From the County Commissioner:
Due to pressure of work and the large amount of travel this entails, Sergio Laurenti has sadly decided to stand down from the role of County Training Manager.
However, I am happy to announce that Martin How has agreed to take on the role, bringing to it his huge experience as a trainer, LTM and past DC. Martin takes up the role immediately and will be looking to meet with LTMs, DCs and others involved in training as soon as possible.
I would like to thank Sergio for his work as CTM under difficult circumstances and hopefully he will keep in touch with the County.
Roger
ROGER COLEBROOK| COUNTY COMMISSIONER | GREATER LONDON NORTH
Please help us express young people’s views on the current unrest……
Youth services are a vital part of helping young people to have an opportunity to be engaged and contribute positively to the community.
Collectively youth workers engage with thousands of young people; those who weren’t involved in the vandalism, waste of property and injury to people happening across our towns and cities. We encourage you to harness the positive power of our youth….
“Why do they think this violence has occurred, do they think young people have been unfairly scapegoated by the media, are all young people bad”?
Young people and youth workers have worked hard for a positive voice in society and in the media – we don’t want to let a minority throw it away.
Please can you circulate this survey link amongst your members and ask them to comment NOW
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/
The survey will be open for 4 days only, will take 5 minutes and will enable us to get some balance back into the media. Also if you think your project can promote a positive voice for youth and would like to be interviewed by the media please advise us so that we can put you forward on a list of media contacts:
WELL DONE and keep up the great work you do….
All at Jack Petchey Foundation
GREATER LONDON NORTH COUNTY AGM
WEDNESDAY 8 JUNE 2011 at 7.30pm for 8.00
ASHMOLE ACADEMY
CECIL ROAD, SOUTHGATE N14 5RJ
You may not think this event should be a priority in your diary but it’s your chance to:
- Catch up on County achievements in the last year, its financial status and its plans for the future.
- Influence the movers and shakers in putting together the County s strategies and programme of events.
- Elect Honorary Officers and 4 members of the County Executive Committee.
- Listen to a presentation from Mike Perham, a former Explorer Scout from Potters Bar, who at aged 17 became the youngest person to sail round the world solo.
- Renew old friendships and make new ones during post-meeting refreshments.
The County Team look forward to seeing you there: no need to book.
An Agenda and other supporting papers are available on the County website
Congratulations to the following on receiving a Regional Adult Achievement Award for outstanding and dedicated service to Scouting in London.
Stuart Austin – DCSL Barnet Borough
Aileen Barry - CCI
Colin Batsford – Scout Leader 23rd Southgate
John Hall – Chairman of the Southern 50 committee
Mike Thurston – DESC Enfield
John Walker – DESC Haringey
The awards were presented at a reception at the Institution of Engineering and Technology in London overlooking the River Thames on the Embankment on Friday 8th April.
From your new County Commissioner
I am privileged to be selected as your new County Commissioner and I am looking forward to working with you all in developing Scouting in Greater London North. We have made great progress in the County in the last few years under Barry’s leadership and I aim to build on that progress with your support. In my short time as Acting County Commissioner I have been impressed by the drive and commitment of leaders and supporters around the County and I know that the future of Scouting in the County is in good hands. The County Development plan still remains the focus for our actions to improve and enhance the Scouting experience for the young people.
I shall be reviewing our current plan and the progress to date so we can set our goals for the next few years. l will involve the County team, Districts and Groups in this process. I will also be looking to appoint people to strengthen the County team to support Scouting at all levels. I hope to meet as many of you as possible over the coming months and welcome the opportunity to receive your comments and suggestions.
I would like to think we can have a shared vision for Scouting in GLN and I hope you will agree that everything we do should be driven by desire for ‘more young people to get better Scouting’
Yours in Scouting
Roger Colebrook
February 2011
It is with great sadness that I write this last report for the North Circular and with regret that I did not have the support from the London Region and HQ to enable me to remain in post to see certain issues and projects through to their conclusion.
However, I must state that the support from everyone in the County has been phenomenal and much appreciated by Lin and I. We really do have no gripes with anyone in the County and thank you for all your numerous messages of goodwill and support.
The search for a new CC has started and I would like to think that the County is in a very healthy condition to be handed over to my succesor. Lin and I hope to stay in Scouting in some capacity, but at present are unsure where we will surface.
On other matters, I regret that Mark Darlow has relinquished his District and County roles to concentrate on his Group, another great loss, but hopefully you will see him back in a County role in the future. Mark and his team have done a superb job in launching the County Website, which is still growing and handling all sorts of media and comminications projects.
