The Role:
District Lead Volunteer

The Current Landscape

District Commissioners support other managers, known as Group Scout Leaders, and other volunteers. Adults at every level need support to ensure that they are motivated, inspired and focused on providing first-class Scouting.

A good manager thanks other volunteers for their hard work, and helps to make sure that they feel happy and supported, week after week. The District Commissioner will also provide direction for the District, and will help others see the bigger Scouting picture through solid leadership.

We believe that everyone in management roles within Scouting should adopt an approach that combines the skills of both leadership and management.

The Destination

Across 2024, The Scouts will be going through a period of transformation: moving from roles with baffling titles and descriptions to a teams-based approach that focuses on the tasks that need to be done and someone doing them.

A lot of what's going to come will be very familiar, often with a change of language to make it more accessible. But the scale and nature of change may also scare people.

Broadly the role of Lead Volunteer will be similar to that of District Commissioner, but it's also what you make of it: how you help your teams to structure themselves, and how you bring everyone with you on the journey.

Knowledge & Experience

   Essential   

• • Ability to manage adults effectively

   Desirable   

• Understanding of the challenges of working in the voluntary sector

• Experience of working with young people and/or community work with adult groups

• Experience of working in the Scout or Guide Movement as an adult

Personal Qualities

   Essential   

• • An understanding of the needs of adult volunteers

  • Flexible approach

  • Self-motivated

  • Able to work as part of a team and promote good teamwork

  • Resourceful, energetic and enthusiastic about the job

  • Acceptance of the fundamentals of the Scout Movement

Skills

   Essential   

• • Excellent written and oral communication skills

  • Provide advice and guidance effectively to others

  • Provide inspirational leadership for the District

  • Provide strategic direction for the District

  • Motivate adults volunteering in the District

  • Build, maintain and facilitate effective working relationships with a wide range of people

  • Enable others to identify issues, clarify objectives, develop attainable objectives and gain the necessary skills and confidence to work as an effective team

  • Ability to negotiate compromises

  • Plan, manage and monitor own tasks and time

  • Construct and implement long-term plans that improve and expand the Scouting offered to young people and identify any training, resources and other needs required to undertake this work.

  • Use basic computer software