;

Queen's Golden Jubilee - Commemorative Badge Raises £45,000

2007 Countdown Begins - New Website Launched

Queen's Scout Working Party - Members Invited

Windsor Parade 2003 - Further Opportunities

Founder's Day/Thinking Day 2003 - Tickets

Media Development Workshops - Shouting for Scouting

Network Russia - International Opportunities

Boy Scouts of America - International Camp Staff Programme

Gilwell Redevelopment - New Facilities Opening Soon

ScoutBase UK - Jamboree Images

Information Centre - New Catalogue

Scout Holiday Homes - Another Successful Year

www.scoutsreunited.co.uk - Growing Constantly

Talking Points by Email - 26,000 and Growing

The National Scout & Guide Symphony Orchestra - Summer Course

Scout and Guide Stamps Club - Exhibition

Action for Blind People - Promoting Visual Awareness

Brownsea Island - Future Plans

Amendment to POR - Activity Rule

Committee News

Right of attendance:

Committee of the Council Working Group:

National Commissioner for Development:

Non-Executive Director of Scouting 2007:

The Constitution of the Scottish Council of The Scout Association:

County/Area Commissioner's Conference:

Gilwell Camp Site Redevelopment:

Residential and Camping Permit Scheme:

Anti-Bullying Policy:

36th World Scout Conference:

Next Meeting:

During the annual Gilwell Park Winter Camp, a group of young people, representing half a million UK Scouts presented a cheque for £45,000, the proceeds of a special Badge worn by Scouts last year to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee 2002. The funds from the Make A Difference Jubilee Appeal are earmarked for a variety of charitable Scout projects in Commonwealth countries including India, Kenya, Uganda and Malaysia.

Accepting the cheque, Richard Butler, a Trustee of The Scout Association and County Commissioner for Norfolk, explained that Her Majesty The Queen, Patron of UK Scouting had specifically requested that links to the Commonwealth be an integral part of Her Jubilee celebrations.

It is highly appropriate therefore that Scouting in the UK should support projects making a significant difference to the lives of young people in Commonwealth countries, he said. 'I would like to thank all the young people and their Leaders and parents who purchased the Badges and assure them that the money they have raised will be much appreciated and put to very good use.'

At the close of the 20th World Scout Jamboree in Thailand on 7 January 2003, the World Jamboree Flag was formally handed over to the UK Scout Association. It symbolised that responsibility for organising the next and most significant Jamboree in Scouting history, has now passed to the United Kingdom.

A new website has been launched www.scouting2007.org that will run for the next five years providing regularly updated news and information.

Are you involved with Venture Scouts, Explorer Scouts or the Scout Network? If so, please read on.

The Queen's Scout Working Party is a National Scout Fellowship with a remit to support Headquarters in the running of high-profile national events. Their main duties each year are the St. George's Day Parade at Windsor Castle, and the National Queen's Scout Receptions. They also work at less formal events, such as the Gilwell Reunion (you've probably seen them behind the bar), and the Gilwell Park Beaver/Cub Scout Fun Days.

They are now reorganising in line with the new age ranges and are recruiting new members. The requirement is that you are aged between 18-30, and hold the Queen's Scout Award. If you fit that description, or you work with any members who do, then please contact Paul Williams (paul.williams@scout.org.uk) at Gilwell Park for more details.

If you are involved with the organisation of any large events the Working Party is a ready made team who can help. They claim to be able to turn their hand to just about any job at any level -- again, contact Paul Williams at Gilwell Park.

In response to several requests, it has been agreed that those Queen Scout Award holders who are also Members of the Scout Network aged 20-25 and have not attended Windsor before may attend the 2003 parade. If you fall into this category and wish to attend, please contact your County/Area Queen's Scout Coordinator.

The annual Founder's Day/Thinking Day Services for the Scout and Guide Movements take place on Saturday 22 February 2003 at Westminster Abbey, St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, and Westminster Central Hall. Services commence at 11am. The date is the actual anniversary of the birthday of Robert Baden-Powell, our Founder andof his wife, Olave, the World Chief Guide.

Admission to all services is by ticket only although attendance is open to all Members and Associate Members of the Movement and Administrators. If you require tickets for any of the services please contact the Scout Information Centre [0845 300 1818] email: info.centre@scout.org.uk immediately.

It is hoped that every encouragement will be given to young people to attend the celebration. However it should be noted that Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts will only be admitted to the service in St Margaret's Church, Westminster. This service is being specifically planned for this age range.

The Scout Association's campaign to raise the profile of Scouting under the banner of 'Shouting for Scouting' is now underway. As part of this initiative, the Communications Directorate will be running a series of workshops during spring 2003. The workshops are aimed at those who already work with the media, and those who are keen to get involved in this area of work.

The proposed dates/locations for these workshops are:

The focus of these workshops will be to share good practice and help people use the tools available to help them run focused, positive campaigns based around specific themes.

The cost is £15 per person to include handouts, lunch and refreshments.

An article about these courses appears in the January edition of Scouting Magazine.

