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How diverse is your team?

Time to bring in fresh ideas

Get away!

How International Fellowships can help you

G N I T R SUPPO SCOUTING BETTER lpitt, u B e n y a W er IntroducingUK Chief Commission our first

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Unity is owned by The Scout Association Registered Charity no. 306101 (England and Wales) and SCO38437 (Scotland). Unity is just one of a number of insurance providers available to members of Scouting.

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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 Senior Sales Executive: Tom Fountain tom@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.

BE PART OF IT!

Welcome

Bright horizons June and July is when Scouting really moves outdoors. While you’re tracking down last year’s sun screen or tightening guy ropes at your first summer camp, Ben Storrar invites you to look wider still There’s already an exciting start to the summer as we welcome in Bear Grylls, our next Chief Scout and Wayne Bulpitt, our new UK Chief Commissioner. I’m sure you will offer them both your full support in their new roles.

And what better way to continue than with some international Scouting?

Ideas for camps (at all levels) and trips always seem better against the backdrop of summer. Be surprised by the continuing global appeal and possibilities of Scouting on page 8.

A word of thanks

Good luck with your Big Adventure – don’t forget to tell us about your event at big.adventure@scout.org.uk Check www.scouts.org.uk/ thebigadventure to find out what others are doing.

Hopefully a brand new appointment card arrived in your last issue of Scouting.

We issue appointment cards partly to recognise the time and commitment of adults in Scouting. Why not add your personal thanks to leaders when you see them?

Elsewhere, the appointment process continues to bed in across the UK while we also focus on training, diversity and Network, with articles on a range of issues – all designed to help you as managers in Scouting.

Keep me up to date As always, I want to hear about your experiences at focus@scout.org.uk.

For news, links and other useful information for managers in Scouting, drop in on www.scouts.org.uk

In Focus 4 Let’s work together Why our new UK Chief Commissioner is looking forward with optimism

6 Variety shows A look at the benefits and challenges of managing a diverse team

8 Get away!

A closer look at International

Scout Fellowships and how Network Russia is supporting young people from Middlesborough to Moscow

10 Taking the lead How much do young people themselves shape Network in your patch? Network ...

Taking the Lead can help turn things around

12 Training for success Why is it that adult training works better in some areas than others? A recent survey highlights some simple learning points

14 Welcome news A catch up on the appointment process and some practical support if you’re running behind

scouts.org.uk/focus

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15/5/09 13:06:38

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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 Senior Sales Executive: Tom Fountain tom@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.

BE PART OF IT!

Welcome

Bright horizons June and July is when Scouting really moves outdoors. While you’re tracking down last year’s sun screen or tightening guy ropes at your first summer camp, Ben Storrar invites you to look wider still There’s already an exciting start to the summer as we welcome in Bear Grylls, our next Chief Scout and Wayne Bulpitt, our new UK Chief Commissioner. I’m sure you will offer them both your full support in their new roles.

And what better way to continue than with some international Scouting?

Ideas for camps (at all levels) and trips always seem better against the backdrop of summer. Be surprised by the continuing global appeal and possibilities of Scouting on page 8.

A word of thanks

Good luck with your Big Adventure – don’t forget to tell us about your event at big.adventure@scout.org.uk Check www.scouts.org.uk/ thebigadventure to find out what others are doing.

Hopefully a brand new appointment card arrived in your last issue of Scouting.

We issue appointment cards partly to recognise the time and commitment of adults in Scouting. Why not add your personal thanks to leaders when you see them?

Elsewhere, the appointment process continues to bed in across the UK while we also focus on training, diversity and Network, with articles on a range of issues – all designed to help you as managers in Scouting.

Keep me up to date As always, I want to hear about your experiences at focus@scout.org.uk.

