;

National Cost of Supporting Scouting Action

UNICEF/Scouts Emergency Appeal for Angola

Incident Reporting - New Form

Throw A Party And Raise Funds - The NSPCC And You

Caving Access News - The Black Mountain

Tall Ships - 2000 Race

Tall Ships - Mini Version

Famous Scouts - Know any?

Reach for the Sky - Help and Advice

Millennium Song Tape - Get In Tune

Need Help? - Scout Information Centre

Last Offer of this Millennium - Bargain Basement

Training Insignia

Top Gear? - Guidance On Motor Sport Events

Health And Safety - Laser Pointers

The National Lottery Charities Board - Main Grants Programme

Millennium Festival Awards for All - Small Grants Programme

Money Available - Sea Scout General Fund

Automatic Lifejackets - Product Recall

Literary Lolly - Pickabook Ltd

Hot News - Talking Points by Email

Mark the Millennium in style

Committee News

National Cost of Scouting:

Election of Youth Representatives:

Scouting 2007 Limited:

Criminal Records Bureau:

Going for Growth:

Gilwell Park Camp Site Development:

National Volunteers Structures:

Communications And Image Strategy:

At its meeting on 30/31 October, the Committee of the Council received an extensive report on the National Cost of Supporting Scouting. In this, the Chief Executive reminded members that much work had been done already to reduce costs and services. The total staff establishment had fallen and there were a range of frozen posts. The budget process was more stringent and open to greater scrutiny. However further and more radical action was still necessary. Debate and discussion of these actions occupied the greater part of the meeting.

Arising from decisions made by Committee, the Chairman, John Bevan, wrote to County Commissioners on 1 November. The full text of the letter is available on ScoutBase UK or from County Commissioners. The following is a summary of the key points.

We sent out over 1,100 copies of the letter of 21st July with the six page leaflet - to all County, Area and District Commissioners. They were asked to share the information with their local elected officers. By four days after the closing date, when the analysis for the Committee meeting was completed, we had received 43 collective responses from Counties, Areas and Districts, and a further 40 responses in all, 24 being from individuals. Because we had expected a lot more responses (this exercise attracted far fewer responses than, for example, the consultation on shooting), we did not in general try to acknowledge responses as they arrived, although some which raised procedural questions were answered immediately. We shall be thanking all those who responded in the letter which is shortly to be sent to all those who received the original material, and in Scouting magazine.

To send material direct to all Groups would have involved about another 10,000 copies of the paperwork, making the exercise cost over ten times as much. In consequence, some responses from Groups were based solely on the brief information given in Talking Points. The Committee has identified as a continuing long term challenge the issue of maintaining cost-effective communication direct with Groups on matters such as this.

Within the responses there was a marked divergence of views on most issues.

On the overall issue of the increase in the national subscription already decided for next year, there was again a divergence of views (the topic was addressed in less than a third of all responses). There were strong expressions of view to the effect that any increase in subscription rates should be kept down (e.g. to no more than the rate of inflation: with an acceptance, in general, that this would mean a cut in central services); and there were also strong expressions of view that we have been 'underpricing' Scouting for years, and that, for example, many young people spend more at a take-away on the way home than they pay on a total weekly average basis for their Scouting.

Several respondents based their comments in part on two common misconceptions - that the Association actually had an out-turn deficit last year (as a result of action taken during the year by the Committee, and by senior managers, it did not); and that the Association currently employs more (rather than fewer) staff than in previous years (it does not: the total staff figure has decreased by about 5% over the last 3 years; and the apparent increase in staff numbers shown in the published accounts simply reflects a slight expansion at Scout Shops). The information sent out in July also failed to make it clear that the decision to revalue staff salaries did not apply to the senior staff.

The Committee had in front of it all the responses; and reports on further work done by all its sub-Committees, and by the senior staff team. The responses themselves were not statistically significant, especially given their marked divergence on most issues. The Committee discussed the matter during a series of group and plenary meetings lasting for much the greater part of this week-end.

The Committee first took a number of general decisions relating to the broad shape of the services to be provided centrally by Headquarters. It then moved on to a more detailed consideration of the entire range of existing services and costs. It has decided on a number of cuts in services and costs which will amount to a total of about of £1.1M in a full year, after meeting redundancy etc costs. Some of these cuts will have an immediate impact. A summary list of the cuts will be included in a letter to be sent to all County, Area and District Commissioners, although precise details will have to be worked out over the next few months.

In addition to the letter an article will appear in December's Scouting magazine; and the material will be copied on ScoutBase UK.

