THE BOYS’ BRIGADE STRUCTURE

The Boys’ Brigade Structure is an annotated representation or diagram of the various levels of authority of The Boys’ Brigade indicating the flow of power from the highest level of authority (Global Fellowship of Christian Youth Organization) to the lowest level of authority (Company). This lecture is to provide officers the definition, explanations, importance, purpose and existence of the Boy in the Boys’ Brigade.

1. GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS: – This is the highest level of organization recognized by The Boys’ Brigade and it is a conglomerate of different voluntary youth organization in the world. It is headed by an Executive Secretary who is always elected at the world conference. The National bodies of these various youth organization are affiliated to the body.

2. REGIONAL FELLOWSHIP: – It is a conglomerate of different National Councils e.g. The West African Regional Fellowship which consist of West African Counties. The Regional Fellowship may not be particularly regarded as a higher level of authority than the National Councils. They exist in complimentary capacity and as such play complimentary role. A National Council that agrees to be part of a Regional Fellowship shall respect the views and opinion of the Fellowship. The Regional Fellowship is headed by a regional Secretary.

3. NATIONAL COUNCIL: – It is the highest level of authority of The Boys’ Brigade in a particular country and it is headed by a National President who is usually elected at the National Council Meeting. The State Councils of that country are affiliated to the body.

4. ZONAL FELLOWSHIP: – It is a conglomerate of various State Councils of The Boys’ Brigade in the State region or geographical zones of different Countries e.g. South West Fellowship (Nigeria) which consist of States within the South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The zonal Fellowship may not be particularly regarded as a higher level of authority than the State Councils but exist in complimentary capacity and as such play complimentary role. A State Council that agrees to be part of a particular Zonal Fellowship shall respect the views and opinion of the Fellowship. The Zonal Fellowship is headed by a Zonal Coordinator.

5. STATE COUNCIL: – It is the second highest level of authority of The Boys’ Brigade in a country; it is it is a conglomerate of different Battalion and Group Councils. The State Council is headed by a State President who is elected at the State Annual General Meeting.

6. BATTALION COUNCIL: – It is the level of authority of The Boys’ Brigade at a Local Government or area. It is usually made up of Companies within the same locality/area and must be twelve (12) or over Companies to attain a Battalion Council status. It is headed by a Chairman who is usually elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Council.

7. GROUP COUNCIL: – It is also the level of authority of The Boys’ Brigade at a Local Government or area. It is usually made up of Companies within the same locality/area which are usually less than twelve (12) Companies and must be up to six (6) Companies to attain a Group Council status. It is headed by a Chairman who is elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Council

8. COMPANY: – This is the smallest, most important and lowest level of authority of The Boys’ Brigade. It is usually made up of at least thirty (30) Boys and three (3) Officers grouped into Junior, Company and Senior Sections depending on the ages of the Boys.

The Company is the closest to the grass root. The activity of advancing Christ Kingdom as contained in our object is more pronounced and more effective at this level of authority. The Company is headed by a Captain who is usually appointed by the Church Council. It is pertinent to note that the Company also has a Spiritual Head called the Chaplain.