Coming Together – Staying Together

Scouting / Guiding Consultation Report

25th-27th February 2000

 

 

1.0 INTRODUCTION

 

 

1.1  In an attempt to keep abreast of changing trends and address stereotypical images, National Venture Team CSI recognise the necessity of involving the youth membership in shaping the future of the organisation, sharing ideas, information and resources with other young people throughout Ireland.

 

1.2  Early in 1999 6th National Venture Team CSI, decided to stage a unique youth orientated conference bringing together six organisations for the first time in their respective histories to mark the significance of a new millennium and promote communication and co-operation between uniformed organisations throughout Ireland, with the objective of devising collective, equitable strategic routes for progression and development post 2000.

 

1.3  Extensive consultation followed, bringing together interested parties to discuss the logistics of staging and financing such a significant event. A steering group was established with representation from 6 organisations:

 

 

These six organisations represent the totality of Scouting and Guiding movements in Ireland, both North and South of the border, taking up some 70,000 members aged between 6 and 19. The associations reflect almost 70% coverage of towns and villages nationwide.

 

 

1.4  The conference itself would provide a platform for consultation and a number of key areas for discussion were identified:

 

Self Assessment

 

Effective Planning

 

Implementing Action Plans

 

Evaluating Outcomes

 

 

1.5  After an extensive period of ongoing planning the event was staged over the course of one very intensive weekend based at the Share Centre in County Fermanagh. This report is the cumulative voice of all the discussion groups. It summarises the responses from over 150 delegates representing six associations from throughout Ireland (North and South).

 

1.6  The delegates present at the 3 day conference were given the opportunity to define the mission / vision statement for the event:

 

 Mission Statement

 

VISION

 

 

“Positively coming together to share ideas

 and staying together to develop true friendship.”

 

 

1.7  WHAT IS OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR MOVEMENT?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·        1 Big happy family

 

 

 

1.8 Summary of consultation findings:

 

The principle issues raised for discussion through the consultation exercises included:

Communications, Co-ordination, Co-operation, Open to change, External pressures, Costs, Standards, Disadvantages of being/belonging to  uniformed organisation, Changing attitudes/trends/needs, Attracting new members, Routes for progression.

 

1.9 COMMUNICATIONS – WHAT DO WE DO WELL AND WHERE COULD WE IMPROVE?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

 

Leaders Mag. (1/4)

 

Leaders meeting (monthly)

 

V.E.N.T.A.C.T.  – Adventure weekend (6 associations)

 

Organisation

 

 

ACTION

 

(1)    Cross board advertising within mags

 

(2)    Regional register (but practicalities)

 

 

2.0 CO-ORDINATION 

 

a)     WHAT DO WE DO WELL? 

b)     WHERE CAN WE IMPROVE?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CO-ORDINATION

 

Communicate better – easier to coordinate

 

Funding

 

 

ACTION

 

Forward to each association – action calendar for the year to help each association plan

 

Inter-association funding

 

 

2.1 CO-OPERATION

 

a)     WHAT WE DO WELL

b)      HOW TO IMPROVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CO-OPERATION

 

Amalgamation of communication websites – advertise to each other

 

 

2.2 OPEN TO CHANGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.3 EXTERNAL PRESSURES

 

 

·        Inform

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.4 ATTENTION TO UNIFORM

 

 

 

 

2.5 COST

 

·        Value for money

 

 

 

 

·        Funding from government etc.

 

 

2.6 STANDARDS (VARYING)

 

·        Less Pieces to uniform

 

 

·        Higher standard of uniform

 

 

 

 

2.7 WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF BEING A UNIFORMED ORGANISATION?

   

Cost

 

Stereotyping

 

Prejudices

 

Time Commitment

 

 

(- But gives identity and code of conduct within that .)

 

 

2.8 WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF BELONGING TO A UNIFORMED ORGANISATION?

 

(1)      Rules – 1

(2)      Cost – 19

(3)      Uniform – 5

(4)      Standards (varying) – 12

(5)      Regimental – 11

(6)      Attitude to ‘U’ –16

(7)      Practicality – 16   

(8)      Stress - leaders – 1

(9)      Time – 4

 

2.9 ATTITUDES CHANGE BECAUSE OF CHANGES IN TRENDS, POLICIES AND NEEDS

 

If we don’t change, we stagnate

 

Flexible

 

Responsive to each groups needs

 

Be open

 

Child protection Issues

 

3.0 IN WHAT WAYS SHOULD OUR ATTITUDES CHANGE BECAUSE OF THE CHANGES IN TRENDS, POLICIES AND NEEDS?

 

(1)    Why change?  1

(2)    Our attitude or others?  22

(3)    Attitudes keeping up with trends  15

(4)    External pressures  20

(5)    Open to change  28

(6)    Attitudes changed already  8

 

·        Honest

·        Acknowledgement

·        Respect  14

·        Attention

·        Advertisement

·        “Not them”  - “Us”

·        Input resources – time rather than money

·        Quality time

·        Independence   3

·        Development of individuality   1

·        Education of awareness – parents – young people   1

·        Change in attitude to commitment?

