THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE ORDER OF WORLD SCOUTS.

Version 04/10/1999
Amended 29/03/2001


CONSTITUTION OF THE ORDER OF WORLD SCOUTS

1) NAME.
The Order of World Scouts.

2) FOUNDATION HISTORY.
The Order of World Scouts was founded by Sir Francis Vane bt, November 11th 1911 and launched at Toynbee Hall, London. Member organisations included: The British Boy Scouts (United Kingdom) The British Boy Scouts (Australia), The British Boy Scouts (Canada), The British Boy Scouts (New Zealand), The British Boy Scouts (South Africa), The British Boy Scouts (India), The British Boy Scouts (Creillos, South America), The British Boy Scouts (Egypt), The Italian Boy Scouts (The Esploratori) The American Boy Scout (known later as The United States Boy Scout) and French Scouts. The Order's membership was reduced with the advent of the First World War. The British Scouts in Australia continued to exists until the late 1930s with the remaining organisation in the World Order being the founding organisation of which Sir Francis Vane was the Grand Scoutmaster: The British Boy Scouts.

3) MEMBERSHIP.
Membership shall consist of the members of registered organisations which require their members to make the Scout Promise and abide by the Scout Law based on, or similar to, the version in this Constitution and which abide by the minimum standards stipulated within this constitution.
Registration of organisations is by written application to the Secretariat of the Order with a request to be entered on the membership roll, which will be circulated to registered organisations, providing freedom of association between members.

4) AIMS.
a) To provide a means of international friendship and co-operation between member organisations. The achievement of the aims to be by international gatherings under the titles; Jamborees, Moots, Rallies, Corroborees and Conferences; or other such titles as in use by the various national scouting organisation world-wide.
b) To promote Scouting throughout the world.

5) SCOUT PROMISE AND LAW.

The Scout Promise.
On my honour, I promise that I will do my best;
To do my duty to God and my Country.
To help other people at all times,
To keep the Scout Law.

The Scout Law.
1. A Scout's honour is to be trusted
2. A Scout is Loyal to his Country, his Officers, his Parents, his Employers and to those under him.
3. A Scout's duty is to be useful and to help others
4. A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other scout no matter to what country class or creed the other may belong
5. A Scout is Courteous
6. A Scout is a friend to animals
7. A Scout obeys orders of his parents, patrol leader, or scoutmaster without question.
8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.
9. A Scout is thrifty.
10. A Scout is clean in thought in word and deed.

6) MINIMUM STANDARDS.
Each member Association should maintain these minimum standards;
1) To have in place measures to protect young people from abuse (physical, mental, sexual).
2) To carry insurance to cover legal liability claims.
3) To demonstrate by teaching and example of life, the Christian Faith.

7) GENERAL GOVERNMENT.
The Secretariat of the Order shall be provided by a member organisation nominated by common agreement of member organisations.
Member organisations may organise international events under auspices of the Order of World Scouts.

8) THE GRAND SCOUTMASTER.
8.1 Upon the vacancy of the position of Grand Scoutmaster, the succeeding Grand Scoutmaster shall be appointed by the Chief Commissioner of England in agreement with the Executive Committee, and the Chief Commissioners and Executive Committees of the member organisations in the Order of World Scouts, to which he is also the Grand Scoutmaster.
8.2 The tenure of office shall be for life, excepting that the office of Grand Scout may be vacated by resignation, or the Executive Committee by unanimous vote by postal ballot, and in consultation with member Association of the Order of World Scouts, determine the vacancy of office for a sufficiently good reason.
8.3 The qualification for appointment shall be a willingness to maintain the specific Christian character and witness of the Association and either;
(a) long service to the Scout Movement in general and/or to the Association in particular, or
(b) past membership of the Scout Movement and/or an interest in supporting the aims of, and furthering, the Movement, and
(c) sufficient age and social standing as to be able to represent and further the interests of the Scout Movement in general and the Association in particular.
(d) no impediment due to Criminal Convictions, Bankruptcy, or unable to conduct his own affairs.
8.4 Upon appointment, in the absence of previous membership of the Scout movement, the Grand Scoutmaster shall make the Scout Promise, as in this Constitution.
8.5 It shall be the responsibility of the Chief Commissioners of the member Associations of the Order of World Scouts to keep the Grand Scoutmaster informed about the decisions of the Executive Committee and about the state of the Association.
8.6 The Grand Scoutmaster may attend the General Meetings and meetings of the Executive Committee meetings of the member Associations of the Order of World Scouts.

9) FINANACES.
The Order of World Scouts shall have no funds of its own. Expenses of the Secretariat, shall be kept to a minimum and defrayed by voluntary subscriptions from the other member organisations.

10) CONSTITUTION.
The Constitution can only be amended by unanimous agreement of all member organisations.


Order of World Scouts, Main Office Holders

Grand Scoutmaster.

President.

Sir Francis Vane bt 1911-1912.

Colonel Frederick Charles Keyser 1909

Albert Jones Knighton 1913-1926.

Sir Francis Vane bt 1909-1913

Rt Hon Lord Alington 1926-1932.

Samuel Nalty Manning 1932-1967.

Vice President.

Percy Herbert Pooley (ad interim) 1967-1971

Prince Di Cassano of Italy.

Charles A Brown (ad interim) 1971-1983

Charles A Brown 1983-1992.

Honorary President.

Edward E Scott 1993-2000.

Mrs G White Brebble 1932.

Rev'd Michael John Foster 2000-.

Viscount Milton 1939.

The Rt Hon The Earl of Fitzwilliam 1948.

Assistant Grand Scoutmaster, Britain.

The Reverend Bill Dowling 1997.

Captain Masterman 1911-1912.

L C Hobbs 1914-1926.

Chief Commissioner for Britain.

W G Whitby 1909-1911.

Assistant Grand Scoutmaster, South Australia.

Percy Herbert Pooley 1926-1971.

Joseph Regis-Coory 1911-1914.

Charles A Brown 1971-1983.

Rev'd Michael John Foster 1983-2000.

Assistant Grand Scoutmaster, South Africa.

David Cooksley 2000-.

H C Edwards-Carter 1911-1914
Chief Commissioner for Australia.
Assistant Grand Scoutmaster, France. Robert Cambell 1991-.
Monsieur Augustin Dufresne 1911-1914
Chief Commissioner for Canada.
Bill Nangle 1999-.


Notes:
Vane introduced the title of  'Grand Scoutmaster'. The office of Assistant Grand Scoutmaster replaced that of Chief Commissioner but this was restored under P H Pooley. The title of President (lapsed with Vane) was re-introduced by Manning and Pooley as an honorary position.

Page 3


Home Page of the Order of World Scouts  

This Web Page and its associated .gifs are Copyright.

© Copyright 1999   The British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association.


FOR FURTHER CONTACT

email: worldscout@church.prestel.co.uk