COUNTY SUPPORT STRUCTURE

The current structure depends largely on Section ACCs and ADCs. The challenge we have had, for a few years, is the difficulty, in a number of cases, to appoint ACCs and ADCs and therefore it has been difficult to fully support Section Leaders. The work to review the current structure has been completed. 

I am pleased to be able to give you the details of the new County Support Structure. As you will see from the Structure Chart, the main change is to now have 4 DCCs and no ACCs! This is the area I am going to concentrate on in this month’s Gazette. (Click on the chart to enlarge it as a .pdf file)

Each Deputy County Commissioner will have an area of responsibility and will be supported by ‘specialists’.

DCC (Support Services) – Dave Hall

Dave is responsible for the development and management of Cranham. He will also lead on Safety in Scouting, relationship with Gloucestershire Youth Partnership (GYP), Scout Fellowship and fundraising/grants. The DCC is supported by Advisers in all of these areas.

DCC (Development) – Liz Hodge

I am delighted that Liz has accepted my invitation to become DCC (Development). We are all aware of the excellent job she has done supporting the Beaver Section. Liz will continue to be the contact point for the Beaver Section until the Beaver Scout Advisory Group is ‘up and running’ and even then, she is still going to be around!

In her new Development role, Liz will be a member of the County Development Project Committee and will liaise and work closely with Michael and Joan in their respective development roles.

The DCC will be supported by Advisers (initially a small team) who will, in effect, be ‘champions’ of good practice.

DCC (Youth Programme) – Gary Law

Gary will function with 5 Advisory Groups – Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Scout Network. Each team will have a co-ordinator / technical adviser.

The support teams will consist of Leaders from each District. All ADCs will be included in the Advisory Groups. In the absence of an ADC, a Sectional Leader (nominated / approved by the DC) will be invited to be a member of the appropriate Advisory Group. Additional members may be appointed to ensure that –The mix of skills is coveredResponsibilities are well defined and not onerous for every member

The allocated responsibilities will reflect individual skills, aspirations and availability

Each District has a communication mechanism

Regular meetings between the five Advisory Groups and Garry will be held. There will be a general programme update followed by individual Section Support meetings.

Each Advisory Team will –Offer programme ideasAttend Programme and Support events

Maintain regular contact with Leaders

Support Young Persons Forums

Visit District / Group sectional events / meetings where required.

DCC (Activities) – Farid Bahooshy

I am delighted that Farid has accepted my invitation to become DCC (Activities). Farid brings much experience to this new appointment which will benefit the County.

Farid is responsible for the Activity Advisers / Assessors, the D of E Adviser, the Queen’s Scout Co-ordinator, the County Scouter (Badge Courses) and the International Adviser.

Where appropriate, Farid will establish Advisory Groups consisting of Leaders from each District. All ADCs will be included in the Advisory Groups.

The new County Support Structure will be implemented over the next few months.

There will be an opportunity to discuss the Structure at District Meetings and should you be interested in any particular area, do let the appropriate DCC or myself know.

We are also producing a new County Directory which will be available later this month, and updated Adult Leader Training dates are now available on the county web site.

 AND FINALLY – I would like to say a ‘Thank You’ to Cheltenham and Gloucester Districts for inviting Liz and I to their St. George’s Day Celebrations – both different but most enjoyable – well done!

Tom Harding, County Commissioner

COUNTY AGM

Date for Your Diary: The County AGM will be held on 15 July 2008, at British Energy, Barnwood, Gloucester, commencing at 7.30 for 7.45 p.m.

Further details will follow.

FIRST AID TRAINERS IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE

On the 18 May the following leaders successfully completed the County’s first planned First Response Plus Trainers' First Aid course at Cranham. The course consisted of three days of training, which included Module 29, (delivering effective presentations). These leaders are now able to offer First Response training within their Districts and the County. Their contact details will be posted on the county website under the first aid page.

Simon Jefferies – CSL with St Augustine’s, 22nd Gloucester

Christine Langham – ADC (Scouts) Cheltenham

Guy Carter – ACSL 45th Cheltenham

Adele Hudson – ESL Chalford Rams, Stroud and Tetbury

Stuart Cook – GSL 1st Cam, Cotswold Vale

The County Commissioner Tom Harding kindly validated the training course, where the leaders were required to present a 20 minute assessed session on a first aid subject. All presented very effective sessions and were awarded their certificate by Tom.

It is the intension of the County Commissioner and Dave Middlemiss (lead first aid trainer) to have at least one First Response Plus trainer in every district so they can deliver local training for the leaders and to be a focal point for first aid training in general within their districts.

As the first course has been so successful we would like to offer another course and if you are interested in becoming a first aid trainer please contact Dave direct on 07970487918 or email dave@ppdsolutions.co.uk.

SPRING WATCH  COMES TO GLOUCESTER

On Sunday 8th June between 10am - 4pm the BBC are asking enthusiastic volunteers to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. Transforming an area of Gloucester Park into a breathing place for the local community.

