focus

A change for the betterFellowship becomes Scout Active Support

A YOUTH-LED MOVEMENT MOVEMENT MOVEMENT MOVEMENT

Helping Young Leaders into adult training

scouts.org.uk/focus

Diversity mattersHelp Scouting

be more inclusive

The magazine for volunteer

managers in Scouting

October/November 2009Focus

Focus_OctNov_NEW.indd 1 10/09/2009 17:35

Welcome

3scouts.org.uk/focus

Your Adult Support TeamMark Flexman, UK Adviser for Adults in Scouting, Ben Storrar, Programme and Development Adviser (Adults in Scouting)Contact them at:[email protected] [email protected]@scout.org.uk

Adult Support TeamThe Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford;London E4 7QW; Tel: 0845 300 1818

ADVERTISINGRichard Ellacott [email protected] Tel: 020 8962 1258

County: Although in some parts of the British Isles Scout Counties are known as Areas or Islands - and in one case Bailiwick - for ease of reading this publication simply refers to County/Counties. In Scotland there is no direct equivalent to County or Area. In Scotland, Scouting is organised into Districts and Regions, each with distinct responsibilities. Some ‘County’ functions are the responsibility of Scottish Regions, whilst others lie with Scottish Districts. The focus of responsibility is outlined in Scottish variations from POR.

In Focus

There’s plenty going on this issue, says Ben Storrar, not least the launch of Scout Active Support – but

let’s not keep our eye off the priority: flexible volunteering for all adults who want to join

In this issue of Focus there’s a real emphasis on creating opportunities in

Scouting for as many people as possible. Recruiting new adults (while still

appreciating those who currently support Scouting) has never been more

important, or more likely. As managers in Scouting, keeping the focus on new

opportunities for adults can make a real difference.

In the newsOctober marks the end of the switch to the new appointment process, making

the initial part of the Scouting journey easier and more welcoming for everyone.

The re-launch of the Scout Fellowship as Scout Active Support marks the

beginning of exciting times for thousands of adults in Scouting.

Elsewhere, we welcome Sheridan Allman as the UK Adviser for Diversity and

the training team looks at maintaining the interest of that other vital source of

support: Young Leaders. Natalie Tomlinson also takes us through the different

ways in which adults can contribute time to Scouting.

Keep me up to dateAs always, I want to hear about your experiences at [email protected]

For news, and information for managers in Scouting, please visit

www.scouts.org.uk

A fl exible future

4 Scout Active Support is here!Fellowship is changing; we provide the essential informa-tion to help you manage the transition

6 Diversity: it’s more than just a word

Claire Welch meets Sheridan Allman, the new UK Adviser for Diversity

8 Taking the next stepAs more Young Leaders graduate into leadership roles, how does this affect their training?

10 Balancing talent and time Natalie Tomlinson highlights ways we can convert an extra 21 per cent of our want to join enquiries

13 Youth driven UK Chief Commissioner Wayne Bulpitt explains why youth and experience is a winning combination


4 Focus October/November 2009

The waiting is over – the new name and

structure for Scout Fellowship can now be

revealed. But this is not just a cosmetic change;

for managers, it’s a real opportunity to improve

the level of support you give to local Scouting. Also - this is

not a moment for washing our hands of the past - as a

concept, active support is not something new, and it is

essential we keep the elements that are working well

from Fellowship.

Ho w is Scout Active Support different from Scout Fellowship?Scout Active Support has an appointed manager to

support members and the provision rather than an elected

committee. This mirrors the structure of the leadership for

the youth sections and will consequently make Scout

Active Support feel a more integral part of The Scout

Association.

What do these changes to Scout Fellowship mean for me? The removal of the management committee means that

the responsible Commissioner can work closely with the

Scout Active Support Manager. This enables them both

to write a Service Agreement that effectively supports

local Scouting.

How long will it take to make the transition?This will depend on local circumstances, such as the

current Scout Fellowship provision. The Scout Active

Support launch team will be providing advice and

information over the coming months, including at the next

round of Development, Advice and Support Days in your

Region. Changes do not need to be in place until 31

December 2010 by which time Scout Fellowships, in their

current format, will cease to exist.

My Scout Fellowship is working fine at the moment. Why do I need to change?The structural changes shouldn’t affect a well run Scout

Fellowship. We realise that Commissioners have a lot

of work to do, so there is plenty of time for the transition

process. If you do not make the structural changes by

31 December 2010 however, the current Scout Fellowship

appointments will be removed from the Membership

Scout Active Support is here!

