Adult Leader interview

An interview with the Group Committee is part of the process when an adult applies to join the Scout Movement.

Process

This is the interview process as set out in the Adult Support Practice Note 01:

1. Arrange interviews with the respective applicants.
2. Set up an interview Panel and send them the necessary documentation which should probably include the Role and Warrant Application Form, Scouting CV and perhaps any motivational letter received.
3. The Interview Panel should comprise three members relevant to the role being interviewed for.
   • Where there is more than one applicant for a role, the interview panel must comprise three members.
4. The focus of the interview should be on, but not limited to,
   • The person’s understanding of the role as described in the Role Description
   • Their vision and priorities for the role in question
   • How well the applicant meets the criteria
   • The training and support the applicant believes they will need.
5. At the end of the interview, the Lead Interviewer should ask the applicant to confirm that they are still interested in the role.
6. The interview panel will deliberate and make recommendation to the Lead Interviewer.
7. Once a decision has been made, the Lead Interviewer will send the completed Role and Warrants Application form to the next in line Scouter for endorsement.

Interview panel

Role	Advertised by	Lead interviewer	Panel comprises
Adult Helper	Discussion held with the Group	Committee	Relevant branch and committee
Unit Leaders	SGL	SGL	Group committee comprising SGL, 1 or 2 Unit Scouters
Scout Group Leader (SGL)	DC	DC	District Warrants Committee, 1 or more SGLs

Guidelines

The following are suggested interview guideline questions for applications to join the Group Committee or one of the Units (e.g. Den, Pack, Troop) as an adult volunteer. Adjust them where applicable.

Establish rapport

Introduce yourself and anyone else in the Group Committee the candidate may not know. Start off with some friendly chatter – perhaps about a recent event the group held or a camp coming up. Something familiar to the candidate. This will put the candidate at ease and they will probably be more open when answering question.

Explain your position in the Group if they are not aware of it and how long you have been in the movement. Thank the candidate for applying for the role and advise them that you will be asking a few questions.

Suggested questions

(choose those applicable)

Personal Scouting history

1. What made you decide to get involved in Scouting as a volunteer in our Group?
2. Do you have any previous Scouting experience? Which branch were you involved in?
3. What previous experience do you have working with youth or a youth organisation?
   1. What did you learn from that experience that could apply to Scouting
   2. What aspects did you like most?

Commitment to Aim and Mission of Scouting

Commitment to the Aims and Mission of SSA is a condition of membership in Scouting.

The Aim of SSA is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their potential as individuals, as responsible members of their communities by developing their character training them in citizenship and developing their spiritual, social, mental and physical qualities.

The Mission, of course, is to contribute to the education of young people through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive part in society.

Our principles are based on: Duty to God; Duty to Others; Duty to Self.

1. Taking all this into account, what stands out for you when you think about the Aim, Mission, Principles and the Promise and Law?
2. Would you be happy to promote and stand up for these values?

Commitment to the Group

(choose applicable questions)

1. What key contributions can you make to the Group? Have you ever volunteered your time before? And if so, where?
2. What skills or interests do you have that could be of benefit to our Group?
3. What activities are you looking forward to the most in the Group? ... and the least?
4. We understand that you could bring a variety of skills to the Group. Are you prepared to develop your basic skills and knowledge by attending our training courses provided?
5. Youth today face many challenges as they grow up. What do you think are the greatest challenges facing young people in our many different communities? How do you think you can help them through Scouting?
   1. Tell me about a situation when your patience was being tested by a child and how you responded? How do you deal with discipline?
   2. How will you handle a youth who is consistently disruptive and abusive towards others?
   3. How would you handle a disagreement over the programme among the Scouters?
   4. How would you deal with a parent who disagrees with the programme or interferes with it?

General

1. What time do you have available as a volunteer to invest in this role?
2. Communication in our movement is extremely important. Do you have the necessary resources available – especially email / internet as well as transport.
3. Do you have any questions?

Next steps

Explain what happens next. Ensure that all required documents (such as the AAM form and police clearance) have been submitted. Thank them for their time.