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The Policy, Organisation & Rules

of the

World Federation of Independent Scouts

Issued under the authority of the

World Council of the

World Federation of Independent Scouts

WFIS 2007

Revised 2011

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Definitions

Association An Association follows one set of bylaws, with one committee and is organised body of Scouts whose bylaws allow one or more operating Groups.

Commissioner - A Scouter with overall responsibility for the operation of a District, Area or Region.

Group - An organised body of Scouts consisting of one or more Sections.

Independent - A Scout Association that is not connected to a Political Body

or controlled by a religious Group. An independent Scout Association must be free from outside influence, guidance, or control, and must be self-governing.

Section - A Beaver Colony, Wolf Cub Pack, Scout Troop or Rover

Crew when forming part of a registered Scout Group. It is recognised that different Associations may have different

names for these Sections.

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Preamble

POR has been written to help leaders work in a section, group or association in a

way that benefits children, whilst also keeping them safe.

It explains the structure, aims and purpose of the WFIS and the administration

which is required to keep an organization of this size running correctly.

POR is not intended to be a document followed in detail by every association in

every country; it is intended to be used as a set of guidelines to enable each

region to operate under their own rules, according to the country it is registered

in.

It offers guidance on child protection and ethics, which are important wherever

Scouting takes place.

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Article 1 Aim The Aim of the World Federation of Independent Scouts 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 role in society by keeping and following the Scout Laws.

Article 2 Mission The Mission of the World Federation of Independent Scouts is to

help young people to develop mentally, physically, and morally through programs of companionship, adventure training and public service to their communities.

Article 3 Governance The World Council of the World Federation of Independent Scouts consists of President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Wood

Beads Coordinator. The World Council is guided by the President of the World Federation of Independent Scouts and is elected every

five years, by the member associations of the WFIS. The World Council was first established in Laubach, Germany in

1996.

The World Council has a number of important functions:

It supports and can offer guidance to the Regional Councils and their

subsidiary bodies in the fulfillment of their functions. This may include the preparation of meetings and the provision of the necessary services to implement the decisions of the various bodies.

It provides assistance for the promotion of Independent Scouting throughout the world.

It maintains relations with Independent Scout organisations and helps them develop Scouting in their country. It promotes the development of Independent Scouting in countries where

it does not exist. It supervises the organisation of international Scout events such as world

jamborees. It may suspend any Regional Council which does not follow their byelaws or harms the reputation of the World Federation of Independent Scouts.

Regional Councils are currently located in Europe, North America,

South America, South-West Asia, Asia, Africa, Central America and Caribbean. Further Regional Offices may be added as needed, by the World Council.

New Associations, who apply for membership in areas of the world

not currently covered by a WFIS Regional Council, may apply for membership in the nearest WFIS Regional Council they are comfortable with.

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Article 4 Title and Purpose of the WFIS The organisation of the Independent Scout Movement at World and

regional level is governed by this POR. The purpose of the World Federation of Independent Scouts is to

help to develop the Independent Scouting Movement throughout the world.

Article 5 WFIS Emblems

The emblem of the WFIS is a plain gold fleur de lys with a motto bar underneath with the letters WFIS on it.

WFIS Emblem

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Member associations may wear the WFIS Zulu shield badge on their uniform shirt.

Members of the International Scout Fellowship (ISF) may wear the ISF Zulu shield badge on their uniform shirt.

Article 6 WFIS Flag

The flag of the WFIS is a plain green flag with the WFIS emblem in the centre.

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Article 7 Membership Membership in the World Federation of Independent Scouts is open

to all Scout Associations which fulfill the requirements for membership. Authority to give such membership is via the World

Council through the Regional Councils. More than one Scout Association per country may be members of

the World Federation of Independent Scouts. A Federation made up of several independent Scouting associations may apply for

membership where the Federation takes overall charge of all its member Associations and where the Federation is led by one committee, with one chief.

