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s u Foc teer for volunti e in z a g a m The Scou ng managersain 2010 09/J nuary 0 2 r e b m e c De

Into action We reveal your plans for Scout Active Support

90 and still fit!

Adult Training celebrates a big birthday

E H T G FACIN R E H T E G O T E R FUTU tions a r e n e g e h t across p i h s r e d a e l Scouting’s

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Your Adult Support Team Mark Flexman, UK Adviser for Adults in Scouting, Ben Storrar, Programme and Development Adviser (Adults in Scouting) Contact them at: focus@scout.org.uk adult.support@scout.org.uk appointment.process@scout.org.uk Adult Support Team The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford; London E4 7QW; Tel: 0845 300 1818 ADVERTISING Richard Ellacott richard.ellacott@ thinkpublishing.co.uk 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.

The Vetting and Barring Scheme will start to be implemented from July 2010 in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. One of the effects of this scheme for Scouting will be that everyone aged 18 years old or over will need to be registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

In order to reflect these arrangements and to clarify the distinction between young people and adults in the Association, it has been necessary to change the Explorer Scout section age flexibility with effect from July 2010.

Currently Explorer Scouts have until they are 18 ½ years old to move on from the section, but from July 2010 Explorer Scouts will be required move on from the Explorer Scout section before their 18th birthday. This rule change is effective across all areas of the UK. For full information please go to www. scouts.org.uk/vbs or contact the Scout Information Centre on 0845 3001818 or info.centre@scout.org.uk

Welcome

Starting over

As we reach December and start to think about 2010, this issue of Focus takes a reflective look back and a constructive look forward Think back on 2009; how has it gone for you? Consider the changes in your Scouting world and all your achievements, trials and experiences over the year.

What could have gone better? What surprised you by its success?

Taking these positive thoughts forward, there are a range of issues to catch your eye this issue. UK Chief Commissioner, Wayne Bulpitt talks about the challenges of recruiting effective managers. Meanwhile, Sheridan Allman UK Adviser (Diversity) takes a look at how generational change influences how people in Scouting manage others.

Getting organised How many of us give enough time to ensuring we have accurate records?

On the face of it, not a thrilling prospect, but as Natalie Tomlinson explains on page 12, it’s key if we want to retain members.

As we help the Adult Training Scheme celebrate its 90th birthday, we also start to see the benefits of a brand new element of Scouting: the transition from Fellowship to Scout Active Support. The old and the new continue to work well in Scouting.

Finally, preparations for The Big Adventure 2010 should start now. What better way to recruit willing adults than to invite them to a Scouting event in your part of the country?

Keep me up to date As always, I want to hear about your thoughts and experiences at focus@scout.org.uk For news and information for managers in Scouting, please visit www.scouts.org.uk

In Focus 4 Flexibility first Find out how how Scout Active Support is already making an impact

6 Early days Does our date of birth influence our management style?

8 Recipe for Success The Big Adventure is back and adult recruitment is on the menu

10 Training for the future Some of the best ideas from 90 years of adult training

11 Are you in touch?

The facts on the replacement for the Home Contact system

12 Paper free!

Reduce your workload online

13 Shaping the future together Bear inspires at the County Commissioners’ Conference

14 A child’s life is like a piece of paper Wayne Bulpitt’s new year thoughts

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y t i l i b i Flex first ort can provide supp s lt u ad at th ay w ort is a t what Scout Active Supp that suits them. Bu ay w le ib ex fl a ree in McManus asks th to local Scouting ra u La ? nd ou gr e on the em does this look lik ange means for th ch e th t ha w s er on County Commissi

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cout Active Support presents a different way to volunteer flexibly for The Scout Association. This alone should increase numbers of interested volunteers, but add to that fun, excitement, meeting new people, developing young people and learning new skills, and you begin to see the potential for the new framework.

Scout Active Support Units are a resource for local managers in Scouting to enhance Scouting in their Group, District or County. A Unit should fulfil an element of your Development Plan, increasing the availability of adventurous activities, planning a specific event, or taking the lead on recruitment and retention of new members.

‘It increases our flexible volunteering opportunities’ Ian Henderson County Commissioner for Lincolnshire

‘Scout Active Support will, in my opinion, give more adults the opportunity to volunteer within our County. It has the ability to increase flexible volunteering opportunities in Scouting. People with a busy lifestyle do not want make a weekly commitment, but do want to volunteer for Scouting.

