Section 3: Getting Started

This section will help you take the first steps to establishing or strengthening your District Scout Network.

Forming a District Scout Network

Every District has one District Scout Network and some aspects should be considered in the early stages of forming or refreshing a District Scout Network:

1. Number of members - There is no minimum or maximum number of members for a District Scout Network.
2. Effective leadership - The District Commissioner will appoint a District Scout Network Commissioner who may in turn designate one or more Programme Coordinators. The role of District Scout Network Commissioners can be a role share, so 2 District Scout Network Commissioners can be appointed.
3. District Trustee Board support - When a District Scout Network is up and running, the District Trustee Board must be aware of the responsibilities that they are taking on, just as they should be for Explorer Scouts. This could be achieved by running an information evening for District Trustees.
4. Set-up costs and funding - When a District Scout Network is established, the District needs to bear reasonable set-up and implementation costs until such time as the District Scout Network becomes self-supporting.
5. Appropriate meeting venues - The District Scout Network should be offered one or more suitable venues in which to hold meetings. All parties should have a clear understanding of venue use by the District Scout Network. It may be beneficial to produce and sign a hosting agreement which should cover the time and place that meetings will take place, any hire charges or costs, arrangements for making bookings and any contributions in kind that might be made such as cleaning or maintenance works.
6. A development plan for your District Scout Network - A simple development plan should be agreed following consultation between the District Explorer Scout Commissioner, District Scout Network Commissioner, District Commissioner, District Trustee Board and Scout Network members. Consultation might also include the District Scout Active Support Unit. In this plan you may want to cover how/when you plan to promote Scout Network, your target numbers of Scout Network members, Link Agreements and programme planning.
The development plan should probably include no more than a handful of SMART objectives. An example might be: Within the next 12 months we will increase the membership of the District Scout Network to 30 active members, through providing a wide range of activities, and by recruiting from older Explorer Scouts and adult members active in younger sections.