New Chief Scout
A new partnership of Bear Grylls, the tenth Chief Scout and Wayne Bulpitt, our first UK Chief Commissioner is in place to lead Scouting in the UK.
Membership of Scouts grows by 3.7 percent in one year
The Scout Association has reported that the membership of Scouts grew by 15,000 in the UK last year: 13,000 young people and 1500 adult leaders. This represents the largest growth for years.
No doubt it was helped in part by the publicity scouting got in its centenary year. Let's hope the growth continues: particularly in leaders!
Transporting Scouts et al in Minibuses
I'm not sure how many have picked up on the changed regulations relating to using booster cushions and child seats for the younger, and smaller, members of the scouting family.
HQ has produced a new factsheet fs320006 in this topic. Take a look at it here
New version of POR released
A new edition of Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) has been released by Headquarters.
An on-line version can be found at http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2005/index.htm
Asian Tsunami Appeal
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been tragically affected by the earthquake and tsunami which has hit so many countries in and around the Indian Ocean rim. We are witnessing the largest and most complex relief effort ever undertaken as the result of a natural disaster.
Half of the world's 28 million Scouts live in the affected countries, some will have lost their lives and many we know will be involved in the recovery work.
You will want to know how you can help.