BSGIndia

Governance

Character:

The association is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and is the official organization to represent scouts and guides in the country and is non-political, non-sectarian and non-communal in character and is the only organisation affiliated to the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) to undertake the scout and guide activities in the country.

Membership:

The Membership of the Association in the local/district association is open to citizens of India; who subscribe to the Fundamentals, which includes Purpose, Principles, the Methods, the Promise and the Law.

Provided, a citizen of any other nationality residing for the time being in India may be admitted as a member of the local/district association with the approval of the State Chief Commissioner.

Provided, further, that such person pledges to abide by the Scout or Guide Promise as hereunder:

On my honour I promise that I will do my best To do my duty to God* and India To help other people and To obey the Scout or Guide Law.

Note:* The word "Dharma" may be substituted for the word 'God' if so desired.

The membership of the association shall consist of:
- All the State Associations of the Bharat Scouts and Guides.
- All the District Association of the Bharat Scouts and Guides directly affiliated by the National Association.
- All the Auxiliary Units directly affiliated by the Bharat Scouts and Guides, National Association.
- All the Office Bearers of the National Association.
  Note: Beneficiaries shall be Scouts/Guides under training and adult leaders shall be Scouters and Guiders & member of the local unit/association
  - Beneficiaries:
    - Bunnies;
    - Cubs/Bulbuls;
    - Scouts/Guides;
    - Rovers/Rangers;
    - Auxiliary Scouts/Guides;
    - Auxiliary Rovers/Rangers;
    - Air Scouts/Guides;
    - Air Rovers/Rangers;
    - Sea Scouts/Guides;
    - Sea Rovers/Rangers;
    - Grameen Rovers/Rangers;
    - Venture Scouts/Guides;
    - Scouts/Guides/Rovers/Rangers of Extension Branches registered as such.
  - Adult Leaders/Volunteers
    - Adult Resources
      - Scouters, Guiders;
      - Trainers who hold valid honourable charge.
  - Office bearers
    - Commissioners who hold valid warrants and
    - Other functionaries

Note: There will be no individual membership at National Association and members in the National Council of Bharat Scouts and Guides are either elected, nominated or representative of State Association. Provided, however, the National Council shall have the power to act not withstanding any vacancy in the membership thereof.

Religious and Moral Policy of the Scout and Guide Movement:

The Religious and Moral Policy of the Scout and Guide Movement is based on reverence of God or Dharma, as the case maybe.
The Bharat Scouts and Guides Movement is non-communal and non-sectarian in character.
Each Scout and Guide is free to profess and practise his or her religion.
Each Scout and Guide is entitled to freedom of conscience.
Each Scout and Guide shall practise tolerance and respect the faith of the other Scouts and Guides.
Where a Group consists of members of one particular religion, the Group Leader may arrange if so desired for such religious observance and provide for such religious instruction as are common to the members of the Group.
Where a Group consists of Scouts and Guides who profess different faiths the Group Leader may encourage and provide facilities for the observance of the respective religious practices; but shall not hold any common religious service or practice.
In a camp or at any rally or in any other function any form of daily prayer must be simple and non-denominational and attendance must be voluntary.

Scouts' Own and Guides':

Scouts' Own and Guides' Own are held for full realisation of the signification of Duty to God or Dharma and the Promise and the Law.

Financial Policy:

