2009 annual report

20

Thank you...

Shelley Deakin, David Deakin, Chris

Penticost, Ted Hogben, Kamilla

Sztyber, Steve Fairfax, Carol Fairfax,

Pat Perrot, Jane Town, Katie

Ingelbrecht, Alex Clements, Laura

Clements, Jacqui Ward, Michelle

Franks, Adrian Kellers, Mike Last,

Chris Frankland.

...for all your hard work

ANNUAL REPORT

& STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

2009

Presented to the Group

Council 4th May 2010

www.11thfolkestonescouts.org.uk 01303 246324 [email protected]

11TH FOLKESTONE (ST. JOHN’S) SCOUT GROUP

IT ALL ADDS UP

TO ONE EXCITING

ADVENTURE

IN FOLKESTONE

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CUB PACK REPORT..........................

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FINANCE..........................

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SHOP4SCPUTSSHOP4SCPUTSSHOP4SCPUTS———FUNDRAISING FOR OUR GROUP.............

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SCOUT TROOP REPORT..........................

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EXPLORER UNIT REPORT..........................

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EXPLORER UNIT REPORT

The last year has seen a wide variety of activities for the RAMs Explorers. As

usual we have included traditional Scouting skills such as pioneering, fire

lighting, knotting, map reading and camping skills in all sorts of

locations. Added to that, trips out have included tobogganing (in the rain) with

the Scouts, Planet Lazer with Network, and a day at Chessington World of

Adventures followed by a 'sleepover'.

Badges are hard won for the Explorer section so it was good to see five gain

their Physical Activity Badge for the time and improvement they had put in to air

riffle shooting. Thanks must go to the leaders who worked with them on this.

I think the highlight of the year was Gilwell 24. We took 9 Rams in a minibus for a

great weekend of non-stop activities. We saw the new Chief Scout invested and

two Rams were invested on the Whitehouse lawn by the Kent County

Commissioner. The Rams were very grumpy after 24 hours 'having fun' but the

comments on Facebook reassured me it had been great!

We had three long-time Rams became 18 at Christmas and so our numbers are

down on our usual 10 to 12. We need to get better at linking with the Scout

sections locally and encouraging 14 year olds generally to join us even if they

are new to Scouting.

However the Rams worked hard at planning a camping trip during the winter

and four spent two nights at Ross Wood over the Easter break. For two this was a

completely new experience and it certainly had its moments. While I was

driving home a little voice in the back of my car said 'Can we do that again?' and

so now the expedition planning begins.

18

SCOUT TROOP REPORT

This year has been quite an interesting year for the scout troop.

Myself and Laura started with the troop in July and having no Scouting experience

Laura has had great fun getting the scouts to show her how to do things. Little Chris

joined us shortly after just in time for summer camp and is now a useful member of

our leadership team.

Camp was thoroughly enjoyed by all who went, being a green field camp that

means all wash and personal needs had to be provided entirely themselves.

However many of the young people found cleaning the toilets in the morning an

experience, but in doing so learned a lot about personal hygiene.

Pat, one of our long standing A.S.Ls has since taken leave of absence from the troop

having been given a three year contract and has gone to work in Germany, but

hopefully we can get in some international camps whilst he is away.

We have a strong troop of between 20-24. Since joining we have had lots of quizzes

and cooking nights and now with warmer weather we are hoping to do more

meetings outside which will involve getting ready for camp by getting the

youngsters tent pitching and being used to handling and knowing how to use the

equipment they will need for camp.

Also we are endeavouring to do more joint meetings with Cubs and the Explorer

unit so the leaders are not so alien to them when they join or leave our section.

Many badges and awards have been earned over the year and we are looking

forward to doubling this year’s success. Having entered a team for the District

Scout hike that was run in conjunction with St Georges day parade we gained first

place and we are hoping to enter as many of the Scout section competitions planed

by the District team. Finishing this year we have gained another A.S.L. Sheryl and

with the extra help we will improve.

Overall this year has been a great success and a lot of good fun has been had by all

lets hope next year brings lots more.

