Be Prepared... ANNUAL REPORT TO THE NATION 2011 SCOUTS AUSTRALIA Contents This report covers the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011. Chief Commissioner’s Report 1 The Scouting Sections 12 National Chairman’s Report 4 Scout Law 13 Scout Promise 13 Highlights 2010-2011 6 Management 14 What is Scouting? 12 National Council 14 Mission 12 National Executive Committee 15 Aim 12 Officer of the Committee 15 Principles 12 Awards 16 Methods 12 Thank you 17 2011 is the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10). Events are taking place throughout the year, both in Australia and internationally, to highlight the diversity of volunteers and celebrate the contributions they make. At Scouts Australia, we recognise the tremendous efforts of our many volunteers. The International Year of Youth runs from August 2010 to August 2011. An initiative of the United Nations, IYY aims to promote the ideals of peace, freedom, progress and solidarity and encourages youth participation and development, along with youth involvement in decision-making processes at local, national and global levels. Cover Photo: 1st Caringbah (NSW) Scouts and Venturers snowshoeing towards Mount Kosciuszko on their 2010 Snow Camp Message from the Chief Commissioner In this, the 51st National Annual Report, face training time reduced by up to a third. Of course, it does not it is pleasing to advise that we continued replace practical training but it does allow Leader trainers to place to grow our total youth number, albeit more focus on the practical training and enables them to conduct only slightly to 52,759, whilst growing more frequent field training days. our Leaders by over 600 to 14,074 over The e-learning initiative will do much to simplify and standardise the past year. There was an expectation training across the nation and will significantly lift the quality of our that we would suffer a small decrease in Leader training. This will in turn assist the retention of youth youth numbers, as we generally have members and allow us to better achieve our mission. It would not difficulty in successfully translating the have been possible without the initiating grant from the Vincent large number of 14.5 to 15 year old Scouts to the Venturer Fairfax Family Foundation, the guidance from Paul Parkinson, National Commissioner Adult Training and Development, and Scout Section immediately following a Jamboree, and because Graham Coates, the principal of MindVision. Graham has not only of the deliberate decision not to undertake any National provided his technical expertise but considerable volunteer time and advertising in 2010-11. expertise as an experienced Group Leader and Branch Commissioner, However, we were pleasantly surprised. Of particular note was the to produce an outstanding product. 6% increase in Venturer Scout numbers making a total increase of In accordance with our Youth Program quality practice to regularly almost 600 (14%) since 2008. This is a significant turnaround from review our Sectional Programs, a review of the Rover Section Program, the steady depreciation in this Section over the preceding 10 years titled “Rovering towards 2020” was initiated by the National and indicates that the implementation of the recommendations from Operations Committee (NOC) in March 2010. A wide ranging Terms the 2008 Venturer Review appears to be having the desired impact. of Reference was approved with recommendations to be presented to The Venturer Scout Section (14.5 years-18 years) is critical in that it is the NOC in November 2011. Graeme Fordham AM, National Project the base for recruiting the future line and activity Leaders that are Commissioner Partnerships, was appointed to lead the review team. essential to delivering an adventurous program to our Scout and His team has been very active, consulting widely, undertaking surveys Venturer Scout Sections. and collecting data. At the time of writing, the team is about to This year was the second year of the Scouts Australia Five Year commence reviewing the research material and validating the relevant Strategic Plan (2010-2014) and can best be described as one of data. A partnership with Mission Australia has been most fruitful with research, planning and project development. It has been an the provision of an intern (Masters student) for several months in late exceptionally busy year for the National leadership team as most 2010 to assist with the initial research and direction of the review. I members are involved in at least one major project in addition to have been impressed by the dedication of the review team and would their normal duties. like to acknowledge Graeme Fordham for his leadership, Shanna Bignell for her very informative communications messages, and Craig Much of our focus for the past year has been on the production of Whan and Matthew Rigter for the manner in which they have our e-learning Leader training modules and the preparation for