 For more information about how to get involved call 01452 33 11 33

 ADVENTURE AT PENNWOOD ENJOYED BY OVER 350 

AT CENTRE OPEN DAY

Have you thought of holding your next outdoor Scouting event at Pennwood Scouting Centre near Stroud? On 17 May over 350 Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Leaders and parents all enjoyed a wide range of activities as part of Pennwood's annual open day. 

From archery and aerial runways, through cooking, crate stacking, nature exploration, and orienteering to pioneering and wide games (and much more as 

well) there was plenty to keep everyone entertained.

The afternoon ended with a campfire, after which many parents had difficultly persuading their children that it was time to go home!

 WILDLIFE AT CRANHAM

We have heard of lots of Cub Scouts getting outdoors this month and exploring nature. If you do not have access to woodlands or ponds and streams close to where you meet, why not follow the lead of many other groups who have already taken the opportunity to make one of their weekly meeting a bit different by meeting at the County Scouting Centre at Cranham.

Simply contact the centre and make a booking for an evening visit. Then

make use of the excellent facilities and opportunities that the centre offers. Ken, the centre manager can offer you advice on how to make the most of your visit.

SCOUTS HIGH ON LAKELAND FELLS

During the first May Bank Holiday Weekend a group of Scouts from cross Gloucestershire travelled to the Lake District to enjoy a weekend of walking on Lakeland Fells. Two groups did a 2-day walk - over Dollywagon Pike and Helvellyn, while on Saturday two other groups did a round trip of Fairfield and two 

others a round of Highstreet. On Sunday three groups did Coniston Old Man whilst the remainder explored the environs of Grasmere.

ST AUGUSTINES' CUB SCOUTS AIM TO DO MORE OUTDOORS!

The Cub Scouts at St Augustines in Gloucester had made a conscious decision to do more outside this year so as soon as the spring had started we were off, so far some of the things they have done include a visit to Bristol Zoo on a bug day special and then had their own bug hunt on the local hill.

A few weeks back they held a family day out at The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail followed by a BBQ tea. The Cub Scouts and parents managed to walk the whole way around the trail!

CUB SCOUTS MAKE A SPLASH AT SOUTH CERNEY

The Cub Scouts from St Augustines' Group in Gloucester were making a splash earlier this month when they took part in their water camp at South Cerney, which was excellent fun. 

For 90% of the cubs this was the first time they had done anything with boats - now they can't wait to do it again. For more information about Water Activities at South Cerney see the Gloucestershire County Council's Web Site at: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1967

Explorer Scouts and Forest of Dean Scout Network are in the swim!

Over the weekend of the 19/20th April members of Scout Network and Explorer Scouts from the Royal Forest of Dean ventured to Fairford to undertake a weekend of water activities! They tell us more ...

Must be mad! We arrived and got straight to the task at hand. We were told that were were making a raft, then a Coracle (yeah right!).

The raft was simple enough, any scout can put a raft together I'm sure. Next came the challenge of making a Coracle. Now, when I heard that we would have a go in a coracle, I imagined a little wooden shell type concoction that was already made. Oh no, we had to make it. Three hours and about a thousand lashings later, oh and very large tarpaulin (with a hole in it), it was time to test drive both inventions. Remember, its April and we have built a raft and a very large wooden contraption which looked more like a coffin than anything resembling a coracle, so we knew that:

a) we were going to get wet and

b) that the water was going to be cold!

Yes, on both accounts! The raft floated and stayed together, big achievement! The coracle cum coffin was a completely different story. It floated (at first), but to say it was unsteady would be an understatement! After about 5 attempts at trying to get about 10 feet away from the bank, we concluded that it probably wasn't the best mode of transport to go on water. After an evening of trying to defrost our feet, and some sleep, we were raring to go and get wet again! Fools! Off we went to a different lake used by the Sailing club, we got fitted out with all the gear, and then got out on the lake in something more sturdy than the coracle from the day before; a canoe! After a quick session of trying not to capsize and going in a semi-straight line (easier for some than others), we were told we were going to take part in a game of water polo. Similar to football but with the added danger of falling to the water that wasn't centrally heated! There were about 10 people playing and a ball. Now, it's a challenge to try and stay upright when you have lots of people coming towards you to get the ball. After an hour and a half, a few girly screams and two swimmers later (yes, Farid and Tristan, how was the water?) we finished the game on 4 - 4. Perfect ending, we do not like to lose. A great weekend was had by all.

 DIVE, DIVE, DIVE !

On 26th April the latest batch of Scouts and Explorer Scouts from Gloucestershire attempted their PADI Scuba Open Water NGB qualification. In Gloucestershire nineteen Scouts and Explorer Scouts from nearly all districts in the county have gained this internationally recognised formal qualification through Scouting (not to mention a couple of parents as well). We’re not sure if any other county in the UK can boast such a record.The next course leading to this qualification starts this summer. There are places still available for those who have already done a Scuba Try-Dive through any recognised PADI

or BSAC centre (including the Scout County via Coral Divers or Neptune Diving). Details are on the County Web-site events section or from Derek Newman Tel: 01452 614633 email: db.newman@btinternet.com