For news, links and other useful information for managers in Scouting, drop in on www.scouts.org.uk

In Focus 4 Let’s work together Why our new UK Chief Commissioner is looking forward with optimism

6 Variety shows A look at the benefits and challenges of managing a diverse team

8 Get away!

A closer look at International

Scout Fellowships and how Network Russia is supporting young people from Middlesbrough to Moscow

10 Taking the lead How much do young people themselves shape Network in your patch? Network ...

Taking the Lead can help turn things around

12 Training for success Why is it that adult training works better in some areas than others? A recent survey highlights some simple learning points

14 Welcome news A catch up on the appointment process and some practical support if you’re running behind

scouts.org.uk/focus

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18/5/09 17:28:30

Let’s wo These are exciting times for Scouting: a new Chief Scout and, for the first time, a UK Chief Commissioner in Wayne Bulpitt. It’s a powerful combination. But how does it feel to be leading a team of national volunteers and what advice does he have for other managers in Scouting? Chris James finds out

W

ayne is no stranger to big challenges.

A Trustee of The Scout Association since 2001, he also has extensive experience of managing adults. He has overall responsibility for volunteer leadership in the Association, and in particular Chief Commissioners, UK Commissioners and the International Commissioner. But, we will discover, he has not forgotten what it’s like being a local volunteer manager coping with a variety of local issues.

‘I believe that we can be professional without losing sight of the fact that this is our hobby. Having fun along the way is very important!’

What’s the best way to support volunteers?

As a manager in Scouting, I’m somebody to bounce ideas off, somebody to provide good support should they need it, perhaps for a meeting or particular activity and to provide honest feedback from time to time. Most importantly I hope to have regular contact, both informal and formal, as well as building an effective team through meetings and interaction. I believe that we can be 4

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professional without losing sight of the fact that this is our hobby. Having fun along the way is very important!

What are the big challenges facing Scouting today?

Probably the biggest single challenge is the number of young people presently waiting to join us. I’m also concerned that of the adults who volunteered to help us last year over 30 per cent received no response to their offer. I hope to promote greater flexibility starting with the example of the joint appointment of Bear and myself.

Where are the areas we need to concentrate our resources?

In reality, more people will enjoy this hobby of ours if we provide more effective support for our line managers. One way to do this is to focus our resources on the recruitment, development and support of people that will themselves enjoy managing other adults as their hobby.

What would you say to a manager in Scouting who is demotivated?

I am sure we all feel like this from time to time. I have certainly had my moments dealing with a dispute or sat in a meeting thinking how much nicer it looks outside. In the short term, I always find it good to remember why my

Focus June/July 2009

15/5/09 13:06:55

UK Chief Commissioner

r e h t e g o t k r o w more info See page 23 of the June/July issue of Scouting to find out more about Wayne. You can email Wayne at ukcc@scout.org.uk or write to him at The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, E4 7QW

hobby is so important to me, namely, the immense benefits it brings to young people.

Often I think we get sidetracked by internal politics or detail and lose sight of what Scouting is really about.

If the demotivation continues then it is almost certain that you are in the wrong role and that a conversation with your line manager is overdue. We should also not be frightened to take a break from time to time.

Will you be looking for best practice outside The Scout Association and bring in external expertise?

There’s a huge number of good ideas in the Movement and I am hoping to promote these first. But working with others is beneficial too. One example is Project YOU, an initiative led by the Metropolitan Police and which the Association is working closely with The Prince’s Trust and other youth organisations. If successful in London, there are plans to roll it out across the UK with Scouting at the forefront.

Where is Scouting going?

Scouting is at its most successful where we have motivated leaders delivering exciting activities to young people. Fortunately, we have lots of these – but we need to stay motivated and well supported. We presently enjoy a high public profile, an excellent programme and a range of activities that is second to none. As we look forward to the next 10 years I want us to work towards a Movement where every single young person who wants to join Scouting, can. I also want us to welcome and support every suitable adult who wants to get involved in our great work. scouts.org.uk/focus

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Variety shows S

couting relies on groups of adults who work effectively together as a team. In fact, there are not many, if any, roles in Scouting that work in isolation. It is easy to have an insider perspective when we belong to a group, because ‘I fit in’ and ‘I am comfortable’. The danger with this is that we assume that other people (those on the outside) would feel the same.

When we look at the groups we belong to how much variety is there in terms of age, perspectives, ethnicity, religion and so on? Not only is the question important because we want to make sure we are welcoming and inclusive of all people but because a diverse team is an enriched team. People with different backgrounds, skills, attitudes and experiences bring fresh ideas and insights.

