Firstly, thank you for your interest in this opportunity with Scouts.
I am only too aware of how busy people like you may be, so Scouts really appreciate that you’ve taken the time to consider this role.
Scouts inspires nearly half a million young people aged 4-25 to step up, speak up and gain the skills they need to thrive. Up and down the country Scouts are helping out, mucking in, bringing communities together and making society stronger. Our role is to help young people belong, get into nature, and feel good about themselves, giving them the courage to ask the big questions, to think for themselves.
We’re now looking for a new Chair to build on the remarkable journey that Scouts has been on for more than 100 years.
As Chair, you’ll work side by side with our Chief Executive, Aidan Jones OBE, our UK Chief Volunteer, Carl Hankinson DL and our UK Youth Lead, Ayesha Karim, to take us forward. You will meet periodically with Dwayne Fields, Chief Scout, on ceremonial occasions and other externally-visible events.
We’ve now concluded our 2018-2025 Skills for Life Strategy, which transformed our movement in many ways. We launched Squirrel Scouts for 4-6 year olds, which continues to grow quickly. We’ve made it easier and more rewarding to volunteer through changes in culture and systems. We’re convinced about the impact of the skills for life we offer young people, and the value that we add to communities, but we know that we have more to do.
It’s an exciting moment for Scouts. In the new year, we’ll launch a clear new strategy focused on reaching more young people and empowering them to lead change in their communities.
Created with input from 28,000 adults and young people, it outlines what we want to achieve in the next nine years to contribute in a positive way to a more cohesive, connected society.
You’ll bring strong leadership to our Board of Trustees to make sure our movement is well supported. You’ll be a proven leader in your field with an excellent understanding of governance. A clear and persuasive communicator, you’ll also be able to win people over and make strong relationships with stakeholders. Able to step easily into other people’s shoes, you’ll also know to listen to, support and thank our volunteers, and really understand what makes them tick.
This role is both rewarding and challenging. You’ll help us take decisions that will improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people. Not only will you develop your own skills as part of a talented team, but you will also be helping build a stronger society for the long term. Your wisdom and experience are what we need most.
Thanks so much for considering this role and if this sounds like you, then please apply. You’ll make all the difference.
Craig Dewar-Willox
Chair of The Scouts and Chair of the Search Group