Join the Adventure…Bishop’s Stortford and District newsletter

the Big Picture December

2008

Christmas E News 08
Brief note from the District Team at Christmas

Please pass on to Leaders and Committee members who have NOT got email

The next full newsletter will be sent out in early January, but this brief E News is See Pages:
intended to both thank you for all you have done this year to support our children
and young people and to pass on some key information. It has been a great year
for Scouting and with the annual census looming, we are expecting a further District
2
increase in our local membership. On a more sombre note, the national Diary 2009
economic downturn is having an effect on some Leaders, supporters and their
families and we are especially grateful for their volunteer time and effort at what 2009
must be a most difficult time. Our small but local family of Scouting is always Development 4
there and keen to help – please ask. Plan

Key date for your diary

Please note that there will be a meeting for all adults working within Scouting on
Wednesday 4th February 2009 starting at 8.00 pm in Bishop’s Stortford College.
This will focus on the key changes that HQ is making to the appointment of new
adults. There will also be a chance to chat in Sectional meetings. Group
Committee members will be most welcome and hopefully share issues amongst
colleagues in other Groups. The full details will follow in the new year but please
make sure that your Section is represented.

With this E News you will find enclosed the District Diary for 2009 which we hope
you will find useful. We also have included the District Development Plan for
2009 which provides you with our priorities for the coming year - they focus on
helping you and your Section/Group.

District Website
Please visit the revamped District website on:
http://www.bishopsstortfordscouts.btik.com/

Thanks to John Henson (Deputy District Commissioner)who spent considerable

time in getting this up and running again. Feed back from Leaders would be most
welcome.

May we all wish you and your families

a very happy Christmas and a Peaceful
New Year.

From your

District Team and Executive Committee.

BISHOP’S STORTFORD AND DISTRICT COUNCIL
DISTRICT DIARY 2009
Full details of any District meetings will be sent out two weeks before the meeting
People to contact for further information on diary dates:
BOLD are District run events

GS Greg Stewart DT District Team NR Nigel Reed

KG Ken Gordon JH John Henson MS Max Streets
GM Geoff Markwell VD Veronica Dewey KR Kate Reed
HQ Headquarters HM Hazel Mead EM Emma Moverly
JW Jackie Williamson GC Geoff Crabb CO County Office: www.hertfordshirescouts.org.uk
020 8236 0040

JANUARY FEBRUARY
10 First Aid Training (County HQ) CO 2 Appointments Committee KR
14 Beaver Leaders New Year Dinner HM 4 ALL District Leader Meeting 7.45pm GS
14 Dist. Explorer Scout Leaders Meeting NR 10 First Aid Training County CO
16/18 Fire and Ice, Tolmers Winter Camp CO 11 District Team Meeting GS
21 Group Scout Leaders Meeting GS 11 Module 11 - Administration CO
TBC Cougar Scout Network activities/meet EM 16 Getting Started URC BS JW
17 Module 17 - Activities CO
18 Module 18 – Practical Skills CO
19 Module 19 - International CO
21 First Aid Training (Thorley HQ) GC
20/21 February Chiltern Challenge NR

MARCH APRIL
2 Appointments Advisory Committee KR 4-11 Inter.Mountaineering Course, Loch’hed CO
5 District Executive Committee GM 10-18 Inter.Mountaineering Course, Loch’hed CO
7 CUB and SCOUT Splash Night, BS College GM 16 Getting Started URC BS VD
8 Leaders Practical Skills Day CO 26 St George’s Day Event - Birchwood High GS
School, BS
9 District Scout Leaders meeting MS 27 District Cub Scout Leaders Meeting KG
14/15 Modules (Managers) 20,21,22,23,24,26 CO TBC Cougar Scout Network activities/meet EM
14 Module 14 – Young People Today CO 28 1st St Michaels Mead AGM
14 Module 15 – Challenging Behaviour CO
14 Module 13 Growing the Movement CO
15 Module 8 – Skills of Leadership CO
15 Module 7 – Valuing Diversity CO
15 Module 9 Working with Adults CO
28 BEAVER Splash Night, BS College GM
28 Bring a Friend Day - Tolmers CO

MAY JUNE
1/3 Patrol |Activity Weekend PAW MS 4 District Executive Committee GM
1/4 Introduction To The Hills (ITTH) CO 10 District Team Meeting GS
6 District Awards Night and AGM GS 22 District Scout Leaders Meeting MS
10 1st Much Hadham AGM (eve) 27/28 District Beaver Sleepover Skreens HM
11 Appointments Advisory Committee KR
13 Group Scout Leaders Meeting GS
13 District Beaver Scout Leaders HM
15/17 Nights Away County CO
17 1st BS AGM and Centenary Camp
17 First Aid Training (Thorley HQ) GC
18 Getting Started URC BS JW
23/29 Cub Jam Camp KG

