May 2010

Centenary

 

Groups should have received their centenary badges-you can purchase additional ones for new members.

 

St George's Day

 

St George's Day has gone and Beavers and Cubs had a good day at Drayton Manor Park. Where were all of the Scouts and Explorers for the Liverpool trip? Those who went had a good day. I was unable to attend as I was in plaster following my broken arm.

 

District AGM

 

Tuesday June 15th at 7.30pm
Any Scout who has gained a Chief Scouts award/Duke of Edinburgh/Queen's Scout/Young Leader Award-please notify Malcolm Hunt or me so that they and their parents can be invited to attend-The Mayor will present certificates-it does not matter if they have moved to the next section; the latest service certificates will also be presented to adults.

 

REXJAM

 

REXJAM has already attracted over 300 campers - including a contingent from Llangollen district( if you would like to invite anyone to the guest time on Saturday afternoon please let me know asap).

 

Adults Dinner

 

Saturday October 16th-Maes Gwyn Hall
This is an opportunity for all adults in scouting to socialise at a dinner at a cost of £22/head (subsidised by the district); bring partners and ex leaders if you would like to - deposits of £10/head to me asap.

 

Carol service

 

This will be a special event to celebrate the centenary and to look to the future-please inform Peter or me of any ideas you might have

 

I will say at this point that I am disappointed in those sections/groups and adults who do not attend events-they are to allow scouts to mix and take part in activities with others. If you have trouble attending please talk to us.

 

Membership

 

We have had fluctuations in some sections and groups where additional leadership is required. We are attracting more adults, they need adequate support from line managers/section leaders to ensure that they can do the job.

 

I meet all adults at Module 1 and there is a keenness-also reflected at Appointments meetings-ensure that any you are working with know what is happening in the group, district and beyond-involve them -that is why they have volunteered.

 

Training dates are available from Colleen / Pat and the Clwyd website-please encourage leaders to attend.Courses are available in Chester-Pat may know of others. Module 16 -Nights Away-request details.

 

Criminal Record Bureau Checks

 

Sandra is at HQ every Wednesday to complete these checks-no-one else should do them-she will also come out to groups. The Vetting and Barring scheme will be implemented from 26th July for new volunteers.
An electronic application for CRBs will be implemented. From 26 July new forms will be implemented-old ones will not be used after 9th July.
From 9th-26th July CRB forms will not be able to be processed locally or nationally.

 

If you are aware of anyone who does not receive these jottings please let me or Malcolm Hunt know

March 2010

All adults meeting March 8th 7.30pm

 

Please make an effort to attend this as we are looking at issues that we can discuss openly. I will not be sending any other info so please make sure your Group is represented.

 

I will also be presenting awards: service certificates and woodbadges to Trevor Haughton, Russell, Bernard, Wendy, Avril, Dave Lovatt, Neil Spencer, Russell (Hope), Mark J, Stuart Esp, Phil and Carole Smith

 

Agenda: Safe and Sound; Development, group interest; Training Fund; Skills evening; Centenary events; Training/recruiting adults; St George's Day; Scout Active Support; In Touch; Volunteer awards; Crusaders

 

Scout Shop

 

Please inform parents that the shop does not open until 6.30pm and is open until 8.30pm (there are queues from 6pm). Orders can be made by calling 07457 020883. June would also appreciate additional staff, could be on a rota.

 

Car Park

 

If you intend to leave your car for several days please inform Chris Jones. You might find yourself clamped or towed away.

November 2009

We are now really looking at the Wrexham District Centenary. Everyone on the census on 31st January will receive a commemorative badge; additional ones will be availble to purchase.

 

The all adults meeting enabled all to discuss issues and to update information that is difficult to put in note form. Please note that there will be 2 meetings next year with the District Team. Groups are also invited to send a rep to team meetings.

