We have a member of staff at our Squadron who is a Sea Scout leader as well. He likes both organisations for different reasons, there is still plenty of bureaucracy in the Scouts, for example he is a qualified ML, but has to be signed off by an unqualified Scout staff member before he can use it.
As for VA, a bit of a good news story. Me and my wife are both involved in the ATC, which fortunately means that we are able to commit much more of our time to the organisation than many other staff can who donât have an other half in the Corps. Last year we each did around 60 days above our parade nights. We got engaged 2 years ago, and decided to save our VA money for 2 years, and use it to pay for our honeymoon. We enjoyed 2 weeks in Hawaii largely funded by our dedication to the Corps
As for whether removal of VA would stop us volunteering - probably not. But I wouldnât judge anyone who chose to leave because of it, itâs a very individual decision, not sure anyone on here can judge someone who would choose to leave if VA went.
Largely been my experience in the Scouts too.
On the plus side the burden for premises, vehicles, kit and fund raising is shared across all the Scouting age groups, and a good committee will take a lot of that on.
On the other hand there is no Phoenix, no armourers, no barrack stores, no uniform supply, no WExo or other paid staff (unless itâs HQ level), no Bader/SMS, few centralised resources to support training or the programme, no free flying⌠and no VA, have to pay for uniform, and often no expenses for travel. In many Scout groups adult volunteers pay to go on camp.
None the less, running a Scout section is probably easier than running a Sqn, at least if you have a good team. Running a Scout Group, with maybe 4 sections aged from 6 up? Well hats off to those who do that.
generally a district run uniform shop, or direct from scout stores. Yes you have to buy it, but profits got straight back into scouting and the uniform rules are so much more relaxed.
Youâve got Compass for managing adults and their training, and OSM (3rd party but endorsed by HQ) for group management.
So it comes across as Scout leaders etc arenât overly fussed by the lack of âpayâ and it wouldnât seem likely that having it would increase their desire to do more, as the Scouting organisation on the whole doesnât seem hell bent on filling weekends with courses and training, unlike the Air Cadets has and those in the Scouts still develop etc.
We have a Sgt who is an Explorer, his Scout group meet once a fortnight and it doesnât seem to have hindered his development, heâs due to do a mobile climbing wall course, which Iâll look to utilise. Heâs doing his DofE through Scouts and using Scouting and Air Cadet activities.
Exactly.
Claim all the VA you can.
Donate it back to your Sqn.
Enhance it by 20% (assuming youâre registered for Gift Aid) as a result.
Make a real difference at a local level <3
Your average volunteer doesnât have to fork out for specialist equipment and some uniforms (MTP) like we do. That is just one good example.
People degrading the VA that they recieve is odd. Be grateful for what we get and thatâs that. How many of us complain that we often are expected to go above and beyond the call of duty? So why complain about one of the positives of being a uniformed volunteer in this organisation.
Donât get me wrong, I will quite happily be a hypocrite and claim VA.
But the whole idea that there is some sort of monetary incentive to volunteering is crazy to me.
Uniform, sure we âhaveâ to buy that . . . But specialist equipment? there shouldnât be an expectation of volunteers to buy specialist kit for an activity. if you happen to enjoy doing X activity and have your own kit, sure, but you havenât purchased the kit for the RAFAC.
I would argue if you volunteer to do a day walk and you buy a pair of walking boots, then thatâs purchasing specialist equipment.
Also, a lot of us use our own cars for transporting cadets, I do, so that helps with maintenance doesnât it? Your average volunteer wonât do that either.
'You are not paid for your time as a volunteer, but you may get money to cover expenses. This is usually limited to food, drink, travel or any equipment you need to buy.
You might be classed as an employee or worker rather than a volunteer if you get any other payment, reward or benefit in kind. This includes any promise of a contract or paid work in the future.â
mprentice1 has a point that this is a role for CivComs who may wish to hire a vehicle though fuel may be an admin problem. if charged at mileage rates.
Point is ⌠there is no magic wand for RAFAC and the rules apply. Senior people are playing very close to the wind on a number of fronts and it will be individuals who get singed.
Not particularly legal as you would be claiming tax relief on monies that are not taxed âŚthough I appreciate the sentiment.
Being a CI who does more than many of our uniformed staff, I donât get any pay and if it came to me being able to claim pay Iâd not be doing more than I already doâŚI couldnât with family and work. I didnât join thinking Iâd be earning a few quid from various activities or weekends I do and it does not get me excited about even thinking of going into uniform.
We do have a uniformed officer who pays for the milk, paper and ink when we need it and that comes from his pay and wouldnât accept Sqn money for the likes of paper and ink etc