For further information and a booking form please contact Jenny Duncan in the Communications Directorate as soon as possible on 020 8433 7207 or email at: jenny.duncan@scout.org.uk in order to secure a place.

Members of Network Russia have considerable experience in facilitating expeditions to Russia - invaluable experience for the Leader who is unsure about taking young people so far. Their aim is to provide the vehicle to enable Leaders/Commissioners to:

• visit Scout Groups in Russia at the local level
• see camping facilities that Russian Scouts have to offer
• witness first hand the cultural and outdoor activities available
• create links between Groups/Districts in the UK and Russian Groups
• gain confidence in leading an expedition to Russia for young people.

Network Russia has at least five trips planned between February 2003 and July 2004. For further information visit their website:- www.scoutbase.org.uk/inter/networks/russia/

The Michael Durnan Expedition 2003 is a combination of an annual expedition for Russian Scouts and a camp staff programme for Young Scout Leaders from St Petersburg.

If you would like to host two young leaders from Russia at your camp site for 10 -- 20 days during July / August 2003 please contact Bill Turnbull on 01707 264 401.

Venture Scouts, members of the Scout Network and Leaders aged between 18 and 30 can join the staff of a Boy Scouts of America Summer Camp for 6 to 8 weeks. The camp provides all accommodation and food. Participants also receive a salary (averaging $800) which will be on a scale relating to their skills and experience. It's no holiday, but it will be the experience of a lifetime!

Find out more at http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/inter/jambo/campusa/ics.htm or contact the International Office on 020 8433 7119, international@scout.org.uk

Do something different this summer. See a new country, meet new people and experience Scouting US style. Now recruiting for 2003.

Visitors to Gilwell Park, including nearly 2000 who took part in the annual Winter Camp in January 2003, will be aware that much of the estate resembled a building site. This is the first phase of the Gilwell development project heading to completion. The installation (and burying) of large quantities of pipes, cables and other essential services were all part of this initial stage.

Above ground some of the new buildings are now being fitted-out and the first of these, a new toilet block will be coming 'on-stream' in January! Easter should see the opening of a splendid new accommodation lodge that will sleep up to 56. Contact the Gilwell Park Camp Office (020 8498 5411) for details of some of the eventstaking place this year.

Despite some early problems securing reliable telecommunications links out of Thailand over Christmas and New Year, by the end of the World Jamboree news and picture updates were being posted on the UK Contingent website http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/inter/jambo/thailand/index.htm. By the end of the Jamboree over 1.4 million requests were received, with nearly half a million pages and over 800,000 images being downloaded.

The new Scout Information Centre paper catalogue, dated Spring 2003, has been published, featuring over 100 additional or updated items. Copies can be ordered direct and free of charge, from the Information Centre, by phone 0845 300 1818 or via email: info.centre@scout.org.uk

The online Catalogue is at http://www.sbuk.org.uk/info.centre/catalog.php. This version is always current and comes complete with factsheets which can be downloaded plus images of some of the other products.

The Trust's holidays proved to be more popular than ever during 2002. Bookings were up by nearly 15% and the facilities provided a much needed break for over 320 special needs families - more than 1200 people.

For the 2003 season, the Trust has 18 caravans and chalets on thirteen of the very best seaside holiday parks in the country. From the bookings received before Christmas 2002, it would appear that 2003 will be another bumper year. 32 weeks have already been booked at Burnham-on-Sea with the new larger caravan proving to be exceedingly popular!

If you know of any family or group with a member who has a Special Need, mental/physical disability or an age related illness; a one parent family, or a family on a low income -- ring Lynda Peters or Ann Standing at Gilwell Park for a brochure. Holidays are available to any family -- not just families with Scouting connections -- as this is a service for the whole community.

As an extra service to any Scouting family, the Trust now advertises some last minute holidays due to cancellations etc at unbeatable prices on the ScoutBaseUK website.

During 2003 the Trust hopes to raise enough donations to cover the cost of the new caravan bought at Burnham-on-Sea Holiday Village, and to replace at least two of its caravans either at Hoburne Torbay, Devon or Pentewan Sands Holiday Park, Cornwall ready for the 2004 season. Help with fundraising will be most welcome!

ScoutsReunited now has over 7,000 Members and is receiving 335,000 hits a month enabling hundreds of Members to make contact with old Scouting friends. The site has recently been updated. Check it out at www.scoutsreunited.co.uk and sign up today. It's free to register your details.

Over 26,000 Members have subscribed their email address to the ScoutBaseUK ListServer to receive Talking Points and other news items by email. If you would like to receive your Headquarters updates this way, go to www.scoutbase.org.uk click on the 'Get Talking Points by email' icon and fill in the on-screen form. You will also see a list of 13 other Mailing Lists you can subscribe to matching your interest and role in the Movement.

Applications are invited for the Summer Course 2003 taking place 27 July - 3 August 2003 at the Rossall School, Fleetwood Lancashire. The cost will be £285.00 all-inclusive with full board. The course will be led by an experienced orchestral conductor and supported by a team of professional section tutors. Intensive rehearsals will be interspersed with a programme of varied sports and leisure activities.

