Opportunities to raise our profile and recruit

I have been tardy in recent weeks at keeping my blog up to date so I write this week with a bumper edition packed full of information.  From time to time we all have to prioritise other things.  You’ll be pleased to know that I have been working hard along with the District Commissioners and others to address development issues.  I’ve continued to meet and speak with a large number of volunteers and young people.

In this time, we’ve also heard the extremely positive news coverage surrounding Community Scout Week.  This looks to be a great opportunity for all of us to raise our visibility and profile in the community and to promote volunteering and the difference Scouting makes to “helping others”.  You may also have seen the material promoted in support the Diamond Jubilee year.

For the first time we’ve also seen the results of a serious impact study on the difference we make with resources produced to help us tell this story far and wide.  And, what an extraordinary story it is!  If ever anybody needed even more compelling reasons to volunteer, this provides them.  A number of volunteers with support from the Regional Development Officer attended recent events to promote volunteering including at the University of the West of England and a Diversity Jobs Fair.  Tens of volunteers came forward and they are all now being followed up and targeted to roles where they can be effective. 

Challenges of change and leadership

My role description as County Commissioner states that I should be “leading change”.  This is unsurprising given that we belong to a “Movement” which is constantly adapting to shifting social circumstances.  Being able to renew and refresh what we do and how we do it whilst keeping a strong sense of purpose is one of our greatest strengths and perhaps the main reason why Scouting continues to exist and thrive today. Our last ten years of growth and achievement can be attributed to a pattern of decisive and co-ordinated changes, updating Scouting and ensuring it stays relevant.

Nicholai Machiavelli (1469-1527) said of leading change that “…there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.”  Whilst I don’t share Machiavelli’s dim view of humanity, I do recognise that we can all find change challenging at times.  At times it can also be thrilling.  I also believe that we can all “do well” under new conditions if we want to.  However, change makes us feel, the potential for it to adversely or positively affect us lies mainly in our capacity for leadership – in my view, a capacity that exists to a greater or lesser extent in all of us. 

Given that Scouting seems to have a track record of inspiring and developing leaders, you might think we are better equipped than many organisations to excel in circumstances of change.  And, you’d probably be right.  But, there are some reasons to be humble about this.  History shows us that we are at our best when we blaze new trails, when we’ve been confident and unafraid of the future and when we’ve anticipated and grasped what changes are needed before they take a hold of us.  What changes do you need to embrace to be successful?  How can you ensure a positive attitude to change in your Group or Section?  How can change help you and your Group grow and develop?  I continue to hear about those Districts, Groups and Sections who have grasped the opportunity to change and who are seeing new volunteers join, new Sections and even Groups opening.  Well done! 

I sense we are undergoing some “growing pains” as we make changes that will ensure we are fit for the future.  It was clear to me when I started in May that some things would need to be done differently.  As you will have seen I have started to build a team that can support and help deliver these changes.  We are still seeking to fill a number of vital appointments.  The Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) for Activities/Activities Manager role will help us improve our County provision and support to adventurous activities, managing and developing a team of instructors and advisers.  I will also be looking to identify new leadership in support of the Scout Network and Explorer Scout Sections.  On the administrative support side the County Executive will be looking to appoint a person to lead the Appointments Advisory Committee and to serve as County Secretary. Being a voluntary organisation where we all do this alongside day jobs, it can take a little longer than we would like.  And, yet for some, even that is too quick.  There are tricky balances to strike in deciding the pace of change.

Awesome Awards

This month I’ve also signed nominations for literally tens of Scouting Awards in recognition of good service.  Reading the citations is truly moving.  We have the most dedicated, talented and exceptional volunteers.  If you know somebody in Scouting who deserves to be properly thanked and recognised in this way, find out what you need to do here to nominate them.  I believe we should far more readily identify those who should receive awards and recognition for their contribution.  Our new Deputy County Commissioner, Stuart Ballard will be taking a lead on making sure we make best use of this system throughout the County.  He’s also looking to improve the support and promotion of our top youth award - the Queen’s Scout Awards.  Apparently we have over 20 having completed them this year already.  Well done to all of you and keep up the good work!

