If you have answered "yes" to any of these, then the B-P Guild might be for you. Perhaps you could give some thought to joining or forming a B-P Guild in your Council.

What is the B-P Guild?

The Canadian Fellowship of Baden-Powell Guilds is an organization of adults comprised of largely former, and some current members of recognized Scout and Guide associations, their spouses, and friends. All accept and make the Scout Promise as a condition of membership. Members share the common bond of experience within the Scouting and Guiding Movements and wish to continue associating with like-minded people; and to lend assistance to the Scouting Movement when and as they are able.

The Canadian Fellowship of Baden-Powell Guilds (often just called the Canadian Fellowship, or The BP Guild, or The Guild) is an independent organization, consisting of a growing number of groups (each called a Guild) across Canada. It is affiliated with Scouts Canada, and is a member of the International Scout and Guide Fellowship (ISGF).

The Aims of the Guild

The aims of the B-P Guild are to keep alive the spirit of the Scout or Guide Promise and Law amongst its members; to bring that spirit into the communities in which they live and work; and to actively support Scouting and Guiding Programs in Canada and the world.

History of Guilds in Canada

The origins of the B-P Guilds are in the Old Scouts groups which started in Canada as far back as 1920. However, none of these clubs were long lasting. The 1 st Canadian B-P Guild, formed in Vancouver in March 1960, endured and from then on there was a gradual growth of the Guild movement across Canada. The first B-P Guilds were primarily in British Columbia and in 1976 Guilds were formed in Ontario and Alberta; thus giving the B-P Guild a national representation. In May 1977 the Canadian Council of B-P Guilds was formed to act as the coordinating body for B-P Guilds in Canada. In that same year Canada was granted membership in the International Fellowship of former Scouts and Guides (IFOFSAG), (now called the International Scout and Guide Fellowship, the ISGF).

How is the Guild Related to Scouting?

The B-P Guild is financially and administratively independent from Scouts Canada but is affiliated with it as most Canadian BP Guild members are former or current members of that organization. In Canada all members of the B-P Guild, if they so wish, may register separately for membership in Scouts Canada by paying a special B-P Guild membership fee to their local Council. (See more details below.) As a member of Scouts Canada, Guild members are entitled to the Leader magazine, long service awards, and to consideration for Scouting honour's and awards by submitting the required forms to their Councils. When active members of the Girl Guides, or Scouts Canada, join a B-P Guild, they become valuable links between the Movements and the Guild.

Obligations and Responsibilities

The B-P Guild has no program so obligations and responsibilities are chiefly ones of conscience as the member carries out the objectives of the Guild. Guild service to Scouting does not assume any of the responsibilities of the active Scouter, but assists, where possible, and only as much as a member is able. We do what we can, when we can, if we can, without interfering with the running of Scouts Canada. The self-directing Guilds take on service projects on their own initiative, and participation in these projects is on a voluntary basis, with individual members taking part only as they see fit.

Is There a Social Side?

Yes! Social activities are a most important part of the fellowship in the Guild. They keep the Scouting spirit strong amongst members; they are a great way to introduce new and prospective members; and they are a place where members make new or renew old friendships. Social occasions are a good excuse to get together with fellow Scouter's to have some fun and reminisce about the enjoyment Scouting brought into our lives.

Is the Guild Purely Canadian?

No. Like Scouting, the B-P Guild is a worldwide movement. The international coordinating body is the International Scout and Guide Fellowship, based in Brussels, and has member associations in over fifty countries.

What is the Guild Structure?

While each Guild operates independently and there is no organized program, in Canada there is a three tier structure for administration: 1) the local B-P Guild (a group of five to fifty or more members); 2) the Provincial Fellowship of B-P Guilds, (responsible for helping and advising Guilds within a particular province and for helping to start new Guilds there); and 3) the Canadian Fellowship of B-P Guilds, (responsible for all of the Guilds in Canada and international liaison). At all levels volunteers are elected to serve as presidents, secretaries and treasurers to perform administrative duties.

Is there a B-P Guild Badge and Uniform?

While there is no official B-P Guild uniform, certain forms of attire are commonly accepted.

Upon Investiture, each member is presented with the badge of the Canadian Fellowship of B-P Guilds. This badge incorporates the badge of the International Fellowship of Scouts and Guides (a red Scout Sign on a white Guide Trefoil) centered on a red Canadian maple leaf. This badge is commonly worn on the left breast pocket of a navy blazer.

On formal occasions attire is commonly as follows: a light blue shirt, Guild tie, and navy blue blazer with the Canadian Fellowship badge on the left breast pocket, and grey slacks or skirt. If a hat is desired, then a plain navy beret (with the official small Canadian Guild badge) may be worn.

On informal occasions individuals or Guilds may wear T-shirts, vests, or golf shirts printed or embroidered with a group logo. Neckerchiefs may also be worn; either the Gilwell scarf or one of the Guild's choice with the small Canadian Fellowship badge at the point. Otherwise clothing is as is appropriate for the activity.

Who Can Join?

There is no upper age limit for B-P Guild membership. The Guild is open to men and women, normally over Rover age (26), who believe in the objectives of the B-P Guilds and wish to assist Scouting and their community, but due to personal reasons cannot give the time required to be an active Scouter. There is no actual requirement to be or to have been a member of the Scouting or Guiding Movements.

B-P Guilds of Canada Fee Structure

Most Guilds charge a $15 fee. Of this $11 is paid to the Canadian Fellowship to cover membership in both the International Scout and Guide Fellowship and the Canadian Fellowship.

Two dollars per Guild member in Ontario and $4 per member in B.C. is paid to the Provincial Fellowships to cover the costs of provincial administration (annual meetings, mailings, etc.) Two dollars per Guild member is generally retained by the Guild itself to help cover their own operating costs. Many Guilds have their own fund raising activities or add more to the basic fee.

All members receive the badge upon investiture, an annual membership card and three-times-yearly editions of the Canadian Guild newsletter called Mamook Papah.

Scouts Canada Special B-P Guild Membership Fee

In addition to membership in the B-P Guild a Guild member may wish to take up or continue membership in Scouts Canada. A special fee for Guild members is available for registration as an adult member under the Scouts Canada Special B-P Guild Membership. Such applicants must follow the same process as for all Adult Membership Registrations, including the volunteer Screening Process for adult members.

The special fee covers membership in Scouts Canada, a subscription to the Canadian Leader magazine, Scouts Canada insurance coverage, and eligibility for Scouting Honour's and Awards. Such members would also be listed in the Membership Management System (MMS) which would allow them to volunteer at overnight youth Scouting activities. Regarding the B-P Guild Special Fee your local Scouts Canada Council Office should refer to Administrative Procedure 12/B (latest revision).

Full Scouts Canada Membership Fee

In addition to membership in the B-P Guild a Guild member may also choose to be a fully active member of Scouts Canada (working with youth on a regular basis). In this case Guild members must pay the full Scouts Canada membership fee directly to their Council office. They are, of course, subject to all the membership requirements currently in place by Scouts Canada. They are entitled to full service from the Scout Office and are allowed to participate in all levels of Scouting activities. They will be listed in the MMS by the Scouting Group that they work with, and they can be listed there as both a Scouts Canada and a Guild member.

For further information on the Canadian Fellowship of B-P Guilds, please go to our website www.canadianbpguilds.org or email the .