 

The items covered included:

 

- CRB/Appointments (additional info will be attached to this).
- Appointments Procedure. It is vital that the line manager gets involved with the adult immediately there is interest in an appointment.
- We have deveoloped a District leaflet for new adults; groups should also look at having something to give them. Ask Wendy if you require help.
- 100years ball (venues being looked at)
- SGD: probably split Beavers/Cubs; Scouts/Explorers; possible adult event, camp?
- Training. The adult is responsible for ensuring that training is undertaken but they must be supported by the line manager.
- Activity authorisation. Contact Ian if you require this. Complete a form and give all relevant experience.
- Scout Active Support is replacing Fellowship
- Child Protection Training - will have a date for 2010
- Nights Away - Paul will be contacting those for renewal. An experienced leader can apply for a permit before or after attending Module 16. All applicants should providemen's/programmes and evidence of all planning. Module 16 will need to be validated to complete training - it is desirable to attend. Training to obtain Greenfield and Expeditions is not part of Module 16. We are looking at providing this - contact Gordon/Mat if you require this.

 

Resource Centre

 

Wendy has provided an itinerary of items available (attached)

 

Membership database

 

Nights away permits and activity authorisations can now be entered on this.

 

Start-up grants

 

Groups can apply to HQ for a £100/section grant; the district will consider a £50 grant (payable through the shop) for new sections (those that have closed for several years).

 

Re-Appointments

 

June Smith- Shop Manager; Ian McLean -Coxwood
Chris Jones has been appointed HQ Manager; there is now a board showing where meetings are taking place in HQ.

 

Membership Fee

 

This has been circulated by Malcolm.

 

Team Meeting

 

Notes from this are available in HQ.

 

- Waiting Lists: if you cannot take a prospective member please inform your ADC
- Basic Skills: we are prepared to help leaders with skills they may require-please inform your ADC
- Centenary Camp: This will be held from July 2nd-4th at Bangor on Dee racecourse. Beavers will attend on the Saturday, Leaders will be welcome all weekend. Please ensure that you have necessary CRBs and additional insurance in place if required. Cost will be £20 per head fro the weekend.
- Leader meetings: Attendance is very variable. These meetings are for your benefit to gain info and to take part with others. It is not for ADCs to have another night out!!
- Carol Service. 2010 to be held on Monday 6th (this should be a special for the centenary - any ideas?)

 

Development

 

If your Group wants to develop a new section then you should contact me, not Mark Winson. We are now prioritising for next year. If you want help to develop exisiting sections etc I may be able to work with you but there has to be substantial input from the group

 

Carol Service

 

December 4th 2009 - start 7pm-8pm. Please make every effort to attend.

September 2009

When does our year start? Anyway welcome back.

 

Jottings is intended to keep you up to date in Wrexham - this also appears on the Clwyd website. If you know of anyone who is not receiving it please pass on a copy and inform me and Malcolm Hunt of the e-mail address - thanks.

 

Updates

 

Congratulations to Mark Jones - Queen's Scout Award.
2nd Llay will start Beavers on the 11th; Cubs on 10/10 and Scouts early next year. There is a strong leadership team and a lot of commitment - great.
Matt Lewis has agreed to become ADC Scouts - welcome

 

District AGM

 

Monday September 21st at 7.30pm at HQ. Please ensure that you infrom Malcolm Hunt of young people who have gained awards - Chief Scouts/DofE etc so that we can invite them to the meeting to re-present their awards
Please tell all leaders/chair/sec/treasurer etc - they are all welcome
We need to build the executive so please put your or others names forward for the executive - we meet 4/5 times a year - there will be changes to the way the exec operates during the next year.

 

Adult/Leader Meetings

 

Tuesday October 6th-7.30pm at HQ. This is your opportunity to meet with other adults throughout the district to look at issues that affect us - you can send items for discussion to me and I with the District Team will add others.

 

- Scout Active Support
- Young Leader Training/Using Young Leaders effectively
- District Development-future use of Mark.

 

First Aid

 

October 3rd-full course
October 4th-refresher
Please let us have a copy of your current certificate

 

Centenary-Wrexham District

 

Sue will be contacting you about the proposed camp.
Who would be interested in a District Ball/dinner-contact me
- District Badge
- Thanks to thiose who entered the badge competition-winner Francis Broadfield 4th Wrexham

 

Adult Training

 

Every adult must complete Getting Started and have it validated. I will be running a course fro administrators on Monday October 5th at 7pm in HQ - please infrom those people in your group.

