The Viewpoint Newsletter provides information to all the Adults involved in Scouting in the Arundel and Littlehampton District.
September 2003
Nights Away Permit Scheme
As you may be aware the old Permission to Camp form system will end in late 2004. It will be replaced by a new Permit system which will help reduce the red tape and ensure that more young people get the opportunity to have overnight experiences.
We have decided on a programme of introduction of the scheme for this District.
- GSL's Launch - GSL's Meeting 17th September 2003, 8.00pm -
- Leaders Launch - All Leaders Meeting, 29th September 2003 - 8.00pm 7th Littlehampton
- Appointment of Nights Away Advisors (details will follow to GSL’s/Contacts) - September to October 2003
- Fast track Assessment of Experienced Leaders - October 2003 to March 2004
- Inexperienced Leader Assessment - January 2004 to May 2004
- ALL using new scheme by 1st June 2004 (NO MORE USE OF CURRENT PC FORMS)
Please try any attend the leaders meetings on the 29th September 2003 to find out about the scheme and to ask questions.
Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund St Georges Day Appeal 2003
Thank you to all the Groups have taken part in the 2003 Appeal, we raised a staggering £730.00. Well done to Braden Kenny of 4th Littlehampton for obtaining the most sponsors, well over 30 people. Braden received the £10 gift voucher, donated by the District Commissioner, at his Beaver Colony before the summer break. If you have any comments regarding this years appeal please let the District Commissioner know by the end of September.
New Badge FIX Glue
The New badge fix glue is a must for all Groups. Throw away your needle and thread and use this instead. Easy to use, no damage to clothing if you want to remove and replace staged badges, washer and dryer safe. It has undergone 3 years of testing.
You can order your Badge FIX Glue for only £4.95 from the District Badge Secretary, Dawn Burgess. badges@al-scouts.org.uk visit the badge shop website www.al-scouts.org.uk/badges/ .
WS2004 Update
Sub-camps
The camp will be split into three sub-camps this time. In keeping with the Wild West theme the Sub-camp leaders have selected the names "The Ranch", "Dodge City" and "Little Big Horn".
Sub-camp Allocations
Groups and Units will be allocated to their sub-camps only when they have registered and paid the first instalments. Groups and Units are not being allocated to sub-camps on a geographical basis this time, so where it is essential that groups or units camp together, this must be made clear, by e-mail, to bookings@ws2004.co.uk and they will try and accommodate your requests.
Activities
There are lots of activities being planned for the event. Keep an eye on the website (www.ws2004.co.uk) for a list of what has been booked so far. This will be updated regularly.
Only One Year To Go
Have you registered yet if not, make sure you get your act together. Have you got an international link yet? If not please make every effort - this is an international event!
Help Wanted
WS2004 is going to be a very big event. Can you offer any help with any aspect? Please e-mail if you can (or if you know someone else who can) – they’d love to hear from you (HQ@ws2004.co.uk)
Juggling
If anyone wants to try teaching their section how to Juggle, well now they are in luck, not only do the District have 20 sets of Juggling Balls available to borrow at no charge, but we have access to a friendly Juggler who is willing to pop along and teach your young people the skill of juggling for part of your evening programme (subject to availability). Help towards the circus skills badge.
If you want to take advantage of either of these offers please contact the District Commissioner dc@al-scouts.org.uk
Guide/Scout Joint Activity Badge
Please can you advise Leaders of all Sections that the Joint Activity Badge can now be worn by Leaders when their Section is awarded the badge. Also please could you inform Leaders to record all occasions and the Sections of individuals that have participated in the Joint Activity Badge as two new badges are to be awarded:
1. If a young member in their time in Scouting achieves 5 joint events, a new Silver edged Joint Activity Badge will be awarded to that individual.
2 If a young member in their time in Scouting achieves 10 joint events, a Gold edged Joint Activity Badge will be awarded
For more details of the Award visit www.al-scouts.org.uk/guides/ or contact the District Commissioner.
Chief Scouts Award - GOLD
Some information about Chief Scouts Award Gold Awards (CSG)
When a Scout gains the Chief Scout Gold.
- District/Group present the Badge.
- Fill in a CSG Certificate Application card and send to ACC Scouts
- The Scout & Guests will be invited to a County Reception on a Sunday Afternoon.
We are designing a W. Sussex CSG Certificate (The National one is not very impressive)
Application Cards are available from the County Office. 01403 218 681.
Next reception date is planned for 16th November (for old CSA and New CSG)
London Dungeon
The London Dungeon is offering discounted entry from September.
Don't miss out on 'The Great Plague', 'Judgement Day Boat Ride', 'Jack the Ripper Experience' and 'The Great Fire of London'.
