;

Important Issues - Letters from Committee of the Council

Safety during Adventurous Activities

Subscriptions 2001 - 2002

Millennium Badges - 300,000 Sold Already

Programme Review - Thanks for Having Your Say

Scouting 2007 Ltd - Update

Deed of Covenent - New Scheme

Brave Bodies Required - Gilwell Goes Galactic

Policy, Organisation and Rules - Amendments

Jamboree On The Trail - Worldwide Walks

Beaver Scout Sleepovers - Slight Amendments

Forest Frenzy - Epping Endeavours

Scout Radio Communicator Badge - Changes

Learn to Sail - Summer Scheme

Young People First - Scout Websites

FuturoScout 2001 - Time of Adventure!

Short Term Work Placement - FuturoScout 2001

Imperial Cancer Research Fund - Race for Life

National Scout Air Rifle Championship - 20-22 October 2000

Gilwell Wood Badge - Special Edition

Christmas and Millennium Parties - NSPCC and Scouts

No Annual Camp? - No Equipment?

Scouting Heritage Tour - Footsteps of the Founder

BSA Seeks Summer Staff - 18-30 Holidays

Minibuses in Europe - Face the Facts

Overseas Travel Insurance - Take Cover

Outdoor Activity Awards - Outdoors 2000

Committee News

Safety and Membership Subscriptions:

Criminal Records Bureau:

International Scout & Guide Fellowship:

Committee of Council - Agenda and Papers:

The National Cost of Supporting Scouting:

National Events:

European Membership Fees:

Awards Listings:

Trust Funds Review:

National Volunteer Structures - National Teams and Task Forces:

National Volunteer Structures - General Purposes sub-Committee Subsidiary Bodies.

National Volunteer Structures - Attendance at Committee of Council Meetings:

European Jamboree Futuroscout 2001.

Communications & Image Strategy Implementation:

Budget 2000/2001:

Warrants:

The following two extracts are from letters sent to all County/Area/District Commissioners during February from the Chairman of the Committee of the Council. The full text of both is available on ScoutBase UK. Copies can be requested from the Information Centre.

The Chief Scout wrote to you on 7th January setting out the immediate action we needed to take in the light of recent events. At its February meeting the Committee of the Council received the report of the group set up to look at what we should learn from these events.

A further letter will be issued as soon as possible as it is important that we should take appropriate account of any findings. In the meantime you will want to know that the group's main concerns in relation to mountain activities centred on the following matters -

• A cavalier attitude to rules by leaders and others within the Movement
• Poor management of parties, particularly larger parties.
• Lack of educational purpose for an expedition
• Routes geared to leader "wants" rather than young persons' "needs".
• A culture of always having to climb the highest peak, regardless of party ability
• A poor attitude to risk and risk assessment
• Authority overidden by unauthorised leaders
• Lack of knowledge of expeditions by DCs
• No uniformity in investigating cause of accidents
• Lack of support and assistance in obtaining authorisations
• Too few nationally qualified assessors and advisers
• A 1960s/70s attitude to adventure and risk that is not acceptable to society in 2000

All these matters are being addressed. In particular the following Rule changes identified in the Chief Scout's letter come into full effect immediately -

POR rule 28.9(a) is amended by the addition of the sentence "Any person appointed by a County /Area Executive as an Assessor may act as an Assessor in any other County/Area unless that County/Area has specifically objected to that individual."

POR rule 40(1)(f) is amended by the deletion of the sentence "No more than two parties should move together in the hills", and the insertion instead of the sentences "Every party must include at least one named and designated party leader, and no party may exceed a maximum of seven in all. If a Troop, Unit etc has more than seven in the area parties must move either on different routes or, if on the same route, with a clear time and geographical separation between them in order that they do not become mixed."

The group made a total of thirteen recommendations, which have been accepted by the Committee of the Council. These may lead to further changes in our Rules and procedures, and will be dealt with in the letter which will follow.