The Committee will be receiving further reports on the progress and implementation of the cuts at its next meeting, and will be deciding in February on the level of the Headquarters membership subscription to be charged in the year 2001-2002. This should give ample notice to Groups and Districts for planning purposes. One of the factors which cannot be known with any confidence at that stage will be the membership figures (the census) for next year (2000-2001). On current trends, however, the Committee has assumed for forecasting purposes a continuing decline of about 5% per annum, and on that basis (taken together with other necessary assumptions), the budget for the single year 2001-2002 should be just about in balance at a subscription level of £13. For the three year financial planning period, however - and taking all the planned cuts into account - the accumulated deficit will still exceed £2M. The Committee is therefore looking at a probable subscription level of £15, which would reduce the accumulated deficit over the three years to about £1M. The Committee has been advised that it could responsibly charge that amount to reserves provided that the corner has been turned for the subsequent years in terms of membership numbers and subscription income.

The Committee was very conscious of the difficulties faced by some individuals and Groups in raising the money necessary to pay membership subscriptions as they become due, and has therefore decided to support the work already being done by some Counties, Areas and Districts by reviewing the use of, and the raising of further endowments for, the Needy Groups fund.

John Bevan
Chairman, Committee of the Council

In Angola Scouts are working with UNICEF to provide food for thousands of children who have fled their homes in the countryside because of the civil war. UK Scouts have to opportunity to support their work through fundraising - Scouts are encouraged to hold "Bring and Buy" sales and donate the proceeds to help feed the displaced children. Details have been sent to Group contacts with this issue of Talking Points. A fundraising and education pack is available from "Action for Angola", UNICEF, FREEPOST, Chelmsford, CM2 3BR.

In March 1999, it was reported that Scout Insurance Services would be producing a new Accident Report Form, in the light of the civil justice reforms introduced by Lord Woolf (TP No. 57, The Woolf's at the Door). Although the legal reforms actually only apply formally to England and Wales, the Association's approach for insurance and incident reporting will be consistent across the UK.

A draft of the proposed new form has been in use since April. Some Leaders found it helpful and easy to use whilst others found it intimidating. Where possible, amendments have been made, based on the comments received. The final version is now in circulation.

The form title, 'Incident Report Form', reflects the fact that POR requires some incidents to be reported, irrespective of whether an injury occurred. Scout Insurance Services would like to stress that the purpose of the document is to enable us to provide better support and not (as some fear) to enable us to criticise Leaders. Any Leader who has concerns following an incident is invited to contact Scout Insurance Services at Lancing.

The NSPCC has embarked on its boldest and most ambitious challenge since it was founded more than 100 years ago. The aim of the Full Stop campaign is to end cruelty to children within a generation. The NSPCC says that the incidence of abuse in the UK is a national scandal. Yet its research and experience tell it that most could be prevented if there was the will to do so. The desire to change attitudes and behaviour is crucial in enabling the NSPCC to help children like Michael, 5, and Paul, 7, who, everyday after school crept home afraid of finding their parents drunk and fighting. Too ashamed to invite their playmates home, they wondered whether their parents drank because the boys weren't 'good' enough. At night, they hid under the bed, terrified that their Mum and Dad would kill one another. This kind of abuse can scar children such as Michael and Paul for life. Cruelty to children in any form is unacceptable. It must be stopped and we have to start putting an end to it now.

Please support the Campaign by organising a party. It will help raise awareness and could also be used to raise funds for the campaign. Call the NSPCC now on 0870 606 6004 to order a Party for Children Pack and help the NSPCC to make that difference.

The Programme & Development Department at Gilwell Park is in possession of an open letter from the Brecon Beacon National Park Authority on ways of improving access to the caving areas within the National Park. Any Scout Association cavers who have not seen the proposal and who wish to take part in the consultation should contact the Activities Section at Gilwell Park.

Trans Ocean Adventure Limited are proposing to enter a yacht in the Tall Ships 2000 Atlantic Race. The race consists of seven legs and any person interested in taking part in this opportunity should contact:- Trans Ocean Adventure Ltd., 3 Fort Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3TB.

The mini Tall Ships Race will be held in the Baltic in July and August 2000. The Discovery Sailing Project (0189 5675102) and Scouts Off-shore (01206 385071 will both be entering and have vacancies for interested sailors. Contact the above numbers for further details of times and cost.

The PR Department would like to update their "Notable Former Scouts" factsheet. To do this, they need your help! Do you know of any famous people that have been Scouts? Have they been members of your Group? Please do not speculate - only definite information. If you do have any details, please contact Jo Tupper in the PR Department, B-P House. (jo.tupper@scout.org.uk)

Sky Television has created a magazine aimed at helping young people think about careers. It is a bright, exciting FREE magazine, which should appeal to the Scout age range. If you would like to bulk order (5-35 copies) please phone 0870 904 5060 (Mon-Sun, 8am-10pm). There is also a website, at www.reachforthesky.co.uk.

