Club OrganisationNorth England ConferencePathfinder Basic Staff Training (Part 1)

Module ObjectiveTo introduce basic procedures

and policies relevant to the establishment and maintenance of an Adventurer or Pathfinder club

Organising A ClubIf you would like

to start either an Adventurer or Pathfinder club in your church you should first speak to your Pastor about it.

Organising A ClubIf your Pastor is

in agreement he or she will take the matter to the church board for approval.

The church clerk should then write to the Conference Director to confirm the decision.

Organising A ClubThe Adventurer

or Pathfinder club leadership is chosen by the Nominating Committee.

All other staff should be approved by the Church Board for Child Protection reasons.

Organising A ClubBoth the

Adventurer Club Director and the Pathfinder Club Director are members of the Church Board.

Club OrganisationThe club director

is responsible to the Church Board for all internal matters such as the management of its funds and staff.

Club OrganisationThe club director

is also responsible to the Pathfinder Area Coordinator for conformity to standards, technical issues and safe working practice.

Club OrganisationThe club director

is the chair of the Club Executive Committee. This includes:◦ Deputy Director◦ Secretary◦ Treasurer◦ Chaplain

Club OrganisationThe club director

is also chair of the Club Staff Committee which includes:◦ Executive

Committee◦ Junior Counsellors◦ Counsellors◦ Instructors

Club DirectorThe club director

is the Responsible Person and should be no younger than 18 years old.

Club DirectorIdeally, they

should hold Pathfinder Leadership Award prior to appointment however, if not, they should be committed to achieving it as soon as possible.

Club DirectorThe club director

ensures the smooth running of the club.

Ensuring sufficient staff and resources are available.

Ensuring appropriate preparation for planned activities.

Deputy DirectorAs the title

suggests a deputy assumes the responsibilities of the club director.

The club director may delegate certain tasks and responsibilities to their deputy.

SecretaryThe secretary

records all decisions made; writes letters on behalf of the club; ensures all registration, medical, and child protection information is up to date.

TreasurerThe treasurer

manages the finances of the club.

Clubs cannot open a separate bank account however, the Church Board may agree to open an account on the clubs behalf.

ChaplainThe chaplain

organises the worship programme for the club. They give Bible studies and provides spiritual support to the club members & club staff and their families.

Unit CounsellorThe unit

counsellor is responsible for the well-being of the unit members with the following ratio of counsellors to unit members:◦ Pre-Adventurers

1:4◦ Adventurers 1:6◦ Pathfinder 1:8

Junior CounsellorJunior

counsellors assist counsellors.

Club staff under 18 years old and new club staff in their first year with the club should be considered junior counsellors and not given full responsibilities.

InstructorInstructors refer

to those who teach the classwork throughout the club year and also to those who are invited to teach a particular skills such as stars, or knot-tying.

Area CoordinatorArea

coordinators represent the Conference Pathfinder Director.

Coordinators ensure that the teachers teach the curriculum in an enjoyable, creative and meaningful way.

Area CoordinatorCoordinators

ensure that all club administration is up to date.

Area CoordinatorCoordinators

check the folders of the club members prior to investiture and approve the purchase for investiture badges.

Area CoordinatorCoordinators can

also be called upon the teach a class in their particular areas of knowledge.

UniformWearing the

uniform makes the Adventurer & Pathfinder clubs real and visible both to club members and to those who see them.

UniformThe uniform

should always be neat and tidy and worn at:◦ Club meetings◦ Church services

(when participating)

◦ Public gatherings

UniformPlease refer to

your workbook for a description of each uniform.

Induction ServiceAfter the

beginning of the club year, when all the new members of the club have settled and gotten their uniforms together the club director should plan an induction service to welcome them.

Investiture ServiceThe highlight of

the club year is the investiture service.

Here the club members and staff receive the rewards for all the hard work they have done.

Investiture ServiceSome club

members may not have completed all of their work by the investiture service however, they should be recognised for the work that they have done.

Investiture ServiceEvery club

should hold an investiture each year.

There is nothing more disheartening to a child or young person than to have worked and receive nothing for it.

Investiture ServiceWe do not

humiliate children and young people by holding them back a year if they did not complete their work.

Each child or young person should be kept in the appropriate class for their age.

Club YearThe club year

can start either in September or January however, it should follow the school year.

Club YearAge 1st September

School Year Club Year

4 Years Reception Eager Beaver

5 Years Year 1 Eager Beaver

6 Years Year 2 Busy Bee

7 Years Year 3 Sunbeam

8 Years Year 4 Builder

9 Years Year 5 Helping Hand

Club YearAge 1st September

School Year Club Year

10 Years Year 6 Friend

11 Years Year 7 Companion

12 Years Year 8 Explorer

13 Years Year 9 Ranger

14 Years Year 10 Voyager

15 Years Year 11 Guide

Club YearEach club year is

divided into a minimum of 20 regular club meetings plus other activities and events.

Staff DevelopmentThe club’s

greatest assets are its staff.

Guides and new members of staff should be encouraged to become Master Guides.

A Pathfinder today, a leader tomorrow.

Staff DevelopmentAge 1st September

School Year Club Year

16 Years Year 12 Guide Progression Year

17 Years Year 13 Master GuideAge 1st September

Years in Club Club Year

18+ 1 Year Induction Year

18+ 2 Years Master Guide

Age 1st September

Years in Club Club Year

21+ 3 Years PLA

Staff DevelopmentThe Master

Guides within each club assist the Conference Director to train new Master Guides and PLA’s

FinancesClubs will receive

a budget from the local church however, this usually needs to be supplemented.

FinancesIt is usual for

clubs to charge a registration fee to cover such expenses as club insurance.

It is also usual for clubs to charge a fee for each club meeting.

FinancesOther charges

will include club or Conference camporee, transport to events and activities and for investiture badges.

Club InsuranceAll club members

and staff are required to have club insurance.

The names of all those to be insured must be sent to the Conference office by latest 1st March each year.

First AidAt every club

meeting or activity a suitable first aider must be present with an appropriate first aid kit for the size of group and the nature of the activity.

Emergency Contact DetailsAt every club

meeting or activity the leader and the first aider should have a copy of the emergency contact details of parents and emergency services.

Club OrganisationNorth England ConferencePathfinder Basic Staff Training (Part 1)