;

Adventurous Activity - Authorisation Clarification

Charity Commission - Annual Returns (England & Wales)

Annual Accounts - Charities Act 1993

Programme Review - Getting It Taped

PLs and APLs - A New Resource

"Waterwise" - New Activity Kit for Cub Scouts

National Activities Team - Open Invitation - 9 May 1998

Are You Prepared? - First Response

Scouting and Secondary Schools - Closer Links?

Buddy Badge - Cub Scout Companions

The Poland Network - Opportunities for All

Project 809 - To The Woods!

ScoutBase WebSite - Insurance On-Line

Jamboree Jottings - Nearly 2,000

Reunion 1998 - Going for Growth

Cub Scout Programme - Support Resources

Accident Figures 1997 - Scout Section Beware!

Scout Section - Proficiency Badge Review

Creative Workshop - Gang Show Production Teams

The National Lottery Charities Board - Main Grants Programme

Charitable Trusts - French Protestant Church of London

Talking Points Circulation - Why Do I Get 12?

Committee News

Local Support Services:

World Jamboree:

Voice for Young People:

Laser Games:

Beaver Scout Sleepovers:

POR:

County/Area Commissioners:

Chief Scouts Committee:

National Commissioners:

National Scout Service:

Occasional Badges:

Loans to Scout Groups:

Patron:

Appointments:

It is becoming increasingly evident from the numbers of letters and telephone calls received by the Activities Office at Gilwell Park that there are still a number of misunderstandings about the effect of January 1998 on Adventurous Activities. After a three year transition period with effect from 1st January 1998 the requirements are:-

All County/Area Adventurous Activity Assessors must be technically qualified to the Standards issued by Headquarters.

Any Adventurous Activity Authorisations that do not have a formal review date must be revalidated.

Any County or Area has the right to insist on a more rigorous interpretation of the rules than that issued by Headquarters. In the case of doubt the first point of clarification should be the Assistant County Commissioner (Activities).

The Charity Commission has asked the Association to remind Groups/Districts/Counties/Areas that if they are registered charities and have an income or expenditure of over £10,000, then they are required by law to complete the Annual Return AR6 within 10 months of the registered Charity's year end. This is in addition to their Annual Report & Accounts, which should be attached to the Annual Return Form. Reminder letters have been sent by the Commission to those who have not yet made returns.

Subscribers to the first edition of the computer disk of Guidance Notes and four Outline Accounts to assist Treasurers comply with the new accounting requirements, should have received their update disk. Copies of this update disk are also available to Treasurers who did not subscribe to the first edition. The disk, which includes the four specimen outline accounts in Word 6 document and Excel 5 spreadsheet format, is available for £10 from the Resource Centre. Please note this is a one off charge and does not now cover any future update.

Last month the planned interviews were completed. Twenty-four Counties each did four interviews and we have 150 hours of audio tape from 96 interviews. Our thanks to the 48 interviewers and their interviewees. About 700 Members, a mixture of Scouts, Venture Scouts, Leaders from all the Sections, GSLs and Commissioners aired their views! MORI visited the interview day in one County and was very impressed by the quality of discussion.

The information is qualitative nature - it will not give facts and figures - unlike the Group questionnaires. Instead the tapes are full of opinions and ideas which will now be listened to by one of the Programme Review working groups. They hope to see what opinions are commonly held and give further insight to the information gained from the questionnaires.

Further information on the interviews will feature in a forthcoming article in SCOUTING, just one in the current monthly series on Programme Review.

Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders: A Ruff Guide, is a new resource written after two years of research into Patrol Leaders' Roles and Responsibilities under the auspices of the National Scout Team. Packed with training activities for PLs and APLs, it gives a new approach to their role in the Scout Troop. This resource offers Scout Leaders the perfect tool for older Scouts, and helps them to provide interesting, varied activities allowing PLs and APLs to further their personal development in Scouting. Available from the Resource Centre, Gilwell Park, price £5.25. For more information on the "Ruff Guide" contact the Scout Office at Gilwell Park.

A new sponsored Activity Kit for Cub Scout Packs on the theme of water is being supplied for every Cub Scout Commissioner and Cub Scout Pack. The kits for each County/Area have been distributed via ACC/AACs during February for them to make local arrangements for distribution to Districts and Packs.

