During the summer I had the pleasure (in every case) of attending a goodly umber of summer camps - seven, in fact. Celia and I managed to stay a few nights here and there, to help out, and to soak up the atmosphere. In every case, the young people were clearly having a great time. There is no doubt that we can achieve a great deal while in camp and it is so rewarding to see the old magic at work. It is the opportunity to put into action many of the skills and talents which our Scouts and Leaders have acquired. The time and effort put into organising a camp are so worthwhile, and the results are really very rewarding. Congratulations to all of you who successfully mounted a summer camp this year - that's when Scouting comes into its own!
Early next year I will have completed six years as your County Commissioner. Recently, I have been offered, and have accepted, another job - that of National Commissioner for Programme. This is a new role, working closely with the Sectional National Commissioners, and that for Special Needs, but it will mean that I will have to relinquish the role as your County Commissioner in July 2001, some nine months earlier than I and the Chief Commissioner had originally planned. A Headquarters announcement will be made soon and next year the Chief Commissioner will be organising a search group to recruit my successor as County Commissioner. In the meantime it is 'business as usual' but I thought you should know about these arrangements now.
Editorial
I was recently surprised to be asked whether I could be loyal to Avon County, bearing in mind that I live in a different County (or something like that) I believe that the questioner was not being critical but nonetheless it was intended as a serious and 'searching' thought. I gave the short answer 'Yes' but it did cause me to ponder about the concept of loyalty. After all, those in Scouting do promise to be loyal and we certainly try to encourage the state of loyalty in our young people. In my case I am loyal to Avon County as an employee. That loyalty means that I will carry out my duties so that Avon County receives a' fair days work'. It has always been my approach (as an employee) to do the best that I can and not just the minimum that I can get away with, so I believe that Avon County gets a good deal. (Of course, I am not the judge of that, the Appointments Sub-Committee have that task). Believe me, the pay is not particularly good, but I did sign the contract and entered into that with 'open eyes'. Then there is my loyalty to Scouting in my locality. My volunteer Scouting, which is given mainly to one Group now. This does not interfere with my paid work, but the experience and knowledge gained is transferable. If a good idea works in Avon then it should work in Cheltenham. Of course, the reverse applies also. So there's mutual benefit here. There is also my loyalty to adult training. I enjoy being involved in that in three different Counties. It's my hobby within the hobby. My first loyalty, though, is a loyalty to Scouting. To it's Aims and Values. This is the fundamental loyalty that I believe we should all have. This loyalty should cause us to demolish the artificial boundaries that are often barriers to progress. I include the barriers that prevent us from 'merging' groups or even closing failing Groups, or sharing expertise, or helping out a neighbouring Group or admitting girls 'because of the history that would be lost', 'it would be disloyal to my own Group', Scouting is for boys' etc etc. This false loyalty; to the 'something or other' Group or District (or County) or 'tradition'; is, in my view very destructive and divisive. The very premise of the question that I was asked is, in a way, indicative of the way we often think as Scouting people - and I intend no criticism of the questioner here. For example, I believe that a young person does not actually join a 'Group' - he or she usually joins friends at the Colony, Pack etc that meets at 'so and so' on 'a whatever night'. It is we adults that somehow add another dimension to this and by the time the older Scout should be thinking about moving to Venture Scouts we have brainwashed him or her to have a 'loyalty' to the Group/Troop so that their progress is blocked and they end up staying 'with us' as a 'Young Leader'. I certainly think that in the end we have failed them if that Happens. So, I suppose I am saying that whatever loyalty is, it is not selfish and self-serving parochialism. On another matter. I wonder how many people in the petrol queues actually needed the fuel that they eventually bought. Sad, wasn't it that some went out with 40 gallon drums, fish tanks and the like? It could be said that this behaviour was 'anti-social'. Surely all the more reason to do our best to support young people through Scouting and help to encourage a more selfless approach. Having said that, and to prove that I'm as guilty as the next person, I did get tempted to pop out and 'panic buy' from the local supermarket. I had second thoughts when I saw the queues though. I made do with cake from the freezer instead. (Was Marie Antoinette a lady before her time, I wonder?)
