The role is a volunteer one, normally elected every third year at National Council, and works with the CEO, the head of the professional staff function of the association.
The Chief Scout, is elected by secret ballot at the Annual General Meeting, for a term of three years.
[citation needed] Initiatives undertaken during his term included the adoption of a new uniform, a new administrative structure and a programme review.
[citation needed] Among the early criticisms of his term was a lack of communication relating to the Castle Saunderson project,[4][5][6] which was later resolved.
[citation needed] He was re-elected unopposed in June 2007 and was expected to serve a second and final term of 3 years until 2010.
[10] There were two candidates nominated, Seán Farrell, National Secretary and former Ordinary Member of the National Management Committee (NMC), and Kiernan Gildea, former Chief Commissioner (Youth Programme) and Interim Dublin Metropolitan Provincial Commissioner.
[17] Seán Farrell was again nominated along with McCann and two former ordinary members of the National Management Committee Ollie Kehoe and Pat O'Connor.