‘I want to set up several County-based Units all tied in to our County Development Plan. For example, I will be 4

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creating a new Unit to solely work on “Want to Join” enquiries ensuring all enquiries are directed to the correct District or Group. It will be the responsibility of this Unit to work with and assist in the induction of each new member.

‘I also see a huge advantage of forming Scout Active Support Units, to assist with the management and provision of activities for Lincolnshire’s International Scout and Guide Camp: Poacher 2013.

‘By removing the administrative burden from the current Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer it will allow these people to give more active support to me and the County.’

‘A great way to retain Network members’ Olwen Brockway County Commissioner for Wiltshire

‘Wiltshire has a long tradition of support from members of the Scout Fellowship. There are no Group Fellowships at present although many Groups have supporters who in all but name fulfil that role. There are eight Districts in Wiltshire; two share a Fellowship and all but one of the others has a Fellowship of their own.

‘Our Network Units are expanding but although many go into leadership roles, members of Networks drift off.

Our Network Commissioner has been working hard to

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SCOUT ACTIVE SUPPORT

retain them, previously encouraging them to form a young Fellowship. The introduction of Scout Active Support presents the perfect opportunity.

‘We have already begun the process using our existing meetings and communication systems, briefing members at all levels, identifying needs and prioritising. We plan to have Scout Active Support Managers identified and in place by April 2010 and Active Support Units will begin to form under their guidance from May. Our existing Scout Fellowships will cease on 31 August. We plan to hold a thank you event for existing Scout Fellowships before that date.

Scout Active Support is an exciting development that will give us the opportunity to revitalise existing support and expand into areas not yet targeted.’

‘A pool of volunteers to call upon’ Ben Richardson County Commissioner for Greater London South East

‘The concept of Scout Active Support is a very positive one. I feel it can only help build the base of volunteers to support Scouting in the County. It not only offers the Groups, Districts and County a pool of volunteers to call on to support the preparation and running of events and activities, but also offers people a flexible way of

volunteering. In an increasingly demanding society, people need the opportunity to help out when they can.

‘This will further enable Scouting to become a realistic choice for those that cannot offer a weekly commitment.

Those that move on from Scout Network that have demanding careers or limited time to offer, can join Scout Active Support. They can continue to enjoy the activities and events they did as Scout Network members.

‘In Greater London South East, we are also looking at creating a group for those that wanted to keep in touch with Scouting, but as a retired member. This also retains longstanding volunteers that can continue to contribute should they so wish, in other ways that are also valuable to Scouting and its development.

‘By having both groups it should increase our adult volunteer capacity and our ability to develop and deliver first class Scouting to our young people!’

tell me about it We want to hear about your experiences of Scout Active Support, so please email active.support@scout.org.uk Resources and more information can be found at www.scouts.org.uk/activesupport

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Early days

How much do our early experiences shape our values and attitudes? Sheridan Allman, UK Adviser (Diversity) looks at how these influence each generation as they undertake their roles as managers

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DIVERSITY

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t may be that if you are reading this article now you are part of the Baby Boomer generation, born between 1946 and 1964. Baby Boomers make up a high proportion of the most senior managers in the UK and not surprisingly, this is as true in Scouting as in any other organisation. So what are the characteristics of this generation?

Baby boomers: liberal freethinkers

materially well off, with technology at their fingertips and instant communication with the world at large.

Permanently ‘plugged’ into something – they ‘surf’, ‘chat’, ‘blog,’ ‘twitter’ and ‘text’ their way through life, generally all at the same time! Increasingly from single parent or multi-family households, their social networking skills are highly developed but tend to be virtual rather than face to face. Their management style, still evolving, is likely to reflect these influences.

Communicate: By Facebook and text messaging

This group grew up in a world that was rebuilding and restructuring, and where social change was endemic.

Why does generational The Baby Boomers experienced the knowledge matter? swinging sixties, the women’s Baby Boomer Social research demonstrates that liberation movement and the first the generation to which an individual belongs leaves an large scale immigration into the UK from overseas. indelible mark in terms of values, norms and expectations.

