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Shaping Scouting's future
19/10/2009
Two hundred Scouting adult volunteers and young people joined former athlete Steve Cram and Chief Scout Bear Grylls at Daventry in Northamptonshire, England, over the weekend to shape the future of Scouting.
The County Commissioner's Conference was the culmination of workshops and consultations that have taken place across the UK over the past twelve months gathering the views of thousands of Scouting volunteers and young people on Scouting’s future.
Jim Hopkins, 27, an adult Scout volunteer from Ceredigion in Wales said, ‘It was fantastic to meet Scouting Commissioners from all over the UK to talk about Scouting and share our views. For me, as a relatively new Area Commissioner, it was very useful to hear others' experiences and have input towards Scouting’s future.’
Remember who Scouting is for…
Nearly two hundred Scout Commissioners, youth representatives, line managers and staff gathered at the conference where they listened to the words of Steve Cram, one of the world's most successful middle distance athletes.
Steve spoke about his involvement in the restructuring of sport in the UK, which led to success at the Beijing Olympics. His key message was about remembering what was important in making plans for the future - the people; both the young people involved in Scouting and the adult volunteers.
'It's through talking to people like Steve Cram that we realise how much potential there is for collaboration with other organisations.'
Wayne Bulpitt, UK Chief Commissioner, thanked Steve for his introduction and recapped Scouting’s journey over the past 10 years. Highlighting many of the successes Scouting has achieved, he reminded participants of the many comments made in the consultation that members were looking for evolution not revolution. That they were looking to build on the success that Scouting has already achieved.
Participants sp
ent time over Saturday and Sunday identifying the aspirations, challenges and opportunities that needed to be considered.
Graeme Codrington, consultant from TomorrowToday who has supported the strategy process over the past 18 months, outlined a format known as ‘World Café’. This had participants working together in various groups through three sessions on the key issues that needed to be considered.
The thoughts and views coming out of the event will be gathered together and shared with Scouting volunteers and young people across the UK through a series of workshops over the next twelve months.
A visit from Bear Grylls
Chief Scout, Bear Grylls joined the event on the Saturday evening. He provided an inspiring commentary of his expedition to climb Mount Everest at the age of 23. He spoke with the participants about how success requires teamwork and how good teamwork feels more like friendship.
Bringing the event to a close Wayne thanked all those who had taken part and said, ‘We have momentum, we are on a roll and I am convinced from what I hear and see from all around the movement that there is a great sense of pride and achievement along with many examples of overcoming challenges. Whether we want to be the biggest, the best, or solve the challenges that young people face today, we have proved that we can do it by working together.’
Rikki Harrington, a participant from Hertfordshire summed the weekend up saying, ‘It was totally engaging, inspiring, hugely enjoyable and productive. A fantastic step in the building of Scouting’s 2012-2018 strategy.'
Find out more about Scouting's plans towards 2018 and how The Scout Association has been working with volunteers and young people to ensure they have their say.
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