The 91st Toronto Scout Group is a community of families. In recognition of the importance of parent and community involvement we offer many different ways to get involved that can help support our Group, your child, and our community.
While we have divided up some of the categories Scouts Canada uses, and used more descriptive names, our volunteer roles meet the same screening as the Scouts Canada guidelines. We have two priorities: making sure everyone is screened and safe, and making sure volunteers know what they are signing up for (and aren't accidentally committing to involvement they don't want).
Every Volunteer that joins Scouts Canada passes a screening process (conversation with 2 Scouters from the 91st, police record check, references, initial training) Once you are cleared to join the 91st Toronto Scout Group we can make sure you get a volunteer role that fits your time and interests. Take a look at the descriptions below and speck with our Group Commissioner or a Section Scouter for more information.
At the 91st, we welcome Volunteers 14+ years of age. High School students can receive Volunteer Hours towards their Graduation requirement based on their time availability to the Sections. 14+ are welcome to join our Colony and Pack Teams. 16+ are welcome to join our Troop Team.
Volunteers 14-17 have a slightly different Screening process as they are still youth. Their parent needs to register them for Volunteering and they do not require the PRC/VSS until they turn 18. Once they are registered we can separate them from their parent so that they can complete the required training to Volunteer.
Volunteer Roles:
Staff Scouter
behind the scenes most of the times, but does allow additional youth to join in activities where you are present
- I want to show up and help out, but I don't want to lead a group of kids directly
- I only want to spend a couple hours a week on Scouting
You might help organize the evening by signing kids in for a meeting, collecting camping fees, answering emails, setting up for an activity, etc. You might even volunteer to work on the website or coordinate fundraising. Just being "in the room" allows for additional youth to participate in an activity during a meeting or a weekend event.
Patrol Scouter
leading a patrol of around 5-7 youth
- I want to show up and help out, but I can't plan out activities for everyone
- I only want to spend a couple hours a week on Scouting
Patrol Scouters lead a small group of 5-7 youth (a patrol) through activities planned out by Section Scouters. They show up for each week's meeting (and camping trips) but they don't need to do much between meetings and don't need to plan future activities
Section Scouter
leading a patrol and sometimes a large group (section) activity
- I want to facilitate games, activities, and projects, and treat Scouting as a community service hobby
- I can do a bit of work, now and then, between meetings
Section Scouters lead a patrol and share in the leadership of their entire section (approximately 20 youth) For each section a Contact Section Scouter is appointed by the Group Committee to lead the Section Scouters. Section Scouters typically volunteer a couple of hours a week, and then a few extra hours when they plan and prepare an activity. Contact Section Scouters have additional duties in organizing the other Section Scouters to coordinate their plans as a whole.
Committee Officer
organizational leadership
- I want to help lead the 91st as a charitable club through fundraising, long-range planning, recruitment, and high-level administration
- I can volunteer approximately 2 evenings a week during the Scouting year
Committee Officers are Scouters that take a direct role in planning, fundraising, administration, communication, and all other functions to keep the 91st safe and fun over the long term. Scouts Canada appoints a Group Commission to lead each Group's Committee. The Commissioner appoints officers to the Committee from among the 91st Staff, Patrol and Section Scouters, and from the community at large.
Steps to Register as a Volunteer
SET UP OR LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
The first step to Volunteering is to put in your Application. This is done through the Scouts Canada MyScouts website.
Login or create your MyScouts account at https://www.myscouts.ca
START YOUR APPLICATION
You will need to choose the "Register As Volunteer" link from the left menu under My Menu which will take you to https://www.myscouts.ca/ca/netforum_locator/search
CHOOSE YOUR SECTION
Enter your Postal Code. Choose the Age Group you want to volunteer with (e.g., Beavers, Cubs, Scouts) or Group Committee. You can leave all the nights selected unless you happen to know the Section's meeting day. Click Find Groups.
