CHECK-LIST TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL SCOUT ORGANIZATION AIMING AT RECOGNITION OF MEMBERSHIP WITH WOSM and A SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR NSOs (Africa Region)

For Scouting to grow and develop it needs to have strong, well-functionning NSOs.

This tool is designed to support a self-assessment process in NSOs and is also the checklist for National Scout Organizations wishing to acquire membership with WOSM. It sets out the educational, constitutional and operational criteria to be fulfilled.

This will ensure that the constitutions of existing and potential National Scout Organizations are acceptable as a legal document, but also that the Organizations are, in reality, operating effectively "on the ground".

Please tick the rating that best represents the situation in your Organization for each item below.

Rating Scale

n/a  Not applicable

  X    Insufficient information to assess

  1    Non existent

  2    Drafted / Partially in place

  3    Advanced

  4    Completed

Table of Contents

1. Educational Methods - Youth Programme, Youth Membership & Adult Resources

2. Scouting's Profile – communicaitons, partnerships and resources

3. Strategy development and implementation

4. Constitution and Decision-Making

NSO:

Date:

I. EDUCATIONAL METHODS

1 YOUTH PROGRAMME & YOUTH MEMBERSHIP

The Youth Programme

The Youth Programme is the core business of Scouting and the Youth Programme, as outlined in the World Youth Programme Policy adopted by the World Scout Conference in Paris (1990), covers the totality of the experiences offered to young people in Scouting:

            WHAT young people do in the Movement – the activities

            HOW we do it – the Scout Method

            WHY we do it – the educational objectives, in accordance with the purpose and fundamental          principles of the Movement.

The Youth Programme therefore is critical to Scouting and it is essential that key elements of the Youth Programme exist in all NSOs. The Youth Programme must also meet the needs and aspirations of young people in the society in which they belong.The Strategy for Scouting also challenges associations to focus on Youth Involvement, Adolescents, Girls and Boys, Women and Men and Reaching Out to new segments of society.

The questions below are designed to assess if the NSO meets the required standards for Youth Programme to be recognised by WOSM and incorporates the strategic priorities related to the Youth Programme.

1.1 OverView

Please provide information on the age-sections and the number of young people and adults in each section.

Section name	Age-range	Number of boys	Number of girls	Number of adults

1.2 THE YOUTH PROGRAMME

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	The Youth Programme is based on the Youth Programme Policy adopted by the World Scout Conference (1990).
b	The Youth Programme is based on the fundamentals of Scouting, including the Scout Method.
c	There is a defined starting and finishing age for the Youth Programme in the association.
d	The needs of young people in the association to day have been identified.
e	Areas of personal growth have been identified.
f	Educational objectives have been written for the Youth Programme.
g	There are a number of age-sections in the association.
h	A programme designed specifically for these age-groups has been developed, in collaboration with young people.
i	Then programme for each age-section builds on the programme in the previous section.
j	The Youth Programme for the older age-ranges provides young people with opportunities to meet other Scouts/young people nationally and internationally.
k	The Youth Programme includes awards and badges to recognise young people achievement's.

 

1.3 YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN DECISION-MAKING

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	Youth involvement is supported structurally through the use of small groups/peer leadership and a Unit council.
b	The Youth Programme provides young people with the skills and experiences to be involved in decision-making in the local community.
c	Young people in the older sections have opportunities to be involved in decision-making in Scouting at local, sub national, national level.
d	Youth Involvement in decision-making is included in leader training for all leaders supporting the Youth Programme and all Commissioners in the association.

1.4 YOUTH MEMBERSHIP

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	There is an accurate list of members at local, district and national levels.
b	The membership figures are reviewed annually by the relevant committees.
c	Local Commissioners are encouraged to take actions to strengthen membership (and reduce membership losses where they occur).