It’s a bi g moment for Scouting: the re-launch of Scout

Fellowship. Glenn Walker, UK Adviser for Scout Active Support

explains how you can make the most of this significant

opportunity and provides tips for a stress free transition



For resources and further details, please see www.scouts.org.uk/activesupport

more info

Database and volunteers with the Fellowship roles will

no longer have an active appointment.

How do I tell key people in the Scout Fellowship that their roles are redundant after many years’ service?This is not an easy thing to do, and in some cases may be

one of the biggest challenges in the transition process.

Scout Fellowship members have many

skills to offer with everything from

archery skills to zorbing. By taking

a wider view across their Group,

District or County, and reviewing

their current Scout Fellowship

activities, Members will be able to

identify areas where they can help

best.

How will the Scout Active Support Unit run without a management committee?With the appointment of managers

and co-ordinators, rather than a

committee, Scout Active Support Units now have a

structure more in keeping with other areas of Scouting.

This brings a real opportunity for both increased flexibility,

and a greater understanding of what Scout Active Support

does. More importantly, it places Scout Active Support

Managers at the core of Groups, Districts and Counties.

I don’t have a Scout Fellowship in my County/District but I would like a Scout Active Support Unit. So how do I go about it?As a Group Scout Leader, District Commissioner or

County Commissioner, the first thing you need to do is

identity a need for a Scout Active Support Unit such as

coordinating an event, developing Scouting, or leadership

support. When you have done this, you need to attract and

appoint a Scout Active Support Manager. From here you can

write a Service Agreement, and start to recruit members.

Fellowship re-launch



Diversity: it’s more than just a word

As line managers you need to ensure your Groups, Districts and Counties are inclusive. It’s key to ensuring we stay a growing, vibrant and representative Movement. Claire Welch meets Sheridan Allman the new UK Adviser for Diversity to find out more

Diversity is a key part of the work of The Scout

Association. It is all our responsibilities to

ensure that Scouting is inclusive, relevant,

covers all ages, faiths, genders, skills, abilities

and needs. To get a better idea of the support

available, I spoke to Sheridan about her new

role and the support available.

Q. What is the role of the UK Adviser? My role is to support the development and

growth of Scouting. This is done primarily by

managing teams of volunteers who undertake

projects and provide direct support to local

Scouting. As UK Adviser for Diversity I will provide

information to Tim Kidd, the UK Commissioner (Adult

Support) and Headquarters generally on diversity and its

overall development and integration into the organisation.

Q. How long have you been involved in Scouting?I haven’t really, other than the time I experienced a

Jamboree during 2007 in Hampshire when I was part of

the catering team for the Denmead Scout Group. So I am

pretty much completely new to it and I already feel part of

the team. This is an exciting time to be joining the

Movement and I am looking forward to making

a difference and having fun!

Q. What experience do you have in the area of diversity?I am an independent consultant specialising in diversity

and inclusion. I have spent the majority of my career in

education and training and have worked in diversity for



Diversity

To contact the UK Adviser or for more information on diversity, please see www.scouts.org.uk/diversity or email [email protected] or contact the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818.

more info

The ‘other’ Diversity

the last ten years. Over that time I

have been involved in many different

projects including working with

executive teams defining vision,

strategy and communications,

facilitating seminars and workshops,

running train trainer programmes and

working in the public sector on impact

assessments. My experience and knowledge

encompasses all the strands of diversity and I

have worked in the United States and mainland

Europe as well as the UK.

Q. What relevance does the UK Adviser for Diversity have to managers in Scouting?Volunteer managers play a key role helping Scouting

become inclusive and accessible to all. The principles of

inclusion and valuing diversity should underpin all aspects

of an adult’s journey in Scouting. This is from the early

stages of the recruitment process through to the support

and training given once an adult is in the role. The Scout

Association puts a high priority on the recruitment and

retention of adults and I believe effective inclusion

practices are vital to sustainability and long term success.

Q. What are you hoping to achieve in your role as UK Adviser for Diversity?I plan to spend the first few months scanning the

landscape, gathering information and talking with people

to get a good idea of the work already in hand. I would

like to develop a broad based strategy that encompasses

all strands of diversity and help the Movement integrate

the principles and actions of inclusion into everything we

do.

There are many good things already happening in diversity

but they now need to be pulled together into a coherent

framework that will help us all communicate and take

action to continue Scouting as a warm, welcoming and

open Movement. I know I am going to enjoy working with

volunteers across Scouting and having my own big

adventure.



As more Young Leaders progress into leadership appointments, Kay Hill advises how we can help those who have been Young Leaders into adult training

Taking the next step


Adult training


I n Greater Manchester East we have noticed more

younger adults attending our leader training

courses. This is good news of course, and seems to

be because a large proportion of our trained

Young Leaders are moving on into adult leadership as they

turn 18.

