Scouting and COVID-19 Restrictions 
The escalating COVID-19 in NSW is of concern to all Queenslanders with our local situation appearing to be largely under control. Things, however, can rapidly change, 

There have been no changes to QBSI 7.15 since the start of the 14 days of stringent social restrictions in the 11 local government areas (LGAs) in southeast Queensland. QBSI 7.15 reflects the spirit of the stringent lockdown with a little scope for face-to-face activities provided that additional requirements are followed. 

We have drafted a change to QBSI reflecting the preliminary data released by the Health Department on 18 August which will be ratified against the expected Health Directive (which normally goes into much more detail and is final requirements) on 19 August for immediate release. 

Vaccination is the best long-term way of controlling COVID-19 that we have available to us and I encourage you to roll up your sleeve for the two jabs and join the expanding group of Adults in Scouting who have done the right thing. 

For Scouting within the remainder of Queensland, enjoy the freedom! We are now required by the State Government to implement Check In Qld app | Queensland Government (covid19.qld.gov.au) and this should be implemented by each Formation as a 'business'.  'Check in' using the app is not required for Youth Members. 

Compliance with QBSI 7.15 remains important to enable us to continue delivering for the young people of Queensland. 

Impact of hard COVID-19 lockdown on Scout events over the next few months
The uncertainty associated with both the effectiveness of the hard lockdown and compliance of the community with the lockdown conditions makes planning for forthcoming Scout events difficult. 

This is the known status of forthcoming events: 

This table lists events that are deservedly very popular with our Youth Members and cancellation or deferral can mean disappointment for those Youth Members who miss out on attending the event. There is also the enormous workload shouldered by the organisers of these events in developing programs, organising activities and resources, promoting the event, and then having to deal with the COVID driven uncertainty and the GO / NO-GO decision making. These issues contribute to loss of sleep. Scouting is renowned for its organisation of events, all of which are managed by adult members in addition to their normal role as a Section Leader or Leader of Adults. The circumstances are difficult and I applaud the tenacity and resilience of our membership in these times. 

Integrity, Respect and Courage 
I have written about respect several times within this column and I am doing so again, having been witness to an email trail where the response to very innocent statements was both appalling and inconsistent with the Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics of Scouts Australia. There is no room in Scouting for communications of this type. Our Code of Ethics says that we:

• Demonstrate integrity by acting with honesty, truthfulness and fostering appropriate healthy professional relationships,
• Demonstrate respect by showing consideration to others, recognising their uniqueness and diversity. 
• Demonstrate respect by committing to Members well-being and on-going learning through the practice of positive influence, good judgement and empathy in practice. 
• Demonstrate courage by being good role models in Scouting, demonstrating positive attitudes and willingness to live by the Scout Promise and Law. 

What you commit to writing within an email becomes a permanent record with multiple copies held by recipients as well as yourself. It is hard to rescind a poor email that disrespects another person. It is better to not send it in the first place. If there is any doubt, do not send the email but leave it in the draft folder to review the next day. You might just be surprised how this simple step will improve respect across Scouting. 

Daryl Scott
Chief Commissioner

In early 2021, we sought your views on how Scouts Queensland communicates with our membership.  Thank you to everyone who provided feedback as we had over 1160 responses. We want to share with everyone some of those results and how we intend to act upon the suggestions.
 
We received some excellent feedback regarding the Chief’s Newsletter with a strong request from parents / guardians that the newsletter be less frequent and, for them, more tailored to youth members and their families with more local news and shorter articles with links to items of interest.
 
Adults in Scouting (Leaders, Committees and Adult Members) value the Chief’s Newsletter and recognize the need for regular information relating to program delivery, training, governance, finance and facilities.
 
To action the feedback received, parents, guardians and youth members will not receive the weekly newsletter as we introduce a new monthly publication for all members and families focusing primarily on events, activities, youth opportunities and shared local news from Groups. Adults in Scouting will continue to receive the weekly Chief's Newsletter. The timing of this new monthly publication is currently being finalised and will be communicated in coming weeks.
 
Members can subscribe or unsubscribe to either of these publications if they wish.
 
You also provided feedback on other communication channels a result of which will see updated and improved content and searchability of the Scouts Queensland website. News and stories will be posted through Facebook and Instagram, noting that adults in scouting and parents / guardians are more likely to be using Facebook with our youth members more Instagram users so posts will be targeted accordingly.  Platforms such as LinkedIn will be used to highlight the organisation’s training and leadership opportunities.
 
Here’s where we need your help!
The new monthly newsletter needs a new name and we want you to choose from a range of options. Please cast your vote by 31 August by taking the survey available here.

Thank you for participating in the communication survey, your engagement informs how we deliver quality, timely information to our members and their families.

