Our Constitution

1.1 1st Cam Scout Group (The Group) is an autonomous not-for-profit organisation holding or leasing its property and equipment and admitting young people to membership of The Scout Association (TSA) subject to TSA's Policies, Organisation and Rules (POR).

1.2 The Group is a separate Charity within TSA. It is 'excepted' under the Charities (Exception From Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 as it does not meet criteria that would require separate registration and so uses TSA's charity registration number.

1.3 The Group adopts the model constitution laid out in section 5 of the POR which can be found here but with specific adaptions. The adaptions are stated in sections 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 below and state details relevant to 1st Cam needs or are required to be defined for the local circumstance by the model constitution. The notes explain the rationale. The model constitution plus the adaptions provide the governing document as defined by Charity Law. It is adopted or re-adopted at each Annual General Meeting of the Scout Council.

1.4 Aim of The Group

To provide Scouting to Young People in the Cam area from age 4 to 14 to help them develop skills for life supported by amazing leaders delivering an inspiring programme of activities and experiences. [1]

1.5 Meetings and Decision Making

1.5.1 Trustee Board

The Board will have a maximum number of 12 trustees (ex officio, appointed and co-opted). It will formally meet at least four times during each calendar year (not including the AGM of the Group Scout Council). [2] 

For the Board to be quorate and able to make decisions of governance there must be at least 3 voting members, one of whom must be the Lead Volunteer or Group Chair.[3]

1.5.2 Scout Council

For the Group Scout Council to be quorate and carry out governance oversight, annual review and make appointments there must be at least 2 members of the Group Trustee Board, one being either the Chair or Lead Volunteer, at least 2 Team Leaders each from different sections that are not members of the Trustee Board and 1 other ex-officio member that is not a member of the Trustee Board. [4]

1.6 Changes to the Constitution

Changes to POR or Charity Law that impact the adopted constitution and any adaptions will be approved by the Trustee Board and brought forward to the next AGM for adoption. The Trustee Board will consider whether an extraordinary meeting of the Group Scout Council is necessary if the changes are deemed major. [5]

Notes:

1. Augments the charitable object in the model constitution by emphasising Scouting in our aim

2. Enshrines the maximum number of Trustees and the minimum meeting frequency to lay out clear expectations

3. Recognises the reality of the likely number of Trustees and ensures that a quorum will include those named

4. Enshrines the Council quorum in the constitution to set expectations of minimum attendance at the AGM

5. Avoids the need for an extraordinary meeting of the Group Scout Council for minor changes