A badge to support the project is available from Badge Secretaries until the end of 1999. A contribution from the purchase price will be made to the charity Water Aid, to provide clean water in Developing Countries.

The National Activities Team will be meeting at the Pearse House Conference Centre, Parsonage Lane, Bishop's Stortford, (off A1250 when travelling from J8 on the M11 towards the town) between 8-10 May 1998. On the Saturday afternoon from 2-5pm there is an open invitation to meet any of the National Advisers for Air, Creative and Land Activities, Technology and Water Activities or the National Commissioner for Activities and staff from Programme and Training Department. The surgery will provide an opportunity for you to raise any questions concerning our area of responsibility or simply meet the team. Any enquiries you might have before the weekend should be directed to Stewart Ford, the secretary of the National Activities Team, in the Activities Office at Gilwell.

This course is designed to help Leaders gain competence and skills in coping with a variety of emergency situations, wherever they occur. It concentrates on incident management, patient care and the safe handing over to a more qualified person or the parent/guardian.

At Scouting events, it is not always essential to have a qualified first aider on site but it is reassuring to everyone, especially parents/guardians, if adult leaders are able to cope with emergency incidents. The course is the minimum emergency aid requirement for those seeking Adventurous Activity Authorisation. It lasts eight hours and is available through the County/Area Training Team. Trainers notes (£1.55) and participant work books (£1.56) are available for course organisers from the Resource Centre at Gilwell Park or from Scout Shops Limited at Lancing, by mail order.

How much do you have to pay to meet in or use a school for Scout activities? Is your Scout Campsite under-utilised during the week? Would you like to recruit more young people? Are you happy with the image and awareness of Scouting locally? Could you use more equipment and facilities? Do you pay too much for photocopying, stationery and printing costs? Ever thought of working more closely with your local secondary school(s)?

If any, or all, of the above mean something to Scouting in your locality then perhaps you would benefit from working more closely with your local secondary schools. The list of advantages of developing a relationship with a secondary school is enormous - for the school as well as Scouting and of course, the young people. If you are at all tempted to consider something so radical, you may be interested to hear about the Secondary Schools Development Project.

Through this project we can offer: ideas and suggestions for working with secondary schools; research advice and assistance; technical information about secondary schools and the education system; assistance with presentations to school management, Scouting and young people; promotional material; money; help with an action plan; evaluation.

For more information contact Ginette Watson, Community Development Department, Baden-Powell House.

A new badge to aid recruitment has been introduced for Cub Scouts. Details have been sent to Assistant County/Area Commissioners (Cub Scouts) for Assistant District Commissioners (Cub Scouts) with a sample badge. The badge is operable from 1st February 1998, is to be worn on the right sleeve under the Scout Family Badges and is obtainable from Badge Secretaries (cost 40p).

If you want to know more please contact either Sally Malcolm on (Tel/Fax) 01384 562429 or by email to: poland@scoutbase.org.uk

The ninth annual conservation project in Epping Forest for Scouts (over 13), Venture Scouts and Ranger Guides is taking place from 23-29 August, 1999. The one week camp costs 30 which includes meals, camp fees, a day out in the London area and T-shirt. Organiser Mrs Pauline Dawson is particularly keen to encourage any of the young people who took part in the original Discovery 89 camps to think about applying as young leaders. The main tasks this year are likely to include opening up of forest glades and restoration of scientifically interesting ponds. Further details from Mrs Pauline Dawson, Greenview, Snodland Close, Downe, Orpington, Kent BR6 7HW.

One of the latest additions to The Scout Association's official web site is all the current information from Scout Insurance Services at Lancing together with downloadable application forms. See http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/insure/index.htm

The United Kingdom Contingent to the 19th World Scout Jamboree in Chile will be 43 Units, including British Scouts Western Europe (BSWE). This amounts to 1439 young people and 170 Leaders. In addition, the UK Contingent will be slightly increased by participants who will be representing British Groups Abroad. These numbers are still to be confirmed. Applications for The International Service Team, have been received from 292 Venture Scouts, Adult Leaders and Ranger Guides and Guiders.

A reminder to all Wood-badge Holders to check your diaries. Do you have the Gilwell Reunion marked? It is 5-6 September 1998 and the theme is Going for Growth. The weekend will be crammed full of useful ideas and the latest in news and views, (with plenty to distract you, if you want to be distracted). Why not make an occasion out of it and bring other Wood-badge Holders from your District? No need to book, just turn up on the day. Further information will be found in SCOUTING Magazine (June or July edition) and Talking Points (June Edition) .

