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Windsor 2003 - National Scout Service and Parade

King's Scouts, Queen's Scouts and Good Service Award Holders

British Mountaineering Council - Partnership

Youth Hostels - Scout Group Offers

New or changed appointments - Important information

Gilwell Park - Winter Camp

Scouts Reunited - Renew Friendships

Archery Course - Gilwell Dates

Hawkhirst Highlights - Adventure Camp Weekends

Group Fundraising - Schools Plus

Sectional Logos - Customise your Mobile

ScoutCount - User Notice

Amendments to POR - Autumn Implementation

Shouting for Scouting - The Video

Uganda Network - Explorer Belt Opportunity

English Heritage - Programme Support

NSPCC - 'Worried? Need to talk?'

Group Events - Peeks - The Event Makers

District Secretaries - Talking Points

Windsor Parade 2003 - Section Leaders Sought

Newsflash!! - Change of Date

Committee News

Annual General Meeting:

Elections to the Committee of the Council:

Search Groups:

Scouting Magazine Working Group:

Legal Liability Insurance:

Next meeting:

Census of Membership for the year ended 31 March 2002

Confirmation has been received that the Parade and Service for Queen's Scouts at Windsor Castle next year will take place on 27 April.

The Chief Scout has launched an appeal aimed at King's Scouts, Queen's Scouts and the holders of Awards for Good Service. He has invited them to join him in contributing something to mark our long association with St George's Chapel, Windsor. If you would like a copy of the appeal leaflet, which includes a donation form, please contact the Information Centre on 0845 300 18 18 or email info.centre@scout.org.uk Alternatively, you can read the information and make a contribution on-line at http://www.sbuk.org.uk/donations/windsor.php

The Activities Team at Gilwell Park has recently reached a partnership agreement with the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). This will allow Members access to BMC information and services.

Details of this partnership have been distributed in a membership leaflet to all Group contacts. This contains information on the benefits to Members that the partnership offers as well as a list of useful resources.

For further information regarding the BMC please contact the Activities Team at Gilwell Park, email: activities@scout.org.uk

Details of this year's special offers for Scout Association Members can be found at www.yhagroupspecials.org.uk

It is vital that Headquarters is informed of new or changed appointments as soon as they are made.

Information and support can only be directed to the new appointee if the Records Department has been notified using the correct form. New Explorer Scout and Scout Network Units are opening across the UK and new Leaders and Commissioners are starting work.

It is particularly important that these new appointees are connected with the support and advice available from the National Programme Team or HQ Department at the time when it is most useful and effective - when they first take up their appointment.

The support is there - but HQ needs to know where to direct it!

The annual event for the brave, the bold, the fearless and people who really ought to know better, takes place 10 - 12 January 2003. This year there is a Hollywood Movieworld theme so if you fancy becoming Spiderman or Austin Powers for the weekend - book now. Visit www.wintercamp.org.uk/ or contact Sam Avery 020 8498 5411.

Scouts Reunited aims to link the UK's 10 million former Scouts with their old Scouting friends. It has been launched with the support of ScoutBaseUK and you can enroll free by clicking on www.scoutsreunited.co.uk The site will ask you to enter the name of your old Group and the years in which you were a Member. You can also record the camps and training courses you attended. The site will automatically send you email messages when other people register their details for the same Group or events. You only need to pay the full membership fee (£3.00) when you find someone you want to link up with and actually make contact.

Gilwell Park will be running further GNAS Archery courses on 12/13 and 19/20 April 2003. For more information, please contact Sam Avery on 020 8498 5411 or email: logandaxe@scout.org.uk

For Leaders who have not yet visited The Scout Association's Activity Centre, seen the facilities or the area, you are invited to stay on any of the following weekends for only £20 per person:

• 17 - 19 January 2003
• 7 - 9 February 2003
• 7 - 9 March 2003.