The Bharat Scouts and Guides Association is voluntary and non-official in character.
The income of the National Association shall consist of income from the properties of the Association, if any, Affiliation Fees and Individual Registration Fees, subscriptions from the Members, donations and contributions from the public, special funds raised from time to time and grants from the Governments, Central and State, and contributions from local authorities and other sources.
The income of the State Association shall consist of income from the properties of the State Association, if any, Registration Fees, Individual Registration Fees, subscriptions, donations, contributions, special funds raised from time to time, grants from the State Government and the National Association and contributions from district or local authorities and other sources.
The income of the District or Divisional Association as the case may be shall consist of income from the properties of the District or Divisional Association, if any, subscriptions, donations and contributions, special funds raised from time to time, Registration Fees, Renewal Fees, and Individual Registration Fees, and other sources, if any.
The income of the Local Association shall consist of income from the properties of the Local Association, if any, subscriptions, donations and contributions, special funds raised from time to time, Registration Fees, Renewal Fees, and Individual Registration Fee, and other sources, if any.
The Group income shall consist of income from properties, if any, subscriptions, donations and contributions, special funds raised from time to time and other sources, if any.
The State Association, the District or Divisional Association or the Local Association or the Group shall raise funds only within their respective areas.
It is the cardinal principle of the Scout and Guide Movement that a Scout or Guide shall earn money, but shall not solicit money. A Scout or a Guide shall not engage himself or herself or participate in street sales or collections except with the permission of the State Chief Commissioner and under the supervision of the concerned Local or District Association.

The Scout wing and The Guide wing:

Whenever and wherever the National Association, the State Association, the District or Divisional Association and the Local Association consists of Scouts and Guides, there shall be a Scout Wing and a Guide Wing.
There shall be no common membership of boys and girls in Pack, Flock, Troop, Company, Crew, Team and Group : in other words Pack, Troop, and Crew are meant for boys, whereas Flock, Company and Team shall consist of girls only and there snail be a separate Group for Pack, Troop and Crew and a separate Group for Flock, Company and Team.
Though separate, perfect co-operation, harmony and cordiality shall prevail between the Scout Wing and the Guide Wing.
Training shall be separate for boys and girls at all levels : training of Commissioners may be separate or common ; training of Scouters and Guiders shall be separate except in the case of special courses, for which special permission of the Chief National Commissioner or the State Chief Commissioner as the case may be is necessary; boys and girls may, however, be brought together at Rallies and at other special functions with the permission of the concerned DCs. Exchange of Scout and Guide Instructors is also permissible with the approval of the concerned Commissioners.

Committee System

National Council:

The National Council of the Association shall consist of:

The President:
One or more but not more than twelve Vice Presidents, two from each Region and at least one of whom shall be woman from each Region.
The Chief National Commissioner:
The Immediate Past Chief National Commissioner:
Additional Chief National Commissioner
Chief Commissioner of Scouts
Chief Commissioner of Guides
The International Commissioner of Scouts;
The International Commissioner of Guides;
The National Commissioner of Cub, Scout, Rover and Scout (Adult Resources)
The National Commissioner of Bulbul, Guide, Ranger and Guide (Adult Resources)
One or more but not more than twelve National Commissioners (Headquarters) for both Scout and Guide Wings.
The National Treasurer:
The Deputy National Commissioners of Cub, Scout, Rover and Headquarters
The Deputy National Commissioners of Bulbul, Guide and Ranger and Headquarters
Deputy International Commissioner of Scouts:
Deputy International Commissioner of Guides:
National Advisors
The State Chief Commissioner
The State Commissioner of Scouts
The State Commissioner of Guides
The State Secretaries
State Organising Commissioner (Scouts)
State Organising Commissioner (Guides)
State Training Commissioner (Scouts)
State Training Commissioner (Guides)
The Director
The Joint Director (Support Services)
The Joint Director of Scouts (Programme & Training)
The Joint Director of Guides (Programme & Training)
District Chief Commissioners of the District Associations or Chairman of the Auxiliary Unit registered with the National Association.
One or more but not more than twenty members nominated by The President, BS&G and National Association may invite as Special Invitee in the National Council on the recommendations of Chief National Commissioner in consultation with the National Executive Committee and at least ten of whom shall be women. The following members will be eligible for consideration as nominated members of the National Council:
- Volunteer leaders/ Leader Trainers having not less than twenty years of active association with the organization
- Silver Elephant Awardees
- Donor who has donated three lakhs or more to National Association provided they subscribe to Aims and Objectives of the Movement as well as Code of Conduct applicable to the members of the organization.
- Professionals having not less than ten years’ experience in the field of Education , Administration, Literature, Finance, Law, Management, and Information Technology provided they subscribe to Aims and Objectives of the Movement as well as Code of Conduct applicable to the members of the organization.
- Community Scouts/Guides
- Persons who have rendered meritorious service to the Movement.
- People of outstanding merit and repute whose services may be useful for the movement.
Two young leaders below the age of 29 years co-opted by the President on recommendation of the Chief National Commissioner from among the members of National Association, one of whom shall be a woman.
The President and National Secretary of the Indian Scout & Guide Fellowship shall be Special Members. Provided, however, the National Council shall have the power to act not withstanding any vacancy in the membership there of.
Provided, further, that any member of the National Council who is a member by virtue of office shall cease to be a member of the National Council or National Executive when he/she ceases to hold such office.
Provided further, that any member who is representing the State Association ceases to be the member of the National Council or National Executive Committee in case the State Council is dissolved. Furthermore, when he/she ceases to hold such office, his/her membership of the National Council or National Executive Committee stands terminated. Provided that no member can be enrolled as member of two District Associations or two State Associations at the same me.