1.5. REACHING OUT TO ALL SEGMENTS OF SOCIETY

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	Scouting is open to all young people in the society.
b	Scouting is attractive to boys and girls, women and men in the Movement.
c	Recruitment campaigns focus on young people in segments of society that are not currently served by the association e.g. ethnic minority communities and children in especially difficult circumstances.
d	Young people with disabilities can access Scouting and the full Youth Programme.
e	Leaders receive training to provide Scouting to special groups of young people.

1.6 SUPPORT TO THE YOUTH PROGRAMME

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	A National Programme Commissioner has been appointed.
b	The National Programme Commissioner has a support team consisting of people with expertise in different aspects of the Youth Programme and includes young people.
c	Training is available for all leaders supporting the Youth Programme.
d	Resources are produced to support the Youth Programme in the association.
e	A magazine/web-site is produced to provide programme ideas and share information on the Youth Programme.

 

NOTES

 

 

2. ADULT RESOURCES

The World Adult Resources Policy, adopted by the World Scout Conference in 1993, sets out a system of managing adult resources in a Scout association necessary for accomplishing the Mission of the Movement. This involves three key areas:

1.    The Acquistion of Adult Resources

2.    Training and Personal Development

3.    The Management of Adult Resources

The Strategy for Scouting encourages Scout associations to focus on Volunteering and develop new approaches to broaden the base of adult support. This area of work in an associations needs to be  supported by people with expertise recruiting, training and managing volunteers.

2.1 OVERVIEW

Please provide information on the adults to support different areas of work in the association.

Area of work	Males	Females	Total
Leaders working with young people
Commissioners at local and sub-national level
Commissioners at national level
Professional staff

2.2 MANAGING ADULT RESOURCES

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	An Adult Resources Policy exists and is implemented for the management of adults in Scouting.
b	A national Adult Resources Commissioner has been appointed.
c	There is a team with the necessary expertise to support this area of work and the team includes young people.
d	The needs of the association in relation to the quantity and quality of its volunteer leadership is undertaken regularly.
e	There is a clear process for appointing adults as volunteers in the association.
f	There are fixed terms of appointment for all volunteer roles in the association.
g	Each leader has a clear job description relevant to their role in the association.
h	Appropriate training is provided for all adults in the Organization through a national training scheme or policy.
i	There is recognition for the training undertaken by volunteers, either through Scouting or through links with external organisations.
j	A leadership development strategy exists and includes succession planning.
k	A system for recognizing the contribution of volunteers is in place.
l	An appraisal and review process is clear and well presented to the volunteers.

 

2.3 RECRUITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	There is an accurate list of the leadership at: l  local level, l  district level l  national level.
b	There is a clear recruitment strategy for adult leaders.
c	Recruitment is targeted at groups of adults who are not currently members of the Movement.

2.4 MANAGEMENT OF THE VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	Volunteers receive support for the role they undertake in the association.
b	Volunteers receive training relevant to their role in Scouting.
c	Resources are available (books, web-pages, leaflets) to support volunteers in their role.
d	Volunteers have the opportunity to meet with others in similar roles for informal support and sharing ideas.
e	Volunteers have the opportunity to be involved in decision-making in the Group/District/Region and nationally.
f	Volunteers are motivated and receive recognition for their support to the association.

 

NOTES

II. SCOUTING'S PROFILE – COMMUNICATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS AND RESOURCES

1 COMMUNICATIONS

1.1 COMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND BRANDING

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	An effective Communication and Media policy exists and is used.
b	The Organization has a communication plan which clearly identifies the target audiences, the key messages and the means of communication used.
c	Members regularly receive updates on operations and programme.
d	An effective public relations strategy exists and is in use.
e	The Organization has a positive image with its “public”.
f	An effective brand strategy exists and is implemented.
g	The Organization receives appropriate media coverage on a regular basis.
h	The Organization is well aware of the conditions of use of the World Scout Emblem and all associated logos.

1.2 INFORMATION SYSTEMS

			n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a		The Organization uses IT to store information. The Organization complies with national laws in relations to the storage of personnel data.
b		The Organization uses IT to disseminate information.
c		The decision-makers have the capacity to use IT effectively.
d		The information system is used to collect, analyse and disseminate data and information to all stakeholders.
e		The information system is used to solicit and provide opportunities for feedback of  information from  all stakeholders
f		Trained personnel are in place to manage the information system.
g	The Organization has a web-site.
h	The web-site is regularly updated.

