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Scout Association Shooting Policy - Important Changes.

2007 Celebrations - Once in a Hundred Years

Programme Review - Update

Camp Staff Programme - Go West Young Man/Woman

Scout Section - Free Resources Guide

Scout Troops - Outdoor Activity Award

Baden-Powell House - Euro Y Info Centre

Help for the Hard of Hearing - Free Resource

Scout Prayer Card - Useful Resource

Adult Recruitment - Clearly Not a Problem?

Creative Directory - It Could Be You

Cultural Awareness Training Courses - Grants Available

International Travel - Package Deal

Africa Day Workshops - Get Traveling

Africa Jamboree - Kenya, 1998

The Sound of Silence - Musical Moments

Tubby the Tuba - Come Out and Play!

In To The Spotlight - 1999 Switch On

Travel Insurance - A Word from your Guardian Angels

Insurance Sales - Buyers Beware

Making People Welcome - Brilliant New Resources

Founder's Day - Thinking Day Service 1998

The National Lottery - Charities Board

Charities Board - Small Grants Programme

Committee News

Shooting Policy:

Headquarters Strategic Development Plan:

Membership Subscription:

Communications and Image Strategy:

Appointments Procedures:

First Response:

Integrated Sections:

Membership of the Council:

Scrutiny of Accounts:

Loans to Scout Groups:

Sub-Committee Chairmen:

Appointments:

Derek Twine, Chief Executive of The Scout Association, issued the following statement to the media following the recent policy decisions by the Committee of the Council on shooting as an optional activity within the training programme. "Leaders will be under no doubt as to the rules they must follow and that both local feeling and parental wishes have to be respected. The revised rules are very specific about a number of key issues and the Association has made it very clear that shooting at targets showing humanoid or animal shapes is not permitted. All Members of the Association are now forbidden to take part as Scouts in "paintball" type activities which are based on pointing and shooting a loaded weapon at a person".

The 2007 Co-ordinating Committee brings together three "strands" of our Centenary Celebrations:-

• the potential of hosting a World Jamboree in the UK;
• the Association's own UK Celebrations and
• our participation in World events.

Headquarters wishes to identify a volunteer "strand leader" to lead the preparations for the Association's UK celebrations. Motivation, vision, creativity, experience of large projects and skills of teamwork are essential (but previous experience of working with Headquarters is not necessary). The "strand leader" will develop their own team and ideas, will report to the Committee of the Council, will work with other "strands" though the 2007 Co-ordinating Committee, and will have staff support. The sort of work may result in activity ideas and resources, challenges, etc.

Nominations and applications are invited (in confidence). Further details are available from:-

2007 Search Group c/o Chief Executive, Baden-Powell House.

Replies need to be received by the end of December.

The information gathering stage has now been completed. Thanks to all who completed and returned the questionnaires circulated in May. The tremendous response will provide very useful information on many different aspects of the programme. A report of the findings will appear in SCOUTING Magazine early in 1998.

The second, understanding, stage is about to start. This involves a series of group discussions with Leaders and young people around the country in the next few months. It will provide the opportunity to explore some of the topics and issues in more detail.

Finding out what is happening currently in the programme offered to young people is only part of the picture needed for the review. It is important to look outside of Scouting in other youth organisations, at social trends and how young people develop today. These topics are being explored through external research.

This is an exciting project for the Association. We promise to keep you up to date with its progress through Talking Points and SCOUTING Magazine.

Applications are invited for the Boy Scouts of America Camp Staff Programme. An opportunity to work for 6-8 weeks on a summer camp and be paid! If you are 18-30 and interested, contact Maggie Brady, International Department, Baden-Powell House.

A new guide "Scout Section Resources and Support Material" gives Scouts, Scout Section Leaders, Helpers and Commissioners, a clear list of what resources are available, where from, how much and how to order them. The free guide is being distributed in November's Headquarters Circulation and will also be shown on ScoutBase (http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/). Copies are available from the Scout Office, Gilwell Park.

Discount Vouchers are now being sent to Troops who successfully completed the Outdoor Activity Award. To be sure they receive these, Troops are requested to check they registered with Scout Shops Ltd. If they did not, please inform the Scout Office at Gilwell Park of an address where vouchers can be sent. Badges for the Award are available from District Badge Secretaries.