As usual, feel free to e-mail me (peter.hanna@avonscouts.org.uk) or write (via County Office) if you want to comment on what I have written. Have I provoked you to send an article for insertion next time? If you have a point to make, don't do as one or two have, and write anonymously. You would waste your time as such communications are thrown straight into the waste-bin, unread. We do, however, welcome constructive criticism.
Peter Hanna, County Secretary
County Office
The new arrangements at County Office have been operational for six months and during that time a considerable amount of foundation work has been done. One of the major projects that has been completed, is the creation of computerised balance sheets which provide quarterly management information. This has been created by Graham Clark (County Treasurer), with support by Carol at County Office. Carol has also revised most of the 'call up' letters and supporting record keeping for Training Courses.
The following are amongst the other projects which are
ongoing:
~ Creation of a central Asset Register.
~ Review of County Insurance Policies
~ Revision of Database input processes.
~ Arrangements to absorb Woodhouse Park Administration
Of course, as well as this work, we are doing our best to satisfy
all the other day to day tasks that are required.
Please be aware that Carol Smith is your full time County Administrator. She is there to handle all the County's day to day matters. She is supported by a part time assistant. The County Secretary role is covered on a part time basis (15 hours). The Secretary's primary responsibility is to support committee work and he is therefore only available 'in the office' for about ten hours a week.
Therefore, if you do need advice on general County Scouting issues, please contact Carol in the first instance.
Scout Leader's Training Week
A copy of an article which appeared in the local Gazette
Eighteen adults in Scouting gave up a week's annual leave from work recently to attend a residential course at the Scout Training Centre, Woodhouse Park, Almondsbury as part of training requirements for them to become Scout Leaders. The course was directed by Sue Gilllet, from Thornbury, assisted by trainers and staff. She said that most applicants have to undertake formal training over a series of weekends and it was the first time that a week-long course had been arranged. 'I was very pleased with the response and it just shows how seriously Scouting and its leaders take their responsibility to our young people in the six-20 years age range." Participant Ed Bateman, 23, an assistant leader with the 159th Bristol Scout group which meets in St George, said that the training week had been very useful and great fun. "We all hope to meet up together again before the end of the year to compare notes," he added.
County Beaver Scouts - Helping Hands
Some of the Beaver Scouts within the County have been very busy during the last year. As part of the annual "Helping Hands" scheme they have raised a total of £3,904.14 for the Scout and Guide Holiday Homes Trust. To raise the money, the Beaver Scouts have undertaken to do a wide variety of helpful tasks for their family and friends. These range from various household chores to walking the dog or cleaning the car. The Beaver Scouts have also collected thousands of used postage stamps, Nescafe labels and foreign coins, which the Trust can use to raise additional funds. The 151st Bristol Beaver Scout Colony, based at Fishponds Baptist Church raised the most money as a group, so were selected to represent the County, and present the cheque to Mrs Ceri Addis on behalf of the Scout & Guide Holiday Homes Trust. She in turn then presented the cheque to the Trust at the opening of their new caravan on the site at Burnham-on-Sea. The Trust have asked me to pass on their thanks for this 'magnificent effort", and feel that we can be justifiably proud of the efforts of our Beaver Scouts!"
Well done everyone!!
Val Tyers - Assistant County Commissioner (Beaver Scouts)
Postage Stamps
For over 20 years I have been raising funds for Scout Fellowship Holiday Homes Trust, by selling postage stamps. Do you collect stamps - or know of someone who does? Perhaps you have a Cub who is hoping to get his Collectors badge and needs some more stamps. Often parents ask me to "make up a bag for £5" Would you like a packet of British, or "mixed"? Perhaps some special theme - e.g. musical instruments, flowers, transport etc., If you are interested, please phone (0117) 9424681 (tea time is best) and speak to Ceri Addis.
