#YouShape 2017 Youth Commissioners’ guide

Contents

Page 3------------------------------------------------------------------#YouShape 2017

Page 5 -----------------------------------------------------------------Key messages

Page 6 -----------------------------------------------------------------Summit17

Page 8 -----------------------------------------------------------------More information

Appendix

Page 10 ---------------------------------------------------------------Progress plan

Page 11 ---------------------------------------------------------------Progress review

Page 12 ---------------------------------------------------------------Beaver evening

Page 13 ---------------------------------------------------------------Cub evening

Page 14 ---------------------------------------------------------------Scout evening

Page 15 ---------------------------------------------------------------Explorer evening

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#YouShape 2017

#YouShape 2017 will take place throughout February. This pack outlines how you can get involved, to promote and develop Youth Shaped Scouting in your area.

Background

In 2015, the first #YouShape event took place, allowing 120 young people to have their voices heard on a national level. In 2016, the focus was placed on local Scouting. Resources were developed and ideas shared, so that Members across the UK could hold discussions about how Youth Shaped Scouting could work in their area. Local representatives then met to provide feedback and shared ideas to help embed Youth Shaped Scouting everywhere.

#YouShape 2017 goes one step further, by showcasing Youth Shaped Scouting during the whole month of February. We want you, the Youth Commissioners, to take ownership of promoting Youth Shaped Scouting at sectional, District and County levels, and to show Members of Scouting what is possible when young people have the chance to speak up. The conversation doesn’t stop there, as these ideas will be brought to Summit17, where they will help to shape the strategic aims of The Scout Association, post-2018. This is an exciting opportunity for young people to shape the future vision of Scouting, in partnership with adults.

What we are trying to achieve during #YouShape Month?

• To raise the profile of Youth Shaped Scouting across the organisation. Wehave set targets of at least 80% of Districts and a national total of 50,000young people participating in #YouShape Month.

• To increase the quality and quantity of sectional Youth Shaped Scouting.This includes Sixer Forums and Patrol Leader meetings, where young peopleget to express their ideas and develop leadership skills.

• To encourage Youth Commissioners to work collaboratively with Districtsand Counties, to embed the four areas of Youth Shaped Scouting:Programme, leadership, management and governance.

• To work across the UK to shape the future of The Scout Association.

How you can get involved:

As a Youth Commissioner, you can use this opportunity to build momentum and excitement around Youth Shaped Scouting. This can be done in many ways, including but not limited to the following:

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• Running local #YouShape eventsThese don’t have to be large-scale, but should help get the message out aboutYouth Shaped Scouting. For example, you could invite members of theDistrict to a feedback session, to answer questions about Youth ShapedScouting and get constructive feedback.

• Looking for opportunities at existing eventsInstead of setting something up from scratch, try tapping into an existingevent or space. For example, you could use the spare time at the end of alocal Cub football competition to run a forum, and gather the Cubs’ ideas forimproving their section.

• Encouraging peer leadershipThis could be during a section visit, running an activity with young people,or by speaking to section leaders. For example, you could contact your localtraining manager about attending a training day, and run a session foradults, about how section leaders can facilitate youth forums.

Remember: Youth Shaped Scouting doesn’t just happen during February! Use #YouShape Month to put plans in place for the rest of the term or year. This could include setting up a local youth team to support Youth Commissioners, ensuring that young people are represented on Executive Committees, or supporting Young Leaders to take more responsibility at section meetings. By making the most of this opportunity, you will really be able to make an impact on young people in your local area.

You’ll find some suggestions for running a Youth Shaped Scouting event, appropriate to each section, at the back of this guide. This could be run by section leaders or Youth Commissioners to promote Youth Shaped Scouting. If you have any other suggestions or recommendations, please share them on social media by tagging your post with #YouShape.

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Key messages

As a Youth Commissioner, it can occasionally be difficult to explain your role and the purpose of Youth Shaped Scouting to other Members. The following are some of the key messages that we want to emphasise and embed within local Scouting:

• Youth Shaped Scouting is not a new concept. When Lord Baden-Powellfounded Scouting in 1907, his aim was to create a Movement suited to andshaped by the young people involved. The idea of a Youth ShapedMovement is part of the fundamental values of Scouting, and has alwaysbeen important.

• We are a Movement, so we need to keep moving. It is vital to find out whatyoung people want from Scouting so that we can continue to deliver anexciting and relevant Programme.

• It’s about attitude, not age. You do not have to be a young person to be YouthShaped. The aim of Youth Shaped Scouting is to provide fun, challenge andadventure for young people, in partnership with adults.

• People are already doing it. Part of Youth Shaped Scouting is recognising thegreat work Members are already doing, by building upon those efforts andpromoting their message.

