Youth Sections Organisation Structure Structure National Programme Award Schemes Module 12 of the series for Group Leaders NEXT 1 An overview for Group Leaders, of the initial training each section leader must attend.

NEXT 12 About this self tutoring module This interactive module is based on the New Zealand publication called “ An Operating Guide for Managing a Scout Group”.An Operating Guide for Managing a Scout Group It is designed for Group Leaders who are unable to attend a training course, or who prefer to learn at their own pace at home. These interactive modules may be downloaded free of charge from this website: region1.scouts.org.nz/ Note: Click the and buttons to navigate through the module. BACK NEXT BACK 2

3 NEXT 12 About this self tutoring module BACKIntroduction Group Leaders are required to have a basic understanding of the contents of the Initial Training modules 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3. that cover: 1.Section Organisation, 2.National Programmes 3.and Section Award Schemes. This module provides the Group Leader with a brief overview of these topics. Training Resources SCOUTS New Zealand provides a considerable number of resources on their website. They are for all leaders and cover: Administration forms Award and activity forms Practical skills training handouts that include knots, pioneering, camping, tramping, campfires, map and compass, weather and many others. Click here to logon Click here to logon to the website. Then go to ‘Downloads’ on the left menu and look under the various headings to display the resources. E.g. forms, training, or training resources etc.

12 The Section Structure There are five sections in Scouting. Four operate within the Scout Group structure. These sections are: 1.Keas 1.Keas – School years 1 and 3 2.Cubs 2.Cubs – School years 3 to 6 3.Scouts 3.Scouts School years 7 to 10 4.Venturer 4.Venturers – School years 11 to 14 The fifth section is Rovers who operate independently of the Scout Groups and cater for the 18 to 25 age Group. Ideally youth move from section to section at the end of the third school term when the Group holds a transition ceremony. Some of the larger Groups transition youth members at the end of each term. 4 NEXT BACK

NEXT 5 Keas Keas operate in a ‘Club’ of up to 20 children with three or four adult leaders. The Leaders plan and organize the programme and the Keas do everything together based on their motto of sharing and caring. When doing activities Keas often form into groups of 3 or 4 children. These small groups are called a ‘Posse’. Cubs Cubs operate in a ‘Pack’ with the Cubs organized into four or more ‘Sixes.’ One Cub in each six is appointed as the Six Leader and is supported by an adult leader. The Sixes provide opportunities for shared leadership and teamwork as they take part in the programme which is planned by the adult leaders. 12 The Section Method Scouts Scouts operate in ‘Troops’ with four or more ‘Patrols’ (teams) of six or more Scouts. One Scout in each Patrol is appointed as a Patrol Leader. There are at least two adult leaders in each Troop. The Patrol Leaders meet regularly to help the adult leaders plan and run the programme. Venturers Venturers operate in ‘Units’ of between 7 and 20 members, with the ‘Unit Chairperson’ appointed by the adult leader. A ‘Unit Executive’ is elected annually by the Unit members and they plan and organize the Unit programme, guided by the adult leader. BACK

12 The National Programme 6 BACK NEXT As mentioned in an earlier module, Scouting develops youth by operating in the non formal education sector. Scouting’s aim includes the components shown in the illustration below. We try to achieve a balanced programme during the course of a school term by planning to achieve activities in each of the ‘Cornerstones’ shown in the jigsaw illustration below. Note well: A programme of all games will not achieve Scouting’s aims and will soon bore the youth members who then leave.

12 The National Programme BACK NEXT 7 SCOUTS New Zealand provides all section leaders with a comprehensive activity programme for each school term. These are available to download from the National Scout Website midway through each school term. The programmes are not compulsory, although all leaders are expected to follow the themes so the whole Movement is working on the same topics. The themes are the same for each section, but the degree of challenge is of course increased for the older youth members. The Group Leader’s involvement in the programme Yes you do need to get involved, but only at the planning level. Your role is to: call a meeting of all leaders as soon as the programmes are available. get each section collaborating over the themes and then planning their own detailed weekly activities. ensure each section’s programme is published and distributed to the parents so they can plan their time accordingly. You can download the programmes here once you have logged on.can download the programmes here

BACK 8 12 Section Award Schemes Each section in Scouting has a progressive Award Scheme with three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold. A badge is presented as each level is achieved by the youth member. Each level is divided into the four Cornerstones so that the scheme is balanced and in line with our development aims. There is also a section called ‘Personal Development Challenges’ which allows each youth member to follow their personal interests and earn a badge. Here is an example of some of the Scout Section Bronze level Outdoor requirements. NEXT

BACK NEXT 9 12 Section Award Schemes The Chief’s Scout Award This award is earned in the Scout Section and is the highest award a Scout can earn. This badge is usually presented by the Zone Scout Leader at the end of the term and it is customary to invite all Scout parents and the recipient’s grand parents. The presentation is generally made by the Zone Scout Leader. In a Jamboree year, the recipient also gets invited to the Governor General’s reception at the Jamboree. Two special youth achievement awards to be aware of: The Queen’s Scout Award This award is earned in the Venturer Section and is the highest award a Venturer can earn. This badge is usually presented by the Zone Venturer Leader at the end of the term and it is customary to invite the Scout parents from all sections, plus the recipient’s grand parents and extended family. The certificate is presented by the Governor General at a ceremony in Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland.

NEXT BACK 12 Check your understanding Having fun in the outdoors as often as possible. Working in small groups that are led by adults, and using the outdoors as much as possible to provide fun programmes. Click what you believe is the correct statement 2.What are the names of the four programme activity types known as Cornerstones. They are intended to help provide balance in the programmes. Outdoors, Community, Personal Development, New Experiences. Physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. 1. The programme operating method for all sections of Scouting is: 3. What is the Group Leader’s responsibility in respect to the sections programmes? The Group Leader needs to make sure the leaders in each section work together to create programmes with a common theme for each week of the next term. The Group Leader isn’t involved in planning the section programmes. That is the section leaders job. 10

Congratulations. You have completed the Group Leaders training module 12 Please click on this link and advise the Zone Training Leader.click on this link The modules in this series are: GLs Support – 1. Scouts is a value based organisation GLs Support - 2. The Group, the committee, the AGM and you GLs Support - 3. Recruiting and inducting adult volunteers GLs Support - 4. Supporting your Group team GLs Support - 5. Leading by example GLs Support - 6. You are not alone GLs Support - 7. Communicating effectively GLs Support - 8. Planning and development GLs Support - 9. Protecting SCOUTS assets GLs Support – 10 Safety of Youth and Leaders GLs Support - 11 Dealing with Difficult Situations GLs Support - 12 Section Organisation overview EXIT BACK 12 This module has been completed 11

Correct !!! Well done, you understand SCOUTS approach on this. BACK 12

Sorry !!! This is not the complete answer. The Scout method of progressive development involves leaders working with small teams of youth in the outdoors whenever possible, and having fun. BACK 13

Sorry !!! The topics listed are the components that makeup the development aim of Scouting. The programme ‘Cornerstones’ are: Outdoors, Community, Personal Development, New Experiences. BACK 14

Sorry !!! This is not the best answer. While the Section Leaders are responsible for the programme content and plan, it is the responsibility of the Group Leader to call a programme planning meeting for all the leaders as soon as the National Programmes are published and available for downloading. BACK 15