Volunteer for the Scout Fellowship Launch Team
Over the past three years, Glenn Walker, the UK Adviser (Scout Fellowship), has been leading the Scout Fellowship Review Project. This has been the most detailed investigation into Scout Fellowship activities for 30 years. . . more
Fellowship Review
As you undoubtedly know, the Scout Fellowship is currently in the process of being reviewed. This review has been ongoing for the past three years, and is the most detailed investigation into Scout Fellowship activities for 30 years. Many of you may have been involved in the consultation process.
The Consultation Process
Research began in December 2005 with a consultation day. It has continued to be conducted at various national events, regional meetings, and with some individual Fellowships. This consultation was mainly with those involved with managing and running Scout Fellowships, or requiring support from Scout Fellowships. It highlighted existing issues and showed the need for some review of, and possible change to, Scout Fellowship, but did not provide specific answers.
The most recent round of consultation (August - November 2007) consisted of a questionnaire circulated to a variety of groups, both in paper and electronic format, with the intention that they would also pass it on or discuss with others. It consulted on a model which proposed the option for social groups and for support groups. In total we received 491 responses to this questionnaire, from a wide variety of people with different roles at all levels of The Association. A summary of the results from that questionnaire can be seen here.
What we found out
The consultation has given us a greater insight into the importance of active and fully functioning Scout Fellowships. We have found that where Fellowships work well they are a real asset to Scouting, but where they don't work well they tend to be seen as a burden and so don't always receive the support and guidance they need. Some Fellowships may be happy themselves, but are not providing a service to local Scouting; in some areas a Fellowship struggles to get off the ground; some do not recruit or welcome new members; and in some areas they simply don't exist. We know that there are many people, particularly younger people, who would like to join Fellowship as a way of providing flexible support to Scouting, but their local setup doesn't facilitate this.
The consultation also brought to light the strength of feeling amongst many Fellowships that they are undervalued and not readily engaged. We are keen to ensure that an additional benefit of the review will be to raise the positive profile of Fellowships locally.
One thing is certain though - the work and support given by Scout Fellowships to Scouting is valuable and vital, and we need to ensure that experience, knowledge and dedication of Fellowship members continues to be utilised.
The future
The team is now focussing on the changes that can be made to improve the situation. We are not seeking to divide or disband those who are doing a valuable job, and we are no longer considering the social v support model which was consulted on in late 2007. Rather, we want to ensure that Fellowship is more closely integrated with the wider adult leadership, and that Groups, Districts, Counties and Regions (Scotland) can best support the Scout Fellowship to help them to provide valuable support to Scouting.
The elected roles of Scout Fellowship Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer are currently being considered, with a view to whether these roles could be replaced by appointed individuals. In addition a Scout Fellowship Manager could have direct responsibility for the operation of Scout Fellowships in their area. This model, similar to the Explorer Scout and Scout Network structures, would make Fellowship an integral part of the District/County management team, and would give more control to Commissioners whilst reducing the burden of everyday tasks. Some of the most interesting and problematic issues revolve around considering whether the image and name of the Scout Fellowship accurately reflects what they really do. This is something that is currently being considered by experts in brand and image, as well as members of the Scout Fellowship Support Team.
This work will be completed over the next nine months, during which time detailed information will be given to managers and Commissioners.