• The importance of partnership. The partnership between adults and youngpeople is vital, to ensure that skills and knowledge are transferred betweengenerations. It takes the experience of a leader to inspire young people tofollow in their footsteps.

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Summit17

Summit17 is a national conference, taking place in March 2017. All County Youth Commissioners (or equivalent) are invited, along with two young people representing each County, and County Commissioner(s).

During this conference, the strategic aims for Scouting nationally beyond 2018 will be debated and created. Therefore, this is an ideal opportunity to share ideas about Youth Shaped Scouting.

We want everyone to get thinking about the following questions, relevant to Summit17:

1. What are the best things about Scouting, and what should we do more of?2. What could be better about Scouting, and how could it be improved?3. What qualities does the perfect leader have?4. How can Scouting help young people to learn skills?

National Youth Shaped Scouting strategy

The national Youth Shaped Scouting strategy covers four keys areas: Programme, leadership, governance and management. The table below shows the aims for Youth Shaped Scouting, to be achieved by 2018. As a local enabler of Youth Shaped Scouting, you should be aware of these aims and actively working to achieve them in your area.

The suggested actions are things you could try during #YouShape Month. Use this online form to share the dates of events that you run.

Be realistic about your goals, and remember that Youth Shaped Scouting can continue beyond February: if these actions seem daunting, try planning some smaller, short-term actions which could feed into more ambitious, long-term aims.

Area Aim by 2018 Suggested actions Programme Section Programme is

designed and delivered by young people, in partnership with adults.

• Ensure managers (DCs, ADCs etc.),leaders and young people knowabout #YouShape Month andwhere to find resources.

• Encourage sections to run a#YouShape event

• Promote Youth Shaped Scouting atCounty/District events

• Visit sections regularly to presentkey messages and #YouShapebadges and awards.

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Governance Young people take an active part in governance through participation and engagement.

• Encourage young people to joinExecutive Committees and ensurethey are valued and included.

• Advertise governance rolevacancies and encourage youngpeople to apply.

• Ensure Youth Commissioners areaware of their governanceresponsibilities.

• Share examples of good practice.Leadership Network members

and Explorer Scouts are actively encouraged to take on leadership roles.

• Promote Sixer Forums and PatrolLeader meetings within sections.

• Talk about the benefits of YouthShaped Scouting at adult trainingevents.

• Work with ADCs to set up SixerForums and Patrol Leadermeetings at District level.

• Encourage Young Leaders toundertake training and feelconfident to help lead theirsection.

Management Young people are involved with management. Youth Commissioners are supported in their role.

• Meet with line manager(s) tocreate a progress plan.

• Support young people to shadowanother role for one week.

• Continue training by developing apersonal learning plan.

• Encourage other young people towork in partnership with adultson District or County teams

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More Information

Programme

Having an effective Programme is key to the success of Youth Shaped Scouting. If young people feel valued and empowered, and that their feedback is being heard, they will want to be involved.

Resources, including information about the Wear Their Necker project, the new #YouShape pledges, and Activity Inspiration Packs for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers are available. Network members can find out about Youth Shaped activities and events locally by logging into the UK Scout Network website.

Things to remember when you visit a section:

• Thank the young people and leaders for taking part in the #YouShape eventor activity.

• Explain that Youth Shaped Scouting is not just a month and should becontinued throughout the year.

• Encourage Patrol Leaders and Sixers to work in partnership with adults tomake sure youth forums happen. These are key to helping young peoplehave an input into their Programme.

• Encourage all sections to complete their #YouShape Pledge. YouthCommissioners will be asked to validate these Pledges when completed, andto award Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates.

• Present #YouShape badges to everyone who has taken part in an event.• Showcase your event by posting pictures (with permission) on social media

and tag them with #YouShape.

Governance

#YouShape Month is a good opportunity to ensure that young people who are part of Executive Committees feel valued and empowered. Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) states that: ‘All Executive Committees should have at least two representatives aged 18-25’. Good people to speak to for support include the Executive Chair and District or County Commissioner(s).

You can help these young people to feel valued by supporting them to take practical, positive actions. For example, they could work with their Executive Chair to create a ‘jargon buster’ for complicated terms that might come up in meetings, and this document could be shared with other young people on Executive Committees in the area.

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Leadership

It is important for Youth Commissioners to promote section-specific youth forums, including Beaver Log Chews and Sixer Forums, during #YouShape Month. Encouraging Patrol Leaders and Sixers to take on responsibility in their role is a great first step to facilitating peer leadership.

You could work with sectional ADCs to run a youth forum in a section, incorporating feedback activities and peer leadership training with games and rewards.

