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Programme Review - Your Views Count

Christmas AND Millennium Parties - NSPCC and Scouts

Policy, Organisation and Rules - Amendments

St George's Day Parade - National Scout Service 2000

Training Courses - Try The Gilwell Experience

Adult Appointments - New Forms

Scout Information Centre - Telephone 0845 300 18 18

Millennium Resources - Bug Free!

Millennium Badge - Available Now

Free Video - "Safe & Sound"

Job Vacancy - Northumberland Beckons

Health and Safety - Non Scout Premises

Health and Safety - Scout Premises

Windsor Parade - Section Leaders Sought

Residential Experiences - Trials Update

Health and Safety - Radioactive Fire Exit Signs?

Mexico Moot - The Final Chance!

Friends of Scouting UK - New Look News

Job opportunity - Gilwell Park Campsite

High Profile Magazine - Off the Shelf

Open Day Boat Safety - Ask for Details

Health and Safety - Motor Sports Events

Vision Aid Overseas - Gilwell Reunion

'Just a Day' - Gilwell Reunion

Health and Safety - Look Out

Dettol Home Help Poster - Important Notice

National Lottery Charities Board - Main Grants Programme

Millennium Festival Awards for All - Small Grants Programme

Sea Scout General Fund - Applications Welcomed

Collecting Cans - Sale Time

National Scout & Guide Orchestra - Musical Excursions

Warrant Cancellations - Please Advise Lancing Records

Service Certificates - Long Service Awards

Committee News

Financial Matters:

Management Review:

Going for Growth:

Co-location:

Child Protection Matters:

Community Action Projects:

Information Centre:

Co-education:

Proficiency Badges Review:

19th World Scout Jamboree:

The Programme Review Group wishes to consult Members on the proposals for the future of UK Scouting. From October 1999 Districts, Counties and Areas throughout the UK will be arranging opportunities for you to see the 15 minute video " ".

Proposals for changing key areas of UK Scouting have been outlined in the booklet "the review - Visions For The Future" and these together with the questionnaire "the review - Have Your Say!" are being distributed through Districts from 1 November, with enough copies for one per Group. The full text will be available in November SCOUTING Magazine and on ScoutBase UK (http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/)

We are urging as many members of the Movement as possible to take part, and both the booklet and questionnaire may be freely copied.

If you have not seen a copy of the proposals by the end of November please contact your District Commissioner or ring the Information Centre at Gilwell Park. The consultation runs until the end of February 2000

The Scout Association is supporting the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's high profile Full Stop Campaign and joining with them to ask Scout Groups around the country to throw a Party for Children this Christmas and Millennium. The parties are a great way to raise awareness of the NSPCC campaign to end cruelty to children, and to raise money for the campaign and your local Group. The Parties could also contribute towards the Progressive Training Scheme or Activity and Proficiency Badges. The NSPCC will provide a special party pack which is stuffed full of wacky ideas and materials on how to raise money and build awareness through your party. If your Group is planning a Christmas or Millennium bash, please consider making your party really count this year by supporting the NSPCC.

For more information ring 0870 6066004 or the Scout Information Centre to order a party pack. Please clearly request the Party for Children, Youth Pack and leave your name, Scout Group, full address and telephone number.

The following amendments in Policy, Organisation and Rules are effective immediately.

under heading add the following text

All elected and constitutional bodies of The Scout Association at Headquarters, County, District and Branch should have, as full voting members, at least two young people between the age of 18 and 25 years old. This policy as a matter of good practice, should also be applied to any ad hoc, short or long term working groups or committees.

Add a second paragraph under:

Nominated members

Each Scout County and Overseas Branch nominates one youth representative. The youth representative must be a Member of the Association in the nominating County or Branch and on nomination must have passed his 18th birthday but not reached his 24th birthday at the date of the Annual Census. Once nominated, a youth representative serves for three years unless another representative is nominated in the representative's place or the representative has reached his 25th birthday at the time of the County or Branch Annual General Meeting. Salaried officials employed by County Scout Councils may be nominated, but persons in the full-time employment of Headquarters are not eligible for nomination.

Young People

Delete the last bullet point and replace with:

• All Members of the Movement should seek to practise that equality, especially in promoting access to Scouting for young people in all parts of society. The Scout Association opposes all forms of racism.