Membership of an independent Scouting Association in the World

Federation of Independent Scouts requires:

(a) Establishment of its legal entity and evidence of its operation, either

nationally or regionally.

(b) Having a minimum of one operating Group. (c) Adoption and adherence to the Aim and Mission of the WFIS as laid down in this POR.

(d) Membership to be open to all Associations which agree to conform to the purpose, principles and method of the independent Scouting Movement.

(e) Maintenance of the Organisation as an independent, non-political, voluntary movement.

(f) Registration with the World Council, via the Regional Council. (g) Regular payment of its registration fees.

(h) Notification to the Regional Council of any changes to its Constitution. (i) Member associations should follow B-Ps original programme as laid out in Scouting For Boys. B-Ps original programme may be modernised for health, safety, first-aid, camping standards, and environmental reasons.

Article 8 Membership Application Procedure

Individual Scouts, Explorers, Pathfinders, Rovers, Rangers or Leaders may not be members of the World Federation of

Independent Scouts. Applications for prospect membership is through the Regional

Council, or from the World Council if no Regional Council exists.

Associations must apply for an application form for prospect membership.

The Regional Council will confirm receipt of the application in writing.

The Regional Council will send out a membership pack.

Associations applying for prospect membership will send copies of their POR, Section Handbooks, photos of activities and their Child

Protection Policy.

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At the next General Assembly the application is presented. Before this can happen, a member of the Regional Committee should have

visited and met with the applying association to get an impression of their Association, to ensure that it is being run as an independent

and traditional Association. The Regional Council/Steering Committee will give a report on their

visit and a vote will then be held by the members of the General Assembly. If accepted, the new prospect member will have a

probation period of at least one year, which is extendable up to two years.

If it is found that the Association with probationary membership is not ready for full membership, a further one or two year

probationary period can be called for and voted on. The admission as full members will be made at the General

Assembly, after the probationary period.

Article 9 Membership Rights and Obligations Each member Association will have voting rights at their Regional

Council Assembly according to their byelaws. Each member Association will have one vote at the World Council Assembly, regardless of the number of registered members they have.

Each member association shall pay the annual WFIS registration

fee. This annual fee shall be determined by the World Council at the World Council Assembly.

An annual report should be submitted to the Regional Council by each member Association, prior to the General Assembly.

Article 10 Termination of Membership The World Council or the Regional Council, may provisionally

suspend the membership of any member Association which no longer fulfills the requirements for membership.

If the World or Regional Council maintains its suspension, the suspended Association will be invited to make a written or oral

defence, within twelve weeks, by registered letter. The World or Regional Conference has the broadest power to then decide on an

appropriate course of action. If its decision is to expel the Association, such decision requires a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.

Any member Association may withdraw from the WFIS by written

notice addressed to the Secretary of the Regional Council or World Council if no Regional Council.

A member Association which, for any reason is no longer a Member, is not entitled to the privileges and services of the WFIS, to

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recognition by its members, or to use the emblems and other material associated with the WFIS.

Article 11 The World Conference The World Conference is held every five years, normally in conjunction with the World Jamboree.

Member Associations are represented at any meeting of the World

Conference by a delegate or delegates not exceeding four (4) from any one member association.

The functions of the World Conference are:

(a) To consider the policy and standards of the Independent Scouting Movement throughout the world and to take such action as shall further the purpose of the WFIS.

(b) To formulate the general policy of the WFIS. (c) To consider reports and recommendations presented by the World Council.

(d) To consider recommendations brought forward by member Associations. (e) To consider proposed amendments to the POR and the WFIS Constitution.

(f) Each member association shall have one (1) vote. (g) In the event of a tie, the motion is defeated.

(h) There shall be no proxy voting at the World Conference.

Article 12 World Council Elections The WFIS World Council elections are held every five years. Each

member association is entitled to cast one (1) vote for each position on the Council.