Management

#YouShape Month is a great opportunity for Youth Commissioners to meet with their line manager(s), in order to develop aims for working towards the national Youth Shaped Scouting strategy. Work together to create a progress plan and ‘SMART’ objectives, looking 3, 6 and 12 months ahead. The progress plan considers the resources and support needed to achieve these goals, and how to positively overcome any potential challenges. Periodically review this plan to see if targets have been met and if any addition support is required.

The Wear Their Necker project is new for 2017, and encourages young people to shadow the role of an adult volunteer during #YouShape Month. This could be seeing how a leader plans the evening, or observing a District or County Commissioner. Young people should be supported to decide on the role they want to take on, and helped to organise a suitable time for the shadowing to take place.

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Local Youth Commissioner Progress Plan

LOCAL YOUTH COMMISSIONER PROGRESS PLANPlease chose outcomes for 3 months, 6 months and 1 Year. Ensure the aims are ‘SMART’:

• SPECIFIC – quantitative – a set number to complete.• MEASURABLE – easy to demonstrate that the aim has been completed.• ACHIEVABLE – able to fulfil with the resources available.• REALISTIC – completing the aim will help you progress in attaining longer term objectives.• TIMEBOUND – the aim can be completed within the timescale.

Outcomes: How to achieve this: Support Needed: Achieved?

3 Months Example: To attend 1 District Executive Meeting

Contact the Executive Chair with dates of next meeting

District Commissioner/Exec Chair

1)

2)

6 Months 1)

2)

12 Months

1)

2)

© 2016 The Scout AssociationRegistered charity numbers: 306101 (England & Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland)

Appendix: Page 10

Local Youth Commissioner Review

LOCAL YOUTH COMMISSIONER REVIEW PLAN

6 Month Review Meeting

12 Month Review Meeting

© 2016 The Scout AssociationRegistered charity numbers: 306101 (England & Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland)

Have the 3 month & 6 month objectives been met?

Were there any blocks, and if so, how were they overcome?

Any additional support needed?

Have the 12 month objectives been met?

Were there any blocks, and if so, how were they overcome?

Any additional support needed?

Appendix: Page 11

PLAN FOR #YOUSHAPE EVENINGSECTION: Beavers DURATION: 1 Hour 30 Mins NO OF YOUNG PEOPLE: 20

Time Young People Activity Leader Activity ResourcesBeginning 5 Mins Normal Colony Opening – Perhaps led by Beavers. None None

Middle 5 Mins

10 Mins

45 Mins

10 Mins

‘Ship’ GamePut 4 different game ideas on the walls. Beavers to run to which activity they want. Play this game at the end of the night.

‘Sun Shines On’ ActivityEveryone sits on a chair in a circle. Have 1 less chair so someone is standing. Start with general statements with like the ‘The Sun shines on all those wearing blue socks’ If it applies to them, they swap seats. Then ask statements like ‘The Sun shines on… those who like Beavers/want to go camping/want to go on a visit’

‘Mural Wall’Have 3 bases. Use a large sheet of paper on each base. Write a title of each one:

1. What activities would Beavers like to do.2. What to do on a Beaver sleepover.3. What badges would they like to do.

Beavers to draw a picture or write what they want to do. Spend 10-15 mins on each base

‘Ship’ Game - ContinuedPlay the game that the Beavers voted on in the Ship Game at the beginning.

Write up and stick up 4 game ideas on the wall.

Leaders to guide session and ask questions.

Leaders to help with each base. Encourage Beavers to take part and draw their ideas. Leaders/Beavers to write explanations next to the pictures about what the idea is. Don’t be afraid to challenge to think about what is realistic.

Young Leader/Leader to facilitate the game

Paper, Pen, Sellotape

Chairs arranged in a circle

3 large sheets of paper (flipchart paper), felt pens, crayons, pencils.

Depends on Game

Summary/Close 10 Mins

5 Mins

Like/Dislike WallLeader to read out activity ideas. Beavers to run to one wall if they like it or another if they don’t.

Normal Closure – Perhaps led by Beavers

Leaders to read out 3-4 activity ideas

None

None

None

Appendix: Page 12

PLAN FOR #YOUSHAPE EVENING SECTION: Cubs DURATION: 1 Hour 30 Mins NO OF YOUNG PEOPLE: 20

Time Young People Activity Leader Activity ResourcesBeginning 5 Mins Normal Pack Opening – Perhaps led by Cubs. None None

Middle 5 Mins

10 Mins

45 Mins

10 Mins

‘Ship’ GamePut 4 different game ideas on the walls. Cubs to run to which activity they want. Play this game at the end of the night.