With this kind of upheaval as the backdrop to their Loyalty, security, and work ethic are factors that people youth, Baby Boomers in general see themselves as liberal see differently from generation to generation. The younger (with a small ‘l’) and free thinking managers with a strong the individual is, the greater the emphasis they will place sense of equality and a collaborative, consensual style. on their own needs, work life balance and flexibility.

Above all, like their parents before them, they value loyalty, security and a strong work ethic.

So what should Scouting’s Communicate: Face to face, response be? letter and Linked-in ‘It is the responsibility of us all to be Generation X: informal, looking for our successors,’ says reliant and practical Mark Flexman, UK Adviser for Times however are changing and next Adults in Scouting. ‘We need to up are Generation X, born between develop those we manage and 1965 and 1980. Thatcher’s Britain was support them while they undertake Generation X their backdrop with the Falklands War, their role in a way that suits them. the miners’ strike and a struggling It is natural for this to vary among different generations economy. Exposed to more global influences through but these varying perspectives add richness and flavour television, Generation X rapidly evolved to embrace to everything we do. We need to ensure that roles are technology. Often with two parents working, their values flexible; both in the time people commit and how they tends to be built around self reliance and pragmatism. use their time. This is particularly important if we are going They are less interested in formal hierarchical structures to effectively engage with the upcoming generations and more concerned with a work life balance. As and stay a strong and growing movement.’ managers, Generation X tends to be technologically savvy, A shared value system quick to embrace change and equality, direct and A healthy organisation draws on the variety of styles consultative but at times not always subtle or empathic across the generations and plans in dealing with people. to evolve to be relevant to young Communicate: by email and Twitter people today. Scouting has a head Generation Y: well off, start as its managers may have plugged in, instant different life experiences but they communicators are connected through a shared Born between 1980 and the late value system. This gives us common 1990s, they spent their early years in goals and aspirations: peace and prosperity. They are a recipe for success.

Ge neration Y

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r o f e p i c Re success In 2009, over 900 Groups used The Big Adventure to recruit new adult volunteers. This year, cooking takes centre stage – but the principle remains simple: invite new adults to get involved with your events and give them a taste of volunteering

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o what is The Big Adventure? Quite simply, it’s a way to recruit new adults into Scouting. It is about inviting parents and other adults to take part in a camp or residential event as part of the leadership team. By taking an active part in the event they get to experience the highlights of Scouting, encouraging them to volunteer again in the future.

The Big Adventure is happening between 1 May and 31 August 2010. Any camp or event running during this time can be part of The Big Adventure, parents and other adults just need to be invited along.

Why do you need to know?

As managers in Scouting, your involvement is key to making The Big Adventure happen. Organising an exciting event that brings in many new adults is a chance to show them the very best Scouting has to offer - the fun, the variety and the opportunities to learn new skills.

Converting some of these adults into permanent volunteers is an opportunity that cannot be missed.

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How can you help?

Your input and enthusiasm can make sure these events happen. By offering support, those you line manage will feel empowered to get involved. You can help by identifying those Groups that need to recruit new adults and kick starting the event organisation.

Remember, parents don’t have to end up helping with a weekly section meeting. They may prefer to help on the Executive Committee, become a Scout Active Support member, or take on a District role.

Group Scout Leaders may want to use The Big Adventure to run a Group camp rather than encouraging sections to do it separately.

more info To find out more about The Big Adventure, visit www.scouts.org.uk/thebigadventure

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Training for the future

Happy Birthday Adult Train ing – 9 0 years yo u ng!

uting continues to After 90 years, adult training in Sco y need to carry out their equip volunteers with the skills the time? asks Samantha Marks roles. What have we learnt in that

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n 2004, a new scheme was developed to meet the needs of the 100,000 adults in Scouting.

The idea was to ensure the training could be recognised nationally but also delivered flexibly at a local level.

Five years on and Counties are still finding new and creative ways to deliver training to learners.

The next 90 years will take us to new places and different training but in the meantime, the current training scheme has a lot to offer line managers in Scouting.

Adults in Groups, Districts and Counties will enjoy their role in Scouting if they are confident, feel prepared and have learnt what they need to know. Here are some of the best ideas we’ve seen.

Taking the training to the learners Increasingly, training teams are attending events and making training easier to access.