We should therefore be actively seeking to make our teams diverse believing that the differences the individuals bring will make it more effective.

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Breaking from the past Sometimes we are so used to seeing a particular person fill a particular role, that we can find that we fill a vacancy with the same kind of person. Over time, there is a danger that we also find ourselves believing that a certain type of person is best suited to the role. These subtle perceptions, which are sometimes hard to identify even within ourselves, can limit recruitment and the way we value people.

To help us overcome this natural bias it is useful to review your recruitment strategy.

Look at: • using a diverse team to recruit to the position • your actions – are you ready to welcome new and different people?

• the places where you communicate - what audience is it reaching?

• the messages, language and terms you use –

Focus June/July 2009

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Diverse teams

g a diverse team and Claire Welch looks at the benefits of managin be to meet a 25-year-old finds out why it’s not as surprising as it might ip) Assistant County Commissioner (Scout Fellowsh

are they accessible and welcoming to all?

• the images – do they portray the diversity in Scouting?

or experience. The best teams are made up of a variety of people and Scouting is no exception.

A surprising appointment?

Our challenge

I caught up with Sarah Jones, who at the age of 25 took on the role of Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Scout Fellowship, to find out her views on this subject.

Using Sarah as an example is not to say that all ACC (Scout Fellowships) should or shouldn’t be young but to simply challenge our own perceptions. It’s important that we give roles to people on their own merits, otherwise our own constraints and prejudices can limit them, and us.

We need to also recognise that getting the right person for the role, is also about getting the right person for our team.

So, let’s challenge ourselves and think wider when we recruit to our teams. We can all benefit from the enrichment of the range of skills, experiences and perspectives that comes with having a diverse team.

‘It is perhaps seen as unusual for someone my age to be an ACC (Scout Fellowship). People do appear surprised when I tell them and often make jokes. But to me the role fits my skills and interests. I feel that I am a valued member on my County team, that my background, age and experience help me to offer a useful perspective’.

When considering why people take on certain roles within Scouting, it is helpful to concentrate on their ideas, talent and interests, rather than their age, gender

scouts.org.uk/focus

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Get away!

A group of leaders are planning a summer adventure abroad. As a manager in Scouting, would you be able to help them? Fortunately there are people around the UK only too willing to offer you active support and advice

A

cross the United Kingdom there are seven national Fellowships offering support to anyone in Scouting wanting an international adventure. Whether it’s a summer camp for Scouts, an Explorer Belt Expedition or a service visit for Scout Network, they are there to help.

As well as planning advice and local knowledge, International Fellowships also provide programme material and resources. Typically, they also have well established links to other groups in other countries. This means that the Beavers and Cubs can also share in the adventure as part of their balanced programme or even the International Group Award.

First hand knowledge The close links nurtured by the Fellowships mean that each one is well placed to be able to share a wealth of first hand knowledge, advice and local information with the planning team.

And if you don’t think your Groups can manage a visit abroad, International Fellowships can help bring the world 8

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Fly away

Destinations covered by International Fellowships include: • Africa • Russia • Arabian Peninsula • Serbia • Montenegro • Kandersteg International Scout Centre, Switzerland to you. Remember Operation Ho Ho – the Home Hospitality Programme from the 2007 World Scout Jamboree? International Fellowships have been actively promoting, and supporting exchanges with foreign Scouts and their leaders for many years, offering Groups, Districts and Counties very different summer adventure at home.

Case study: Network Russia As the name implies, this Fellowship provides assistance to Groups, Districts and Counties wishing to travel to Russia.

Focus June/July 2009

15/5/09 13:07:54

Get away!

A group of leaders are planning a summer adventure abroad. As a manager in Scouting, would you be able to help them? Fortunately there are people around the UK only too willing to offer you active support and advice

A

cross the United Kingdom there are seven national Fellowships offering support to anyone in Scouting wanting an international adventure. Whether it’s a summer camp for Scouts, an Explorer Belt Expedition or a service visit for Scout Network, they are there to help.

