It seems as though the year has just flown by as we now approach the busy summer activity season and I thought that I would share a few thoughts with on the development front.

Firstly on behalf of Scott, Alan and myself many thanks for all your endeavours over the past year in continuing to provide quality experiences, combined with strong leadership for all of our young people across the South East Region.

I am aware that life is extremely busy for everyone and you should all be proud of the fact that the Region has grown this year by over 2% and in particular Borders District is up by some 13%.

It would be important to recognise the achievements of the following Groups who have shown significant increase in growth of over 10 members:
Earlston ,  51st Pentland , Haddington, Bonnyrigg ,  Jedburgh,  114th Morningside
5th Portobello, West Linton, Peebles, Cardrona, North Berwick, Longniddry,  11th Leith, Tranent 4th Morningside 1st Portobello,   Lauder,  Tweedbank, 103rd Morningside

I would also like to stress that Development is not just about growth but indeed a combination of growth, stability and sustainability and would recognise the part that all the Leadership teams across the Region play in ensuring that this happens.

The South East Scotland Region can be justly proud of its achievements this year in all aspects of what is delivered. That is in no small way down to your commitment to the young people with whom you work.

Have a great summer and look forward to meeting with you all sometime soon.

Graham Coulson  Assistant Regional Commissioner ( Development )

 

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

It's...Adult Recruitment
Wednesday 21st September, 7.30-9.30pm, Lasswade High School
Come along to a workshop on Adult Recruitment run by our Local Development Officer. The evening will include a mixture of up front input, discussion, sharing of good practice and working on real life situations. Groups can send up to 5 people along; a mixture of leaders and/or Group Executive members from each Group would be ideal. Please email development@southeastscotlandscouts.org.uk or phone the office (0131 229 3756) to book your place by 10th September. No cost involved!

Do you have leadership gaps?
If you have a gap in your leadership team please, in the first instance, inform your DC. They will be able to notify these gaps to Scott Burton our Local Development Officer and Alan Willoughby the Regional Secretary and in that way everyone will be more aware of the needs you have so that potential volunteers can be channelled to you. We would stress that it is vital to follow up as quickly as possible all contacts from potential volunteers and from those wishing to join the movement as youth members within a week. There have been instances where we have lost good volunteers because a local leader did not get back to them and arrange to meet.  We know it was not you (!) but we are merely reminding people of the need to make early contact and to speedily get PVG and AA forms completed as necessary.

Advertise for volunteers with VDS
Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS) have a new online web service that enables people to find nearby volunteering opportunities - the Volunteer Centre websites are pointing people to the VDS website now-a-days. If you would like to advertise a vacant volunteering opportunity through South East Region's Development Project, please update your District Commissioner who will then inform the Local Development Officer. Up to 3 vacant opportunities per Group can be advertised for a period of 4 months at a time. This can include uniformed and non-uniformed roles.

Getting support from the Local Development Officer
Anyone interested in receiving support from the Local Development Officer for the period of October 2011 to January 2012 should fill out and return an "Expression of Interest Form" by 22nd August 2011. This process allows us to forward plan and ensure a higher quality of assistance. This form can be downloaded from the Region's website: www.southeastscotlandscouts.org.uk/resources/development-resources

Come help at The Royal Highland Show
23-26 June 2011
South East Region & SHQ have secured use of The Scout Association's Mobile Display Unit (MDU) to be present at The Royal Highland Show between 23rd-26th June 2011. The MDU comes complete with its own bouldering wall, audio visual equipment and other interactive activities. In order to maximise the use of this facility, we're looking for approximately 7 people to staff the MDU on each of the 4 days - there is a morning (8am-2pm) and afternoon (1pm-7pm) session, with breaks included during those times. If you would be available to help staff the MDU on either the Thursday (23rd) or Sunday (26th) then please email development@southeastscotlandscouts.org.uk

--
Scott Burton
Local Development Officer

Email: development@southeastscotlandscouts.org.uk
Office: 0131 229 3756
Mobile: 07788421160