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Managing Asbestos

Scout National Sailing Regatta 2004

Trinity House Fund - Details for the Financial Year 04/05

Young People's Web Pages

Shooting Record

The Scout Holiday Homes Trust

Pitch up for Recycling!

Updated Activities Factsheets

English Heritage

Orange Glo Recipes

Active Support Questionnaire

The Sport Show, Earls Court, 2004

International Badgers Club

Special Needs Resources

Chubb Fire Safety Badge

Wanted!

Headquarters Open Days

Scouting for Boys

DC Conference 2004

Media Development Management Workshops

Committee News

1. Census 2004:

2. Mixed Scouting & Co-education:

3. Committee of Council Governance Working Group:

4. Ageism in Scouting:

5. Development Grants Board:

6. Adult Training for those with National Appointments:

7. Investment Advisory Group:

8. Appointment of Chief Scout:

9. European Scout Conference:

10. Marketing & Communications Strategy:

11. Outdoors - Scout Shops Ltd:

12. Gilwell Park Campsite Redevelopment:

13. Scouting 2007:

14. Towards 2012:

15. Scout Insurance Services:

16. National Campsites Strategy:

17. Business Risk Management:

18. Association Budget:

19. Membership Subscription 2005:

Amendments to the legislation relating to the control of asbestos have recently been announced. They will have an implication on all County, Area, District and individual Group premises where asbestos may have been used in the construction of the building.

A new factsheet, Managing Asbestos (FS 320002) aims to help Groups, Districts, Counties and Areas with responsibility for premises conform to the new rules. It has been put together with the help of health and safety professionals and The Scout Association's Local Authority Partner.

The new regulations (paraphrased) require those persons in charge of a non-domestic premises to make an assessment of the possibility of the presence of asbestos. In effect this means that it has to be assumed that asbestos is present unless there has been a survey carried out to prove that there is not.

Copies of the factsheet are available from www.scoutbase.org.uk or from the Scout Information Centre.

The Scout National Sailing Regatta 2004 will be held at South Shields Sailing Club over the weekend of 28 - 29 August. Hosted by 3rd South Shields Sea Scouts, the event is open to Scouts, Explorer Scouts, members of the Scout Network and their Leaders. For full information, visit the website at http://www.soshields-sailing.co.uk then click on 'Scout Nationals 2004' or call Bruce Robinson on 0191 4564169.

The Trinity House Fund assists non Royal-Navy Sea Scout Groups in the purchase of boating equipment or for contributing towards the cost of training courses. Grants will be of a maximum value of £2,500.00 and the applicant must match the amount sought. Grants applied for should not amount to more than 50% of the cost of the project.

Grants may also be available for Water Activity Centres that serve (non Royal-Navy) Sea Scout Groups. The applications will be considered on a first come first served basis, although applicants who have not previously received a grant from Trinity House will receive priority. Please note grants cannot be made retrospectively.

For an application form, or if you have any queries please contact fundraising@scout.org.uk, telephone 020 8433 7232 or visit http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/hq/fundraising/funds/hq_funds.htm

The closing date for grant applications to be returned to The Scout Association (for the financial year 2004/05) is 1 June 2004. Please return all application forms to Natasha Belenkin at the address on the application form.

If you have not already seen the Association's new web presence at http://www.scouts.org.uk/wps/portal then take a look. We think you'll agree the new material for young people is excellent. The Explorer Scout Support Team seeks a self-motivated person to develop content for the Explorer Scout pages. You don't need to be an IT whiz - professional web designers will handle the technical side.

However, you will need to be:

• in touch with the interests of Explorer Scouts
• imaginative
• able to meet deadlines
• able to co-ordinate a small team of contributors
• able to communicate with the Explorer Scout Support Team.

We can't offer financial rewards - but you will see your ideas displayed on what should be one of the most popular young people's web sites in the UK.

For more details contact Tom Ovenstone at thomas.ovenstone@scout.org.uk

Sixteen year old Explorer Scout Chris Lacey recently broke the Under 21 British Junior Record for 10 metre air rifle shooting twice in one weekend. Shooting in Intershoot at The Hague in Holland, Chris, who is a member of the Great Britain Junior Squad, first broke the record with 590 out of a possible 600. He followed this up the next day with a score of 592, a new senior British record. Congratulations Chris!

The Scout Holiday Homes Trust's caravans and chalets open on 3 April 2004. They may be used by any family with special needs or on a low income including one parent families and carers - in fact any family in which the quality of life is diminished by disability, infirmity or misfortune. All of the Trust's 18 units are on fully commercial seaside holiday parks such as Haven, British Holidays and Hoburne, and the prices are lower than those charged by the parks. The Trust further reduces its prices for last minute holidays, and these are available to any Scouting family as well as those with special needs. For further details telephone Lynda Peters on 020 8433 7290 or e-mail lynda.peters@scout.org.uk Website: www.scoutbase.org.uk/hq/holhomes/

The 'Scouts Appeal' is running a new competition to win two Wild Country tents. You should also find a copy of the 'Scouting Around' newsletter enclosed with this copy of Talking Points updating you on the progress of the appeal. If there isn't one, or would like further information, please visit www.scoutsappeal.com or call 08712 505 505.

