What’s new in the County?

New Deputy County Commissioners.
You will have seen that I have recently appointed two further Deputy County Commissioners to join Steve and I in leading and supporting growth and development across the County. Their names are Jools Granville (Marketing and Communications) and Karla Forrest (Management and Development Support).

County AGM.
This takes place on 22nd September at Patchway High School. Each District nominates members of the County Scout Council to attend the meeting as their representatives. The AGM includes the election of the County Executive Committee/board of trustees. This year I have established a proactive process to identify my own nominees for these roles. A number of very good potential nominees came forward. Find out more.

Jamboree contingent returns.
36 young people and 4 leaders from Avon returned recently from the adventure of a life time at the World Jamboree in Sweden. Why not invite them to your Group or District to tell other young people and volunteers about their experiences of the world of Scouting? A great article about the event was recently featured in the Financial Times. Find out more.

Award nominations.
With the help of the District Commissioners, we have submitted many nominations for the good service. If you know somebody who deserves an award for their good service to Scouting discuss how a nomination can be made to the Awards Board with your District Commissioner. It is so important that we recognise our volunteer’s service and achievements to show how much we value them.

Beaver Experiment Badge days. Don’t forget to book your places for the events that take place on the 15-16 October.

The Archery and Shooting Competition takes place on the 25th September and is open to Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Scout Network and adult leaders.

News from the South West region

Madagascar Trip.
There are still vacancies to take part in this adventure of a lifetime.

Cotswold Outdoor Partnership.
As well as the reductions on products available to members of the Movement, we’re working with our local stores to see how we can maximise opportunities for publicising and promoting Scouting.

Brief national news roundup

Wayne’s blog and Tim’s takeover. The UK Chief Commissioner maintains a blog cover a wide range of Scouting issues. It is a good way to keep in touch with national developments in Scouting. This week his deputy Tim Kidd took over during Wayne’s absence. He took the opportunity to reflect on the recent riots and then talk about who benefits from Scouting and how we can ensure the widest range and number of young people take part.

Keeping the Programme up to date. What do you think? Scouting+ asks everyone for their opinion. Please respond. Find out more. Section surveys allowing young people to give their views are also underway.

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons. To celebrate this national milestone, celebrations will take place during the weekend of 2-5 June. Scouts can be involved in many ways, including by taking part in the Beacons Project.

Improved minibus cover. Unity (Scout Insurance Services) is now offering short period minibus insurance. Not all Scout Groups own their own minibuses, and often hire one for camps and other activities – but it’s not been easy until now to get short term cover.

Help former Scouts stay in touch. Scouts’ Campfire Circle is a great way for people to keep in touch with Scouting who are no longer actively involved.

Community involvement case studies wanted. In the autumn the Association plan to profile a range of Scouting community work and are looking for Scout Groups doing great work in their community.

Association AGM. The Scout Association takes place in London on 10th September this year. This will include elections to the Association’s Board of Trustees. I will be attending along with other County representatives and will report back on afterwards.

Socially responsible investments. The Association has developed its investment policy to ensure that it is as socially responsible as possible. The policy seeks to maintain the optimum level of income tempered by the need to grow the capital available for future grant making. The investments and investment products are chosen to meet its socially responsible investment principles – and fall in three categories: 1) negative screening where investments in specific companies or sectors are excluded because their activities/behaviours are considered unacceptable; 1) positive screening where investment in a specific company (but not normally sector) is explicitly included as their activities/behaviours are considered desirable; and 3) positive engagement where investment in a specific company or sector is permitted but where some of their activities/behaviour raise concerns. Here the investment/fund manager is required to raise these issues with the companies concerned and seek to persuade them to change their activities/behaviour.