Volunteering with 2nd Kuala Lumpur Scout Group
Helper categories
There are several categories of helper:
1. Occasional parent helpers – we expect all parents to help occasionally (say once per term). No particular clearance or training is required for this, but these parents are not covered by the 2nd KL insurance. The exception to the 'no clearance required' is when staying overnight, such as on a sleepover, or camp.
2. Non-uniformed volunteer positions: - badge secretary, uniform secretary, treasurer, Executive Committee chairman.
3. Non-uniformed specialist volunteers – e.g. someone with specific qualifications who is prepared to make a substantial contribution to the section, but likely to be on a project-by- project basis, rather than attending regular meetings. An example would be someone with qualified instructor status for activities that may be of interest to the section (climbing, mountain leader etc). Their qualifications will need to be recognized by Scouting HQ.
4. Section Assistants – these are uniformed volunteers who attend meetings regularly. Clearance is required – a local clearance for anyone who has lived in Malaysia for more than a year, and a UK Scouting DBS for anyone who has lived in the UK for more than 6 months (sadly the GIS DBS is not sufficient). Basic training is also required – GDPR, safeguarding, plus modules 1 and 3. Section Assistants are covered by 2nd KL insurance.
5. Assistant Leaders – also uniformed volunteers who attend meetings regularly. Clearance as for 3. Basic training is also required – GDPR, safeguarding, plus modules 1 and 3, and additional modules must be completed over time leading to the ‘Wood Badge’ with the expectation that the Wood Badge will be obtained within 3 years. Assistant leaders are covered by 2nd KL insurance. Assistant leaders will be encouraged to play a bigger role, including taking responsibility for planning and or running some sessions.
6. Section Leaders - As for 5, but with ultimate responsibility for planning and running programme. Expectation that the Wood Badge will be obtained within 3 years.
Priority Places
In recognition of our reliance on volunteers, we have discretion to offer priority places to the children of helpers in categories 2-6. While we do our best to accommodate those who offer to take on any of these roles a place offer is still conditional on certain factors and at the section leader's discretion:
a) space within the relevant section
b) for those in categories 2-3, a commitment agreed with the Section Leader and GSL (Mairi Clare).
c) for those within categories 4-6, a commitment to attend weekly meetings (the possibility to attend every other week may exist depending on volunteer numbers) , plus at least one weekend event per term.
c) for all categories, a minimum commitment of one year is required to secure the child/children’s places on an ongoing basis. Therefore we strongly urge potential volunteers to be sure they are able to devote the necessary time before signing up. If a volunteer fails to complete the one year term, their child/children’s place(s) may be forfeited.
If the necessary clearance is not obtained and the basic training not completed, within a period as set out at the start of the role, the volunteer position and any associated child places may be forfeited (we have only limited discretion regarding this as HQ require all appointments to be formalised within a reasonable period of time).
Section Assistants, Assistant Leader, and Leader positions are uniformed roles. The relevant ‘paw print’ t-shirt should be worn to regular meetings, and the formal uniform as advised (usually for formal/official events only) - theses are supplied as soon as we have them in the correct size.
There are several categories of helper:
1. Occasional parent helpers – we expect all parents to help occasionally (say once per term). No particular clearance or training is required for this, but these parents are not covered by the 2nd KL insurance. The exception to the 'no clearance required' is when staying overnight, such as on a sleepover, or camp.
2. Non-uniformed volunteer positions: - badge secretary, uniform secretary, treasurer, Executive Committee chairman.
3. Non-uniformed specialist volunteers – e.g. someone with specific qualifications who is prepared to make a substantial contribution to the section, but likely to be on a project-by- project basis, rather than attending regular meetings. An example would be someone with qualified instructor status for activities that may be of interest to the section (climbing, mountain leader etc). Their qualifications will need to be recognized by Scouting HQ.
4. Section Assistants – these are uniformed volunteers who attend meetings regularly. Clearance is required – a local clearance for anyone who has lived in Malaysia for more than a year, and a UK Scouting DBS for anyone who has lived in the UK for more than 6 months (sadly the GIS DBS is not sufficient). Basic training is also required – GDPR, safeguarding, plus modules 1 and 3. Section Assistants are covered by 2nd KL insurance.
5. Assistant Leaders – also uniformed volunteers who attend meetings regularly. Clearance as for 3. Basic training is also required – GDPR, safeguarding, plus modules 1 and 3, and additional modules must be completed over time leading to the ‘Wood Badge’ with the expectation that the Wood Badge will be obtained within 3 years. Assistant leaders are covered by 2nd KL insurance. Assistant leaders will be encouraged to play a bigger role, including taking responsibility for planning and or running some sessions.
6. Section Leaders - As for 5, but with ultimate responsibility for planning and running programme. Expectation that the Wood Badge will be obtained within 3 years.
Priority Places
In recognition of our reliance on volunteers, we have discretion to offer priority places to the children of helpers in categories 2-6. While we do our best to accommodate those who offer to take on any of these roles a place offer is still conditional on certain factors and at the section leader's discretion:
a) space within the relevant section
b) for those in categories 2-3, a commitment agreed with the Section Leader and GSL (Mairi Clare).
c) for those within categories 4-6, a commitment to attend weekly meetings (the possibility to attend every other week may exist depending on volunteer numbers) , plus at least one weekend event per term.
c) for all categories, a minimum commitment of one year is required to secure the child/children’s places on an ongoing basis. Therefore we strongly urge potential volunteers to be sure they are able to devote the necessary time before signing up. If a volunteer fails to complete the one year term, their child/children’s place(s) may be forfeited.
If the necessary clearance is not obtained and the basic training not completed, within a period as set out at the start of the role, the volunteer position and any associated child places may be forfeited (we have only limited discretion regarding this as HQ require all appointments to be formalised within a reasonable period of time).
Section Assistants, Assistant Leader, and Leader positions are uniformed roles. The relevant ‘paw print’ t-shirt should be worn to regular meetings, and the formal uniform as advised (usually for formal/official events only) - theses are supplied as soon as we have them in the correct size.