Hi all,
With Barrie moving to the role of DC and myself taking over as DESC, it is inevitable that I would introduce a few changes to the Explorer Scout provision within the District albeit subtle and i hope you agree for the better!
As you probably know, I am very much in favour of the 'group section' model which allows the Explorer Scouts to maintain the identity of the group they have spent many previous years being part of and I have no desire to change this but I would like to see the Explorer Scouts working closer together to increase the number of opportunities they can have and to share the skills and knowledge of the leaders that work with them.
Programme
I believe that this can be achieved through each unit having individual programmes as they currently do but opening the occasional one to the whole of the District to come together.
To that end I would like each unit to produce a programme for the 4-months from September to December 2009 incorporating each of the Explorer Scout Programme Zones where possible - a "Programme Checker" is attached and may be of assistance - and within the 4-month programme, I would like each of the following units to have one evening/ event during the corresponding month that is open to all District Explorer Scouts to attend:
68th - September, 48th - October, 46th - November, 41st - December, 13th January and the 66th February.
Please can the dates that you decide on be passed to me by the middle of August 2009 for distributions to the other units to incorporate in their programme and then a copy of each units final programme be passed to me by end of August.
The idea would be for the unit(s) not hosting an evening/ event to not have a programme in the corresponding week that another is hosting a 'open' programme.
I appreciate that some units may have to change their night as a one off to accommodate an invasion of Explorer Scouts i.e. where Scouts and Explorers meet together, that it will create extra work for the appropriate leader however the carrot is that said leader will get three other weeks off before end of year!
There will also be a variety of District/ National events that you may wish to add to your programme... more details to follow.
YOUNG LEADER UNIT
I have recruited ex-Explorer Scout Shannon McWilliam to the role of ESL (YL) and his remit will be to ensure that all Young Leaders have access to the training and support that they need to be as effective in their role as they can be.
He will also be the 'leader' for any Young Leaders that your group have that decided for whatever reason that they do not want to be part of one of the other District Explorer Scout Units.
It is policy that all Young Leaders must be Explorer Scouts and that they should have access to the Explorer Scout Programme should they even just want to dip in.
I don't believe we currently have anyone in this position - correct me if I'm wrong - but i'd appreciate your support for Shannon should this position change.
DISTRICT EXPLORER SCOUT ADMINISTRATOR
I have recruited ex-Explorer Scout Laura McLuskey to the role of DESA and you will notice a number of future communications being sent through her.
The idea is to centralise communications and hopefully ensure maximum coverage of information. Please feel free to ask her to distribute Explorer Scout related information.
She will also be responsible for maintaining the District Explorer Scout Census, receiving information from ADC (Scouts) (or SLs in ADC absence) and passing information to DSNL.
As you accept new Young Leaders or Explorer Scouts please ensure that either Shannon or Laura are updated with full contact details.
GREEN UNIT
As you may know, I actively promote environmental responsibility amongst the Explorer Scouts and encourage our relationship with Fife Air Cadet Conservation Group as a means to achieve this.
Explorer Scouts who work with FACCG have had the opportunity to learn many new skills and offer service to our local, national and international communities.
This can be the perfect answer for those who want to progress through the appropriate Chief Scout Awards, especially if they are not Young Leaders.
It will not be a separate unit however the intention is to collate all names of interested Explorer Scouts under the 'green unit' banner and ensure that they know what opportunities are available to them.
In due course, I will visit and promote the work of the FACCG to all the Explorer Scout Units.
I apologise for the length of this e-mail - I hadn't intended for it to be so long but I hope it gives you a flavour of what I hope to achieve.
If you have any comments or would like to discuss further, please do not hesitate to contact me otherwise I look forward to receiving your programmes in due course.
YiS
Terry O'Neill
District Explorer Scout Commissioner
terryoneill2003@yahoo.co.uk
