Policy, Organisation and Rules
Rule 1 - Policy, Aim, Mission, Motto, Method and Membership
| Rule 1.3 | Membership |
| Rule 1.3.1 | Qualifications for Membership Membership of the Association is voluntary and is open to all persons who are prepared to observe and follow the Association's principles and to acknowledge the Scout Promise and the Scout Law. There shall be no discrimination as to admission for any reason of race, creed, class or sex so long such person is a Hong Kong Resident ordinarily residing, studying or working in Hong Kong unless otherwise permitted by the Chief Commissioner. |
| Rule 1.3.2 | Age Limits (a) The minimum age for Membership of the Association is four years. There is no maximum age for membership as such, but certain appointments are subject to both minimum and maximum age limits as stated in this POR. (b) In case where Membership is conferred by the granting of an appointment, it will cease upon the retirement of the holder due to the maximum age limit for the appointment being reached. |
| Rule 1.3.3 | Acquisition of Membership Membership of the Association is acquired as follows: (a) Youth Members (Grasshopper Scout, Cub Scout, Scout, Venture Scout and Rover Scout) - By making the Scout Promise and paying the Membership Subscription; (b) Chief Scout, Deputy Chief Scout, Patron, and Vice Patrons - By accepting the invitation; (c) Commissioners, Scouters, Instructors and Cadets - By making the Scout Promise on appointment and paying the Membership Subscription; (d) Lay Members (including Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Honorary Presidents, Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, Treasurers, Secretaries, Advisers and other office holders or members of the Association Headquarters or of any Region, Subsidiary, District, Group or committee or sub committee who are not Warranted Commissioner or Warranted Scouters, or Instructors) - By appointment and paying the Membership Subscription; (e) Honorary Commissioners - By appointment and paying the Membership Subscription. Honorary Commissioners are honorary appointments and do not carry any substantive duty. These appointments shall only be nominated by the Chief Commissioner and endorsed by the Honorary Commissioner Appointment Committee for those Commissioners who have served until the maximum age of their appointments and have also made exceptionally outstanding contribution to the Movement before their retirement. The appointment may be revoked in circumstances as considered appropriate by the Honorary Commissioner Appointment Committee. (f) Members of the Professional Scouters and Salaried Staff of the Association - By making the Scout Promise on or after appointment. (g) Members who have acquired their membership under 1.3.3(b) to 1.3.3(f) are referred to collectively as Adult Members. |
| Rule 1.3.4 | Rights of Membership Members of the Association who have made the Scout Promise may: (a) wear the approved uniform of the Association; and (b) wear the World Membership Badge and such other badges as may be approved by the Association. |
| Rule 1.3.5 | Acquisition of Associate Membership Associate membership is acquired by becoming a member of subsidiaries or associate bodies of the Association including but not limited to the Friends of Scouting Organization and its units, Leadership Training Institute, the Baden-Powell Scout Club of Hong Kong, the Commissioners' Club and foreign Scout Units formed in Hong Kong in accordance with the procedure and conditions laid down by the Association. |
| Rule 1.3.6 | Termination of Membership (a) Notwithstanding any other means provided by this POR or by the Constitution of the Subsidiaries, the membership of a Member or Associate Member of the Association may also be terminated by a resolution of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be under no obligation to state its reasons for making such a resolution. (b) A Member or Associate Member whose membership is terminated involuntarily pursuant to this POR shall be given written notice so soon as practicable by registered mail to his last known address. |
| Rule 1.3.7 | Suspension of Membership (a) lf it appears necessary to terminate the Membership of an Adult Member but the circumstances require further investigation, or if it appears desirable for any other reason, such Membership may be suspended by the appropriate authority, viz: in the case of: (i) Adult Members in a Scout Group:
(b) A Member whose membership is suspended shall be given written notice so soon as practicable by registered mail to his last known address.by the respective District Commissioner after consulting his Regional Commissioner; (ii) Adult Members in a District, Region or Headquarters Branch: by the respective Regional Commissioner or Headquarters Branch Commissioner; (iii) Assistant Chief Commissioners, Deputy Chief Commissioners and any other Adult Members: by the Chief Commissioner. (c) During a suspension under the provisions of this POR, any Warrant(s) or Certificate(s) of Appointment held by the Member concerned shall be surrendered to the suspending authority and his appointment(s) held will be regarded as vacant. (d) The suspended Member shall be prohibited from participating in any activity connected with the Association and shall not be permitted to wear the uniform or badges of the Association. (e) The suspending authority who suspends the membership of any Adult Member in accordance with 1.3.7(a) shall produce a written report with full details and notify the relevant parties as deemed appropriate in the case so soon as practicable. (f) The Chief Commissioner shall review the suspension of membership and shall within thirty days after the suspension decide whether the membership of the suspended Member should be restored, terminated, or suspended for a further period. (g) The decision regarding the suspended Member's membership shall be communicated in writing within seven days after the Chief Commissioner's decision by registered mail to the suspended Member's last known address. |
| Rule 1.3.8 | Appeal against Termination or Suspension of Membership (a) Any Assistant Chief Commissioner or Deputy Chief Commissioner whose Membership is terminated involuntarily or suspended pursuant to 1.3.6(b) or 1.3.7 may within thirty days after the date of written notice of termination or suspension appeal in writing to the President of the Association, as provided in 5.6.2, whose decision shall be final. (b) Any other Adult Member whose Membership is terminated involuntarily or suspended pursuant to 1.3.6 (b) or 1.3.7 may within thirty days after the date of written notice of termination or suspension appeal in writing to the Chief Commissioner, whose decision shall be final. |