Development Day
From The DC
Thank you so much to those who attended the District Development Day on the SS Shield Hall. It was a great opportunity to celebrate how good we already are but also to look at what we could aim to do better. It was really good to see everyone getting to know each other, working in teams and planning for better things within our Groups and our District support.
The morning was spent focussed on the District Team and what we can do to help you all in your groups. From that session the following areas were identified as needing attention.
Southampton’s Scout District Development Plan
Young People
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Young Leader (training, development and involvement)
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Sharing of waiting lists across the District.
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Optimising the size of each section within all the Groups in Southampton.
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Spreading the Scouting message in schools and the wider community.
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Promoting the voice of young people at all levels within the District.
Adults
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Leader training.
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Greater parent involvement.
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Recruitment and retention and reviews of adults.
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More active support.
Adventure
- Getting the cost of adventure down.
- Identifying the Leaders with Activity Permits.
- More participation and parental support for District and County Events and Competitions.
- International Expeditions arranged by District.
- Long term lease of the Wilverley camp site and the need for fire lighting.
Support
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Group Chairs meeting together.
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Advice and support on Lettings and Council leases.
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Full use of Gift Aid in every Group / Unit.
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District Fete.
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Publicity and the District Web Site - SHOUT LOUD ABOUT WHAT WE DO.
In the afternoon the focus was on each group and they were asked to work on a RAG status highlighting the key areas for each group. These raised a number of issues that we need to try and improve upon.
The need to define roles and responsibilities between the adult uniformed Leaders and the Group executive supporting team The need to encourage full participation at District and County competitions.
The need to share ideas between groups and to all work together much more as a District family of Groups.
To be proud of what we do and for all of us to find many more adults to join us.
To increase when possible the size of sections and to manage waiting lists better with the aim of giving everyone who wants to join scouting that opportunity.
I suggest that if you were not invited to the day that you ask those from your Groups that did attend what your own RAG review raised as areas for development. I will over the next few months be meeting with the Group Scout Leaders and group chairs to discuss the key issues and how we as a district team can help you move on. The day was such a success that clearly we must get together more often in the future; these days could be spent really getting to grips with a particular topic.