I recently attended the Scout Association’s AGM in London.  This was an opportunity to see Scout representatives from Counties and Areas around the UK and to exchange views and share ideas.  There were questions and good discussions covering a wide range of topics.  This included how we might better develop and support our future leaders, improve the gender balance amongst candidates to the board, apply learning from national governance reform locally and develop better online resources such as Programmes Online to support other areas like fundraising.  An Annual Report and Accounts were again accompanied by an “impact review” and a video presentation which looks at the difference Scouting is making as it grows across the UK.  The video is great for promoting Scouting and recruiting new volunteers, so why not take a look?  Some new recruitment posters (as seen on TV!) have also been released this week. We also learnt about a research project that will soon report its findings on the impact of Scouting.  This will help us communicate to decision makers and opinion formers beyond Scouting in language that they understand.  It will show the huge impact we make in young people’s lives and the difference we make to communities.

Young people shaping Scouting

The main theme for the conference that followed was how we can best make sure Scouting is shaped by young people in partnership with adults.  I thought this was particularly relevant given the aim we have set ourselves in Avon to ensure young people are always at the heart of shaping what we do and how we do it.  With their needs and aspirations at the forefront, we will ensure that Scouting becomes increasingly relevant in their lives. A fresh, dynamic and vibrant organisation that is in touch is what most volunteers, young people and potential members want.  Great youth involvement, where all young people have a say and actually help shape their experiences and organisation, is a crucial part of this.  The most skilful and confident adult volunteers make this happen naturally; the rest of us need to hone our know-how and mindsets to do this well.  One thing that I thought was especially clear is that young people wish to be involved in a way that is age, stage and individually relevant to them – and that their involvement should not just be confined to shaping the programme.  They want youth involvement to underpin everything that we do, not as tokenism but as genuine partnership where respective differences are accepted and valued.  This is something for us all to think about and work on in the coming months and years ahead in our County.  Please share what currently works well and what you think we could all do to improve.

Our County Annual Meeting

This Thursday we have our own County AGM.  To be quite honest, this being my first as County Commissioner, I feel at least a little trepidation not least because I am expected to speak about our future vision and to make some nominations.  We will hopefully appoint a new Chair and say thanks and goodbye to the current one and one or two other trustees.  There will be a presentation from young people who attended the Jamboree and some awards to give to recognise and celebrate special achievements.  We will also launch our own annual review document which tells the story of some of our achievements during the past year and looks to the future. I will take the opportunity to meet members of the County Scout Council. This is the electoral body which supports and encourages the development of Scouting in the County and to which the County Executive Committee (trustee board) is accountable.  In keeping with the points above, we need to see in future years how we can make that body properly representative of our membership and the community we serve.  We also need to ensure that it reflects the needs and aspirations of young people and better involves them in its decisions.  Hot on the heals of the AGM, the District Commissioners, other members of the County Team and I will meet over the weekend to take forward our work on the plan.  You will see a number of the themes I’ve mentioned emerge from this with a focus on how we can better help you to grow Scouting.

Growing Scouting is our priority

At the national meeting, the UK Chief Commissioner Wayne Bulpitt spoke about why growth is the focus of all our actions.  I couldn’t agree with him more.  He pointed out that even though nationally we’re celebrating our sixth successive year of growth (8 yrs in Avon!), there is a 15% increase in those registered to join but not able to do so.  Nationally, that’s 4,500 more disappointed young people than last year, not including those who don’t yet know what they’re missing.  We’re not saying that quality doesn’t matter – quite the contrary.  There are only a few exceptions to the rule that, where we are delivering exciting and quality Scouting, we’re also growing.  Wayne points out in his later blog post that growth is also a sign of success, means we’re doing more to achieve our mission and generates a feel good factor.  This in turn is self perpetuating because being part of success is motivating and motivated, proud and valued volunteers attract new recruits.  We know there are lots of simple and not so simple challenges that sometimes make growth difficult.  Let’s work together to overcome these. 

In his later blog post Wayne challenges us to consider what “full sections” means, highlighting that only 18% of Beaver Scout Colonies have more than 20 members, 17% of Cub Packs and 21% of Scout Troops have 24 members of more.  A few more in each would help us make us more open to all who want to join.  What can each of us do about this locally? What can those with larger sections tell us?  One key thing is to be flexible by considering splitting evenings or using teams to share the load, sharing progress and allowing volunteers to contribute once a month.  If you have a joining list and the Group nearby doesn’t, what could you do to help them?  A little bit from each of us will make a lot of difference so far as growth is concerned.