;

Equal Opportunities Policies - More Information and Support

Shooting Consultation - Seeking Your Views

Philip Lawrence Awards - Nominations Sought

Cub Scout Activity Badges - Some Revisions

Classification of Waters - Consultation

Charities Act 1993 and SORP - Outline Accounts on Computer Disk.

National Commissioner for Adult Support - The Search Is On

Queen's Scout Reception - November 29

Scout Fellowship Camp - Herts Hilarity

Musical Moments - Symphonic Harmony

Visits Abroad - Get Up and Go

Learn to Sail - Activity Weeks in August

Gilwell Reunion - Dinner Is Served

The National Lottery - Charities Board - Main Grants

The National Lottery Charities Board - Small Grants Programme

Europe for You! 1997 - Free Resources

International Links - World Friendship

Baden-Powell House Hostel - Back In Business

National Record of Achievement - Guidance Notes

The Year 2000 - The Millennium

Programme Review - Your View Counts

Free Board and Lodging - Situations Vacant

Job Applications - Improve Your Chances

Hoax Scheme - A Crisp Warning

Field Commissioner Vacancy - BSWE

Cub Scout Section Resources

National Meningitis Trust - Information Offered

Committee News

Child Protection Policy:

Programme Review Group:

Consultation Policy on Shooting:

Religious Development:

Uniform Matters:

Integrated Pilot Project:

World Scout Foundation:

Co-Education:

Committee Working Arrangements Review:

Local Support Services:

Publications Catalogue:

ScoutBase Web Site:

World Scout Jamboree:

Appointments:

The Association's Equal Opportunities Policies for young people and adults were published in Amendment No. 2 to Policy Organisation and Rules in January 1997.

The Equal Opportunities Policy- Policy Guidelines and Case Studies have been circulated to County/Area and District Commissioners. A second copy was sent to District Commissioners for passing to the Chairman of the Appointments sub-Committee.

Additional copies of the booklets are available from the Resource Centre at £5.00 (include p&p) for the two. The booklets complement the publication the 'Appointment of Adults in the District' also available from the Resource Centre price £1.99 (inc. p&p).

During recent months, in the light of the tragedy in Dunblane, the Association has offered advice and guidance to Commissioners about matters related to the use of guns within Scouting. It has now been agreed that we should consult widely, on a sample survey basis, to establish the views of Leaders, parents and young people about whether shooting with guns is (or is not), an appropriate activity for Scouting to include within its programme.

Questionnaires are being distributed to Leaders, parents and young people (Scouts and Venture Scouts) and invite them to respond, either separately or together. The closing date for responses is 1 June, 1997. Full details will also be published in May SCOUTING Magazine

Philip Lawrence Awards will go to young people for outstanding achievements in good citizenship. The Awards will focus on exceptionally praiseworthy activities rather than on the individuals concerned. For this purpose young people means those aged 11 to 20 years. It is a Home Office scheme, so we are looking for achievements in combating lawlessness and violence, in promoting community safety or racial harmony and in encouraging others to do likewise. The Awards apply to England, Wales and Scotland only.

The Awards ceremony will take place in December each year, as part of an exhibition at which Award recipients will display their achievements and at which other commended activities will be publicised. The first Awards will be presented in early December this year, close to the anniversary of Philip Lawrence's death.

Awards will take the form of a specially designed memento or certificate and will confer the right to use the Philip Lawrence Award emblem indicating the year in which the Award was made. Small cash awards of up to £1,000 may also be given to groups or their supporting organisations to invest in the Award-winning activity.

Hobbies Badge: Following consultation, the Cub Scout Hobbies Activity Badge has been expanded to include "Interest or Activity" and an extra requirement to cover adventurous activities.

First Aider Badge: The requirements have been updated and re-written. The above changes are detailed in the revised edition of the Cub Scout Handbook, now on sale. The information can also be obtained from the ACC (Cub Scouts), ADC (Cub Scouts) or the Cub Scout Office, Gilwell Park.

Following the introduction by the Marine Safety Agency (MSA) of the Codes of Practice for Small Commercial Motor Vessels and Sailing Vessels, the MSA intend to introduce further regulations to cover Small Commercial Vessels, Pleasure Vessels and Workboats operating in close inshore waters. The Scout Association has been in discussion with MSA with a view to becoming the licensing body for Scouting. Initial response has been favourable but it will mean that The Scout Association Classification of Waters will need to be reviewed to meet MSA requirements. A consultation paper will be issued to ACC (Activities), ACC and County Water Activity Advisers and CC's. Further Copies may be obtained from the Activities Office Gilwell Park.