·        Motivation   7

·        Image

 

 

 

3.1 WHY ARE WE NOT ATTRACTING MORE MEMBERS?

 

 

Image – naff                     17

 

Ignorance

                  

Bad Press

 

Not visible

 

Has to be programme led  5

 

Unattractive – uniform

 

Shortage of leaders

 

Quality of leadership   15

 

Competition from other services   13

 

Time limitation   20

 

Parental encouragement or lack of   4

 

Money

 

Their commitments i.e. work, school

 

 

3.2 ACTION

 

Commitments/ Time/ Money/ School/ Work

 

Personal Development

 

Emphasize we are non-formal education movement within the community

 

 

Image/ Ignorance/ Unawareness/ Bad Press

 

Be seen                                               ACTIONS TO

 

P.R. campaign                                     KEY POINTS

 

Community Involvement             -        Not attracting members

 

 

Leaders – Quality/ Shortage

 

P.R.            

 

Setting too high a standard for voluntary leaders

 

Training

 

Government recognition, paid leave from work

 

Back-up support –

 

 

 

 

Competition                              Programme led

         

Sell the product                                   Relevant to their lives

 

Look to our image                                Adventurous

 

 

 

Parental Encouragement

 

P.R.

 

Involvement (Community)

 

Net-work –

 

Word of mouth

 

 

3.3 WHAT SORT OF ACTIVITIES SHOULD WE BE PROVIDING – RELEVANT TO OUR MEMBERS?

 

Challenging

 

Out-door pursuits

 

Life-skills

 

Arts

 

Fun/ Enjoyment

 

 

 

 

3.4 5 YEARS AHEAD

 

 

(1)              One organisation

 

-    One uniform

-         Acknowledge similarities

-         Unity

-         Coming together in small groups (village/ town/ city area)

 

 

(2)              One cross border governing body

 

-         Centralising resources/ finances

-         Guide organisation

-         Scout organisation

         

 

(3)              Co-operation is the key

 

 

(4)              Joint Explorer Belt (All associations)

 

 

 

3.5 COMMUNICATIONS – HOW TO IMPROVE

 

(1)             More joint conferences/ activities

 

(2)             Better linking / web sites

 

(3)             Guide/ Scout Directory

 

-         National

-         Local

 

(4)             Regular updating of information

 

(5)             R.A.V.E. Magazine

 

(6)             Register of leaders

 

 

3.6 CO-ORDINATION

 

(1)       Joint events – one national event at least

 

(2)        One national H.Q. base

 

 

3.7 CO-OPERATION

 

(1)              National comm. meet twice a year

 

- Share annual programme

 

 

3.8 ROUTES F0R PROGRESSION

 

Formation of CAT, ongoing youth communication and co-operation, youth led initiative, building youth capacity and managerial/organisational acumen.

3.9 SCOUTS OWN

 

Once upon a time all the colours in the world started to quarrel; each claimed that it was the best, the most important, the most useful, the favourite.

 

Green said “Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves – without me all the animals would die. Look out over the countryside and you will see that I am the majority.

 

Blue interpreted; “you only think about the earth, but what about the sky and the sea? It is water that is the basis of life and this is drawn up by the clouds from the blue sea. The sky gives space, peace and serenity.”

 

Yellow chuckled “ You are all so serious I bring laughter, fun and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow, every time you look at a sunflower the whole world begins to smile. Without me there would be no fun.”

 

Orange started next “I am the colour of health and strength. I may be scarce but I am precious for I serve the inner needs of human life. I carry all the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes and paw paws. I don’t hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset; my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you.”

 

Red unable to stand it any longer shouted out; “I am the colour of you all. I am the colour of danger and bravery. I am willing to fight for the cause. I bring fire into the world. Without me the earth would be empty as the moon. I am the colour of passion and love.

 

Purple stood tall and said “ I am the colour of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs and bishops have always chosen me for I am the colour of authority and wisdom. People do not question me; they listen and obey.”

 

Indigo spoke quietly “ Think of me. I am the colour of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection. You need me for balance, contrast and inner peace.”

 

And so the colours went on in this way, each convinced that it was the best. Suddenly there was a flash of bright white lightening thunder rolled and boomed. The colours crouched down and the rain spoke.

 

“You foolish colours fighting among yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Do you not know that your creator made you all for a special purpose, unique and different? He stretches you across the sky in a great bow of colour as a reminder that you can live together in peace, a sign of hope for tomorrow.”

COMING TOGETHER – STAYING TOGETHER

 

 

4.0 EVALUATION SUMMARY

 

 

From the 150 delegates 101 completed evaluation assessment sheets, monitoring delegates assessment of:

 

Domestic arrangements

 

 

 

Conference Content

 

 

Conclusions are recorded diagrammatically over the next 3 pages

 

97% of delegates described the overall event as good or excellent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.2 Evaluation - Accommodation
 

  4.1 Evaluation – Location

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


4.4 Evaluation - Topics
 

4.3 Evaluation - Food

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



4.6 Overall - Evaluation
 
4.5 Evaluation of Facilitative Leadership


 

 

 

 

 

 


4.7 Comments from Event Evaluations