The who, what, where, when, why and how

presentationMarch 2009

Dan Weaver• Chairperson of Derbyshire Scout Network since January 2008• Founding member of Lynx Network (Derby South) since 2005• Also an Assistant Explorer Scout Leader

Lucy Robinson• Current Secretary of Derbyshire Scout Network, but…• …will soon be taking on the role of County Scout Network

Commissioner• Member and chairperson of Neon Network (Long Eaton)• Also an Assistant Explorer Scout Leader

• To clarify what Network is and provide an update following the numerous changes made since the introduction of the “new” section

• To outline the Network structure and the different responsibilities of District & County

• To explain how the Network section operates in Derbyshire• To engage you as District Commissioners and hopefully

persuade you to get involved!• To provide you with details of who to contact• To promote Network

• Because Network is an under-developed section…

...Therefore good opportunities for development, but needs to be managed

• Because the way Network is structured has changed significantly since introduction…

...But these changes have not been communicated!• Because Districts have not been involved anywhere near as

much as they should have beenTherefore there is some misunderstanding surrounding the

Network section amongst volunteers within Scouting – and this has hindered the development of Network

• Because there have been changes to the County Scout Network team, and more changes are imminent

Therefore, Scouting provision was extended to age 25 for the first time

The youth sections:What Scouting is all about • Beavers: 6-8 years• Cubs: 8-10½ years• Scouts: 10½ -14 years• Explorers: 14-18 years• Network: 18-25 years

Adult support & leadership:

Supporting the youth sections

• For those aged 18+• Section leaders• Commissioners, etc• Activity instructors• Fellowship

A conflict of interests???But what should we be encouraging them to do?

Network is not a support unit, but the

fifth and final section in UK

Scouting for the benefit of Young

People

• Therefore, our priority for an 18-25 year old in Scouting should be to point them in the direction of Network

• But… there is nothing to stop that person from also being a member of Fellowship or holding an adult role within Scouting. And many Network members do!

• The important thing is to provide that person with the option of joining Network – and to encourage them to do so!

• We need to ensure that anyone who is eligible that wants to do so has the opportunity to participate in the Network programme

Network is for the benefit of the young people that join, but what are the benefits to your District?

• It keeps young people involved in Scouting beyond the age of 18Which in turn means that they are more likely to get involved as leaders in the future, even though they might not be ready/able

to do so at 18• Provides the opportunity to continue with/start the Explorer Belt

and Queen’s Scout AwardParticipants need to be a member of Explorers or Network to be

eligible• Wide range of potential activities and slightly less restricted due

to ageAttracts people from outside Scouting

• An additional pool of help in your DistrictE.g.: events, etc. A large number of Network members also hold

an adult role

Today’s Network members; tomorrow’s leaders, DCs, etc?

• The original set up didn’t work!• Has been fiddled around with and some major changes made

since 2001• It is now possible to have a “network of Networks” in different

localities spread around the County• These can either be District Networks Locally-based County Networks Special-interest County Networks (e.g.: could have a climbing Network, water

activities Network, etc)

• We now have much more freedom to set Network up in the way it will work best locally

• Overall responsibility rests with the County Commissioner, delegated to the County Scout Network Commissioner

• County Networks are not a separate entity but part of the County• The County Executive Committee has responsibilities for the

County Scout Network (including local branches); i.e. provision of funding, etc

• District Networks are not a separate entity but part of the District• The District Executive Committee has responsibilities for a

District Scout Network, including the provision of funding, etc• All Networks should have an appointed “Network Leader”This is an advisory role rather than a traditional leader – leadership

should be from within, run by the members for the members, supported by the Network Leader and others

• Networks should be adequately represented on their County or District Executive Committees as appropriate

• Network can essentially be structured in whatever way best

suits local circumstances• Although part of the County or District, Local Networks and

District Networks are able to have their own identity, operate their own bank account, etc – subject to the usual rules

• Flexible age range: Explorers can move up any time from 17½ to 18½ (but fixed cut off at 25th birthday)

• Networks could meet every week, every fortnight, once a month or perhaps only in the holidays – the members should decide based on their own requirements

• Equally, meeting locations could be fixed or they could move around depending on what arrangements are available locally and the geographical spread of members

–

• All Network members are part of the County Network – including District Network members

• Therefore, it is important for all Networks – including District Networks – to be involved in the County Network

• The opening of new Networks remains the responsibility of the County Scout Network Commissioner, who should be consulted before any new Network is set up – including District Networks

• In most cases it would seem appropriate to have a District Network rather than a Local-County Network, simply because this encourages interaction with the District and local Explorer units

• There wouldn’t normally be a case for more than one Network in any District. Exceptions would be where it makes sense to have separate Networks due to the geography of the District

• Capitation is paid to County or District as appropriate

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• Currently nine active Networks around the County (we’ll look at these later) and a couple more being talked about already

• Consists of a mix of Local County Networks and District Networks (the original Networks are County branches as they precede the concept of District Networks; all newer Networks are District based)

• Each has its own name, identity, website, corporate clothing, etc

• Each runs its own programme, ideally linking in with other Networks for joint activities on a regular basis

• Each is led by the members, usually nominating at least a Chairperson and often others; e.g. secretary and treasurer

• Each is entitled to have two representatives (normally Chairperson plus one other) on the County Scout Network Committee

• The County Scout Network Committee is led by the County Scout Network Chairperson, supported by the County Scout Network Commissioner