The printed material which has been circulated to assist Treasurers to comply with the new accounting requirements is available on a single disk. Please note the situation in Scotland is different. The Guidance Notes and the four outline accounts are each stored as a Microsoft Word 6 document. In addition each of the four outline accounts is in spreadsheet form (Microsoft Excel 5). Advantages of the disk include being able to produce as many copies as you wish and to adjust the outlines to suit the particular requirements of your Group or District. The Spreadsheets incorporate the normal logical links such as totalling pages and copying these to the summary page. The disk is available for £10.00 including p&p and up to one update within the year from The Resource Centre.

In October Dr. Derek Pollard retires as National Commissioner for Adult Support. The Committee of the Council has appointed a Search Committee to recommend a successor. Do you know someone suitable for this challenging national position? If so please write to The Chairman of the Search Committee at Gilwell Park giving your reasons why this person should be considered. If you require further information contact your County/Area Commissioner who has a full job description and person specification.

The next national Queen's Scout Reception will be held at the Guildhall, London, on 29 November 1997. Any Queen's Scout wishing to attend should indicate this on their White Card.

The Scout Fellowship Camp will be on 14/15/16 June 1997 at Weston Park, Stevenage, Herts. For information contact Betty Worsley Tel: 01707 267241

The National Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra are having their 1997 tour and shows in the South West. One concert is to be held on Saturday 16 August at the Winter Garden, Weston Super Mare. Details of the concert the day before have yet to be finalised. Further information will be available from Karen Rogers at Guide Headquarters on tel: 0171 834 6242.

To help more Scouts and Venture Scouts (and some Cub Scouts) to experience a visit abroad, the International Team is organising a series of workshops for Leaders. They will be practical, open to all and aim to provide sufficient ideas and information for any Leader to take a group abroad for the first time. The 1997 workshops are in London (21/9), Sheffield (12/10), Llandrindod Wells (2/11), Birmingham (23/11) and Exeter (30/11) Cost £10.00 per person to include lunch and takeaway resources. Contact the International Department at Baden-Powell House.

Royal Yachting Association courses will be held during August for groups of beginners or the more experienced on Kielder Water. Levels 1-5 can be covered, full accommodation, instruction etc. at a cost of £115 per person.

Throughout August, Hawkhirst Adventure Camp offers hostel based activity weeks. With good indoor accommodation, all meals, activities and instruction provided, groups of Cub Scouts, Scouts or Venture Scouts are welcome at a cost of £90 per person - contact Hawkhirst Adventure Camp, Kielder Water, Northumberland NE48 1QZ or fax 01434 250 350 with your address for further details.

For those attending Reunion this year and who like to arrive early, a special dinner will be held in the Baerlein Room on the Thursday and Friday evenings prior to the Reunion weekend. It will provide those who wish to book, the unique opportunity to enjoy a four course, waitress served table d'hote dinner with wine and aperitifs in the comfort and splendour of the White House, overlooking the Oval Lawn.

The all-in price of £27.50 per head (including VAT) includes one bottle of wine between 2. Unfortunately numbers must be limited to 24 per night. The bar will operate after dinner for those who wish to extend the evening beyond dinner - and will only be open to those dining.

Reservations should be received and confirmed by the beginning of August please and can be made either through the Reunion Office or directly to Gilwell Park Bookings quoting "Reunion BR97".

We look forward to seeing you there.

The next theme is "Improving people's living environment" and "Voluntary Sector Development" (N.B. only Districts and Counties will be eligible to apply under the latter). The main focus of "Improving people's living environment" is homelessness and community based projects and in brief covers:

Improving and maintaining the physical and social fabric of communities, including support for people in need

Creating a better living environment, particularly in isolated communities

A particular emphasis is being placed upon:

Tackling homelessness and it's effects.

Addressing environmental issues in the community.

Support work with animals which benefits people.

Comprehensive details of both themes are contained in the application pack. Packs can be obtained from 06/05/97 until 05/09/97 by phoning the Charities Board on 0345 - 919191. Completed applications must be returned by 5pm on 03/10/97.

The Lottery has stated that applicants need written permission from Headquarters to apply under this round. Details of how to obtain your letter of permission will be given in June Talking Points (no requests before please). If you require further details or advice on applying to the Lottery please contact the Scout Association Lottery Line on 0171 590 5123.

Just a wee reminder that the small grants programme now covers Wales, Scotland, North East England and South West England offering grants of £500 to £5,000. If your Group is based within one of these areas application forms and further details can be obtained from the respective regional offices.

