;

Chief Scout - George Purdy Stays On

Policy, Organisation and Rules - New 2000 Edition

2001 Census - Electronic Data Gathering

Uniform Consultation - Final Figures

New Year - New Home - Headquarters Moves to Gilwell House

Safety Policy - New in POR

Criminal Records Bureau - £1.50 Burden on Membership Subscriptions?

Polish Partners 2002 - An exciting international opportunity

Bands Festival 2001 - Music at Milton Keynes

Winter Sail Sale - Hawkhirst Bargains

Explorer Belt Workshop - 10th March 2001

Fact Finding Visits - Hawkhirst Hospitality

Epping Forest Conservation - Opportunity for Older Scouts

Explore Poland 2001 - Explorer Belt Expedition

Electric Cars - Switched on Scouts?

On-Line Ordering - Information Centre eSHOP

Gilwell Tours - Extended Programme

Safety First - The Reminders

Committee News

Safety Policy:

Mountain Activities:

Corporate Identity:

Friends of Scouting:

Gilwell Park Campsite:

Membership Management System:

Uniform Consultation:

Local Rules Review Group:

Millennium Camps:

Joint Activities with other Youth Organisations:

Chief Commissioner for SE England:

Publications Strategy:

Fundraising Policy:

Next Meeting:

The Chief Scout has accepted an invitation to extend his appointment for three years. He was originally appointed in May 1996. Accepting the invitation The Chief expressed his thanks to the Committee of the Council for the honour and privilege to lead the Association for the next few years. This will allow him to see through some of the key projects that are currently in hand.

The 2000 edition of POR on CD-Rom is being sent free of charge to Groups, Districts, Counties and Areas with this edition of Talking Points. POR is also available on the ScoutBaseUK website (http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/index.htm) both in html format and as downloadable .pdf.

The 2000 edition of POR includes amendments to the following; Scoutlink Groups, Local Venture Scout Units, payment of Membership subscriptions, the County Executive Committee, the Scout Fellowship and adult appointments. A new policy for Safety in Scouting is included within Chapter 3.

The CD-Rom also includes many of the Forms frequently required by administrators and an extensive range of resources and support information for DCs and GSLs. Bonus contents include the ScoutBaseUK Games Book and Clipart Library together with images of all the Chief Scouts

Further CD Rom's are available from the Scout Information Centre priced £2.50. The Information Centre also offers a printing service at £10 per copy including p & p.

Groups, District and Area/County Secretaries will find that the new POR CD-Rom also contains everything they will need to complete and return the Census Figures for the year 2001. Full details of how to use the material and the options for returning the data either on paper or by email or on floppy disk are contained in the CD-Rom itself and also in the enclosed letter. Advice and assistance is freely available by ringing the Information Centre on 0845 300 1818. The Information Centre is open from 8 am to 8pm Mondays to Fridays and until 12 noon on Saturdays.

The five month Uniform Consultation has turned out to be the largest and most successful of its kind ever undertaken by the Movement. Two days after the scheduled closing date (to allow for the postal delays) the number of Uniform Questionnaires returned was 46,000. The ratio of responses from young people to adults is approx. 2:1.

Over 400,000 forms were circulated. There was an initial mail distribution of 30,000 and the Information Centre at Gilwell Park subsequently dispatched over a quarter of a million further copies in response to direct requests from Members. 28,000 copies were included in SCOUTING Magazine. A significant number were also downloaded from the ScoutBase UK website.

A total of 480 letters were also received, many from young people, with additional comments, drawings, suggestions and specialist advice.

The data has been entered into a database so that an analysis could be performed and a report has been prepared for the Committee of the Council meeting on 13th December. The Committee of the Council will make the final decisions on changes to uniform.

From January 2001 the Headquarters of The Scout Association will be located at Gilwell Park. The Baden-Powell House Hostel remains fully operational in Kensington and Lancing remains the company office of Scout Shops Limited. Scout Insurance Services Services Ltd are also based at Lancing. All other Headquarters Departments will be based in the newly built Gilwell House which stands alongside the White House at Gilwell Park.