If you are interested please get in touch via the contact details below or phone Gary Fitz on: 020 7403 7221 who will help with any enquiries. luciewallis@merlin-entertainments.com www.thedungeons.com
Explorer/Scout Network Hike
14 - 25 Night Hike 13th September 2003 Perry Wood, Lingfield
For more Details contact
Ellen White:
Downsman Hike
At last I have managed to get the web site updated to reflect the information for 2003.
There will be other modifications, but all the main information is now correct (I hope!). I'll be thoroughly checking it over the next week or two.
You may also like to know that it now has a far more memorable url - www.downsman.com.You can still get to it from the previous address as well, so don't worry if you have any links set up anywhere.
Also, just to note that I messed up with the information leaflet that was uploaded to the Yahoo site and sent out to many others in the last month or two. Class S will finish at Devil's Dyke, not Falmer. This will shorten that Class to 25 miles, and hopefully make it more achievable for the younger Scouts who can now enter it.
I hope you're all out training now and ready to send your entries in - the first 150 entrants will each receive a water bottle thanks to a generous sponsor. They'll have to turn up to collect it, though as none will be posted to "no-showers".
If you know of anyone who would like to discuss sponsorship generally or advertising in the handbook, please put them in touch with us. We also now have a new email address, which is info@downsman.com . Once again, the old address will still work as well.
Regards to all. Richard Sullivan.
Charity Commission Return 02/03
Just a reminder to Group Secretaries or those responsible to return ASAP to the Charity commission the annual return that will be shortly sent to you for the financial year 02/03.
If you fail to send it in it could compromise your chance of obtaining grants from external organisations and trust funds. To view your Groups return history visit www.charitycommission.gov.uk If you have outstanding returns for previous years it is not to late to send them in.
Scout Fellowship - Appointment
I would like announce my appointment of Margaret Baker as Chairman of the District Scout Fellowship, as most of you know Margaret has a wealth of experience to bring to this role. I hope under her leadership the Fellowship will go from strength to strength. I would like to thank Almut Wardle for her service in the role of chairman over the last year.
If you would like to use the skills and expertise of the Scout Fellowship for any event your Group/Section is organising please give Margaret a ring.
District Chairman - Appointment
Following the AGM in July Tony Squires (former Littlehampton Mayor and District Commissioner) has agreed to take on the role as District Chairman. Please invite Tony to your Group Executive Committee Meeting, as he is keen to find out how Groups are operating.
Job Vacancies -
- Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts)
The Scout section has lacked some direction over the last year or so. We are seeking a motivated individual to bring the Scout Troops together and ensure that they get the support they deserve.
- District Explorer Scout Commissioner and District Explorer Scout Administrator
Following the resignations of Ian and Geoff Buckman from the above appointments (thanks Ian and Geoff for the time you have both put into these roles), we are seeking replacements. This is a very important role in coordinating the activities of all the Explorer Units.
- Group Scout Leaders
If you fancy using your Scouting Skills to help manage and develop a Scout Group then perhaps the role of Group Scout Leader is for you. We currently have vacancies in 4th Littlehampton, 1st Ferring (Sea Scouts) and 1st Barnham.
If you or one of you Scouting colleagues feels they would like to give any of theses roles a go then please contact the District Commissioner dc@al-scouts.org.uk , job descriptions are available on request. Please remember that you do not need give up your current involvement in a section, as long as you feel you can manage both roles.
We will be inviting nominations for all these roles in the next month or so.
2007 100 Years of Scouting - Subcommittee
In order to make the most of the opportunities that the 100 years of Scouting will offer our District in terms of activities and Promotion we are in the process of setting up a sub committee for 2007 (which will include the activities relating to the 2005 European Jamboree), it is hoped that we can announce the chairman of this committee fairly shortly.
We would like to have a representative from all the Scout Groups in the District to ensure that we get involvement from everyone in the District. Your Group will be contacted soon so if you fancy the job contact your Group Scout Leader or the District Commissioner.
Scout Triathlon - 21st September 2003
Sunday 21st Sept, Stanford Pease Pottage Crawley
Forms to Beryl Aldridge ACC- Scout Fellowship ASAP please. 01903 761764 beryl@aldridgeb.fsnet.co.uk
Please try and field a team for this new County Scout Event.
Grants and Awards
The Leslie Sell Charitable Trust
This independent Trust Fund distributes over 150 grants to Scout and Guide Groups each year. The trust makes small grants (usually up to £1500) to Groups to help with the costs of purchasing Scout equipment and repairing HQs. It also gives assistance to individual Scouts for overseas camps. Applicants are advised to show evidence of their own fundraising when submitting bids.
Applications should be made directly in writing to:
Mr J Byrnes, The Leslie Sell Charitable Trust, Ground Floor Offices, 52 London Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire. AL1 1NG
The Philip Lawrence Awards
Nominate your Group!
