The Chief Scout is the leader of Scouting Ireland. As Chairperson of the National Council and National Management Committee the Chief Scout is responsible for co-ordinating the activities of the Association with the help of the National Team for Policy Implementation and Co-ordination. The role is a volunteer one, normally elected every third year at National Council, and works with the CEO, the head of the professional staff function of the association. The first Chief Scout elected was Martin Burbridge, a former member of Scouting Ireland. His term was scheduled to end in 2010 but he stepped down in September 2008. Two others have held the role as of 2018.
The Chief Scout, like all members of the National Management Committee, is elected by secret ballot at the annual National Council meeting, for a term of three years. The Chief Scout may be re-elected for one further term of three years. Should the post become vacant between relevant National Council meetings, an interim appointment can be made by the NMC. The key roles of the Chief Scout are:
President of the Association
Chairperson of the National Council
Chairperson of the National Management Committee
Chairperson of the National Team for Policy Implementation and Co-ordination
Martin Burbridge is a native of County Kildare and is a qualified accountant. He holds the Wood Badge is a member of the Order of Cú Chulainn. As the first Chief Scout of the association, his term of office has been both ground-breaking and controversial. Burbridge had previously been the National Treasurer of Scouting Ireland and one of the steering forces behind the formation of Scouting Ireland. Once the wheels had been set in motion in May 2003, Burbridge's appointment was seen by many Scouters as a fait accompli, with neither Peter Dixon nor Donald Harvey seeking nomination. He became Chief of the Interim National Management Committee, a new leader for a new era in Irish Scouting, and at the first National Council in The Helix in 2004 his position at the helm was confirmed. Initiatives during his term included the adoption of a new uniform, an entirely new administrative structure and a programme review. Apart from minor teething problems with the uniform, its adoption has been a success. The new Province and County structure and the administrative reshuffle have also been efficient, and welcomed by grassroots members. All other issues, however, were overshadowed by the debate on the possible implications of the programme review and proposed changes to the age ranges for sections. A new youth programme was adopted at National Council in Ballinasloe in June 2008. The successes of his time in office include the smooth transition from two strong associations to one, operating in 32 counties and catering for almost 40,000 members, successful advertising campaigns which have raised the profile of Scouting nationwide and have increased youth membership and a strong belief inyouth participation. Among the early criticisms of his term was a lack of communication relating to the Castle Saunderson project, which has now been resolved, and the satisfactory resolution will most likely be his abiding legacy as Chief. Difficulties with funding for camp sites, the neglect of camping as a whole, and a drop in adult membership have been cited by members as key issues during his first term. He was re-elected unopposed in June 2007 and was expected to serve a second and final term of 3 years until 2010. However, Mr. Burbridge announced his decision to resign from the position of Chief Scout in a letter to the National Management Committee of Scouting Ireland dated 12 August 2008. In the letter the Chief Scout expresses his intention to resign from his position, effective from "12.00 midnight on Sunday 28 September 2008".
Michael John Shinnick 2008-2015
Due to the resignation of Martin Burbridge the National Management Committee appointed Michael John Shinnick, the then Chief Commissioner for Adult Resources, as Scouting Ireland's second Chief Scout in September 2008. He was elected by National Council in March 2009 and re-elected in 2012 for a term to end in 2015.
Christy McCann 2015 - Present
Annual meeting April 2015
An election for Chief Scout was scheduled for National Council on 18 April. There were two candidates nominated, Seán Farrell, National Secretary and former Ordinary Member of the National Management Committee, and Kiernan Gildea, former Chief Commissioner and Interim Dublin Metropolitan Provincial Commissioner. Gildea withdrew from the race on 17 April, and a yes/no referendum on Farrell was lost. The NMC scheduled an Emergency National Council for September 2015 to elect a successor.
Extraordinary meeting September 2015
International Commissioner and former North Eastern Provincial Commissioner, Christy McCann, was elected as Scouting Ireland's third Chief Scout in September 2015 for a term to end in 2018. Four candidates in total took part in the election. Seán Farrell was again nominated along with McCann and two former ordinary members of the National Management Committee Ollie Kehoe and Pat O'Connor. Voting was by single transferable vote. McCann was elected unopposed for a second term in April 2018. The National Management Committee brought restructuring proposals to National Council in 2018. As part of these plans, each individual on the NMC agreed to resign as a director, effective 31 October, so as to allow for the election of a new 10 person Board of directors, to come into office on 1 November, and the Chief Scout would no longer be a director, pending approval from extraordinary National Councils in June and October.
