Being a youth-led movement, it is important that we recognise the valuable contribution young people can provide a committee, whether that be on a Group, District, Area or National level. Young trustees can provide insights into what people their age require and how they think we can best deliver. By appointing a young trustee, you will not only help your committee, you will also help that young person to gain valuable skills.
Here are some of the main advantages of having young trustees on your board –
We caught up with Tim Fawell, a previous young trustee, to learn a little about his experience.
How did you become as a Young Trustee?
“When I came back from university, I found out that my old Scout Leader was finishing up after many years of inspiring young people, me included! I, along with two other former Scouts, decided to take up the reigns and become young adult volunteers so, at the age of 21, I became an assistant Scout Leader.
“Sometime later I was in discussion with our GSL about how the group could improve its presence in the community and also better engage with the parents of young people in the group. I had some ideas and was soon invited to be co-opted onto the executive committee with a specific brief of developing the group’s footprint in the community.
“This led to me not only establishing, developing and managing the groups social media but also being the project manager for a summer BBQ social and a group bonfire night. Both of these events were very successful, thanks to the support and advice I received from both my fellow trustees and the group volunteers.
“This positive experience of working with and leading a group of volunteers in a capacity I had never held before in my life led me to stand for and be duly elected to the group’s executive, which I am still a member of to this day.”
What was your experience as a young trustee?
“I found being a young trustee an incredibly empowering time in my life. I found that I had a lot of talents and abilities that I didn’t even realise I had. It allowed me to see potential in myself.
“I was able to use the skills I gained from being a young trustee, the sense of achievement and confidence it gave me, as examples of experience on job applications. Through those experiences I was able to get a job that put my career in a whole different direction. It quite literally changed my life!
“Through our work as trustees I could see how we were making a difference across all sections in the group and what we could achieve as a whole. Many Scouters volunteer because they want to give back and I found as a young trustee I was able to give back a lot!”
What are the advantages of having youth voices at executive committee meetings?
“The GSL at the time recognised that by bringing on young trustees it would inject new ideas, new passion, new energy and new ways of working into the committee. This meant we were far more able to support the GSL in his role in strengthening the group.
“Young people have a tremendous amount to offer, by bringing them onto the executive committee as young trustees they can bring a whole different perspective and entirely new ways of working. Encouraging and supporting these new ideas will bring new opportunities that wouldn’t necessarily come from somewhere else.
“Having youth on the executive committee will not just be of benefit to the group in realising its full potential, it may well help those young trustees realise theirs. It certainly did with me.”
We’d like to hear from groups who have stories about young trustees! Please email helen.a@scoutscymru.org.uk
