;

Co-Education - A Firm Commitment

MORI Youth Survey - Points of Interest

National Lottery - Charities Board

Insurance - Quality Counts

Jamboree-on-the-Air - Take to the Air!

Helpers - Age Limit Experiment

Gilwell Reunion - 6th-8th September, 1996

Funding - European Community

Jaguar National Scoutcar Races - 6th July, 1996

New Booklet - Appointment of Adults

Community Development - Resource Material

Operation Lifeboat - Second Appeal Floated

Minibuses and Coaches - Law Change Reminder

Driver Licensing - New Regulations

Minibus Safety Belt Trust - Grants Available [CDD1]

Publications Catalogue - Your Complete Guide

Hawkhirst Regatta - Annual Antics

Sent to Siberia - International Jamboree

Russia Network Meeting - 5th October, 1996

National Action Day - 15th September, 1996

TSB Guide - Grant Applications

Host Families - August 1996

Holiday Homes Trust - New Brochure

The Search is On! - National Commissioner for Beaver Scouts

Committee News

Mixed membership and Co-Education:

Adult Support:

Appointment of a Chief Executive:

Appointments:

Venture Scouting:

Special Needs:

National Lottery:

Integrated Pilot Project:

Loans to Groups:

At its meeting over the weekend of 1st-2nd June, the Committee of the Council gave considerable time to a full review of mixed Membership, girls in Scouting and the subject of co-education. Presentations were made giving perspectives from within Scouting, from The Guide Association, from the wider youth service and from International Scouting.

At the conclusion, the Committee clarified its long-term vision on the subject in the form of a clear policy statement. For further details, see Committee News on the back page.

The Scout Association recently commissioned a survey of young people's out-of-school activities and their views on some aspects on Scouting. Over 4,500 young people aged 11-16 completed questionnaires administered by MORI. Below are a few summary points of interest which emerged from the full report:

the most common motive for pursuing out-of-school activity is 'to have fun' (62% boys, 71% girls) a quarter of 11-16 year olds want to do outdoor activities, boys more than girls (29% and 18% respectively) more girls than boys want a chance to help other people (14% and 8% respectively), with similar figures for creative activities 52% of existing Scouts feel that Scouts should be mixed 68% of non-Scouts who would like to join think Scouts should be mixed only 10% of 11-16 year olds think Scouts should be for boys only.

The current round of applications cover the theme 'Health, Disability and Care'. If you are applying under this theme, Question 2b on the application form asks for written permission to apply from your parent organisation.

A letter is available for this purpose, please send an SAE to the Finance Department at Baden-Powell House for your copy. If you require further details or advice on applying to the Lottery please contact The Scout Association Lottery Line on (0171) 590 5123.

Scout Insurance Services has recently become aware of a Travel Insurance Company that is offering cover at a premium substantially lower than that of our own Overseas Travel Insurance. On the face of it, a good deal. However, investigations have revealed that the product is based on a family group scheme and not a specialist youth/adventure policy. Thus the insurance was subject to all the usual organised sports/adventurous activities exclusions making it highly unsuitable for a Scout party.

This once again highlights the dangers of buying any insurance product that is not specifically tailored to the often specialised needs of Scouting. All too often, we compare the cost first, whereas the priority should be whether the policy provides the levels of protection required. Scout Insurance Services has a range of policies exclusively designed to meet the needs of your Group and, in addition, can advise you on every aspect of insurance. Give them a call; it may be the best decision you could make.

Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) this year takes place over the weekend of 19th-20th October. JOTA allows Scouts from all Sections to talk to other Members of the Movement, both in the UK and worldwide. 1996 will see the 39th event.

Following discussions with the Radio Society of Great Britain, for the first time this year, JOTA bulletins will be sent to all stations who apply for a special event licence. So, please ask your Radio Amateur to apply for their licence as early as possible to get this information in good time. If you are running a club station, or need a copy of the bulletin before the licence application is submitted, please send a SAE (A4 or A5) to the UK JOTA Team at Gilwell Park.