As a result of two Cub Scout Activity Badge sponsorships, two free of charge booklets have been produced for the Cub Section as programme support for the badges. The Booklets are: "Your Guide to the Cub Scout Map Reader Badge" and "Become an Animal Lover and discover the Fun" Distribution will be during March via ACC/AAC (Cub Scouts) for them to distribute to Cub Scout ADCs and Packs.

Although the Scout Section is only about one fifth of the total Membership they are responsible for 40% of the accidents reported to Scout Insurance Services at Lancing. Adults in Scouting (20% of the Membership) account for 20% of the accidents. Most accidents happen at camp or during games. If you want to lower the odds, stay away from the Group Headquarters, preferably by being on an expedition.

The National Scout Team has started a review of the Scout Section Proficiency Badges and would like to hear of any views you have about the current requirements or ideas for new badges. Any views or thoughts to the Scout Section Office, Gilwell Park. Email: ukgilscout@aol.com

A workshop in Nottingham on 9 May 1998 will provide Gang Show Production Teams with the opportunity to learn and try out new ideas for presenting their shows. Application forms are available from the Activities Office at Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW.

The current round is "Community Involvement". Application Packs have been available since 19/01/98 by phoning the Charities Board on 0345 - 919191. The Board now run a continuous grant making process which means there are no closing dates for the request or submission of application forms. This round is expected to run for a couple of years.

"Community Involvement" appears particularly relevant for many Scouting projects. The types of project which may be considered for funding are: new buildings, extensions, repairs and renovations, Leader training, volunteer recruitment, increasing Group membership, etc. Projects which benefit the wider community (i.e. those available to other community groups in addition to Scouts) tend to be viewed more favourably than those which solely benefit Scouting.

The Charities Board no longer require applicants to obtain a permission letter from Headquarters to be eligible for assessment. However, the Board has commented on the high standard of Scouting applications due to this past requirement. It is therefore highly recommended that a copy of your application be sent to the experienced Lottery Team at BP House prior to submission for help and advice where appropriate. Without the pressure of a submission deadline every opportunity to improve upon applications should be taken.

"Community Involvement" fact sheets are available by sending a S.A.E. to the Finance & Marketing Department at BP House. For more details or advice please contact the Scout Association Lottery Line on 0171-590-5123.

Grants are given to under 25 year olds to help with individual projects at home or abroad, preferably, but not necessarily, in connection with France. They are intended to develop and encourage individual initiative in any sphere of interest.

Grants given are never greater than 50% of the total project cost or normally exceed £300.00. The closing date for applications is 31/03/98. For more information and an application form contact: Mr J L Gatenby, Clerk to the Trustees, French Protestant Church of London, 1 Dean Farrar St, London. SW1H 0DY.

A frequently asked question about Talking Points is 'Who gets it?' The main circulation is handled by a Mailing House who use labels produced from the National Database at in the Records Office at Lancing. The labels are created from Census information supplied by Groups/Areas/Countys and Districts. If your copy of Talking Points comes in a clear plastic wrapper and the label is incorrect then the Records Office at Lancing need to be advised. This advice is best given through your County/Area or District Secretary because if you have changed address, it might be quite useful if they know as well!!

Single copies are mailed to

• County Chairmen
• County Treasurers
• County Administrators
• County Commissioners
• Acting County Commissioners
• Deputy County Commissioners
• County Organising Commissioners
• Assistant County Commissioners
• County Advisors (who are recorded on the system)
• District Commissioners
• Acting District Commissioners
• District Scout Fellowship Chairmen
• Group Scout Leader OR Group Contact, only when there is no GSL

Twelve copies are mailed to the following people so that they can be circulated to members of County or District teams not covered by the above.

• County Secretary/Acting County Secretary
• District Secretary/Acting District Secretary

If you are in Scotland, distribution is done via Scottish Headquarters.

If you receive your Talking Points in a plain brown envelope then you are on the mailing list of Editors or Public Relations Officers maintained by the Public Relations Department at Baden-Powell House. Any changes should be notified directly to them.

The Committee of the Council met at Gilwell Park on 14/15 February.

The following is an extract from a letter from the Chairman of the Committee of the Council which has been posted to all County/Area/District Commissioners and County/Area Chairmen.