'Europe for You!' is a package of resources designed to increase young people's mobility in Europe and develop their awareness of changes that have taken place since 1990. The new 1997 resources are now available .

A detailed directory of Scout and Guide Centres across Europe. Useful for anyone thinking of visiting any European country this year. Please send 64 p large SAE.

Programme projects for Venture Scouts in six key areas. Completing one project from each area entitles Venture Scouts to wear the "Eurofoot" metal pin badge. Please send 64 p large SAE.

A Directory of Scout and Guide centers offering special projects / activities from "Passport for Europe". Centers located in most European countries. Please send 34p large SAE.

Please contact Andrew Wilson, International Department, Baden-Powell House

Would you or your Section or Group like to exchange letters, badges, newsletters, scrapbooks, E-mails, programme ideas, audio/video tapes and photos with Scouts abroad? Make contacts through the International Links Scheme, have fun finding out more about our world-wide family of Scouts and work for the World Friendship badge / International friendship Award.

Roy and Joan Walker, the secretaries of the scheme, receive requests for links with individuals, Sections and Groups in the UK from Scouts all over the world. For further details contact Roy and Joan Walker, Waybrook, 15 Ewing Close, Reepham, Norfolk NR10 4JQ. Please enclose a SAE.

After closing for five months for an extensive refurbishment, Baden-Powell House is open for business. It offers modern, air conditioned en-suite bedrooms throughout - single, twin, family or dormitory at very attractive prices in the heart of London. For details contact 0171 584 7031.

A certificate and set of guidance notes for the National Record of Achievement which students fill in a school has been produced by the Venture Scout Image Group to help Members explain their Scouting experiences in a more effective way. Sets of five certificates with a copy of the notes are available price 1.18 from the Resource Centre, Gilwell Park.

Whether you intend to celebrate the passing of the second Millennium or the arrival of the third Millennium in the year 2000, the Scout Association will be able to help. It is intended to mark the year in three ways. There will be a Millennium Badge to be worn on the uniform for the year. Profits to be distributed to local charities. Counties, Districts and Groups will be encouraged to hold a Millennium Camp on the weekend 26/29 May 2000 with the aim of having all the Association involved. So start your planning now!

"The Event" of 2000 will be a special camp at Gilwell over the 30 June, 1/2 July, especially for those who hold the Chief Scout's Award and Venture Scouts who hold the Queen's Scout Award and are in the Sectional age range in the year 2000. Watch these pages for regular updates.

The "Group Packs" containing sets of questionnaires have now been sent to District Commissioners. When you receive your copy please complete your questionnaires and return them to your Group coordinator. There are opportunities in the "Group Pack" for Venture Scouts, Scouts, Cub Scouts and Beaver Scouts to air their views. Please make sure that there is time in your programme to let them be fully involved. Special Packs have been designed for District and County/Area Teams. This will make sure that we are getting information from people supporting Scouting at all levels. We promise to keep you updated on the results- so watch this space.

The European Scout and Guide Office produce several very useful resources, including "Where to Stay in Europe" and "Eurosteps". The 1998 issues of these publications will be produced later on this year and help is needed. If you can translate between French and English, have good keyboard skills, can go to Brussels or Switzerland for about four weeks in September/ October 1997 and are prepared to work unpaid but with travel, accommodation and meals provided then please contact the International Department at Baden-Powell House.

"Scouting Can Help Your Job Chances", is a publication designed to help adults transfer their Scouting experiences into job applications. Price £2.30 from The Resource Centre, Gilwell Park.

Walkers Snack Foods have been made aware of a scheme to collect Walkers Crisps packets to raise charitable funds for a variety of different cases involving people with serious illnesses. Walkers are sorry to advise that this scheme is a hoax.

A vacancy exists for a Field Commissioner for British Scouts in Western Europe. The post which is for two years, provides Headquarters support to Scout Groups on the Continent and is resident in Germany. For details of this post please telephone the Recruitment Hotline on 0171 590 5129 (24 Hours), quoting reference FC/CD/T. Closing date for applications is 27 May 1997.

With the Headquarters circulation in May, all Cub Scout Commissioners and ACC/ AAC's (LT) will receive a copy of a brochure giving brief details of all the printed resources available from Headquarters to support the Cub Scout Section. Would Cub Scout Section Commissioners please ensure their Leaders have the opportunity to see this, if possible by making copies. Trainers are asked to bring it to the attention of adults to the Cub Scout Section.

