Extension of the Assessment Periods of Awards

The arrangement below is designed only for implementing the policy set out in Programme Circular No.43/2020.

1. Who is eligible for the extension of assessment period for awards?

Any youth member (except those in Grasshopper Rings) who holds valid membership and reaches the upper age limit of a Section as stipulated in the “Policies, Organization, and Regulations” of the Association between 1 June 2019 and 31 May 2020 (both dates inclusive) (Group A); and between 1 June 2020 and 31 December 2020 (both dates inclusive), is eligible for the extension.

2. If the member concerned has reached the age limit and left his/her Scout group without joining another, can he/she re-join his/her original group and resume the assessment?

Yes. For members who left their original group after 1 June 2019 and did not proceed to the succeeding Section, if they wish to resume the awards assessment, they may discuss with their respective Scout Leader, who shall make a relevant entry in the members’ register. All applicable arrangements for assessments (including the commissioning of assessors, issuance of awards and application method for the highest level of awards) remain the same as before.

3. How long can the assessment period be extended?

The assessment period can be extended for a maximum of one year (from the date on which a member reaches the age limit of the respective Section).

Example: May is currently in the Scout Troop and will reach age 16 on 6 October 2020. After discussions with her Scout Leader, she may, upon turning 16, opt to stay in the Troop for one more year i.e. until 5 October 2021 the latest and continue with awards assessment and training courses of the Scout Section. On the contrary, she may opt for promotion to the Venture Scout Section (see Question 6).

Example: Ming was a Cub Scout. He turned 12 on 15 July 2019 and did not move on to the Scout Troop. After discussions with his Scout Leader, he may be reinstated as a Cub Scout until 31 May 2021.

4. Does an application have to be made to extend the assessment period?

Members need not make an application to their respective district/region, or the Association. They are, however, required to discuss with their Scout Leader, who shall then make a relevant entry in the members’ register. An individual assessment scheme has to be worked out as well.

To provide adequate support and adjustment arrangements for affected members, members (or their leaders) who are planning to extend their award assessment period are now invited to register on the Programme Branch (Sections) website: http://prog.scouting.org.hk/sections on or before 15 July 2020. The Branch will contact relevant members or/and relevant parties to explore appropriate solutions for respective members.

5. What activities can youth members with an extended assessment period join?

The members concerned can continue awards assessment of their original Section, including regular group meetings and training courses. As for the eligibility for other activities and competitions, it is to be determined by individual organisers.

6. If the member concerned has proceeded to the succeeding Section, can he/she resume the awards assessment in the original Section? If yes, how are assessors commissioned?

Yes. If the member concerned has, after 1 June 2019, proceeded to the succeeding Section and would now like to resume the awards assessment in his/her original Section, he/she may do so in consultation with both Scout Leaders of his/her original and current Sections for a maximum of one year. All applicable arrangements for assessments (including the commissioning of assessors, issuance of awards and application method for the highest level of awards) are to be designated by the original Section and remain the same as those before the member’s promotion. This does not jeopardize the member’s status in the new Section and he/she may take part in activities of the new Section at the same time. It should be noted that such practice does not confer on youth members concurrent membership.

Example: Sang was in the Scout Troop and had been working on the Chief Scout’s Award. The training he was undergoing had been cancelled and by the time he turned 16 on 25 December 2019, he had not been able to complete the assessment. He has now proceeded to the Venture Scout Section but he wishes to obtain the Chief Scout’s Award. After consultation with both Scout Leaders of the Scout Troop and the Venture Scout Unit, he may resume the assessment for the Chief Scout’s Award administered by the Scout Leader until 31 May 2021. Termination of membership status in the Venture Section is not required.

7. If a member who has proceeded to the succeeding Section and participated in activities in the new Section would now like to resume the awards assessment in the original Section, can the freshly-finished items be used to fulfil the requirements for that purpose?

Under this policy, assessors may, having verified the compatibility of these items with the requirements for awards in the original Section, accept them for awards assessment purposes.

8. Can the tasks/projects completed during the extended assessment period be used for awards assessment in the succeeding Section?

Under this policy, assessors may, having verified the compatibility of these items with the requirements for awards in the succeeding Section, accept them for awards assessment purposes.

9. If the member concerned has proceeded to the succeeding Section in a different Scout group, should assessors be commissioned by his/her current or previous Scout group?

All applicable arrangements for assessments (including the commissioning of assessors, issuance of awards and application method for the highest level of awards) shall remain the same as those before the member’s promotion and are to be designated by the respective Section of the previous Scout group. The member concerned should consult both Scout Leaders of his/her original and current Sections while assessors should be commissioned by the previous Scout group. He/she may retain membership in the new Scout group without having to restore that in the previous group.

10. If the Cub Scout concerned has proceeded to the Scout Troop in a different Scout group, can assessors be commissioned by the Cub Scout Pack of the new group?

No. All applicable arrangements for assessments (including the commissioning of assessors, issuance of awards and application method for the highest level of awards) shall remain the same as those before the member’s promotion and are to be designated by the Cub Scout Pack of the previous Scout group.

11. If the Scout concerned has proceeded to the Venture Scout Unit in a different Scout group, can assessors be commissioned by the Scout Troop of the new group?

No. All applicable arrangements for assessments (including the commissioning of assessors, issuance of awards and application method for the highest level of awards) shall remain the same as those before the member’s promotion and are to be designated by the Scout Troop of the previous Scout group.

12. If the member concerned was a Venture Scout and is now an adult leader, can he/she re-join the Venture Scout Unit to resume awards assessment?

Yes. If the member concerned was a Venture Scout on 1 June 2019 but has left the Venture Scout Unit and become an adult leader (except for the case of an Instructor) between that day and the day of issue of this circular, and would now like to resume awards assessment in the Venture Scout Unit, his/her adult membership shall be suspended for reinstatement as a Venture Scout for awards assessment. The adult membership may be automatically restored upon the member’s completion of awards assessment, or until 31 May 2021 (whichever is earlier). No dual membership is permitted.

13. A member belonged to the Venture Scout Unit of 111^st Hong Kong Group. He has now proceeded to the Rover Scout Unit of 222^nd New Territories Group and is serving as a leader in 333^rd Kowloon Group. If he/she would now like to resume the assessment for the Dragon Scout Award,

a) which of the Scout groups should administer the assessment?

The member concerned can be reinstated as a Venture Scout of 111^st Hong Kong Group. All applicable arrangements for assessments (including the commissioning of assessors, issuance of awards and application method for the highest level of awards) shall remain the same as those before the member’s promotion and are to be designated by that group.

b) can he/she concurrently serve as a leader in 333^rd Kowloon Group?

The adult membership in 333^rd Kowloon Group shall be suspended, unless he/she is serving as an Instructor.

14. What can be done if problems arise in the discussion between youth members and their Scout leaders?

Scout leaders and youth members may seek assistance from their respective District Commissioner or Regional Commissioner.

*The information provided in the “Frequently Asked Questions” on this website is for reference only. Please refer to the circular for the full text.