News from Berkshire Scouting Number 29 for 4 September 2005

Photo of the Week

The photo selected this week shows Reading Central Explorer Scouts (The Penguins) off on an adventure in Snowdonia.

Summer Expedition Special

The Summer Expedition pages set out to capture some of the magic and adventure of the numerous and varied summer expeditions by Scout Troops and Explorer Scout Units from across Berkshire. A big thank you to all who have submitted the photos - keep them coming in to photo@berkshirescouts.org.uk.  New entries from Cookham Scouts and 2nd Bracknell.

New Assistant County Commissioner (Scouts)

Mark Thornton has been appointed as ACC(Scouts), with immediate effect (1 September 2005).  Mark comes from a strong background as a Scout Leader and a District Scout Leader in Slough. Mark also has a lot of international experience, including the Berkshire Unit that went to Thailand, and as a staff member at WINGS 2003 and EuroJam. more

Opportunity to help lead Scouting in Berkshire towards delivering even better Scouting for even more young people. 

As you may know Ian Aitken has stepped down as Deputy County Commissionerwith responsibility for the Programme Team.  So the time has come to look around for his successor – I have a view that we should be “open” in our appointments, in the sense of casting the net as widely as possible. The person appointed will provide leadership to the County Programme Team (comprising the various ACCs) and also be a member of the County Steering Team (which meets 6 times per year).  The next step is for people (YOU?) who might be interested in exploring the role to take one small step forward – with no inference that taking the step means other than “I’d like to find out a bit more about the role”. Or you may know of someone who you believe would be well suited to the role and so would like to nominate that particular person.  Either way, please make your suggestion(s) to me, in complete confidence. I will then contact each nominee to talk the role through.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to give me a call.  Hamish Stout - County Commissioner

A Big Thank You

With September 1st having now come and gone (scary but true!!) I could not let the moment of Ian Aitken relinquishing his Deputy County Commissioner warrant go past without saying THANK YOU for all that his has done for Berkshire Scouting over the past several years, but particularly at this time over the two years that he held the DCC warrant.  There have been several challenges for Berkshire Scouting over the past couple of years (and, I am sure, before then too!) and he has made a great contribution to our being able to resolve many of those challenges and move positively forward. His wise counsel is invaluable, as his leadership of Wings 2003 was outstanding.  I know – and am very pleased! - that he is not leaving the Scouting fold in taking on the role of keeping the flame of WINGS2009 burning brightly, but it is important that we recognise the work that you have done for us thus far.  Hamish Stout - County Commissioner more

10 Days to the closing date for the Explorer Scout & Scout Network Weekend - The Stonker

The Stonker is a joint Explorer Scout and Scout Network weekend  25th to 27th November 2005.  It is based at Warmwell Holiday Park in Weymouth. There will loads of activities including skiing, snow boarding, swimming, mountain biking and indoor games (last date for booking - 15th September). Click here  for more information.

Insurance

Douglas Rae, The County Insurance Adviser has provided a very useful update on the situation with respect to Non Member Public Liability & Personal Accident Insurance. Read the Insurance Update here 

Explorer Belt

The two teams of intrepid explorers have returned from their Explorer Belt programmes in Slovenia - we hope to have some pictures and report next week.

New Resource for Explorer Scout Leaders

Taking the Lead is a brand new resource for Explorer Scout Leaders, sponsored by NHS Careers. It promotes the active participation of young people in the Unit and increases their participation in decision-making processes both locally and nationally. Most importantly it will help them develop lifelong leadership skills. more

Training

Time to start planning your training? - The Adult Training Programme can be accessed and booked all via the comfort of your own web browser - see the County Training Diary here .

WINGS2009

The first meeting of the Planning Team will be held on 1 November 2005 at the Wokingham Waterside Centre. If you are up for the challenge of helping plan some of the framework for the next WINGS, register now on the WINGS2009 web site www.wings2009.org.uk/staff

From the Scout Association

Xmas card competition  Closing date 30 September Win 500 pounds

Party in the Park exclusive! - Reduced entry prices at Chessington Park

The Month Ahead - Training and Programme Dates in the County Diary

September 2005
8 County Steering Team
10 Adult Training Module 7 Valuing Diversity ( Eastern Area ) click here to book
13 County Executive Committee (Earleywood)
14 County Scout Section Support Team Meeting (Reading) more
15 Adult Training Module 23 Safety for Managers and Supporters click here to book
15 County Cub Scout Team Meeting
17 Adult Training Module 1 Essential Information ( Northern Area ) click here to book
17 Adult Training Module 3 Tools for the Job (Sectional) ( Northern Area ) click here to book
18 Adult Training Module 15 Challenging Behaviour click here to book
20 Adult Training Module 1 Essential Information ( Southern Area ) click here to book
20 County Programme Team Meeting (Earleywood)
21 Adult Training Module 1 Essential Information ( Eastern Area ) click here to book
21 Adult Training Module 1 Essential Information ( Western Area ) click here to book
21 DCs and CC (Earleywood)
26 County Beaver Scout Team Meeting

 Click here for the full Diary.

That's all for this week

We hope all goes well as the thousands of young people involved in Scouting across Berkshire return in the next week or so to the programme of adventure, fun and friendship.  Don't forget to send in the photos of this adventure, fun and friendship to the Photo of the Week and Year Competition - send them to photo@berkshirescouts.org.uk.

This message is also available on the website  www.berkshirescouts.org.uk/newsservice

That's all for this week

The Web Team

News from Berkshire Scouting

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