The following factsheets are now available from the Scout Information Centre:

FS120408 Caving (Edition 3, 3 Feb 04)

FS120419 Caving Route Plan (Edition 2, Feb 04)

FS120711 United Kingdom Air Operator's Certificate Holders (Edition 2, March 04)

FS120072 Youth Hostelling (March 04, Edition 4)

English Heritage supports the Scout Heritage Badge and Cub Scout Local Knowledge Badge by offering free visits to hundreds of historic sites for Scout Troops and Cub Scout Packs. Free copies of the new 32-page Free Visits booklet (as well as a Leader resource for each badge) are available from the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818.

In conjunction with Orange Glo, the sponsors of the Cub Scout Home Help Badge, James Martin (Ready, Steady, Cook) and Gary Rhodes (Rhodes Around Britain) have donated some recipes to help you conjure up feasts in the kitchen! Go to http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/hq/sponsorship/badges/og-mothersday.htm to download the recipes.

The Scout Fellowship aims to provide the best support to Scouting, enabling Districts, Counties and Areas achieve the aim of Better Scouting for More Young People. The purpose of the enclosed questionnaire is to monitor the effectiveness of the process of Providing Active Support. It also aims to identify areas where the National Commissioner and his support team can provide more support to you.

We would be grateful if you could complete the questionnaire and send it back to the Freepost address provided. If you would like to discuss it further please contact the Adult Support Office or 0845 300 1818.

The Sport Show is set to become the most exciting summer experience ever! Whether you want to design an assault course, help your Scout Group raise some money, add some new badges to your collection or simply try your hand at the fantastic sports on offer, The Sport Show has it all!

This completely interactive sporting environment will be created at Earls Court in London and there are a number of ways in which you can get involved:

Exclusive competition for Explorer Scouts

Design an assault course and win a day's training on The Army's Assault Course at Pirbright, near Woking for up to 40 members of your Explorer Scout Unit.

Sell tickets and raise money for your Group

Spread the news about The Sport Show to your family and friends and raise money for your Scout Group and The Scout Association at the same time. For every ticket to The Sport Show you sell, 10% of the ticket's value will go to your Scout Group and 10% to The Scout Association (Charity no. 306101).

Not only that, but for every book of ten tickets you sell, your Scout Group will get a free ticket for the show. There will be a prize for the Group that sells the most tickets overall. Every ticket buyer will also be automatically entered into The Sport Show prize draw, so even if your friends and family can't make it, they can still win a prize!

Work towards your badges

Beaver Scouts can work towards their Explore Badge and Cub Scouts and Scouts towards their Physical Recreation Badges. Explorers can meet the requirements of their Creative and Recreation Badges (Alternative F) and Network members towards the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (Skills Section) and the Queen's Scout Award.

For more information about The Sport Show, the competition in general or to order your tickets call The Sport Show Hotline on 01895 433 575, or send an e-mail to louise@thesportshow.com

The International Badgers Club celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2005. The International Badgers Club was created in 1955 by Ernest Hallett to assist Scouts and Guides in starting and increasing their collection of badges by correspondence and local swap meetings.

In 2005 they will be holding a number of special events and swap meets. These are in addition to a celebration dinner open to all Members and lay Members of the Scout and Guide Movements.

For further information, visit www.Intbc.org or contact either: Peter Ford, General Secretary, 75 Kings Road, London, E4 7HP. Tel: 020 8524 6723 or Davis Marsh, Membership Secretary, 67, Sandygate Road, Sheffield, S.Yorks, S10 5RX Tel: 0114 266 7693 A membership application form is available at http://www.intbc.org/ibc/pdf/mem_form.pdf

Stocks of the opening chapters of Special Needs Essentials, produced last year as part of a one-off resource are now depleted. However, the information they contain has now been transferred onto factsheets. These are:

FS250052 Welcoming Scouts with Special Needs

FS250053 The Promise and Programme - Flexibility for those with Special Needs

Another factsheet (What Are Special Needs?) will also soon be available. Two existing factsheets on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Cerebral Palsy have also been updated.

All of the above and other Special Needs factsheets are available from the Scout Information Centre 0845 300 1818 or at www.scoutbase.org.uk

In January 2004, Chubb Fire, the sponsors of the Fire Safety Badge sent Scout Leaders a resource pack to help young people complete this badge. The pack included one poster, 10 leaflets and 10 certificates. These are now also available to download at www.scoutbase.org.uk/hq/sponsorship/badges/index.htm#fisa or www.chubb.co.uk/scouts

If you require a hard copy please email the Scout Information Centre at info.centre@scout.org.uk or call 0845 300 1818.