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The title Honorary Scouter may be conferred by Headquarters on a Leader or Commissioner warrant holder who retires and who has completed at least ten years outstanding warranted service. Following the cancellation of all warranted appointments, a recommendation for the conferment of the title may be made on Form I by a District or County Commissioner in respect of Leaders. In the case of Commissioners and County Scouters - other than County Commissioners - the recommendation should be made by the County Commissioner.

The title does not carry any entitlement and there is no requirement to pay the Headquarters Membership Subscription if the Honorary Scouter is not otherwise a Member or Associate Member of the Association. The appointment will be held in abeyance during the currency of any warranted appointment, but will revive automatically on its termination.

The National Scout Service and St. George's Day Parade of Queen's Scouts is at Windsor Castle, Sunday 30 April, 2000. Queen's Scouts under twenty one and a half years on that date who gained the Award before 31January 2000 are eligible provided they have not previously attended a National Scout Service. Queen's Scouts wishing to be considered should notify their District Commissioner who in turn will inform the County Organiser.

Enclosed with this edition of Talking Points you should find a leaflet setting out the Training Course Programme for the year 2000 at Gilwell Park. Further information from Training Records Office at Gilwell Park.

The Association has issued four new forms to District and County/Area Secretaries. The main changes include:-

The Confidential Enquiry Form (CE). This is an updated Warrant Enquiry Form (WE). It is to be used in the same way as the old WE for anyone likely to have substantial unsupervised access to young people.

The Adult Appointment Application Form (AA). This is to be used for all adult appointments, including Warranted Leaders and Commissioners, Helpers, Advisers and Instructors, Administrators and members of the Scout Fellowship. Everyone completing this new form should be given the first two pages, along with a copy of the yellow card 'Young People First'.

The new local Reference Form (Form RF) will provide a more consistent approach to the reference process by asking a series of standard questions. The forms should be issued at the same time as the Adult Application Form (AA) is completed.

The new Cancellation / Suspension Form (Form CS) should be used for cancelling appointments notified to Headquarters and to record any formal suspensions.

County and District Secretaries may request the new forms or the guidance notes from the Information Centre. They can also be downloaded from http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/appoint/index.htm

The Scout Information Centre is open from 0800 to 2000 five days a week and 0900 to 1200 on Saturday mornings. This service is available for all Leaders, Commissioners, Helpers and parents who want advice and support on all Scouting matters. Scouting Resource material can be ordered by telephone or email from info.centre@scout.org.uk

The Millennium Resource Pack was mailed out to every Group in July. If you have not seen a copy ask your District Commissioner. Alternatively, the resource can be downloaded from http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/2000/ - there were 2107 copies downloaded in one week!

The Millennium Badge is available from your Badge Secretary, cost £1 with 50p going to a local charity.

Guardian Direct's offer of FREE copies of the 'Safe & Sound' video closes 30 November 1999. It covers what happens when a fire occurs and what you can do to escape. All Cub Scout Packs working towards the Home Safety badge are entitled to a tape. To order copies for your County or District, contact David Jay, 16 Reade Road, Holbrook, Ipswich IP9 2QL or telephone 01473 683068.

More information at http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/trading/adverts/sands.htm

Hawkhirst Adventure Camp has a vacancy for a person to assist with catering in its Hostel. Full or part time, live in or off-site. For further details please write to Anne Langford, Hawkhirst Adventure Camp, Kielder Water, Hexham NE48 1QZ

In premises used for meetings but not owned by the Scout Group where anything in the fabric of the building or its services is of concern e.g. nails poking out of walls, unhygenic toilet facilities, damp walls, the Group should notify the owner without delay so that the defect can be rectified.

Risk Assessments for Scout Premises (FS28500) is a new Fact Sheet available from the Information Centre. It identifies some potential hazards and possible control measures to minimise the risk of injury or harm.

The Association needs 6 to 8 new Section Leaders from next year. If you are a Queen's Scout, have a sense of humour, and are aged between 20 and 35 then read on ......

You will be need to be smart, with full uniform, have a clear voice, be able to march (or willing to learn) and able to relate/communicate with people of Venture Scout age. You must be available for the weekends of 24/25 March and 29/30 April 2000.

