Admissions

28th Dublin, 7th Port Howth Scout Group (HSG) Membership Policy

Scouting in Ireland is a voluntary, uniformed, non-formal educational movement for young people. It is independent, non-political, open to all without distinction of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Travelling Community, in accordance with the purpose, principles and method conceived by the Founder, Robert Baden-Powell as stated by the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. 

The main object for which Our Scout Group is established is for the purpose of benefit to our community and beyond, to encourage, the social, physical, intellectual, character, emotional and spiritual development of young people so that those young people may achieve their full potential and, as responsible citizens, improve society.

The intention of this policy is to ensure that the admission of members into HSG, and the management of its waiting list, conforms to the guidelines set out by Scouting Ireland (SI) and is seen to be fair to all concerned.

Equal Opportunities

Membership of HSG is open to all young people in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Policy of SI.

Mixed Membership

Membership of HSG is open to boys and girls in all sections.

Section Membership Numbers

The maximum number of members in each section shall be set by the Group Leader in consultation with the section leaders and respecting the recommended ratios of Adults to Youth Members, as set out by SI.

HSG is an extremely popular and successful group, and it is normal for each Section within the Group to run at full capacity. As a result, entry numbers to all sections have to be managed to ensure an even spread of age and gender within each section, and to avoid creating surges in Pack or Troop numbers at a later date.

HSG is run entirely by volunteers; therefore, it is our expectation that members’ families should fully engage in supporting the leadership team with the organisation and delivery of activities and fundraising events.

Admissions from the waiting list into sections will only be taken after consideration to ensure that places will remain available to accommodate existing sections’ members when they are old enough to move up from other more junior sections.

Admissions to the sections will normally occur at the beginning of each school year. Exceptions can be made by arrangement with the section leader. 

HSG maintains a single waiting list for the Group, which is reviewed regularly by the Group Leader and Group Secretary. No other lists or records will be kept by other leaders or be referred to in the admission of new members.

When the number of young people on the waiting list exceeds the number of places available, the following criteria will be applied in the following order to fill vacancies: -

1.     Children of existing or new leaders who have already completed, or committed to, a minimum of 12 months active service in a section of HSG. 

2. Siblings of existing youth members currently belonging to HSG.

3. Next name on the waiting list for that section, this is at the discretion of the Group Leader and council, in order to facilitate age and gender balance within sections.

4.  Anyone else on the waiting list. Waiting list applicants will be offered a place, considering their time on the waiting list and impact on other sections.

5. In exceptional situations, consideration can be given to Families with special circumstances e.g. medical, developmental, behavioural, or other individual needs. In such instances, these applications will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Group Council in a fair and respectful manner. If this criteria is applied then it will not be to the disadvantage of any existing applicant covered by the other above criteria.

Young people who move into the area who are already in the Scout movement will be offered a place wherever possible, regardless of waiting lists.

Handling of Membership Enquires

All enquiries concerning membership should be submitted via Membership query 

Appeal

If a parent wishes to appeal any decision made under this policy, they are invited to make a written representation and put their case to the Group Leader (groupleader@howthseascouts.ie).

Eoin,

Group Leader,

1st August 2025