Last November I indicated that at its February meeting, the Committee of the Council would consider the level of the Headquarters membership subscription for the year 2001-2002.

At the meeting the Committee considered reports on the implementation of the budget cuts already made, taking £1.1M out of Headquarters expenditure and resulting in 29 redundancies. It also considered reports on 12 further service and expenditure reviews completed or in progress.

Looking forward, the Committee received initial County estimates of this year's census figures, which suggest a continuing decline in total membership numbers of about the same size as last year. It also received up-to-date information on the Government's progress towards the implementation of criminal records checks, which are now planned to be operational during the budget year 2001-2002 with charges for volunteer checks still in place.

Taking account of all the information available, the Committee determined that the Headquarters membership subscription for the year 2001-2002 should be fixed now at £15. The figure was agreed on the basis that the call on the Association's reserves over the three year period ending in March 2002 should be held down to about £1M.

The Committee has taken this early decision in order to give Groups and Districts ample notice of the figure for planning and budgeting purposes. At the same time, the Committee hopes that you will continue to take every opportunity - in conjunction with other volunteer organisations working with young people - to alert local Members of Parliament and others to the severe threat posed to our work by the Home Office's continued insistence on bringing in a scheme of criminal records checks that will cost the movement at least £750,000 every year.

Members should know that we can all wear a Millennium Badge on uniform from now until 31 December, 2000. These are available from District Badge Secretaries or direct from Scout Shops Ltd. The badges cost £1 of which 50 pence goes as a donation to local charities chosen by each District in the UK. With 500,000 Members we can expect to give donations totalling in excess of £250,000 to numerous local charities. This opportunity continues our theme of "Scouts help Others". Please ensure that all young people and adults with whom you have contact have the opportunity to purchase and wear a Millennium Badge so that they are "Part of the Action".

The four-month Programme Review Consultation on proposals for the future of UK Scouting is drawing to a close. Thank you to everyone who has taken part. These include:-

Thousands who completed the Programme Review Form and also took time to return letters and other comments on the review.

Hundreds who helped with the current round of focus group interviews. By the beginning of March, The Programme Review Groups will have held almost 80 interview meetings in 20 Districts across the UK, all of which have been recorded on tape so that they can be independently analysed.

Final recommendations for the Committee of the Council's May meeting will give due weight to all the questionnaires, opinions and feedback that has been passed to the Programme Review Office during the last four months.

Scouting 2007 Ltd is being established to oversee the three strands of Scouting's centennial celebrations - the 21st World Scout Jamboree, international activities taking place in the UK and UK events and activities. There is a Non-Executive Board of Directors and one staff member - Clare Kelly, Executive Officer. All questions and ideas should be directed to Clare at Baden-Powell House, scouting.2007@scout.org.uk

From April parents will not need to complete a Deed of Covenant for the Group to reclaim tax on subscriptions. A new simplified scheme will come into effect and the Inland Revenue will be mailing all registered Groups directly. Revised guidance notes will be available from the Finance Department at Baden-Powell House as soon as final details are announced.

Members of the Movement who hold the Chief Scout and Queen's Scout Award should not miss the extraordinary weekend planned for the first weekend in July 2000. Each County and Area in the UK has been allocated 20 places. There are still a few opportunities for adults to be involved in this exciting and adventurous weekend by joining the staff team for only £18. Contact the Scout Information Centre for details and application forms.

There have been further amendments in Policy, Organisation and Rules which are effective immediately. The following have already been published in the January 2000 SCOUTING Magazine. They affect :-

Chapter 2 The Structure of The Scout Association: Membership of the Committee of the Council.

Rule 8.2 The Cub Scout Pack (a). Rule 15.8 Ceasing to hold an Appointment (c) (d). Rule 21.1 The District Commissioner (h). Rule 21.3 Assistant District Commissioners (e). Rule 28.11 Termination of Appointments of County Administrators, Advisors and Assessors (b). Rule 48.2 The Uniform Rule 58.4 Woggles (a) (b).

