The National Scout Council is forming a Policy-Making Subcommittee to review and update the policies of The Scout Association of Malta. We are looking for dedicated volunteers to ensure our policies remain relevant, practical, and aligned with the evolving needs of Scouting.
1. Objective
The Policy-Making Subcommittee of the National Scout Council (NSC) is being established by the to review and update the existing policies of the Scout Association of Malta (SAM). The purpose is to ensure that all policies are updated and aligned with the current needs and realities of scouting in Malta and to reflect best practices in governance, youth development, and organizational management.
2. Scope of Work
The subcommittee will focus on the following key areas:
- Updating of the text of policies where changes have been decided, but policies have not yet been updated
- Review of existing SAM policies and identification of areas that require revision or updating.
- Development of new policies where gaps are identified, in collaboration with subject experts where this is required
- Consultation with scout members, leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure policies are representative and practical.
- Research on best practices in scouting policy from other national and international scouting bodies.
- Drafting and presentation of policy updates to the NSC for approval.
- Ensuring that updated policies are clear, practical, and adhere to the values and mission of SAM.
3. Roles and Responsibilities
Members of the Policy-Making Subcommittee will:
- Collaborate with fellow members to review, draft, and propose updated or new policies.
- Attend regular meetings (online or in-person) as scheduled by the subcommittee chairperson.
- Engage in thorough research and consultation to inform policy development.
- Provide written contributions, feedback, and recommendations in a timely manner.
- Present draft policies to the NSC for discussion and approval.
- Uphold the confidentiality of discussions and respect the diverse opinions of other members.
The Chairperson of the subcommittee will:
- be appointed by the NSC
- Coordinate meetings and oversee the progress of the subcommittee’s work.
- Ensure that timelines are met and deliverables are presented to the NSC.
- Act as the primary point of contact between the subcommittee and the NSC.
4. Methodology
The subcommittee will adopt the following approach:
- Review Process: Conduct a comprehensive review of all existing SAM policies.
- Consultation: Engage stakeholders, including scout leaders, members, and other relevant parties, through surveys, focus groups, or interviews to gather feedback.
- Research: Look into national and international policy examples from scouting and other youth organisations for benchmarking and best practices.
- Drafting: Draft updated or new policies, ensuring they are clear, actionable, and reflect current realities. – Submission: Present drafts to the NSC for consideration and approval.
5. Deliverables
The subcommittee will produce:
- A report summarising the findings of the review process and identifying key areas for revision.
- A set of proposed policy updates and new policies, complete with justifications and supporting research.
- A final document, approved by the NSC, that outlines all updated policies ready for implementation.
6. Timeframe
- Regular meetings will be scheduled on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, depending on the workload and the stage of the policy review process.
- Interim reports or updates may be required by the NSC at key milestones.
- The NSC will provide a task list with the projects/documents/policies that need to be reviewed in order of priority. This list should be compiled together with the chairperson. The sub committee will then review the task list and propose the timelines to which they will work to create realistic deadlines.
7. Reporting Structure
The subcommittee will report to the NSC through the subcommittee chairperson. All draft policies and progress reports will be submitted to the NSC for review and feedback before final approval.
8. Resources
- The NSC will provide access to all current SAM policies and relevant documentation.
- The subcommittee may request additional resources such as external research or legal advice if necessary.
- Administrative support, including meeting coordination and document management, will be provided by the SAM office as required.
9. Evaluation Criteria
The success of the subcommittee will be evaluated based on:
- The timely submission of draft policies and reports.
- The quality and relevance of the proposed policies.
- Feedback from stakeholders and their acceptance of the updated policies.
- Approval of the policies by the NSC.
10. Membership
The subcommittee will be composed of interested individuals with the following qualifications:
- Experience or interest in policy-making, governance, or legal frameworks. Law students or professionals with a background in policy development are highly encouraged to apply.
- Strong attention to detail and analytical skills.
- A commitment to the values and mission of SAM.
- Availability to dedicate the necessary time to subcommittee work.
- The appointed members of this sub-committee, including the Chairperson shall hold office for two years and will be eligible for re-appointment for a further two year term and will be eligible for re-appointment to serve a continuous total of four years.
11. Authority and Accountability
The subcommittee has the authority to review and propose policy changes but does not have the authority to implement policies without NSC approval. Members are accountable to the NSC and are expected to carry out their duties in good faith and are expected to carry out their duties in good faith and in the best interest of the association.
Applications are to be sent to: [email protected]