Foundation of Band Constitution
The foundation of this constitution is 'The Aim and Method of the Scout Association'. This page outlines the Aim and Method. If you wish to skip directly to the Band Constitution, please click here.
The Aim and Method of The Scout Association
The Aim of The Scout Association is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. The Method of achieving the Aim of the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult Leadership.
The Scout Promise
"On my honour, I promise that I will do my best to do my duty to God and to The Queen, to help other people and to keep the Scout Law."
The Promise can be adapted for any Faith and any Nationality.
The Scout Law
- A Scout is to be trusted.
- A Scout is loyal.
- A Scout is friendly and considerate.
- A Scout belongs to the world-wide family of Scouts.
- A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
- A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
- A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.
The Equal Opportunities Policy of the Association
The Scout Association is part of a world-wide educational youth movement. The values which underpin and inspire its work are embodied in the Scout Promise and Law and in the Aim of the Association. Within this framework, the Association is committed to equality of opportunity for all young people.
The Scout Association is committed to extending Scouting, its Aim and Method to young people in all parts of society. No young person should receive less favourable treatment on the basis of, nor suffer disadvantage by reason of:
- class;
- ethnic origin, nationality (or statelessness) or race;
- marital or sexual status;
- mental or physical ability;
- political or religious belief.
All Members of the Movement should seek to practice that equality, especially in promoting access to Scouting for young people in all parts of society. The Scout Association opposes all forms of racism.
Leaders and other Volunteers
To carry out its work the Association seeks to appoint effective and appropriate Leaders, and to involve other volunteers in supporting roles, all of whom are required to accept fully the responsibilities of their commitment. The overriding considerations in making all appointments in Scouting shall be the safety and security of young people, and their continued development in accordance with the Aim of the Association.
Accordingly, all those whom the Movement accepts as volunteers must be fit and proper persons to undertake the duties of the particular position to which they have been appointed.
In making an appointment to a particular leadership or support position it may be appropriate to consider the gender and/or ethnicity of the potential appointee, in particular to ensure appropriate composition of leadership or supporting teams. The physical and mental ability of a particular potential appointee to fulfil a particular role will always be a relevant factor to consider.
Within these constraints, and those imposed by the need to ensure:
- the safety and security of young people;
- the continued development of young people;
- and equal opportunities for all;
no person volunteering their services should receive less favourable treatment on the basis of, nor suffer disadvantage by reason of:
- class;
- ethnic origin, nationality (or statelessness) or race;
- gender;
- marital or sexual status;
- mental or physical ability;
- political or religious belief.
Note 1: Paedophilia is a bar to any involvement in the Scout Movement.
Note 2: The avowed absence of religious belief is a bar to appointment to a Leadership position.