A new information point has been opened at Baden-Powell House Hostel. A computer giving Internet access has been placed alongside an interactive archive display - The B-P Story (chronicling the life and times of Baden-Powell and the start of the Scout Movement). The information point can be used to access the Euro Y Info Web Site. Euro Y Info aims to give young people more information about a wide range of issues. The Web Site gives information on Scouting and Guiding in Europe, employment and training opportunities within the European Union, travel and youth mobility and much more.

Now that the information centre is established, a small volunteer team of young people (15-25) will be recruited, to help run the centre and hopefully to arrange workshops and training opportunities for young people who want to know more about the internet. If you are (15-25), live in the London area, and are interested in joining this team, or would like more information on Euro Y Info in general, contact Andrew Wilson at the following e-mail address: ukgilscout@aol.com . The Euro Y Info Web Site is at: http://www.wagggseurope.org/euroyinfo.

Programme ideas and information about deafness and other related issues are available in a new pack from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). Games and ideas around fingerspelling, sign language, lip reading and sound effects are all contained in the special 'Hear for All' action pack which can be used within the weekly programme or specifically help with the Interpreter or Communicator proficiency badges. The pack is free from the RNID on 0171 296 8178.

A Scout Prayer Card has been produced to help prayer be a natural and meaningful part of life for young people. It contains a few simple prayers which Scouts can use at camp, Troop evenings, Patrol activities or individually. The cards are available free. Please send a stamped, addressed envelope to 'Scout Prayers' at Gilwell Park, indicating how many cards you would like. A 26p stamp for 10 cards and 46p for 20 cards.

The fact that a whole series of Adult Recruitment Workshops have been canceled though lack of interest may indicate that getting more adults to work in Scouting is not a major problem. For those who are not so fortunate, there is practical support available from the Adult Recruitment Project Team at Gilwell Park and the 'Wanted Volunteers - a practical guide to recruiting adults', publication available from the Resource Centre. Price £4.25. Details of the six step approach to adult recruitment are also available on ScoutBase (http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/)

Did you know there are Members of the Scout Association who are part of rock bands, choirs, dramatic societies, folk groups, ensembles or who have a real skill for creative things? We don't know who they are! In issue 49 we asked if people would let us know so we might keep a note so should a prestigious event require some creative support we could link in to this information. If you wish to add your details, please drop a note to the Activities Office at Gilwell Park.

Join fellow Scouters on a day of exploration and discovery as a 'cultural explorer'. By recognising the similarities between people you will be are able to appreciate ethnic diversity. The course will give you the confidence to meet with representatives of ethnic communities in your local area in order to offer more young people Scouting. During the day you will experience three different South Asian cultures first hand by visiting local places of worship and meeting community leaders. The cost for the day will be £15.00 per person, including lunch and pre-course pack of information. Dates for 1998 are: 28 March (Bradford), 30 May and 24 October (venues to be confirmed).

The Dulverton Trust has made a grant available for the expansion of cultural awareness training. Grants of approximately £100 each are available to Counties/Areas and Districts to conduct Cultural Awareness Training locally. Further information from Ola Alaezi, Community Development Department, Baden-Powell House.

Excellent value travel packages to Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland and to a centre in northern France, are available for summer 1998. They provide an easy and economical introduction to organising a visit abroad aimed at the Scout Troop which finds an overseas trip a bit daunting! Using these packages is simple - decide where and when you'd like to go, make a booking, pay, turn up and go! Troops do not even have to take their own cooking equipment or tents - everything is provided. Further information from the International Department, Baden-Powell House.

Considering an international service project in Africa? Whether you are a complete novice or an experienced expedition organiser, AfricaDay offers the chance to share experiences and be better prepared for the challenges of experiencing new cultures and environments. Join us at Baden-Powell House on 21 February 1998. Contact the International Department, Baden-Powell House.

We are organising a UK contingent to the above event to be held near Nairobi from 5-15 August 1998. All interested Scouts, Venture Scouts, Leaders and members of the Scout Network are asked to contact Chris Wilkinson by e-mail on chris@scoutbase.org.uk or the International Department at Baden-Powell House for further details.

