Group Executive Committee

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.

There is always room for more on the Group Executive. We typically meet once per term, once for the Annual General Meeting, and a sub-Group meet to organise the annual Bedding Plants sales. There may be other meetings if specific topics need to be addressed. Please contact the Group Scout Leader gsl@21stwarringtonscouts.org.uk for more information.

Full information can be found on the Scouts Website.

This information 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).

The Group Executive Committee

The Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of their appointment. Members of the Executive Committee must act collectively as charity trustees of the Scout Group, and in the best interests of its members to:

• Comply with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
• Protect and maintain any property and equipment owned by and/or used by the Group
• Manage the Group finances.
• Provide insurance for people, property and equipment.
• Provide sufficient resources for Scouting to operate. This includes, but is not limited to,
• supporting recruitment, other adult support, and fundraising activities.
• Promote and support the development of Scouting in the local area.
• Manage and implement the Safety Policy locally.
• Ensure that a positive image of Scouting exists in the local community
• Appoint and manage the operation of any sub-Committees, including appointing Chairmen to lead the sub-Committees.
• Ensure that Young People are meaningfully involved in decision making at all levels within the Group.
• The opening, closure and amalgamation of Sections in the Group as necessary.

The Executive Committee must also:

• Appoint Administrators, Advisers, and Co-opted members of the Executive Committee.
• Approve the Annual Report and Annual Accounts after their examination by an appropriate auditor, independent examiner or scrutineer.
• Present the Annual Report and Annual Accounts to the Scout Council at the Annual General Meeting; file a copy with the District Executive Committee; and if a registered charity, to the appropriate charity regulator if the regulator’s rules require it. (See Rule 13.3)
• Maintain confidentiality with regard to appropriate Executive Committee business.
• Where staff are employed, act as a responsible employer in accordance with Scouting’s values and relevant legislation.
• Ensure line management responsibilities for employed staff are clearly established and
  communicated
• Members of the Group Executive Committee

The Group Executive is made up of four types of members:

Ex-officio members have a role on the Committee due to their role in Scouting. These include:

• Group Scout Leader
• Group Chair
• Group Treasurer
• Group Secretary
• Assistant Group Scout Leader (if any)
• All Section Leaders (i.e. individuals holding a Beaver Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader or
  Scout Leader role) subject to that Section Leader expressly indicating to the AGM (in
  writing or orally at the meeting) that they are willing to perform such a function
• Explorer Scout Leader (if stated in the partnership agreement, and subject to that
  Explorer Scout Leader expressly indicating to the AGM (in writing or orally at the meeting) that they are willing to perform such a function)
• The sponsoring authority or its nominee

Elected members stand for election at the Annual General Meeting and are elected by the Group Scout Council to take on the role; there are usually four to six in number.

Nominated members are nominated by the Group Scout Leader in partnership with the Group Chair and approved at the Annual General Meeting; there must be no more nominated members than elected members.

Co-opted members are chosen to take on a role by the Group Executive Committee due to specific skills or knowledge useful to the committee; there must be no more co-opted members than elected members.

The membership is set up this way to ensure that the interests of the Group Scout Council and the Group Scout Leader are represented, and balanced. It also serves to broaden the membership of the Executive – possibly to bring in people from other parts of the local community.

Ideally, between the nominated members, elected members and co-opted members, the Group Executive Committee should include a parent of at least one Member of each of the Sections in the Group.

Charity Trustees

Scout Groups in England and Wales are considered charities by law, and some may be registered with the appropriate charity regulator. All members of the Group Executive Committee are charity trustees.

To comply with legislation, all charities must have a governing body, which in Scouting we call an Executive Committee. Members of the Executive Committee must act collectively as Charity Trustees of the Scout Group.

As charity trustees, Executive Committee members have a number of specific responsibilities that they must fulfil to ensure the effective running of the Scout Group.

It is vital that all members of the Executive Committee understand their responsibilities as Charity Trustees.

Collectively and individually they must:

• Ensure that the charity is carrying out the purposes for which it is set up and no other.
• Follow Policy, Organisation & Rules, charity law and other laws which apply to the charity along with any requirements of the appropriate charity regulator.
• Make balanced and adequately informed decisions to enable the charity to carry out its
  purposes and avoid putting themselves in a position where their duty to the charity conflicts with their personal interests or loyalty to any other person or body.
• Comply with statutory accounting and reporting requirements.
• Demonstrate that the charity is complying with the law, is well run and is effective.
• Ensure accountability within the charity, particularly when delegating responsibility for
  particular tasks or decisions to others.
• Act responsibly, reasonably and honestly making sure the charity’s assets are only used
  to support or carry out its purposes.
• Avoid exposing the charity’s assets, beneficiaries or reputation to undue risk.
• Make use of the skills and experience available from other trustees while taking appropriate advice when necessary.

Executive Committee members are legally and financially responsible for the running of the Scout Group. This means that in some circumstances, if things do go wrong, trustees may be liable for any debt or financial loss incurred by the Group. However, this is rare and trustees can protect against this by following the duties and responsibilities as laid out in this factsheet and POR.

Since 2008 The Scout Association has provided a national policy to cover the trustees of any Scout charity. That includes members of Executive Committees for Scout Groups, Districts and Counties, as well as those who manage other Scout assets such as building or campsite committees. For more information, contact Unity (Scout Insurance Service): call 0345 040 7703 or visit www.scoutinsurance.co.uk

Charity Regulation differs in Scotland and Northern Ireland, please contact the relevant Country Headquarters and charity regulators for more information on Charity registration and Trusteeship. In Scotland only Scout Groups registered with the regulator have charity Trustee status. For unregistered Scout Groups the Executive Committee should still act with the same duties and responsibilities as Charity Trustees.