Governance

2023 was another exciting year for the Foundation as we continued to strengthen our governance and, in particular, our fundraising capacity to meet our Strategy, supported by volunteers and staff. We welcomed five new Board Members and additional Committee Members to drive progress towards our annual and long-term fundraising goals.

In October, we warmly recognised the contribution of HRH Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, who completed his term as World Scout Foundation Chair and was subsequently appointed to the role of Immediate Past Chair for a tenure of two years. Rob Woolford was appointed and welcomed as our new Chair, and Beat Wenger as Chair-Elect, both also for tenures of two years.

The Foundation Board met twice in 2023: in April, in Cascais, Portugal, and in October, alongside the 75th BP Fellowship Event taking place in Kandersteg, Switzerland. The Executive Committee of the Board, as well as Board Sub-Committees for governance and fundraising met regularly online during the year. In-person meetings of the governance and all fundraising Committees took place in Cascais, and select governance committees met prior to the Kandersteg event.

As of 31 December 2023, the Foundation Board comprises 28 influential businesspersons, representatives of global Scouting and world leaders, led by our Honorary Chairman, His Majesty the King of Sweden. We are fortunate to also count on the expertise of 4 (non-voting) Life Members of the Board.

Margot Bogert has been active in Scouting all her life and credits her father, one of the founders of the World Scout Foundation, for sharing his passion with her from a young age. She soon forged her own pathway through international Scouting, generously dedicating decades of tireless volunteering and contributing her extensive skills, including brilliant networking, acute business acumen, and seasoned donor cultivation, in service of Scouting.

A champion of international Scouting from her early years on the International Committee of the BSA, she has come to be known, in particular, for her support for Scout community development and Scouting for all — ensuring that children from all backgrounds and abilities can experience Scouting.

Margot became a member of the World BP Fellowship in 1982 and joined the WSF Board in 1992, as our first female Board Member. Throughout her long service, she has personally hosted numerous fundraising events and in recent years, co-led our successful fundraising appeal during the global pandemic. Margot has generously donated to World Scouting, throughout her life as a Member of the Regal Circle. At her request, Margot moved to the Life Member Category of the Board (non-voting) as of October 2023, whilst promising to remain active in support of World Scouting.

Margot — you’re a phenomenal trailblazer, go-getter and straight-talker, with a heart of gold. Thank you for your decades of service on the WSF Board and your continued support as a Life Member.

On 26 August 2023, our esteemed Board Member and former Chair, Suk-Won Kim, sadly passed away after a short illness. A committed Scout and active supporter of Scouting throughout his life, he greatly contributed to the growth and development of Scouting in the Republic of Korea, the Asia-Pacific Region and worldwide.

Suk-Won Kim joined the Scouts in high school and went on to become President of the Korea Scout Association (1982–1992), during which time he established the Korea Scout Foundation to support the Korea Scout Association financially. In 1982, he became a member of the World Baden-Powell Fellowship and in 1998, joined the Foundation Board, serving as our Chair from 2000 until 2003. He was instrumental in increasing the number of BP Fellows in Korea and generously gave to World Scouting throughout his life, including as a Member of the Regal Circle of the Honours Programme.

A great Scout has Gone Home. His legacy will live on.

The Foundation counts on an incredible network of volunteers working in numerous Sub-Committees of the Board and working groups to achieve our vision and Strategy. 

Meet the staff team supporting the day-to-day work of the World Scout Foundation!

We love to connect with our BP Fellows and other donors, partners and anyone interested in supporting our mission to strengthen the impact of Scouting worldwide. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via the contacts below or to let us know if you’re in the vicinity! We have an operations office in Kandersteg and our legal seat is in Geneva.

N.B. A sixth colleague will join us as of June 2024 to bolster support for operations and events.