As I prepare to formally take up the role of County Commissioner on the 9th May, I am working on putting my team in place, and I am pleased to announce that Steve Smith will take up the new role of Deputy County Commissioner for Operations.

This will mean that Steve stands down as District Commissioner for Cabot on the 9th May, allowing for a short handover period with the current Deputy County Commissioners (Clare and Graham) to run alongside my own transition period with Neil Salter.  At the same time, I have asked that the search processes for the DC roles in Cabot, and Brunel which Clare has been covering, begin straight away.  You will receive more information about these opportunities separately in the usual way.  The DC responsibilities will remain where they are until 9^th May.

Clare and Graham have done an enormous amount as Deputy County Commissioners in Avon and I would like to invite you to join me in thanking them.  They have kindly agreed to work alongside Steve during this handover period to assist him as he gets up to speed with his new role.

As Deputy County Commissioner for Operations, Steve will be responsible to me for overseeing and supporting the work of our Groups and Districts, and managing the County’s activities to support outstanding Scouting across Avon.  Steve will play a key role in helping me, with the District Commissioners, to shape and communicate our vision and strategy to expand outstanding Scouting.   He will help me to ensure that all of the work which the County is doing actively supports our members as we work together to achieve our goals.

Steve is 33, and has been a Scout since joining Beavers in Birmingham at the age of 6.  He has run Scout Troops and Explorer Scout Units in Birmingham, Worcestershire, Manchester and Avon, before becoming District Commissioner of Cabot District in 2008.  Alongside this, he served as the Elected Youth Representative for Greater Manchester East County, and has been a member of the Queens Scout Working Party (a national Active Support Unit) for 13 years. Through Scouting, Steve has always enjoyed outdoor activities, particularly caving, climbing, kayaking and hiking, and holds permits for hill walking and climbing.  He remains actively involved in Cabot’s training team for the Ten Tors challenge.  Outside Scouting, Steve is the Chief Executive of Young Bristol, a youth work charity.  He lives in Westbury on Trym with his wife and two young children.

I am sure you will wish to join me in wishing Steve well as he takes up this new role.  Please be flexible and patient during the handover period so that we can ensure as smooth a transition to the new arrangements as possible.  Until the 9th May, continue to direct any Programme or Support enquiries to Clare and Graham who will field these as appropriate. Steve will be in touch directly in due course to explain more about his role and how this fits with the overall direction we are taking.

Yours in Scouting,

Dan Wood

County Commissioner (designate)

• Offer a way to make a difference to how your community is policed.
• Enjoy Fun team-building activities that help build confidence and relationships
• Receive training to help you understand how policing works and get an insight into the organisation including the specialist departments
• Help to build relationships between police, young people and the community
• Have your voice heard

Avon and Somerset Police are in the process of setting up an Independent Advisory Group to look at criminal justice issues affecting young people. The group will only meet 6 times a year but members of the group will also be invited to take part in visits to parts of the Police functions that may be of interest. The age range is 13 – 19 and the Police are looking for people to represent their communities across the whole of Bristol. This opportunity would suit those looking for a career in public service or just have an interest in their community.

More Information

If you are interested please contact yiag@avonscouts.org.uk

Closing date 16th April 2011

Let me first express my personal appreciation and thanks from all of us to Neil Salter for everything that he has done as our County Commissioner.
I began Scouting as a Beaver Scout and have since had a life inspired by Scouting. Scouting gave me self-belief, confidence and skills in ways that school never could. I found the opportunity for leadership, adventure and creativity, and for discovering my own unique identity. My potential expanded, my life prospects and friendships grew and my values were set. Like you, I want as many young people as possible to be inspired by Scouting.
Young people need what Scouting offers more than ever and there seems to be a consensus that “our time has come”, providing we are ready to take advantage of this. The coming months and years hold huge potential to develop and expand outstanding Scouting on an unprecedented scale – if only we are prepared to be ambitious, positive, flexible and confident enough.
As a volunteer, I’ve held Section, District, County, national and international Scouting roles. Over several years I chaired the British Youth Council and held leadership roles on the boards of other UK voluntary sector organisations. At the same time, I continued to enjoy helping with a local Scout Troop in their camping, adventurous activities and volunteer training.
As County Commissioner, my focus will be on ensuring that Scouting grows significantly and becomes really outstanding. Of course, I have some ideas on how we can achieve this, but I want to spend some time listening to you before working with the District Commissioners to plan the future. Over the coming weeks, I will say more about my thoughts. Please also share your views with me. At this stage, I am particularly keen to know what you think the biggest opportunities and challenges are.

As a young person, I had an outstanding experience of Scouting, thanks to some exceptional and dedicated people, just like you. I know we don’t often think of ourselves in this way, but I simply can’t think of a more fitting description of the incredible force for good you all are. My focus over the coming years is to help you to do the very best you can with and for young people. I am really excited about what the future holds for Scouting in Avon and I can’t wait to lead our next phase of success alongside you. Please give me your patience, trust and support as I take up this exciting challenge.

Yours in Scouting,

Dan Wood
County Commissioner (designate)
Email: dan.wood@avonscouts.org.uk

Download the full version, as sent to Avon Scout Council.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Neil Salter for the excellent leadership that he has given to Avon over a number of years during which time Scouting in the County has gone from strength to strength and seen a significant increase in numbers of both young people and adult volunteers.

Dan will start the handover, with Neil’s support, from the 1^st April and a further external communication about this exciting appointment will be made prior to the 9^th May.

Please join me in wishing Dan well in his new appointment and Neil every success in whatever role he now decides to take.

With best wishes,

Gordon Weston
Regional Commissioner – South West England

Activities at Ashton Court will include activities aimed at all age groups from Beavers through to Network (and all those in between). There will be activities to challenge you, activities to make you think, activities to learn more about the world in which we live but most importantly they will all be great fun.

We hope to get a number of famous Bears to pop in to visit us on the day so be ready with your autograph book

More details on the web site: www.avonscouts.org.uk/bearhunt

Bookings will be done through Districts and your District coordinator will be in contact shortly with all the details.

I am attaching a letter inviting young people, explorer and network and Guides, to join the contingent that is going under the banner of the NCSF to the World Youth Day in Madrid in august this year.  The contingent is being led by Mr Simon Morley who is the vice chairman of the NCSF as well as being the ADC Cubs for Burnley and scout Association Headquarters Volunteer.

This event is open to all young people, whether they belong to the Catholic Church or not and I am sure that as not everyone can go the Jamboree this might be an opportunity to experience something different by joining with thousands of other young people in Madrid.

Do circulate this among the appropriate young people in your groups

Thank You

Margaret M H McDowall

Chairman NCSF

Poster

There may also be an opportunity for local groups to request one of our graduate engineers to assist in the first stages of the project. However, places are strictly limited and available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Project Eggs Factor Registration Form

Downloads:

• Poster
• Entry Form
• Club Request
• Sponsor Request