Lee Thornton has had to stand down as ACC (BS) due to work commitments. Pat Towler has agreed to take on the role from 1 November. The County would like to thank Lee for his work in the County, first as CBSL and latterly as ACC(BS). He will remain as Colony Leader.

Please note that the CC has information on the following opportunities. Anyone requiring more details, please contact Dean J Milton:

National Commissioner for Development (volunteer) European Jamboree 2005 - UK Contingent Leader

I am pleased to announce that Dean Jefferys has been appointed as DC of Hornchurch.

Dean J Milton: County Commissioner

I am pleased to announce that Sally-Ann Brewster will be taking on the role of Scout Network Commissioner with immediate effect.

Dean J Milton: County Commissioner

I would like to advise County that I have appointed Mick Greenwood as ACC Scouts to replace Steve McGoay who steps down on 1 August. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Steve for his excellent work during his period of appointment.

Dean J Milton: County Commissioner

As you know, during the last 6 months, the county has had the benefit of a dedicated Development Officer, Arron Cox - so just what has been happening?

After a slow start, each District identified Groups that would benefit from development work. This ranged from providing advice and support in the recruitment of adults, providing information on the new adult training scheme pilot, to undertaking school assembly presentations for youth recruitment.

To date, the project has supported several Groups to recruit around 18 new Leaders and Helpers, with numerous additional parent rotas. The 2 main youth recruitment drives have yielded over 40 young people, with 20 of these attending 1 Beaver Scout Colony!

Since January, a number of working relationships with other community organisations have been made - Local Volunteer Bureau's, London Youth, and Millenium Volunteers to name a few. These are now becoming a useful source of adult recruits. The image of Scouting has been a major issue for some time, making both adult and youth recruitment more challenging at times. The project has and is continuing to support Groups and Districts to re-address this important issue. Squirrels Heath and Romford have particular success, acquiring useful contacts in the community, and promoting the new image of Scouting. Tesco's, Asda's, and the Liberty 2 Shopping Centre have all seen at first hand, Scouts helping in the community, and all wish to foster and maintain these relationships.

With the launch of the New Programme, Sections and Resources, lets not miss this opportunity to build on and expand our Groups and 'Shout for Scouting' in our local community.

Dean J Milton: County Commissioner

In GLNE, we're determined to grow our membership, to continue offering quality Scouting, and provide support to our leaders. The process has already started, but the work continues and we're looking for a number of experienced Section Leaders to help move us forward. In January 2003, we're introducing a Healthcheck Scheme across the County that will involve a small team of experienced Warranted Leaders, working closely with Scout Groups and District Teams within our County. Having visited a Group and observed the Sections and Leader team, you will provide constructive feedback and agree how improvements can be made to help develop and grow the Group and continue offering quality Scouting. But it does not end there, part of your responsibility will be to help implement these changes! We know that the task will not be easy, so we need to make sure the right people are involved. You will need to have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experience and a good knowledge of one or more of the main Scout Sections within the Movement and lots of enthusiasm! We're looking to recruit four experienced Section Leaders (who must hold a current warrant for the duration of the project). You should reside within thirty minutes travelling time of our County, Greater London North East. You will work approximately six hours (2 evenings) a week for which you will receive an hourly rate of between £7.00 - £9.00 depending on experience. The project will initially last 6 months with a view to extending it for a further 6 months. You will report directly to the Deputy County Commissioner (Development). For further details please write to : ******** Interested candidates should forward a CV by Friday 15 November 2002. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview in early December 2002. Dean J Milton County Commissioner

This scheme, supported by the Jack Petchey Foundation, has now been updated for the coming year. Every member of the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Ventures/Explorers who recruits one friend into their Section who is then invested, will receive a silver certificate signed by the County Commissioner together with a £5.00 Smith's voucher. If that young person then goes on to recruit 2 more friends who are invested by the end of the year, then they will receive a gold certificate signed by the County Commissioner together with a £10.00 Smith's voucher. Each Group in the County, via their District Commissioner, will receive an updated pack containing a poster to display and a chart to show just how well each member of their Group is doing. We do hope that everyone will enjoy taking part and helping to spread the Scouting message throughout our County. Elizabeth Adams Deputy County Commissioner (Sections)