Scout Network and Networking Globally

Scout Network is one area where change and development is required.  I am meeting with members of the section, with potential future members and supporters this Thursday at Woodhouse Park to discuss how we might take this forward.  There is so much exciting potential for Network which at the moment lies relatively untapped.  We’ll also use the evening to promote the European Roverway Event.  Why not find out more?  Noting the recently promoted opportunity to join the Madagascar Expedition, it’s clear that there are plenty of opportunities to explore the world through Scouting.  You don’t even need to leave the UK as JOTI Radio proved earlier this month when Avon led and hosted the first ever Jamboree on the Internet Radio Station which was a fantastic success.

AGM News

This year’s County AGM was an opportunity to once again outline the vision for outstanding Scouting that is significantly growing and to hear about recent successes.  These were so ably presented in our Annual Review document and in a presentation from the contingent who recently attended the World Scout Jamboree.  Such a large audience can feel intimidating, but I thought the young people did a great job of explaining what they had achieved and how it will make a difference.  We were also joined by new trustees who were elected to serve on the County Executive.  Congratulations in particular to Kathryn Challis and Graham Meikle, along with those I nominated, Matt Ashley, Simon Hornsby, Julian Kern, Mike Bell and Huw Cooke.  I thought you might like to know a little more about them so I have included their profiles at the foot of this blog.  I wonder what we’ll be able to present at next years’ AGM?  Next year we’ll be at the Great Hall of the Wills Memorial Building, University of Bristol on 5^th July 2012. More information on that nearer the time.

I will update my blog more frequently in the coming months so be sure to check back for updates.  Thanks for all that you continue to do for Scouting – it is really appreciated.  Thank you.  In the meantime, don't forget to share your success stories and challenges.  Let me know what you would like me to blog about in future editions.  Perhaps I can profile some of your achievements?  I look forward to seeing lots more of you out and about across the County during the winter months.  Good Scouting!

Joining the County Executive Committee as Trustees....

John Kirwan (Chair)

John Kirwan is a skilled motivator, leader and manager possessing many years experience within and beyond Scouting.  His contributions range from being Assistant County Commissioner for Development to supporting countless projects within Groups and Districts, and to a distinguished professional career spanning international boundaries as an award winning researcher, a Consultant clinician breaking new ground, a Clinical Service Director and an Academic Professor. 

John is a highly competent and experienced chair, in this context characterised by a firm life-long commitment to Scouting values combined with a progressive, flexible and forward-thinking mindset.  He shares the vision of even better Scouting for even more young people, attributing many of his own leadership and management skills and qualities to his development in the Movement. 

Notable practical strengths in the context of this role include balancing resources against ambitions, directing individuals to roles where their talents can be best utilised and nurtured, securing engagement from supporters, and the persistence and rigour to effectively pursue medium and long term goals.  His significant international role in bringing together clinicians and researchers from widely different backgrounds demonstrates his track record in facilitating collaborative working, accommodating different view points whilst balancing firmness on central principles with flexibility of approach to suit that of others when this will further overall aims.

John’s intellectual acuity enables him to thrive in analysing and resolving complex issues, providing clarity, insight and balance to even the most challenging discussions.  John understands both the time and commitment required to be successful as chair and wishes to make it a priority at this time in his life.  He has an excellent reputation and is exceptionally well placed to be an outstanding chair.

………………………………

Matt Ashley

Matt Ashley has been involved in Scouting as a young person and volunteer and is highly committed to the organisation.  At the inception of the Section he held a County role supporting Scout Network and before that was a volunteer leader in a younger section.  He was also involved as Vice President and Secretary for the Bristol University Scout and Guide Club.

A break from Scouting has seen him focus on his career where he is now an Associate Solicitorwith expertise in property management within a major law firm (Osborne Clarke).  He has relevant experience in charity governance and strong links in the Bristol business and community sectors through the Bristol Junior Chamber of Commerce (BJCC) and GWE Business West.  He is a member of the Law Society, the Institute of Residential Property Management and the Chartered Institute of Housing.

At BJCC, Matt is involved in the education committee that organises and runs a school interview and mentoring programme which helps young people learn how to prepare for and gain employment and further education.  As a committed Rotarian he set up a local branch and was secretary for three years.  Matt now has the time to contribute as a trustee, believing this role best fits his lifestyle and interests, and he wishes to bring his skills, experiences and connections to this task. 

Mike Bell

Mike Bell has held numerous Scouting roles both locally and nationally over many years, making special contributions to Venture Scouting and the establishment of inspiring and innovative international projects including in Romania and Uganda. 