Alex, Laura, little Chris, Sheryl and big Chris



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CUB PACK REPORT..........................

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FINANCE..........................

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All credit to The Scout Association for the inspiration

for the design of this year’s report. :)

4 Steve

GROUP CHAIR’S REPORT

Well, another year has

passed us by.

This time I am reporting on

t he a c t i v i t i e s a nd

achievements of our new

financial year—January

2009 to December 2009.

We made this decision to

help bring us into line with

the District’s financial year

and simplify all form

filling—far less confusing

to talk about 2009 rather

than 2008/9 or 2009/10!

Over the past year the

Trustees have been

working busily behind the

scenes to get the HQ up

and running properly. With

the expert help of our

treasurer, Mac, we have

sorted out our accounts,

bills and assets to make

sure the bank balance is,

and remains healthy,

allowing Scouting to be

even better in 11th

Folkestone.

Since getting back on this

secure footing, the trustees

have been looking at the

HQ and prioritising all the

improvements, renovations,

finishing work it needs and

our focus has been mainly

concerned with the health

& safety and fire safety

regulations which have

drastically changed since

the building was initially

built. I’m sure you will

have seen many of the

improvements in signage,

fire fighting equipment,

first aid stations, etc… We

have also had the last bit of

exposed roof in the

stairwell fully boarded and

plastered.

In the 2005/6 Chair’s report

to the AGM, I said that we

could have all the ‘public’

areas of the building

completed by the end of

2007. While we did get the

toilet suites renewed and

cleared a lot of clutter from

the entrance hall, we didn’t

quite meet that target—

HOWEVER, WE HAVE

NOW! I’m sure you will

agree with me that the

entrance to the HQ and the

toilets (for those that may

have availed themselves of

the f ac i l i t ies ! ) a re

massively better. This has

only been possible though

the different fundraising

tact the Group has taken

with many hours of work by

a small, but committed

band of volunteers running

Shop4Scouts. This funding

has been invaluable for the

Group this year and I hope

it will continue for a long

time to come. Thank you to

eve ryone who has

supported the shop, and

therefore the Group,

through your purchases of

uniform and camping

items. Please do continue

to use us—especially with

our new ranges (come and

visit the shop this

evening!).

You will see further details

of the ‘nitty, gritty’ of the

trustees work in the Annual

Report later in this booklet,

but I would like to finish by

thanking all of the adults

and young people making

11th Folkestone Scout

Group such a popular and

thriving group. Without the

dedication of the leaders,

officers and supporters, we

wouldn’t be in such a

fortunate position to offer

‘Every Day Adventure’ to

so many young people in

Folkestone.

With that in mind, my final

remark...want to join the

adventure? Trus tees

wanted needed. Ideally we

need two parents per

section willing to join us for

the 6 meetings a year and

offer a little support in the

running of the Group.

There are currently NO

parent representatives ,

other than myself out of the

parent of 70+ young

people we have! The rest

are leaders and they can’t

do everything. Please do

have a chat with me during

the evening. 17

Fundraising for the 11th Folkestone (St. John’s) Scout Group Reg. Charity No. 285558 Fundraising for the 11th Folkestone (St. John’s) Scout Group Reg. Charity No. 285558 TelTel 01303 246324 01303 246324 Email Email [email protected] [email protected] Web Web www.shop4scouts.co.uk www.shop4scouts.co.uk

Visit our shop - http://stores.ebay.co.uk/shop4uniform

Vango 230ml steel mug

£1.99

Vango 3 led camping light

£3.99

Beaver Scout Day Sack

£7.49

ALADDIN CHALLENGER STAINLESS STEEL FLASK 1.8LTR

£17.00

Beaver Scout Beenie

£4.89

Vango Self Inflating Sleeping

Mat

£17.99

Cub Scout Beanie

£4.75

Light My Fire 6 Piece Meal Kit (available in multiple

colours)

