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Summer 2013, Geneva

Andrea Demarmels / WSB-ERO 2013

HighlightsWith the European Conferences only 2 months away,there was a natural focus on the work required todeliver successful and important events.

The Committee welcomed part of the staff team whohad been meeting to progress preparations for theconference and joined the first 3 hours of themeeting. In particular, Radu Stinghe was welcomedto his first full meeting as Deputy Regional Director.

Continuing the pattern established in this triennium,the Committee welcomed the two Youth Advisers tothe World Scout Committee from Europe, Esben

Holager and Vemund Oveson as well as KarinAhlback, Member of the World Scout Committee. Allcontributed to the richness of the meeting.

The Chairman noted that this was the last fullcommittee meeting of the Triennium and the end ofhis own 9 year period on the committee, first co-opted and subsequently elected twice. He had verymixed emotions shared, in part, by all members.

Regional Scout Plan: Progress, Reporting, TransitionThis was the last time that the in-depth reports of theactions to accomplish the Regional Scout Plan wereconsidered. It was pleasing to note that much of the

mapping exercise had turned the plan green thoughit is important to note that in some areas, actions andupdates will continue until the Conference and wellbeyond. Indeed some actions will likely form part ofthe planned Objectives and Actions in the 2013-2016Triennium.

Feedback was received from some groups on howworking at regional level could be better supportedand in particular, consideration was given to therecruitment of a volunteer team to assist in thedelivery of the next Regional Scout Plan.

It was agreed that in advance of the Conference, andas soon as possible after distribution of the DraftRegional Scout Plan that the Regional Office woulddraft a recruitment form and construct a circularcalling for volunteers. It was noted that more effectiverecruitment techniques should be used to ensure thebest possible team is assembled.

All that said, it was noted with gratitude the hugecommitment already made to the work of the Regionby the volunteer team, formal and informal.

21st European Scout ConferenceThe Committee considered all the updatesconcerning the Regional Scout Conference.. Alreadythere are more that 200 Scout direct participants, with

more that 250 already registered including guests,WSB, staff. Committee etc.. This is an increase onthe last Regional Scout Conference.

The Committee approved the Draft Agenda,Evaluation, Regional Scout Plan and Workshopsdocuments for translation and distribution.

Working methods for the sessions were agreed,preparatory sessions and briefings were planned.Discussions moved to the 14

thEuropean Guide and

Scout Conference.

A total of more than 400 registrations have been

received 60% from WOSM members. There had

already been significant exchanges between theCommittees on the Joint Report and proposal for ourstrategic partnership with WAGGGS so thediscussions were shorter.

Major Points

Activities A whole range of Regional events arebringing the Triennium to a real climax,with Partnership Event, Agora, DiversityEvent, Rovernet/VentureNet and the 10

th

Euro-Arab meeting.

World Level Discussions with those working at WorldLevel highlighted the issues identified bythe European Region as important to theregion and the other regions.

Positive reports on the priority areas ofthe World Triennial Plan - 21

stCentury

Leadership, Our Strategic Path, GlobalSupport and the major world events.

Conferences Excellent progress was made onconference documentation, logisticalpreparation, developing themethodological approaches toconsultations, networking and sharing.

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Regional Scout Events

Committee briefly reviewed the 5th

European ScoutSymposium noting in particular the good job made byScouting Ireland in hosting the event in Dublin. Thework of volunteers who acted as rapporteurs andfacilitators, the key role played by staff and the inputs

from many people were recognised.The output of the Symposium was discussed in detailand the wording of the proposal for the RegionalScout Plan, Document 5, was agreed.

Preparations for the 10th

Euro-Arab meeting continueand there will be good representation from bothRegions at the event scheduled to take place inRome.

The Diversity Event to be held in Bratislava is welladvanced in preparation and numbers haveincreased for this important topic.

The Committee reviewed briefly the PartnershipsEvent in Zurich in March, the Agora in April in KISCand Rovernet/VentureNet in Malta in May. All hadcontributed good experiences to participants withpositive suggestions on the future of such events.

Finances and BudgetingThe Treasurer presented an update on the currentbudget, particularly where there were some plannedoverspends. The Committee observed that theoverall income and expenditures were entirely in linewith anticipated amounts and commended the officefor maintaining this against a difficult economic

climate.The performance of the European Investment Fundwas noted with satisfaction. On a point of order, theCommittee approved the Investment Policy of theEuropean Scout Foundation.

The Committee considered the budget proposal asdeveloped during the Staff Management Conference.The elements were based on the initial proposalsmade following the European Scout Symposium andit was noted that the income of the Region will besignificantly reduced, by at least $225,000 less thanthe current year. Following discussion and redrafting,

the Committee approved the budget proposal as thebasis of the application to be made to the Fund forEuropean Scouting.

Regional and World FeesThe Committee noted the current situation of regionalfee payments. With the exception of the Albanianassociation which is suspended, all NSOs in theregion have paid their regional registration fees.

It was further noted that 90% of World fees had beenpaid, but there were some payments to be madebefore 1 July 2013 to avoid NSOs beingautomatically suspended with partial application ofsanctions, meaning that some would not be able tovote in the forthcoming Regional Conference norhave the right to propose candidates for election tothe European Scout Committee.

As a post-meeting note, it is confirmed that there areno outstanding issues regarding world fees.

Partnership FundThe Committee completed a review process of thePartnership Fund under the direction of the Treasurerwho sought to identify the points which should beretained in any new proposal for the Fund, theelements which could be changed and those whichshould be dropped. This will form the basis of the firstpart of the Partnership Fund Report. The second part

would be an overview of all projects undertakenduring the triennium.

One change to the process was accepted to accept

applications under the same criteria as NSOs/NSAsmade by Kandersteg International Scout Centre.

The Committee reviewed a number of interim and

final reports of projects supported by the Regions

Partnership Fund. Subsequently, a total of EUR 17900 was paid out to the projects which had realisedtheir commitments in seven projects, with threepayments deferred pending further information.

Three new applications were considered andapproved.

World levelThe presence of Karin Ahlback, Vemund Ovesen andEsben Holager enabled significant reporting on the

World Triennial Plan the priority areas and workinggroups.

Additional there was a lot of exchange on key issuesraised by the European Committee concerning theGlobal Issues.

Upcoming Meetings

16-21 August 2013 21st European Scout Conference & 14thEuropean Guide and Scout Conference inBerlin (DE) where European NSOs and NSAselect the new European Scout Committee andapprove the Regional Scout Plan.http://14egsc.europak-online.nethttp://europeanconference.de

https://www.facebook.com/14egsc?ref=hl

World Scout Bureau European Regional Office | June 2013

rue Henri-Christin 5 | CH 1205 Geneva | Switzerland

www.scout.org/europe | www.euroscoutinfo.com