The Chief Scout is the most senior appointment of Scouting Ireland. As Chairperson of the National Council and National Management Committee the Chief Scout is responsible for co-ordinating the activities of the Association with the help of the National Team for Policy Implementation and Co-ordination.
Contents
- Term of office and roles
- Martin Burbridge 2004 2008
- Michael John Shinnick 2008 2015
- Annual meeting April 2015
- Extraordinary meeting September 2015
- Presentation of awards
- References
The first Chief Scout elected was Martin Burbridge, a former member of Scouting Ireland (CSI). His term was scheduled to end in 2010 but he stepped down in September 2008.
Term of office and roles
The Chief, like all members of the National Management Committee is elected by secret ballot at the annual National Council for a term of three years. The Chief Scout may be re-elected for one further term of three years.
Martin Burbridge 2004-2008
Martin Burbridge is a native of County Kildare and is a qualified accountant. He holds the Wood Badge is a member of the Order of Cú Chulainn. As the first Chief Scout of the association, his term of office has been both ground breaking and controversial. Burbridge had previously been the National Treasurer of Scouting Ireland (CSI) and one of the steering forces behind the formation of Scouting Ireland. Once the wheels had been set in motion in May 2003, Burbridge's appointment was seen by many Scouters as a fait accompli, with neither Peter Dixon nor Donald Harvey (the outgoing Chief Scouts of Scouting Ireland (CSI) and Scouting Ireland S.A.I. respectively) seeking nomination. He became Chief of the Interim National Management Committee, a new leader for a new era in Irish Scouting, and at the first National Council in The Helix in 2004 his position at the helm was confirmed.
Initiatives during his term included the adoption of a new uniform, an entirely new administrative structure and the programme review. Apart from minor teething problems with the uniform, its adoption has been a success. The new Province and County structure and the administrative reshuffle have also been efficient and were welcomed by grassroots members. All other issues, however, have been overshadowed by the debate on the possible implications of the programme review and proposed changes to the age ranges for sections. A new youth programme was adopted at National Council in Ballinasloe in June 2008.
The successes of his time in office include the smooth transition from two strong associations to one, operating in 32 counties and catering for almost 40,000 members, successful advertising campaigns which have raised the profile of Scouting nationwide and have increased youth membership and a strong belief in youth participation. Among the early criticisms of his term was a lack of communication relating to the Castle Saunderson project which has now been resolved and the satisfactory resolution will most likely be his abiding legacy as Chief. Difficulties with funding for camp sites, the neglect of camping as a whole and a drop in adult membership have been cited by members as key issues during his first term. He was re-elected unopposed in June 2007 and was expected to serve a second and final term of 3 years until 2010. However, Mr. Burbridge announced his decision to resign from the position of Chief Scout in a letter to the National Management Committee of Scouting Ireland dated 12 August 2008. In the letter the chief scout expresses his intention to resign from his position, effective from "12.00 midnight on Sunday 28 September 2008".
Michael John Shinnick 2008-2015
Due to the resignation of Martin Burbridge the National Management Committee appointed Michael John Shinnick, the then Chief Commissioner for Adult Resources, as Scouting Ireland's second Chief Scout in September 2008. He was elected by National Council in March 2009 and re-elected in 2012 for a term to end in 2015.
Annual meeting April 2015
An election for Chief Scout was scheduled for National Council on 18 April. There were two candidates nominated, Seán Farrell, National Secretary and former Ordinary Member of the National Management Committee (NMC), and Kiernan Gildea, former Chief Commissioner (Youth Programme) and Interim Dublin Metropolitan Provincial Commissioner. Gildea withdrew from the race on 17 April, and a yes/no referendum on Farrell was lost. The NMC scheduled an Emergency National Council for September 2015 to elect a successor.
Extraordinary meeting September 2015
International Commissioner and former North Eastern Provincial Commissioner, Christy McCann was elected as Scouting Ireland's third Chief Scout in September 2015 for a term to end in 2018.
Four candidates in total took part in the election. Seán Farrell was again nominated along with McCann and two former ordinary members of the National Management Committee Ollie Kehoe and Pat O'Connor. Voting was by single transferable vote.
Presentation of awards
Among the responsibilities of the Chief Scout are the presentation of Chief Scout's Awards to Scouts and the investiture of Scouters into the Order of CúChulainn. Under ONE Programme, the Chief Scout will share presentation of the Chief Scout Award for Rover Scouts with the President of Ireland, as the award is linked to Gaisce – The President's Award.