 

It is the responsibility for every adult to complete appropriate training-the new appointments process (blue AA form) asks fro the line manager ( I have sent a letter to groups about this) but can everyone help to support new leaders/adults-thanks

 

scouts.org.uk/ Clwyd web site

 

Please use these to get up to date with all aspects of Scouting-see for Scout Active Support

 

Scout Active Support

 

You will increasingly hear about this and I will update you when we decide how to proceed in the district - it is about new roles and ways of working-we still want the volunteers that we have - and more.

 

World Scout Jamboree

 

Please give Scouts the information

 

Scout Shop

 

Will close on December 9th until January 6th 2010 - remember you can pre-order 07547 020883

 

Vetting and Barring

 

We have known about this for some time and will be told when and how to proceed so there is no need for panic - see Clwyd website.

April 2009

Group meeting-March

 

This was quite well attended and gave opportunity for discussion that gave rise to the folowing actions:
- To seek to appoint a GSL or Group Administrator for each Group
- To hold meetings twice a year
- Group rep to attend Team Meetings
- Group to be informed of adult training needs and time scales for provisional appointments
- Line managers (usually GSL or DC) to approve Adult Application Forms
- CRB applications to be taken by applicant to Sandra at HQ on Wednesdays (term time) from 7pm-8.30pm (or by arrangement)
NB CRB contain sensitive info and should not be open to others

 

CRB/AA forms

 

Any person not complying by 31.05.09 will no longer be able to attend any meetings.

 

Group AGMs

 

It is essential that a Group holds an AGM every year and appoints officers.
Every new officer has to complete a CRB form; Adult Application Form and attend Module 1.
Please invite me or Sue to your AGM-it does not have to be a special event-it can be part of an evening; camp; outing etc
Group Accounts must be sent to Helen ASAP after the end of your financial year-usually December or March.

 

Personal Activity Permits-www.scouts.org.uk/activitypermits

 

This is aimed at young people being able to lead where they have the relevant qualifications-please read.

 

Wrexham Centenary 2010

 

There will be a camp in July 2010 which we hope that ALL Groups will attend and Beavers will come for at least one day. Anyone interested in joining Sue to organise please contact her.

 

September 12 2010

 

We need an event to celebrate the actual date-ideas please-challenge to Explorers/Network!!!!

 

Young Leaders

 

Only young people who are Young Leaders (Explorer Scouts) can attend section meetings and MUST be registered with Gordon and take part in Module A-think insurance!!

 

Nights Away permits

 

Some will start to be renewed this year- evidence from camps should be available for Paul to inspect when he meets with you- he will be contacting you. (from website)

 

Special Needs

 

Supervision in meetings can be provided by Explorer Scouts but they must be supported by adults-Leader or named persons.
Adult supervision is essential when out and about.

 

Appointments Advisory Committee

 

Please ask parents/friends/business acquaintances etc to take on this roll:
- Attend an evening training
- Complete CRB/AA form
- Attend AAC meetings 3/4 trimes a year

 

Total Fitness has offered sessions for Scouts. Depending on age it would be a circuit training class taken bey a fully qualified gym instructor.
- Each session is for I hour- maximum of 30.
- Monday or Wednesday evening from 6.30pm
- I have to give the gym 2 weeks notice-if anyone is intersested please give me dates before May 7th for the summer term.
You may want to go as a Group or sections combining with another Group.
I have a copy of the guest form which will need to be completed for each Scout-available from resource centre.
Total Fitness may call some of the Scouts after a visit to ascertain their level of enjoyment.

 

Coxwood

 

Extensive work has taken place over the winter months including a new toilet block. Can someone design a picnic bench to cover a stump?!!
Electricians wanted -please contact Ian

 

Membership Enquiries

 

Volunteer required to take enquiries from HQ-contacting a Group and informing the person.-contact Sue

 

Recycling

 

Wrexham has 4 recycling officers- programme ideas-contact Pride in your streets-01978 298989

 

Please ask if you do not have contact details

Jan's Jottings

Jan George is District Commissioner for Wrexham District