Contact Details from 2nd January 2001

Address: The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London. E4 7QW
Email: scout.association@scout.org.uk
Website: http://www.scoutbase.org.uk.
Telephone: 020 8433 7100 Fax: 020 8433 7103

Information Centre: 0845 3001818 Fax: 020 8433 7103   email: info.centre@scout.org.uk

Conferences & Accommodation, Gilwell Park: 020 8498 5353 Fax: 020 8498 5355   email: whitehouse.reservations@scout.org.uk

Gilwell Park Camp Site: 020 8498 5410 Fax: 020 8498 5417   email: gparkcamp@scout.org.uk

Baden-Powell House International Hostel: 020 7584 7031 Fax: 020 7590 6902 email: bph.hostel@scout.org.uk

Scout Insurance Services: 01903 755352 Fax: 01903 750993   email: insurance@scout.org.uk

Scout Holiday Homes Trust: 020 8433 7290 Fax: 020 8433 7103   email: scout.holiday.homes@scout.org.uk

Scouting 2007: 020 8433 7292 fax: 020 8433 7103   email: scouting.2007@scout.org.uk

At its last meeting, The Committee of the Council adopted the following Policy which has been introduced into POR.

It is the policy of The Scout Association to provide Scouting in a safe manner without risk to health, so far as is reasonably practicable. The Association believes that this responsibility ranks equally with the other responsibilities incumbent upon those providing Scouting activities and functions.

It is the responsibility of all those involved in Scouting to seek, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that:

• all activities are conducted in a safe manner without risk to the health of participants;
• the provision and maintenance of equipment and buildings for Members and others is safe and without risk to health and adequate for their welfare;
• information, instruction, training and supervision is provided with the object of ensuring the health and safety of all those involved in Scouting activities or who may be affected by them;
• appropriate arrangements are made to ensure safety and the absence of risks to health in connection with the use, transport, storage and handling of equipment, and substances which are inherently or potentially dangerous.

Rule 2c.1   All persons involved with Scouting are responsible for the operation of the Association's Safety Policy.

Rule 2c.2   It is the responsibility of all persons to ensure that:

• they do not endanger the health and safety of themselves or others;
• they observe the rules established for the safety of those involved in Scouting activities.

Rule 2c.3   The District or County Commissioner, as appropriate, must be satisfied that all applicants for adults appointments are fully aware that they will be required by their personal example to implement the Association's Safety Policy.

Rule 2c.4   Counties shall designate one or more Safety Co-ordinators. They shall have the responsibility of advising the County Commissioner and the County Executive Committee on the implementation of the Association's Safety Policy within the County and shall assist District Commissioners in operating the policy.

Rule 2c.5   Group Scout Leaders must be satisfied that all those whom they invite to assist them in the work of the Scout Group are competent persons to carry out the tasks given to them and are aware of their responsibilities under the Association's Safety Policy.

Rule 2c.6   When District or County Commissioners do not renew, or when they cancel warrants and appointments because the holder has not acted in accordance with the Association's Safety Policy, they must inform the Records Manager at Headquarters, in writing, of the reasons for the termination of the warrant or appointment.

Members will already be aware that the proposed Criminal Records Bureau looks likely to cost The Scout Association a further £750,000 each year. This would add about £1.50 to every Membership Subscription. Whilst we value efforts to increase child protection, we are active in our criticism that Government's costs will be passed on as a stealth tax on volunteering.

Over the past eighteen months we have worked closely with many other voluntary organisations to press the Home Office to rescind its proposal that volunteers be charged in this way. As well as Scouting, all other voluntary youth organisations are affected, as are St John and Red Cross, and all volunteer sport groups working with young people (such as swimming, soccer, athletics, tennis), church-based youth work, and the work of many caring organisations (such as the NSPCC).

For each check we undertake we shall have to pay the same for a prospective volunteer as would someone seeking paid employment working with young people. The Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates are due to be available from July 2001, at a cost of £10 each. These are for any prospective person who is likely to have substantial unsupervised access to young people. Currently, in Scouting we are vetting nearly 70,000 such volunteers each year.