"The best kept secret The Scout Association has ever had." A quote from a new Scout member of the National Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra. What Scout and Guide Orchestra? Never heard of it? Well, if you are near Durham over 8-9 August 1998 you can have your chance. The orchestra of 80 Scouts and Guides come together for a weeks course culminating in two concerts. Details soon.

The orchestra is looking for yet more musicians! Certain sections are a little under represented and we want your rhelpto help. If you know someone between 13 and 25 who would enjoy playing with the orchestra, ask the Activities Office, Gilwell Park for details.

Early planning has started is being done for a national talent show in 1999 creative event at a prestigious venue. Once again there will be a number of ways that talented members of the Scout and Guide Associations can audition will get the opportunity to audition for the show in all parts of the UK including Northern Ireland. Gang shows and bands may wish to invite the producer to a production or you may want to prepare a video - but don't send it in yet! Auditions will be held in early 1999. Further details in the next few months.

The Insurance Department is always keen to improve its our service to the Movement. However, to be more efficient it sometimes needs your help! Every year it arranges Overseas Travel Insurance for hundreds of Groups. Every year it experiences a number of problems.

One of the main difficulties is the use of obsolete literature. It is not unknown for the department to receive forms that are 2-3 years out of date!

Each year new forms are printed and the date is clearly marked on them. Forms are available from the Insurance and International Departments. If you are currently arranging a trip please ensure that you use the latest application forms which quote the current and premiums.

Groups arrange trips throughout the whole year, but the most popular time is July and August. At this time the Insurance Department is inundated with application forms often for Groups leaving the following day. Please don't leave to the last moment arranging this important element of your trip.

Like any retailer, the Insurance Industry occasionally finds that there are too many companies chasing too few customers. This usually leads to reductions in premiums as Insurers compete for every scrap of business. This should be good news for customers, but buyers beware! Some insurers, with no experience of niche markets, will be tempted to offer unsuitable policies at bargain basement prices. This is particularly true in the Charity sector, where a number of companies are offering rates as much as 50 per cent below the minimum required to finance scheme losses.

Now, more than ever, Groups need to be critically aware of what cover any particular policy will give. As with anything that you buy, the quality will be reflected in the cost. By all means shop around, but don't lose sight of what cover you need. If in doubt, ask Scout Insurance Services at Lancing for advice. Better still, send in a copy of the policy for a free 'health check'.

Two workshops are being run for those who help with the induction of adults into Scouting. The programme provides an opportunity to learn about this key activity and how it supports and helps to retain volunteers. The remaining dates are: 17 January 1998 (Bristol) and 18 January 1998, (London). Further details from the Adult Support Office at Gilwell Park.

'Supporting Adults - Induction' is the title of a new 22 page publication available from the Resource Centre. A second publication called 'Welcome Pack - A Toolkit for Scout Groups' makes it very easy for Groups, Districts or Counties to produce a Welcome Pack. The material is specially designed to be photocopied and includes introductions to the work of the Sections, various administrator roles and the Scout Fellowship. There is also information for parents.

You can buy both publications from the Resource Centre. The cost, including post and packing is less than £10.

The annual Service will be held on 21 February, 1998, at Westminster Abbey, St. Margaret's Church and Westminster Central Hall. Admission is by TICKET ONLY which will be available through a County/Area allocation system. The Service is open to any Member of the Association over the age of eight including and Administrators. Requests should be made through County Commissioners (Chief Commissioner's office in Scotland and Northern Ireland) by 5 January, 1998.

The next themes for the National Lottery Charities Board Main Grants Programme are "Community Involvement" and "Voluntary Sector Development". (N.B. Only Counties and Districts can apply under Voluntary Sector Development).

More information will be available via the Scout Lottery Line from mid December 1997. A fact sheet will be available at the end of December by sending a S.A.E. to: Finance & Marketing Department, Baden-Powell House. Application packs can be obtained from 19 January by calling the NLCB direct on 0345 919191. For more details or advice on the Lottery please contact The Scout Association the Scout Lottery Line at Baden-Powell House on 0171 590 5123.

