ref: l35/2016 hief sco– c t award developments · l35/2016 hief sco– c ut award ... beaver...
TRANSCRIPT
Ref: L35/2016 – Chief Scout Award Developments
16th May 2016
Dear Scouters,
In the coming week, the existing Chief Scout Award Manual will be split into two handbooks; one catering for the Beaver Scout and Cub Scout Award and second catering for the Scout, Venture Scout and Rover Scout Awards. These will be available to download on our website my.scouts.ie.
Over the past year we have been working with Gaisce, The President’s Award (Gaisce) and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) bodies in an effort to further enhance our Youth Members experiences and recognition through our Chief Scout Award.
As a result of ongoing discussions with these award bodies, the following advances have been made, while keeping the high standard of all three awards, which is a key part to the licence agreements that we are signed up to.
In reading the developments it is important to note that the Scouting Ireland Youth Programme does not deliver
Gaisce / DofE Awards outside of the Chief Scout Award. If Scouting Ireland members wish to pursue a Gaisce
Award / DofE Award solely and not in tandem with a Chief Scout Award, they will be advised that they need a
Gaisce-‐trained PAL or a DofE-‐trained DofE Leader, as a Scouting Ireland Mentor will not suffice under the
Licensed Operating Body Agreement. In these circumstances for a youth member wishing to undertake a
Gaisce Award, the youth member must be advised that they must source a Gaisce-‐trained PAL and then apply
for Gaisce either directly with Gaisce or through an alternative Operating Body such as a school / other
community group. In the case of DofE, youth members must also register directly with an Licenced
Organisation (Operating Body) such as a community group / school, noting that the “Scouting Ireland – Scout
Foundation Northern Ireland” option on the E-‐DofE online system is for those undertaking the Chief Scout
Award.
Development 1: Achieving the Gaisce / DofE Award only
In the case of a Scouting Ireland member who has achieved challenges sufficient to attain a Gaisce / DofE Award but, for whatever reason, whether by choice or necessity, falls short of the requirements for the Chief Scout Award, they will be eligible to receive their Gaisce / DofE Award only. In order for this to happen; in the first instance, the Scouting Ireland youth member will notify their Chief Scout Award Mentor, who must then devise a written plan to assist the youth member in completing the Chief Scout Award within a reasonable time frame of no more than 8 weeks. If this plan is not achieved, the Chief Scout Award Mentor must send a copy of the plan to Scouting Ireland National Office stating that the Youth Member is withdrawing from the Chief Scout Award Scheme and the reasons for doing so. The Chief Scout Award Mentor will then be required to submit confirmation of challenges achieved directly to Gaisce / DofE for review in order to proceed accordingly with a direct award.
Development 2: Existing Award Holders
Where a youth member holds a Gaisce / DofE Award through school / other community group and then chooses to do undertake the next level of equivalent Chief Scout Award in Scouting Ireland, they can avail of the respective time discounts for that Chief Scout Award.
For example:
The “Chief Scout Award – Venture Scouts” requires 3 Special Interest Badges for 26 weeks + additional 26 weeks in one of those Special Interest badges.
If the Venture Scout holds the “Chief Scout Award – Scouts”; the “+ additional 26 weeks in one of those Special Interest badges” is not required.
If the Venture Scout holds the Bronze Gaisce / DofE Award through school / other community group the “+ additional 26 weeks in one of those Special Interest badges” is now no longer required either.
Development 3: Reverse Registration
Formalisation of the reverse registration procedure for Youth Members who have registered for the Gaisce / DofE Award outside of Scouting but also wish to undertake the Chief Scout Award at an equivalent level. If a Youth Member has already registered for a Gaisce / DofE Award (as part of school / other community group) and wishes to undertake the Chief Scout Award at the equivalent level. It is still possible to undertake the Chief Scout Award, but some restrictions will apply. There are 3 options available and the details are set out below: If applying for CSA within one month of applying for Gaisce/DofE Award:
• Option 1 -‐ 'Reverse registration' o Must register for CSA within one month of date of application for Gaisce/DofE o Must provide proof of registration and payment of fee to Gaisce/DofE when applying
for CSA o Understand that challenges chosen for Gaisce/DofE may need to be adapted/expanded
to meet requirements of CSA o Understand that Adventure Journey must meet CSA requirements o Youth Member must communicate with both their Gaisce PAL/DofE Leader and their
CSA Mentor about choosing their challenges and their progress with the award. o No additional fee to Scouting Ireland (as fee already paid to Gaisce/DofE)
If applying for CSA outside of one month window detailed above, then Option 2 or Option 3 must be chosen:
• Option 2 -‐ New 'CSA Only' application o Continue doing Gaisce/DofE externally. o Youth Member will work with Gaisce PAL/DofE Leader for their Gaisce/DofE award. o Youth Member will work with CSA Mentor for Chief Scout Award. o Must apply for CSA before undertaking CSA activities. o CSA application is treated as a new application for CSA only (not possible to receive
Gaisce/DofE award twice) o New learning -‐ work completed for Gaisce/DofE cannot be counted towards CSA, i.e.
cannot backdate activities to Gaisce/DofE start date, full CSA time scales apply. o Full requirements of both awards must be completed independent of each other. o Full CSA fee to Scouting Ireland applies.
• Option 3 -‐ Conversion on Completion – see development 4 below
If a Youth Member has already registered for their Gaisce/DofE Award outside of Scouting and wishes to undertake the CSA at the equivalent level please contact [email protected] when the Youth Member is applying so that we are aware of the application and can make contact to collect any additional information that is required. If there are any questions about the options available, please contact [email protected] at the earliest opportunity so that we can find the most appropriate solution for each award participant.
Development 4: Recognition of existing Awards
Scouting Ireland commits to implementing a scheme, whereby Scouting Ireland members who hold the Gaisce / DofE Award can apply to Scouting Ireland to have their award recognised as a Scouting Ireland Chief Scout Award equivalent.
Below is the conversion table allowing Youth Members to convert any level of Gaisce / DofE Award to the equivalent Chief Scout Award while they are in the respective Youth Programme Section (or up to 6 months later, after moving up.)
*1 Residential does not apply to Gold conversion as this is part of the Gaisce / DofE Award
*2 Applicant must plan, deliver and take part in as the activity leader, a Patrol based activity with no less than 6 of their Scout peers to explore and pass on the experience of their Gaisce, The President’s Award Journey / The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Journey.
The Overnight Activity should include elements relating to their Skill & Physical Sections of their award, by exposing the patrol members to what was involved. For further information please contact [email protected]
Yours in Scouting, _________________________ David Shalloo Chief Commissioner (Youth Programme) Circulation: Programme Scouters Group Leaders County Programme Coordinators County Commissioners Provincial Youth Programme Representatives National Youth Programme Committee National Adult Resource Committee National Management Committee