Duration of the National Council:

The National Council shall continue for Five years from the date of its first meeting. Provided, that the duration of the National Council may be extended but not more than twelve months on the recommendation of the National Executive Committee by a decision of 2/3 majority of members present at a Special Meeting of the National Council called for the purpose, notice of which shall be given to every member of the National Council, not less than one month prior to the meeting.

Powers and Functions of the National Council:

The National Council shall be a supreme body of the Bharat Scouts and Guides; its decisions of all the matters not expressly provided for in the Rules, the A.P.R.O and the Bye Laws shall be final.

The powers and functions of the National Council are:

to lay down the Policy of the Movement;
to elect when due to the office bearers and the members of the National Executive Committee and the members of the Finance Committee in accordance with the Rules and Bye Laws of the National Association;
to consider and approve the Budget of the National Association;
to consider and approve the Annual Report and the Annual Audited Statement of Accounts and Balance Sheet of the National Association;
- to lay down the Rules of the National Association, the State Association, the District or Divisional Association and the Local Association and Group Organization and make additions, deletions, amendments and alterations there to;
- to lay down the bye- laws of the National Association and to make additions, decisions, deletions, amendments and alterations there to;
- to lay down Rules for Uniform, Warrants, Decorations and Awards;
to acquire, hold, administer, pledge, mortgage, alienate and dispose of property movable and immovable;
to lend and borrow with or without security and to raise funds and invest money for any of the purposes of the National Association;
to appoint Auditors and fix for their remuneration;
to do all other things as are required for the furtherance of the Aims and Objects of the Association. Meetings of the National Council:

Meetings of the National Council:

The Ordinary Annual Meetings:
- The National Council shall ordinarily meet once in every year normally before 31st December in consultation with the President or with senior Vice President in the absence of the President.
- Notice of such meeting with me, date and place shall be sent to the members at least thirty days before the date of the meeting and the Agenda shall be sent at least twenty days before the date of meeting. Notice will be sent by emails to all the members and by speed post to the State Association with intimation to the State Chief Commissioner. The proper record of dispatch of 09 email/confirmation report should be maintained by Director of the BS&G.
  Provided further, in emergency situation like Covid-19 pandemic, the National Council can be organised virtually on 7 days’ notice.
- Notice of Resolutions duly proposed and seconded and subjects to the consideration of the National Council shall reach the Director 15 days before the date of the meeting.
- Such resolutions and subjects as are admitted by the President in consultation with the Chief National Commissioner shall be communicated to the members of the National Council Seven days before the date of the meeting. In the absence of President, Senior Vice-President may be consulted, if required.
- The quorum of the meeting shall be one-tenth of total number of members of the National Council or 30 members whichever is less.
- Save as otherwise provided in the Societies Registration Act (Act XXI) of 1860 and in these rules all questions before the National Council shall be decided by a simple majority of vote. In case of equal number of votes, the Chairman of the Meeting shall have a casting vote, in addition to his own vote.
- The president shall preside over the meeting of the National Council. In the absence of the President, one of the Vice-Presidents, senior by age, shall preside. In the absence of the President, and the Vice-Presidents one of the members elected by the members present, shall preside.
Business to be transacted at the Ordinary Annual Meeting: At the Ordinary Annual Meeting the following business shall be transacted:- Confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting; Business Arising; Consideration and adoption of the Annual Report; Consideration and adoption of the Audited Statement of Accounts and Balance Sheet; Consideration and approval of the Budget; Consideration of resolutions and subjects of which the Notice has been given; Consideration of such matters as have been tabled by the National Executive Committee and included in the Agenda; Consideration of matters not included in the Agenda but which are brought before the Council with the permission of the President; Election of the Office Bearers and members of the National Executive Committee and Finance Committee when due; Consideration of the appointment of Auditors and fix remuneration when due.
The Adjourned Ordinary Annual Meeting:If within half an hour after the time appointed for the meeting, a quorum is not present the meeting shall stand adjourned for one hour from the appointed time to be held at the same place and at such adjourned meeting, notwithstanding want of quorum, the members present may transact the business tabled for the meeting, but no other business.
Special Meeting:
- A Special Meeting of the National Council other than a Special Meeting for the purpose of Section 12 of the Societies Registration Act may be convened either by the Chief National Commissioner or the National Executive Committee in consultation with the President for transaction of specified business.
- A Special Meeting of the National Council shall also be convened on receipt of a written requisition by at least one third of the members of the National Council for the transaction of the business specified in the requisition.
- Notice of such Special Meeting other than a Special Meeting for the purpose of section 12 of Societies Registration Act, with date, place, time and the Agenda shall be given not less than 30 days before the date of the meeting.
- The quorum for any such Special Meeting shall be one fifth of the members of the National Council or forty
- whichever is less and the provisions of Rule 10 (3) shall not apply to such Special Meeting.

National Executive Committee:

The National Executive Committee (Governing body) shall consist of:
- The Chief National Commissioner;
- The Additional Chief National Commissioners,
- The Chief Commissioner of Scouts
- The Chief Commissioner of Guides
- The International Commissioner of Scouts;
- The International Commissioner of Guides;
- The National Commissioners of Cub, Scout and Rover
- The National Commissioners of Bulbul, Guide and Ranger
- The National Commissioner of Scout (Adult Resources)
- The National Commissioner of Guide (Adult Resources)
- All the National Commissioners Scouts (Headquarters)
- All the National Commissioners of Guides (Headquarters)
- The National Treasurer;
- The Deputy National Commissioner of Cub, Scout, Rover and Headquarters;
- The Deputy National Commissioner of Bulbul, Guide, Ranger and Headquarters;
- The Deputy International Commissioner of Scouts and Guides
- Regional Chief Commissioners
- All the State Chief Commissioners
- Two Financial Experts
- Advisors
- The Director;
- The Joint Director (Support Services)
- The Joint Director of Scouts (Programme and Training);
- The Joint Director of Guides (Programme and Training);
- Chairperson and Co-chairperson of the National Youth Committee
- One member of Indian Scout & Guide Fellowship to be co-opted in the National Executive Committee of the Bharat Scouts and Guides as may be nominated by President of Indian Scout & Guide Fellowship in consultation with the Chief National Commissioner.
- All the Vice Presidents of the Bharat Scouts and Guides are to be invited as a special Invitee in the National Executive Committee Meeting.
The term of the National Executive Committee shall be coterminous with the terms of the National Council. Provided, any member of the National Executive Committee who is a member by virtue of his office shall cease to be a member of the National Executive Committee when he ceases to hold such office.
Provided, further, the National Executive Committee shall have power to act not withstanding any vacancy in the membership.
The Chief National Commissioner shall be the Chairman and the Director shall be the Secretary of the National Executive Committee. (36.4) The National Executive Committee shall meet at least twice in every year and as oen as necessary for transaction of business.