Mike Nadin – ACC Water Activities also thought that now would be the right time for him to stand down. Some of you will know Mike as the ex CC for Greater London Central and others through his connection with water activities. Mike is not a highly visible person, but to me he has been invaluable. He has taken care of the water activities side of things for the County and I rarely have to worry about anything, as he has it all under control. Thanks Mike for your huge contribution to Scouting in GLN.
Unfortunately, two of our Jamboree leadership Team had to quit. Chris has not been well and Dan for personal reasons. I want to wholeheartedly thank them for their contribution to the Jamboree Unit and for getting the unit to the stage that they are now at. That stage is “they are ready for Sweden NOW”. Fortunately, Debi Rush and David Bowman were able to keep the unit going for a few weeks whilst we sought two new leaders. They are:
Samantha Putt- Sam to her friends is a BSL and DBSL in Barnet and has two teenage daughters and a son in Cubs. Sam brings a wealth of experince to the unit. Helen Sinclair is an Explorer Scout Leader at the 8th Holborn where she gained her D of E Gold Award and was recently presentaed with her Queen Scout Award at Windsor. Helen brings a wealth of Scouting knowledge and basic skills to the Leadership Team. Debi will takle on the role of Team Leader. I truly believe that we have a strong leadership team that is supported by some very active and enthusiastic parents. I hope to be able to continue to support the unit and to wave them off on the Coach to Sweden.
On a positive note, I am pleased to announce that we have recruited a new ACC International – Emily Jupp. I am realey excited that we have found somebody who will be truly pro-active and willing to support and advise on International trips. Emily wants to take an active part in trips abroad and is well travelled, having visited over 35 countries, she has good connections especially in Asia. Over the coming months, Emily will be completing her induction training and will then be tracking those of you down that want to take on an International experience. She has been keen to let us know that she will not be in the role just to get the forms completed ciorrectly and I know that I can count on you all to give her your full support.
In this last month, Lin and I have visited numerous Groups, District Camps, Cooking competitions, Fellowship events, Dockland Scout Project and supported the Jamboree. We have attended umpteen BBQ’s and are now totally burgered out for the summer. We have almost forgotten what it is like to eat from a plate using cutlery. It has helped us to see why we came into Scouting and what Scouting is all about – FUN & FRIENDSHIP. Scouting is about people and we must never forget this, whether adult or young person.
At the February 2010 GSL Conference, we undertook to carry out a review of the County Development Startegy. Out of that Conference came 18 action points, which I took to the County Team for support and implementation. Work started on this with a lead person for each of the items and I will recommend to the new CC that this is a priority piece of development work for GLN. The County Team certainly has the desire to see this through to offer support to GSL’s.
My current Work Plan has been passed to Roger Colebrook who will be over-seeing the County until a new County Commissioner can be found. I would like especially to thank the County Team, DC’s and County Executive for all their support particularly through a difficult last couple of months.
After a well earned break, Lin and I will consider our positions in Scouting, but what we would like to emphasize is that it has been great working with such dedicated adults in this County. It has been a privilage and a pleasure to know you all and we hope we have left our mark and GLN continues to develop year on year.
Your County Commissioner, Barry Manley will have completed his five year appointment in March 2011 and will stand down from his role with effect from 31 July 2010 and the process of finding a successor needs to begin.
I now invite you personally to contribute to the search by submitting a nomination (or nominations) of persons whom you feel should be considered for this important appointment.
I have asked Andrew Wellbeloved – County President to Chair the Search Group on my behalf. Andrew will circulate a list of the other Search Group members in due course
Nominations should be submitted, either using the enclosed GLNCountyCommSearchNominationFormJuly10 or by letter, in an envelope marked ‘Personal and Confidential – County Commissioner Nomination’ to: -
Mr. Andrew Wellbeloved – C/o 48 Epping Green, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 7JD or
or by email to
ccnominations@gln-scouts.org.uk
Nominations should be received on or before 2 August 2010
In order to ensure the widest possible consultation you are asked, in addition to submitting your own nomination, to circulate this request for nominations to all members of the County, District and Group Scout Councils within your area of responsibility. This may be verbally, by mail or via newsletters. Please note that in order to ensure confidentiality, and prevent building up false hopes, nominations should be submitted without approaching the individual concerned.
If you wish to nominate yourself, that is perfectly acceptable, please do so and complete the GLNCountyCommSearchNominationFormJuly100. As this is a confidential process, you should not indicate to others that you have nominated yourself.