their professionally and expeditiously gone about the task of conducting integration into the training packages and systems. Some 45 modules the difficult Branch information/review sessions. have been produced to date, to support both Basic and Advanced training for all Sections and Leaders of Adults. There are only 10 One of our strategic milestones for 2010-11 involved the restructure elective modules and some cross referencing to be done to the of the National Youth Council (NYC) to remove some duplication at existing production modules in 2011-12 to complete the standard Branch level and to strengthen the Branch/National link. It also Wood Badge training set. The supplier, MindVision Interactive, spent involved providing more personal development and support to NYC considerable time and effort in late 2010 to provide the necessary members to give them the confidence and skills to ensure that they electronic connectivity between the various Branch systems and the are effective in decision-making forums. This restructure under the e-learning data base, including briefing the training administrative leadership of Chair Nathan Delaney and the support of Advisor staff in the operation of the system. This was far more difficult than Stephen Tyas is proceeding well. The first four Branch appointed first envisaged but MindVision found the solution for every problem. representatives joined the Council in March 2011 and appear to have integrated well with the incumbent Council members. The second I am delighted to advise that the e-learning functionality went live on weekend meeting (developmental) will be held in Canberra in 31 January 2011 and that most Branches are well advanced with September 2011 and will include a reception at Government House implementation. Although still in the early stages, feedback has been sponsored by our Chief Scout HE Quentin Bryce AC. The restructure very positive with most Leaders amazed at the simplicity yet is expected to be completed in March 2012 when the representatives professionalism of the training modules. It is already showing the from the remaining Branches join the Council. benefits of flexibility and reduced training commitment with face to SCOUTS AUSTRALIA REPORT TO THE NATION 2011 1 It is often difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of youth councils and forums but over the past two years I have encountered a significant number of young people from past and present NYCs involved in Branch and National Rover Councils, as International Contingent Leaders, as delegates and observers at International Conferences and as members of my extended National team. I am proud to say that without exception these young people are doing all that we expect of them and are demonstrating the value of our investment in councils such as the NYC and the National Rover Council (NRC). The major youth event for 2010-11 was OZ Moot, the 18th Australian Rover Moot, conducted by the South Australian Branch at Woodhouse and surrounding areas of the Fleurieu Peninsular in late December 2010/early January 2011. The Moot was well planned and soundly executed by a dynamic team of Rovers, led by ex BRC Chairs Scouts Australia meets with Timor-Leste Scouts Wayne and Lauren Vilanova. Although the offsite activity program was varied and imaginative, house boating proved to be the most Government. This involves supporting the health and wellbeing of popular with a number of the more adventurous activities generating children by providing health and sanitation facilities at schools in Dili. little interest. Of concern, however, was the relatively low attendance. The South Dubbo Rotary Club has committed $10,000 to the Over 600 Rovers initially expressed interest but only 303 attended. project, whilst the ACT Government through its “Friendship City” The lower than expected attendance placed considerable pressure relationship and its “Dollars for Dili” campaign has also donated on the Moot budget. It was only through very careful financial $10,000, with the promise of more to come. The ACT Government management and the South Australian Branch forgoing its camping has donated a further $10,000 to support the development of an fee for Woodhouse that the event did not make a loss. It appears as activity centre for the Timor-Leste Scouts. Rover and NYC member though the days of the traditional Moot are numbered. Since most Christopher Malam will be leading the first project team of 10 Rovers Rovers are students with limited disposable income, the cost of travel to Timor-Leste in July 2011, to assist in the construction of a and the cost of expeditions when coupled with the base Moot cost sanitation facility at a primary school. Chris will be ably supported by now places the traditional 10-day Moot financially out of reach for project manager Graeme Fordham AM and Rotarians Dr John Burke many. In comparison, the Australia Day long weekend Victorian and Associate Professor Joe Canalese.