As part of the Millennium Celebrations, you will find included in the Camps Resource Pack the Millennium Song. Copies of an audio tape, which includes a live recording from In to the Spotlight held at the Royal Albert Hall on 9 October 1999, and a sing-a-long style recording suitable for sectional meetings, will be available at £6.00. From Information Centre, Gilwell Park after 4 January 2000.

Local Rate Number: 0845 300 1818

e-mail: info.centre@scout.org.uk

fax: 0208 498 5407

Open 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday

Open 9am - 12 noon Saturday

For readers of Talking Points the Information Centre is offering the following items at a discount:

To order please contact the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818.

All prices include P&P. Be quick as this offer ends on 31/12/1999.

Do you need new or replacement Training Insignia?

The Scout Information Centre stocks the following items:

Phone 0845 300 1818 to place your order now.

The Health & Safety Executive publish HSG 112 (£10.00) on steps to control risks at the above events to ensure the safety of organisers, volunteers & spectators. Some of the issues may be pertinent to Scout run events. HSE Books Tel No. 01787-881165

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.

A revised application pack for the themes Community Involvement and Poverty & Disadvantage is available by phoning 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 BP 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 BP 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 is available in all countries and offers grants of £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:

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. 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.

The purpose of this fund is to assist non Royal Navy recognised Sea Scout Groups (there is a separate fund for Royal Navy recognised Groups) to obtain boats and equipment and develop Sea Scout Training.

The Fund received a donation of £30,000 from a Charitable Trust earlier this year to fund capital projects. Applications are welcomed, but please bear in mind the maximum grant given is £2,000. Grants are awarded on a matching pound for pound basis and applicants are therefore expected to match any grant awarded by the Association.

For an application form please send a stamped addressed envelope to June Wakeford, Grants Secretary, The Scout Association, Churchill Industrial Estate, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 8UG.

Crewsaver had been advised by a component supplier that the automatic firing capsule on some automatic lifejackets might not activate when immersed in water. The lifejackets affected may still be used by manual activation. However, due to the possible failure of the automatic capsule, Crewsaver are offering a free exchange of the suspect components. The capsules are easily identified by the yellow cover (no other colour firing capsule is affected.

Please note this recall only affects the following standard automatic lifejackets.

Crewsaver, Barbour, Fox International and Crewsaver Russell Simpson, Standard Automatic lifejackets purchased since April 1997.

Junior Crewfit Automatic lifejackets purchased since April 1997.

Any standard Automatic Lifejacket Rearming Packs with a yellow automatic capsule for any of the above.

If you have any enquires, please telephone Freephone 0800 3890398

Pickabook Ltd is an internet book shop with a general catalogue of over 200,000 titles and immediate access to over 4 million books. Most books are offered at a discount of 20% off the recommended retail price and are despatched within 24 hours. In addition there are weekly special offers of up to 30% off selected titles and monthly pre-publication offers.

Pickabook has a corporate policy whereby customers can request a percentage of their spend be donated to a charity. When a customer places an order they can choose a charity from a list which includes The Scout Association and Pickabook will donate 2½per cent of the sale to the chosen charity. The site can be accessed at: www.pickabook.co.uk

Nearly 9,000 people receive Talking Points and other topical information by email. Not only late breaking news but media opportunities and announcements about Scouting's regular appearances on radio and television can be circulated in two or three hours. This service is provided through the uk-scouting mailing list, part of the service from ScoutBase UK, the Association's Award Winning Website.

Subscribing and unsubscribing from the uk-scout mailing list is an automated process

To subscribe, you need to log on to the ScoutBaseUK website (www.scoutbase.org.uk). On the front page you will see an icon "Get Talking Points by email". Click on this and follow the instructions on-screen.

To stop receiving messages from uk-scouting send an email message in the following format to:

Put nothing in the subject line.

In the text type:

where bob@job.co.uk is the E-mail address you wish to delete from the list.

If you receive a message saying you are not a member but you are still getting messages, you could be subscribed as a different email address. In one of the errant messages, check for the "X-ListMember:" clause in the header of the message. It will have the form:

which means that this message was from the list called "uk-scouting" and sent to the email address "brian@abc.co.uk". You can now leave the list by substituting xxx in the above example with the address in X-listMember:

Should you still have any problems or questions, please email cwanley@scoutbase.org.uk who will be happy to help.

Begin the new Millennium with a special and memorable activity - then do it every year! Exciting long-term plans are an excellent way to retain and recruit young people and adults to Scouting. Try going to Europe - or going further afield - in 2000 and 2001.

Paragon Tours and Events is a new travel company formed by three experienced tour operators and event managers with a close connection to Scouting. They include Nick Higgins International Secretary at Baden-Powell House for 14 years until July 1999 and organised the UK Contingent to the World Scout Jamboree in Chile 1998/99. Now Paragon is offering some special opportunities to the Scout Movement.

Tailor made visits abroad with the Troop or the Unit. There is a whole world to explore and Paragon can make it easy for you. They can help you develop your own ideas or make interesting, adventurous and stimulating suggestions.

