From the Chief Commissioner

by | Mar 7, 2024 | Scouting Family News

From the Chief Commissioner

Hi everyone, hope you are having a great month!  

Can I highlight the opportunity of AJ2025. Applications for the Jamboree are open. We would love for you and your young person to consider expressing interest in attending what will be a major event, now less than 12 months away. Applications need to be lodged by 31 March 2024. As I have indicated previously it is critically important that we encourage as many youth members and adults as possible to attend. The intent is to provide the opportunity at Jamboree for those who missed out in 2022 by extending the invitation to Venturer Scouts to 16 years of age to attend as participants or support workers.

It is also important that our youth members understand that the next Jamboree is not until 2029. So please encourage your Unit to consider how they can participate in this wonderful Scouting event. Link to apply is here.

 

We are incredibly pleased to advise that the Queensland Government has provided funding to Scouts Queensland to support our delivery of AJ2025 through the: 

  • Procurement of safety and activity equipment for onsite activities 
  • Construction and installation of activity stations 
  • Provision of specialised training for at least 200 adult volunteers in outdoor recreation skills 
  • Provision of eco- friendly equipment and facilities, including recycling initiatives 
  • Educational campaign to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote sustainability. 

This funding will allow us to enhance our delivery options at AJ2025, whilst providing a legacy through sustainability and training for the future. The training component having a direct impact on program delivery as Leaders take those additional skills back to their Groups and Units.  

The funding provided by the State Government is $700,000. 

The role of Youth Program Supporter is moving to an Adult Supporter role under the Adult Member Category. This is to align is with the National Membership definition. Over the last week I have written to every formation providing them with a list of their Youth Program Supporters and asking them to confirm their transfer to an Adult Supporter 

This is a really important step as it allows us to formally recognise the contribution of these individuals and their years of service going forward. Also, another reminder about our new fee structure effective from 01 April 2024. The link is here to the Support Hub for all those details. 

Further to the above it is important to remind all Adult Members and Adult Helpers that we will be migrating these roles across to Adult Supporters within SMS to align with the new definition. For clarity we have the “Adult Member Category” of membership under which we have the following roles:  

  • Venturer Scouts (18 or over)  
  • Rover Scout 
  • Adult Leaders (including Commissioners /Advisers) 
  • Adult Supporters 
  • Scout Fellowship 
  • Life/Honorary Members 

To align Scouts Queensland with the National definition we are moving all “Adult Members and Adult Helpers” to Adult Supporters under the Adult Member category of membership. Within, that we will have Adult Supporters (Committee) and Adult Supporters. 

Adult Supporters (Committee) will acknowledge existing “Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and other committee-based” roles. 

This is simply a system change and I will communicate with all individuals regarding this change. 

I am seeking some help from our Joey Scouts and Cub Scouts to create a virtual background to sit behind me during the many TEAMS meeting I have in the virtual space. 

I am looking to make it reflect our Youth Program but thought our younger sections could have fun creating this background. Ideally, I would like to select six backgrounds initially – three from Joey Scouts and three from Cub Scouts.  

To add to the excitement, I have six compasses to give away to the artists of the selected backgrounds. 

This could even contribute towards a Special Interest Area for your Joey Scouts and Cub Scouts. 

There is an article below that provides details and an outline of the requirements. 

Backgrounds need to be provided by 15 April 2024 and should be emailed to design@scoutsqld.com.au 

Over this month I have communicated with our leaders around the following topics: 

  • Ready Set Scout promotional resources 
  • Email security 
  • Founders Day celebrations 
  • The importance of a Group Plan. 
  • Scouting on the Green

Have a great month and good Scouting!