The Small Grants Programme offers grants of £500 to £5,000 and currently covers Wales, Scotland, the North East and the South West of England, but will be available in all regions in 1998. No exact date has yet been given but April is the earliest expected date for the programme to be extended. For more information phone the Scout Lottery Line at Baden-Powell House on 0171 590 5123.

The Committee of the Council met at Gilwell Park on 25/26 October.

The Chairman welcomed Miss K. Geddes who has become an invited member of the Committee through the Voice for Young People Policy.

Following consultation with the Movement, new rules and guidelines were agreed covering shooting and guns. Shooting remains an optional Scout activity but written permission is now required from parents or guardians of Scouts under the age of 18. All Members of the Association are now forbidden to take part as Scouts in "paintball" type activities which are based on pointing and shooting a loaded weapon at a person. Shooting at targets showing humanoid or animal shapes is also not permitted. Full details were circulated to Area/County Commissioner immediately after the meeting and posted on the ScoutBase website (http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/). A briefing paper and the new rules for POR have been sent to District Commissioners in the November Headquarters circulation.

A strategic development plan covering the years 1998-2002 has been accepted as the basis for the work of all parts of Headquarters. In support of this, an audit of the core work of Headquarters is to be undertaken and reported to the Committee in February. The core work is also to be examined in the light of the Local Support Services consultation currently underway. The LSS consultation results will also have implications for the implementation business plan that is to be created to achieve the objectives of the Headquarters Strategic Development Plan.

The Membership subscription for the year 1998/9 will be £9.00 with a 35p rebate for prompt payment (1997/98 £8.60 gross, £8.25 net).

A Communications and Image Strategy Working Group has been established to develop an integrated communications plan. It will review internal distribution of information, the terms of reference of the Publications Board, the corporate image(s) projected by the Association and the external distribution of information through press releases, media responses, publicity events etc. It will report to the Committee by June 1998 with a recommended strategy to achieve development in these areas including resourcing for implementation.

Revised recommendations on the procedures to be followed whenever it is required to search for and appoint Chairmen and Board members of the Association's Companies and Boards were accepted. It was also agreed that a Remuneration Committee be established covering the Chief Executive, Senior Management Team and that the existing staff Salary Review Group's terms of reference be formalised. Mr J.C. Bailey , an elected member of the Committee of the Council, was appointed elected to serve on the Remuneration Committee subject to annual re-election.

Committee agreed a recommendation from the Programme & Training sub-Committee that District Commissioners should be strongly encouraged to ensure that all Leaders have the opportunity to attend a First Aid or First Response course during their first year of appointment.

POR is to be amended to permit, subject to permission from District Commissioners, creation of an integrated Section where Beaver Scouts and/or Cub Scouts and/or Scouts; or Scouts and Venture Scouts might work together as one Section. This is intended to meet the needs of Scouting in special circumstances with small numbers of young people exist especially in rural and some urban areas.

The Prime Minister the Rt Hon Tony Blair MP, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Opposition and Rt Hon Paddy Ashdown, Liberal Democrat Leader are now all Elected Members of the Council of The Scout Association. Subsequent to the Annual General Meeting of the Association, the Chief Rabbi accepted an invitation to become an Elected Member of the Council. This is the first time that the elected membership had included the leaders of the three main political parties.

The Finance sub-Committee has agreed that the accounts for 500 Scout Groups, 40 Districts, 20 local Scout shops, 20 campsites and 20 Gang Shows be called in for examination. The nine Groups and seven Districts accounts still outstanding from 1995 would also be examined.

Subject to the usual conditions, loans have been approved to 1st Croydon (£4,000), 36th Purley (£6,000) 1st Totton, South West Notts. (£800) in connection with development work.

The following members of the Committee of the Council have been appointed; Community Development, Mr George Mitchell; Programme & Training, Mr Derek Capper; General Purposes, Mr J. Christopher Bailey; Finance, Mr William McDonald.

National Commissioner for Adult Support: Mrs Sue Camper, wef 18/10/97. County/Area Commissioners: Clwyd, Mrs Helen Stringer, wef 8/10/97. Cumbria, Mr Richard Allsopp, wef 25/9/97. City of Edinburgh, Mr. John Bruce, wef 1/4/98.