If selected, you may be asked to be a Section Leader for up to 5 years from your first Parade - though the invitations to Section Leaders are re-issued annually. Section Leaders receive no expenses, so travel and other costs must be met by yourself. Apart from all the small print above, the most important point is that it is great fun!!

STILL INTERESTED? Then turn up in uniform for either of the selection events: 11 December 1999, 10-11.45am HMS Caledonia, Rosyth, Fife, Scotland or 8 January 2000, 2-3.45pm, Gilwell Park. It would be helpful if you would contact Peter Rogers (peter.rogers@scout.org.uk) or (020) 8498 5300, if you intend to turn up.

In 1997 The Scout Association recognised that for the successful management of any camp or pack holiday, those running the event needed skills in eight core areas. The Programme and Training sub-Committee further agreed that the time had come when all adults and young people leading residential experiences, (and not just those of the younger Sections), should be "approved" to do so in a tangible manner

From January 2000, the Programme and Development Department at Gilwell Park will begin evaluating a new Camping Permit Scheme in three Counties and briefings on the scheme are currently underway within Cambridgeshire, Greater London North and West Yorks. Under the terms of the trial, PC forms are no longer required, but participating groups will send in its place a letter that outlines the scheme. The requirement for site inspections has also been removed, unless specifically requested. All District Commissioners, Campsite Wardens and Camping Secretaries are asked to note the trial and to cooperate with Groups involved. Further details of the trial which will continue until the end of 2001, have been sent to all County / Area and District Commissioners.

Under new regulations Fire Exit Signs powered by radioactive materials are required to be registered with your local Environment Agency . Further details from the Health & Safety Officer at Baden-Powell House, (alan.copson@scout.org.uk).

The 11th World Scout Moot will take place in Mexico between 11-24 July 2000 and is open to 17.5 to 26.5 year olds. If you know of anyone interested in joining the UK contingent please contact Lisa Portman, Gilwell Park, (lisa.portman@scout.org.uk) or (020) 8498 5300 urgently.

More information available on ScoutBase UK at http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/inter/jambo/moot.htm.

The Friends of Scouting newsletter will have a new look from January 2000. Amongst regular features, there will be a new section with details of local events and campsite listings. If you would like to promote any forthcoming events or your County Campsite to our members FREE of charge, please send details to Friends of Scouting UK. Alternatively, if you have interesting stories you would like to see published , please write to Friends of Scouting UK, The Scout Association, FREEPOST (SW8032), London SW7 5BR.

Gilwell Park Campsite is recruiting a new Manager with commercial experience. Please see ScoutBase UK for the full advertisement or contact the Recruitment Hotline on (020) 7590 5129 (24 hour answerphone) quoting the reference CM/GPC/TP. Closing date 9 November.

See http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/hq-info/jobs/hq-jobs.htm for more info.

SCOUTING Magazine is gradually increasing its presence on the shelves of the nation's newsagents. Retailers in Scotland, Wales, the South East and North East of the United Kingdom can obtain the Magazine on a sale or return basis, making it more desirable to stock the Magazine and display it. Newsagents in other areas of the UK can obtain copies but only if you go and ask them for one.

Pembroke County Council issued a press statement earlier this year, covering the tragic loss of life during a sailing session in an Open Day Boat. It is urgently recommended that all parties using this type of vessel for sail training are made fully aware of procedures now suggested. This especially concerns the addition of masthead buoyancy and the need to carry out a swamp test before further use. Full details of this press statement may be obtained from the Activities Section or Information Centre at Gilwell Park.

The Health & Safety Executive publish HSG 112 (£10.00) outlining steps to control risks at motor sport events to safeguard organisers, volunteers and spectators. Some of the issues may be pertinent to Scout run events. HSE Books Tel No.01787 881165

In next 2-3 months HSE will publish guidance on go-karts covering issues such as supervision, driver briefing, public safety & examination of go-karts and driver protective equipment.

Many thanks to everyone who brought old spectacles to the Gilwell Reunion. Over 150 pairs were collected on the Special Needs base. These will go to Vision Aid Overseas for people who need glasses but cannot afford them. If you want to collect locally the contact address is Vision Aid Overseas, 56-66 Highlands Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8NR.