As well as planning advice and local knowledge, International Fellowships also provide programme material and resources. Typically, they also have well established links to other groups in other countries. This means that the Beavers and Cubs can also share in the adventure as part of their balanced programme or even the International Friendship Partnership Award.

First hand knowledge The close links nurtured by the Fellowships mean that each one is well placed to be able to share a wealth of first hand knowledge, advice and local information with the planning team.

And if you don’t think your Groups can manage a visit abroad, International Fellowships can help bring the world 8

focus_6709.indd 8

Fly away

Destinations covered by International Fellowships include: • Africa • Russia • Arabian Peninsula • Serbia • Montenegro • Kandersteg International Scout Centre, Switzerland to you. Remember Operation Ho Ho – the Home Hospitality Programme from the 2007 World Scout Jamboree? International Fellowships have been actively promoting, and supporting exchanges with foreign Scouts and their leaders for many years, offering Groups, Districts and Counties very different summer adventures at home.

Case study: Network Russia As the name implies, this Fellowship provides assistance to Groups, Districts and Counties wishing to travel to Russia.

Focus June/July 2009

18/5/09 17:29:22

International

As part of these types of events it can also provide ad-hoc training sessions for groups of Scouts and leaders, or be part of a larger training group. Each Fellowship can tailor the support needed to the Group, District or County and each year the range of different adventures varies from study visits to expeditions and jamborees.

Every year Network Russia conducts a winter expedition to Losovo, north of St. Petersburg on the frozen Lake Ladoga were young people can experience conditions not likely to be encountered in the UK or more southern European countries. For those Explorer Scouts and Scout Network working towards their Duke of Edinburgh or the service element of the Queen’s Scout Award, service visits offer a unique opportunity to work in foreign countries, meet local people whilst making a positive difference to local communities. This experience, offered by some of the International Fellowships is also open to adults, who are looking for a different summer adventure.

Two major visits to orphanages south of Moscow have been mounted in the past five years. These visits tend to last for just over two weeks and there is also the opportunity of extending the friendships to a more individual level by maintaining contact with the

N

S

SCOUT SHOPS

EQUIPPED FOR ADVENTURE

scouts.org.uk/shop 01903 766 921

orphanages, children and staff. In 2007, during one of these visits, the members of the groups, made up of Explorer Scouts and leaders from all over the UK, carried gift boxes packed by a Scout Group in Kingston-onThames under the Gifts for Peace programme.

These were distributed to the children at two orphanages as Christmas presents and we know that they would really have been appreciated since many of these children do not enjoy the gift-giving processes that we have here in the UK and in many cases simply don’t have any personal possessions at all. It’s hard to visualise and has to be seen to be really appreciated.

i.SCOUT Polo Shirts Item code: 1026117R

£11.74 i.SCOUT T-Shirts Item code: 1026102R

£7.83

more info Further information and contacts for the International Fellowships can be found at www.scouts.org.uk/fellowship

Scout Towel

Item code: 1024948

£13

Recta Comet Keyring/ Compass/ Thermometer Item code: 1026835 RRP £10.99

Made from 100% cotton, this is ideal for any camping trip or holiday. Size: 153x75cm

£9.95

The Big Adventure Pen Item code: 1026913

£1

This year’s big event is The Big Adventure. Take a note of the names of your new recruits with this branded pen!

Get ready for summer with the i.SCOUT clothing and souvenirs.

The polo shirts come in black, orange and purple, the t-shirts in the same colours and also in kiwi.

Sizes are S-XXL, XXXL (Black only).

This is multi-function item, including liquid capsule and jewel bearing compass card.

The ruler measures in cm and the thermometer in Celcius.

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

focus_6709.indd 9

15/5/09 13:08:08

International

As part of these types of events it can also provide ad-hoc training sessions for groups of Scouts and leaders, or be part of a larger training group. Each Fellowship can tailor the support needed to the Group, District or County and each year the range of different adventures varies from study visits to expeditions and jamborees.