Details of changes to the Child Protection and Equal Opportunities Policies of the Association are published in the March SCOUTING Magazine. The changes are available on request from the Information Centre. A fully updated version of POR, with all amendments integrated into a single document can be viewed and downloaded from ScoutBase UK at http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/pages/index.htm

Saturday 13 May 2000 sees the third Jamboree-On-The-Trail. This annual event aims to get as many Members as possible of the scouting family out walking the trails wherever they are in the world to help promote the international dimension. Activities are planned on a local basis to suit local needs. They can be organised for any of the Sections or to meet the requirements for particular Awards. They can be sponsored to raise funds. The key is that they should be fun and a vehicle to promote Scouting locally. For more information and to register your interest visit The Scout Association website at: http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/activity/events/jottmain.htm or write to Kevin Thomson, 16 Cressington Gardens, Ellesmere Port, CH65 2BT enclosing a large stamped self-addressed envelope.

There are some minor changes to the Beaver Scout Sleepover guidelines. These previously said, "Male and female leadership must be provided as appropriate, however it is essential that a female leader should be in the Leadership team." This has been replaced by "It is desirable that the Leadership Team reflects a balance of male and female Leaders". Contact the Scout Information Centre for a revised copy.

Scouts (over 13), Venture Scouts and Ranger Guides are invited to join the 12th annual conservation project in Epping Forest sponsored by the Corporation of the City of London. The Project is between 20-26 August 2000 and costs £30 including all meals, camp fees, a day trip (possibly to the Dome) and a T-shirt. Priority will be given to applicants working for the residential section of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards and other Scouting and Guiding badges. For application forms and further details send a large stamped addressed envelope to Mrs. Pauline Dawson, Greenview, Snodland Close, Downe, Kent BR6 7HW

As part of the recent Proficiency Badge Review, one option for the Radio Communicator badge was omitted. This option is identical to part A of the deleted Radio Technician badge. If you wish to have a copy of the corrected requirements, please contact the Scout Information Centre.

During July and August a number of Royal Yachting Association Courses for levels 1-5 will be run on Kielder Water, Northumberland. Training and full accommodation costs £130 per person. Please contact Hawkhirst Adventure Camp, 01434 250217 or Fax your address to 01434 250350.

As the number of Scout Websites increases, the following guidelines are designed to ensure the personal safety of members and to protect them from undesirable attention.

Names and contact details: Personal data whereby young people can be identified and contacted should not be posted.

Photographs: Images of named individuals should not be posted

Meeting Times and Locations: Provide an e-mail link so that information can be obtained from an adult Leader.

Events and Camps: Whilst you may want to publicise dates and locations of future events, do not go into too much detail if you feel that young people might be put at risk because constant supervision might be difficult.

A Fact Sheet 'Developing a Scout Website is available from the Information Centre or from ScoutBase UK at http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs295207.pdf

In the summer of 2001, a European Scout Jamboree - FuturoScout 2001 - will take place in France, with around 13,000 Scouts from Europe coming together in a "Time of Adventure".

From 21-29 July 2001, participants will camp in one of four different regions of France. Here they will explore the locality and experience new cultures. On 30 July participants travel to Scouts de France's national centre at Jambville (50km from the centre of Paris) for an evening gathering. On 31 July and 1 August, there will be the a wide range of activities at Jambville and the evenings will be based around "inter Troop" gatherings. A full day in Paris on 2 August concludes with a spectacular closing event. The event is aimed at Troops. It can be considered as an alternative to the "normal" summer camp, rather than an additional event. The Scout Association has formed a small working group to provide information and support to participants. A pack will be available from the Scout Information Centre in March 2000.

Scouts de France has applied for EU for funding to employ a volunteer working on preparations for FuturoScout 2001 for a period of between nine months and one year, starting around March 2000 based at the Scouts de France in Paris. Applicants should be 18 - 25. Food and board is provided and pocket money will be 1,000 - 1,500 FRF per month. Interested? Please send an application letter with a copy of your CV, to International Office at Gilwell Park.