Powers and Functions of the National Executive Committee are:

to affiliate the State Associations;
to form and reform State Associations;
to lay down the policy with regard to the General Scheme of Training of Adult Leaders; and for Advancement of Cubs, Scouts, Rovers, Bulbuls, Guides and Rangers on the recommendations of the Rules Committee and Sandhan;
to determine the membership of a person;
to recommend any special case of registration and administration of Scout and Guide Groups in an area or areas subject to the approval of the National Council;
to convene the meeting of the National Council;
to control and administer the funds and properties movable and immoveable of the National Associations;
to recommend to the National Council consideration, approval and adoption of the Budget, Annual Statement of Accounts, Balance Sheet and the Annual Report;
On the recommendations of the Chief National Commissioner to appoint seven Trustees of whom Chief National Commissioner, National Commissioner of Scouts, National Commissioner of Guides, shall be ex-officio members and the remaining four members will be for a period of not exceeding five years.
The whole or part of properties, movable and immovable of National Association, shall be held by the Trustees in Trust for the Associations.
Whenever any vacancy occurs due to death, resignation or removal, a new Trustee for the remainder of the term shall be appointed by the National Executive Committee on the recommendation of the Chief National Commissioner.
to appoint Special officers and Special Committee for special purpose, whenever, necessary;
to frame the Rules of the National Association, the State Associations, the District or Divisional Associations, the Local Associations and the Group Organizations and the Rules and A.P.R.O.s and make additions, deletions, amendments and alterations thereto subject to the approval of the National Council;
to frame the Bye-Laws of the National Association, with such modifications as may be necessary subject to the approval of the National Council; Note: The National Executive Committee
may refer the suggestions for the amendments, additions, deletions, and alterations of the above to the Rules Committee for its examinations and recommendations.
to sanction posts, to fix scales of pay and to frame the Service Rules for the stipendiary officers and employees for the National Association;
to decide on the institution of the Award and matters incidental thereto;
to decide the design and production of Badges;
to decide on matters as regards the World Organisation of Scout Movement and World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts;
to sanction and approve the organization of National and International Conferences, Rallies, Jamborees, Training Camps and Social Services;
to fix the Annual Affiliation fee payable to the National Association by the State Associations and the Annual Individual Registration fee payable to the National Association by each Scout, Guide, Scouter and Guider registered with the State Associations;
to deal with matters in regard to the control and coordination of Training and Programmes and activities;
to advise on and coordinate the programme and activities of the State Associations, and enforce observance of Aims and Objects, Rules, Policy and Organisation;
to uphold and promote the Aims and Objects of the Bharat Scouts and Guides and promote cooperation between the various State Associations, other organizations with similar aims and objects; and
to do all matters connected with the National Association.

Meeting of the National Executive Committee:

The National Executive Committee shall meet at least once in every year and so often as may be decided by the Chief National Commissioner for transaction of business.
Notice of the Meeting with time, date and place together with the Agenda shall be sent to the members by post not less than twenty one days before the meeting.
Eight members of whom at least four are elected members shall form the quorum;
If within half an hour after the time appointed for the meeting, a quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned for one hour from the appointed time, at the same place and a such adjourned meeting, notwithstanding want of quorum, the members present may transact the business tabled for the meeting, but no other business.
The Chief National Commissioner shall preside over the meeting of the National Executive Committee and in the absence of the Chief National Commissioner, one of the members present and elected shall preside over the meeting of the National Executive Committee.
At the instance of the Chief National Commissioner, urgent matters may be passed by the National Executive Committee in circulation by a majority of the total number of members and the same shall be reported to the National Executive Committee at its next meeting.

The Finance Committee:

The Chief National Commissioner in consultation with the President shall nominate six members with expertise in finance, audit, tax etc.
The National Treasurer shall be the Chairman and the Director shall be the Secretary of the Committee.
The function of the Finance Committee shall be to raise funds and to examine and formulate the Budget, the Annual Statement of Accounts and the Balance Sheet and such other financial matters as may be referred to it by the Chief National Commissioner for being placed before the National Executive Committee.

