The Board of Trustees is committed to the stewardship and advancement of scouting in our community. Our mission is to provide effective governance, strategic leadership, and responsible oversight to ensure the growth, sustainability, and impactful delivery of scouting programmes for young people.

District governance is managed by the Board of Trustees and is formed each year at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Currently the members are:

Dan Smith

District Chair

Dan’s involvement with the Scouts spans over 17 years, beginning as a youth member before transitioning into an adult volunteer role. Throughout this period, he has assumed a variety of roles at the Section, Group, and District levels. He previously served as a District Trustee from 2015 to 2017 before rejoining as Chair in 2023. He is passionate about ensuring young people, regardless of their backgrounds, have equal access to outdoor adventures and strongly advocates for a youth-driven approach within the organisation. In his role on the Board of Trustees, he will focus on establishing effective governance practices throughout the organisation, and providing responsible oversight to promote the growth, sustainability, and meaningful delivery of scouting programmes for young people. In his professional life, Dan is employed by a global environmental charity, where he works as a manager within their legal department. In this capacity, he plays a crucial role in delivering robust risk management, governance, and assurance coverage.

Jack Tighe

DC Team Member

I've been involved in Scouting since I joined 1st Tawstock at 10 years old, and haven't looked back. I've had a varied involvement in the movement, scouting at a group, district and county level, primarily in North Devon but also in Teignbridge and Tiverton Districts. My particular interests in Scouting are charity governance, the 14 – 25 age range and, above all else, programme and activities. I'm most often to be found at our district events, up a climbing wall, on the water or the moors – anywhere young people are being adventurous and getting stuck in!

Mark Etheridge

District Commissioner Team

I came into the movement in 2012 as Group Scout Leader of 1st North Devon, a role I still hold. I am actively involved in Target sports, campsite, young leaders, and technology. It is my passion for technology I want to use to help us achieve our charitable goals and build a strong foundation that enables growth.

Matt Cole

DC Team Member

My scouting journey began in 1980 as a Cub and then a Sea Scout. After that I became a Young Leader for two local Cub packs – those experiences shaped my decision to enter teacher training in 1991. A chance meeting on Bideford Quay in 2018 led to me stepping back into Scouting with 1st Woolsery after a 25-year break. At Group level, I have worked with fellow leaders to build a very strong and vibrant group of over 100 members and have led on a wide range of adventures including taking our Troop to Canada in 2022. I am also a Training Advisor, and part of the District Commissioner Team. As a Trustee, I am committed to ensuring both young people and adult volunteers are well supported in developing a love of the outdoors, and a spirit of adventure. My particular areas of interest are hillwalking and international elements of Scouting, giving our young people a truly global perspective for their future lives.

Matt Lavercombe

Trustee

Matt has been a part of the scouting movement since the age of 6 starting as a Beaver in 2007 at 12th North Devon (Pilton) and he now runs the cub section aged 22 at 12th alongside being a trustee. Matt has completed both his bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh award with the Taw Explorers unit at Collard Bridge as well as assisting at the campsite’s climbing tower and the valley of the rocks as a member of the climbing instructor’s team of volunteers. He was also in the cast of the North Devon Gang Show from 2010 to 2019. Matt joined the backstage committee for the 2020 show and since taken on the role of treasurer for the 2024 show and beyond. He has recently qualified as a chartered accountant and works in a local firm in Barnstaple called Glover Stanbury. Matt has a keen interest in the finance aspect of the Trustee board and is using this interest to shape the finance policy and budgets of the District. With a main aim to ensure that the young people have access to funding from the District in a sustainable manner to enable the District to continue to support the young people in scouting for many years to come.

Best Practice Documents

Charitable Purpose & Public Benefit

Each charitable organisation, even if exempt from registration, is obligated to have a well-defined charitable purpose and statement of public benefit. This information should be included in your annual report and, if relevant, on the Charity Commission register. This document outlines the significance of these elements, offers guidance on crafting them ,a nd presents an example that you can utilise or adapt for your Group.

Good Charity Governance

Effective charitable governance is a cornerstone of a charity’s achievements. Even if your Scout Group is exempt from registering with the Charity Commission, it is important to recognise that you still hold charitable status, and therefore, must adhere to legal requirements and applicable regulations. You can find a link to The Charity Governance Code, a valuable resource for upholding high governance standards, in this document.

Policy, Organisation & Rules

The primary objective of Policy, Organisation & Rules (POR) is to outline the structure, organisation, management, and governance of the Scouts. You can find a concise summary and access a link within this document.

Template AGM Agenda

Although it remains a Trustee Board meeting, your Annual General Meeting (AGM) should have a distinct agenda to comprehensively address vital areas, including financial matters and elections. We have created a sample agenda to assist you in following best practices effectively.

Template AGM Guidelines

To ensure adherence to Policy, Organisation & Rules (POR) and Charity Law, it is imperative that your AGM incorporates several essential components. Following these guidelines, which also offer suggested language, will assist you in upholding best practices.

Template AGM Sign in Sheet

Keeping a record of attendees at your Annual General Meeting (AGM) is crucial since many of them are integral members of the Group Scout Council. The individuals who participate in the AGM should be documented in the meeting minutes. This Sign in Sheet offers a straightforward template to assist you in maintaining records effortlessly.

Template Trustee Meeting Agenda

For every Trustee Board meeting, it is essential to have an agenda in place. This should encompass recurring matters as well as accommodate any fresh and emerging issues. We’ve prepared a sample agenda that can serve as a solid framework for productive trustee meetings.

Trustee Board Training

Trustees must undergo introductory and mandatory training modules, all of which are available online and can be completed at your convenience. These modules are designed to enhance your comprehension of Scouting, our core principles, essential policies, and your responsibilities as a trustee.