Each member association is entitled to nominate one (1) person for each of the five (5) World Council positions. The person nominated

can be from any WFIS member Association; the persons nominated do not have to be from their own Association.

Nominations are sent forward to the appointed Elections Commissioner by the Chief Commissioner of each member

Association after discussions with the general membership of the Association.

Regional Councils do not cast a vote in the WFIS World Council elections.

Voting for the WFIS World Council election is done via email between set dates, no more than 14 days apart.

Votes are cast by the Chief Commissioner of each member

Association, on behalf of his/her Association after discussions with the general membership of the Association.

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There are five (5) positions on the World Council. They are:

(a) President (b) Vice President

(c) Secretary (d) Treasurer (e) Woodbead Training Coordinator

The WFIS World Council elections should be overseen by a neutral

observer, called the Election Commissioner to ensure that the election itself is run on fair and impartial grounds.

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Article 13 World Council - Duties and Responsibilities The duties and powers of the World Council are:

(a) To promote the WFIS around the world.

(b) To offer advice and encouragement to the Regional Councils. (c) To offer advice and encouragement to new independent Scouting Associations.

(d) To raise and control funds of the World Council. (e) To receive, acquire, accept and hold for, or in the name of the WFIS, by

grant, gift, purchase, devise, legacy, any and all real and personal property required or useful for the purposes of independent World Scouting. (f) To promote the organisation and effective operation of Regional Councils

on the terms laid down in the PO&R of the World Council.

(g) To referee disputes between Regions, or disputes between a member Associations and a Region, where the Region has been unable to resolve. (h) To suspend for cause any Regional Council, or member Association,

subject to an appeal to the World Council. (i) To recommend youth and adults for decorations and awards. (j) To set up and operate Woodbeads training courses. To ensure that

Regional Woodbeads courses meet the required WFIS standard, and to certify Woodbeads National Trainers.

(k) To operate the WFIS Pathfinder Belt Award. (l) To operate the WFIS Discovery Badge Award.

Article 14 Regional Council Elections The Regional Council elections are held according to the Regional

bylaws. Each member Association is entitled to vote for each of the five (5) positions on the Council.

Each member Association is entitled to nominate one (1) person for each of the five (5) Regional Council positions. The persons

nominated do not have to be members of the Association which nominated them.

There are five (5) positions on Regional Councils, although there may be local variations. They are usually:

(a) President (b) Vice President

(c) Secretary (d) Treasurer

(e) Woodbeads Training Coordinator

The Regional elections should be overseen by a neutral observer to

ensure that the election itself is run on fair and impartial grounds.

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Article 15 Regional Council - Duties and Responsibilities The duties and powers of the Regional Council are:

(a) To promote the WFIS within their Regional boundary.

(b) To offer advice and encouragement to its member associations. (c) To offer advice, support and encouragement to new independent Scouting

Associations.

(d) To raise and control the funds of the Regional Council. (e) To guide new member associations through the membership application

process. (f) To receive, acquire, accept and hold for, or in the name of the WFIS, by

grant, gift, purchase, devise, legacy, any and all real and personal

property required or useful for the purposes of independent World Scouting.

(g) To offer advice in disputes between member Associations. (h) To suspend for cause any member Association, subject to an appeal of any

suspension to the Regional or World Council. (i) To submit an annual report to the WFIS World Council.

(j) To recommend youth and adults for decorations and awards. (k) To set up and operate Woodbead training courses. To ensure that their

Regional Woodbead courses meet the required WFIS standard.

Article 16 Promise and Law All members of the World Federation of Independent Scouts are

required to follow a Scout Promise and Law reflecting the principles of Duty to their religion, Duty to others and Duty to self, and inspired by the Promise and Law as laid down by the Founder of the

Scout Movement in the following terms:

The Scout Promise (there may be local variations) On my honour I promise that I will do my best To do my duty to God and the King/Queen (or to my God and my

Country); To help other people at all times;

To obey the Scout Law.