‘Sun Shines On’ ActivityEveryone sits on a chair in a circle. Have 1 less chair so someone is standing. Start with general statements with like the ‘The Sun shines on all those wearing blue socks’ If it applies to them, they swap seats. Then ask statements like ‘The Sun shines on… those who like Cubs/want to go camping/want to go on a visit’

‘Dragon’s Den’Cubs are asked to pitch for their own activity/which badge they want to do. They have to work in a group, design a pitch and present to the ‘Dragons’ (Leaders!) Spend 10-15 mins on each base

‘Ship’ Game - ContinuedPlay the game that the Cubs voted on in the Ship Game at the beginning.

Write up and stick up 4 game ideas on the wall.

Leaders to guide session and ask questions.

Leaders to guide the session. Act as ‘Dragons’ who the Cubs have to pitch to. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the ideas to make them realistic.

Young Leader/Leader to facilitate the game

Paper, Pen, Sellotape

Chairs arranged in a circle

Paper/Pens

Depends on Game

Summary/Close 10 Mins

5 Mins

Like/Dislike WallLeader to read out activity ideas. Cubs to run to one wall if they like it or another if they don’t.

Normal Closure – Perhaps led by Cubs

Leaders to read out 3-4 activity ideas

None

None

None

Appendix: Page 13

PLAN FOR #YOUSHAPE EVENING SECTION: Scouts DURATION: 1 Hour 30 Mins NO OF YOUNG PEOPLE: 20

Time Young People Activity Leader Activity ResourcesBeginning 5 Mins Normal Pack Opening – Led by Scouts. None None

Middle 10 Mins

25 Mins

10 Mins

25 Mins

Snowball Game Scouts to write down an idea for a game. Screw up the paper and throw it across the room. The person receiving it opens the paper and writes down a comment. Some Scouts are chosen to read out ideas.

‘Dragon’s Den’Scouts are asked groups of 3/4 to pitch for their own activity/which badge they want to do. They have to work in a group, design a pitch and present to the ‘Dragons’ - Leaders!

‘Snowball’ Fight Game - ContinuedPlay the game that the Scouts voted on in the ‘Snowball game’ at the beginning.

DebateSplit the troop in half. Choose an interesting topic in Scouting e.g. uniform in Scouting or role of religion in Scouting. Onegroup takes ‘pro’ and the other ‘against’. Allow 15 minutes for discussion and then 2 minute succinct presentation from a ‘spokesperson’ with 2 minute follow up questions allowed for each side.

Facilitate discussion of ideas Come up with a ‘Top 2’ games.

Leaders to guide the session. Act as ‘Dragons’ who the Scouts have to pitch to. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the ideas to make them realistic.

Scouts lead the game

Leaders to help with discussion, perhaps adding a few ideas and helping with presentation planning.

Paper, Pens

Paper, Pens

Depends on Game Chosen

Paper, Pens

Summary/Close 10 Mins Normal Closure – Led by Scouts None None

Appendix: Page 14

PLAN FOR #YOUSHAPE EVENING SECTION: Scouts DURATION: 1 Hour 30 Mins NO OF YOUNG PEOPLE: 20

Time Young People Activity Leader Activity ResourcesBeginning 10 Mins Normal Pack Opening – Led by Explorers. None None

Middle 10 Mins

30 Mins

10 Mins

25 Mins

Snowball Game Scouts to write down an idea for a game. Screw up the paper and throw it across the room. The person receiving it opens the paper and writes down a comment. Some Scouts are chosen to read out ideas.

DebateSplit the troop in half. Choose an interesting topic in Scouting e.g. uniform in Scouting or role of religion in Scouting. Onegroup takes ‘pro’ and the other ‘against’. Allow 15 minutesfor discussion and then 2 minute succinct presentation from a‘spokesperson’ with 2 minute follow up questions allowed foreach side.

‘Snowball’ Fight Game - ContinuedPlay the game that the Scouts voted on in the ‘Snowball game’ at the beginning.

Explorer ForumStick 3 sheets of paper on the wall entitled ‘favourite’, ‘dislike’ and ‘repeat’. Explorers are given 3 post it notes. They write their ‘favourite’ activity of the term on one post it note and stick it to the sheet, ‘dislike’ is for their least favourite and ‘repeat’ what they would do again.

Facilitate discussion of ideas Come up with a ‘Top 2’ games.

Leaders to help with discussion, perhaps adding a few ideas and helping with presentation planning.

Explorer lead the game

Leaders to note feedback and adapt subsequent programmes based on comments.

Paper, Pens

Paper, Pens

Depends on Game Chosen

Paper, Pens, Post It Notes, 3 large sheets

Summary/Close 5 Mins Normal Closure – Led by Explorers None None

Appendix: Page 15