£10.99 Cub Poncho style

badge blanket

£11.49

16

EQUIPPING

ADVENTURE

Shop4Scouts Shop4Scouts -- Fundraising for the 11th Folkestone (St. John’s) Scout Group Reg. Charity No. 285558 Fundraising for the 11th Folkestone (St. John’s) Scout Group Reg. Charity No. 285558

Visit our

Vango Contour 60+10 Rucksack

Black

£41.99

ALADDIN INSULATE & GO .23L FLASK KIDS LUNCH BOX (in blue or pink)

£1.99

HIGHLANDER MOUNTAIN GAITERS ‘RAMBLING’

£9.95

VANGO PLATINUM OVERNIGHT CASE NEW 2010 TRAVEL LUGGAGE

£49.95

A huge range of day sacks and rucksacks—visit our ebay shop for

more details

Vango Self Inflating Pillow

£6.75

5

� Welcome & Introductions

� Apologies for Absence

� Acceptance of the annual report and statement of accounts

� Approval of the Group Scout Leader’s nomination of Chairperson

� Nomination and election of Secretary and Treasurer

� Election of the Group Trustees

� Presentation of Trophies & Awards

� Looking forward

� Any Other Business

AGENDA - 04/05/10

� Group Accounts year

ending 2009

� Shop4Scouts Accounts year

ending 2009

� Trustees Annual Report to

the Group Council 2010

� Budget & Financial

Planning for year ending

2010

AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS FOR

YOUR INSPECTION

6

TRUSTEES REPORT TO THE GROUP COUNCIL 2010

15

While we are aware we have a healthy bank balance, we still need to continue our

programme of renovations to the HQ as well as paying the ever increasing costs of

running a building of this size. We need every member to continue to help us by

paying subs on time. We have resisted putting our subs up for some time, despite

the cost of utilities/insurance, etc... sky rocketing over the past year or two and

wish to continue to do so, with your help. Membership Subscriptions (subs), which

all young people must pay, are charged at £10 per month for 11 months of the year

(excluding August). If you choose to pay weekly, you must still pay for any

weeks the young person is absent—this is the agreement you make when the

young person is invested.

14

Utilities

30%

Membership

Fee

30%

Section

Activities &

badges

20%

Buildings

Insurance

15%

Facilities

Maintenance

5%

Where does your subs go - per year?Membership Fee—the annual fee we pay

to District, County and National Scouts for

the insurance to undertake Scouting

activities and the services and resources all

of these levels of Scouting provide to us.

Building & Content Insurance—the cost to

cover the building against theft, fire,

flood,etc…

Section Activities & Badges—what is left

for the section leaders to run a varied and

balanced programme.

Utilities—water, gas, electricity, council

tax, etc…

Facilities maintenance—what we have left

for essential repairs and keeping the

building going (soap, cleaning materials,

replacement parts, screws, wood, etc…). 7

...EXTRACTS FROM THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENT

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ THE COMPLETE DOCUMENT, PLEASE SEE THE AGM

NOTICE BOARD

8 13

FINANCE

12

Craig

GROUP SCOUT LEADERS REPORT

Well, that’s the end of

another year of Scouting.

It’s had its ups and downs

but we’re still going and

getting better all the time.

I would like to welcome

some new leaders to group

over the last year; Alex and

Laura Clements who have

taken on the running of the

Scout Troop, Chris

Frankland, also helping at

Scouts and Adrian Kellers

(one of our ‘old boys’) who

has come back to help run

the Explorer Unit. Thank

you to you all for

volunteering, without your

support, Scouting simply

wouldn’t work!

Our group has been very

fortunate to have the

services of Mac over the

past few years as treasurer,

who made sure we faired

better than the UK

economy did in the recent

financial difficulties. His

hard work kept us in the

black and has provided us

a solid foundation for our

future finances. Sadly, he

left us at the end of 2009 as

he was about to embark on

a new career half way

around the world. I would

like to thank Mac on behalf

of the entire Group Council

for his hard work and

dedication—Oggie, Oggie,

Oggie!!