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The Scout Law 1. A Scouts honour is to be trusted.

2. A Scout is loyal. 3. A Scouts duty is to be useful and to help others.

4. A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout. 5. A Scout is courteous. 6. A Scout is a friend to animals.

7. A Scout obeys orders of his parents, Patrol Leader or Scoutmaster without question.

8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties. 9. A Scout is thrifty. 10. A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.

Article 17 Awards Youth and Adult The World Council shall, where appropriate, make awards to both Youth and Adult members for brave and commendable actions.

These awards are:

For special heroism and extraordinary risk, The Scout Medal of

Honour. This Award is a silver coloured cross suspended from a green and silver ribbon.

For exceptional service to youth on an international, or worldwide

basis, The Bronze Lion. This Award has a green and gold ribbon. For good service to Independent Scouting, The Service Cross. This

Award is a bronze cross with a white and red ribbon.

In recognition of help to the WFIS, the Thanks Badge can be awarded to members and non-members.

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Article 18 The Pathfinder Belt Award The WFIS shall offer a Pathfinder Belt Award.

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Article 19 Woodbeads Training The WFIS World Council, through their Woodbeads Training

Coordinator, shall ensure that the standard of Woodbeads training given in the Federation is of the highest possible standard

The WFIS Woodbeads Training Coordinator shall ensure that each Regional Council has a qualified Woodbeads Training Team, of whom

at least one member should be a WFIS certified national trainer.

The following parts of the Woodbeads course are WFIS recognized: a) Law and child protection, games, personal interview b) Questions

c) International practical d) 3/6 months service, including interview and history of Scouting

e) Beads f) Trainer Part 1 ( Third Bead ) g) Trainer Part 2 ( Fourth Bead )

h) National Trainer Certification Course

WFIS Associations that do not have their own Woodbeads Training

Team will be trained by their Regional Woodbeads Training Team. If an Association has sufficient leaders trained to form their own Association Woodbeads Training Team, which follows the WFIS

training scheme they can offer own training or continue with Regional Training.

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Article 20 Child Protection Policy All members shall follow and comply with the Child Protection Policies, which are included in Annexe A of the POR

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Article 21 Ethics Policy All members shall abide by and comply with the Ethics Policies of the WFIS, which are included in Annexe B of this POR.

Article 22 International Scout Fellowship The WFIS International Scout Fellowship (ISF) was authorised in August 2007 by the World Council. The ISF provides a resource base from which groups can access skill instructors, administrative support, or training.

Typical roles for Fellowship members are to provide specialist skills to Scouting activities, for example, badge testing, canoe instruction, pioneering or other adventurous pursuits.

The Fellowship can also provide hands at camps, enabling the camp leaders to run and organise activities without having to overstretch themselves, with much of what could be considered as support or logistics functions (for example cooking meals).

Members of the WFIS International Scout Fellowship (ISF) shall wear the ISF Zulu shield badge on their uniform shirt.

ISF members shall wear the uniform of their home countries Scout Association, with the membership badge shown above, and a yellow neckerchief.

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Annexe A Child Protection Policy All adults in the WFIS are responsible for the safety of our youth

members. We have a responsibility to ensure that only suitable adults are recruited.

Our Child Protection Policy requires our Associations and Regional Councils to provide a safe environment in which our youth members

feel respected and protected.

Adults interacting with young people in Scouting should do so with care and respect for the young person. Verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse of any kind is totally unacceptable.

All member Associations shall follow and comply with the WFIS

Child Protection Policy as below:

DISCIPLINE The WFIS encourages positive reinforcement to correct unsuitable

behaviour. However, sometimes there will be a need for discipline.

The following examples are inappropriate discipline methods:

Physical blows or force. Confinement.

Emotional abuse. Humiliation.

Any other form of abuse.