Examples include: • Running modules on residential experiences and events • Trainers who have the time, giving one to one training to those only available during the day

Flexible Training Advisers It’s not just the Training teams who need to be flexible but the Training Adviser too. Examples include: • Drop in sessions on evenings or weekend • Visits to section meetings • Virtual messaging and video links • Creating a pool of Training Advisers.

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Promoting Scouting skills It’s not just training for the Wood Badge that the Counties are delivering. Teams are also resurrecting Scouting skills training, supporting Young Leaders, and helping with other needs with the Counties.

This is being offered in the form of special weekends and days, mentoring and some Counties are now appointing Skills Advisers to ensure it is part of the County remit.

Five great ways to enhance your Adult Training These examples show a range of approaches for flexible training options and these can be repeated elsewhere in Scouting. Training Advisers and managers should be working closely with line managers to make sure people are well trained, but that it is done to fit with people’s flexible, busy, ever-changing lifestyles.

Activities day The training team at Tolmers Campsite was able to offer nearly 30 adults in Scouting the opportunity to try over 130 learning experiences. The activities for the young people were staffed by the service crew and external contractors, so the learners were able to attend training without having to give up another evening or weekend. Certificates were awarded along with guidance on how to get their learning validated when they returned to their home Districts.

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Adult training

Breakfast club I am Local Training Manager for Bramshill Hampshire. I run regular breakfast validation sessions every half term for anyone to attend. I run small group welcome sessions for all new leaders, not including any actual training, so that they can learn how the modular system works. The session includes where to find module courses, how to apply, first aid and Nights Away information, how e-learning works and so on. I also answer any other questions they may have and give them their Adult’s Personal File then too.

Back to school In Kent, the training team now holds a module weekend, where they take over an entire school. Lots of classrooms, lots of trainers - lots achieved!

They offer most of the modules that a section leader needs, and people can attend the whole weekend, or just part of one.

Adults only weekend We have an annual adults only weekend in Petworth and Pulborough District. It is time when all adults involved in Scouting from the District can get together to learn practical skills should they wish to do so. Alternatively just chill out without having to look after our young members. This includes all adults in Scouting and those helping with the sections as well as members of the Executive Committee.

Practical demonstrations Frank Silk has amassed, over the years, a variety of folders crammed full of ideas for programmes, camps, activities and so on. During Module 1 training, he delivers practical demonstrations to show how things are made, how they work and gives information on what resources to use. He is always willing to go along to section meetings, both within our own District and neighbouring Districts to help the leaders with activities. Do you have a person like Frank who could help bring your training to life?

Are you InTouch?

As you may have read in the December/January issue of Scouting, the existing Home Contact system is being replaced by a new system called InTouch.

Rob Lyon explains what this means for local Scouting – and managers

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nTouch should make the lives of leaders easier through its flexibility. However it is not a ‘nice to have.’ It is a requirement for all Scouting activities, including normal weekly meetings, and not something that can just be ignored.

How will it affect you?

There should be little change for commissioners other than checking there is an InTouch system in place. It needs to be checked in the same way as the old Home Contact system when approving activities and events. Feedback from Commissioners in the trial areas has suggested that this doesn’t make for any extra work.

When does it take affect?

InTouch will be implemented across the UK between now and 1 September 2010. District Commissioners will need to decide when to move across from the Home Contact system in their District, after discussion with their leaders and Group Scout Leaders. County Commissioners will make this decision for their Networks. more info Full details of InTouch can be found at www.scouts.org.uk/intouch and in the factsheet InTouch (FS120075).

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Paper free!

Are you an Appointments Secretary or other Administrator? Are you in charge of ‘want to join’ enquires in your District or County?

Bogged down with paperwork? If so, help is at hand says Natalie Tomlinson

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ou’ll know how valuable is it having accurate records of your adult volunteers. You might spend time shuffling paper or producing your own systems to record the details of the adults in your District or County.

Safe and secure The online database at www.scouts.org.uk has developed over the last couple of years and is a safe and secure way of recording the details of Scouting members. It allows you to add appointments, update training and a host of other benefits.

Once you have provided all of the information you can take advantage of the following benefits for you and your members:

Why add an adult to the membership system?

