Adult Volunteers
General Overview
In 2002 (which was also the International Year of Volunteers), the 36th World Scout Conference (Thessalonica, Greece) declared volunteering to be one of three key priorities of the World Scout Strategy. Participants at the European Scout Symposium held in March 2003 reiterated that the issue of volunteers was one of the top priorities in Europe. As in many other aspects of life, the concept of volunteering is changing and the Region needs to adapt. Ensuring that we have enough high-quality leaders who are committed to offering their time to the Movement is a major challenge and has been one of the priority areas of work in the Region.
Introduction
Scouting has a great number of very committed adults, but many more are needed. With the support of the Adult Resources Policy, we therefore need to attract, recruit and retain more adults in Scouting. These adults need to be trained to fully identify with the values of Scouting and to share them with young people.
A sound adult resources management system will be one of the key success factors for the European associations in the time to come. If associations fail to recruit, train and motivate capable leaders, the entire delivery system of the youth programme will fail and we will be unable to achieve our mission.
In line with new working methods that have been adopted in the European Scout Region, an Adult Resources Network is being established to implement the objectives relating to the ‘The Adults we Need’ priority as identified in the Regional Scout Plan 2004-2007.
It is anticipated that this network will grow to encompass, on an informal basis, the input and involvement of many volunteers and professionals working in the field of adult resources from associations across Europe. The Regional Scout Plan specifically mentions that ‘greater opportunities for increased and more effective networking’ are required. Further, in specific relation to the Adults in Scouting policy, one of the objectives is ‘to create a network of associations that will collect and exchange examples of good practice related to this priority.’
The Regional Scout Plan involves a focus on supporting both professionals and volunteers, by providing:
- greater opportunities for increased and more effective networking;
- better training schemes, and the development of useful tools;
- opportunities to attend international Scout events and play a role in the development of national Scout associations.
Areas of Work
The main areas of work on Adult Resources in the European Scout Region on the term 2004-07 are:
- Adults in Scouting
- Recruitment
- Recognition
- Trends
Adult Volunteers Network
Link to the WOSM Strategic Priority 5
Strategic Priority 5: Volunteers in Scouting
