On the 1st January Christopher Tebb (Chris) took over as the new District Commissioner for Northern Europe. Chris, who is also a volunteer with the 1st Prague, has a track record of proven managerial skills and a personable management style. I know he will be a brilliant fit for the District and is already making great progress. I’d also like to take the opportunity to say a massive thank you to the previous DC, PK, for all that he has done for the district and BSO over the last Year.
As we travel further into 2022, it’s really heart-warming to see BSO really start to recover from the pandemic restrictions. It’s been great to see all the amazing activities happening around the four Districts and even the Middle East is now starting to awaken after more than two years without meetings.
New Area Website
Our new Area website was launched shortly before Christmas. This has been an epic task by our Comms team and by the whole Area team who have contributed to make this into a vastly improved tool for providing information, support and guidance to our membership and those simply interested in BSO. Thank you to the whole Area team, especially our Comms team for a job well done.
BSO Census returns
Baring one or two Groups, our yearly census return is almost complete. As of the 19th February our total membership is 2,771 young people and adults. Which is a 27% decline in membership over the last two years. However, with the reopening of the Middle East I am confident that we will see a general recovery and growth in membership.
| Area Census | Jan 2020 | Jan 2021 | Jan 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total YP | 2860 | 2109 | 2085 |
| +8.3% | -26.3% | -3.9% | |
| Total Adults | 824 | 741 | 765 |
| -1.8% | -10.1% | +0.8% | |
| Total | 3684 | 2850 | 2850 |
| Membership | +5.9% | -22.6% | -2.7% |
Events
Sadly, due to Covid uncertainly Groups attending the Monopoly run have cancelled and we are not running this as an Area event this year. We will hopefully be able to run this properly next year.
The Area Development weekend which we had scheduled in early February was postponed due to uncertainty around Covid. This has now been rescheduled to 17-19 June and will be for the whole Area team and District Commissioners to plan and align our Strategic Plan for the next 3-5 years. Prior to this, in May, six members of the Area team/DCs will be attending the “Basecamp22” national Scout conference in Manchester to review and discuss how the national Strategy will be implemented across UK Scouting.
Thank you Day 2022
Thank you Day 2022 is taking place on Sunday 5 June. This is part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend and a chance for Scouts to join together and celebrate. This could be with a Big Lunch or other ways, big or small. Keep an eye out on the BSO website and social media for plans.
Hillwalking weekend
The BSO Hillwalking permit weekend will take place on Friday 25 to Sunday 27 March 2022 in the English Peak District. There is still time to register a place on this weekend. A big thank you to Howard Nelson for organising this event.
Training Compliance
The Scouts have recently introduced rules to suspend members if mandatory training is not updated/completed. The mandatory training includes Safety, Safeguarding, GDPR and First Aid. It causes a lot of work to chase people and is massively demotivating to impose suspensions on volunteers. We are and will be implementing suspensions for non-compliance. Please keep an eye on the expiry dates in your Compass record so you can stay compliant.
Area Equipment
In January Steven Hartley, Bob Thorpe and myself suffered some pretty lousy weather and spent the weekend at PACCAR Scout Camp to move all the BSO camping equipment to new storage elsewhere in PACCAR Scout Camp. A big thank you to Steven and Bob for their assistance with this.
Farewell
Unfortunately, due to work commitments, BSO’s Network Commissioner Liam Scott, has resigned from the role. We are considering options of how we should replace this role. I’d like to say a big thank you to Liam for the efforts he’s put into BSO Network and it’s been good to recently see a new strategy which I think will be beneficial for his successor.
Welcome
Following a competitive selection process, I was delighted to welcome Jordan McCullough into the Area team as our new AAC(Diversity & Inclusion). Jordan has previously fulfilled a very similar role within the Northern Ireland team. He will be creating a team and working across the whole Area to improve EDI issues. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more about this in the coming weeks and months.
New District Badge for Southern Europe
Following consultations with HQ and WOSM branding managers, I was delighted to approve the following design for the new Southern Europe District badge. A very collectible badge I would imagine!
Cub Scout Leader’s Conference
At the end of January, I was delighted to attend the Area Cub Scout Leader’s programme conference run by Howard Nelson and Chris Wait. It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic Cub leaders sharing tips and tricks. I was asked to deliver an interactive session at the beginning and presented a Cub Scout trivia quiz which was won by Baloo (1st Prague)! We ran a short anonymous survey which brought out some interesting answers which I’ve shared below. I’d be interested to know whether you think politics or any of the other least enjoyable issues are a problem for you? Please feel free to drop me a line (in total confidence) – I’d like to know if this a real issue and see if I can help. We are here for the young people. Politics should play absolutely no part in Scouting.