SELECT YOUR GROUP
Just under the map, find "91st Toronto Group". Check that it is the correct section you wish to Volunteer with. (Depending on the Postal Code we may not be the first one on the list) Click on "REGISTER AS A VOLUNTEER". NOTE: You will need 5 references ready (with email contacts) to complete the next steps.
COMPLETE YOUR PROFILE
The first screen will ask you to confirm your registration year. (Between May and August, you are able to choose "this year" to start right away or "September start" to start in September with the new Scouting Year)
If more than one name appears choose MYSELF. Complete all missing/required information in the pop-up profile form. Then click "CONFIRM AND CONTINUE"
Unless you are the lead Scouter for the section, select "[SECTION TYPE] SCOUTER". A Contact Scouter is the lead organizer of the section. Section Types are Colony for Beavers, Pack for Cubs, Troop for Scouts, Company for Venturers and Crew for Rovers. Click ADD ROLE.
To register for a Committee Officer role:
ACCEPT TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Select Yes from the drop down menu for the 4 mandatory Terms and Conditions. Type your full name and select Yes form the drop down at the bottom to electronically sign your Application. Click CONTINUE TO REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION
You will need to add 5 References. You will need names and emails of 5 people including: A co-worker or workplace supervisor, a youth-serving organization colleague and others who can attest to your character. Family members may not be used as references.
CODE OF CONDUCT
After you have completed the Application you will be asked to sign the Code of Conduct. Adults and Youth Scouters sign a slightly different Code of Conduct due the Youth Scouters still being Youth. This will show up electronically on your MyScouts account. If it does not show up right away, sign out and login again and it should be the landing screen which you have to accept in order to continue into your MyScouts profile.
Code of Conduct is renewed annually. You can view the Code of Conduct online at any time here.
INTERVIEW
Once your Application has been submitted, you will be contacted by the Group to arrange for an in-person Interview (a conversation with 2 Scouters from the 91st) to confirm that you are willing to accept the role and determine your suitability to the role.
BEGIN THE PRC/VSS PROCESS
To volunteer with Scouts Canada, adults 18+ must undergo both a Police Record Check and a Vulnerable Sector Screening. This must be done even if it has been completed elsewhere (e.g., at school, hockey coach)
Only Toronto residents whose postal code begins with "M" may apply for a PRC/VSS through Toronto Police Service (TPS). If your postal code is different please contact your Section Scouter or Group Commissioner to help find alternative options for the PRC/VSS.
First-time Volunteers must apply for a Vulnerable Sector Check (this will complete both the PRC and VSS). There is a fee paid through the website for the VSC.
Go to https://www.tps.ca/services/police-record-checks/ for full information how to apply online. You will need two pieces of government issued identification. All details on acceptable forms of identification are available at the link. Create an Adult Police Record Check Account, then follow the steps.
Contact your Section Scouter or Group Commissioner for the Agency Code to process the PRC/VSS.
You will be able to opt to send your VSC to agency (Scouts Canada) electronically. Please also email a copy of your results to registration@scouts.ca with the subject "PRC to Process" stating your name and Group (91st Toronto) in the body of the email. Make sure to download a copy of your VSC results to ensure future access. After 30 days, your VSC will be taken down.
If you would prefer to submit your PRC/VSS by mail or in person, please contact your Section Scouter or Group Commissioner for more information. Online applications will begin processing much sooner than ones submitted by mail or in person. Online applications typically take 7-10 business days where paper applications can take over four weeks to be returned.
You can check the progress of your application if you applied online by logging into the application system.
91st Toronto will cover the cost of a PRC/VSS for a Scouter.
PRC need to be renewed every 3 years. Renewal can be completed via MyBackCheck using the Scouts Canada Portal (https://pages.sterlingbackcheck.ca/landing-pages/s/scoutcanada/) Choose our Council: Greater Toronto Council and continue to the MyBackCheck site to complete your PRC. Once completed the information is sent directly to Registration to be entered into MyScouts. There is a fee paid through the website for the PRC. If your fee is not $20: Please stop and contact us to help make sure you have the correct site. You may need to get a direct link from Registration in order to proceed.