Continued over/….
 JULY AUGUST
6 Appointments Advisory Committee KR 26/2 Explorer Scout Expedition IOW NR
6 County AGM CO TBC Scout Network Expedition EM
8 Dist. Explorer Scout Leaders Meeting NR
11 Gilwell 24 NR
10/12 Herts 100 County Camp CO
13 Getting Started URC BS JW

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
3 District Executive Committee GM 4 First Aid - County CO
4-6 Gilwell Reunion for Leaders HQ 7 District Team Meeting GS
7 Appointments Advisory Committee KR 14 District Beaver Scout Leaders meeting HM
12/14 Nights Away Training CO 24 District Leaders Programme day GS
14 District Scout Leaders Meeting MS 16/18 Peak Assault. CO
20 First Aid Training (Thorley HQ) GC
21 Getting Started URC BS JW
21 District Cub Scout Leaders Meeting KG
23 Group Scout Leaders Meetings GS
19/20 County Night Hike KG
25/26 Nights Away Training CO

NOVEMBER DECEMBER
2 Appointments Advisory Committee KR 2-4 B 2 B Challenge CO
5 Module 5 – Values of Scouting CO 3 District Executive Committee GM
7 First Aid Training (Thorley HQ) GC TBC Cub Carols and Good Turn KG
8 Remembrance Service and Parades MS 7 District Scout Leaders Meeting MS
9 Module 9 Working with Adults CO 7 Explorer Scout Meal NR
14 Module 11 - Administration CO 10 First Aid Training (Hertford) GC
14 Module 17 - Activities CO TBC Cougar Scout Network activities/meet EM
14 Module 18 – Practical Skills CO
14 Module 19 - International CO
13/15 Green Beret Challenge CO
16 Getting Started URC BS JW
28 Gala Dinner MS
28 Module 14 – Young People Today CO
28 Module 15 – Challenging Behaviour CO
28 Module 13 Growing the Movement CO
29 Module 8 – Skills of Leadership CO
29 Module 7 – Valuing Diversity CO
29 Module 9 Working with Adults CO
29 Module 5 – Values of Scouting CO
Bishop’s Stortford and District Scout Council
Growing Scouting in Sawbrideworth, Much Hadham and Bishop’s Stortford

Our plan for quality and growth 2009

This basis of this plan was originally developed from the 2007 annual District Conference (Advance 07). It is
reviewed each year and the following priorities with be the focus of the District Team* for 2009.
*The District team is all ADC’s and GSLs.

Key
GSL Group Scout Leaders DC District Commissioner
ADC Assistant District Commissioner DDC Deputy District Commissioner
LTM Local Training Manager DESC Dist. Explorer Scout Commissioner
DEC Dist. Executive Committee SNA Scout Network Adviser

The District Executive and District Team* will aim to complete the following during 2009:

Membership:
1 Support the opening of Beaver Scouts at 1st BS and Silver Leys. ADC Beaver Scouts
th
2 Assist with growth of new Scout Troop at 10 BS. ADC Scouts

3 Help all Scout Groups set realistic growth and development plans. DC and DDC

4 Identify other areas where Sections/Group could open. DC

5 Hold recruitment for adult’s workshop for Section Leaders and GSL’s. DC
st
6 Aim to increase overall membership to 930 by 31 January 2010 District Team/GSLs

7 Continue to support three Explorer Scout Units with quality programmes DESC

8 Improve the organisation and profile of our Cougar Scout Network. SNA

Improve the support to our adults:

1 Promote use of the new District website. Deputy DC

2 Implement new Appointments Advisory committee. District Chairman

3 Rationalise all District appointment procedures to help Groups and individuals. District Executive

4 Provide a £15 start up voucher scheme to all new Sections Leaders and Assistants. District Executive

5 Provide up to £10 free resources for all Group Officers upon appointment. District Executive

6 Provide regular Getting Started courses (at least 5) LTM

7 Provide at least 4 First Response Courses. LTM

8 Run a local Nights Away Course with the County. LTM

9 Run one Module 25 for GSL’s, TA’s and ADCs. LTM

10 Run Social Gala Dinner. District Executive

11 Deliver at least three Leaders support meetings per Section. ADCs and DESC

12 Run a Safeguarding training event for Leaders. District Team

Profile, Community and events

1 Deliver an annual Awards event. District Team

2 Run a St George’s Day event locally DC and DDC

3 Run a range of events based on the needs of Sections, young people and Leaders. ADCs and DESC

4 Ensure District promotional material and equipment is available for Group/Section use. District Team

5 Produce at least three termly newsletters for all adults in District. DC

6 Participate in BS Town Carnival to promote Scouting. District Executive

December 2008