#schongenial: What personally motivated you to volunteer with the Scouts?
Kurt Kitzler: I first got involved through my own children and subsequently through my wife. The children attended the after-school sessions from primary school onwards, and my wife, having switched careers, soon became a Scout leader. I was quickly impressed by the level of commitment here and the positive experiences the children take away with them.
So I joined the parents’ council – which is essentially the group’s supervisory board – and have held a wide variety of supporting roles there. Our children have long since grown up. But my wife and I are still active in the Puchenau group.
#schongenial: What are the most important values you want to instil in the children and young people?
Kurt Kitzler: Responsibility, respect and solidarity are right at the top of the list. It is important to us that children and young people learn to be there for one another and to be able to rely on each other, whether in everyday life or in challenging situations. In the Scouts in particular, they experience very tangibly what it means to be part of a functioning community where everyone counts.
At the same time, it’s about taking personal responsibility and making decisions independently. The children are encouraged to try new things, step out of their comfort zone and grow through their tasks. It’s always impressive to see how they rise to the challenge and gain self-confidence as a result.
#schongenial: Which moments or experiences from your time with the Scouts so far have stuck in your memory?
Kurt Kitzler: The Jamboree – a world camp – in Sweden in 2011 stands out in my memory; our eldest son was allowed to take part at the age of 14 and we went to visit him. 40,000 Scouts from all over the world were there, and we marvelled at the camp and got to know a few people despite our short visit. The Upper Austria Regional Camp in 2013, known as Planet 13, also remains a lasting memory for me, as I was actively part of the on-site team there.
The sense of solidarity within our group is always impressive. This applies to the leaders as well as the parents’ councils, but also to the whole team. We nurture this, for example, by organising a weekend away together.
#schongenial: What challenges do you face in your work and what motivates you to carry on despite them?
Kurt Kitzler: The biggest challenge is certainly maintaining motivation over many years. Volunteering also means taking on responsibility and investing time regularly. Otherwise, an organisation won’t work in the long run.
But the positive feedback from the leaders, especially regarding the children’s visible development and the strong sense of community, gives you so much in return. That motivates me time and time again.
#schongenial: How do you manage to balance your voluntary work with the Scouts with your job and everyday life?
Kurt Kitzler: I manage this so well mainly because, with OÖ Versicherung, I have an employer who not only understands voluntary work but actively supports and values it. I experienced this first-hand a few years ago when I was invited to visit the regional camp as our company’s official sponsor representative.
This positive attitude makes it much easier to combine work and volunteering.
#schongenial: What do you personally take away from your work with the Scouts – including for your own life?
Kurt Kitzler: A great deal. You learn to deal with different people, to remain flexible and to stay calm even in challenging situations. Many of these skills also help me in my job. Above all, however, volunteering gives me a great deal in return personally. It’s simply a good feeling to be part of something meaningful.
#schongenial: Thank you very much for the interview and, of course, for your commitment to a thriving society.
