YOU WANT TO BE A LEADER... READ ON

Congratulations, you like the Scouts Canada program, and are wondering whether leadership is for you...

There are 5 steps involved in becoming a Leader. Why so many do you ask..?

The first step is requested by the current Scout Leadership team, as we want to meet you and discuss with you to the rewarding role of a Scout Leader.

The remaining steps are imposed by Scouts Canada to satisfy legal and insurance requirements.

Please keep in mind that these steps also provide assurance to the parents that their children are placed under supervision and care of responsible adults who will teach the Scouting principles.

Step 1 Tell the leadership team that you are interested

The leadership team will be happy to talk to you, sharing their rewarding experiences, the roles and expectations placed on the leadership team.

  • Please contact the Section Leader of the section you are interested in becoming a leader within.
  • Contact the 1st Port Moody Group Committee and express your interests
Step 2 Complete an Application for Membership and Appointment of Adults into Scouting.
Step 3 Complete a Volunteer Screen Checklist form and submit to an interview (Page 2 of Adult Registration Form)

All potential leaders will be interviewed by the Group Committee/Commission or their designate. This is a mandatory step. At the end of the interview, the potential leader shall be asked to provide references that would be called.

Potential leaders must be interviewed by two Scouts Canada approved volunteers. This interview will determine whether the adult is willing to accept and follow Scout Canada's mission and principles, and whether they are comfortable working in a team and how well they are suited with the age group that they wish to volunteer with.

Step 4 Complete a Police Record Check (PRC)

This is a mandatory step. If the volunteer passes the interview and reference checks, the potential leader must obtain and complete a "Police Record Check (PRC) form for the vulnerable Sector".

A PRC is an authorized background check on the individual. Typically two or three pieces of ID are required along with the application form. This form allows the police to check for criminal convictions. Scouting Canada demands this level of research in order to determine the suitability of the individual to work with children.

The 1st Port Moody Scout Group has the forms that you will require when requesting a Crimnal Record check from the Port Moody Police Information from their web site:

All persons requiring a Criminal Record Checks must attend the Port Moody Police Department in person at 3051 St. Johns Street between 8:00am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday.

A Request and Consent for Police Record Search and Disclosure Form must be completed and the applicant must provide one of the following pieces of photo identification: Driver's License, BCID card, Passport.
The PRC must come back clean (no exceptions!). Potential leaders who have any criminal record will not be allowed to volunteer, however they can obtain a pardon. For information on obtaining a pardon, please consult The Government of Canada National Parole Board's website.

Depending upon which police service you use to obtain this PRC there may or may not be a cost involved. This fee is usually waived by the police if a form from the 1st Port Moody Group Committee is filled in. This form states that the individual requesting a PRC is requesting a leadership role in Scouts Canada. For example, the Port Moody Police do not charge for these to be done if this form is filled in.

Step 5 Approval as a Leader

All potential leaders who pass the police record check must then finally complete a Physical Fitness Certificate and return it to the Group Chair.