Bristol
Quilters
QUILT ODYSSEY 2001. YOUNG QUILTERS CHALLENGE HAVE YOU
IMAGINATION? CAN YOU IMAGINE A JOURNEY?
Can you now make a quilt on the theme of a Journey? By your self or with some friends. Bristol Quilters need quilts made by young people for the exhibition in October 2001. Prizes will be awarded to 11 and under, 16 and under, 19 and under for individual or group quilts used in the exhibition. For more details please send a stamped self addressed envelope to Mrs L Alderson 28 Downs Park West Henleaze Bristol BS6 7QJ
On-line ordering from Information Centre
A copy of a recent communication from: Information Centre, Gilwell Park:
Over the past few months the Scout Information Centre has been
working hard with ScoutBase UK to set up an on-line ordering
system so that members can order goods from the Information
Centre 24 hours a day. We are now happy to advise you that this
service is available. Just go to the ScoutBase UK homepage (www.scoutbase.org.uk) and
click on the e-shop button (top left). You can then browse the
resources available and place your order (please look at the
'Info' section within the e-shop for help on how to use the
facility). The ordering system is safe and uses a leading card
processing company to ensure all on-line payments remain secure.
Orders placed on-line are normally dispatched within two working
days. We look forward to receiving your order.
Simon Carter, Information Centre Manager
The Mall Fund
Grants of up to £400 are available for 'needy' Groups (more is available under exceptional circumstances). Application is simple and is made by writing to Robin Nash - 43 Avon Way, Stoke Bishop, Bristol BS9 1SL (tel 0117 968 1364) detailing purpose of the grant and amount sought. Application for larger grants can be made to the Greater Bristol Foundation. Further details of this can be obtained from County Office.
Congratulations
Congratulations' to the following leaders who have received
accreditation through the Newbury College scheme and have gained
their Youth Leadership Training Award Certificates
Rachel Culverhouse - 28th Downend
Nancy Vowles - 1st Severn Beach Sara Blackwell - 1st Wnterbourne
Sue Mclnerney - 90th Bristol
Nicholas White - 56th Bristol
Angela Wiles - High Littleton
Derek Wilkins - 13th Bath
Kevin Chisholm - 29th W-s-M
Ann Clarke - 1st Nailsea
Heather Hatch - 1st Nailsea
Dean Hudd - 2nd Portishead
Alison Nash - 1st Winterbourne
Neil Evans - 1st Nailsea
Angela Davies - 8th Bristol
Kathleen Shuttleworth - 61st/104th Bristol
Andrew Morgan - 148th Bristol
Richard Tarbuck - 1st Winterbourne
'Well done' to you all! Sue Gillett - Assistant County
Commissioner (Adult Training)
(nb - Under the scheme, each qualifying leader receives a
Certificate from Newbury College and a cheque for £30 payable to
his/her Group)
Forthcoming Scout Section Events
Unicorn Incident Hike -28th October Run by the University
Scout & Guide Club
Not forgetting other events that will help to fill your diary
later in the Scouting year
EXFOS, The International Cooking Competition, Kohuteck &
Malvern Challenge
Awards
County Office has been advised that the following Awards have been made by the Chief Scout
Medal of Merit
Mrs E M Obern, A.C.S.L., 1st Midsomer Norton D F Moore.
A.S.L., 1st Saltford J Park, Group Chairman, 7th Bristol (Christ
Church
Chief Scout's Commendation for Good Service
J Wetherill, Chairman, Dist' Finance Sub Committee
and that following Scouts have completed the Chief
Scout's Challenge
Tim Jones, Ben Smart, Chris Thompson & Adam Smith all of 148
Bristol (1st Stockwood) St George Troop
Congratulations.
Short Term Deposit Accounts
The County Executive Committee agreed to reduce the Administration Fee, chargeable to depositors, from 1% to 0.5% from the commencement of the current financial year. The average gross interest rate received from the funds for the period April to August (5 Months) was 5.8% * The net rate applicable to depositors is therefore 5.3%.* [* to the nearest 0.1%]
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