If you would prefer to use TPS please use the instructions for the VSC but apply for Criminal Record & Judicial Matters Check.
COMPLETE YOUR ONLINE TRAINING
To volunteer with Scouts Canada, you must complete two online training components: Scouting Fundamentals and Wood Badge 1 for the Canadian Path. Each is about 5 hours and is divided into sessions ranging from 5 to 30 mins that can be done all at once or over the course of a few weeks.
To be active so you can wear the uniform, you must complete Scouting Fundamentals. You then have the remainder of the Scouting Year to complete Wood Badge 1 for the Canadian Path.
Scouting Fundamentals
To access your training modules, login to your https://www.myscouts.ca
Click on the DAVID HUESTIS Learning Centre button on the left side.
This will open the David Huestis Learning Centre (DHLC) in a new window. The Learning Centre contains all training available from Scouts Canada - both mandatory and optional courses.
To start you will choose the Scouting Fundamentals Course from the My Courses widget as above taking you to the Course Home Page as below.
- My Home will bring you to the Learning Centre homepage.
- Course Home will bring you to this course homepage.
- Content will bring you to the course content.
- Awards will show you the certificates and badges you have earned from completing learning content.
- Learner Progress will show you your course progress summary.
- Useful Links will bring you to resources on Scouts.ca and Help links will direct you to the Help Centre and Online Support Centre.
- Announcements widget will show you instructions and share important information.
- Explore My Learning Content widget will allow you to quickly jump to a content topic within the course.
To get started, click on Content from the top navigation bar.
- Table of Contents on the left side will help you navigate through the course. The numbers in the boxes next to each Session title tell you how many content topics are outstanding to complete. Use the Table of Contents to jump to various Sessions and topics within the course.
- Session description will show you the Learning Outcomes for each session and estimated duration.
- The Progress bar will show you how far you are along the learning for this session.
- To begin the session, click on a content topic from the list. You will see a checkmark once you have completed the topic.
One of the sessions will take you to the Respect in Sport platform to complete the Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders training course. If you have completed the course previously you can enter your certificate number and be credited for completion. (Needs to be the Respect in Sport for Activity Leader course, rather than the Respect for Sport for Parents or other course) This course needs to be validated every 5 years. So if your certificate is older, you will be required to take the course again. There is a fee for Respect in Sport course. 91st Toronto will cover the fee for Scouters taking this course.
Scouting Fundamentals Sessions
There are 6 sessions for Scouting Fundamentals which can be completed in one sitting or in multiple sittings as you have time.
Session 1: Why Scouting is Important for Young People 15 min
Session 2: How Scouting Develops Well Rounded Youth 30 min
Session 3: Great Safe Scouting Adventures 20 min
Session 4: Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders 180 min (This is made up of multiple sessions ranging from 5-30 min that can be completed in multiple sittings)
Session 5: How you can help Scouting reach more young people 55min
Session 6: What comes next? 8 min
Total: 5 hours and 13 minutes
Wood Badge I for The Canadian Path
While Scouting Fundamentals is required to become ACTIVE and start your journey as a Scouter. Within your first year you will be required to complete Wood Badge I for The Canadian Path in order to renew your role for a second year.
This training can also be found in the DHLC. The training you require for your role will be selected automatically for you. In addition, Scouters can gain the skills for WB1CP in person with their new Scouting team and complete a self-assessment in the DHLC. The self- assessment is 14 questions that ask Scouters if they understand the components of Wood Badge. If Scouters confirm the content is understood they are credited with the online learning sessions that cover that content. When it is voiced by the Scouter that a component is not understood the Scouter is asked to take the online learning session that teaches the content they don't have an understanding of.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions during the process, feel free to reach out the your Section Scouter or Group Commissioner. We are more than willing to help walk you through any steps that may be confusing or not cooperating.