Since his last involvement in Scouting, Mike has chaired two organisations and various projects.  During Mike’s career he specialised in leading large and complex projects in the waste management industry.  He credits his own leadership development during his formative years to Scouting and communicates in a passionate and inspiring way about the difference it makes in the lives of others.  Mike’s project management, team-building and motivational skills are apparent in his multifarious community interests and hobbies over the years which have included leading the British Steamboat Association, reviving its membership and building 30ft replica boat. 

During his long involvement in Scouting, Mike has been involved in leading and managing countless events and activities and, during one of the Association’s major reviews, influenced the significant innovations in provision for the adolescent age range.  He is a strong communicator and team player that can help get the best from others and is ready to give his full commitment and energy as a trustee.

Huw Cooke

Huw Cooke is a Senior Associate and employment lawyer at Burges Salmon with a remit covering: the employment aspects of corporate and commercial transactions including outsourcing, joint ventures and mergers; redundancies, restructuring and harmonisation of terms and conditions of employment; dismissal and negotiated departures of senior management and board members; and, business immigration and the prevention of illegal employment.

Whilst Huw is new to Scouting, his personal interests correlate strongly with the sense of adventure at our core.  He loves camping, cycling, walking and climbing and realises the important role that such pursuits can play in youth development.   As a trustee he brings a wealth of relevant and useful skills and experiences.  For example, he regularly works with boards and senior management to plan, review and implement HR and employee relations strategy in a range of businesses; he is used to dealing with compliance issues and to managing finances. 

He has experience of committee work having previously served as a member of the East Bristol Youth Housing Association and chairing its HR sub-committee.  In his spare time, Hugh has been able to travel extensively and enjoys road and mountain biking, trekking, surfing and languages.  Huw will learn the detail about Scouting and has already developed strong background knowledge as part of his interest in this role.  Huw recognises that he can bring an analytical and imaginative approach to our work and an objective and fresh perspective having had no direct previous experience of Scouting.

Julian Kern

Julian Kern is currently the Finance Director of Avon and Somerset Police Constabulary which has a budget of £280m and over 6000 staff. Four main things motivate Julian to want to be involved as a trustee of Avon Scouts. These are his desire to add value to the local community, his belief in organisations that develop young people, the ethos and encouragement of his employer and the fact that his family are already involved in Scouting and Guiding. 

His career has spanned a number of sectors including engineering, utilities, retail, food manufacturing and now policing.  As a qualified accountant (FCCA) and with an MBA from Bath University, Julian is both highly skilled and experienced – not least in negotiation and consultancy, people and organisational development and managing change.  His experience includes professional mentoring, involvement in national graduate workshops and as a Young Enterprise Adviser. 

His senior director responsibilities have included board membership of the Chief Constable’s Chief Officer Group, Senior Responsible Officer for Shared Services, PFI and Sustainability Board and in his current role his remit covers finance, audit, IT, estates, procurement, transport services and retained property.  Recent former roles have included being Group Company Secretary and oversight of information technology systems. Beyond work, Julian is a keen singer and currently Chairs a musical charity, has held school governorships and presidencies of regional organisations.  Julian’s many professional skills, experiences, qualities, interests and networks are perfectly suited to the role of trustee for Avon Scouts. 

Simon Hornsby

Simon Hornsby served until recently as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, managing teams of up to 250 personnel (civilian, military and multinational) in peacetime and during operations abroad.  As well as leading complex and rapid deployments and logistics in difficult international contexts, Simon has led on policy and managed major organisational change whilst commanding a unit of 150 soldiers. 

In addition to staff development and mentoring he has supported the development of young cadets.  He has several post graduate Masters Level qualifications, including Strategic Management, Defence Studies and Defence Technology.  He is highly skilled having overseen multi-million pound projects, including complex negotiations, risk and reputation management and stakeholder relations at the highest levels. 

Simon is a member of the Chartered Management Institute and counts cricket, golf, skiing, travelling and personal fitness amongst his interests.  He is now professionally engaged in a range of consultancy work and has the time to make a significant contribution to community life. Scouting reflects his personal ethos and as a trustee he can bring a wealth of relevant skills, qualities, influence and experiences to help support its growth and development with a view to ultimately benefiting young people and wider society.