Local Scouts governance

Information for Group Lead Volunteers

Group constitution requirement

Summarising POR 5.3 https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/5-local-governance-and-finance-of-groups-districts-counties/#5.3

Every charity must have an agreed constitution.  Although every charity can agree its own constitution, it is very strongly encouraged that each Group adopt the constitution that is shown in POR Chapter 5.4 .

The model constitution describes the role, membership and operation of the Scout Council, and the Trustee Board.  In the interest of openness, especially for new members of the Scout Council, the Scout Council should re-adopt their charity’s constitution at each Annual General Meeting. This must be recorded in the minutes of the Annual General Meeting.

RECOMMENDED

A Group which adopts unchanged the model constitution in POR 5.4 should record in their Annual General Meeting minutes that 'POR 5.4 is fully adopted as its constitution'.  It is NOT necessary to create separate copies of this section of POR.

NOT RECOMMENDED

A Group which adopts the model constitution in POR 5.4 but makes a local amendment to the model constitution must record in the minutes of their Annual General Meeting:

Letting people know about meetings in advance – and communicating what they might expect to discuss at each one – will be key to making sure everyone has a chance to contribute.  


Regular meetings help us make sure everyone gets to make an impact, that information is shared and that plans are in place.  It is good practice to agree the dates for the year ahead at the September Trustee meeting.


This is a suggested meeting schedule: 

Leadership Team meetings

Leadership team meetings are a great opportunity for section team leads and GLVs to come together to review the programme, make plans and take the group forward.

In a leadership meeting, you might go over:

Section meetings

Section meetings are an opportunity to get together as a section to discuss a variety of things – and make a variety of decisions – together. 

They’re usually attended by the section’s:


In a section meeting, you might go over:

Trustee Board meetings

Trustee Board meetings are an opportunity to discuss the group’s needs, including how the group is governed and run and how fundraising is managed. 

They’re usually attended by the Group’s:


In an executive meeting, you might go over the:


For more information, take a look at our Trustee Board Meeting agenda prompts.


Review this information alongside updated digital system and volunteers systems to ensure you understand the most recent guidance.
https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/volunteer-experience/