More info For more information on the ‘want to join’ process, see www.scouts.org.uk/ join For further details on the appointment process, see www.scouts. org.uk/appointment. Appointments Secretaries should see the User Guide for Appointments Secretaries, which provides information on how to use the online appointment process system.

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• Details stored on a secure system • Six issues of Scouting magazine a year • ScoutingPlus – a weekly e-newsletter • An annual appointment (membership) card • Thank you letters and birthday mailings • Personalised email updates • Awards will be automatically sent • Review dates and appointment process can be managed

When we know that our members’ records are up to date, we can be sure that we will be communicating with the right people. It makes it easier for us to send information to people based on their roles, interests and views.

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CC CONFERENCE

Shaping Scouting’s future Were you among the two hundred Scouting adult volunteers and young people who joined former athlete Steve Cram and Chief Scout Bear Grylls at Daventry to shape the future of Scouting?

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he County Commissioner’s Conference was the culmination of workshops and consultations that have taken place across the UK over the past twelve months gathering the views of thousands of Scouting volunteers and young people on Scouting’s future.

Jim Hopkins, 27, an adult Scout volunteer from Ceredigion in Wales said: ‘For me, as a relatively new Area Commissioner, it was very useful to hear others’ experiences and have input towards Scouting’s future.’

Arrowhead Flashing LED Adult Scarf Item code: 1027389

£12

Rachel Ruddock, a nominated youth representative on The Scout Association’s volunteer led governing body, said: ‘It was great to see everyone working together in such a constructive way. Steve Cram’s speech on Saturday morning was surprisingly relevant to The Scout Association – I hadn’t expected that what he’d tell us about athletics would be quite so similar to Scouting.’

Rikki Harrington, a participant from Hertfordshire summed the weekend up saying, ‘It was totally engaging, inspiring, hugely enjoyable and productive. A fantastic step in the building of Scouting’s 2012-2018 strategy.’

Find out more about Scouting’s plans for 2018 at www.scouts.org.uk/2018

i.Scout Embroidered Hoodie

i.Scout Printed Hoodie

£19.57

£19.57

Item code: 1026128R (Dk grey)

Item codes: 1027208R (Pink) 1026164R (Dk Grey)

Sizes S-XL

01903 766 921 Be Prepared Waterman Rollerball Pen

Item code: 1024579

£22

With the Scout Arrowhead logo, this scarf is perfect for wearing on a campsite, day or night. Replaceable batteries (ref: 1027403) available – two for £1.

Be Prepared Laptop Bag

Item code: 1027383

A Waterman pen in a gift box, in the popular rollerball style.

Adorned with the Scout logo.

Ideal for gifts or to treat yourself.

£15

Suitable for laptops with a 15” screen size, with three separate compartments, the middle one being padded.

Sizes S-XXL The very popular i.Scout hoodie makes a great Christmas gift or even buy one for yourself.

All profits go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).

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SCOUTING CHANGES LIVES

‘A child’s life is like a piece of paper’

I’m penning this at the end of a week of mixed emotions, says Wayne Bulpitt. It’s been one which has reminded me that we should not underestimate the impact that our leaders can have on the lives of young people

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o matter how long young people are with us or how often they attend, we have a major impact on the lives of young people.

Someone once said: ‘A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.’

What sort of mark are you making?

As managers, we have a duty to understand why members may have different attitudes, values and priorities so we can provide the right support and resources.

Understanding our differences Sheridan writes persuasively on page six about the differences between generations, a key theme in our research into the next phase of our vision. Understanding what motivates different generations is critical if we are to ensure that future generations benefit from Scouting’s positive impact.

This has recently been brought home to me as we have been searching for a Chief Commissioner of England. The expectations that many have for roles such as these make 14

it very challenging if we are serious about appointing younger and more diverse leadership teams. These challenges apply equally at local and County level as nationally. But are we ready to challenge those perceptions?

Making plans As we look to make our New Year resolutions, don’t wish for the impossible. Take a minute to step back and perhaps review what you have done over the past year and how, with the benefit of hindsight, you might have done it differently. Also, perhaps think of one or two things you can and will do to make that dream come true for some of the 30,000 young people wanting to join. You may just be surprised how relatively easy it is to challenge the status quo and make those wishes come true. keep in touch Follow my blog at www.scouts.org.uk/ccblog

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