Reasoning for the Policy
Our Scout Group has always aimed to offer membership to as many Beavers, Cubs and Scouts as we can safely accommodate, within the facilities and number of adult volunteers we have available. We have maintained a waiting list for some years and it is now longer than ever.
Because of this, the board of trustees and the leadership team have taken the decision to implement the attached Attendance Policy with immediate effect.
It is important that young members attend meetings regularly and don’t deprive another child of the opportunity to enjoy Scouting. Whilst attending Beavers, Cubs and Scouts is not compulsory, it is very difficult to plan and execute meetings and activities that have been prepared for a full attendance when fewer members attend. Poor attendance also makes it difficult for young people to earn badges, can have a detrimental effect on their team and creates problems for the volunteer leaders. What we do ask is a certain level of courtesy to allow us to provide the best programme possible.
Below you will find our Attendance Policy.
Attendance Policy
We request that the section leaders are informed in advance when a young person will not be able to attend a meeting, and please let us know why. If a parent knows in advance that their child will often have to miss meetings, they should discuss this with their Section Leader; they may need to relinquish their membership.
If a young person misses four or more meetings in a half term, without timely communication of a valid reason to the section leader, or if a young person misses three consecutive meetings without any explanation, the section leader will contact the parents or carers and inform them we have assumed they have left the group and will offer their place to another young person on our waiting list. If they then subsequently wish to return, they will be put on the waiting list and given a place when one is available.
The section leaders will make the decision to terminate a young person’s place in the section with the parents having the right of appeal to the Group Lead Volunteer or the Board of Trustees.
For clarity the terms follow the school year and are January until Easter, Easter until July and September until Christmas.