As you are reading this, some 750 young people from across the world are participating virtually in the 14th World Scout Youth Forum. Six members from Scouts Australia are part of the delegation including well-known Queenslander, Jadzia Clifford-Pugh, Chair of the Queensland Branch Rover Council. The World Scout Youth Forum will be conducted virtually with members from 155 countries from our 172 total country membership. The Conference is between 18 and 22 August (based on GMT). 

The 42^nd World Scout Conference starts next week and the Youth Forum will be the largest ever convened in the Conference’s 100-year history. Providing a platform for up to 3,500 participants to play an active role in shaping the standards, policies, and shared goals of the Scout Movement worldwide. The theme 'Bridging the World' challenges young people and participants to build bridges in their communities and across borders between National Scout Organizations. This emphasises the need to work together towards peace and sustainability for our planet.

A virtual conferencing platform will connect delegates together and allow participants to be directly involved in discussions and decision-making opportunities from anywhere in the world. You can join in parts and access some workshops, plenaries, social events, pre-engagement sessions, and on-demand content through a connected experience while networking with Scouts and global partners from around the world to gain new insights and inspiration. You can join many of the activities via Facebook or www.scout.org.

Enjoy the experience!

Youth Program Team

• Comply with Scouts Queensland safety policies and procedures as documented in QBSI
• Comply with instructions given to them as it relates to their own health and safety
• Use safety equipment correctly and with appropriate training, when required for an activity or task
• To consider safety as part of every activity
• If you see anything that may put yourself or others at-risk, stop that activity and consider how the risk can be mitigated

There are spaces for five more Venturer Scouts and near Venturer aged Scouts (13+ years) to explore the Outback of Queensland and visit significant historical and geographical locations that would normally be out of reach of regular programming.

When: 25 September - 4 October 2021 (second week of Public-School holidays including Queensland Queens Birthday Public Holiday on Monday 4 October)

Where: The trip will start and finish in Brisbane, and will cover over 3500 km’s

The trip takes participants to historically and geographically significant locations in the Queensland Outback. Locations include Goondiwindi, Thallon Grain Silos, Nindigully Pub, Cunnamulla, Bourke and Wills Dig Tree, Bourke's Grave, Wills' Grave, Cullyamurra Waterhole on the Cooper Creek, Innamincka, Walkers Crossing, Sturt Stony Desert, Birdsville Track, Birdsville and the Birdsville Pub and Bakery, Big Red Sand Dune, Simpson Desert, Eyre Creek, Betoota Pub, Dreamtime Serpent, Cooper Creek in Windorah, Eromanga Dinosaur Experience, Charleville, Roma and the Roma Big Rig.

Camp fees and a schedule of payments are included in the event flyer linked below.

You will be able to register online via the Scouts Qld Activity Management System.

Join here for more information via the Facebook Group.

Click here for the event flyer.

An exciting opportunity is available for a suitable qualified Adult in Scouting to apply for a new position of Branch Commissioner Core Skills. This volunteer appointment is to facilitate the development of Outdoor Adventure Skills (OAS) Core Skills amongst Leaders to support the Youth Program.

The role is part of the Adults in Scouting portfolio with the role reporting directly to the DCC Adults in Scouting and if you would like further information, then please contact: dcc.ais@scoutsqld.com.au

To find out more view the position description here.

Applicants for the position must apply in writing (with resume of Scouting experience) no later than close of business Friday 27 August 2021 to Jean Clifford dcc.ais@scoutsqld.com.au

Baden Powell Park Campsite, Training and Activity Centre has vacancies for Chairman and Secretary of the Management Committee. The volunteer Committee is responsible for the day-to-day management, care and development of the campsite. A key task for the Committee is the delivery of elements of the master plan to guide the future use and development of the site to meet community aspirations and provide a site our Members are proud to use. For more information about the Management Committee see QBSI 12.3.

It is expected that Management Committee Members will:

• Play an active role in enhancing the site and service delivery
• Work effectively with other Committee Members and Volunteers

Applicants are requested to provide a written application outlining:

• Why you wish to join the Committee
• Your community involvement
• What you can contribute to the Team
• And attach a copy of your resume.

Specific interest or skills in one of the following areas would be highly regarded: Community connection and interest, Community and stakeholder engagement, governance, volunteer management, financial and business management. Each member is appointed for a term of 3 years. Applications are open to Scouting and non-Scouting Members. Non Members will be required to sign up as a Member if successful.

Applications close 5pm, Friday 10 September 2021. Submit applications to: ba.majoractivities@scoutsqld.com.au. 

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted to undertake an interview in early September.

To access the Learning and Assessment Plans (click below):

Learning Plan - Youth Program Leaders. 
Learning Plan - Program Support Leaders

Click here to access the current Adult Development Training Calendar.