PHYSICAL CONTACT

When dealing with young people, there is acceptable touching and unacceptable touching. Touching which gives offence or causes any

discomfort is not acceptable. RELATIONSHIPS

The correct relationship between an adult and a youth member is that of the adult being an instructor, leader and guardian. It is a

position of trust. LANGUAGE

The Code of Ethics requires that we do not use vulgar or inappropriate language when working with youth members.

DISCRIMINATION Discrimination of any sort is unacceptable.

HARASSMENT

Harassment is emotionally harmful; it goes against all Scouting principles and is unwelcome and offensive.

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PRIVACY

An individuals right to privacy must be recognised and taken into consideration in such matters as sleeping places and toilet facilities.

It is suggested that adult members should have separate sleeping quarters from the youth members.

ALCOHOL POLICY Adults/Members/Leaders must not drink too much alcohol and no

alcohol should be drunk in front of young people. Groups should organise themselves so that there are a sufficient number of adults that take no alcohol and who are in overall charge of the young

people.

Drug Policy No illegal drugs

SMOKING No adult member or adult helper shall smoke in front of young

people. Designated smoking areas should be provided away from young people at Scouting events.

CHILD ABUSE There are sometimes signs which Leaders should be aware of, which

might mean a young person has suffered from abuse. Many of these signs can also show where abuse has not taken place.

Examples are: Change in behaviour Young person may have few if any friends

There may be a strong attachment to adults Swimming or sports may be avoided so that clothing does

not have to be removed A young person may not want to return home There may be a change in attendance

There are a number of different types of abuse and these

include physical; neglect; psychological/emotional; sexual.

PHYSICAL ABUSE

Physical abuse is when deliberate harm is caused to someone either directly or by neglect.

NEGLECT Neglect can be deliberate or because of poor parenting.

PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL ABUSE Psychological and emotional abuse can be difficult to recognise.

Young people who are constantly ridiculed, shouted at or called names, tend to show this in behavioural problems.

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SEXUAL ABUSE Sexual abuse is when a young person is involved in sexual activities

that are against the law or that they do not understand or give consent to. It includes many forms, e.g. talking in a sexual way,

exposure, touching etc., to full sexual intercourse. REPORTING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE

These should be clearly defined in every Associations Child Protection Policy.

Leaders and adults working with children should not carry out internal investigations but should report suspected abuse to the relevant authority.

CHILD ABUSE REPORTING PROCEDURE WITHIN A SCOUTING

CONTEXT Any person who knows or suspects that a child is being harmed or is at risk of harm has a legal duty to tell of his/her concerns to the

local Child Welfare Authorities immediately, as laid down in the Child Protection Policy of their Association.

It is important to keep a record of incidents or concerns which

should then be passed to the relevant authority. CONFIDENTIALITY

All information should be treated in a careful and sensitive manner and should be discussed only with those who have a need to know.

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Annexe B ETHICS POLICY

Code of conduct for adults working with children

The Ethics policy aims to ensure that all adult members of the WFIS should be aware of the need to act according to the Scout Laws, as laid down by Baden-Powell.

For the purposes of this policy the following should be understood and followed

by any adult working with children.

Every person under the age of 18 years should be considered as a child. All children, whatever their ability, age, gender, race, religious belief or

sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse. All suspicions and allegations will be taken seriously and will be acted on

promptly.

You are a role model, always lead by example. Be on time.

Be generous with your praise when it is deserved. Encourage a sense of team spirit amongst Scouts. Watch out for bullying.

Watch your language. Never ridicule a Scout for making mistakes.

Screaming abuse or unrealistic instructions never improved a Scouts per-formance.

Be reasonable in your demands on your Scouts time. Remember that they

have other interests that should also be encouraged. Winning is important but not the only objective. Competition is an integral

part of the Patrol system but a balanced approach to competition should make a significant contribution to a Scouts development, while at the same time providing fun, enjoyment and satisfaction. Through such com-

petitions Scouts learn respect for other Scouts and leaders. Insist on disciplined and fair play.

Set realistic goals.