Positive, ‘can do’ attitudes

It’s a little over two and a half months since I started the role.  There has been an extraordinary amount to do.  I am really enjoying meeting our adult volunteers and young people, especially those who have a ‘can-do’ positive attitude to getting things done and overcoming challenges.  I regret that this is not always the case!  I know sometimes we can all feel a little tired and jaded – and at these times we must take a break so that our time in Scouting reflects the promise we all made: to have self respect and respect for others, to trust, be friendly and loyal to one another.  Our timeless principles are great values to live by and helping young people learn how to do this is at the core of what Scouting’s about.  This is best done when we as adults lead by example.  When we not only espouse but live out these values, Scouting is a great place to be.  Others are then more inclined to join, feel more welcome and tend to stay with us longer.  There is such ingenuity and enterprise in Scouting and I think there really is very little that we can’t together achieve if we set our minds to it.

Young people shaping Scouting with adults

I am especially pleased to have had the opportunity to meet so many of you over recent weeks at District AGMs.  Whilst all of these were good occasions to meet each other and to hear about the previous year’s success and what’s to come in future, I was however generally a little disappointed that more of them didn’t creatively use the opportunity to showcase, celebrate and promote Scouting and actively engage more young people in doing this.  This is something to build on for next year perhaps.  We need, as I have said so many times, to ensure young people are at the centre of everything we do, not just some of things we do.  Their needs and aspirations need to shape Scouting in partnership with adults.  We need to make it possible for them to speak out with confidence and in their own ways.  Let’s help them share what impact Scouting has had on them with the wider world.

Communications and our culture

I also used these meetings to reiterate our long-term goals in accordance with The Scout Association’s 2018 vision.  I really am excited and inspired by these.  The future is very bright indeed if we grasp the challenges we face wholeheartedly and with real courage.  One of these goals is about volunteers feeling valued and proud.  During one of the District AGMs, I asked how many present felt well communicated with – sadly, not one hand was raised.  Feeling well communicated with relates to being valued.  This chimes with my view that better internal communications must be a priority.  As well as this being about how we organise and implement sensible communications plans befitting an organisation of our scale and scope, this has also rather a lot to do with attitude.  This was the crux of a discussion towards the end of one of the AGMs.  I think we need to be far more open and willing to communicate and engage with others and to look outward, sometimes beyond our comfort zones.  I want all of you to constructively and supportively challenge attitudes, behaviours and actions that don’t reflect the kind of culture we need.  We need an empowering, open, outward-looking, innovative, flexible, inclusive and adaptable culture.  I want you to encourage, promote and appreciate those behaviours that do reflect this.  We need volunteers who are effective, aspire to deliver outstanding Scouting, where their capabilities are developed and fully utilised and where they feel motivated, valued and well communicated with.  Let’s all strive to contribute to this sort of atmosphere in our own little ways.

Time for me to take a little break

It’s now time for me to take a little break too.  I shall be away until the 8^th August and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Deputy County Commissioner for Operations) will be covering for me in my absence.  I know many of you will also be taking a holiday over the coming weeks of the school holidays.  Be safe, enjoy yourselves and make the most of the rest.  For those of you who are camping or travelling with Scouts – the same applies (apart from the rest bit!).  To our World Jamboree contingent, I hope and know you will have the time of your lives.  I know you’ll be great ambassadors for Avon and for Scouting and we look forward to hearing how you got on when you return.  See you at terminal three on Sunday.  Bon voyage!