Over £925.00 was collected at the Scouts' Own at Gilwell Reunion for 'Just a Day'. This is a project to support Scouting in the Balkans. It is also an educational project to help young people in this country to develop their understanding of the situation in the Balkans. Educational material is available from the European Scout region's website: http://www.scout.org/europe.

Laser pointers sold in the UK should be classified according to the current British Standard on laser safety. Class 1 and Class 2 lasers are suitable as a training aid only. The National Radiological Protection Board advises that those sold to the public should be restricted to Class 1 or 2. Higher classifications could cause serious damage to the eye if misused. Laser pointers in the higher classes offered for sale should be reported to local Trading Standards officers.

The recently distributed Cub Scout Home Help poster produced by Dettol, provides tips on first aid. These tips are unacceptable to the First Aid agencies, if applied in first aid situations of a serious, perhaps life threatening nature.

The tips may be appropriate in non serious, simple nursing care situations around the home but to avoid any potential confusion, The Scout Association recommends you do not display the Dettol First Aid Tips.

A revised application pack for the themes Community Involvement and Poverty & Disadvantage is now available by telephoning 0845 791 9191. The application form has changed slightly but applications made on the previous version will still be accepted. The main changes are to the guidance notes and it is worth acquiring the new pack for these alone.

Prior to submission of your application it is highly recommended that a copy be sent to the Fundraising Department at B-P House who have considerable experience in this area.

Further information can be obtained by sending an A5 Stamped Addressed Envelope to the Fundraising Department at B-P House. For help and advice please contact the Scout Association Lottery Line on (020) 7590 5123. If you are based in Scotland please contact Scottish HQ on 01383 419073 for assistance.

This small grants programme offers grants of between £500 to £5,000 to small community groups. The application forms and guidelines for these awards vary slightly between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales but the programme itself is essentially the same. To obtain an application pack for Awards for All please call your respective country's application line: England: 0845 6002040, N. Ireland: 0345 458458, Scotland: 0645 700777, Wales: 0345 273273.

A fact sheet for England, Northern Ireland or Wales can be obtained by sending an A5 Stamped Addressed Envelope to the Fundraising Department at B-P House stating which country you are based in. For help and advice please contact The Scout Association Lottery Line on (020) 7590 5123. In Scotland please contact Scottish HQ for assistance.

The purpose of this fund is to assist non Royal Navy recognised Sea Scout Groups to obtain boats and equipment and develop Sea Scout Training. There is a separate Fund for R.N. recognised groups. The Fund received a donation of £30,000 from a Charitable Trust earlier this year to fund capital projects. Applications are welcomed. The maximum grant given is £2,000. Grants are awarded on a matching pound for pound basis. For an application form please send a stamped addressed envelope to June Wakeford, Grants Secretary, at Lancing.

Headquarters has 70 packs of collecting cans and associated material for sale. A pack includes:10 Cans,70 Tamper Proof seals and 50 Collector Cards. The packs are free, but a charge of £10.15 per pack is made to cover the cost of delivery, packaging and handling. Orders are on a first come first served basis and subject to availability. Cheques should be made payable to The Scout Association. Please send your order with details of a daytime delivery address to the Fundraising Department at B-P House.

Would you like to be considered to be a member of The National Scout & Guide Orchestra? Players must be proficient in one orchestral instrument at a minimum of Grade 5. If so, applications are currently taking place for next year's Summer Tour in London and the South East between the 24-28th July. It is probable that a tour to Canada will follow the course. You will receive professional tuition interspersed with a variety of sports and leisure activities. At the end of the week you will perform at a public concert and then set off on the overseas tour. For full details and application form please telephone the Scout Information Centre.

District - and where appropriate County/Area - Secretaries are asked to ensure that they keep an accurate local record of active Leaders and advise the Records Office at Lancing of Warrant cancellations when they happen.

Warranted and Non-warranted service both count towards recognition of length of service. Districts, Counties and Areas should apply for Service Awards for adults with non-Warranted or a mixture of Warranted and non-Warranted service on Form L. Many adults with this service are not recorded.

