Chief Scout (The Scout Association)

The Chief Scout is the head of The Scout Association. The post originated with the appointment of Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout Movement, as Chief Scout. He was designated Chief Scout of the World in 1920 at the first World Scout Jamboree in Olympia, London. Following his death, Chief Scouts were appointed for the British Empire, then the British Commonwealth and Empire, then the Commonwealth, and finally for the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories. The current Chief Scout is the British adventurer and TV presenter Bear Grylls.

Role of the Chief Scout

The Chief Scout is the head of The Scout Association, and is therefore the leader of Scouting for all groups within the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories which fall under that organisation. The role of the Chief Scout when Baden-Powell started the Scouting programme in 1908 was to promote the policies and benefits of Scouting and to determine the direction in which Scouting will function. The role of the Chief Scout was changed fundamentally in 2009 with the appointment of Bear Grylls. The position was split and the appointment UK Chief Commissioner was created.^[1] The Chief Commissioner took over most of the administrative duties and now leads the adult members of the association. The Chief Scout would continue as the visible head of the association and still has key roles within Scouting in the UK.

The Chief Scout is appointed by The Council of The Scout Association, which consists of nominated representatives from around the country.^[2] Working alongside the Chief Scout's Committee, the Chief Scout is responsible for the appointment of County Commissioners and County Presidents.^[3]

Awards

Each section of the Scout Association has an award meant to come from the Chief Scout; in Beavers, the award is the Chief Scout's Bronze Award, in Cubs it is Silver, in Scouts it is Gold and in Explorers, Platinum and Diamond. The only award higher than this is the Queen's Scout Award.^[4]

List of Chief Scouts

1. Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, died January 8, 1941
2. Arthur Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron Somers, March 1942, Chief Scout of the British Empire
3. Thomas Corbett, 2nd Baron Rowallan, April, 1945, Chief Scout of the British Commonwealth and Empire
4. Sir Charles Maclean, later Lord Maclean, September 1959, Chief Scout of the Commonwealth. He resigned as Chief Scout of the UK in September 1971, but continued as Chief Scout of the Commonwealth until August, 1975
5. Sir William Gladstone, July 1972, Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories
6. Major-General Michael J. H. Walsh, February 1982. Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories
7. Sir Garth Morrison, May 1988, Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories
8. George Purdy, March 1996, Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories
9. Peter Duncan, July 2004, Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories
10. Bear Grylls, 11 July 2009, Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories^[5]

See also

Scouting portal

• Silver Wolf Award
• Chief Scout (Scouting Ireland)

References

1. ^ "Bear Grylls announced as new Chief Scout". The Scout Association. 2009-05-17. http://scouts.org.uk/news/185/bear-grylls-announced-as-new-chief-scout. Retrieved 2011-10-22. "Working in partnership with Bear will be Scouting volunteer Wayne Bulpitt, who takes on the new role of UK Chief Commissioner." 
2. ^ "The Council of the Scout Association". POR: Chapter 6: The Structure of the Headquarters of The Scout Association. http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2006/6_3.htm#part_1. Retrieved 2009-01-17. 
3. ^ "The Chief Scout's Committee". POR: Chapter 6: The Structure of the Headquarters of The Scout Association. http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2006/6_9.htm#part_1. Retrieved 2009-01-17. 
4. ^ "Awards, Decorations and Recognition of Service". Badges. http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/badges/. Retrieved 2009-01-17. 
5. ^ "Bear Grylls announced as new Chief Scout". press release. http://scouts.org.uk/news/185/bear-grylls-announced-as-new-chief-scout. Retrieved 2011-01-14. 

External links

• Meet the Chiefs
• The Passing Years - Milestones in the progress of Scouting.