Scouts Hemel Hempstead Hemel Hempstead District Scouts Annual Report 2024 $quirrelSSEhvE cubs'scouTS'EX PLO R E R s'network"
Hemel Hempstead District Scouts
Registered Charity Number 302536
District Chair’s Report
In hindsight 2023 has perhaps been an unusual year to report on. We have not had a District Commissioner in role and The Scout Association has been promoting a far-reaching agenda to transform the strategic leadership of scouting and in particular the volunteer experience. Yet, 2023 was another busy and successful year in which hundreds of young people have enjoyed and benefitted from experiencing Scouting in Hemel Hempstead. Together, leaders have facilitated exciting programmes and events throughout the year where young people have learned practical and social skills, at home and abroad, that will stay with them for life and where they have been able to meet others and form friendships that may well last for the rest of their lives.
More locally the national scouting agenda has entailed a huge amount of additional work by many members in supporting a Transition Team which has been wholly responsible for the leadership of the District over the last year. I have a strong feeling that much of this work and effort has been thankless and even gone unnoticed by many but it has not been unappreciated and these leaders have ensured that the District has still managed to provide a full programme of activities and events throughout the year whilst at the same time bringing us into a good position to move forward into 2024 with the new structures that we need to follow. I would like to officially note and record our thanks to all those leaders on the Transition Team for their dedication and effort.
Whilst this Annual Report is primarily intended to look back over the past year it would be wrong not to mention that as the Transition Team complete the work, they were formed to carry out we now move forward in a strong position with a newly appointed Lead Volunteer and Trustee Board. Scouting is continuing as strong as ever in Hemel Hempstead.
2024 will be another busy year in Scouting, the transformation programme will progress at all levels as will the weekly meetings and activities at Section level which most directly impacts the young people in our care. I would like to personally thank the outgoing members of the Executive Committee, which is now being replaced by a Trustee Board, all the leaders of Groups within the District and all those adults in supporting roles for all they are continuing to do for the young people in Scouting in Hemel Hempstead.
Change and Transformation are never straightforward, and we may all feel a little uneasy at times as this year progresses. I am sure that if we all remember to keep the Young People and their programme as the focus of our energies and support each other we shall all be able to work together and reach the end of this year with a stronger and more successful District than ever.
Keith Gower
Keith Gower, District Chairman
Hemel Hempstead District Scouts
Scout HQ, Gravel Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1SB Phone: 07362 595 601 Email: dc@hemel-scouts.co.uk web: www.hemel-scouts.co.uk Registered Charity Number: 302536
District Policies and Targets
The District Executive Committee has been working hard to keep up with the continually evolving guidance provided by The Scout Association and the Charity Commission. During the past few years, guided by our Chairman and District Commissioner, we have implemented a number of Procedural and Financial policies within the District, and set ourselves targets for coming years. We expect these initiatives to continue.
Financial Policy and Reserves
The District maintains the following Reserves for development and unexpected expenditure: General District Reserve International Activities and Jamboree reserve District Scout Shop development reserve District Headquarters reserve The following Policy was adopted in 2013: “Where possible we do not want to increase Reserves or Subscriptions” (In fact for 2014 the District Subscription was reduced, and it remained unchanged for 2015. For 2016 there was a slight increase following the change to the HQ subscription model.)
Other Policies
This District works to the Scout Association policies on Safety and Safeguarding. The following District policies are in place:
-
Financial Reserves Policy
-
Expense Claims Policy
-
Budgeting for District Events Policy
-
District Support in cases of Hardship Policy
-
Data Protection Policy
These Policies are stated on the District Website.
Targets
The District’s main target is to widen the provision of Scouting and increase membership locally. This is being achieved by supporting Groups to expand and extending the range of activities provided within the District.