I would therefore ask you to give serious and urgent consideration to people with whom you work in Scouting, at work, or in the wider community, and to identify anyone who you believe has the qualities to be your County Commissioner. When considering a possible candidate please do not compare them against the current or any previous CC’s. At this stage it is important to draw up a list with as wide a cross section of people as possible, so that the search group can begin the process of preparing a short list.
May I remind you that as a recipient of this letter you are likely to be in the best position to know the needs of the County and potential candidates. Please play your part in ensuring that due consideration is given to all possible candidates by submitting your nomination. Thank you in anticipation of your support.
Finally, I also attach a copy of the CCRoleDescriptionMar10 this letter as a downloadglncountycommissionerletter
Dean J Milton
Regional Commissioner – Greater London
I hastily publish this bulletin as matters have suddenly overtaken me and I needed to make you aware of my circumstances.
You will have received notification from the London Region Commissioner informing you that he is not renewing my warrant as County Commissioner. In view of this lack of support, my position is untenable and I have no alternative but to stand down at the end of July.
The County Commissioners role has been a lonely one over the past couple of years as there has been no support from HQ on crucial areas of management, where as volunteers we lack expertise. I have been expected to manage and make decisions about key issues outside my expertise and without any training. When things go wrong, it is us volunteers that are left to carry the blame.
I only ever took on this role because I thought I could make a difference and offer better support in GLN for our young people and adults. Unfortunately, policies from HQ got in the way of us developing GLN into an even greater County.
In my last month I would like to complete certain projects that I have started, especially so that the young people in our County do not suffer. I am in the process of changing the Jamboree Leadership Team and we have just embarked on an eighteen point action plan for the County’s Development Strategy. However, I fear this might not happen.
I would like to thank each and every one of you who has phoned, e mailed and sent texts in support. It has been an honor and a privilege working alongside so many dedicated adults and young people.
Barry Manley
County Commissioner
I write this months article feeling a bit sorry for myself. Having picked up a chest infection, I was forced to miss the County’s Southern 50 Challenge in this, it’s 30th anniversary year. A day out that I really look forward to as I visit the Checkpoint teams and blag a cup of tea (or something). Anyway, I am sure you will read more about this; so all that remains is for me to congratulate and thank the huge team of people that dedicate so much time and effort to make this a wonderfully successful event. Here’s hoping it continues for another 30 years at least.
During the weekend of the 31st Jan/1st Feb 2009, the County held its first Trustee Insurance combining the County Team and District Commissioners. This enabled us to look closely at what has been achieved over recent years and what more can be achieved in years to come. It proved that the County Development Strategy is working and that with a few tweaks here and there, we are well on our way to achieving what we set out to do back in 2007.
We will be watching the census figures to ensure that we continue to monitor development with Co-educational (girls), minor ethnic communities and tackling waiting lists, which still exist in this County.
I also had to miss the Region GSL’s Conference, which was attended by only 11% of our GSL’s, but I am pleased to say that all of the DC’s will be attending the Region Forum at the end of March. I mention these things so that you can see the support structure behind you is working overtime to ensure that we continue to deliver Scouting to the highest quality possible.
During January, another search was made within Southgate District to find a new DC. So far, we have had no response. Therefore, I now open this search wider and would like to hear from anyone that thinks they might like to take on a new challenge in Scouting. Please contact me and I can explain the role in more detail and the support mechanism that is in place for a new DC. cc@gln-scouts.org.uk
Barry Manley – County Commissioner
No Scouting year could commence without a reference to the annual census, which I assume most of you are putting your final touches to. So much happened in 2008 to raise the profile of Scouting and I know that most groups will have grown as a result of that activity. I look forward to seeing GLN sustain our growth from the last census and thank you all for your assistance.
To further assist the way the County supports development and in particular our LDO project – Russ Dyble, we now have a County Development Board, chaired by Bob Mole. Between the two afore-mentioned and with Barbara Garner as ACC Development, we now have a proper support structure in place to ensure our future development plans can be achieved. You will see more about this in future from Russ and Bob, but needless to say there are a lot of plans in the pipeline to support you and your members.
I have in previous issues made mention of the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden 2011. However, I have been unable to progress this as I have been waiting for information from HQ. However, we have now received some preliminary information and I have put in a bid for a contingent of 36 young people and 4 leaders. We will not know for certain if we have been successful with our bid until Easter. At the very least we will get an allocation for part of a unit and therefore you might like to start identifying worthy candidates. They should have been born between 28th July 1993 and 27th July 1997. More information will be sent out once we know our allocation.
I have already received some group and District programmes for 2009 and I can see that the momentum of recent years is being carried forward by many of you. Thanks for the invitations to your events, I will try to attend as many as possible.
Barry Manley – County Commissioner