The Rules Committee

The Rules Committee shall consist of the Chief National Commissioner, the National Commissioners of Scouts and Guides, the Deputy National Commissioners of Scouts and Guides, Director, Joint Director (Support Services), Joint Directors of Scouts and Guides (Operations), Deputy Director of Scouts and Guides (Leader Training), Deputy Director of Scouts and Guides (Boy/Girl Programmes), the Deputy Director of Scouts and Guides (Projects). Six Leader Trainers one each from Cub, Scout, Rover, Bulbul, Guide and Ranger Sections, Two Youth Committee representatives and such other members as may be nominated by the National Executive Committee on the recommendations of the Chief National Commissioner.
The Chief National Commissioner or his/her nominee shall be the Chairman of the Rules Committee
The Director shall be the Secretary of the Rules Committee.
All suggestions of amendments, additions, deletions and alterations of the Rules of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, A.P.R.O. Part 1, Part II and Part III or the Bye Laws of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, suo moto of the suggestions received from the members of the Rules Committee or the State Associations or the members of the National Council. These shall be first considered by the Rules Committee and the Rules Committee shall make its recommendations thereon to the National Executive Committee.

National Adult Resource Management Committee

There shall be a National Adult Resource Management Committee appointed by the Chief National Commissioner to give recommendation periodically to the National Council and National Executive Committee about the all-round development and management of adult resources in the Movement
The National Adult Resources Management Committee shall consist of Chairman. One of the National Commissioner of Scout (Adult Resources) or Guide (Adult Resources) senior by experience shall be the Chairperson and other Co-Chairperson. Deputy National Commissioner of Cub, Scouts and Rover and Deputy National Commissioner of Bulbul, Guide and Ranger. Joint Director of Scouts and Guides, Deputy Director of Scouts an d Guides (Leader Training), Deputy Director of Scouts and Guides (Boy/Girl Programme),National Commissioners (Headquarters) of Cubs, Scouts, Rovers, Bulbuls, Guides, Rangers and two members from Youth Committee and other members as nominated by the Chief National Commissioner are the members. The senior most Joint Director (Scouts) or (Guides) shall be the Secretary.

National Programme Committee:

There shall be a National Programme Committee chaired by one of the senior by experience Chief Commissioner senior by experience. The Joint Directors and Dy. Directors, all the SOC(S) & SOC (G) shall be the members. The Joint Director senior by age shall be the convenor of the committee.
The National Programme Committee shall meet in the month of October annually to prepare the Target of the National Association and plan the programme based on the Target fixed and approved by the National Executive Committee.
The National Programme Committee shall also review the programme based on achievement of the Target.

National Training Committee:

There shall be a National Training Committee of both wings chaired by the National Commissioner (Adult Resources) senior by age and other shall be the Co- Chairperson. The Jt. Director senior by age shall be the Secretary of Committee. Joint Directors and Dy. Director (Scout) LT and Dy. Director (Guide) LT, all the STC (S) & STC (G) shall be the members as the case may be.
The National Training Committee shall meet annually on 15th of October to prepare the Target of the National Association and the Training Programme based on the Target fixed and approved by the National Executive Committee.
The National Training Committee shall also review the training plan based on achievement of the target.

National Youth Committee

The Chairperson and the Co-Chairperson of the State Youth Committee. i.e. minimum one member from each wing representing each state.

Provided further, if there is no nomination received from the State, The Chief National Commissioner may nominate the young members from the un-represented state or may keep the seat vacant as he/she may deem fit.

The National Youth Committee Chairperson and Co-Chairperson shall be nominated by the Chief National Commissioner. One of the Chairperson or Co- Chairperson shall be a woman. One of the members as may be nominated by the Chairperson shall function as Secretary.
The Committee shall function in co-terminus with the National Council or till the new committee is formed.
The Youth Committee shall make recommendations to the National Programme Committee in respect with new activities to be conducted at national level and suggestions for changes required in the boy/girl programme.
Two of the members from the Youth Committee shall be co-opted by the Chief National Commissioner as members of
National Executive Committee, one of whom shall be woman in consultation with National Executive Committee.

Note: The Age of members of the Youth Committee should be between 16 to 29 years.