1st Aldershot Scout Group who operate in Blackwater Valley District in the County of Hampshire. The Groups membership is drawn from, but not restricted to, North Town, Aldershot in the Borough of Rushmoor
Aims and Method
Aims and Method
The aims and method by which the Group operates are those of the Scout Association which are set out below.
“The Aim of The Scout Association is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. The Method of achieving the Aim of the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult Leadership.” (extracted from Policy, Organisation and Rules October 2000 edition)
Registration
“The Aim of The Scout Association is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. The Method of achieving the Aim of the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult Leadership.” (extracted from Policy, Organisation and Rules October 2000 edition)
Registration
The Scout Group is a registered member of the Scout Association whose headquarters are at Gilwell House, Gilwell Park, Bury Road, Chingford LONDON E4 7QW
The Group registration is maintained by payment of an annual subscription to the Scout Association for each member included on the annual census return.
Identity
The Group registration is maintained by payment of an annual subscription to the Scout Association for each member included on the annual census return.
Identity
The Group scarf, part of the approved Scout Uniform is Red and White striped with Group badge on rear point.
The Group Council
Membership of the Group Council is open to all Leaders, Helpers, Skills Instructors, Administrators, Advisers, Patrol Leaders, parents of all the Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scouts and any other supporters, including former Scouts and their parents, who may be admitted by the Group Scout Leader, the Group Executive Committee or the Group Council.
The District Commissioner and District Chairman are ex officio members of the GroupCouncil.
Membership of the Group Council ceases upon:
· the resignation of the member;
· the dissolution of the Council; or
· the termination of such membership by Headquarters following a recommendation by the Group Executive Committee.
The Group Council will hold an Annual General Meeting within six months of its financial year end (31st December) to:
· approve the Annual Report of the Group Executive Committee, including the annual statement of accounts;
· approve the Group Scout Leader's nomination of the Group Chairman and nominated members of the Group Executive Committee;
· elect a Group Secretary and Group Treasurer;
· elect certain members of the Group Executive Committee;
· appoint an auditor or independent examiner or scrutineer as required by the Charity Commissioners.
The Group Council
Membership of the Group Council is open to all Leaders, Helpers, Skills Instructors, Administrators, Advisers, Patrol Leaders, parents of all the Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scouts and any other supporters, including former Scouts and their parents, who may be admitted by the Group Scout Leader, the Group Executive Committee or the Group Council.
The District Commissioner and District Chairman are ex officio members of the GroupCouncil.
Membership of the Group Council ceases upon:
· the resignation of the member;
· the dissolution of the Council; or
· the termination of such membership by Headquarters following a recommendation by the Group Executive Committee.
The Group Council will hold an Annual General Meeting within six months of its financial year end (31st December) to:
· approve the Annual Report of the Group Executive Committee, including the annual statement of accounts;
· approve the Group Scout Leader's nomination of the Group Chairman and nominated members of the Group Executive Committee;
· elect a Group Secretary and Group Treasurer;
· elect certain members of the Group Executive Committee;
· appoint an auditor or independent examiner or scrutineer as required by the Charity Commissioners.
The Group Executive Committee
Membership of the Group Executive Committee may include ex officio members, nominated members, elected members and co-opted members. The following are ex officio members if the appointments are filled:
· The Group Scout Leader
· The Group Chairman
· All Section Leaders
· The Group Secretary
· The Group Treasurer
· The Group Scout Leader may annually nominate a number of members of the Group Council to serve on the Group Executive Committee. The Group Council at its Annual General Meeting should elect a number of members to serve. The number of elected members must not exceed the number of members nominated by the Group Scout Leader. Ideally the nominated members should include a parent of at least one member of each of the Sections in the Group. The Committee itself may co-opt further members, but the co-opted members must not exceed the number of nominated members. The District Commissioner and the District Chairman have the right of attendance.The Group Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointment and is responsible for:
· the maintenance of Group property;
· the raising of funds and the administration of Group finance;
· the insurance of persons, property and equipment;
· Group public occasions;
· arranging accommodation and assisting to find camping grounds;
· assisting in the recruitment of Leaders and other adult support;
· appointing any sub-Committees that may be required;
· appointing Group Administrators and Advisers other than those who are elected.
Members of the Group Executive Committee are the 'Charity Trustees' of the Scout Group which is an educational charity. Certain people are disqualified from being charity trustees by virtue of the Charities Acts. Charity trustees are responsible for complying with all the legislation applicable to charities.
The Group Executive Committee may appoint any sub-Committees that they deem necessary. The Group Scout Leader and the Group Chairman will be ex officio members of any sub-Committee of the Group Executive Committee.
