Skip to main content

Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

Discover what this means
News | 01 March 2024

The search is on for a new Chief Volunteer of Northern Ireland

Carl Hankinson, UK Chief Volunteer
Share

After nearly eight years leading Scouts in Northern Ireland as Chief Volunteer (formerly known as Chief Commissioner), Stephen Donaldson will be stepping down later this year. We’re now looking for our next Chief Volunteer of Northern Ireland to lead Scouts into the future.

Thank you Stephen!

Stephen has provided leadership within Northern Ireland (NI) at a pivotal time as we’ve worked through our Skills for Life strategy and helped people navigate through a global pandemic.

Stephen has worked in partnership with the Scouts NI staff and trustees to lead the Northern Ireland Leadership Team  and make sure our Counties, Districts and Scout Groups have been supported to deliver brilliant programme to our young people.

Image shows Northern Ireland as Chief Commissioner, Stephen Donaldson, in a necker at Gilwell Park
Stephen Donaldson, Chief Volunteer of Northern Ireland

As part of Team UK, and more recently the UK Leadership Team, as well as the UK’s Operations Committee and then Strategy & Delivery Committee, Stephen has contributed to the development of Scouts across the whole of the UK.

Throughout this, he made sure the voice of Scouts in Northern Ireland is strongly heard as part of UK decision-making.

I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Stephen for his dedication and commitment over the past eight years as Chief Volunteer.

The search for the new Chief Volunteer of Northern Ireland

We’re now looking to find your next Chief Volunteer of Northern Ireland.

This is an important volunteer leadership role in Scouts, as we work together to provide Skills for Life for even more young people across Northern Ireland through our inclusive growth efforts.

The Chief Volunteer role is about leadership, providing support for a team of volunteers in key roles. It’s about being a great coach, supportive friend and providing inspiration.

Leadership in Scouts is about creating the best environment for people to succeed, while having fun and finding fulfilment along the way.

Being the Chief Volunteer of Northern Ireland is no different, so I’d encourage you to think about who you know who would be great for this role.

I want to create the best possible team to lead UK Scouts. I believe that we’ll do that by inviting and involving volunteers from different walks of life with different experiences, different skills and perspectives.

So, at this time, we’re really keen to provide opportunities for people to develop their skills, interests and experience in Scouts in a supportive and enjoyable way. 

You don’t need years of experience in Scouts or in life, we’re looking to identify volunteers with potential and enthusiasm for what we’re here to achieve together for young people, who we can help develop along the way.

Find out more about the role, along with full details on how to apply yourself or how to nominate someone.

The closing date for nominations and applications is Friday 12 April 2024 at 12pm (noon).

We’ll then be inviting shortlisted candidates to attend interviews near Belfast on Sunday 12 May 2024.

Thank you in advance for your support in identifying suitable people who’d be great in this role.

Share this story