The Viewpoint Newsletter provides information to all the Adults involved in Scouting in the Arundel and Littlehampton District.

October/November 2002

·         District Public Relations – In addition to the new website www.al-scouts.org.uk A&L Scouts will be putting together a selection of Public relations material relating specifically to the District. If you have any photographs of Group/District Activities that can be used to promote Scouting could you please consider sending them ASAP to Simon Burgess, District Commissioner.  All photos will be returned, so please mark your name/address on the back.

·         Diary Dates –  For a full 2002/2003 programme see www.al-scouts.org.uk/diary   

·         County/National Membership Fee 2002/2003 – The County Membership fee for 2002/03 will be £8.30 (with 30p rebate for prompt payment) your GSL will have received a letter explaining the reasons for the increase, which he/she should communicate to you. The National membership fee will be £17 (with a 50p rebate for prompt payment). The District membership fee has not yet been set, however it is anticipated that it will not increase from the 2001/02 figure. We will report the District levy in the next edition of Talking points.

·        Criminal Records Checks – Since June 2002 it has been a requirement to clear all adults, who are likely to have unsupervised access to the young people in Scouting, using the New CRB form. Your GSL/Group Contact should have received, or will shortly receive the New Forms and guidance on how to complete them. The old CE/AL5 forms should no longer be used and old stocks should be destroyed. All completed CRB forms must be sent to Dave Davison (Appointments Secretary) and NOT to HQ directly, this is so we can correctly direct returning forms and record the CRB number.

·         Viewpoint – Due to pressures on the District Team in the last Month it has been impossible to produce a separate Viewpoint in both October and November. Please note the next copy date will be 25th November 2002 all copy (information you want to get to others in the District) to Prue Payne, District Secretary. secretary@al-scouts.org.uk

 

·        Scout Network – Please note that a meeting was held on 23rd October to launch the Scout Network in this area for all those aged between18 and 25. If you missed this meeting and would like to know about Network in the area please contact. Tim Hemsley County Network Commissioner on  timh@lineone.net

·        District AGM – In the last Viewpoint we reported that the District AGM will be held on 19th June 2003, this was in fact incorrect so please put the correct date of 26th June 2003 in your diary. The venue, Arundel Castle will be provided courtesy of our President His Grace the Duke of Norfolk.

·        Adult Good Service Awards – Just a reminder to look at the Adults in your Group who have not received a Good Service award for their service to Scouting at all or in the last five years.

Remember the starting point for an award is only seven years distinguished service for the Chief Scout’s Commendation, although not very many are awarded for just that length of service. Any adult can be considered, not just warranted Leaders or Helpers so check whether you have for example an executive member who has given your Group exceptional service over the years.

For more details on how to apply for an award for someone in your Group contact the DC or Peter Ingram District Chairman. All applications for awards, are considered by the DC and the awards sub committee.

·        Jeka Holidays – Jeka specialise in Youth Group Summer camps and the 2003 Summer Camps brochure is available in the County Office.

·        ScoutsReunited – Scouts Reunited is a new website to allow old scouting friends to contact each other and hopefully get past members interested in rejoining the movement in some capacity. Therefore, if you have access to the Internet please put your details against your Scout Group so that old friends can get in touch. This is a good way to help recruit adult support so please try and assist www.scoutsreunited.org.uk

·       New Appointments – Please note the following District Appointments have now been made: -

All of these names should appear in the OLD District Directory, except the DC.

A new directory to be published soon.

·        Programme & Development Sub Committee – A sub committee of the District Executive the Programme & Development Sub Committee will look at ways to provide support to develop Scouting in the District. Its remit will be to look at not only ways to increase numbers (particularly Leaders) but also in ensuring exciting and relevant programmes are being delivered to retain both young people and adults alike.

The first meeting of this sub committee will be held on 4th December 2002. Membership of this committee chaired by the District Commissioner includes all the ADC’s, a couple of leaders from a section and hopefully a GSL.

Summarised minutes of each meeting will be published for everyone to have access to via you GSL or Group Contact. If you have any comments on what should be covered in this committee or would like to take part, please contact the DC. 

·         County Night Exercise (Charlton Chase) – 25th/26th January 2003.  Sponsored by Peglars of Arundel.  A challenging county event of demanding walking, accurate night navigation and initiative tasks that takes about 8+ hours over a course across the South Downs in mid-winter!  Only for experienced teams that are well prepared.  Start at Seaford College and the exercise will use the area between the A285 and A286.  No closing date – first 99 teams entering will be accepted.  Application and queries to Martin Tomlinson, Senior Manager Youth Service, Fernleigh Centre, 40 North Street, Chichester PO10 1LX (Tel: 01243 77721).  martin.tomlinson@westsussex.gov.uk

·        St John Ambulance First Aid 2003 Training & Examination Courses – 

§         Horsham Professional Centre, Friday 14th – Sunday 16th February

§         Chichester Professional Centre, Friday 14th – Sunday 16th March

§         Worthing Professional Centre, Friday 4th – Sunday 6th April 

Price £75 – Contact Outdoor Education Office, 40 North Street, Chichester. PO19 1LX (Tel: 01243 777210).

We would like to remind all Leaders that a First Aid qualification, at least First Response, is highly recommended to achieve.

  • West Sussex Youth Service – Short Courses in 2002-2003 – Explores various issues that can effect young peoples’ lives and offer your workers practical ways of supporting young people to take problems and take action.  Contact Julie Burkinshaw or Pat Wicks, Worthing Youth Office, Centenary House, Durrington Lane, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 2QB (Tel.  01903 839234/838235
  • International PC Forms – For those Groups whose members will be travelling abroad, including ‘Explorer Belt Expeditions’, in the next year please ensure that you complete and submit the Form PC (Abroad) at least 2 months before travelling for European Destination and 6 months before for other countries further afield. If you do not meet these deadlines, your trip may be put at risk. For more information, contact Jennifer Chalmers ACC (International). 
  • County International Recognition – A new award to be issued by West Sussex Scouts will be presented to any section that meet certain international criteria, yet to be defined. Watch this space.
  • International Camps 2003

·         Auchengillan Jamboree – takes place on 2-9 August 2003, promotional leaflets and application forms are available in the County Office or from the District Commissioner. 

·         Kent Scout International Jamboree – Is being held 31st July to 7th August 2003, if you want to know more please contact the District Commissioner for a leaflet or visit www.kentjamboree.co.uk/ 

·         ‘Wings’ Windsor International Scout Camp – 2nd to 9th August 2003 if you want to know more please contact the District Commissioner for a leaflet or visit www.wings2003.org.uk 

·         Sherwood 2003 - 2nd to 9th August 2003 if you want to know more please contact the District Commissioner for a leaflet or visit www.sherwood2003.com

·         Bonjam 2003 Edingburgh-  26 July to 3 August 2003 if you want to know more please contact the District Commissioner for a leaflet or visit www.bonaly.org.uk 

·         ‘Norjam’ Norfolk Scouts and Guides International Camp – 26 July to 2 August 2003 if you want to know more, you guessed it, please contact the District Commissioner for a leaflet or visit www.norjam2003.org.uk 

NEXT COPY DATE: 25th November 2002 ALL COPY to Prue Payne  secretary@al-scouts.org.uk

 

  © Arundel & Littlehampton District Scout Council