The fund raising sub-Committee must include at least two members of the Group Executive Committee, in addition to the ex officio members, but no Section Leader or Assistant Leader should serve on such a sub-Committee.
The Group Scouters' Meeting
Membership of the Group Scouters' Meeting consists of the Group Scout Leader as chairman, all Section Leaders and Assistant Leaders.
The purpose of the Group Scouters' Meeting is: -
· the well-being and development of each Member of the Group,
· the progress of each Member through the Progressive Award Training Scheme
· planning and co-ordination of all the Group activities
· advise the Group Executive Committee of the financial and other resource requirements of the training programme.
Conduct of Meetings in the Scout Group
In meetings of the Group Council and the Group Executive Committee, only the members as defined above may vote.
Decisions are made by a majority of votes. In the event of an equal number of votes being cast on either side in any issue the chairman does not have a casting vote and the matter is not carried.
The quorum for meetings will be as follows: -
· The Group Council 8 members and ex-officio members
· Group Executive Committee 5 members
· Sub-Committees 2 members
Administrators and Advisers in the Scout Group
The Group Chairman must be able to work in partnership with the Group Scout Leader. The Group Scout Leader nominates the Group Chairman and this nomination is approved by the Group Council at its Annual General Meeting.
The Group Council at the Annual General meeting elects the Group Secretary and Group Treasurer every year. Uniformed leaders may not hold either of these appointments. No single individual may hold more than one of the appointments of Group Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer.
Other Administrators and Advisers may be appointed by the Group Executive Committee if it so wishes, subject to the approval of the Group Scout Leader. The appointment and termination of all Group Administrators and Advisers should be reported to the District Secretary who should keep a record of them.
The appointment of Administrators and Advisers may be terminated by the resignation of the holder, the unanimous resolution of all other members of the Group Executive Committee, the expiry of the period of the appointment. Termination of the appointment is automatic in the event of the cancellation of the registration of the Group by Headquarters in the circumstances described in the Associations Rules
Responsibilities of Group Administrators
The Group Chairman must function in partnership with the Group Scout Leader. The Group Chairman acts as chairman of the Group Council and the Group Executive Committee. The function of both bodies is to create the best possible circumstances and facilities for the delivery of the training programme to the Members of the Group.
The Group Chairman must take all possible steps to ensure that there is an effective Executive Committee, and that the Executive Committee provides effective administration and financial support for the Group. Another duty is to ensure that when new Group Secretaries or Group Treasurers are appointed they are fully briefed to administer, with the Group Chairman, the affairs of the Group efficiently and to comply with all statutory requirements.
The Group Secretary is elected to act as Secretary of the Group Council and the Group Executive Committee. The Group Secretary should keep such records concerning the administration and training in the Group as the Group Scout Leader and the Group Chairman may require, and should make available to Members of the Group information and advice received from Headquarters, the Scout County and District or from any other outside source as may be appropriate.
The Group Treasurer is elected to advise the Group Executive Committee on financial control and expenditure and after consultation with the Group Scouters' Meeting to produce an annual budget for approval by the Group Executive Committee. The Group Treasurer should collect the Headquarters County and District Membership Subscription from all Members of the Group who are liable for its payment and remit the total sum to the District Treasurer. Another responsibility is to receive all monies from Sections in the Group on behalf of the Group Executive Committee and to keep account of all funds. Money should be paid out only as authorised by the Group Executive Committee, and such bank accounts as may be necessary should be maintained in the name of the Group, ensuring that funds allotted to Sections in the Group are properly accounted for and any accumulated funds that are not immediately required are invested.
The Group Treasurer should work closely with the Group Council and the District Treasurer in all matters related to the raising of funds, supervise the administration of Group property and equipment and ensure that proper inventories are maintained and proper insurance arranged. Finally, the Group Treasurer must comply with all the Rules relating to finance, which are contained in Chapter 16 of POR
· The Group Scout Leader
· The Group Chairman
· All Section Leaders
· The Group Secretary
· The Group Treasurer
· The Group Scout Leader may annually nominate a number of members of the Group Council to serve on the Group Executive Committee. The Group Council at its Annual General Meeting should elect a number of members to serve. The number of elected members must not exceed the number of members nominated by the Group Scout Leader. Ideally the nominated members should include a parent of at least one member of each of the Sections in the Group. The Committee itself may co-opt further members, but the co-opted members must not exceed the number of nominated members. The District Commissioner and the District Chairman have the right of attendance.The Group Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointment and is responsible for:
· the maintenance of Group property;
· the raising of funds and the administration of Group finance;
· the insurance of persons, property and equipment;
· Group public occasions;
· arranging accommodation and assisting to find camping grounds;
· assisting in the recruitment of Leaders and other adult support;
· appointing any sub-Committees that may be required;
· appointing Group Administrators and Advisers other than those who are elected.
