Be honest!
You know you're really in trouble when you get quizzed by a couple of explorer scouts when they see you in the supermarket. 'You haven't updated your blog for a while. In your first one you said that it would be done monthly'. Guilty as charged.
Although I read the role description for an Area Commissioner before taking on the role, I'm finding there is a lot of extra work that needs to take place in the background. I won't bore you with the detail but it's dealing with issues surrounding governance, disputes etc, things that hopefully most of you will never get involved with. There are also many good bits, some of which I'll share with you in a moment.
Having taken on the AC role, it has got me thinking about those of you who are new to Scouting. If I'm finding that my role has hidden elements, and I've been an adult leader for nearly twenty years, how are you finding your role? This is a genuine question and one on which I would appreciate some feedback.
For those of us who recruit volunteers, we need to make sure that we are honest about the time commitment required for the role, and ensure that every appointment has a role description that accurately describes what is required. The important thing is that line managers provide a good level of support and make sure that every adult has a training adviser/mentor/somebody to go to if they have an issue.
Now a quick overview on what has been happening in the Area since my last blog. Look out for more information in Hotliner, which is due out imminently.
Census
The census figures are in and the numbers in Clwyd are up on last year. Thank you to all those who have helped collect and input the information required. A full announcement with regards to figures etc will be made on the 19th April.
Adult Training
It's good to see leaders engaging with training and I hope you are finding it a worth while experience. I'm seeing regular recommendations for wood badges, which is very reassuring.
We are currently having a review of training within the Area, lead by the Area Training Manager, Pat Royle, in conjunction with the Local Training Mangers. As part of the review, we will be creating an Area Training Team who will ensure that a consistent level of training is developed and delivered across the Area.
Do you have a specialist subject that may be relevant to adult leader training, for example: first aid, scouting skills or management training skills? As a starting point we will ideally need at least one person from each district to meet and create a standard Module 1 course, so ensuring every new person in the Area gets exactly the same information. If you would be willing to assist with a specific module, please let Pat know.
Area Finance
A question that is quite often heard is 'What is Area spending our membership fees on'? This year, for the first time, the Area Team have come together to produce an annual budget forecast. Having broken down our projected spending into categories, we now have a realistic view on how membership fees will be spent. Our reckoning is that operationally it costs just over £8000 to support the Area with most of the cost being spread across programme support, adult training and communications.
A full breakdown of our finances, and the plans going forward, will be included in the Area Treasurer's report at the Area Annual General Meeting on June 28th.
And finally...
The highlight for me since my last blog has been the presentation of four Queen's Scout Awards. These were presented by Lloyd FitzHugh, the now former High Sheriff of Clwyd, to Nicole Langley, Suzie Gregory, Joseph Bentley and Edward Lewis. Congratulations to them on their achievement.
You know you're really in trouble when you get quizzed by a couple of explorer scouts when they see you in the supermarket. 'You haven't updated your blog for a while. In your first one you said that it would be done monthly'. Guilty as charged.
Although I read the role description for an Area Commissioner before taking on the role, I'm finding there is a lot of extra work that needs to take place in the background. I won't bore you with the detail but it's dealing with issues surrounding governance, disputes etc, things that hopefully most of you will never get involved with. There are also many good bits, some of which I'll share with you in a moment.
Having taken on the AC role, it has got me thinking about those of you who are new to Scouting. If I'm finding that my role has hidden elements, and I've been an adult leader for nearly twenty years, how are you finding your role? This is a genuine question and one on which I would appreciate some feedback.
For those of us who recruit volunteers, we need to make sure that we are honest about the time commitment required for the role, and ensure that every appointment has a role description that accurately describes what is required. The important thing is that line managers provide a good level of support and make sure that every adult has a training adviser/mentor/somebody to go to if they have an issue.
Now a quick overview on what has been happening in the Area since my last blog. Look out for more information in Hotliner, which is due out imminently.
Census
The census figures are in and the numbers in Clwyd are up on last year. Thank you to all those who have helped collect and input the information required. A full announcement with regards to figures etc will be made on the 19th April.
Adult Training
It's good to see leaders engaging with training and I hope you are finding it a worth while experience. I'm seeing regular recommendations for wood badges, which is very reassuring.
We are currently having a review of training within the Area, lead by the Area Training Manager, Pat Royle, in conjunction with the Local Training Mangers. As part of the review, we will be creating an Area Training Team who will ensure that a consistent level of training is developed and delivered across the Area.
Do you have a specialist subject that may be relevant to adult leader training, for example: first aid, scouting skills or management training skills? As a starting point we will ideally need at least one person from each district to meet and create a standard Module 1 course, so ensuring every new person in the Area gets exactly the same information. If you would be willing to assist with a specific module, please let Pat know.
Area Finance
A question that is quite often heard is 'What is Area spending our membership fees on'? This year, for the first time, the Area Team have come together to produce an annual budget forecast. Having broken down our projected spending into categories, we now have a realistic view on how membership fees will be spent. Our reckoning is that operationally it costs just over £8000 to support the Area with most of the cost being spread across programme support, adult training and communications.
A full breakdown of our finances, and the plans going forward, will be included in the Area Treasurer's report at the Area Annual General Meeting on June 28th.
And finally...
The highlight for me since my last blog has been the presentation of four Queen's Scout Awards. These were presented by Lloyd FitzHugh, the now former High Sheriff of Clwyd, to Nicole Langley, Suzie Gregory, Joseph Bentley and Edward Lewis. Congratulations to them on their achievement.
Area Commissioner's Blog
Gordon Richardson is Area Commissioner of Clwyd. Read here what an AC gets up to e.g. Wales AC meetings, DC meetings, presentations, Area exec etc, and also his thoughts and observations