See beautiful Kielder Water, Europe's largest man-made lake. Explore the wonderful forest and sample the magnificent Hawkhirst hospitality. The price includes two nights bed and breakfast, lunches and evening meal as well as two days of fact finding and sight seeing.

For more information, or to book please contact: Derek Langford, Hawkhirst Adventure Camp, Kielder Water, NE48 1QZ or telephone on: 01434 250 217. When booking, please send the full fee per person.

Groups are invited to look out for their introductory pack from Schools Plus (www.schoolplus.org.uk). The pack includes a registration form and a voucher booklet which includes vouchers for Burger King, Marks and Spencers, Little Chef and The Early Learning Centre. If you register with the scheme you will receive 25 voucher books to be sold at £10 each. £5.30 of this amount goes directly to your Scout Group. Selling all 25 will raise £130!

You can now download the new Sectional logos to appear on your Nokia phone in SMS format. The number you need to ring is 09066 146 664. To download your logo follow the instructions given during the call. The codes for the various logos are:

• 5311 Beaver Scout
• 5313 Cub Scouts
• 5318 Scouts
• 5316 Explorer Scouts
• 5317 Scout Network
• 5319 Scout corporate logo
• 5326 Scout Fellowship

All calls to this number are charged at £0.60p per minute and the average length of call is 2.5 minutes. Calls from your mobile phone may be charged at a higher rate. As you may not be able to call this number from a mobile phone, we recommend that you use a landline telephone. You will need the number of your mobile ready when you make this call.

Only Nokia handsets accept logo delivery. Model numbers supported are the 3210, 3310, 51 series - including the original Nokia 402 model renamed as the 5110, 6 series, the 7110, 8210, 88 series and 9110

Following the launch of the new Programme, a problem has been discovered with the database on the CD-ROM contained in the Scouting Essentials file. The ScoutCount system contains a number of errors that may cause problems for users. A second version is currently being developed and the upgrade will be available free of charge in the spring of 2003. It is hoped that some data from the first version will be transferable, but this is not guaranteed, so users may wish to continue to use current record keeping system. The upgrade is being developed and tested with the help of volunteers to ensure that the product meets user's needs. We will notify the Movement when the update is available.

The following amendment has been made

Rule 3.33 Helpers

1. The title and appointment of Helper will be withdrawn and replaced by the title and appointment of Colony Assistant, Pack Assistant, Troop Assistant and Unit Assistant;

The appropriate changes to Policy, Organisation and Rules will be made so that the alterations become effective from autumn 2002.

A new internal promotional video aimed at all the adults in Scouting, has been released. Shouting for Scouting: The Video, concludes with a message from the Chief Scout thanking everyone for the contribution they are making locally throughout the UK to deliver better Scouting to more young people. Copies have been given free of charge to every County and these may be duplicated with no restrictions, so you may be able to obtain one from your County. The programme is available from the Information Center in either vhs videotape, cd-rom or dvd format. The price is £3 plus p&p.

The Uganda Network is recruiting Explorer Scouts 16+, Venture Scouts and Members of the Scout Network, for an Explorer Belt Expedition to Uganda in 2003. It is a chance to gain your Explorer Belt in an extremely friendly and welcoming African country. There will also be opportunities to go on Safari and visit a large African Jamboree. The projected cost of the three week expedition is £1,200 and details are available from: Nick Winter, 17 Dennor Park, Bristol BS14 9BY, tel: 01275 832833, email: nick@ugandanetwork.co.uk

English Heritage has produced a free four-page colour leaflet providing a step-by-step guide for Cub Scout Leaders packed with ideas on how to get started on the Local Knowledge Badge. English Heritage also offers Cub Scout Packs and Scout Troops free admission to over 400 historic sites countrywide. The leaflet is now available from the Scout Information Centre or on-line through www.scoutbase.org.uk along with a new edition of their free 12-page Leader's booklet for the Scout Heritage Badge. A colourful A2-size poster, which can be used to promote the badge to Cubs and Scouts is also available. You can find out more about free visits to English Heritage properties and hundreds of exciting special events organised each year by calling 0870 333 1181 or visiting their website www.HeritageEducation.net

On the 18 September, the NSPCC launched a new resource titled 'Worried? Need to talk?' This booklet, aimed at 11-17 year olds was produced to help them understand how to deal with issues such as abuse, bullying and relationship difficulties. It outlines their rights, explains the subject of abuse, provides information on whom they can turn to when facing difficulties in their life and explains what will happen if they talk to someone.