The Home Secretary has powers to alleviate the high costs to the voluntary sector, but approaches so far have only been met with "volunteers can afford this", "it's not a legal requirement to check", and "the public purse cannot afford to pay". We are grateful to those District Commissioners (and others) who have who have already made contact with their local politicians but the pressure needs to be maintained if we are to achieve a sensible result. If your District has not yet spoken to the appropriate Members of Parliament please do so.

Copies of the briefing documents are available from the Information Centre.

Are you looking for a new challenge, or wanting to forge links with Scouts and Guides in another country? Or, have you never taken a group abroad? The Poland Network is co-ordinating an exchange programme that will see 250 members from the UK travel to Poland in 2002, with return visits being made by Polish members in 2003.

Full support and advice will be provided prior to and during the programme. Initial registrations of interest are requested. Details from Craig Turpie. Tel: 07798 530270 or email: craig.turpie@polandnetwork.org.uk

The Webb Ivory National Scout Band Festival will be held on Sunday 1 July 2001 at the National Hockey Stadium, Milton Keynes. As Webb Ivory have generously agreed to sponsor the event again, we are now able to offer £1,500 PRIZE MONEY. Class winners of each Style will receive a share of the £1,500. Entries to be returned by 1 March 2001. Forms and rules are now available from the Activities Dept. Gilwell Park.

Throughout January, February and March, many activities are free of any charge at Hawkhirst Adventure Camp only basic camp fee payable. For details call 01434 250217.

An Explorer Belt workshop is being held on 10th March 2001 near Manchester. Aimed at Venture Scouts and Leaders planning future expeditions, the workshop will provide practical advice, ideas and support from past participants and organisers. The workshop will be non-country specific. Details from Trevor Nicoll. Tel: 01224 649062 or email: trevor.nicoll@polandnetwork.org.uk

For adults who have not yet visited the Association's Activity Centre on Kielder Water in Northumberland - a number of weekends are being arranged. All meals and good indoor accommodation provided at a cost of £18 per person. A full two days of fact-finding, sight seeing and enjoyable company - details call 01434 250 217.

The thirteenth Annual conservation project in Epping Forest will run from 19-25 August 2001. The work is carried out under the guidance and supervision conservation experts from The Epping Forest Centenary Trust and the remarkably low cost (£30) for all meals, camp fees and a fun day outing is possible thanks to sponsorship from The Corporation of the City of London.

Each year, young people from all round the UK come together for a week of fun and hard work. The project is particularly suitable for Scouts in the age range 14 - 18 working towards the Chief Scout Award or Venture Scout Award.

For further details and Application Forms, please send a stamped envelope to Mrs. Pauline Dawson, Greenview, and Snodland Close, Downe, Kent BR6 7HW

There are a handful of places left on the forthcoming Explorer Belt expedition to Poland. Dates are: 29th July to 15th August 2001. Cost is £500 and includes return flights from Gatwick, food, accommodation and insurance. Details from Chris Noble. Tel: 01237 479200 or email: chris.noble@polandnetwork.org.uk

Greenpower, an organisation created in direct response the acute shortage of engineers in the UK, is inviting Scout Groups to take part in the Sussex Enterprise 2001 Electric Car Marathon. Previously the event was only open to schools. Greenpower supply batteries and electric motors and the participants have to 'provide' everything else they need to build a vehicle that will run for six hours.

Visit the website www.greenpower.co.uk for further details or contact Greenpower, The Glebe, Yapton Road, Climping, West Sussex, BN17 5RU.

The Information Centre catalogue has been available electronically since 1998 and is continually being developed for ease of use. The latest stage in this process has been the launch of an e-commerce site that enables people to order goods on-line as well as incorporating the ability to download factsheets without charge. It uses a secure server for the processing of credit card transactions.

This is now available for everyone to use via ScoutBase UK. Simply click on the icon at the top left hand corner of the homepage www.scoutbase.org.uk.

Over the last summer some 300 people took part in the official Gilwell Tour. The success of this tour programme has meant we are now in a position to extend these to the winter 2000 season and the spring/summer 2001 season.

Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and covers the history of the White House, Training Ground and the Camp Site. The tour is conducted by a retired Scout Leader and current London Blue Tour Guide who has been given direct access to The Scout Association archives to research the tour programme.