To ensure we do not repeat information or prescribe

unnecessary learning, a carefully chosen Training Adviser

needs to have a good understanding of the Young

Leaders’ Scheme. They should be able to get the Young

Leader to talk about what opportunities they have had as

a Young Leader, to put any training into practice and to

match this up with the learning required in adult leader

training.

Recognising learning and experience The skill is in really drawing out what the Young Leader

has done, not what they have seen others do. The areas

that could be validated from prior learning will be based

on the opportunities the Young Leaders have been

provided with as part of the leadership team they have

worked in.

Despite best efforts to reinforce the nurturing role that

leadership teams should take towards Young Leaders,

some do not get the same opportunities as others. Some

will needs lots of learning at the adult stage, whereas

others will have had opportunities to complete the

missions and will find it easy to meet the needs. Each case

really needs to be judged on its own merits.

People have tried to produce matrices to link the two

training programmes, but I steer well clear of these.

Attending a training course does not necessarily mean

learning has happened. It’s proving that you know it and

can do it that matters.

Getting involved The key is for Local Training Managers and Training

Advisers to work closely with the Explorer Scout Leader

(Young Leaders). Getting involved and being seen at

Young Leader events really helps. The Young Leaders

recognise the people they are working with as they move

into adult leadership, and those involved in adult training

experience the enthusiasm and needs of this age group.

We are building much more activity based learning into

our delivered sessions.

It’s also important to ensure Young Leaders moving into

adult leadership are aware of the opportunities that

Network and the award schemes (including the Queen’s

Scout Award and Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award) have to

offer them. Not only will they enjoy leading sections, they will

have a great time doing activities with friends the same age.

A positive contribution During Young Leader training we should avoid making

rash claims that what is being done will validate aspects of

adult training. Young Leaders should not meet with a

Training Adviser with false expectations of having covered

much of the required learning already.

As both an Explorer Leader and adult trainer, it has been

really rewarding to see Young Leaders moving onto adult

leadership. We regularly draw on them to support delivery

of Young Leader training – particularly as group tutors.

They understand the trials and tribulations of being a

Young Leader far better than us older folk!

TOP TIPS The learning and experience an individual has gained from the Young Leaders’ Scheme should be recognised under the Adult Training Scheme in the same way as any other prior learning. If an adult has previously been a Young Leader, or indeed a youth member of the Association, it is likely that they already have a good level of knowledge of Scouting and how it works.

DO• Treat former Young Leaders as individuals• Talk to them – find out what experiences

they have and what they have done• Get involved in Young Leader and Explorer

events

DON’T• Assume they know things because they

have been Young Leaders – experiences are different

• For more information talk with your Training Manager

Or See factsheet 330094 Adult Training and the Young Leaders’ Scheme.



Balancing talent and timetalent and timetalent and time

Some 21 per cent of adult enquirers who ultimately do not join Scouting give

the reason that an appropriate role could not be found for them. That adds up to

nearly 500 adults a year. So, asks Natalie Tomlinson, how can we be more flexible

in our approach?

By now we are used to the idea of offering

adults flexible ways to volunteer. Most of us

would agree that there is a role for almost

everyone in Scouting regardless of when,

where and for how long they are able to volunteer.

However, this startling statistic suggests that we are not

being as flexible as we could be when responding to

enquiries.

Looking at it in a positive light, with the current adult

enquiry conversion rate standing at only 53 per cent, it is

good to see that we can increase this by up to 21 per

cent - just by being more flexible in our approach

to recruitment.

Highly motivated; short on time With more pressures on our time, shift work and the rise

of single parent households, many people are no longer

able to commit to volunteering at a specific time each

week. These people are still dedicated to improving the

lives of young people but have been honest enough to say

that they will need to work around other commitments to

do this.

With a bit of preparation, recruiting a number of people

in the same position could work for you and your Group.

Indeed, there are many Groups already practising this

successfully. For example, the 26th Dundee Group in East

Scotland has successfully re-modelled itself by opening up

a Group Fellowship (soon to be a Scout Active Support

Unit) which includes members who can only commit to

limited times.

‘It’s all very basic’, says Drummond Cox, District

Commissioner (Dundee)/Acting Group Scout Leader 26th

Dundee. ‘We are just being as flexible as we can to gain

the support we need. Through the Fellowship programme

we have encouraged back former leaders who could no

longer make a weekly commitment. This arrangement has

also worked well with students, who love the fact they

can have nights off when it comes to exam time. As



Flexible volunteering

a result of these additional resources, we have targeted all

the local schools and now have a vast increase in our

youth membership.’