At its meeting last week-end, the Committee of the Council received several reports on the outcomes of the consultations on the Local Support Services material, and took an initial series of decisions.

The Committee has decided -

• to affirm the principle of providing a centralised, rather than a decentralised, base for support services. This decision was made taking into account the need to move in parallel in respect of the issues dealt with below.
• In relation to the proposed Information Centre, 95% of the responses were in favour. The Committee had already made tentative provision for this possibility in its forward planning for 1999, but has now decided -
• to develop an Information Centre as early as possible, initially by the use of funds from within the Association's reserves. The Committee has commissioned a report on possible early implementation for its next meeting in April.

On the question about the range of services to be provided centrally, 79% of responses agreed that the list given was broadly correct. Given the response to the earlier questions about thrust and implementation, it was not surprising that the answers to the question about the range of services best provided locally were very much more diverse. Only two indications (here and in other more detailed comments) were clear enough to support any immediate decision making. They related to the Field Commissioner Service, and to the increased use of modern technology (IT) in providing both communications and resources.

Accordingly (taking account of its earlier decisions), the Committee has decided -

• to ask the Chief Executive to report in June on an outline proposal for a revised staffing structure under all the management headings suggested in the consultative report (recognising the need for Headquarters staff to be available to go out from the centre to provide specific support at local level when required);
• to ask the Chief Commissioners and the Chief Executive, with the Field Commissioner Team, to explore the size and allocation of the Field Service, and the consequential funding implications, in more detail with County and District Commissioners (a report on this is scheduled for the Autumn meeting of the Committee); and
• to ask the IT Steering Group to explore ways and means of ensuring that every County/Area and District can benefit from fast IT based communications with Headquarters (the Group is to consider this next month).

The issue of Headquarters co-location was not explicitly identified as a question in the consultative document. Nevertheless, there were a number of responses which addressed the issue, and of these roughly three-quarters were in favour of some move. The Committee has therefore asked for a cost-benefit analysis (covering issues of buildings, staffing and operating costs) of both full and partial co-location to be prepared for its June meeting.

The Committee agreed that the United Kingdom should make a bid to the World Scout Conference, Durban, South Africa in 1999 to organise and host the centennial World Scout Jamboree in 2007 in the United Kingdom.

The initiative to include young people on Headquarters Committee's has progressed to the point where there are only five vacancies to fill. Moves are also in hand to clarify the position regarding the process by which young people might be elected to the Council of The Scout Association and thereafter to the Committee of the Council.

These have been approved to remain as an optional Scouting activity with no age restriction provided they are carried out with the knowledge of parents. District Commissioners have been circulated with details.

Guidelines for 'sleepovers' as an optional Colony activity have been approved subject to stringent requirements being met. Details have been circulated to all District Commissioners.

Amendments Booklet 3 to the 1995 edition is in preparation In addition the 1995 edition as amended by Amendment Booklets 1,2,3 and Appendices A & B will be available on a CD-ROM. Both the booklet and the CD-ROM will be circulated to Groups/Districts/Counties and Areas. POR will also be downloadable from the ScoutBase Web Site following the distribution.

There is to be a residential weekend conference for County and Area Commissioners in April/May 1999.

New terms of reference have been approved covering the role and procedures.

New procedures have been adopted for the future appointment of National Commissioners. These will enable the appointment to be made more speedily without reducing the openness of the process.

It has been agreed to bring together a group of people to look at local St George's Day celebrations with a view to considering reaffirming or amending the traditional formats; attention is also being given to the National Scout Service.

POR Rule 63.1 covering the approval and wearing of occasional badges in respect of national activities or events has been reviewed to give County Commissioners more discretion in special circumstances concerning badges for wear by members of a Group, District or County.

Loans towards the cost of building/development work have been approved to:- Greater London Sout East County Scout Council (£30,000), 1st Corsham Scout Group, Wiltshire (£7,500), 1st Amersham, Buckinghamshire (£6,750).

Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Duke of Kent is to attend a reception organised jointly with the World Scout Foundation in London on 13 May.

National Commissioner for Scouts: Richard Butler, wef 17/12/97. Area Commssioner Forth Valley: Jamie Sime, extension of tenure to July 1999. Island Commissioner Guernsey: Wayne Bulpitt, wef 1/1/98. County Commissioner Northamptonshire: John Askew wef 1/2/98.