Help needed: Katanning Scouts call for volunteers to help run programs after the departure of key personnel

“No experience necessary. Be prepared for anything”. That is how assistant Katanning cub scout leader Rowan Sander summed up what volunteers needed to know before they signed up to help the group. The 1st Katanning Scout Group is calling on the community to put their hands up for volunteer leader roles within the organisation to keep it going. The group, which has been active more than 100 years, is getting by on the minimum number of volunteers after recently losing members who left town. Joey scouts have recently stopped accepting new children because of the leadership shortage. The Herald has been told some of the remaining volunteers work in emergency management roles, which means they might not always be available. Ms Sander joined the Katanning Scouts three years ago, despite having no experience. “My husband Mark and I wanted to give our children, and others, the fantastic opportunities that scouting offers,” she said. “There were no cub (scout) leaders in Katanning at the time, and we made the decision to tackle the roles ourselves. “It has been a learning curve, but we have enjoyed great support from fellow leaders in Katanning and all over WA, and not least of all from the families of our youth members.” Ms Sander said she had been “truly amazed” by how many opportunities scouts opened up for children. “I have seen children grow and develop the qualities we would all wish for them — community spirit, kindness, a willingness to try new things, leadership, responsibility and a terrific sense of fun,” she said. “The confidence in achieving new skills makes them glow. It makes our hearts happy.” The group is looking for prospective volunteers from all walks of life — not just teachers, parents or old scouts. Those wishing to join will need to be available during the school term, but will get school holidays off. Cub scout leader Ella Maesepp said she loved seeing children build confidence. “Being a leader is a big commitment, but it is so rewarding and I enjoy it so much,” Ms Maesepp said, “I’ve been a leader for 15 years and love that it gives me the opportunity to do things that I myself love doing. “Just this term alone, being a leader has meant I’ve got to do an overnight hike on the Bibbulmun Track, walk some of the Holland Track, go bush and help kids build shelters and campfires, join with visiting city scouts for a big campfire singalong, and next weekend I’m camping in Albany with the cubs.” For details, contact the group leader at GL.Katanning@scouts.com.au