Regional Restructuring in Ontario

Busy Building Tomorrow
Bulletin #2

THE GROUP SCOUTER - CONCEPT EXPANDED

BACKGROUND

The new Group Scouter position within the revised operating structure of Scouting in Ontario is the key element for achieving a greater level of section Leader support, communications and program delivery to our youth.

The Group Scouter will be the link between the individual group and the Area Commissioner and the Area Service/Support Team. It will be the Group Scouter who communicates group program concerns to the Area Commissioner and at the same time communicates program related information from the Area Commissioner to the section Leaders. Group Scouters will work beside Group Committee Chairs with the Chairs responsible for administrative issues, (e.g. fund raising, quarter-mastering, etc), and the Group Scouter responsible for all program issues.

WHERE DOES THE GROUP SCOUTER COME FROM?

The Group Scouter ideally comes from within each individual Group. Each Group will recommend an individual whose appointment will rest with the Area Commissioner. In the interim the Group Committee Chair may assume this role until a candidate can be identified and appointed.

HOW DOES THE GROUP SCOUTER AND THE GROUP FIT INTO THE NEW SERVICE AREA CONCEPT?

The individual Group is still the key focal point for Scouting in Ontario. The addition of the Group Scouter position will strengthen this focal point by ensuring that the best possible program is delivered to the youth in the Group. The following chart shows the model as it relates to Groups within the new Service Areas.

WHO WOULD BE IDEAL CANDIDATES FOR GROUP SCOUTERS?

Candidates for the Group Scouter position should be individuals that are well known within the Group who have credibility in the area of program delivery. They are good communicators, problem solvers, goal setters and team players. They have a demonstrated knowledge of Scouting programs, policies & procedures, available training and program standards.

VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF IN THE SERVICE AREAS

In the organization chart below, with the exception of the Council Field Executive, all positions are filled by volunteers. Other possible Deputy Area Commissioners (e.g. Membership Development, Training, etc.) not shown on the chart will also be volunteers.

OTHER ISSUES – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

DISTRICT MONIES

Continued concerns over funds remaining in District bank accounts as of September 1, 2002 need to be addressed. To be clear ....

1. Any funds set aside for specific projects in support of assets, (i.e. camps or buildings), will be transferred to the Region and held in accounts for those specific projects.

2. Two years of operating funds will be set aside to ensure that Groups receive the necessary support.

3. All remaining monies will be distributed back to the individual Groups on an equitable basis.

HOW WILL MY GROUP’S CONCERNS/VOICE BE HEARD?

As indicated in the Service Area chart on the previous page the individual Group concerns / voice will be passed to the Area Commissioner by the Group Scouter on program issues and by the Group Committee Chair on administrative issues. Each Area Commissioner reports to the (Regional) Council Commissioner and is a member of the Council Service Team. Individual group concerns that cannot be addressed either by the Area Commissioner, (or the Deputy Area Commissioner), are communicated to the Council Commissioner and his/her Service/Support Team.

In addition, it is planned to conduct regular Area Group Scouter meetings and Area Group Committee Chair forums co-ordinated by the DAC responsible for each of these areas. These meetings will be designed to facilitate the communication of key information and the sharing of ideas/concerns amongst the groups.

HOW WILL PREVOIUSLY DISTRICT RUN EVENTS BE FUNDED?

As mentioned in Bulletin #1, former District run events will be co-ordinated by the Area service team with support from the individual Groups, (no change from the current method). Since Areas do not hold bank accounts an individual Group would be selected to be the “financial clearing house” for a specific event. All revenues and expenses for that event would pass through that Group which would provide an event financial reconciliation at the conclusion. Groups would be selected to handle the bookkeeping for events on a rotating basis. The option also exists for the financial management to take place from the (regional) council level.

A portion of the District operating expenses transferred to the Region would cover any “seed” monies required for an event in the first two years. Thereafter advance funds (e.g. event crests) would be co-ordinated through the Area Commissioner as part of the regional council budget. The advanced funds would be returned to the fund that provided the advance.

WHERE DO THE AREA COMMISIONERS AND DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS COME FROM?

The Area Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners will continue to come from the same source as current District Commissioners and their Service Team members – usually from within the boundaries of the District, or now Area. These are the volunteers who are normally experienced in the Scouting program and dedicated to the youth served in their community.

WHAT POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VOLUNTEERS NOT CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN DELIVERING THE PROGRAM TO YOUTH?

In addition to needing the current volunteers that serve on camp committees, building committees or serve as camp rangers there are a number of (regional) council positions and committees that will need volunteer involvement. These could include Council Chair and committee members for the following:

Honours & Awards, Revenue Development, Communications & Public Relations, Finance, Properties and others.

FURTHER QUESTIONS?

If you or your Group have questions not yet covered please forward them to the attention of one of the Regional Key Four at your Regional Office.