A few months ago, I commissioned a task force to consider how we ensure that Scouting in Greater London North East thrives and grows in the years to come. After considerable consultation with leaders, Groups and the District Commissioners, it is proposed that a 'Healthcheck' of groups within the County would be a useful and beneficial exercise allowing a dispassionate view of activities, programme balance & content, use of adults, intra-group communications, parental satisfaction, etc. A pilot project has been successfully run in Romford District and a future pilot, based on our experience to date, is planned for later this year. The Healthcheck will be conducted by a team of practicing Scouters and will take the form of a visit to each section within a group to observe normal sectional meeting. These visits will only be carried out by appointment with the Section Leader. Normally, only one member of the team will be present, accompanied by either the relevant ADC, DC or GSL. At the end of the meeting, there will be an opportunity to meet with the team and discuss feedback based on the evening's observations. Once each of the sections has been visited, the Group leadership team, a member of the District team and the Healthcheck team will meet to agree an action plan. A member of the team will remain available for a period of time after the visit to provide support and assistance in implementing the recommendations. Assuming that the current pilot project goes as well as the pilot in Romford District, it is intended to offer Healthchecks throughout the County. A small team will be appointed to undertake the exercise and will consist of experienced Scouters who will be remunerated by the County on a sessional basis. Recruiting is expected to be undertaken in October/November with a view to introducing Healthchecks throughout the County, starting in late January 2003. Experience to date has shown these Healthchecks to be extremely beneficial for the Groups concerned, leading to their growth and expansion. However, such Healthchecks will only work if Groups and sections are prepared to accept them, and the feedback that follows, in the spirit of help and development in which they are intended. I would stress that this is in no way intended to be an 'inspection' of Groups and would strongly commend this initiative. I should also point out that these healthchecks are not mandatory but we're confident that leaders and groups will see the real benefits of such visits. Your help and cooperation will be needed if this is to be a success and lead to the growth and improvement in Scouting within the County that I am sure we all want. Dean J Milton County Commissioner

The Network is now ready to operate in GLNE. Our first County meeting will be an open meeting on Wednesday 18th September, 8pm at Hargreaves. All Networkers are welcome to attend. Details will be posted on the network's smartgroup address: http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/glnecountynetwork If you wish to join the group you need to email the administrator first at: glnecountynetwork@smartgroups.com The County Scout Network Team County Scout Network Commissioner Sally-Ann Brewster County Scout Network Administrator Mary Flack County Scout Network Leaders Clive Palmer & Andy Dodkins IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR CLIMBERS! No person under the age of 14 years may belay a climber during a Scout climbing activity. Any person belaying must be over 14 and be an authorised Rope Leader, Instructor or Supervisor. Exact definition can be found in Factsheet- Application for Authorisation for Climbing and Abseiling. Code No. FS120402 March 02 Edition No. 3 which is available from Gilwell. Yes it does mean that you cannot have Scouts under 14 or any untrained people belaying. The above has been verified by The National Adviser(Mountain Activities). Further information from Geoff Preston. ********

No person under the age of 14 years may belay a climber during a Scout climbing activity. Any person belaying must be over 14 and be an authorised Rope Leader, Instructor or Supervisor. Exact definition can be found in Factsheet- Application for Authorisation for Climbing and Abseiling. Code No. FS120402 March 02 Edition No. 3 which is available from Gilwell. Yes it does mean that you cannot have Scouts under 14 or any untrained people belaying. The above has been verified by The National Adviser(Mountain Activities) Further information from Geoff Preston. ********

3rd JULY – Venue County Centre 7.30 for 8pm If you have any leaders that would benefit from this Workshop please notify Barbara Westcott no later than 24th June. This workshop is intended for leaders who have already completed Leadership I or the Woodbadge. As you are aware this session has been included in leadership I courses for the past 18 months. The issue of Child Protection is so important, that I urge you to encourage leaders who have not received guidance on this matter to attend.