The following are highlights from The Association's Annual Report & Accounts adopted by the Council of the Association on 25 September, 1999. The full text is available on ScoutBase UK (http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/annrpt/annrpt99/rep1.htm)

Total incoming resources for the year were £10.743 million, a decrease of £137,000 over last year with the increased subscription rate more than offset by the fall in Membership. Investment income of £2.583 million included dividends and interest on investments, donations, grants and insurance commissions. It was in line with last year despite the fall in interest rates.

Turnover showed a growth of 2.7 percent over the previous year, while gross margins remained constant at 42 percent of turnover. However, in common with other high street retailers, the increased turnover failed to disguise a year of poor trading, with operating profits before interest, dropping by £394,000 to £402,000.

Achieved a £40,000 increase in profit to £243,000. Scout Services Limited: Continuing and growing sponsorship of badges allowed Scout Services to achieve another solid year with £180,000 being contributed under the 100 percent profit shedding covenant. The Bank of Scotland Affinity Card has brought over £210,000 since launch.

Achieved an improved surplus following an increase in the cover price, while the Resource Centre operation continued to perform well during its absorption by the Information Centre.

Reserves increased by £456,000 over 1998. The Association's unencumbered reserves amount to £16.533 million, equivalent to just over one and a half year's income at current levels. Of this total some £9.5 million has been set aside into Designated Funds for future calls on the Association's finances, including costs leading up to the 2007 Jamboree, modernisation of the Gilwell National Camp Site facilities and co-location of certain Headquarters service departments.

£110,000 was lent to assist Groups, Districts, Counties and Areas.

Returned to profit with a 27 percent increase in income in what was the first full year of trading after the refurbishment. Gilwell Park Conference and Activity Centre: Failed to improve on the poor results of last year. The Association has accelerated the programme to widen the appeal of the centre and attract outside commercial clients to fill spare capacity.

In October 1998, measures to provide tighter control on expenditure were implemented. The priorities and methods for the implementation for each of the targets in the Headquarters Strategic Development Plan were fully reviewed. Staff posts which became vacant were frozen, with consequent pressure on the remaining staff to maintain the level and quality of service. By February 1999, there were some 20 vacant staff posts frozen.

A variety of resources to support Going for Growth initiatives were promoted. There was a 50 percent refund to Scout Groups of the Headquarters Membership Subscriptions paid on increased numbers.

The cost-benefit analysis of co-location was completed. It was agreed to proceed with full co-location at Gilwell Park. Constitutions and Bye Laws: New Bye Laws include a provision for each County and Area to nominate one youth representative aged 18-24 years (at the time of nomination) to the Council of The Scout Association plus the election of three youth representatives to the Committee. Service Certificates and Decorations: It was agreed that service certificates should be introduced for five and ten years adult service. The qualifying period of adult service for the Long Service Decorations remain at 15 and 25 years. There is a new Chief Scout's Long Service Decoration for those who have given 40 years adult service.

The Government announced that it will establish a Criminal Records Bureau for England and Wales. Similar arrangements will be made in Scotland. This will allow youth organisations and others to check if adults volunteering to work with young people have a criminal record. The Association welcomes the initiative. Proposals are that the Bureau will charge £10 per check and voluntary organisations will not be exempt. The Scout Association may be forced to spend £750,000 each year. The Chief Executive and over 40 chief executives of other voluntary organisations met with the Minister of State. A disappointing response galvanised the organisations into concerted action. A briefing was provided to County/Area Commissioners and many have contacted MPs.

The Community Development Department registered 199 projects. Eighty-three Scout Groups were awarded start up grants for new Sections from the Trustees of The Scout Foundation, taking Scouting to 1,330 more young people and 287 adults. In addition, The Scout Foundation funded another 38 projects - 15 new Scout Groups, ten District projects, six County projects, four Community Action projects and three projects with Secondary Schools.

Opened on 1 April 1999 as a primary point of contact accessible via a local call number - 0845 300 1818 six days a week.

All new Scout Groups registered after 1 January 2000, will be required to offer mixed Membership. It also agreed that the lack of a mixed gender leadership team should not be a barrier to co-educational Scouting, although it remains recognised good practice.

The National Scout Team carried out the three year review of Section Proficiency badges.

The World Jamboree was held in Chile Nearly 2,000 UK Scouts participated.