Scout Network Team for Wales Archive

Summary notes from past meetings:

Spring 2008

We made three recommendations:

That the matter of transfer of Explorer Scouts to Scout Network, and the information required to enable this, is seen as a priority for Areas over the next year so that a more formalised strategy can be put in place.
That the following suggestion is put to Area Commissioners as soon as possible:
- Suggestion: Areas should look to members with previous involvement in Network to take on roles such as AAC(ES), DESC and ESLs, and to get involved in Young Leader training.
That for future World Scout Jamborees, such as Sweden in 2011, and other appropriate events, the Welsh Scout Council facilitates co-ordination and communication between IST members so that there is an opportunity for them all to meet together before the event, become more of a team, and create an identity.

We heard from all but two of the areas in Wales about their current progress and future plans, and about the current projects HQ are working on.

We looked back on the Centenary celebrations of 2007 and what Network had got from it.

We joined the activities team for a joint discussion about how we could support each other. A number of activity rules were clarified by HQ staff.

Finally, we talked about the possibility of running a development weekend for network members, leaders and commissioners.

Autumn 2007

We made five recommendations:

That the Welsh Scout Council co-ordinates an Adult Training weekend for leaders involved with the Network team using the training support provided by the Network team at HQ, incorporating relevant training for Network Chairs/Coordinators
That the Welsh Scout Council provide some financial support, for example, the cost of a Venue (e.g. the MRC in Llandrindod Wells), for the above event.
That Network Wales becomes a recognised entity of the Welsh Scout Council allowing members to join directly to Network Wales if there is no Area Network.
That the Welsh Scout Council reinforces to Area Commissioners that Explorer Scouts must not stay on in their units beyond 18 ½. This harms the development of the young people themselves, the Scout Network as a whole, and ultimately their retention as adult volunteers. There are also child protection/CRB issues which this practice raises, which are not currently being addressed.
That the Welsh Scout Council reinforces to Area Commissioners, AAC(ES), and other relevant personnel that it is vital for the future development of Scout Network in Wales, and the recruitment/retention of young Adult Leaders, that information about Explorer Scouts who are reaching their upper age limit is made available to Area Network personnel in adequate time for the link between Explorers and Network to be forged. Unnecessary barriers must not be put in the way.

We heard from nearly all of the Areas about where they are with Network and what they are planning to do.

Adrian Wray gave an update from HQ, including new awards and resources, development, and training opportunities.

We discussed the impact the 2007 celebrations had on Network.

Events for 2008 were briefly discussed, including the All-Wales challenge.

The Team discussed retention from Explorer Scouts, and barriers to training for Network-aged leaders.

The Explorer Team thanked us for our input into Team X in 2007, and discussed where Team X goes from here.

Adrian then introduced a "health check" that can be used for local networks.

Spring 2007

We made one recommendation:

That the Welsh Scout Council, as a matter of urgency, appoints a PR Manager to promote Scouting, especially in 2007, and also to make optimum use of the Young Spokespersons in Wales.

We heard back about the recommendations we made in the last meeting:

Feedback from all recommendations will now be given in time for our next meeting
The team will now comprise of two people from each Area, including one Network member
The Welsh Scout Council will fund the meeting room and lunches for Network members
The Welsh Scout Council supports the proposal for attendance at major events, but needs to look at it in more detail.

Our bilingual leaflets have now arrived, and will mainly be used at freshers' fairs.

Rugby shirts will now be produced; they will be black with a red collar, with a screen printed dragon on the back and various logos.

Areas fed back what was happening locally, and we heard about the latest news from HQ:

Taking the Lead to be re-launched for Network. Better national support structure. Membership cards to be issued soon - please insure your details are up to date on the web database. Please send loads of photos and stories to the office. Regional joint Explorer/Network workshops - dates will be available soon.

We also met with the Scout Fellowship team, to discuss our shared problems and solutions. Both sections suffer from a lack of understanding, and better communication and closer working is required.

We reviewed our strategic plan, and looked at the progress we have made.

We talked about how we wanted to celebrate our 5th birthday, and decided on a party on the weekend of 15 December.

Finally we were reminded that help is required for the Jamboree build and de-rig, and helpers will camp and be fed for free.

November 2006

A number of recommendations were made:

The Team should get told what has happened about each of its recommendations
A Network member from each Area can attend the meetings, in addition to their Commissioner
The Welsh Scout Council should look at whether they can help Areas who can't afford to send Network members to meetings
The Welsh Scout Council should look at having a stand at the Royal Welsh Show and Eisteddfodau, and should have Network members and younger leaders to help at these.

People from each of the Areas said what Network was up to in their Areas, and what they were going to do in the future.

Information about the changes to the Scout Network was discussed.

The Team discussed who should be members of the Team, and why nothing had been done about their previous recommendations.

Jamboree Cymru (an international jamboree that used to be held every four years) was talked about. The team think this should be started again, as it is really good for Scouting. Team members said they could help to organise it.

The team talked about how Scouting advertises itself at big events. Headquarters have a trailer with a bouldering wall, and the team thought it would be good to take this to big events like the Royal Welsh Show and the Eisteddfod. Also that younger people should help out with this.

The Team discussed whether they would be able to help out with Team X (Wales-wide Young Leader training). Although the team couldn't say yes straight away, they promised to look at it in more depth.

The team had a quick chat with Jill Gloster, the new Chief Commissioner for Wales.

Finally, the team talked about the meetings themselves, how often they should meet, and what they should focus on discussing.