Our members are award winning!

Our members are award winning!

Adults

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Saying Thank You!

We all remember when someone took the time to say “Thank you”. Whether it was a handwritten note, a simple email or a friendly handshake, we recall that feeling of being valued and a useful member of the team. So please remember when planning an event to take a few moments and consider how you will recognise the efforts of everyone involved in delivering a successful outcome.

Sometimes we want to recognise an amazing contribution where a simple “Thank you” just doesn’t seem enough. In these situations talk to the Awards Team (awards@sesscouts.org.uk) who will suggest ways in which you can achieve that special recognition. It may be that a District Commissioner’s or even Regional Commissioner’s Commendation would be appropriate. We can also help with the preparation of nominations for the more formal awards that Scouting promotes.

SILVER WOLF

We were delighted to learn that Hamish Leal who has worked tirelessly with Pentland District and the Bonaly ASU has been awarded the Silver Wolf. This is in recognition of his many achievements with the 31st Pentland and in his other District and Regional roles. Congratulations Hamish.

John Bruce
Awards Committee and Vice President of South East Scotland Scouts

Here’s a selection of photographs of some other awardees from across South East Scotland Scouts:

Regional Appointments Update

Regional Appointments Update

As well as giving us an opportunity to celebrate all that has been achieved over the past year, despite the challenges of COVID, the Regional Review and AGM gave us an opportunity to look forward to the opportunities that the future presents. In my Regional Commissioner’s Report I was able to give some of my thoughts on how we move forward as a Region as we continue to recover and rebuild and we will be sharing more details on that in the coming months.

An important foundation for growth is having the right people in place and so I was delighted that we made a number of new Regional appointments at the AGM.

John Bruce, Regional Vice-President

When John Cannon (Regional Chair), Dick Allan (Regional President) and I agreed to look at expanding the Regional Presidential team, John Bruce was an obvious choice. John brings a huge amount of experience, having been a District Commissioner, Edinburgh Area Commissioner, Regional Secretary to name just a few of the roles he has held during his 55 years in Scouting. John’s enthusiasm for Scouting in South East Scotland continues unabated and I know that he is keen to use his new role to help support the ongoing development in Scouting within the Region and I look forward to working with him to look at how best he can do this in his new role.

I would like to personally congratulate John on his new role which is a great recognition of the huge amount of work that he has done for Scouting.

Simon Innes, Regional Vice Chair

Simon InnesAs Regional Commissioner, I was very pleased to be able to nominate Simon for the role of Regional Vice Chair. Having joined the Regional Executive Committee at our 2020 AGM, he has already made an important contribution to the running of the Executive Committee and I look forward to working with him and John Cannon (Regional Chair) to continue the positive direction that we are moving in.

As the Region continues to look at how we can best support our local managers, Simon brings an important insight to the Executive through his role as Group Scout Leader of the 108th Pentland (Colinton) group. As Vice Chair, Simon will also take responsibility for our Regional Risk Committee and the important work that they do identifying, assessing and managing the risks that we as a Region face.

Regional Executive Committee Members

We were pleased that following our call for new members to stand for election to the Regional Executive Committee, that Scott Goddard, Sue Liddle and Colin Orr all agreed to join the committee as elected members. All three bring important on the ground experience through their roles as section leaders which will help to ensure that the Regional Executive Committee is well positioned to support our adult volunteers. I would like to thank all three for their willingness to take on this important role and look forward to working with them to support the work of the Region.

You can find out more about Scott in our recent Meet the Volunteer article

The AGM also gave us an opportunity to thank those Executive Members whose terms were coming to an end:

  • Andrew Green
  • Alistair Mcneill
  • Euan Mcfadzean
  • Mark Hesketh

for the huge amount of work that they have done to support the work of the Committee as well as Scouting in the wider Region.

Tribute was also paid to Graeme Robertson who stood down as Regional Vice Chair after 4 years in the role and I was delighted to be able to award him a Commissioner’s Commendation in recognition of the support and leadership that he has provided to the Region during that time, not least during the pandemic where he spearheaded the Regional Executive’s response to the crisis.

Following the AGM, Douglas Allan, Regional Vice-President also decided to step down from his role after 8 years. I would like to thank Douglas for his service to the Region since he started as an Assistant Scout Leader in 1960. Douglas has held a wide range of roles over this time including as Assistant Area Commissioner for Adult Training and Scottish Commissioner for Development before joining the Regional Presidential team in 2013. 

Finally, I would also like to thank Roseanne Allison who recently stepped down from her role as Regional Advisor (Additional Support Needs). In her time in the role she has provided advice and support to many volunteers to help them adapt their programme to make it more inclusive for those with additional support needs and I have very much valued her counsel since I took on the Regional Commissioner Role. 

