THE STEPS TOWARDS MEMBERSHIP AND A NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP

Conditions and circumstances may vary from country to country, as do the ways of starting a National Fellowship. In some countries there may be groups of adults already established in co-operation with the youth movement (see below: start at step 2 or 3); in other countries there may have to be a new initiative by a few individuals (see below : start at step I or 2 ) Please note that at whatever point YOU start and whatever step YOU have reached, YOU are always most welcome to contact the World Bureau or the CB Co-ordinator  for any information, advice or support.

CENTRAL BRANCH

CB Membership is open to all adults, who are willing to commit themselves to the principles and aims of ISGF. CB members are entitled to attend any ISGF activity, gathering or conference equally to members of National Fellowships. CB members are entitled to use the ISGF emblem and CB logo in accordance with the Constitution. The CBC will dispatch information as required. CB groups and units are requested to fill in an annual questionnaire reporting their activities. CB is represented at the ISGF World Conferences by a voting delegation of maximum four delegates elected by and from the CB members attending the conference. The CB delegation has the same rights as the delegations from the National Fellowships.

1st STEP: MEMBERSHIP for INDIVIDUALS through CENTRAL BRANCH

An individual can apply for membership of ISGF through Central Branch (CB). The following forms should be sent electronically or by mail to the Central Branch Coordinator whether you apply as an individual Registration to the Central Branch (Individuals) , or as a group registration form (CB groups). As a CB member you will receive the CB Newsletter (in English or French). Information about finding, and “twinning” with other ISGF members will be sent.

2nd STEP: STARTING A LOCAL CENTRAL BRANCH GROUP

It is great to be an individual member of ISGF, but it’s more fun when there are others to share membership. Initially, it makes sense to check if there are any individuals or groups already working towards ISGF membership. If so, join them. However, if you are the first one the following is recommended: Start contacting your old scout/guide friends. Maybe your neighbour or work mates have an interest in scouting/guiding? The local Scout/Guide troops will most likely have contact with some of their former members. Parents of the scouts and guides are often interested in learning more about their children’s scout-life. Active leaders should also be welcome; however, their primary roles are with the youngsters, and the Fellowship should not encourage them to leave the Scouts or Guides. Contact these people and inform them either individually or invite to an informal meeting. When they join you, they should be registered as CB group-members. All correspondence  will be sent to the group coordinator for internal distribution. T  Your group will most likely start as a “patrol”, but you will soon have sufficient members to form a Local Fellowship. At this point it is appropriate to organise the work and to elect a board (a Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer). Your Local Fellowship may be composed of adults with connections with WOSM and /or WAGGGS associations, or you can set up separate Fellowships depending on the traditions and circumstances in the country. For advice /guidance, please contact the ISGF World Bureau or CB Co-ordinator. As the group expands to more than 40 members, it will be considered as a Unit. A Unit is responsible for distribution of all ISGF and CB information to its members. 

The annual fee (in EURO or US $) for CB members is pending on the GNP (currently, 2003):

 Currently (February 2006), there are CB members in: Argentina, Azerbaijan, brasil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada,Agnes BP Trefoil Guild and Amicale Canadienne francophone (ACF), Ecuador, Kong, Israel, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Nepal, Rwanda, South Africa, Taïwan (ROC), Tanzania, Thaïland, Trinida& Tobago, USA,Zambia, Zimbabwe.

3rd STEP: STARTING A NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP

Once a working Local Fellowship has been established, it is possible to start new groups in other parts of the country, usually through a network of old scout/guide friends, and former scouts/ guides referred by national Scout/ Guide Associations. For this to succeed it is important to maintain good contacts. As soon as the new groups are established, it is time to prepare for the formation of the National Fellowship.

The national WOSM and/or WAGGGS Associations should be willing to accept and co-operate with a National Fellowship, and to acknowledge this by providing a letter of recognition to be sent to the ISGF Office. On request the World Bureau will send a copy of the ISGF Constitution, plus a sample NSGF Constitution, which will serve as a model for your own Constitution. The name of the Fellowship is a national responsibility and would normally be in your own language. But as you will also be known as “the National Scout and Guide Fellowship of XXXX” or “the XXXX National Scout and Guide Fellowship” (in English or French), it is recommended that one of these is added as a sub-title to your name.

Regarding your logo; for identification reasons, it is strongly recommended that the ISGF logo be a part of your logo, or eventually be used as your logo. It is also recommended that the draft Constitution and proposed logo is sent to the World Bureau for comments at an early stage, and also if necessary to the National Authorities. Once the new groups are ready, it is time to organise a national meeting to inaugurate the National Fellowship and elect a national board or committee.

4th STEP: HOW NATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS CAN BECOME MEMBERS OF ISGF

Send the following to the ISGF World Bureau:

• the application form; (available from the World Bureau)
• the Constitution;
• a letter of recognition from the national WOSM and/or WAGGGS organisation;
• a short description of the events and activities since the first group was formed, including the recent number of members and location of LSGFs.

The ISGF World Committee will consider the application. If all is well, the World Committee will grant your National Fellowship Associate Membership or Full Membership.

To be recognised the National Fellowship is required to:

• be open to all former members of WOSM and/or WAGGGS in the whole country;
• adopt and sustain adherence to ISGF Principles and Aims as laid down in its Constitution;
• forward a letter of recognition to the World Bureau from the National WOSM/WAGGGS recognised Association(s) confirming harmony and co-operation;
• maintain the Organisation as a voluntary non-political movement;
• maintain a minimum membership of 125 members;
• have more than one Local Fellowship, in different areas; ("area" is not defined in ISGF Constitution, but it means at least more than one town and one region);
• pay annual fees, as agreed by the ISGF World Conference;(The ISGF membership fee depends on the GNP of the country. There are three categories, which determine the annual fees per capita, with a minimum fee for 125 members. Currently: 1,80 / 1,20 / 0,60 EURO);
• notify the ISGF World Bureau of any changes in its National Constitution;
• submit every year an Annual Report to the ISGF World Bureau.

Note 1:

Associate Membership may be granted to National Associations, which only meet these requirements to a lesser degree.

Note 2:

In principle, only one National Association from any one country can be recognised for Membership of ISGF as a NSGF. However, more associations can be accepted. In such countries it is recommended that a Joint National Committee be formed as a liaison body. It is the responsibility of the Joint National Committee that all the component Associations meet the requirements of the ISGF Constitution and Bye-Laws.

However, in countries where a Joint National Committee cannot be formed for cultural, religious and other reasons, the country can be represented by two independent National Fellowships, one Fellowship must be based on former WAGGGS members and the other one, on former WOSM members.