Race For Life is a national series of women's 5 kilometre run/walks taking place in 61 areas of the UK between May-August 2000. Since 1994 over £9 million has been raised for research into women's cancers. These events are dependent upon volunteers giving approximately three hours of their time on the day of the races. In the past The Scout Association has given valuable support in certain areas. If you are contacted by one of the Race For Life managers in your area, please try to give them the support of your Group. For more information contact Jo Tupper, PR Department, Baden-Powell House.

The National Scout Air Rifle Championship will take place at Walton Firs Campsite, Surrey. The championships are open to all Scouts and not reserved for expert marksmen. Scouts relatively new to the sport are especially welcome provided that they:

• are physically capable of cocking, loading and aiming an air pistol safely and unaided
• are mentally capable of understanding the need for safety rules and are willing to obey them
• have received sufficient practical instruction beforehand not to need constant correction on the range to the detriment of other shooters.

Full details and entry forms are available from John Dohoo, 43 Heather Grove, Hartley Witney, Hook, Hants, RG27 8SE. E-mail: dohoo@clara.net or contact the Programme and Development Department at Gilwell Park.

In December 1999, to ensure the ongoing health of one of the few remaining Gilwell Oaks tree surgery was carried out. This work has generated a small amount of usable timber which has been used to produce a very limited supply of Gilwell Oak woodbadges. The Wood Badge is supplied in a metal hinged presentation case covered in a burgundy velour and the fleur-de-lys logo. The beads are ready tied with a friendship knot on a superior quality leather thong. The Wood Badge comes with a certificate of authentication incorporating a picture of Baden-Powell beneath a Gilwell Oak. £35.00 inclusive of p&p. Please contact the Scout Information Centre at Gilwell Park to order.

Did you party for the NSPCC and your local Scout Group this Christmas or Millennium? If you did, we hope you had a lot of fun supporting the NSPCC Full Stop Campaign and your local Group. The NSPCC has already received news and funds from the parties. Please send in the monies raised for the NSPCC on the paying in slip sent with your party pack. If you need a new slip, please do not hesitate to call them on 0870 606 6004. Free party packs are still available if you have any party events planned. Ring the above number. Thank you for your support in helping the NSPCC end cruelty to children.

Unable to arrange a camp in July or August? Short of Leaders or equipment? Then take advantage of a full week activity, with instruction and equipment, indoor accommodation and all meals. Details from Hawkhirst Adventure Camp, Kielder Water, near Hexham. NE48 1QZ

Two 'Footsteps of the Founder' Heritage Tours are being arranged for 21-25 August and 11-15 September, 2000. Based at Gilwell Park and staying in the luxury of the White House, participants will be taken to various sites associated with the Founder of Scouting. These include Brownsea Island, Charterhouse School and Westminster Abbey and a visit to the Association's own unique archives. The guided tour will be led by Paul Moynihan, the Archivist of The Scout Association. They offer a once in a lifetime experience for anyone interested in Baden-Powell and the history of Scouting. The cost of the tour is £350 which includes all accommodation, meals, coach travel and admission fees. Contact the Archives Department, Baden-Powell House or e-mail pat.styles@scout.org.uk for further details and a booking form.

Due to unprecedented demand from Camp Directors for International Camp Staff, the Boy Scouts of America would like to recruit additional Venture Scouts and young Leaders aged 18 to 30 from the UK for this summer. The International Office will accept applications up until 31 March 2000. Contact David McKee at Gilwell Park for application forms if you would like to earn a minimum of $400 for working at least 6 weeks this summer in a rewarding and challenging international experience.

Parties intending to use a minibus to travel on continental Europe are urged to check out the legal requirements, including the necessity of having a full PCV licence, by getting the fact sheet - Taking a Minibus Abroad FS260008 from the Information Centre. They also have the information on permits for using a minibus in this country.