Members of the Group Executive Committee are the 'Charity Trustees' of the Scout Group which is an educational charity. Certain people are disqualified from being charity trustees by virtue of the Charities Acts. Charity trustees are responsible for complying with all the legislation applicable to charities.
The Group Executive Committee may appoint any sub-Committees that they deem necessary. The Group Scout Leader and the Group Chairman will be ex officio members of any sub-Committee of the Group Executive Committee.
The fund raising sub-Committee must include at least two members of the Group Executive Committee, in addition to the ex officio members, but no Section Leader or Assistant Leader should serve on such a sub-Committee.
The Group Scouters' Meeting
Membership of the Group Scouters' Meeting consists of the Group Scout Leader as chairman, all Section Leaders and Assistant Leaders.
The purpose of the Group Scouters' Meeting is: -
· the well-being and development of each Member of the Group,
· the progress of each Member through the Progressive Award Training Scheme
· planning and co-ordination of all the Group activities
· advise the Group Executive Committee of the financial and other resource requirements of the training programme.
Conduct of Meetings in the Scout Group
In meetings of the Group Council and the Group Executive Committee, only the members as defined above may vote.
Decisions are made by a majority of votes. In the event of an equal number of votes being cast on either side in any issue the chairman does not have a casting vote and the matter is not carried.
The quorum for meetings will be as follows: -
· The Group Council 8 members and ex-officio members
· Group Executive Committee 5 members
· Sub-Committees 2 members
Administrators and Advisers in the Scout Group
The Group Chairman must be able to work in partnership with the Group Scout Leader. The Group Scout Leader nominates the Group Chairman and this nomination is approved by the Group Council at its Annual General Meeting.
The Group Council at the Annual General meeting elects the Group Secretary and Group Treasurer every year. Uniformed leaders may not hold either of these appointments. No single individual may hold more than one of the appointments of Group Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer.
Other Administrators and Advisers may be appointed by the Group Executive Committee if it so wishes, subject to the approval of the Group Scout Leader. The appointment and termination of all Group Administrators and Advisers should be reported to the District Secretary who should keep a record of them.
The appointment of Administrators and Advisers may be terminated by the resignation of the holder, the unanimous resolution of all other members of the Group Executive Committee, the expiry of the period of the appointment. Termination of the appointment is automatic in the event of the cancellation of the registration of the Group by Headquarters in the circumstances described in the Associations Rules
Responsibilities of Group Administrators
The Group Chairman must function in partnership with the Group Scout Leader. The Group Chairman acts as chairman of the Group Council and the Group Executive Committee. The function of both bodies is to create the best possible circumstances and facilities for the delivery of the training programme to the Members of the Group.
The Group Chairman must take all possible steps to ensure that there is an effective Executive Committee, and that the Executive Committee provides effective administration and financial support for the Group. Another duty is to ensure that when new Group Secretaries or Group Treasurers are appointed they are fully briefed to administer, with the Group Chairman, the affairs of the Group efficiently and to comply with all statutory requirements.
The Group Secretary is elected to act as Secretary of the Group Council and the Group Executive Committee. The Group Secretary should keep such records concerning the administration and training in the Group as the Group Scout Leader and the Group Chairman may require, and should make available to Members of the Group information and advice received from Headquarters, the Scout County and District or from any other outside source as may be appropriate.
The Group Treasurer is elected to advise the Group Executive Committee on financial control and expenditure and after consultation with the Group Scouters' Meeting to produce an annual budget for approval by the Group Executive Committee. The Group Treasurer should collect the Headquarters County and District Membership Subscription from all Members of the Group who are liable for its payment and remit the total sum to the District Treasurer. Another responsibility is to receive all monies from Sections in the Group on behalf of the Group Executive Committee and to keep account of all funds. Money should be paid out only as authorised by the Group Executive Committee, and such bank accounts as may be necessary should be maintained in the name of the Group, ensuring that funds allotted to Sections in the Group are properly accounted for and any accumulated funds that are not immediately required are invested.
The Group Treasurer should work closely with the Group Council and the District Treasurer in all matters related to the raising of funds, supervise the administration of Group property and equipment and ensure that proper inventories are maintained and proper insurance arranged. Finally, the Group Treasurer must comply with all the Rules relating to finance, which are contained in Chapter 16 of POR