The Philip Lawrence Awards recognise outstanding achievements in good citizenship by young people aged 11 to 20. They are looking for groups that are making a real contribution to communities and the lives of others. The Awards have three key themes: combating lawlessness and violence; promoting community safety; and promoting racial harmony. Winning groups will receive cash awards of up to £1000 to invest in sustaining or developing the Award-winning activity. Nominations are now open, closing date is Friday 19 September.
For more information visit www.kidsclubs.org.uk/philiplawrenceawards/To obtain printed copies of Awards nominations forms please ring 020 7512 2100 or email philiplawrenceawards@kidsclubs.org.uk
The Hedley Foundation
This foundation has five main criteria for funding. One of which is ‘Young People: their education, training, health and welfare’. About 300 grants are made per year, which on average are around £5,000.
Grants awarded are not usually recurring. Applicant groups must be registered as charities. For more details telephone: 020 7489 8076 or visit www.hedleyfoundation.org.uk
Applications should be made in writing to: Secretary 9 Dowgate Hill London EC4R 2SU
County Development Group
If any District or Group has a development need associated with equipment, HQ or personnel, please advise Richard Thompson who will bring your need to the meetings held 4 times a year. If you require a grant I would like to remind you that John Lambourne will assist you with West Sussex County Council Grants (i.e. Capital Grants - for new buildings and extensions; Premises Grant - repairs and renewals and small extensions; Equipment Grants) and Lottery Applications. All other Grants and loans will need to be processed through the Development Group and Richard Thompson is your contact.
Scouts Plus+ - Fundraising
This is a new scheme that allows Groups to sell a magazine with special offers to parents and friends of the Scout Group to raise money for scouting.
For more information see the leaflet that should have been sent to all Group Contacts. If you have not received your leaflet please contact the District Commissioner for details.
Scouts Appeal- Fundraising
Raise money from those used toner and inkjet cartridges, some Groups in the District are already operating this scheme successfully for information see www.scoutsappeal.com or contact the District Commissioner.
International Opportunities 2004
- WS2004 - 31st July 2004 to 7th August 2004
- CampDowne 2004 International Camp - Downe Activity Centre, Orpington, Kent - 29th July to 7th August 2004
- 12th World Scout Moot - Taiwan for Explorers and Scout Network members - 30th July to 10th August 2004
- Venture Abroad also have many opportunities for international travel in organised packages. www.ventureabroad.co.uk
For details on these Camps please contact the District Commissioner dc@al-scouts.org.uk
New HQ Cub Scout Recruitment Leaflet
Every Group contact should now have been sent a copy of the new HQ Cub Scout Recruitment Leaflet. If you would find this useful extra copies can be obtained from the Scout Information Centre. The cost is low around £3 per 100. There are also versions available for all sections.
District ALL SECTION Recruitment Leaflet
An all section and leader recruitment leaflet has been produced by the District Team this leaflet has been use with great success at a couple of local events. If you would like copies of this leaflet, we can produce them but we need notice to get them printed.
Two versions are available, one is b/w and is a double sided A5 and the other is a colour double sided A4 folded. Both have room to put local contact details. Copies will be distributed at the next All leaders meeting in September.
Swim for Asthma 4th to 11th October 2003
How about turning your next trip to the swimming baths with your section into a sponsored event in aid of the National Asthma Campaign. That's what hundreds of people will be doing around the UK. To join in email Fiona Nolan on swim@asthma.org.uk or write to her at National Asthma Campaign, Freepost Lon 11120, London N1 OBR
Badge Shop Sale
The old stock badge sale which will see the old programme badges being sold at 75% discount will be held at 7th Littlehampton HQ on the 29th September at 7pm to 8pm before the All Leaders meeting (see below). If you wish to reserve an almost full set of badges please contact Dawn Burgess Badge Secretary on badges@al-scouts.org.uk
All Leaders Meeting
Following the success of the ALL Leaders meeting held in May this year we will be holding another on 29th September 2003. All leaders/helpers are invited to attend and the main event will be the new Nights Away Scheme which you will be shown and will give you the opportunity to ask questions about. The meeting starts at 8.00pm at the 7th Littlehampton HQ. Please try and ensure that your Group and sections are represented.
Training Advisors
You will remember that Training for potential Training Advisors was scheduled for 13/14 September. In preparation for this we contacted HQ regarding the two modules (25 and 9) to be covered. We have been advised that Module 9 is not yet available and also parts of Module 25 cannot be completed until the new Training Scheme is actually in place. It has, therefore, been decided that until we have all the information in place and we can complete the training properly we would be wasting everyone's time to continue at this time. The training for Training Advisors will now be postponed until January 04
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NEXT COPY DATE: 25th September 2003 ALL COPY to Prue Payne secretary@al-scouts.org.uk