Over 75,000 copies of the booklet, produced in consultation with young people will be distributed throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland in places such as: secondary schools, Leisure Centres and youth organisations.

For further information contact Rachel Petty at the NSPCC Press Office on: 020 7825 2713.

As a nominated supplier to the Scout Movement, Peeks offer a 10% discount on all Christmas and Theme products. They also provide a wide range of fundraising games and equipment through their fundraising catalogue published each spring. If you have not received a free copy of Peek's NEW Christmas catalogue, full of decorations, crackers, hats and novelties for the festive season simply call: 01202 489489 or visit www.peeks.co.uk

District Secretaries receive 12 copies of Talking Points and frequently ask, "Who should receive them?" They are intended for the District Team (ADCs etc) and also the District Officers such as the Chairman and Treasurer. Copies could also be usefully sent to District Chaplains and Presidents. Talking Points may be freely photocopied. It can also be read and/or downloaded from www.scoutbase.org.uk Any Member can also subscribe to receive their own copy by email by registering with ScoutBaseUK at the same address.

The Association needs some new Section Leaders for next year's Parade. If you are a Queen's Scout, have a sense of humour, have not been a Section Leaders at Windsor before and are aged between 20 and 30 then read on...

You must be smart, with full new uniform, have a clear voice, be able to march (or willing to learn) and able to relate to and communicate with people of Explorer Scout age. You must be available for the weekends of 22/23 March and 26/27 April 2003.

Still interested? Then put one of the two selection events in your diary: 19 January 2003, in Manchester, or 26 January 2003, at Gilwell Park. To get the full details for either event, please contact Peter Rogers at Gilwell Park (peter.rogers@scout.org.uk or 020 8433 7100)

The ACC/AAC/Advisers (Special Needs) and Special Groups Workshop will now take place on 17/18 May 2003 - a week later than previously advertised. It will be held at the Great Barr Hotel, Birmingham. Further information will follow soon.

The Association's Report of the Committee of the Council including the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2002, was presented to the Council of the Association at the Annual General Meeting, Regents College, Regents Park, London on 14 September 2002. The text of the document is published on ScoutBaseUK at http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/annrpt/2001-02.pdf

The following candidates were elected: Mr. J.C.C. May; Mr. N. Leatherland; Mr. C. Creelman; Mr. A. Alexander; Mr. D. Wood

The Committee of the Council met on 14 September at Regents Park College The principle business of the meeting was to elect its Chairman and to appoint sub-Committee Chairmen for the next year. These are: Chairman of the Committee of the Council: Mr. John Asplin. Sub Committees: Finance: Mr. Wayne Bulpitt: General Purposes: Mr. Victor Thys: Programme & Development: Mr. John May

The Committee of the Council met at Gilwell Park on Saturday 28 September 2002

The Chief Scout, George Purdy CBE, will complete his term of office in May 2004. A Search Group has been formed to identify a successor. The Treasurer, John Emly, completes his term of office in September 2003. A Search Group has been formed to identify a successor.

A progress report was given to the Committee and the paper will now be considered by the sub-Committees. A final report is to be presented to the March 2003 meeting of Committee.

The Director of Finance reported that The Association had been faced with a significant rise in the cost of legal liability insurance at the end of 2001. In order to try to limit the rise in premiums the Association's own captive insurance company took on a greater proportion of the insurance risks. The Committee received a briefing about the increased risks and potential future costs.

The next meeting of the Committee of the Council will take place at Gilwell Park on 23 November 2002.