Conversely, it was no surprise to see that “Fun”, “Outdoors” and “Camping” are the most enjoyable things that our leaders enjoy…
Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to say a massive well done for all you’re doing in your part of British Scouting Overseas. Never underestimate the impact that you have on the young people in your care. You make a huge difference and you are truly amazing – Thank you!
Nathan
Area Commissioner
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British Scouting Overseas wants to appoint two trustees, to serve for an initial term of three years, starting in September 2026. Our trustee board provides collective leadership and oversight of the charity, in support of our volunteers who deliver our programme to young people around the world. Trustees may be of any nationality and live in any part of the world – the only condition is that you are willing and able to carry out the duties of a trustee and to bring a constructive and independent-minded approach to the role. The main requirement is a commitment to Scout values and willingness to do the best you can to help the Board carry out their role. It’s a bonus if you can bring some personal skills or experience in a particular area, such as any of the following: Administration and meeting management Data protection - policy and practice Development planning in a voluntary group Finance and budgeting - oversight Governance Media and public affairs Risk management - policy and practice Safety - policy and practice We are also keen to include young adults (for example, under twenty fives). The role of trustee is a volunteer one, but reasonable authorised expenses may be claimed. Trustees serve for three year terms, up to a maximum of nine years, after which they must stand down. Trustees may only be appointed if they are not disqualified under UK law from being a trustee of a registered charity. Successful candidates will be required to sign a statement confirming that they are not disqualified. There is some mandatory online learning for our trustees. The Board meets four times a year, plus the annual general meeting. There are additional ad hoc meetings from time to time. Meetings are usually held online via Microsoft Teams. Appointment requirements Hold or obtain membership of The Scout Association in accordance with appointment requirements Complete The Scouts Joining Journey and membership declaration. Follow our code of conduct for members of the BSO Board Communicate with purpose and efficiency Always act with integrity and in the best interests of the charity Champion our vision, mission and values Accept the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a Trustee and adhere to the ethical standards outlined in the Nolan principles: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership Take on training and development that will help you in your role Responsible to Area Chair and British Scouting Overseas Scout Council Main tasks and responsibilities To be a full and active participant in Trustee Board meetings and activities To uphold the responsibilities of a Trustee Board as outlined in The Scout Association’s Policy Organisation and Rules Contribute to the strategic aims and future development of the Area An understanding of their own role, and the role of others on the Trustee Board A commitment to understanding and forming opinions on the key discussion points and responsibilities of the Trustee Board Willingness to complete various tasks which support the work of the Trustee Board and the aims of the Area Skills for a trustee Ability to work as part of a team Strong communication skills Able to think creatively and solve problems Able to handle and resolve conflict effectively Willing to speak one’s mind and listen to the views of others Able to maintain independent and objective judgement Willing to actively design and contribute to the strategic vision of the Area W illingness to take decisions which will further the work of the Area Willingness and eligibility to act as a charity trustee for the Area Time commitment The estimated time commitment is: 4 Board meetings a year 1 AGM Other commitments as required to fulfil the role Meetings are normally online using Microsoft Teams About BSO BSO is a part of the UK Scout Association with headquarters in Gilwell Park, London. BSO members have access to the same resources, support and programme as UK based Scout groups. BSO exists to support British families living overseas in the provision of a UK Scouting programme to expatriate British children and to several British Overseas Territories. We aim to ensure that all our members have the opportunity to feel and experience high quality UK Scouting whilst providing support and advice to adult members no matter where they are in the world. BSO undertakes Scouting activities in a safe and secure environment with flexibility to adapt to both local customs and guidelines set out within The Scout Association's policies and rules. BSO operates 60 Scout Groups, 25 Explorer Units and 3 Scout Networks, with an impressive 3,138 young people supported by 1473 adult volunteer leaders across 29 countries around the world. Whilst most adult volunteer members are delivering programme activities with our young people, many volunteers are also based in the UK offering support, training, mentoring, governance and resources in a variety of different roles from trustee to marketing and event support to skills assessors. BSO is fully inclusive and open to all who share our fundamental values. BSO exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
Congratulations to our Good Service Award Recipients
About the role The Chair of British Scouting Overseas’ (BSO) will provide inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees. The Chair will ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the BSO Lead Volunteer (and their team) to achieve agreed objectives and oversight. The chair will focus on BSO’s governance and regulatory compliance long-term sustainability, enabling young people to gain skills for life.