If you have not run a JOTA station recently (or at all), why not consider doing so? There are a large number of Amateurs around the country who are only too willing to demonstrate their hobby and help run the event with you. Call the UK JOTA Team via the Activities Section at Gilwell Park to obtain advice on organising the event, and help in finding Radio Amateurs who would be willing to participate.

Currently, the Association does not permit Helpers below the age of 16 to help with Packs or Colonies. However, it has been suggested that there is interest by some people in permitting 14 and 15 year old Helpers.

To respond to this, the Programme & Training sub-Committee has agreed a time-limited and carefully monitored experiment which will allow a limited number of registered young people aged 14 and 15 to be properly supported as regular Helpers in approved Groups.

There is no assumption that a change in the Rules will necessarily be the outcome. The purpose of the experiment is to determine the extent to which young people themselves want to be involved in Scouting in this way, how they may be supported and the nature of any consequences.

For further details, see the July edition of SCOUTING Magazine, or contact Alison Regan in the Programme & Training Department at Gilwell Park.

'Go Global' is the theme for the Gilwell Reunion this year. Over the weekend there will be opportunities to celebrate the global dimension of our lives through entertainment, bases, activities and worship. On Sunday Afternoon, there will be an International Street Party, an appropriate way to bring the weekend to a close.

The cost of £17.00 includes your camp fees, all entertainment and refreshments at the Street Party. There is no need to book, just turn up, join in and have some fun. Further information is available from Anne Whiteford, Programme & Training Adviser at Gilwell Park.

The Scout Association is considering hosting a seminar on the various sources of funding available from the European Community. This would include information on grants for visits abroad and hosting visiting groups.

We have few details of how successful Scouting is in securing funding from Europe. However, we do know that Hawkhirst received a grant and that 27 projects in Scotland received funding of just over £67,000 in total for visits and hosting taking place between September 1995 and September 1996.

If you would be interested in attending such a seminar, please contact Helen Mitchell in the Finance Department at Baden-Powell House before the end of July.

The National Scoutcar Races will be held on Saturday, 6th July, 1996 at Jaguar Cars Limited, Brown Lane, Coventry. Further details are available from Mr M. Leach, 18 Cannon Road, Wombourne WV5 9HR.

The Resource Centre at Gilwell Park and Scout Shops Ltd. have recently taken delivery of a new booklet called 'The Appointment of Adults in the District'. This replaces the previous booklet, 'The Appointment of Adult Leaders', which was out of date and out of stock. The new booklet focuses on the District, but includes the appointments of all adults, not only Leaders. It is available from all outlets of Scout Shops Ltd. and the Resource Centre at a cost of £1.99.

The Community Development Department has just published the revised resource material, 'The Muslim Community in Scouting'. Copies are available from the Resource Centre at Gilwell Park at 44p each.

The material covers key points about the Muslim Community. Its aim is to inform those who wish to know more about this particular community and is an important resource for those planning to develop relationships with the community as part of the community development process. It will also be useful to Leaders who have Members from the Muslim community in their Section and to those undertaking the 'world faith' aspects of the Section Training Programmes.

Revisions of the Hindu and Sikh Community fact sheets will be published shortly. For more information on developing Scouting in ethnic communities, please contact the Community Development Department at Baden-Powell House.

The Scout Association have launched their second 'Lifeboat Appeal', in a bid to raise £600,000 to replace the current 'Scout' lifeboat which is soon to go into retirement.

This appeal is possible due to the support of two prominent national companies, Kimberly-Clark and Lledo. Both parties have raised the finance and are producing specially designed model lifeboats in their own boathouse packs.

The models, which are soon to be valuable collectors items, are available for sale by Scout Groups throughout the UK. Order forms for the boats have appeared in the April edition of SCOUTING Magazine, and via the HQ circulation. Groups wishing to receive an order form should contact SCOUTING Magazine at Baden-Powell House.