Contingents to national Scout events. There is a range of opportunities and places to go with Paragon in 2000 and 2001, including the Polish National Jamboree, the Caribbean Jamboree and Vienna 2000.

The Adventure Continues. Adults in Scouting can join a small group for the holiday of a lifetime with like-minded people: climbing Kilimanjaro, trekking in Morocco and discovering Costa Rica are planned for 2000.

Paragon is a division of Wildlife Worldwide Ltd, is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators and trades under ATOL 4503.

Tel: 01483 426 364

Email: sales@paragontoursandevents.com

Website: www.paragontoursandevents.com

The Committee of the Council Met at Gilwell Park on 30/31 October, 1999.

Please see the first item in this edition of Talking Points outlining proposals to save £1.1 million and reduce Headquarters staff establishment by 20%.

The Order approving the changes to the association's Bye-Laws had been received so the elected youth representatives had therefore been duly elected as full members of the Committee and Trustees of the Association from the AGM.

Dr. D. Pollard, Chairman of Scouting 2007 Ltd. reported that the first meeting of the shadow Board of Directors would be to decide the procedural arrangements for the meetings and business of the Board once the company was formally established. Following the success of the Jamboree bid and the creation of the company it was intended that 2007 enter a period of low key activity as far as the Movement was concerned. This would enable a sound operating base to be established and give proper emphasis to other initiatives.

It was agreed that Mr. G. Mitchell should be the lead volunteer for the Association's work on the CRB in succession to Mr. A. Lee.

This programme would be retitled 'Action for Growth'. It was confirmed that 'Action for Growth' is of the highest importance. Chief Commissioners will continue discussions with County/Area Commissioners on local action plans and the agreement of similar plans between County/Area Commissioners and District Commissioners, and Group Scout Leaders. All meetings within the Association at whatever level will be urged to have a standing point under any other business asking participants to reflect on the meeting and identify discussions or actions that would directly cause growth. Other initiatives :- The National Team for Adult Support will accelerate its review of approaches to Leader and Commissioner training and support. In particular strong consideration will be given to : User led support and information that is immediately accessible and easy to use. Starter packs for each role. Increased provision of local fast start training or coaching available within days of starting and focus on the needs of the role rather than the wider picture of Scouting. The Director of Communications will place a high emphasis on the development and deployment of image raising resource templates which can be enhanced quickly and easily for effective local use.

A report enlarged on the vision of the camp site development agreed in June 1999, in that it was to be a residential centre offering a wide variety of activities, where adults could be trained and where staff would work alongside people visiting. The plan proposes that the camping emphasis of the estate be moved and centred around Gilwellbury with capacity increased from 2000 to 4000. A visitor centre and the National Scout Museum would be established around the existing camp square with a multi purpose activity and event centre. The Bomb Hole would be doubled in size. Agreed that the report be the basis for the redevelopment of the camp site.

Following a report from the Chief Scout, it was agreed that the title of National Commissioner be retained and reconsidered when the outcome of Programme Review was known. It was also agreed that the National Chairman of the Scout Fellowship should now be National Commissioner for the Scout Fellowship. The line manager of the National Commissioner for Scout Fellowship will be the National Commissioner for Adult Support; the line manager for the National Commissioners for Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venture Scouts, Activities and Special Needs will be the National Commissioner for Programme; the line manager of the National Commissioners for Programme, Adult Support and Development and The Scout Association Adviser for Religious Development will be the Chief Scout.

The Director of Communications presented a paper on the Association's Communications and Image Strategy. Members were reminded that recent research has shown that Scouts enjoy high recognition among the general public and are viewed favourably but this is not translating into action or support. For an activity or cause to gain support it must be seen to be relevant. For many Scouting is not seen as relevant in today's society. The aim must be to show that Scouting is a thoroughly modern Movement, up-to-date in its outlook and activities and in the way it presents itself to the world. Scouting does have a role to play - the challenge is to convince others. Mrs. Gizbert said that the media and public are preoccupied with and out-dated view of Scouting. She also noted that information about Scouting is not always effectively communicated. As a result Leaders are confused and the Movement lacks public credibility among decision makers. The first objective proposed is the presentation of a fresh and contemporary image of Scouting to the general population at local and national levels. The second objective is for better communications within the Movement which included a two-way flow of information to members from the Association's decision makers and vice-versa. The third objective was for more effective communication to the general public of the programmes, activities and goals of Scouting. The strategy recommends a more aggressive and pro-active approach to obtaining national media coverage and suggests that national events also be staged to capture the attention of the media and show the relevance of Scouting to important issues.

A new corporate website was being developed intended for the non-Scouting audience and providing general information on Scouting as well as information for sponsors and training opportunities for business, recruitment opportunities and links to other organisations.