22nd Meath Scout Group Donore

Code of Conduct
2023/2024

   
Scouting is an out of school educational movement that enables young people to undertake
adventurous and challenging activities with other people their own age. These activities will
encourage their physical, intellectual, emotional, social, character and spiritual development as well
as helping to develop their teamwork and leadership skills. All of this will contribute to their personal
development, so that they may take a constructive place in society. This is done through a structured
progressive training programme, which is provided by trained adult leaders, whose commitment is
entirely voluntary. 
  
[Throughout this document the word Scout refers to a Beaver/Cub/Scout/Venture/Rover Scout.] 
  
To ensure that everybody can enjoy their Scouting, we ask you and your son/daughter to note the
following: 
  
Promise & Law 
On Investiture, each Scout makes a Promise. We ask that you take every opportunity to help your
child do their best and to keep their Scout Promise. 
  
Attendance 
If a Scout misses three meetings/activities in succession without prior arrangement/notification, we
will be obliged to refer to our waiting lists and the Scout may be excluded from the Group until a
place becomes available again. If a Scout is unable to attend a meeting/activity please notify one of
the Leaders in advance.
Fees
Membership fees which are payable at the registration evening are € per youth member.  The
membership fees for the second child is € and third and subsequent children in the same family
are €.  There is also a monthly subscription of € payable by standing order.
Memberships fees and monthly subscriptions go towards paying for membership of Scouting
Ireland, insurance for all members, the rental cost of the hall, training courses for the leaders and
purchasing of essential equipment.
Parents and Friends Committee
All parents are automatically members of the parents and friends committee. Membership fees and
monthly subscriptions do not cover all our yearly running costs therefore it is essential for the

viability of the group that funds are raised through fundraising events organised by the Parents and
Friends Committee.
All parents and youth members are expected to help with the events organised throughout the year
by the Parents and Friends Committee.
  
Meetings/Activities 
Scouts who arrive late disrupt the meetings. In the interest of safety and common courtesy, they
should report to a Leader before joining the meeting. Scouts are expected to attend all meetings and
activities of their section.  When dropping off a Scout to a meeting or activity, parents must wait
with the Scout until 2 leaders arrive. Scouts should be dropped off no earlier than 5 minutes before
the start time unless agreed upon with the leader. On no account should a Scout be left on their
own. Parents should at all times try to collect the Scout on time from meetings or activities.  
Before activities, parents and scouts are given a list of what to bring from the section leader.  It is
vital that scouts bring all items on their list.  A scout who does not have the essential items with
them will miss out on taking part in the activity.  These items are required to ensure the health,
safety and wellbeing of each scout taking part in the activity.
 
Scouters (Leaders) 
All of our Scouters are volunteers and give up their time to allow every child have the best possible
scouting experience. They should be treated with respect at all times. Any concerns you may have
should be brought to be Section Leader or alternatively to the Group Leader. 
 
Uniform 
Full uniform must be worn once per month to meetings and other formal occasions as indicated by
the Section Leader. On other activities neckerchief must be worn. 
Hall & Equipment 
It takes great effort on behalf of members of the P&F Group to raise the funds that finance both the
hall rental and the purchase of equipment. Please encourage each Scout to treat the hall and group
equipment with respect. 
     
Activity Knives 
Knives, although practical on many Scout activities, are lethal if used incorrectly. Please note the
following: 
Beavers & Cubs – Are not permitted to carry any type of knife. 
Scouts & Ventures – Only specified penknives as per the Section Leader. 
  
Mobile Phones & Electronic Equipment 
The use of mobile phones and electronic equipment is forbidden at all meetings and most activities.
Should a parent need to contact a Scout, they may do so by contacting the relevant Section Leader. 
If a phone is brought to a meeting it will be confiscated by the Leaders and returned to the parents. 
 
Parental Consent 
The safety of your son/daughter and his/her fellow Scouts is our primary concern. In this regard, we
require you to complete an “Activities Consent Form” annually. Please note that it is the parents’
responsibility to inform us of any changes to details submitted, regardless of how small they may be.
In the unfortunate event of an accident/illness, we will do our best to contact you. Should this not be
possible, the possession of this form will enable the Section Leader to act on your behalf in an

emergency. A managing medication form must be completed where a leader must administer
medication to a Scout. 
  
Discipline 
The Group’s Duty of Care to all youth members is of paramount importance. All Scouts are expected
to act in accordance with their Promise and Law and under the direction of their leaders. All
activities should take place in an atmosphere of fun and friendship. Disruptive behaviour, bad
language, fighting and disrespect to leaders or other Scouts will not be permitted. Bullying, whether
verbally or physically, will not be tolerated. 
  
Bad Behaviour/Extreme Bad Behaviour 
Leaders will address the problem at the time of occurrence and appropriate action will be taken. For
individual incidents of Extreme Bad Behaviour or Repeated Bad Behaviour the parents/guardians will
be informed.  
  
Sanctions 
The standard sanction is for a Scout to be asked to sit out the activity in progress or to take on
additional duties at the time of the bad behaviour. In the case of repeated bad behaviour or a single
incidence of extreme bad behaviour the parents/guardians will be invited to attend a short meeting
to discuss their son’s/daughter’s behaviour. Depending on the severity of the bad behaviour Scouts
can be suspended or dismissed from the group. Any dismissals must be approved by the Group
Council.  
 
Appeals 
Should a parent wish to appeal a decision by the Group Council to suspend/dismiss their
son/daughter, please contact the Group Leader for details of Scouting Ireland’s appeals process. 
  
This Code of Conduct has been drawn up by the Group Council of the 22nd Meath Scout Group.