Models are supplied in multiples of 36 and are available on a sale or return basis. This special Group fundraising opportunity can enable each Group to earn £1.00 immediately for every model sold. Each model will be sold for £5.95, with £1 going to the Group and a further £1.00 to the RNLI towards the new 'Scout' Lifeboat.

Raise much needed funds for your Group - start ordering now!

From 1st May, 1996, it has been illegal to allow three children to share two seats under any conditions at all. From 10th February, 1997, it will be compulsory for every child aged 3 to under 16 to sit in a forward facing seat with a seat belt fitted, the minimum requirement being a lap belt.

Details of the new regulations for the driving of minibuses which come into force from 1st July, 1996 were published in the April 1995 HQ Notices. At that times, it was undecided whether the UK rules for minibus drivers would be accepted in other European member states. The Department of Transport has now confirmed that the UK rules for minibus drivers will be accepted in other EC countries.

The Minibus Safety Belt Trust has been formed in the wake of calls for all minibuses and coaches to be fitted with seatbelts. The Trust provides grants to charitable organisations to help them with the installation of seatbelts in minibuses or to advance any other aspect of road safety.

Further information is available from Caroline McCloy, The Minibus Safety Belt Trust Ltd., 173 Caledonian Road, London N1 0SL.

An A4 colour Publications Catalogue has been produced listing all Scout Association publications and Resource Centre material. This can be obtained from Scout Shops Ltd. and single copies can also be obtained by post from the Resource Centre at Gilwell Park, upon receipt of an A4 SAE, with postage to the value of 45p affixed.

Join in the fun of the Hawkhirst Regatta, held over the weekend on 4th-6th October, 1996. Rowing, pulling, canoe and kayak races, Topper sailing and many other fun events.

Full details from Hawkhirst Adventure Camp, or fax your request for details, not forgetting your address to: (01434) 250350.

The Federation of the Scouts of Russia hope to hold their second International Jamboree next summer, near Lake Baykal in Siberia. The International Department hopes to recruit a service team to assist our Russian friends. If you are interested in receiving further information on this opportunity - or in organising a group to take part, contact David McKee in the International Department at Baden-Powell House.

The next Russia Network Meeting will be held on 5th October, 1996. As before, accommodation will be available for the nights of 4th & 5th October. The venue has yet to be fixed, but please put this date in your diary and register your interest with David McKee in the International Department at Baden-Powell House to receive further information.

National Action Day is a mass sports participation event designed both to encourage greater participation and at the same time raise funds for organisations working for children.

Organised on behalf of the NSPCC and its sister charity CHILDREN 1ST in Scotland, and also UNICEF - The United Nations Children's Fund, the event consists of a week of activities leading up to National Action Day itself on 15th September and is supported by The Scout Association.

You can participate in a wide choice of sporting activities and in doing so, raise personal sponsorship funds for the charities. You can also organise special National Action Day events during the week which can encourage performance improvements and increase participation levels.

The event is being promoted through schools, leisure centres and sports clubs.

For further information, please call the National Action Day helpline on (0990) 250017.

TSB Foundations has released a brochure to help charities apply for funds, which this year total £4.7 million.

The brochure is available free from all branches of TSB and includes an application form.

Are you interested in being a Host Family for a year? The Youth for Understanding UK (YFU) is an international education exchange organisation for students aged 16-18.

Due to the number of student applications the YFU are looking for families to host students for an academic year starting mid-August. Hosting is voluntary, however, there may be a small amount of financial help available in exceptional circumstances.

If you are interested or would like to receive further information, contact Trees Fewster, Administrator, Listing Mill Farm, Listing Lane, Gomersal, Cleckheaton, W. Yorkshire BD19 4HS. Tel: (01274) 873485.

A new brochure for the Scout Holiday Homes Trust is now available.

