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Group Support Centre

At Scouts Canada, our Mission is clear: to help develop well-rounded youth, better prepared for success in the world. We do this by enabling thousands of young Canadians to engage in safe, youth-led, adventurous programs in hundreds of communities across this great country.

Scouting is the world’s leading youth movement with a membership of more than 40 million in over 200 countries and territories. For more than 100 years, Scouts Canada has brought a world of adventure, outdoor experience, friendship and fun to 17 million Canadian youth.

Role of the Group Commissioner

Accountable to the assigned Group Support Scouter or Relationship Manager, the Group Commissioner provides leadership to ensure safe, high-quality programs through Group health to deliver the Canadian Path program and Scouts Canada’s Five Priorities at both Group and Section level. The Group Commissioner is ultimately accountable for the success of the Five Priorities within their Group. As our front-line Volunteer managers, Group Commissioners have a critical role in building a healthy and vibrant Scouting movement in Canada – while being the visible ambassador of Scouts Canada within their community.

Group Commissioner Role Description

Here are some quick facts about Scouts Canada

We are one of Canada’s largest youth organizations, with over 20,000 Volunteers serving over 60,000 youth in communities across the country.

We accept all genders.
Scouts Canada started accepting girls in some of its programs in 1972 and became a fully co-ed in 1998.

We are inclusive.
Scouts Canada does not discriminate for reasons of gender, culture, religious belief or sexual orientation. Anyone willing to make the Scout Promise is welcome to participate in the Scouting program.

We are safe.
Scouts Canada places great importance on creating a fun and safe environment for our members, especially children and youth, based on a culture of safety that extends throughout the organization.

Scouts Canada’s Brand

Kids in Scouts have fun adventures discovering new things and experiences they wouldn’t have elsewhere. Along the way, kids develop into capable, confident and well-rounded individuals, better prepared for success in the world. Scouts is the start of something great.

Our brand isn’t simply a tagline or a logo, but rather a promise that we make to Canadian parents everywhere. Kids can expect incredible, first-time experiences that will help them build self-confidence and forge life-long friendships. Parents can expect to see their children develop skills such as leadership, teamwork and social awareness that will help them succeed in all aspects of life.

The Scout Group

A Scout Group, often simply referred to as a “Group”, is the implementation of our Mission at the community level. The vast majority of Scouting programs, Volunteer activities and community engagements happen through local Groups. The experiences that parents and youth have with their local Group, positive or negative, will often determine their overall opinion of Scouts Canada. Scout Groups exist as a team of Volunteers who work together to deliver on our brand promise by offering high-quality Scouting programs in the community that they serve.

The Five Priorities for Success

With the ability to achieve our Mission depending so heavily on the success of local Scout Groups, how can Group Commissioners and their teams ensure that they are being effective? In order for Scouting in Canada to be as impactful as possible, we have identified Five Key Priorities for Success to ensure that Groups are focusing their efforts on the right activities.

The Five Priorities for Success are:

  • Mission Impact (Membership Growth)
  • Safety Leadership
  • Program Quality
  • Volunteer Support
  • Group Capacity

The Buck Stops Here!

The Group Commissioner is ultimately accountable for the success of the Five Priorities within his or her Group. As our front-line Volunteer managers, Group Commissioners have a critical role in building a healthy and vibrant Scouting movement in Canada.

While much of the Group Management Playbook will come from the perspective of a Group Commissioner, it is every Scouter’s responsibility to support the Five Priorities for Success.

Group Health

Long-term, sustainable membership growth depends on having healthy Groups. A Group Commissioner should assess the health of his or her Group as it relates to Scouts Canada’s expectations. This type of key information can help Group Commissioners and their teams predict whether their Groups or Sections are headed in the right direction.

Groups will progress through different stages of maturity. The state of the Group relates to its degree of planning and stakeholder engagement.

  1. Passive Management: The Group offers fun and safe activities for youth; however, management is largely reactive.
  2. Thoughtful Management: The Group engages in basic planning with some thought given to key stakeholders.
  3. Proactive Management: The Group engages in rigorous planning and consults stakeholders to anticipate future needs
  4. Management Excellence: The Group operates with a high degree of professionalism; plans are fully integrated and ensure long-term success in the community.
Key behaviours associated with the Five Priorities are used to measure Group Health
 Group Health Measure Measurement of Behaviour 
Membership Growth

Degree of Community Engagement and Representation

Utilization of Business Planning

Safety Leadership Degree of Safety Role Modeling 
Program Quality Utilization of The Canadian Path
Volunteer Support Utilization of the Volunteer Support Cycle 
Group Capacity 

Utilization of Active Volunteer Recruitment and Succession Planning

Degree of Group Committee Specialization and Effectiveness

Continuous Improvement  Utilization of Group Health Reviews