Every year Network Russia conducts a winter expedition to Losovo, north of St. Petersburg on the frozen Lake Ladoga where young people can experience conditions not likely to be encountered in the UK or more southern European countries. For those Explorer Scouts and Scout Network working towards their Duke of Edinburgh or the service element of the Queen’s Scout Award, service visits offer a unique opportunity to work in foreign countries, meet local people whilst making a positive difference to local communities. This experience, offered by some of the International Fellowships is also open to adults, who are looking for a different summer adventure.

Two major visits to orphanages south of Moscow have been mounted in the past five years. These visits tend to last for just over two weeks and there is also the opportunity of extending the friendships to a more individual level by maintaining contact with the

N

S

SCOUT SHOPS

EQUIPPED FOR ADVENTURE

scouts.org.uk/shop 01903 766 921

orphanages, children and staff. In 2007, during one of these visits, the members of the groups, made up of Explorer Scouts and leaders from all over the UK, carried gift boxes packed by a Scout Group in Kingston upon Thames under the Gifts for Peace programme.

These were distributed to the children at two orphanages as Christmas presents and we know that they would really have been appreciated since many of these children do not enjoy the gift-giving processes that we have here in the UK and in many cases simply don’t have any personal possessions at all. It’s hard to visualise and has to be seen to be really appreciated.

i.SCOUT Polo Shirts Item code: 1026117R

£11.74 i.SCOUT T-Shirts Item code: 1026102R

£7.83

more info Further information and contacts for the International Fellowships can be found at www.scouts.org.uk/fellowship

Scout Towel

Item code: 1024948

£13

Recta Comet Keyring/ Compass/ Thermometer Item code: 1026835 RRP £10.99

Made from 100% cotton, this is ideal for any camping trip or holiday. Size: 153x75cm

£9.95

The Big Adventure Pen Item code: 1026913

£1

This year’s big event is The Big Adventure. Take a note of the names of your new recruits with this branded pen!

Get ready for summer with the i.SCOUT clothing and souvenirs.

The polo shirts come in black, orange and purple, the t-shirts in the same colours and also in kiwi.

Sizes are S-XXL, XXXL (Black only).

This is multi-function item, including liquid capsule and jewel bearing compass card.

The ruler measures in cm and the thermometer in Celcius.

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

focus_6709.indd 9

18/5/09 17:29:52

Taking Lead T

his we know – lots of Network members are also local leaders or instructors in their County.

Many others take on additional responsibilities, such as being a member of the District/County Executive Committees which can, in many cases, be a daunting task. Inevitably, this leaves limited time to fit everything in.

Scout Network is run by its members for its members, with the support of a leadership team. However, even with this support, Network members still need additional training to help them understand the workings of their own Executive Committee and also of a District/County Executive Committee.

Practical support

Not everyone is clear about the role of Network members in determining their own programme and activities.

Fortunately the resource Scout Network . . . Taking the Lead should provide the answers – and help build member’s skills

10

focus_6709.indd 10

Scout Network ... Taking the Lead has been developed to help promote the active participation of Network members in the day-to-day running of their section. It also gives support to those who participate in other forms of representing the Network. The resource helps members develop life long skills and can be used as part of the Skills and Development Self Development Area.

It is important that Network members involved in decision making at a local, District and County level remember that the County has overall responsibility for the section’s provision. Members need to be represented and are given the correct tools to enable them to have their say with confidence.

What’s inside?

In a nutshell, the resource will help leaders and commissioners support Network members in building up their leadership skills.

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ng the The resource is divided into four sections: • Being a Scout Network member • Building skills outside Scout Network • Being on the Network committee • The extras It is made up of various modules which are all closely linked with the Adult Training Scheme. If a Network member completes modules within Taking the Lead this can be used within the validation section of the Adult Training modules.

Scout Network

‘Following the training weekend at Bradley Wood we went back into our County and began re-energising Scout Network. Using the resources from Taking the Lead enabled us to put in place an effective County Scout Network Committee. Since November it has met regularly and worked together to move Scout Network forward. Our numbers have grown by around 40 members taking our total to over 70. Talking to people from other Counties really helped. We were able to share best practice and the resource backed this up. It meant we had the tools to do what we needed.’