NOTES:

2 PARTNERSHIPS & EXTERNAL RELATIONS

2.1 STAKEHOLDERS' RELATION

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	The Organization is credible to stakeholders (all those who have vested interest in the Movement).
b	The Organization is a valuable resource to stakeholders.
c	The relationship with stakeholders is one of partnership for a common purpose.
d	The Organization is able to attract volunteer support.

2.2 INTER-NGO COLLABORATION AND NETWORKING

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	The Organization is involved appropriately in networks and in sharing resources with national, regional and international Organizations.
b	The Organization plays a role in promoting coalitions and networks.
c	The Organization is active in any National Youth Council.

2.3 GOVERNMENT / LOCAL AUTHORITY COLLABORATION

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	The Organization has contact with relevant decision-makers.
b	The Organization regularly engages key policy makers in dialogue.
c	Exchange of ideas and resources occur where and when appropriate.
d	The Organization’s activities and recommendations are integrated into government’s development plans and policies.
e	The Organization takes national and regional development priorities into account in its plans.

2.4 FUNDING PARTNER COLLABORATION

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	The Organization has diversified contacts within the funding community.
b	The Organization is credible to funding partners or partners which provide access to resources.

2.5 PARTNERSHIPS AND INVOLVEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	The Organization has diversified contacts within the local community.
b	The Organization has diversified contacts within the religious authorities.
c	Structures are in place to facilitate working relations between the Organization and other civil society members.
d	The Organization works in partnership with other youth Organizations.
e	Programme priorities are based on actual/changing needs of the community.
f	Programme priorities and services are periodically defined and updated in collaboration with stakeholders.

2.6 PARTNERSHIPS IN SCOUTING

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	The Organization has diversified contacts within WOSM members.
b	The Organization has developed partnerships with other NSOs the region.
c	The Organization has developed inter-regional partnerships (not just contacts) with other Organization of the region.

 

NOTES:

3 RESOURCES

3.1 RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	i. An appropriate resource mobilisation plan is in place.
	ii. The appropriate resource mobilisation plan is being followed.
b	There is a clear programme in place to manage Funding Partners/Donors.
c	The Organization is not overly reliant on any one source of funding.
d	The Organization has the capacity to adapt to changing financial circumstances.
e	The Organization has an effective assets management policy.
f	An efficient national registration fee system is in place.

3.2 ACCOUNTING

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	Appropriate and adequate financial management procedures are in place
b	Appropriate and adequate financial reporting systems are in place.
c	i. Accounting procedures are adequate.
	ii. Accounting procedures are followed.
d	Accounting categories exist for separating project funds. from general funds.
e	Clear Accounting records exist.
f	i. Checks and balances are documented.
	ii. Checks and balances are followed.
g	The accounting system integrates analytical/cost centres accounting.

3.3 BUDGETING

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	Regular budgeting process is integrated into annual implementation plans.
b	There is adequate staff support for preparation & implementation of the budget.
c	Annual operations and programme costs stay within the agreed budget.
d	Budget is organised and allocated appropriately to reflect the Organizations strategic priorities.

3.4 FINANCIAL REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	Accurate financial reports are prepared in a timely manner.
b	A registered reputable firm of auditors prepares an annual financial report.
c	i. An annual financial report is documented.
	ii. An annual financial report is disseminated to stakeholders.
d	Internal audits are conducted on a regular basis.
e	Audit recommendations are used as a management tool for planning.
f	An adequate procurement system is implemented.
g	An internal control system or set of procedures exist, is documented and implemented.

3.5 ESTATE

		n/a	X	1	2	3	4
a	The Organization has a National Headquarters.
b	The Organization has one camp-site or more.
c	The Organization has a National Training Centre.
d	The Organization has an hostel.

NOTES: