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scouts.org.uk/focus
FocusJuggling actSingle parents in Scouting speak up
The magazine for volunteer
managers in Scouting
February/March 2010
Axe to grindWhy do we struggleto pass on our Scouting skills?
WHAT’S YOUR
EVERYDAY ADVENTURE? EVERYDAY ADVENTURE?
Inspiring ideas for accessible Scouting
focus_FINAL.indd 1 13/01/2010 13:59
IFC_Focus_FebMar.indd 6 12/01/2010 14:27
Welcome
3scouts.org.uk/focus
Your Adult Support TeamMark Flexman, UK Adviser for Adults in Scouting, Ben Storrar, Programme and Development Adviser (Adults in Scouting)Contact them at:[email protected] [email protected]@scout.org.uk
Adult Support TeamThe Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford;London E4 7QW; Tel: 0845 300 1818
ADVERTISINGRichard Ellacott [email protected] Tel: 020 8962 1258
County: Although in some parts of the British Isles Scout Counties are known as Areas or Islands - and in one case Bailiwick - for ease of reading this publication simply refers to County/Counties. In Scotland there is no direct equivalent to County or Area. In Scotland, Scouting is organised into Districts and Regions, each with distinct responsibilities. Some ‘County’ functions are the responsibility of Scottish Regions, whilst others lie with Scottish Districts. The focus of responsibility is outlined in Scottish variations from POR.
Need more adult volunteers?Encourage your Groups to involve parents in their camps and activity days this summer. Find out more at www.scouts.org.uk/thebigadventure
Focus would like to challenge all of you to make your imaginations stretch as far as possible in the
ways you manage your individual areas
Even the most experienced manager in Scouting will tell you how important it is
to change and take on new ideas. Just as the Movement changes, we need to
change with it.
This issue, UK Chief Commissioner Wayne Bulpitt challenges you to think
differently about your AGM and make it something that fits with everything we
stand for as an Association. Meanwhile, Natalie Tomlinson takes us through the
ways you can use Scouting’s positive message to market and recruit in your
area.
Engaging parents We also look at the challenges facing parents in Scouting and some of the key
things to remember when recruiting adults.
On page 10 the Adult Training Team offers advice on ways to share
knowledge of traditional Scouting skills. We hear more about the transition to
Scout Active Support on page 12. Not to be outdone, our Diversity Team looks
at how managers can make Scouting accessible for all.
The only limit to possibilities in Scouting is ourselves, and as Henry David
Thoreau said: ‘the world is but a canvas to our imaginations.’
Keep me up to dateAs always, I want to hear about your experiences at [email protected] For
news, and information for managers in Scouting, please visit www.scouts.org.uk
The challenge ahead
4 Feet on the groundTry this trusted adult recruitment method
6 Access all areasAccessibility is about more than just special needs says Sheridan Allman and Claire Welch
8 Mum’s the wordWe hear from two single parents in Scouting
10 Why Scouting Skills matterAre practical skills a dying art in Scouting? We show how Counties and District are reversing the trend
12 Making the change We report on Bedford’s transition to Scout Active Support
14 Coming of age Clarifi cation on the upper age limit for Explorer Scouts
15 Can AGMs be an everyday adventure?
Yes! says Wayne Bulpitt
In Focus
focus_FINAL.indd 3 13/01/2010 14:00
4 Focus February/March 2010
When it comes to recruitment, many leaders automatically
think of young people and instantly dismiss the need as
their Group is full. However, it is once again the recruitment of
adults that is a top priority for Scouting in 2010.
The principle is simple. By recruiting more
adult volunteers, we can bring the 30,000
young people on our joining lists into
Scouting and start to open more Groups
across the country.
There are many ways which Gilwell Park can support
you in your recruitment work, from leaflets, flyers and
posters to events and practical advice on how to talk
to people about helping out.
Whilst the thought of approaching someone about
volunteering may be daunting, this six step approach
to adult recruitment offers a good starting point:
1 Define the job that needs to be doneIf you are asking someone to help you, ensure you
actually have something for them to do. People need a role;
they don’t want to be used as just another pair of hands
when someone remembers they are there.
2 Identify the skills neededMuch of the help you might need may not necessarily
need a particular skill, just a willing and enthusiastic person.
For example, this could be the person who makes the
squash, cuts the grass, drives the mini bus and so on.
However, there will be times you will need someone with
more specialist skills, such as accounting, writing a press
release or leading on specific badge work.
3 Generate a list of those who can do the job
If you ask parents and others who are close to the Group for
their occupation and hobbies, you will have a good idea of
who to approach for particular tasks.
4 Target the best choiceIt may be that you have a number of people who you
feel could fulfil the role, or just one or two. Whichever it is,
consider external factors that may impact on them. For
example, if you are expecting someone to help out over a
weekend, do you know whether they do shift work or have
other young children to care for?
5 Ask someone to help youWhen asking for help, you need to be specific and
realistic. Do not say something will only take an hour when
it could take much longer.
6 Offer support and welcome them into Scouting
Make their experience an enjoyable one and hopefully they
will come back for more!
Six steps to success
Feet on the ground Feet on the ground Six steps to
Feet on the ground Six steps to
focus_FINAL.indd 4 12/01/2010 12:01
5scouts.org.uk/focus
Recruitment
Think about your approach Quite often, someone will be happy to help out but may
want to test the water first. One leader said that he had
approached someone to become the social secretary but
they said no. However, when asked if they would organise
the summer barbeque they agreed and, when this was
successful, they then organised the Christmas party. Often
giving a person a job title scares them off but if you ask
them to help on a project-by-project basis the likelihood is
that they will say yes.
The best examples of effective recruitment come about
when people have thought about their approach and
followed the steps on the opposite page – keep your
approach personal and relevant.
How we can helpEvents such as The Big Adventure (www.scouts.org.uk/
thebigadventure) have proved a success. They have shown
that the most effective way of turning adults on the edge
of the Group into volunteers is to give them an active role
in the planning and running
of a residential experience.
Ensure your Group takes part
from 1 May to 31 August this
year to see how effective the
method is for yourself.
The No-Nonsense Parents’
Guide to Scouting is a free
resource that has proven to be
extremely popular in
encouraging parents to help
out. You can also order a
No-Nonsense Leaders’ Guide to Working with Parents which gives you all the tools
and information necessary to
work efficiently with parents.
The new Communications Centre, available at
www.scouts.org/brand is a great new resource which
enables you to download or order a number of different
recruitment materials. Enter your details into a fixed
template and simply print off. See page 68 of this issue
of Scouting for more information.
Take a look at www.scouts.org.uk/recruit which
provides a variety of ways in which you can plan and
implement an effective recruitment campaign or event.
For each method, you will find a brief overview and where
possible, case studies, support
material and web links for further
information.
Good luck and remember
to share your success stories at
Feet on the ground
focus_FINAL.indd 5 12/01/2010 12:02
6 Focus February/March 2010
Accessall areas
Sheridan Allman, UK Adviser for Diversity, and Claire Welch look at what accessibility really means for managers in Scouting
focus_FINAL.indd 6 12/01/2010 12:02
Diversity
Accessibility Guidelines for Written Resources (FS250062)Disabled Access to Buildings (FS270002) Please contact [email protected] with any further queries
more info
7scouts.org.uk/focus
Attracting volunteers and then keeping
them in Scouting is a challenge for all
volunteer managers. To be successful, we
need to make sure that we remove any
barriers that could put them off or act as a hindrance
to undertaking their role effectively. This is why we
need to do all we can to make individuals feel
welcome, valued and supported.
Accessibility means so much more than ‘special
needs’. It includes our ability to gain access to
anything or anyone that we want, such as a service, a
Jamboree, an event, a website or written materials.
Creating an open, welcoming and comfortable
atmosphere for anyone to operate in regardless of
their gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith,
social status or ability is important to The Scout
Association. This is essential if we are to develop as a
diverse organisation.
Challenging, where needed, the attitudes of those
we manage is vital if Scouting is to continue to evolve
as a relevant, diverse and dynamic youth movement in
the 21st Century.
Environment plays a big part in accessibility. We all
know that Scouting operates in both old and new
buildings and in buildings that are not always
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant.
However, what is important is how hard we try to
make our environment accessible to as many people
we can. There are grants that support this both from
Headquarters and external funders.
Social as well as the formal interaction we have in
Scouting should be true to the accessibility principle.
Social networking sites and other more modern
technologies have increased people’s access to one
another.
Sensitivity is very important in this area but it should
not become a barrier. We all need to feel comfortable
asking questions to help us become more aware and
to remove any obstacles that prevent people from
accessing Scouting.
Individual needs should inform planning and delivery
at all times and in all places and at all events.
Be prepared to step up to the challenge of raising
awareness around accessibility with those you
manage.
Information to support accessibility is widely
available from The Scout Association. There are a
number of factsheets that are downloadable from the
website. Furthermore, the Scout Information Centre
can point you in the right direction.
Legal compliance should not be the main driver for
inclusion, as we know the fundamental values of
Scouting underpin this area of work – we have a duty
to others
Inclusion is built on asking questions, not making
assumptions or acting on stereotypes.
Think hard, think creatively, think you can!
Yes, you do need to review your systems and ways of
working to enhance access for all.
focus_FINAL.indd 7 13/01/2010 14:01
8 Focus February/March 2010
Mum’s the word
What’s it like to be a parent in Scouting? Louise Coates and Vix Wallis share their experiences, pressures and expectations
focus_FINAL.indd 8 12/01/2010 12:02
9scouts.org.uk/focus
Flexible Scouting
Although parents face many challenges, support from their Group, District or County can help them to be fully involved in Scouting. For more information read the No-Nonsense Parents’ Guide to Scouting available at www.scouts.org.uk/parents
more info
The support of parents is vital if Scouting is to
work locally. Recruiting parents to Scouting
roles is a key task for managers in Scouting.
And as parents have a large number of
additional pressures, flexibility is essential. Thinking about
what parents have the time and skills to do is as
important as recruiting people in the first place.
Vix Wallis, Explorer Scout Leader, Fenham ExplorersAs a single parent my circumstances are quite unusual.
I was involved in Scouting for nearly 20 years before
I became pregnant with my first child. I had no intention
of giving up Scouting. However, I realised the difficulties
of being not only a parent in Scouting, but a single
parent too.
Many asked why I continue with Scouting under such
difficult circumstances, especially when Scarlett was a
baby, but Scouting is the only social support structure
I have in the absence of family. The help and support
of friends in Scouting is invaluable.
Simple way to support parents • Single parents often struggle financially. Does the
Group/District have spare equipment or other essential
things Scout leaders may need?
• Encourage provision for single parents (crèches, job
sharing etc.) at large organised events (including
national events).
• Take over the occasional weekly unit night, or run
a programme for a few weeks
• Ensure that new single mothers have support when
their baby is new born. Could you provide maternity
cover or a babysitter?
• Have flexible meetings (think about location and
timings).
• Make training easy and accessible – does it have
to be a weekend? Could you ask a Network member
or another leader to run some activities for the
children of single parents? Some Scout leaders are
trained nursery workers – could they be persuaded to
help?
• Offer to carry out simple tasks to help with activities
(do the shopping for camp – shopping takes a long time
with a toddler, or maybe go the night before to put
up some tents).
• Do your meetings have to take place weekly, or does
every leader have to be there every week? Is there the
possibility of job share? Could you offer a different role
with less time commitment if someone is struggling
with weekly meetings, for example summer camp
organiser, or fundraiser?
• Do you have appropriate facilities at your buildings?
Is there a baby change unit or a room for feeding or a
larger toilet that a pram/pushchair could be taken into?
• Make sure that single parents can take part in all
activities, including nights out with other leaders.
Louise Coates, ABSL, 5th Leek (St Mary’s R.C) As a lone parent, I’ve had quite a challenging experience
in Scouting. I’ve encountered issues such as being told I
can’t go to the County international camp as my two year
old would be too much trouble.
If crèches are not suitable for the event in question
allow leaders (or even young people with children) to take
an extra adult with them purely to look after their child
while they go off and do their Scouting. But please make
sure that the leader is not charged for this if possible.
Hopefully the people organising the event can afford to
fund these people attending as we need to support all
parents in Scouting.
More recently I have had issues trying to separate my life
as a Beaver Scout Leader from that of a Cub Scout parent.
It’s important to let them get on with running the Pack
and for me to stand back.
Lone parents have a big commitment to their children
but it doesn’t mean their enthusiasm for Scouting is less
than that of any other leader. If all lone parents quit we
would be very short of leaders indeed!
focus_FINAL.indd 9 13/01/2010 14:05
9scouts.org.uk/focus
Flexible Scouting
Although parents face many challenges, support from their Group, District or County can help them to be fully involved in Scouting. For more information read the No-Nonsense Parents’ Guide to Scouting available at www.scouts.org.uk/parents
more info
The support of parents is vital if Scouting is to
work locally. Recruiting parents to Scouting
roles is a key task for managers in Scouting.
And as parents have a large number of
additional pressures, flexibility is essential. Thinking about
what parents have the time and skills to do is as important
as recruiting people in the first place.
Vix Wallis, Explorer Scout Leader, Fenham ExplorersAs a single parent my circumstances are quite unusual.
I was involved in Scouting for nearly 20 years before
I became pregnant with my first child. I had no intention
of giving up Scouting. However, I realised the difficulties
of being not only a parent in Scouting, but a single
parent too.
Many asked why I continue with Scouting under such
difficult circumstances, especially when Scarlett was a
baby, but Scouting is the only social support structure
I have in the absence of family. The help and support
of friends in Scouting is invaluable.
Simple way to support parents • Single parents often struggle financially. Does the
Group/District have spare equipment or other essential
things Scout leaders may need?
• Encourage provision for single parents (crèches, job
sharing etc.) at large organised events (including
national events).
• Take over the occasional weekly unit night, or run
a programme for a few weeks
• Ensure that new single mothers have support when
their baby is new born. Could you provide maternity
cover or a babysitter?
• Have flexible meetings (think about location and
timings).
• Make training easy and accessible – does it have to be
a weekend? Could you ask a Network member or
another leader to run some activities for the children of
single parents? Some Scout leaders are trained nursery
workers, or other child care worker – could they be
persuaded to help?
• Offer to carry out simple tasks to help with activities
(do the shopping for camp – shopping takes a long time
with a toddler, or maybe go the night before to put
up some tents).
• Do your meetings have to take place weekly, or does
every leader have to be there every week? Is there the
possibility of job share? Could you offer a different role
with less time commitment if someone is struggling
with weekly meetings, for example summer camp
organiser, or fundraiser?
• Do you have appropriate facilities at your buildings?
Is there a baby change unit or a room for feeding or a
larger toilet that a pram/pushchair could be taken into?
• Make sure that single parents can take part in all
activities, including nights out with other leaders.
Louise Coates, ABSL, 5th Leek (St Mary’s R.C) As a lone parent, I’ve had quite a challenging experience
in Scouting. I’ve encountered issues such as being told I
can’t go to the County international camp as my two year
old would be too much trouble.
If crèches are not suitable for the event in question
allow leaders (or even young people with children) to take
an extra adult with them purely to look after their child
while they go off and do their Scouting. But please make
sure that the leader is not charged for this if possible.
Hopefully the people organising the event can afford to
fund these people attending as we need to support all
parents in Scouting.
More recently I have had issues trying to separate my life
as a Beaver Scout Leader from that of a Cub Scout parent.
It’s important to let them get on with running the Pack
and for me to stand back.
Lone parents have a big commitment to their children
but it doesn’t mean their enthusiasm for Scouting is less
than that of any other leader. If all lone parents quit we
would be very short of leaders indeed!
focus_FINAL.indd 9 12/01/2010 12:03
10 Focus February/March 2010
Why Scouting Skills matter
Adults thinking of volunteering often feel they do not have the necessary practical skills. If they can’t use a compass or hold an axe in the right way, how can they become a leader? The Adult Training Team suggests
how you as a manager can support the process of passing on these skills
and training new adults
focus_FINAL.indd 10 12/01/2010 12:03
11scouts.org.uk/focus
Scouting skills
‘I want kids to learn to start fires without matches,
build camps and climb mountains,’ our Chief
Scout said last year. ‘Our ancestors had these
skills for generations and now we are in danger
of losing them.’ None of this is possible however, unless
we have well trained leaders who feel confident about
teaching these skills.
Training teams across the country are therefore looking
at how they can work together with other District and
County teams to pass on those Scouting practical skills to
a new generation.
County and District skills daysMany Counties and Districts are now running skills days as
an annual or bi-annual events. Greater London North East
for example, had a Go For It Day; Humberside have a
Dabble Day and Surrey and Carmarthenshire have both
held similar skills days. Each welcomed over 100 leaders
who wanted to develop their skills.
But who is best placed to lead these events? Experts are
often older leaders, supporters, and specialist training
teams. A successful format is to run ‘drop-in’ sessions
where leaders can try their hand at learning a new skill, or
hone their existing skills. In Croydon they back up the
learning with their own skills book which the leaders can
dip into as part of running their section. There is also a
new book: A Complete Guide to Scouting Skills published
in March and available from www.scouts.org.uk/shop
Building a team Again, we are hearing that Counties are now recruiting a
team of people with specialist skills to be instructors.
Some are also appointing County Advisers for Skills, so
that the development of practical skills becomes part of
the County’s plan.
Choosing the format Some teams, such as West Lancashire’s, are running adult
Scouting skills courses (West Lancashire call theirs ‘Get
Knotted, Get Lost, Get Stuffed and Get Me Out Of Here!’)
to teach and refresh some basic knotting, map reading
and backwoods cooking. Many Districts also arrange
workshops as part of District’s ‘skills and chills’ weekends
for adults.
Most County teams, including Lincolnshire, are
incorporating practical skills into sectional training courses.
Often this involves having dedicated trainers for modules
covering practical skills, nights away and activities
outdoors.
In Maidstone East, the passing on of skills has evolved
over time. A couple of years ago they started with a
practical skills stall outside training courses and offered
things like mini pioneering, stoves, lamps, knots,
whippings, maps and compass work. Six months later
they offered a practical skills workshop, and they have
now run a practical skills day.
Joint events with young peopleIn Greenford District they run courses aimed at the young
people but leaders also attend to develop their skills too.
Courses include, camping, pioneering, water activities,
hiking, map and compass, hand, axe and knife, shooting,
archery as well as expedition training. By running them
with the young people and adults, the leadership gains
the knowledge on how to pass on the information to
young people as well as learning the skills themselves.
Many District camps now include practical skills within
their programme, making it a learning experience for
adults and young people alike. In some Districts they also
try to incorporate a practical skills session at their monthly
District meeting.
Passing it on We are all clear about the value of Scouting skills, so that
our leaders can in turn pass them on to our young people.
As managers in Scouting please try to incorporate it into
your development plans, encourage your leaders to
develop their experience and use the skills of the teams
around you to make it a reality.
focus_FINAL.indd 11 13/01/2010 14:07
12 Focus February/March 2010
All profi ts go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).
Making change happen
Bedford has had an extremely active and very
supportive Scout Fellowship for many years.
It supported the District in three distinct ways
- as the Service Crew for our District Campsite;
running our District Scout Shop and supporting District
events such as St George’s Day and our annual sponsored
Bridge Walk.
Inevitably, there is a crossover of personnel between the
three activities, however the Fellowship has always
provided consistent support for the District, and continues
to do so as a Scout Active Support Unit.
Starting off At the last Fellowship AGM the Chairman decided to retire
and a successor had not been put in place. Graeme Watt,
the District Commissioner, and as ADC (General Duties) I
had agreed that development of the Fellowship would be
on our list of priorities, and we agreed that this would be
added to my responsibilities. Then came the launch of
Scout Active Support and this gave us a much more
flexible way forward.
Responsibility for Scout Active Support now rests with
the District Commissioner rather than an elected
Committee. Given that there was no Chairman but an
active Fellowship, the decision was relatively easy – a brief
exchange of emails saw an agreement to ‘go for it’ and
the job of District Scout Active Support Manager was
added to my existing ADC (General Duties) appointment.
Getting things moving A meeting of the Fellowship Executive Committee was
scheduled for a few days after my appointment. Having
briefed the members I went along to the meeting where
the Executive Committee eagerly agreed to the change
happening straight away.
The only administrative task was for the Executive to
pass a resolution agreeing to pass its funds to the District
and close its own Bank Account. I left the meeting with a
cheque which was passed on to the District Treasurer to
be ring-fenced in the District Accounts as Scout Active
Support Unit funds.
Continued areas of support The three strands of support provided by the Unit continue
and I am currently looking to appoint Active Support
Coordinators for the Service Crew and the Scout Shop
elements. The Executive Committee act as the
Coordinators for our events and social activities. Our
District Appointments Secretary meanwhile keeps all the
membership records. One issue that we were able to
address easily was the status of our supporters – people
who supported the Fellowship by taking part in social and
fundraising activities but for whatever reason were neither
Have you made the move from
Fellowship to Scout Active
Support? Peter Davies (Scout
Active Support Manager)
explains how Bedford made
the transition and provides
useful tips for those about
to do the same
focus_FINAL.indd 12 12/01/2010 16:21
All profi ts go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).
Scout Active Support Scout Active Support
01903 766 921
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This recently revised sweatshirt has several new features.
It comes with an elasticated hem to give it more shape, contrast-ing purple piping on the cuffs,
neckband and hem, plus the of-fi cial Scouts logo embroidered on
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ScarfItem code: 1027248
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ScoutsBe Prepared
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back system
Members nor Associate Members. It was felt
that it would be most appropriate for them to
be registered as District Occasional Helpers,
thereby reducing paperwork and not running
the risk of losing anybody!
All in all, the transition has been totally
seamless. I was keen initially to keep the word
‘Fellowship’ in the Unit’s title. However the
Members were so taken with the whole idea of
moving things forward that once 31 December
2010 comes around we will officially become
Bedford District Scout Active Support Unit.
What happens next?I will be working with our District Explorer Scout
Administrator and our local Network. We’ll be
identifying Explorers coming up to 18 who may
be interested in joining the Scout Active Support
Unit in addition to the Network. I am also trying
at the moment to find a volunteer to take
on a Coordinator role to recruit 18-25 year old
members.
If you have a story worth sharing with others,
please let us know at
Peter Davies is ADC(GD) and Active Support Manager for Bedford District Scout Council.
more info
focus_FINAL.indd 13 12/01/2010 16:21
14 Focus February/March 2010
For more information please refer to www.scouts.org.uk/vbs or contact the Programme Team via the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818 or [email protected]
more info
Coming of ageFrom July 2010 Explorer Scouts will be required to move on from the section on or before their 18th birthday. Gemma Veitch provides the background
O ver the past few years we have received
feedback from the Movement showing the
current age flexibility, up to 18½ years old,
causes confusion in the Explorer Scout
section. This is particularly in relation to:
• lack of clarity as to the need for a CRB/Access Northern
Ireland disclosure*SV at 18 years old
• whether an individual can hold an adult appointment
and be an Explorer Scout at the same time – giving rise
to conflicting responsibilities and confusion about their
status
• confusion surrounding sleeping arrangements for
someone aged 18 to 18½ years old when on an
Explorer Scout event with fellow Explorers aged
between 14 and 18 years old
• the fact that The Scout Association’s Permit Scheme
applies to those aged 18 years old and over
• uncertainty regarding the position of Explorer Scout
Young Leaders aged between 18 and 18½ years old.
With the implementation of this change from July 2010
the above issues will be clarified.
How does this effect you? Although this change does not take effect until July 2010
it is worth thinking about it now and use the opportunity
to produce a strategy for moving Explorer Scouts on. It is
important that everyone takes on the responsibility to
ensure that these Members are supported and have full
understanding of the opportunities they have within the
Movement.
*SV Note: The legislation regarding the availability and applicability of disclosure checks is different in Scotland. For further details please contact Scottish Headquarters on 01383 419073 or [email protected]
focus_FINAL.indd 14 13/01/2010 14:08
15scouts.org.uk/focus
News
To find out more about bringing everyday adventure to life where you are, visit www.scouts.org.uk/brand
more info
Just how do you turn an Annual General Meeting into an everyday adventure? With a little imagination, youth input and by inspiring people across your community. UK Chief Commissioner Wayne Bulpitt challenges us to think differently
O n my travels around the UK I have seen many
examples of successful Annual General
Meetings. The best conduct the business
quickly and efficiently and then use the
opportunity to showcase the adventure of Scouting.
Focus on achievement For a Group, this is an ideal opportunity for you to engage
with parents, perhaps by involving their children in the
meeting and by celebrating your activities throughout
the year.
I would suggest that the more successful recruitment
is done discreetly by talking with participants rather than
making waspish remarks about lack of volunteers from the
top table. This is very embarrassing to sit through and puts
people off attending.
For Districts, and Counties your target audience should
be decision makers and influencers within your
community. In addition to the ‘chain gang’ (mayors and
dignitaries) why not be a little more creative? Invite along
members from other parts of your communities that you
wish to influence, including donors and potential donors.
The most successful meetings keep the
business brief and feature lots of input from
young people highlighting their achievements over
the past year and plans for the future.
Talking adventure As Scouting’s Everyday Adventure brand becomes ever
more recognised and associated with us, we need to keep
talking about it and bringing it to life in our planning,
activities and promotional work.
Don’t forget when planning your weekly and termly
programmes to ensure that they are also packed with
everyday adventure. Moreover, ensure that your contact
with parents and members of your local community at
whatever level also reflect this. Let’s use Annual General
Meetings to celebrate our great adventures!
Can AGMs be an everyday adventure?
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ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: CANOEING • CLIMBING • COASTEERING
GORGE WALKING • KAYAKING • SURFING • CAVING • WHITE WATER RAFTING
TEAM BUILDING • ASSAULT COURSE/ LOW ROPES • FIELD SKILLS
Nant Y Pobty Farm Coed Y Bryn, Llandysul Ceradigion, SA44 5LQ
Phone: 07787123761 [email protected]
Adventure Beyond is a family run centre
based in West Wales. We have venues and camping or bunk house accommodation
in St Davids, Cardigan Bay, Brecon Beacons.
Jethro MooreAdventure Beyond
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