It’s only Wednesday and what a week it’s been already!

On Monday I met with the prospective Deputy County Commissioner for Marketing and Communications.  Subject to approval of the appointment, we discussed our short-term plan and induction and training arrangements.  There are some really exciting ideas in this area and I look forward to sharing them with you. 

On Tuesday I met with Brunel’s new District Commissioner, Lucy Holtum to discuss how her induction was going.  Lucy has been extremely busy already getting to know the District Executive and a number of individuals across the District.  She’s also been working through training.  I look forward to the Brunel District AGM next week.

Later that evening, we held the second team meeting with District Commissioners, the County Scout Network Commissioner and County Training Manager (and deputies).  The meeting provided an opportunity to give updates on the various things that have been going on over the past month and to make some decisions. 

Amongst other things we discussed the first part of the review of our County Operations (the support and services provided at County Level).  An update was provided on the recruitment of a new Chair and Trustees.  If you haven’t seen it already do take a look at the relevant webpage and share these opportunities widely.  I have been working very hard to promote these within a variety of relevant networks.

At the meeting I also provided a report on the work I have been doing as County Commissioner during the last month.  This included meeting with our County President (Howard Roberts) who steps down from this role at our AGM on 22^nd September.  Howard will continue to support us in a different way and we thank him for his contribution.  I hope to be able to announce before then a different approach on this and to share some news about our plans for a network of local ambassadors as part of our marketing, communications and community engagement work.  We talked about the implementation of the CRB checking and repeat checking policy and procedures in order to make sure these are continuing to operate well in Avon.  My report included an update on the work to recruit the new District Commissioners which I announced recently and the new Deputy County Commissioners in the pipeline.  I reported on the preparations of the Annual General Meeting and the Annual Report and also on the work to review recent large events, namely the Bear Hunt and County Jamboree.  I explained that my own induction has continued and that I have completed “getting started” training relevant to my role including a person learning plan.  The new module one e-learning is really an excellent resource and I encourage you to go and have a look at it.  My recent training has included First Aid and Safeguarding which we expect of all leaders.  I outlined the very large number of events, activities and meetings that I have attended both internally and externally.  I have particulary enjoyed meeting many of you over the past two months and hearing about your extraordinary Scouting.  I have also replied to hundreds of emails, letters, telephone calls, texts, blog and social networking comments.  The meeting also included discussions around collaboration with Higher and Further Education, an evaluation of our County and District Development Plans and the 2010-11 census results. 

The main decision of the evening was to finalise the vision and strategic goals.  I have spoken about these before – and the focus remains on significantly growing outstanding Scouting.  I will speak lots more about this in the coming months.  We ended the evening with a planning workshop to start to think through our long term goals and vision and what these mean for our plans in the next 12 to 18 months.  This process will continue through to a team weekend at the end of September when we hope to finalise our plans which will form the basis for decisions on budgets and where we focus our energy and resources.  Just as I continue to work closely with the team, I know District Commissioners will be working with all of you and particularly with GSLs to consider how we make sure we’re working towards a shared direction and to ensure that you have the help and support you need to deliver excellent and growing Scouting.  All in all a busy and productive meeting from which lots will emerge in the coming weeks and months ahead.  We will keep you up to date.

Tomorrow I hope to be presenting Chief Scouts Awards to some great young people and this weekend I intend to take break with friends and family.  Much needed!  I know how enthusiastic and passionate you all are about Scouting, but please don't forget to balance this with time for your nearest and dearest and don't forget to thank them for their support.  I know I couldn't do this without their support.  If you keep things balanced you will find that you keep things in perspective and keep a sense of what's important, you'll enjoy the time you spend with Scouting more and you'll be refreshed and energised in what you do.  My week this week is probably not the best example and I intend to improve, but finding balance and managing our time in Scouting tends to makes us more interesting and effective volunteers.  It also helps us to remember to look outward when we're Scouting - for good ideas, for support, for new contacts and volunteers, for promoting what we do and learning from and helping others.

I want to end by thanking all of you who have been so kind in welcoming me to your AGMs, activities and events and who have been welcoming and extremely supportive in proactively offering help and input to a number of the priorities that I am trying to progress with the team on your behalf.  I am very grateful and genuinely impressed – even if not really very surprised.