Phil Bennett, North Yorkshire

more info For your copy of Scout Network . . . Taking the Lead please visit: www.scouts.org.uk/takingthelead If you have any queries or would like the Scout Network team to support and run a Taking the Lead training weekend please contact us at programme@scout.org.uk

Training weekends Scout Network ... Taking the Lead was launched at the 2008/9 round of the Development, Advice and Support days. Following this we have presented a number of Taking the Lead training weekends from the North East to South London with positive feedback from all involved.

During these weekends we have involved the County Training Managers who have come along to gain a better understanding of the Scout Network section. This has helped them support the training of Scout Network Leaders and Commissioners as well as appreciate Network members and their involvement in the running of the section.

‘Taking the Lead is great for building up a Network Training Weekend especially for those who don’t have many links with Network - and adding in the imagination of lead trainers and County Training Managers it just gets better and better!’

Steve Brownless, Humberside

scouts.org.uk/focus

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Training success A recent national report on adult training has drawn some interesting conclusions.

Focus looks at what these findings could mean for District teams and Group Scout Leaders

L

et’s be honest, how many of your learners complete their training? Many Training Managers are concerned about the motivation of learners and rightly so.

While many complete their training in good time, there seems to be a number who do not. Why is this?

When learners are new, there is usually a push to get them started on training. Getting Started training is often locally delivered and learners are encouraged to complete it in order to obtain their full appointments. But what happens to the encouragement and support after this?

Where things go right If you look at Districts and Groups where learners are motivated, some key actions are taking place: • District Commissioners and Group Scout Leaders are regularly reviewing where the volunteers are in their training • Encouragement and support for learners to complete their training is coming from Group Scout Leaders and the District Team • Completion of modules and Wood Badges are highlighted as achievements in Groups • Districts and Training Managers are working together to ensure leaders are well trained.

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If we all work on this next year a lot more than the current 55 per cent of the training managers will be happy with their links with Districts in encouraging learners to complete.

What about Training Advisers?

In most places we could do with more Training Advisers. The feedback from over 80 per cent of learners is that their Training Adviser is useful and motivates them. As you would expect, many Training Managers have the recruitment of Training Advisers high on their action plans.

But could you help recruit more?

After all, District and Groups are best placed to know local adults.

Things you could do to help might be: • encouraging people to think about the role of Training Adviser • selling the benefits locally of people being Training Advisers (it has a direct impact

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15/5/09 13:08:48

ng for s on our ability to provide good quality local Scouting) • encouraging and recognising the Training Advisers you have.

Often Districts would like to have more training delivered locally, but most training teams are just not big enough to achieve this. Many Training Managers are looking to grow their training teams to provide better and more flexible support for learning.

Where are the trainers going to come from? You’ve guessed it, the Districts and Groups again. Think of the benefits of having someone locally in the training team who can help with local delivery. You can help the training managers achieve this by thinking about the following:

Adult training

• Are there people in your District who deliver training at work?

• Are there people who are good at presenting?

• Would someone you know possibly enjoy helping other adults learn in Scouting?

• Could you encourage them to think about delivering training in Scouting?

Your Training Manager will help potential trainers work towards and gain validations for the necessary trainer modules. With larger training teams, more flexible training can be delivered.

more info Remember, we train our adults so that they deliver the best quality Scouting for our young people. We can all help in achieving this. For more information contact the Adult Support team at adult.support@scout.org.uk

scouts.org.uk/focus

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Welcome new A

sking the right question in the right way is the best way to ensure adults in Scouting are using their time and skills effectively. As we’ve explained in previous issues of Focus, October 2008 saw the introduction of a new appointment process around the country. The new process was devised by a volunteer and staff team, trialled around the country and aims to make sure all adults are appointed appropriately. As line managers in Scouting, we need your help to make this happen.

As you may know, all Counties must be using the new appointment process by 5 October 2009. Encouragingly, the feedback we’ve had since last October, suggests that most of you are finding the change to be simple and the accompanying training (Module 37) easy to run.

