Ranks in Polish Scouting

The general rank insignia system of the Polish Scouting movement is common for most Scouting organizations in Poland, including the two most numerous; however, much is left to the traditions of specific groups. Some of them do not grant some of the ranks to its members, while others name them differently.

Although Polish Scouting is by and large militarized in traditions and outfit, the very look of the insignia may differ from group to group. Some of them do not use shoulder straps at all, while others recently introduced an chevron system.

Rank insignia

Scouts

Scout shoulder mark
Sea Scout shoulder mark
Scouting cross
Boys	Harcerz Rzeczypospolitej (HR)	Harcerz Orli (HO)	Ćwik (ćw.)	Odkrywca (odkr.)	Wywiadowca (wyw.)	Młodzik (mł.)
Girls	Harcerka Rzeczypospolitej (HR)	Harcerka Orla (HO)	Samarytanka (sam.)	Pionierka (pion.)	Tropicielka (trop.)	Ochotniczka (och.)
	Scout of the Republic of Poland	Eagle Scout	Fourth	Discoverer or pioneer	Scout	Youngster

Scout instructors

Shoulder mark
Scouting cross
Men	Harcmistrz	Podharcmistrz	Przewodnik
Women	Harcmistrzyni	Podharcmistrzyni	Przewodniczka
	hm.	phm.	pwd.
	Scoutmaster	Sub-Scoutmaster	Guide or leader

Guide or leader

Guide or leader Przewodnik Przewodniczka pwd.

Guide or leader (pol. male form: przewodnik, female form: przewodniczka, short: pwd.) – first Polish Scout instructor rank. Someone who has got the rank wears a felt, navy blue tee under the Scouting Cross and a navy blue chevron in the shape of Fleur-de-lis (so-called instructor's Fleur-de-lis) worn on the left sleeve of Scout uniform. Until World War II Polish Scouts had been using a title drużynowy po próbie (short: DPP; en. teamleader after challenge) in place of guide, but insignia were the same.

ZHP (Polish Scouting and Guiding Association) during the PRL parted out also a lower Polish Scout instructor rank – organizer. This rank has been functioning in Independent Scouts Instructor Sphere "Nursery-Garden" even today.

Polish Scouting and Guiding Association (ZHP)

Rank's Idea

Due to Rank's Idea in ZHP a Guide learn himself/herself and his/her motivation. He is pattern for another Scouts and he/she find pleasure in working with children and youth, can be an elder friend and a guide. Among younger mates he/she should be characterized by leadership skills. Knowingly uses Scouts educational method to realize educational goals. He/she feels responsible for his/her work and for the team to work together. Guide is also active at works of instructors teams in his/her District.

Conditions of the starting of instructor challenge

• Taking The Scout Oath
• Setting out the plan of instructor challenge to the Instructor Ranks' Commission which is to make sure that tasks of the challenge are possible to complete
• Having at least 16 years old

Requirements

1. Candidate shapes his/her own personality compatibility to Scout Law, created and consequently realized the plan of his/her development.
2. Candidate deepens his/her knowledge and develop his/her interests.
3. Candidate maintains suitable proportions in keeping duties for varied social groups (family, school, Scout Troop, job environment)
4. Candidate finished guide course.
5. Candidate takes constant service in his/her Scout environment.
6. Candidate takes share in detachment life.
7. Candidate uses of Scout literature and Scout media.
8. During at least a half year practice in a Pack (Cub Scouts team) or in a Troop (Scouts team) he or she proved the skills at educational working with children and youth in chosen age group, including the skill of:

• using methodic instruments
• practising the system of small groups
• creating working plan, realizing and submitting its.

a Guide also must have participated in: –

• organization of departure works' forms
• acquirement of measures for Troop's / Pack's functioning
• organization of camps or winter camps for Troop /Pack's, where the candidate fulfilled a function
• administering documentation essential for Troop's / Pack's functioning
• co-operating with his/her Scout environment – as also with parents, school etc.

Conditions of the end of instructor challange

1. Gaining development level described in Rank Idea and finishing tasks of instructor challenge.
2. Following regulations about safety in working with children and youth.
3. Having knowledge and skills at the level of Eagle Scout.
4. Finishing minimum 15-hours First aid course.
5. Positively evaluated service during the time of instructor challenge.

Authorizations resulted from being a Guide

Someone who is a Guide can:

• receive in the name of ZHP the The Cub Scout and Brownie Oath and The Scout Oath
• serve as an instructor
• candidate for Scout authorities and being in them (except the commandant of banner, Presidents of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association, Chief Scouts of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association, members of Scouts courts (whom can be only Scoutmasters) and commandants of Groups (whom can be only Scoutmasters and Sub-Scoutmasters)
• become awarded with Brown Cross of "Merit for ZHP"
• be a counselor without necessity of finishing the course for counselor.^[1]

Scouting Association of the Republic (Poland) (ZHR)

The rank of Guide is the lowest instructor rank in ZHR.

See also

• Polish Armed Forces rank insignia

References

External links

• http://zakromex.webpark.pl/symbole.html
• http://blog.harcerski.pl/zorza/sprawnosc-mistrza-musztry/
• http://www.18gdhs.pl/index.php?page=wiedza_harc_stopnie_harc