We are seeking Leaders willing to say what they gain from being part of the Movement, as well as young people who directly benefit from being Members. Both need to be happy and confident to talk to the media!

If you think you fit the bill, please e-mail michele.hatwell@scout.org.uk or call on 020 8433 7209.

As part of the support provided by the Field Development Service, invitations are extended to all District Commissioners, District and County/Area Chairman, County/Area Team members and Group Scout Leaders to attend an Open Day at Gilwell Park.

A briefing on the key areas of Development, Programme and Adult Support will take place in the morning. Those attending will also be able to meet the Senior Management team, HQ departments and tour the Gilwell offices, including the Scout Information Centre.

The remaining dates for this year are 26 May and 2 December. For those who are travelling some distance there is the opportunity to book overnight accommodation in The White House.

Further information and an application form are available from the Field Development Service at Headquarters (020 8433 7131) or your local Field Development Officer.

The new OUP edition is now available from the Scout Information Centre. For the US copy, use code SFBUSA; for the UK copy, use code SFBUK. Price £12.99

Place your order online at www.sbuk.org.uk/info.centre/catalog.php

A DC's Conference, open to all District Commissioners and County Commissioners, is planned for the weekend of 10-12 September 2004 at Warwick University. The principle theme will be helping DCs to manage the challenges and use the opportunities that we will face over the next ten years.

Planning for the conference is progressing well and we expect to provide details of the programme, final price and a booking form in May. The closing date for applications is 30 June.

The planning group is grateful to all those who responded to our request for ideas for programme content. These have been most helpful and we have been able to integrate most of the views offered. If you have further views or suggestions we would still be pleased to hear from you at dc.conference@scout.org.uk

We look forward to seeing you in Warwick in September.

As part of The Scout Association's campaign to raise the profile of Scouting under the banner of 'Shouting for Scouting' we will be running a further Media Development Management Workshop on 7 November 2004. The workshop is aimed at those who already work with the media, and those who are keen to get involved in this area.

The focus of this workshop will be to share good practice helping people to run focused, positive campaigns based around specific themes.

Further details about this workshop can be found on the Training Courses at Gilwell 2004 leaflet (copy downloadable at www.scoutbase.org.uk/support/training/gilwell/index.htm#2004

For further information about these workshops and an application form, please contact: Jackie Johnson, Administrator, The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW. Tel: 020 8433 7100 Fax: 020 8433 7103 or email at: info.centre@scout.org.uk

Ninety-seven percent of returns are in. The Committee was pleased to note that the initial analysis indicates that the decline in the Association's numbers continues to reduce, this year by -2.6% (2003: - 3.6%, 2002: -4.3%). A more detailed analysis of the 2004 returns will now be undertaken.

The Committee agreed that the working group should undertake further work. The Chairman has written to County/Area Commissioners.

The Committee received a progress report and will be receiving a further report at its next meeting.

The Committee agreed that further work will be undertaken on this topic by 1 Sept 2004.

It was agreed to merge the work - but not the funds - of the King George VI Committee under a reconstituted and larger Development Grants Board.

The Committee was briefed on the new arrangements agreed by the Executive Committee in February.

A new Group is to be established to provide advice to the Finance sub-Committee.

The Committee received a progress report and extended the appointment of George Purdy to September 2004. The Chairman has written to Members of the Council.

The Committee agreed various mandates to the Association's delegation to the Conference which is being held in April in Iceland. Craig Turpie, Area Scout Network Commissioner for Edinburgh, is standing for election to the European Scout Committee.

John Palmer, Director of Marketing and Communications briefed the Committee on his initial observations as a first stage of developing an integrated Marketing & Communications Strategy for the Association. A further report will be made to the Committee in June.

The Committee received a report from the company's Chairman and Managing Director.

The Committee agreed to proceed with preparations for the second phase of building and with staff recruitment. Further decisions on building timescales will be made in the Autumn depending on fundraising progress.

The business plan for the Association's centenary celebrations was approved. Over 16,000 have registered thus far for Eurojam in 2005.

The Committee received a progress report on plans for the realisation of the Association's Vision in the years leading up to 2012. This will be a major topic at the DCs' Conference. The focus will be on growth and the recruitment and retention of adults. There will be an emphasis on support in the field rather than new national initiatives.

In view of impending FSA regulations regarding the insurance industry the Committee agreed to establish an independent subsidiary company around the core of the Insurance Department.

The Committee received a briefing on progress to implement the strategy it agreed at its November meeting.

The Committee as Trustees has a responsibility to consider business risks to the Association. It has developed a process for considering these risks. The effective management of this will be considered by the Executive Committee at its May meeting.

The Committee agreed the Association's budget for 2004/2005.

The Committee agreed that the national subscription for 2005 will be kept close to only RPI, giving a figure of £18.50 with a 50p rebate for prompt payment. The Chairman has written to County/Area Commissioners.