It is the policy of The Scout Association to safeguard the welfare of all members by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm. The Committee of the Council has agreed new rules at its meeting in February to support the policy to be published in the next update to POR. These include the designation of individuals to assist all Members of the Movement with their responsibility for implementing the policy and to ensure that they follow the Association's Code of behaviour as outlined on the yellow card issued to all Leaders. Members continue to need to be vigilant and satisfy themselves that Leaders and other volunteers with whom they work in Scouting are fit and proper persons to undertake the duties of their appointments and that they to observe the rules for the safety and security of young people.(Further copies of the card are available from the Resource Centre at Gilwell Park.)

The first stage of information gathering about the strengths and weaknesses of the current training programme is starting. Group packs containing several questionnaires are being sent out via District Commissioners. Responses are requested by July 1997. Exit interviews are being organised with around 3,000 young people to establish why they have left Scouting and external research is being commissioned into the trends of society and needs of young people today and in the future.

Many Groups and Commissioners will be receiving documents requesting their views on shooting as a Scouting activity. The aim is to secure views and opinions from a great many people including young people and parents. Full details can be found in the May edition of SCOUTING Magazine.

Father Tony McSweeney has been appointed as National Adviser for Religious Development.

Mr Derryck Draper, presently National Adviser for Air Activities and ACC(Activities) for Merseyside has been appointed Chairman of the Uniform Board.

The final report will be produced in May . It will provide recommendations based on the results of the experiment to make Headquarters services and support more locally accessible It was reported that some 70% of Groups in the three Counties taking part in the Project had made use of the opportunities offered in a variety ways.

In response to an invitation from the Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, a number of the Baden-Powell Fellows resident in the UK have proposed to form a Chapter of the Fellowship in London. The Foundation has been in existence since 1982 to raise funds for World Scouting and Chapters are created in different countries with the approval of the national Scout Association concerned. This approval has been given by the Committee of the Council.

At its meeting in July 1996 the Committee of the Council confirmed its long-term vision of a fully co-educational Scouting Movement. Further work is to be done on revised guidelines for mixed membership. The booklet 'The Appointment of Adults in the District' is to be amended so as to encourage Appointment sub-Committees to ensure positive attitudes toward co-education. Guidelines for Trainers are also to be updated as appropriate.

In response to a request from the Chairman, some members of Committee of the Council had offered views on the work of the Executive Committee. It has been agreed that the four main sub-Committees should continue for the time being. All elected members should be invited to serve on at least one sub-Committee and there should be at least three elected members (including the Chairman) of each sub-Committee. This will be to be made clear to prospective candidates at election time. As a matter of routine, new members of the Committee will should be provided with appropriate documentation and induction training.

The appropriateness of the title of the Chief Scouts Committee and its functions have been discussed. The Committee acts as a Headquarters Appointments sub-Committee, as a line network for County and District Commissioners and provides an opportunity for peer group support for Chief Commissioners.

The Committee of the Council agreed that a day-to-day business Committee was needed and that the Executive Committee be retained. A major review of the way Headquarters operates and its volunteer structure may arise from a Strategic Development Plan being prepared. The Local Support Services report was considered but it was agreed not to modify the Headquarters structure until after the lessons of the Integrated Pilot Project had been reviewed and County Commissioners consulted on the provision of local support services.

It was agreed that there should be at least one and possibly two more meetings of the Committee of the Council each year to deal with the increasing volume of strategic planning being undertaken by the Committee.

A revised version of a paper from the Local Support Services Working Group is to be used as a basis for consultation with County Commissioners about local provision of Headquarters services. It was agreed this will be done by inviting County/Area Commissioners or their nominees and one other from the Area/County to a national meeting in Birmingham on 12th July 1997. Thereafter Counties will be asked to consider the matter and provide written comments to the Committee of the Council.

A new edition of the Publications Catalogue is to be produced in May. A copy will be sent to each Group in the next Headquarters circulation. SCOUTING Magazine will contain information on obtaining more copies.

As part of the implementation of the Association's IT strategy the ScoutBase web site is being supported to provide a comprehensive source of information and up-to-date news about Scouting.

Mr Ray Salisbury, County Commissioner for Cheshire is chairman of a Web Management Team working with the Members of the Association who had originated the site. The Association's web site is

http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/

Chief Commissioner of Scotland: Mr. Andy Matthew wef 1/7/97.

County/Area Commissioners: Berkshire Mr Michael Evan wef July, 1997; Jersey Mr Ian Dulakes wef 1/5/97; Northumberland Mr. Peter Nicol wef 2/4/97.