Governance & Trustees

Good governance keeps Scouting going

Find clear guidance, useful links and practical support to help your team make good decisions and understand the part everyone plays.

Start Here

What are you looking for

I'm new to a trustee board

Understand the basics and whats expected of you

I need help with a governance task

Find templates, guides and practical examples

I'm looking for official advice

Access key policies, rules and external guidance

quick external links for volunteers

Third Sector Governance Code Managing Charity Trustees Scouts Scotland Templates Scouts UK Resources 

What is Governance, anyway?

Governance is the system that helps make sure your Group, District or Region is run properly. It means decisions are made by the right people, for the right reasons, resources are looked after and responsibility is clear when something goes wrong.

The Trustee Board holds collective responsibility for governance. It does not run day-to-day Scouting. Instead, it makes sure the organisation is well managed and that Scouting can happen safely, legally and sustainably.

How this works in Scotland

In Scotland, a Scout Group, District or Region may choose to register with OSCR as an unincorporated Scottish charity. It cannot become a SCIO or another incorporated body because it must remain part of the Scouts’ Federation and operate under its Royal Charter.

If it registers, the members of its Trustee Board become charity trustees in law. If it does not register, they are still called Trustees and must follow the responsibilities set out in Scouts’ rules, but they do not carry the separate legal duties of charity trustees under Scottish charity law.  

What trustees are responsible for

Act in the
charity's interests

Every decision should put the charity and its beneficiaries first. Trustees must avoid making decisions that primarily benefit themselves, their family, or another organisation they are connected to.

Choosing the supplier that offers the best value for the Scout Group, even if another trustee owns a business that could provide the service.

Prioritising spending on equipment or activities that directly benefit young people, rather than purchasing something that’s simply more convenient for adults.

Making a difficult decision that protects the charity’s long-term future, even if it proves unpopular with some members.

Ask yourself: “Who benefits most from this decision?”

Be prepared to explain why a decision is in the charity’s best interests.

Remember that, as a trustee, your duty is to the charity, not to individual volunteers, parents or sections.

Operate within your purposes

Trustees must make sure the charity only carries out activities that support its charitable purposes. Good ideas still need to fit within why the charity exists.

Approving the purchase of camping equipment because it supports the delivery of Scouting.

Using charitable funds to improve facilities that help young people access the programme.

Deciding not to fund an unrelated local project, even if it’s a worthwhile cause, because it falls outside the charity’s purposes.

Ask “Does this help us deliver Scouting?

Read your charity’s governing document so you understand its purposes.

Don’t be afraid to challenge ideas that fall outside what the charity exists to do.

Act with care
and diligence

Trustees should make informed decisions, ask questions when they need to, and take reasonable care when carrying out their role. You don’t need to know everything, but you do need to engage properly.

Reading meeting papers before attending a Trustee Board meeting.

Asking questions about the finances if something doesn’t make sense.

Seeking advice from Scouts Scotland, Scouts UK or OSCR before making a significant decision.

Ensuring important decisions are properly recorded in the meeting minutes.

It’s perfectly acceptable to ask questions if you don’t understand something.

Take time to read papers before meetings so you can make informed decisions.

If you’re unsure, seek advice before making a decision rather than afterwards.

Manage conflicts
of interest

Trustees should declare any personal interests that could influence, or appear to influence, a decision. Managing conflicts openly protects both you and the charity.

Your employer submits a quote for work the Scout Group needs.

A close family member could benefit from a trustee decision.

You’re involved with another organisation that may be affected by the outcome of a discussion.

A decision directly affects your own role or responsibilities within Scouting.

Declare conflicts of interest as early as possible.

If appropriate, leave the discussion and any vote while the matter is considered.

Having a conflict of interest isn’t a problem.

Failing to declare or manage one can be.