If you would like a copy, please send an A4 SAE to Lynda Peters, The Scout Holiday Homes Trust at Baden-Powell House.

A search Group has been set up to consider nominations for the post of National Commissioner for Beaver Scouts. At the end of this year, Andrew Pearson will finish his period in this appointment.

The job description and person specification have been provided to County Commissioners and to Assistant County Commissioners (Beaver Scouts) and Assistant County Commissioners (Leader Training). If any member of the Movement wishes to make a nomination, they are encouraged to do so via their County Commissioner. For further details, contact the Search Group c/o Executive Commissioner (Programme & Training) at Gilwell Park.

Meeting at Gilwell Park on 1st/2nd June, the Committee of the Council debated Mixed Membership and Co-Education. Presentations were made giving perspectives from within Scouting, from The Guide Association, from the wider youth service and from International Scouting. As you will see, there is no immediate implication or suggestion for any changes to local practice. Nonetheless, there is a clarification of the direction the Committee anticipates for the future, and an indication of work put in hand to give further practical support on this subject. The statement is:

"The Committee of the Council has confirmed its long-term vision of a fully co-educational Scouting Movement. Members resolved to increase support for and overcome barriers to co-education. Further support will be provided to Leaders and Commissioners, including programme support material. Existing guidelines for mixed membership will be reviewed. Examples of good local practice of all forms of provision will be identified and publicised more widely.

"The Committee affirms that while single-sex Scouting is still a valid provision in many local situations, as a Movement we should ensure that boys and girls have increased opportunity to do their growing up together and meet our Aim through one programme in the Family of Scouts".

At the same meeting, Dr. Derek Pollard, National Commissioner for Adult Support outlined the history and background to the two year programme of work by the National Team. It was felt that all Groups considered Adult Support to be a valid concept but that it needed a change of attitude in the Movement and simplification in its implementation. Following extensive debate it was agreed that various pieces of work needed to be done. This included establishing where it might be possible for support to go direct from National level to the Group and to promote the policy that Counties as a whole should support Districts, who in turn should support Groups as a whole. This aims to overcome some of the difficulties currently encountered by individuals at one level supporting individuals at the same or a different level.

A panel has been agreed to interview short-listed candidates for the vacant post. Interviews will be held in July.

The Executive Committee has congratulated The Treasurer of The Scout Association, Lord Mark Fitzalan Howard on his becoming a Knight Commander of St. Gregory by order of his Holiness Pope John Paul II. Two Chief Commissioners, Mr Paul Brenham MBE and Mr Bill Cockcroft JP have been appointed Deputy Lieutenants of their respective Counties. Mrs Sheila Fairburn: Area Commissioner, Borders - wef 14th June, 1996. Mr Norman Hall: Area Commissioner, Gordon - on April 15, 1996. Mrs Therese MacNeil: Area Commissioner, West Lothian - on 21st May, 1996. Mr Ken Jackson: County Commissioner, East Lancashire - extended to June 1999 (65th birthday). Mr Ian Chapman: County Commissioner, Merseyside - extended for 5 years to 2002.

It has been agreed to support and commend the practice of appointing County Coordinators for the Queen's Scout Award who could act as Badge Secretaries for the purpose of obtaining and stocking Queen's Scout Badges and Notification Cards.

If possible, the Association should join with the Guide Association to offer to young people with disabilities a sports event at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

The Finance Committee have been advised that 2,300 Scout Groups were known to have applied for Lottery Grants and that over 1,000 calls had been made to the Helpline at Baden-Powell House in the period prior to submission of applications.

This major project which is testing improved ways of delivering headquarters services locally in the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire area, is now in full swing. It has been agreed that to ensure full benefit is obtained from the various trials and experiments that the work be extended until May 1997.

The following loans have been made for building and land purchase and refurbishment. 8th Wakefield (South Yorkshire) £8,000. 28th Ayrshire (Troon) £6,950.