Over the past year all

sections have been busy

with their balanced

programmes both in and

out of the HQ. Our

membership numbers have

remained steady, but we

can always welcome more.

If you know someone who

might like to join Scouting,

get them ring or email any

of our section leaders and

I’m sure they will be very

happy to accommodate

them.

To everyone who has made

Scouting possible for our

young people, from the

dedicated and committed

leadership team, to

trustees and parents, I

would like to say thank you.

Without you, we simply

could offer the ‘everyday

adventure’ of Scouting to so

many young people in

Folkestone.

I hope you enjoy the

evening and I look forward

to an exciting and

prosperous 2010.

9

10

We have spent a busy year working towards a variety of badges including the

Creative Challenge, the Global Challenge and the Experiment , Explore and Healthy

Eating badges.

We learned a little about the History of Folkestone including why the Road of

Remembrance is so named (in memory/remembrance of the thousands of soldiers

who marched down the hill on their way to fight in the first World War) We then

looked at signs and symbols and did some map-reading before putting it to

practical use setting off from the Leas Lift to walk back to the Scout Hall. Nobody got

lost so our map reading (or our homing instincts) must have been OK.

For part of our Healthy Eating badge we did some blind fold tasting of different fruit

and vegetables ….we should have had a camera to capture some of the expressions

on the Beavers faces…..you would have thought we were trying to poison them!

We introduced a new ‘swimming up’ ceremony for Beavers moving on to Cubs and

this has made it a more important part of growing up and moving on. We can

formally say goodbye and wish them every success as Cubs. The older Beavers are

being encouraged to work towards their Chief Scout Bronze award and have this

presented at the same time as moving on. This award provides the basis for the

Chief Scout Silver Award which they will be working towards in Cubs.

There was an excellent turn-out of Beavers at the Remembrance Day parade and

service. It was bitterly cold but the Beavers stood and listened very well and many

members of the public remarked on how smart and well behaved they were……we

know they are always a credit to 11th Folkestone but it’s good to hear the general

public echoing that!

We had a brilliant ‘outing’ to Kidz Planet in December and the Beavers (and several

leaders) had a fantastic time, getting hot and sweaty and just running free. Grateful

thanks to Kane’s mum for supplying the drinks…which were

needed after all that exercise.

We are hoping to take advantage of the better weather coming up

(we hope) and would like to take the Beavers out during the

lighter evenings. However, there are strict rules about ratios and

we will need additional adults to undertake some activities. If you

are able to help us out please mention this to any Leader and we

will try to match the dates with availability.

BEAVER COLONY REPORT

11

CUB PACK REPORT

Kent County Cubs arranged another Big Day Out to Chatham Dockyard

which is normally held every other year. A group of Cubs and Leaders

went on the trip last October and had a really good day. There were a lot

of attractions for the Cubs to visit - HMS Gannet, HMS Ocelot, HMS

Cavalier, The Ropery, RNLI exhibition, Wooden Walls gallery and a trip

on the paddle steamer, Kingswear Castle for a short trip on the river

Medway to name but a few. A great day was had by all albeit rather

tiring.

We are looking forward to another Big Day Out on May 8th to Hastings.

As usual the County Cubs day have arranged another jam-packed day

visiting loads of attractions in Hastings.

Our Tuesday evenings have been as varied and busy as possible. We did

a lot of badge work in the autumn term so that Cubs could achieve their

Challenge badges and included fitness, talking about a balanced diet to

experiments with water and compost. We also had a talk on Fair Trade

and ended with Rikki dressing up as a banana!

We ended the term with a joint meeting with the Beaver section and

invited parents along for mince pies and a short carol concert.

The spring term saw the Cubs tobogganing at the Sports Centre

(thoroughly enjoyed), inviting parents along for an Airfix evening (not

sure who had more fun), making origami flowers for Mother’s Day, food

tasting (always a favourite) and finally making Easter nests.

We look forward to a busy summer term spending much more time

outdoors.

2009 annual report

Documents

chairmans report

trustees report

explorer unit report

group council

scout troop report

beaver colony report

cub pack report

johns scout group