After more than 20 years of friendship between groups from the UK and Germany, in 1993 during a meeting between 2 friendly associations an idea began to roll through the minds of scout leaders: to create a platform for common camps, events and leadership training. He even had a proposal for a name: “World Independent Scout Federation” and an idea, how the coat of arms could look like. Only missing were the associations to participate.

But it was not until 1996 when an article was published in the German Scout magazine called “Scouting” that the number of interested associations could really be seen.

As there were now many German groups interested, decision was made to run the foundation meeting in Germany. As Laubach (home of the Solmser Pfadfinderschaft) was located in the middle of Germany and close to Frankfurt airport, it seemed to be the best location for such a meeting.

Families of the scouts from Laubach provided accommodation for the participants, the local administration provided a meeting room in the townhall and nine associations from all parts of Germany sent their representatives to Laubach on the first weekend of October. Four leaders did come from England, representing Baden Powell Scouts from Great Britain, Ireland and Australia.

On October 5th, a foundation document was signed, and the representatives made the following decisions:

  1. The name of the organization should be “World Federation of Independent Scouts”
  2. A fleur-de-lys within a Zulu-shield – similar to the one the BP Scouts used, was decided to be the common emblem and every member association was supposed to wear this emblem somewhere on their uniforms
  3. The common basis for the work and prerequisite for membership would be traditional scouting, tolerance, scout law and promise.
  4. Lawrie Dring was elected first Chairman of WFIS worldwide
  5. Sub-organizations should subsequently be founded, based upon languages, starting with an “English Region” and a “German Region”

 

After that meeting, when the representatives of the associations returned home and had meetings with the rest of their association to decide whether or not to join WFIS, some decided not to join.

The work began immediately, despite the adversities encountered. In January 1997 the “German Region” was founded with other associations from Germany that joined after October 5th. Groups from Switzerland also joined (with members in Austria and Liechtenstein) and a group from Poland who joined the German Region as a guest.

The Foundation Representatives

The Foundation Representatives

Foundation Members were:

Baden Powell Scouts (BPSA) – UK, Ireland, Australia

Solmser Pfadfinderschaft (SP) – Germany

Bruderschaft Christlicher Pfadfinder (BCP) – Germany

Pfadfinderschaft Germania e.V. – Germany

Bund Europäischer St Georgs Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder (BESP) – Germany

Participating in the foundation meeting, but joined WFIS later:

Pfadfinderbund Weltenbummler e.V. (PbW)

Europäischer Pfadfinderbund St. Georg (EPG)

Participating in the foundation meeting, but have not joined WFIS:

Pfadfinderschaft Graue Reiter e.V.

Christliche Pfadfinderschaft Deutschlands e.V. (CPD)

Christliche Pfadfinderschaft Balduinsteiner Kreis

 

 

The Foundation Document

The Foundation Document