WOSM Secretary General
The Secretary General is appointed by the World Scout Committee of which he/she is an ex-officio member. He/she is the Chief Executive Officer of the World Organization of the Scout Movement and directs its Secretariat, the World Scout Bureau. He/she promotes and safeguards the interests of the Movement.
Scott Teare was selected as Secretary General of WOSM in September 2012 and began his new assignment on January 1, 2013. A career-professional from the Boy Scouts of America, Scott comes to his position as Secretary General with a vast knowledge and understanding of the Scout Movement.
Joining the Cub Scouts on his eighth birthday, Scott has been continually registered and active in Scouting ever since. In an interview for scout.org, he said “As I look back at my early Scouting days, it was the friends that I made in Scouting that I kept in touch with in my later, adult years. Yes, I suppose my high school and university friends were important, but it was my Scouting friends that remained as my adult friends in later life.”
Scott went on to explain, “My parents were very supportive of my Scouting activities. They encouraged me through their personal example to lose myself in service to others. We were not a wealthy family, but my parents did without many things to assist others in need. It is that act of helping others that defines the man I became. Those that know me best understand my passion to help young people.”
Fully engaged in Scouting as a youth, Scott attained the Boy Scouts of America’s highest award, the Eagle Scout Award. In 2012, he also received the highest honor in World Scouting, the Bronze Wolf Award.
A professional career with the Boy Scouts of America has prepared Scott well for his responsibilities as Secretary General. He has worked with volunteers from major businesses and industries, as well as leading government officials. His career afforded him an expertise in volunteer recruitment and training, fund raising, budget management, staff leadership and a complete understanding that Scouting changes the lives of young people. Scott has often said “Let there be no doubt in the minds of anyone within the sound of my voice… Scouting is the best and largest leadership development program for young people anywhere on this planet. Period. End of story!”
Scott Teare graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He has attended numerous professional development courses inside and outside of Scouting. His professional Scouting career included the positions of District Executive, Finance Director, Endowment Director, and Scout Executive (CEO of a local BSA council), before he joined the BSA National Staff.
At the BSA National Office he was on the Finance Development Staff, Director of External Communications, and Administrative Director of the Office of the Chief Scout Executive (BSA’s CEO). However, most know Scott from his assignment during the past 12 years as BSA’s International Director, where he worked to support the World Scout Foundation, WSB-Central Office, WOSM Regional Offices and many local National Scout Organizations.
His predecessor was Luc Panissod. Scott credits Luc for leaving behind a legacy of professionalism and passion for our Movement that set the stage for his new role in Scouting.
An inspirational supporter of Scouting, Scott is known for this very personal saying that defines who he is, “My name is Scott Teare. I am a Messenger of Peace!”
Read Scott Teare’s full interview published when he joined the World Scout Bureau in January 2013.
Previous Secretary Generals