• The County Scout Network Committee organises the County Network events programme and coordinates recruitment initiatives

• County Scout Network Administrator deals with membership records, CRB checks, etc

• The County Scout Network Commissioner has overall responsibility for Network and is (or rather, will be!) responsible for Network development and support – although Chairperson will still be heavily involved

• The County Scout Network Commissioner represents Network on the County Executive

• Seven Queen Scout Awards completed in 2008, with more being worked on and members encouraged to take part

• One member currently taking part in the UK trial of the new Scouts of the World Award

• At least one Explorer Belt completed in 2008• We are completely member led• Four Network members sailed to Norway in July 2008 and

received their RYA Competent Crew certificate• Network featured in the Derby Evening Telegraph after clearing

up Donington Park after the 2007 Download Festival• Work undertaken by Network members on the refurbishment of

a Scout activity centre after receiving a volunteering award worth £2,500

• Varied local programmes including everything from hiking to geocaching to snowboarding to tea tasting (Yorkshire is the best, by the way!)

• Alton Towers Camp 08 organised entirely by Network members and attended by 230 Networkers from across the country

• Contact details of around 60 students were collected at Derby University Freshers Fair 2008

• Members of two Networks planning to take part in the Three Nations Expedition to Russia, Mongolia and China

• Quarterly newsletter distributed to over 400 people in Derbyshire Scouting, other counties and nationally; with some distribution outside of Scouting altogether

• Widely recognised as the leading Scout Network in the East Midlands – and one of the leaders nationally

• Exact numbers are unknown, but there are something like 150 members across the County – and we are growing all the time

• Several new Networks were set up in 2008 as we started to spread away from the Derby area and we are hoping more will follow in new areas

• We are fully aware that the image of Scout Network may at times have appeared to focus on social activities rather than proper Scouting activities and that there is a perceived drink issue

• This seems to be a problem nationally – from speaking to others it sounds like plenty of Networks have encountered problems and had comments made about the perceived alcohol issue

• However! We hope that the previous slides have proved that Derbyshire Network is not like this and lots of good Scouting takes place

• Network is not a drinking club! However, alcohol is consumed at a minority of Network events – normally the large organised campsBut… as Networkers are 18+, is it unreasonable to have a social

drink in the evening?• Consumption of alcohol is not a Network activity, nor a selling

point• But it does happen as an aside after a “proper” Network activity

North East Division• Chesterfield Network – District Network based in Chesterfield• Dronfield Network – District Network based in Dronfield• Matrix Network – Alfreton District Network basedNorth West Division• Glossop Network – District Network based in GlossopSouth Division• Fusion Network – County Network based in Spondon• Lynx Network – District Network based in Littleover, Derby

South• Neon Network – County Network based in the Sandiacre area• Phoenix Network – County Network based in Chaddesden• Quest Network – County Network based in Mickleover

• Network has been growing at a rapid rate as word spreads and

understanding improves• Three new Networks set up in 2008• But still plenty of scope for further development In new areas Of existing Networks

• No County Scout Network Commissioner since autumn 2007 – the County Scout Network Chairperson has performed a large portion of the role, but not in its entirety

• New County Scout Network Commissioner to start April 2009• Both will be focussing efforts on continuing Network

development

• Huge gap to plug in the North West Division• South Division has good provision across Derby, but no

Networks in South Derbyshire District• North East Division is starting to get off the ground: “Young”

Networks in Alfreton, Chesterfield and Dronfield Districts will require ongoing support to become established and grow

• But, no Networks as yet in any of Ripley & Heanor, Ilkeston or East Scarsdale Districts

• Existing Networks in Derby North, Long Eaton and Belper Districts need support to continue and reverse decline

• Established Networks in Derby South and Derby East Districts doing well but require ongoing background support

• Getting to know the Explorers and building better links earlier• We need a system for passing on Explorers’ details to Network

• We hope that this presentation and the resources available will provide you with sufficient understanding of Network to allow you to work with and support any Networks already operating in your District, or to consider setting up a Network in your District if there is not one already

• We would really like to see new Networks in Districts where there are none at present, as well as continued growth of the existing Networks

• We would like this to be led locally but full support will be provided

• We would like to see all Networks with appropriate representation on their District Executive and involvement in District events and activities

• We would like to see a process in place to capture former Explorers and ensure smooth transition to Network – also requires engagement with District Explorer Scout Commissioners

• We would like to see the appointment of an adult to manage the Network section in each District – i.e. a District Network Leader

• Information packs to take away today to reinforce the message

from this presentation and provide further details• County Network team keen to meet with District teams to

discuss specific plans for Network in their District• We will provide support and advice on the launch/operation of

Network, but a successful Network ultimately needs individuals at a local level to take the initiative

• To kick things off, we would like to set up Network information/launch evenings in your District, to which all members of the eligible age range and any other interested parties would be attended

• Addition of District Commissioners to County Network mailing list for quarterly newsletter and monthly update

• Increased dialogue between Network and District – two-way please!

• Please stay in touch!

• County Scout Network Commissioner (from April 2009): Lucy Robinson

lucyjanerobinson@hotmail.co.uk07895 475117

• County Scout Network Chairperson: Dan Weaverdanny.weaver@btinternet.com

07742 833724• County Scout Network website:

www.derbyshirenetwork.org.uk

• Fact sheets available on disk now and on the website soon, along with this presentation