All applicants must be:

• Members of the Scout and Guide Associations
• between the ages of 13 - 25 on 01/08/03
• proficient player of at least one orchestral instrument

Application forms can be downloaded from: www.scoutbase.org.uk/activity/perform/orchstra.htm or requested from The Scout Information Centre Tel: 0845 300 1818.

The Scout and Guide Stamps Club will be holding their Annual Exhibition at Baden-Powell House, Queen's Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 5JS on Saturday 22 February 2003 from 10.30am to 4.30pm. A wide range of Scout/Guide stamps, covers, postcards and other philatelic material will also be available.

The Exhibition is in the Eagle and Kestrel Rooms at Baden-Powell House. Entry is free of charge. All are welcome.

Sight is the sense that many of us fear losing the most. Sadly, there are more and more people losing their sight every year. You may already know someone within your community who has lost their vision.

Action for Blind People believe that losing your sight shouldn't mean becoming isolated or losing your independence. Action for Blind People works with young people to promote an understanding of the difficulties faced by those who lose their sight and what young people can do to help. Their fun activities provide practical skills for young people in supporting the blind and partially sighted people in their community.

Action for Blind People also offers visual awareness training to adults who wish to gain or enhance their skills in working with and supporting visually impaired children. This training could also help Scout Groups attract blind or partially sighted children in their area.

To find out more about the services Action for Blind People can offer your Scout Group, or for more information on their fun activities for young people, please call Beth on 020 7635 4888. Action for Blind People, 14-16 Verney Road, London SE16 3DZ. Telephone: 020 7635 4800 Email: info@afbp.org Website http://www.afbp.org/

Brownsea Island is a special place for Scouts and Guides. Visit the website (http://www.brownsea-island.org.uk/centre.htm) for details of the plans being developed by the Brownsea Island Experimental Camp Centenary Fund and how you might help. For copies of the Brownsea Appeal leaflet email arbe@amartin33.freeserve.co.uk

Please note the following change to POR

Rule 9.73 Towing of inflatables behind powered watercraft

1. The activity of being towed on an inflatable behind powered watercraft is specifically forbidden.

This rule takes effect immediately.

The Committee of the Council met at Gilwell Park on 23 November 2002

Neil Salter, County Commissioner for Avon exercised his right of attendance.

The group reported on its first meeting and gained authority for a wider remit for its work, which will now be to undertake a review and make recommendations as appropriate on:

• the role of the Committee of the Council as the Trustee body of a large national charity
• its overall responsibilities e.g. legal, strategic and financial
• its accountability to and representation of the Council of The Scout Association
• its representation of the wider Council of the Association including the representative responsibilities on the Committee of the Council of the Elected Members and of the Chief Commissioners
• its membership profile and ways to ensure the presence of appropriate skill-sets
• its working methods including the levels of empowerment for operations that are delegated to the Executive Committee, sub-Committees, and to the executive staff
• the process for achieving implementation of any recommendations.

The Committee noted the appointment of Graham Coulson wef 1 January 2003. Consequent on this appointment a search group is being set up to seek a new National Commissioner for Beaver Scouts.

The Committee established a search group to seek a Director - preferably under 25 years - for the Board of Scouting 2007.

The Committee approved amendments to the constitution. The proposed amendments are minor and reflect the changes to the Sectional structure of the Movement.

The Committee considered a preliminary report and recommendations from the County/Area Commissioners' Conference. The document The Next Ten Years will updated totake account of comments received at the Conference. A version will then be discussed with County/Area Commissioners at regional meetings before a final version is made available to Counties/Areas/Districts and Groups.

It was also agreed that the National Conference for District Commissioners (with their County/Area Commissioners) will now be held in September 2004 and include the Annual General Meeting of the Association. It was also agreed that the summary of key elements of Committee's strategic vision for Scouting in 2012 be supplemented by the Association's wish to be 'An inclusive Movement - reflecting and celebrating its involvement in our diverse communities'

The Committee received a progress report on the building project and plans for the fundraising aspects of the project.

The Committee agreed to adopt the new Residential and Camping Permit Scheme. The recommendation followed ten-year's research and trials. The scheme has a number of objectives, a principle one being to make it easier to take young people for nights away away by reducing the red tape associated with PC Forms. The scheme also seeks to ensure that residential and camping experiences are of high quality and popular with young people. Districts/Counties/Areas will receive scheme material in the Spring 2003 following which there will be a number of stages leading to full implementation across UK by September 2004.

The Committee adopted an anti-bullying policy for the Association. The policy will be launched and supported by materials - subject to budget challenge -- during 2003/2004.

The Committee received a report from the Association's delegation to the Conference held in Greece in July 2002. It further agreed that the Chief Scout's Committee should give further consideration concerning the composition of The Scout Association's delegation to Regional and World Conferences to increase youth participation and also to the Association's future involvement in the World Scout Youth Forum.

22/23 March (primarily for Trustees only) at Gilwell Park.