‘Recruiting a number of people in the same position could work for you and your Group, District or County.’

Help is at handWe have developed several initiatives to help you make

flexible volunteering work for your Group and Unit.

We will be keeping District Commissioners and the

designated Membership Enquiries person in your area up

to date with extra information on ScoutingPlus.

The Regional Development Service is collecting case

studies of flexible volunteering which will be included in

later issues of the magazine and on www .scouts.org.uk

A training package aimed at making the most of joining

enquiries will be piloted over the next few months

and rolled out throughout 2010.

Parental helpThe best way to reduce the number of young people on

joining lists (currently 33,000) is by offering flexible

practices to work around the lives of busy adults. Why not

start by asking the parents of your members how they

would feel about helping out once a fortnight or once

a month? When you have this in place start adopting

the same practice for new enquirers.



Opinion

Youth driven‘Beavers build Groups’ is the slogan of Greenock & District,

Scotland which has seen its membership grow to 1,303, an

increase of 40 per cent, over the past three years alone. What can

we learn from this? asks UK Chief Commissioner Wayne Bulpitt

I caught up with District Commissioner, David

McCallum, while he was in Guernsey with one of

his Explorer Scout Units.

I asked him about the secrets behind the District’s

success. ‘On taking up the post, I appointed a team made

up of both experience and youth,’ says David. ‘We put

together a development and re-structuring plan which

was both practical and achievable and an air of

enthusiasm swept through the District.

David made Beaver Scouting his top priority. This led to

five new Colonies and was a key to successfully recruiting

many mums and dads, using the six step plan (available at

www.scouts.org .uk/recruitment)

Opening new Groups In opening three new Groups, including five Packs and

three Troops, the District was able to take advantage of

an abatement scheme operated by Scottish HQ. This is

designed to help the neediest Groups across Scotland

which rebates to 50 per cent of the membership fees

(other schemes operate in other parts of the UK: ask

the Information Centre on 0845 300 1818 if one applies

to your area).

Support in all areas Also key to their success has been revamping the activity

programme and the appointment of two Assistant District

Commissioners to keep it dynamic and active. They

recently added a zorb ball to their central equipment store!

Active support has also been provided by a doubling in

the Fellowship membership. Former leaders are

encouraged to get back on board to boost their skills base

and support less experienced leaders.

David describes Explorer Scouts and Young Leaders

as the life blood of the Movement. ‘We are very successful

here with 106 young people in four Units. More than half

of the Explorers are registered as Young Leaders and

75 per cent are registered with the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Opportunities were increased as part of the plan, with a

link being formed with Network, and international activity

becoming a reality. Certainly if the leaders and Explorer

Scouts of the 32nd Northface ESU I met are anything to

go by, then this is a model worth looking closely at.

To comment on this story and to share your own experiences, good and not so successful, join me on my blog at www.scouts.org.uk/ccblog

Follow my blog




scouts.org.uk/shop01903 766 921

All profi ts go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).

Scout Active Support Scarf

Item code: 1027248

£5.25

Scout Active Support T-Shirt Item code: 1027243R

£10

Scout Active Support Cloth BadgeItem code: 1027249

£1

Just Ask Pin BadgeItem code: 1027250

£1

Free parent packs still available

Scout Active Support Polo Shirt

Item code: 1027238R

£13.50

The new magenta Scout Active Support scarf with a white border

and the offi cial Scout logo on a label sewn into the seam.

This badge can be worn on your uniform, and features the Scout Active Support logo.

Size 16 x 13.5 mm

The new Just Ask pin badge for Scout

Active Support, featuring the new

slogan!Size 22 x 9mm

The Scout Active Support combed cotton polo shirt is

available in the kiwi colour. It has a three pearlised button placket, twin needle stitching

and side vents.Sizes: S-XXL

(Chest sizes: 34”-48” /86-122cm).

This Scout Active Support branded cotton T-shirt is also available in the kiwi colour. With printing on the front, sleeve and back, it incorporates the i.SCOUT branding. Taped neck and shoulders, and twin needle fi nish on sleeves, hem and collar.

The new, updated edition of the parent pack launched this year is a fantastic resource to engage with parents. Act now to ensure you get your copies

With the Groups in your District returning after their summer

break, this is an excellent time to let the parents know how

important their help can be.

You can do this with the The No-Nonsense Parents’ Guide to Scouting. Help de-mystify all those Scouting myths and help

parents get more involved with Scouting. Who knows, you

may recruit new adults too!

To order the guide now available free while stocks last, just

call the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818 or log on

to www.scouts.org.uk/inv olvingparents. All you have to pay is

post and packing.


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