Any Members who have opted out of the magazine in the past have been opted back into the mailing for this issue of Scouting to ensure that they receive their appointment card. They will then be opted back out of the magazine.

The cards will be re-issued in April and annually thereafter. If the cards continue to be issued via Scouting magazine, these members will receive the April/May edition of Scouting each year to ensure that they receive their card.

Why are we replacing Warrant cards with appointment cards?

One of the principles of the new appointment process was that it would value all appointments equally. Up until now, only warranted adults received anything to indicate their appointment. It was therefore agreed that the existing warrant card would be discontinued, along with the term ‘warrant' itself. In its place, a credit card sized plastic appointment card will be issued to everyone who carries out a role in Scouting, not just Leaders and Commissioners.

When are they being produced?

Autumn 07. They will be distributed with the October/November edition of Scouting.

What will be on the card?

Your name, membership number, current Appointments (up to a maximum of 6) and the review dates of these Appointments. The card will also record your membership of the Scout Network and/or the Scout Fellowship where relevant. This information will be taken from the data on the Membership Services database.

What if my District/County/Area Secretary can't amend my details?

Over the past 9 months, District/County/Area Secretaries have been informed that if they are unable to make amendments to individual records, for whatever reason, they can send them in to the Adult Support office to be done. However, in the first instance individual Members should go to their District/County/Area Secretary to report any required changes. From now on, Secretaries should go through the normal channels to inform us of any changes (i.e. via the Records Team).

What if the data on my card is wrong when I receive it?

Please do not return your card to us as we will not be able to issue another one. If the roles or review dates are wrong, please contact your District/County/Area Secretary as they will need to amend your records. If you have changed your name or your name is spelt incorrectly, please contact the Information Centre. The Info Centre will make corrections to a misspelled name and order you a new card. A new card will be issued to all Members in April 2008.

How often are the cards going to be produced?

Annually, each April. New cards will also be generated for adults taking on a new role in the Association, once they have been issued with a Full Appointment.

What do I do if I'm not sent a card or it gets lost in the post?

If you don't receive your magazine in October/November then please let the Information Centre know. Cards will only be sent to adults holding a Full Appointment. If you have not yet completed the appointment process and hold a Provisional (or Pre-Provisional) Appointment, you will not have received a card with your magazine.
Your card will be sent to you when your Full Appointment is confirmed.
If you hold a Full Appointment, but the card is not inside your magazine then please contact the Adult Support office at Gilwell Park.

What about new members who join the movement after September?

They will get a card when they complete the Appointment Process and have been issued with a Full Appointment.

Will this card replace my warrant?

Yes

What do I do with my warrant card?

As your appointment card replaces your warrant card, you do not have to return your warrant card to your Secretary. You can either hold onto it or dispose of it.

If my appointment is cancelled, what should I do with my appointment card?

The appointment cards remain the property of The Scout Association. As your card is the physical replacement of the warrant, the same rules apply with regard to the cancellation of an appointment.
Therefore, on ceasing to hold an appointment, for whatever reason, an appointee must surrender the appointment card to the District/County/Area Secretary.
If an adult's service has been satisfactory, the District Secretary or Appointments Secretary will cancel the Appointment and return it to the adult concerned.

What happens if I change roles during the year?

If you take on a new Appointment mid-year then you will receive a new card, with this and all other active roles on it, as part of the Appointment Process.

What if I lose my card?

If you lose your card, you can get a replacement at a cost of £5.00. Please contact the Information Centre who will order your new card and process your payment.

Will there be a transition period, or do we all move over to Appointment cards at the same time?

Everyone will get a new appointment card at the same time.

I have opted out of the magazine but received it this month? Why was this and will it happen again in the future?

You have been opted back into the magazine mailing for this issue of Scouting to ensure that you receive your appointment card. You will find your card attached to the back of the carrier sheet. You will now be opted back out of the magazine.

The cards will be re-issued in April and annually thereafter. If the cards continue to be issued via Scouitng magazine, you will receive the April/May edition of Scouting each year to ensure that you receive your card.

Scouting is published bi-monthly. If you decide that you would like to continue to receive Scouting , please contact the Information Centre.