Scout Association of Hong Kong - Policy, Organisation and Rules

Home Scouting Policy and Guidelines Policy, Organisation and Rules

Rule 2 - The Scout Group

Rule 2.5

Appointment of Leaders and Instructors in the Scout Group

Rule 2.5.1

Warrants and Provisional Warrants
(a) Warrants shall be issued to those leaders who have completed the specified stage of the Wood Badge Training as prescribed by the Chief Commissioner from time to time.
(b) Provisional Warrants may be issued to those leaders who have not yet completed the specified stage of the Wood Badge Training.
Holders of Provisional Warrants shall complete the specified stage of the Wood Badge Training so as to become eligible for a Warrant before the expiry date of the Provisional Warrants.

Rule 2.5.2

Appointment of Group Scout Leader
(a) The District Commissioner is responsible for nominating a Group Scout Leader, after consulting the Representative of the Sponsor and/or the Group Scouters' Meeting, as appropriate.
(b) The nominee shall satisfy the District Commissioner that he:

(i) is within the prescribed age limits for the appointment under 2.6;
(ii) is suitable in character and antecedents to be entrusted with the care of young people;
(iii) has the necessary qualification to carry out the duties of the appointment under 2.6;
(iv) understands and accepts the Aim and Method of the Association in this POR;
(v) understands and accepts the Leader Training obligations which apply to the appointment under 2.5.5.

(c) The nominee for the appointment of the Group Scout Leader must fill out and sign the nomination form.
(d) If the Regional Commissioner endorses the nomination, he shall send the endorsed nomination form to the Chief Commissioner who shall, if he thinks fit, issue a Warrant/Provisional Warrant to the Group Scout Leader.
(e) Where the position of a Group Scout Leader is vacant, the District Commissioner shall designate a leader as the "Scouter-in-charge", after consulting the Sponsor, the Group Chairman and/or the Group Scouters' Meeting pending the appointment of a Group Scout Leader. The Scouter-in-charge shall assume the responsibilities of the Group Scout Leader as provided herein.

Rule 2.5.3

Appointment of Assistant Group Scout Leaders, Leaders and Assistant Leaders
(a) The appointment of an Assistant Group Scout Leader will generally be approved by the District Commissioner if the Scout Group has at least three Sectional Units or over 80 Youth Members.
(b) The appointment of the Assistant Group Scout Leader, Leaders and Assistant Leaders shall follow the procedures as prescribed in 2.5.2(b) to 2.5.2(e), with both the Group Scout Leader and the District Commissioner being responsible for nominating the Leaders.

Rule 2.5.4

Presentation of Leader Warrants/Provisional Warrants
Leader Warrants/Provisional Warrants will preferably be presented by the District Commissioner or, by the Deputy District Commissioner or the Assistant District Commissioner of the Section concerned so soon as possible after receipt. The Leader shall make or reaffirm the Scout Promise when receiving the Leader Warrant/Provisional Warrant.

Rule 2.5.5

Leader Training Obligations
(a) The holders of Leader Warrant/Provisional Warrant have obligation to complete the Wood Badge Training.
(b) The Association may require a Leader to complete Wood Badge Training or the specified stage of Wood Badge training within a reasonable period and if the Leader fails to do so; his Leader Warrant/Provisional Warrant may lapse.

Rule 2.5.6

Leader Warrant and Provisional Warrant Reviews
(a) Subject to the provisions of 1.3.6 (Termination of Membership) and 2.5.5 (Leader Training Obligations) the Warrants of Leaders in a Scout Group remain valid for a period not exceeding 4 years from the year of issue, when they shall be reviewed by the District Commissioner; and Provisional Warrants of Leaders in a Scout Group remain valid for a period not exceeding 2 years from the year of issue, when they shall be reviewed by the District Commissioner.
(b) Warrants upon their expiry may be renewed on the recommendation of the District Commissioner.
(c) Provisional Warrants will not be renewed unless supported by reasonable explanation given by the Warrant holder as to why the holder could not complete the specified stage of the Wood Badge Training required for a Warrant within the specified period.
(d) The District Commissioner or the Regional Commissioner may also review any Warrants/Provisional Warrants of Leaders in a Scout Group at any time as he may think fit.
(e) All review records shall be filed and kept at the District Headquarters with duplicates kept at the Regional Headquarters.
(f) When any warrant is not renewed, the warrant holder and his Group Scout Leader and the District Commissioner shall be notified in writing by Association Headquarters.

Rule 2.5.7

Ceasing to hold an Appointment
(a) On ceasing to hold an appointment, the Leader's Warrant/Provisional Warrant shall automatically lapse and become null and void.
(b) If the Warrant/Provisional Warrant of a Leader has been terminated under the provisions of this POR, he shall return the cancelled Warrant/Provisional Warrant to the Association.

Rule 2.5.8

Cancellation of Leader Warrants/Provisional Warrants
The Chief Commissioner may suspend or cancel a Leader's Warrant/Provisional Warrant on his own motion or on the recommendation of the District Commissioner or the Regional Commissioner, if the holder
(a) wishes to resign;
(b) acquiesces when notified that a recommendation is to be made for the cancellation of his Warrant/Provisional Warrant;
(c) does not meet the age and qualification requirements;
(d) has failed to complete satisfactorily his leader training obligations without good reason;
(e) has failed the Warrant/Provisional Warrant review under 2.5.6;
(f) has discontinued or failed to perform the duties of the appointment;
(g) has demonstrated that he no longer accepts the fundamental principles of the Scout Movement as embodied in the Aim, Mission, Method, the Scout Promise and the Scout Law;
(h) is confirmed by the Chief Commissioner of the termination of the appointment following suspension under 1.3.7;
(i) is directed by the Chief Commissioner to relinquish his appointment.

Rule 2.5.9

Limitation of Warranted Appointments
(a) No Leader may hold more than one warranted appointment in the same Group unless he is able to carry out all the related duties satisfactorily. The approval of the Commissioners concerned shall be required before a second warranted appointment can be processed.
(b) No Leader may hold more than three warranted appointments unless with the express approval of the Chief Commissioner.
(c) The Group Scout Leader and the Assistant Group Scout Leader shall not hold any other warranted appointment in the same Group.
(d) Venture Scout shall not hold any warranted appointment.

Rule 2.5.10

Appointment of Instructors
Instructors in Scout Group are appointed by the Group Scout Leader. If the prospective Instructor is a Venture Scout or a Rover Scout, the appointment is subject to the agreement of his Sectional Leader. The appointments shall be reviewed by the Group Scout Leader every year and may be renewed. Instructors do not hold Leader Warrants but will be issued with Certificates of Appointment.

Rule 2.5.11

Cancellation of Instructor Appointments
Instructor appointments may be cancelled by the Group Scout Leader on any one of the following grounds:
(a) that the holder wishes to resign;
(b) that the holder acquiesces when notified that a recommendation is to be made for the cancellation of the appointment;
(c) that the period of the appointment has expired and it is not to be renewed;
(d) that the holder has discontinued or failed to perform the duties of the appointment;
(e) that the holder has demonstrated that he no longer accepts the fundamental principles of the Scout Movement as embodied in the Aim, Mission and Method, the Scout Promise and the Scout Law;
(f) that the Chief Commissioner so directs.