Children's BBC On-Line: Newsround CBBC - the BBC website for children - is running an on-line poll inviting young people to vote if being a Scout is 'cool' or not. Leaders might like to encourage young people in their Groups to exercise their democratic right to vote. The address is http://news.bbc.co.uk/ cbbcnews/hi/vote/default.stm Communications Department Gilwell Park

I am pleased to advise you that Chris Potten (Ilford Northwest District) has agreed to take on the role of ACC Communications. Chris will be responsible for the communications team (Web, North East, County PRO, Multi Media, Print Team, etc). He will also be responsible for our communications strategy and development, ensuring we communicate effectively across the County. I would like to wish Chris good luck in this new role. Dean J Milton County Commissioner

I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Alan Hands as the new District Commissioner for Ilford North West. Alan is currently a Group Chairman in Central County, Chair of the Inner and East London Development Project and our County Grants Adviser. Alan will work closely with Mike Gilham and will formally take over as DC at the end of the year. I trust you will join me in wishing Alan good luck in his new role. Dean J Milton County Commissioner

I am pleased to inform you that I have appointed Andrew Jones (Romford District) as the new ACC (Activities) with immediate effect. Dean J Milton County Commissioner

I am pleased to announce that Bob Milne (S/Heath District) has agreed to take on the position of County PRO with immediate effect. Dean J Milton County Commissioner

Please note that Roger Winston will be standing down as ACC Activities. I would like to thank Roger for all that he has done since being appointed as ACC Activities and wish him well for the future. Details of who will replace Roger will be displayed on the County Website and in North East as soon as an appointment has been made. In the meantime, if you have a query regarding activities, please either speak directly with the appropriate adviser or Peter Ford, DCC Development. Unfortunately, Ian Reid who is looking after the County Scout Network, will have to stand down from this position for a short time but we hope will be able to return to this position later in the year. In the meantime, Sally-Ann Brewster will be looking after Scout Network. If you have any queries, please direct these to Sally. After many years of managing the County's Training, Pat Towler will moving on and Trish Neal will become ACC Adult Training. Trish will take over officially on 1 September 2002 and will work closely with Pat until this time. I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to Pat for the tremendous work she has put in to ensuring GLNE offers high quality training to its leaders. Finally, as of 1 May 2002, I am pleased to inform you that Malcolm Wetherell will be changing roles from ACC Scout Fellowship to County Fellowship Chairman. Dean J Milton County Commissioner

I am pleased to advise County that we have been successful with two more bids for money from the Jack Petchey Foundation. We are to be given £2280 to help leaders with the cost of attending training courses this year. This will be done on a 50:50 basis and includes all types of training to do with Scouting (Leadership courses, climbing/sailing authorisation etc.). We will be publishing shortly, details of how you can apply for support. Dean J Milton County Commissioner

I am pleased to advise County that I have agreed the following appointments: Joyce Hilton - District Commissioner (Chingford) and David Smith - District Commissioner (Newham). Joyce will take up her appointment at Chingford's AGM on 15 May and David at Newham's AGM on 11 April. I would like to wish both the very best in their respective roles and would ask that they receive your full support. I hope to announce the appointment of the new DC for Ilford North/West, later this month. Dean J Milton County Commissioner

C GLNE County Chartermarks are awarded to Groups and Districts for increasing their membership over a 2 or 3 year period. Last year, 19 groups and 2 Districts were awarded Chartermarks. Lets hope this year it's even more! The 2002 Award winners are listed below. A presentation evening will be held on Monday 8th April at 7.30 pm at the County Centre. 10 Leyton 11 Newham West 14 Walthamstow 11 Ilford North 2 Elm Park 17 Barking & Dagenham 3 Cranham 19 Walthamstow 37 Chingford 4 Chadwell Heath 3 Ilford West 6 Chingford 1 Chadwell Heath 1 Barking & Dagenham 6 Barking & Dagenham 14 Seven Kings 25 Chingford Additionally three Districts also will gain the award Barking & Dagenham, Walthamstow & Hornchurch. Peter Brewster Deputy County Commissioner

Congratulations to Darren, James, Jay, Karl, Paul, Rikki and Scott from the 10th Chingford Scout Group upon completing the Chief Scouts Award.

Many of you will have by now learnt that Sumaiea has resigned as DC for Hornchurch. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking Sumaiea for all that she has done for Hornchurch in the time she has been DC and for the support and guidance she has given to leaders and young people. I have now started the search for a new District Commissioner for Hornchurch and would like to inform you that Peter Brewster, Deputy County Commissioner, will be acting DC Hornchurch in the interim period. Dean J Milton County Commissioner