Trustee Boards

The Group Trustee Board plays a vital role in the running of a Scout Group. Trustee Boards make decisions and carry out administrative tasks to ensure that the best quality Scouting can be delivered to young people in the Group.

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 throughout this factsheet).

Further details of the responsibilities of the Group Trustee Board can be found in chapter 5 of POR.

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Information for Prospective Trustee Board Members

Why do we need a Group Trustee Board?

Members of the Trustee Board 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 the Scouts in the local area

  • Manage and implement the Safety Policy locally

  • Ensure that a positive image of the Scouts exists in the local community

  • Appoint and manage the operation of any sub-committees, including appointing Chairs 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 and Co-opted members of the Trustee Board

  • 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, and file copies with the District Trustee Board and, if a registered charity, appropriate charity regulator

  • Maintain confidentiality with regard to appropriate Trustee Board 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.

All members of the Group Trustee Board are charity trustees of the Scout Group. Only persons aged 18 and over may be full voting members of the Group Trustee Board because of their status as charity trustees (however the views of young people in the Group must be taken into consideration). Certain people are disqualified from being charity trustees by virtue of the Charities Acts.

Find the guidance and support you need as a Scouts Trustee

Training for Trustee Board Members

Trustee Board members must complete some learning within 180 days of appointment. You can find information about this on our Growing Roots Page.

Meeting & Time Commitment

For most groups in Willesden without their own headquarters the Board may only need to meet once per term, groups with headquarters may meet more often, or prefer to set up a sub-committee that meets more often to only deal with the business of running the premises.