If you are interested and can get together a minimum party of twelve people then please contact the Scout Information Centre to arrange a mutually convenient date. Please contact us at least a month in advance. Tours cost £7.00 for adults and £4.00 for children.

Dr Alan Copson, Headquarters Health & Safety Adviser would like to remind all Leaders of some things to remember.

LPG Cylinders/Equipment: Check these items for defects regularly, don't use them in sleeping accommodation, change cylinders in well ventilated areas. Treat 'empty' cylinders as though they were full. Check for leaks using soapy water not a naked flame. Store them in well ventilated areas away from buildings or sources of ignition.

Personal Hygiene: To minimise the risk of illness always wash your hands before preparing or handling food, after going to the toilet or before eating.

Accidents/Incidents: Encourage prompt reporting of these. Investigate to identify 'what could have happened in the circumstances' and if what needs to be done to lessen the chance of a recurrence with the possibility of a more serious outcome.

The Committee of the Council met at Gilwell Park over the weekend of 28/29 October.

The Committee approved proposals for the implementation of an overarching safety policy for Scout activities to be included in POR (see above). It was accepted that the need for accountability and proper monitoring was paramount and the actions proposed would help raise awareness of the importance of safety in Scouting as an issue. There is a clear distinction between the Safety Policy and matters related to the Health and Safety at Work legislation which refers to employment situations.

In May 2000 it was agreed to undertake a full review of the authorisation scheme for land activities and consideration of a land grading system linked to a scale of qualifications. The meeting approved the principles of a revised approach to the Authorisation scheme taking into consideration a new Mountain Training Board award.

Proposals for a new revised and revitalised corporate logo for Scouting were accepted. It is planned to retain those elements that have a strong level of audience awareness, retain some element of history and continuity with the past but bring the style up to date. The logo will reflect the Movement's position, help change the public's perception of Scouting and make it instantly recognisable and appealing. An Advisory Group will now plan the launch and implementation. Copies will not be available until then.

The scheme has been closed to new entrants and arrangements for existing members are being planned.

AYH plc has been appointed Project Managers for the redevelopment of Gilwell Park Camp Site. The company is currently managing the Association's Headquarters office project.

Re-examination of the possibility and costs of the creation of a national database for registration and renewal of membership direct with Headquarters was agreed at the May 2000 meeting. A progress report was made and a model and broad approach agreed together with commissioning of a cost benefit analysis and further work for the June 2001 meeting of the Committee.

The Committee was updated on the progress of the uniform consultation process. The Committee will consider the feedback at its next meeting.

A report on the issues surrounding the formation and use of local rules was received. It was recommended that no strategic action is currently required but some individual points will be picked up by the National Commissioner for Activities.

The Chairman of the Millennium Celebrations Committee, Mr. R. Butler, reported that over 390,000 Millennium Badges had been sold raising in excess of £200,000 for local charities. Every Scout Group had received a copy of the Millennium Chase pack providing a much appreciated and useful programme resource. Information had been received on over 600 camps in 107 Counties and Areas. Despite the severe weather conditions over 380,000 members were in camp over the bank holiday weekend, making this the biggest camping event in the Association's history. Excellent press coverage was received from local television channels, radio stations and newspapers.

Increasingly Groups, Districts and Counties/Area are collaborating with other youth organisations. The Committee agreed a policy - subject to minor amendments yet to finalised - for joint activities with organisations designed to assist the Association preserve the integrity of its policies and procedures for child protection and for safety.

A search group has been established to seek a successor to Bill Cockcroft.

A new management strategy has been adopted for the publishing operations of the Association. It will provide a focus and organisation previously lacking. The result will be fewer books of better quality, more appropriate to their target audience in terms of language, organisation and format. They will be more logically priced in relation to their actual cost and will represent better value to Members.

A new policy has been agreed. This makes clear the forms of sponsorship from individuals, organisations or industries that are not acceptable. The Association will not enter into any form of sponsorship with products or services which generate ethical and moral concerns that conflict with the values of Scouting.

The Next meeting of the Committee of the Council is on 13 December at Baden-Powell House.