Getting more adults into Scouting and keeping them has been a challenge for the last century, says Ben Storrar. In this update on the appointment process project, he suggests that the way we welcome and appoint adults to Scouting roles is key to making this happen

But why is the change necessary?

To make sure that we appoint people in the right way, we have identified that the process needs to be: • easy to understand • simple to operate • efficient • welcoming and non threatening • robust (in ensuring adequate checks happen) • effective (in placing people in appropriate roles).

What needs to be in place by 5 October?

There are three steps towards making the transition to the appointment process to give you something to aim for: • Appointment of an Appointments Secretary (this might be your existing Appointments Secretary) • Completion of Module 37 training • First applicant receiving a provisional appointment under the new process.

What is the process for transition?

Many Counties/Districts have already let us know that they have completed their Module 37 training and started to appoint 14

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Focus June/July 2009

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ws

Appointing adults

people in the new roles. County Commissioners (or nominated person) need to co-ordinate their responses, making sure that they work with the County Training Manager to ensure Module 37 training courses take place.

Once they are sure that enough people are in place, we ask that they email transition@scout.org.uk to let us know that they have made progress.

AT A GLANCE • Individual Districts can ‘move over’ ahead of others in their County, providing the County Commissioner is aware of it.

• The new appointment process includes new and amended roles. The Appointments Secretary role for example, has changed considerably: the use of the Member Admin area at www.scout.org.uk/appointment for example is now a key part.

• You can use the ‘old’ (pink) AA forms until you are using the new process, or until 5 October.

From October, all Counties and Districts must be using the ‘new’ (blue) form.

• Within the next few weeks, we will be contacting all Counties who have not yet started to use the new process to offer support to ensure that all Counties are able to transfer to the new process by 5 October.

• From October 2009, the new appointment process will be the only supported way to appoint adults in Scouting and the previous process will no longer be available.

Where can I find support?

There are a number of support materials (including five books) on the appointment process to help explain how to make the transition. These can be downloaded free from www.scouts. org.uk/appointment or ordered (as photocopied, print to order resources from the Scout Information Centre).

The Appointment Process Implementation Team of staff and volunteers are also there to provide the County Commissioner with any support required in getting their County onto the new process. This may mean an explanation of the process, assistance with explaining the changes or help with the new training module. We can only help if asked, so please email appoinment.process@scout.org.uk For more information on the appointment process, visit www.scouts.org.uk/appointment, email appointment. process@scout.org.uk or contact the Scout Information Centre. scouts.org.uk/focus

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ws

Appointing adults

people in the new roles. County Commissioners (or nominated person) need to co-ordinate their responses, making sure that they work with the County Training Manager to ensure Module 37 training courses take place.

Once they are sure that enough people are in place, we ask that they email transition@scout.org.uk to let us know that they have made progress.

AT A GLANCE • Individual Districts can ‘move over’ ahead of others in their County, providing the County Commissioner is aware of it.

• The new appointment process includes new and amended roles. The Appointments Secretary role for example, has changed considerably: the use of the Member Admin area at www.scout.org.uk/appointment is now a key part.

• You can use the ‘old’ (pink) AA forms until you are using the new process, or until 5 October.

From October, all Counties and Districts must be using the ‘new’ (blue) form.

• Within the next few weeks, we will be contacting all Counties who have not yet started to use the new process to offer support to ensure that all Counties are able to transfer to the new process by 5 October.

• From October 2009, the new appointment process will be the only supported way to appoint adults in Scouting and the previous process will no longer be available.

Where can I find support?

There are a number of support materials (including five books) on the appointment process to help explain how to make the transition. These can be downloaded free from www.scouts. org.uk/appointment or ordered (as photocopied, print to order resources from the Scout Information Centre).

The Appointment Process Implementation Team of staff and volunteers are also there to provide the County Commissioner with any support required in getting their County onto the new process. This may mean an explanation of the process, assistance with explaining the changes or help with the new training module. We can only help if asked, so please email appointment.process@scout.org.uk For more information on the appointment process, visit www.scouts.org.uk/appointment, email appointment. process@scout.org.uk or contact the Scout Information Centre. scouts.org.uk/focus

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