South East Scotland Scouts is one of the eight regions of Scouts Scotland: seven districts covering Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, more than 7,000 young people aged 4 to 25, around 2,200 adult volunteers, and two centres of our own at Bonaly on the foothills of the Pentlands and Longcraig on the Firth of Forth.

Later this year, Martin Elliot steps down as our Lead Volunteer. The search for his successor is open now, and it works by application or by nomination. Here's what the role involves and how the process works, whether you're thinking of applying or you know someone who should.

The role, in plain terms
The Lead Volunteer leads the Region, and formally that means three things.

First, they lead the Regional Leadership Team: the Lead Volunteers of all seven districts, our Regional Youth Leads, and the team leaders for programme, volunteering development and support. It's a genuine line management role. Setting objectives, holding one-to-ones, and making sure the people who lead Scouting locally are properly backed.

Second, they set the direction. The Lead Volunteer produces the vision for Scouting across the Region and a development plan to deliver it, and is responsible for making sure Scouting here is attractive to young people and adults from every background in the area.

Third, they sit on the Regional Trustee Board, sharing responsibility for the governance of the charity. The role reports to the Chief Volunteer of Scotland and sits alongside the Lead Volunteers of the other seven Scottish regions, meeting regularly to share what's working and what isn't.