Martin Elliot
Regional Commissioner
rc@sesscouts.org.uk 

Getting Everyone Back Together Safely

Getting Everyone Back Together Safely

As lockdown measures start to ease, UK Scouts/SHQ are working with youth sector partners and other Government bodies to understand what a safe return to face to face Scouts may look like when the readiness level reduces from red.

A framework and set of guidance on how elements of face to face Scouts could take place and the safety measures we would need to take into account has been produced.

 You can also watch a webinar explaining more on how you can re-start Scouts. 

Please remember, face to face Scouts is still suspended as the readiness level for Scotland is still red – but this is guidance to help you prepare for a for a time where restrictions may ease enough to allow it. 

If you wish, you can review this guidance now and start to make local plans for how you would implement some face to face activities once the readiness level in the nation is reduced but please ensure you adhere to the guidance and the associated sign off processes BEFORE engaging young people in any indoor or outdoor face to face Scouting. In addition, please check with your Group/District about other local requirements e.g. who approves risk assessments.

However, please do not feel pressurised to take any action at this stage if you prefer not to.

We will continue to update you on advice given going forward.

 

Mike Treanor
Scouting Support Officer
michael.treanor@sesscouts.org.uk 

South East Scotland COVID-19 Information & Advice

South East Scotland COVID-19 Information & Advice

During this difficult time please remember to keep looking at our COVID-19 Information and Advice page on the SES Website – https://sesscouts.org.uk/covid-19-information/

You can get information and advice on:

  • Regional Commissioner’s Updates 
  • Governance – including help for Executive Committees to consider how best they can support Scouts locally during this time
  • Programme – information on how to deliver activities to young people in a safe and interesting way – this is updated on a regular basis 
  • Regional Office and Regional Scout Centres – including who and how to contact Regional staff at this time, and the status of Bonaly and Longcraig Scout Centres 
  • Training – advice on how you can progress and keep your training, including mandatory requirements, up-to-date – please see Assistant Regional Commissioner Mary Dick’s article and this link also provides helpful advice:
    https://www.scouts.scot/members/training/scoutin/
  • Supporting adults and young people – advice on how to maintain your physical and mental health at this time – see separate article within this Newsletter

If you need any further information or support at this time please let us know. You can contact Mike Treanor, Scouting Support Officer at michael.treanor@sesscouts.org.uk

Have fun and learn so much at Scoutfest, 13-15 September 2019

What’s ScoutFest?

ScoutFest is Scouts Scotland’s festival for adult volunteers and Network Members held over a weekend in September at Scout Adventures Fordell Firs. It’s a great opportunity for attendees to catch up with friends, pick up some new programme ideas, learn some new skills and have fun.

When is ScoutFest?

13-15 September

Who is ScoutFest for?

Any member of Scouts who is over 18 is welcome to attend. It’s particularly recommended for new leaders, who are looking for learning and development opportunities.

Why should anyone go?

  • It’s an opportunity to learn new skills or complete training.
  • You can hear from experts in Scouting, who can answer questions face to face
  • You’ll pick up fresh programme ideas from a wide range of exhibitors.
  • It’s a great weekend at Fordell Firs, catching up with friends, meeting new ones and trying out some fun activities.
  • There will be food, drink and evening entertainment!

Where can people find out more?

Could you Suggest South East Scotland’s Regional Ambassador – and be in with a chance of a £25 prize?

Tim Peake

We can’t all be like UK Scout Ambassador Tim Peake, but there are people in our Region who could do a great job of raising Scouting’s profile in South East Scotland.

Could you win a prize for suggesting the name of someone who would be happy to become our Regional Ambassador? You don’t need to approach them – we will do that. Just send us the name of someone whom you think could promote Scouting in our Region.

And if they agree to be a Regional Ambassador, then you will receive £25. We have two prizes of £25, given to us by an anonymous donor, on offer for one young person and one adult volunteer. So why not start thinking now and then please email me at rc@sesscouts.org.uk

Scout Ambassadors are committed to raising awareness of Scouting’s invaluable work, helping young people develop skills for life. They help raise our profile, extend our reach and gain influence.

Best known for spending 186 days on the International Space Station (ISS), ESA Astronaut Major Tim Peake is also a former Cub Scout and an advocate of the power of Scouting to help young people develop skills for life.

“Scouting set me on the right path at a young age because I loved the outdoors and I loved adventure. It gave me the opportunity to discover new interests, explore new boundaries and build the confidence to achieve new goals.”

Closing date for suggestions is 1st December 2018.

Margery Naylor, Regional Commissioner