Groups are reminded that if they are travelling abroad, adequate overseas travel insurance must be taken out to cover the party. Information on the policy specially negotiated by Scout Insurance Services is part of the Visits Abroad folder available free from your Assistant County/Area Commissioner (International).

Outdoors '99 has been a huge success for the Scout Section. Not only have a quarter of all Scouts gained one or more Awards but camping nights and outdoor activities have increased dramatically. Troops that have returned Postcard 'B' will be receiving a Certificate and these are being distributed via ACC/AAC (Scouts) during March. The prize draw will take place in March with winning Troops receiving vouchers in the weeks immediately following the draw.

Building on the success of Outdoors '99, Outdoors 2000 has been launched and developed to include the Cub Scout and Venture Scout Sections. In addition to the three current badges there are two new Awards, Platinum One and Two, that can be gained by either Scouts or Venture Scouts. Cub Scouts can now also gain the Silver Award. The Outdoors 2000 envelopes containing a new poster and record chart have been distributed to all Packs, Troops and Units throughout the United Kingdom via ACC/AAC (Section).

The Committee of the Council met at Gilwell Park on 14/15 February, 2000.

Please see the Page 1 of this edition of Talking Points.

The Committee received an update. Lobbying will continue to seek free checks for volunteers. The Committee confirmed that if unsuccessful costs will not be charged to individual adults being checked.

The Committee confirmed the withdrawal of the Association from ISGF and the continued use of the terminology 'Scout Fellowship'.

The Agenda is now posted on ScoutBase UK. Committee papers - not of a confidential nature - will in future be made available to individual County/Area Commissioners on request to the Secretary's Department. Local Rules: The Programme and Development sub-Committee recommendation that the issue of local rules be investigated was accepted. A working group was established.

The Committee received a progress report and reports from a number of reviews. Friends of Scouting UK. A review group was established

Budgets for National Events (National Scout Service, Founders Day, Queen's Scout Award Receptions and Silver Wolf Holders Reception) to be discussed in future with the lead volunteer for each activity. All charges will be centralised to ensure the true cost of events is known. All costs for 1999/2000 events will be centralised to compare with budget projections for 2000/2001.

Full payment of fees will continue. Support from the European Region for minority ethnic community work, 2007 activities and international partnership programmes is anticipated.

In future Good Service award listings will be posted on ScoutBase UK. St George's Day awards will continue to be listed in the magazine. Meritorious, Gallantry and Cornwell awards will also be reported in the magazine.

Income from trust funds that can be utilised for the relief of financial need is insufficient to enable them to be used to minimise the effect of any increase in Membership Subscription rates.

Recommendations for changes have been deferred until after the appointment of a National Commissioner for Programme

The current subsidiary bodies are Awards Board and FoSUK Steering Committee (with Finance). The Information Technology Steering Group is being stood down in March 2000.

Right of attendance without restriction was confirmed for National Commissioners for Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venture Scouts, Activities, Special Needs, Scout Fellowship, Programme, Development, Adult Support, and The Scout Association Adviser for Religious Development.

The proposed action points were approved subject to the event being self-financing. Co-location - Staffing matters: The Committee received a progress report. 17 staff will not be relocating from Baden Powell House and nine from Lancing.

The Committee accepted a report and its recommendations. There will be a redesign of the Association's Scout logo to coincide with the design of the corporate web site, the Programme Review outcomes and new uniform launch in September. Scouting Magazine publishing is to be contracted out.

The Committee delegated authority to the Executive Committee at its meeting in March to authorise the Chief Executive to enter the next financial year. The Committee will consider the proposed budget at its May meeting.

The Chief Scout presented Warrants to David Bull, International Commissioner; David Shaw, National Commissioner for Scout Fellowship; Andrew Jermey, National Commissioner for Scout Fellowship (from 1 March 2000).