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Contents Group Chair Report
3
Group Scout Leaders Report
4
Section Reports
6
Finance and Governance
14
Membership Numbers: 2014-21
20
Young people’s top awards
21
Adult Good Service Awards
22
Appendix A – Minutes of the 2020 Annual General Meeting. 29th June 2020.
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1st Prague (Czech Republic) Scout Group z.s. Group Chairman’s Report In sitting down to write this year’s report, I reread my submission of a year ago which I had written in a mood of cautious optimism while we waited for authorisation to resume face-to-face scouting. We all know how that turned out! After a few carefree weeks over the late summer and all the way into October, the sections met in Prague’s parks - until we were once again forced online. It’s only now, in mid-May, that we are meeting again, outside and with numerous safeguards in place. I know that all of us, scouts, parents and leaders, are hoping that this time, we will be able to continue so that we can offer our scouts the development, the adventure and the fun they deserve. My report this year is one of thanks to all of you:
To the parents, who have continued to support 1st Prague Scouts this year. Your ongoing support means that we are now on a solid financial footing. This ensures that the group fulfils its statutory obligations but, more importantly, that we can continue to ensure that the scouting experience is affordable for everyone. To the scouts, who joined in our weekly online activities through lockdown and who returned en masse, despite a torrential downpour, as the sections met earlier this month for the first time in many months. I know that for many of the leaders, seeing their groups again was hugely rewarding. To the leaders, who throughout this relentlessly stressful time have worked tirelessly to offer creative ways to scout online. It’s not the sort of scouting they signed up to do, but they rose to the challenge, and they delivered. To the executive committee, who have provided an invaluable sounding board as we have worked to find our way through this period.
None of us know what lies ahead, but we can only hope - and plan. Planning for the all section camp in July is well under way and we hope to welcome at least half of the group for a full program of scouting adventures. Another priority is to ensure that the sections have a place to meet as the weather turns later in the year. We would welcome any help that you can give. Finally, while our finances are stable, we nonetheless should find new sources of funds to support our ambitions. I look forward to seeing you again, in person, later this year when we can once again gather as a community. Eleanor Hammond Chair, Group Executive Committee
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exec@praguescouts.cz
Group Scout Leader’s Report
This is our 7th year as a Scout Group and probably one of our most memorable for both positive and negative reasons. Positive – as with last year when we first went online because of COVID 19, we have seen some amazing resourcefulness on the part of our leaders in providing interesting and engaging programmes. Negative – we have not been able to engage with all our members due to online fatigue and the online programme being not the type of Scouting that many want to participate in. We hope that everyone returns to join us soon. Positive – despite lockdown and the problems associated with COVID 19, we have grown slightly. Negative – our potential growth has been significantly affected by the pandemic. Positive – we have still had our members in each section working towards their awards and we have seen lots of young people doing more in their spare time to achieve their badges. Negative – we weren’t able to do all the fantastic activities we had planned for 2020/21 including international trips and jamborees. Positive – as I write this report, life is starting to return to a new normal. We have started back face to face and we look forward to a summer of great activities including our first group summer camp. I would like to praise the work of our leaders some more. Many have stuck with delivering online programmes despite finding life challenging themselves due to the issues that the pandemic has presented. I have said this to them personally, but I don’t think I could have run sectional programmes in this form for so long online myself. I cannot tell you how proud of our team I am. Training was also something that our leaders got to grips with during the last year and I am pleased to report that 10 of our leaders gained their Wood Badges. Congratulations and thanks to all of these leaders who gave up their time to complete their training. A list of these leaders can be found in the awards section at the rear of this report. We are hoping to now be able to develop our group further and our development plan is in place is being followed. We hope to increase in numbers, work closer with JUNAK Cesky Skaut and solve our biggest challenge that of securing a long term home. Although I would like to recognise everyone with an award, we have been able to single out two of our leaders in particular this year. Firstly Gabriele D’Ortona. Gabby joined the group in 2018, brand new to Scouting and has become a key member of the group, supporting our technology needs and becoming a fantastic Assistant Scout Leader and camp cook. He has provided Manon, our Scout Leader, with enormous support with the online programme. In addition, he took on a district role supporting their technology and communications needs. Page|4
Secondly to Chisato Hashizume, our Beaver Scout Leader, who again came fresh in to Scouting, has developed as a leader, gained her wood badge, even became a leader trainer and managed to deliver a fantastic online programme during the lockdown despite many challenges. Both Chisato and Gabby have been recognised with a Commissioner’s Commendation. I would like to thank all our adult volunteer team: you have been invaluable for the continuation of our group and I am sure you will continue to support us going forward into normal Scouting post-pandemic. In particular, I would like to single out Eleanor, our Group Chair, and our executive for keeping the admin side of the group going, and Chisato, Chris, Manon and their teams for making the weekly online sessions happen. To all our new volunteers for coming forward to help. To Jenny, our Assistant Group Scout Leader and finally to Alastair, Deputy Group Scout Leader and Explorer Scout Leader who has been there to support all the hard decisions and provide invaluable advice during a time when normal ways of doing things had to be thrown out of the window. Simon ‘Mang’ Burgess Group Scout Leader gsl@praguescouts.cz
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Sectional Reports
Since our last report we continued online activities until September 2020. We had a number of great programmes during this time. We were lucky enough to restart for a few precious weeks, even though we were facing the global pandemic, many new Beavers joined us. We did lots of great things during this time, for example we played running around games in nature and explored the local area enjoying a treasure hunt following a map in Letna Park. We were fully protected from Covid, wearing masks and cleaning our hands, but our Beavers smiles and happy voices made us forget we are in the middle of the pandemic. One of our Assistant Leaders, Grey, joined us and gave us great support. He planned games and activities. It was so much fun! Also our young leader Natalie joined us for her Duke of Edinburgh award. She is amazingly great with children. We had a great opportunity to go on a hike in the beautiful Czech countryside with some local Czech Water Scouts, getting there by an old special Czech train. Most of our Beavers can speak Czech so they made friends very quickly and we enjoyed the activities with them. Thanks to Josef for organizing it and giving us an amazing day. In November we faced another national lockdown. This time we had Em and Grey from the Scout Troop join us. From then until May we were back online and we took part in some more fun activities, maintaining reasonably good attendance each week. We ran sessions to achieve a number of badges and awards including some activities with some UK groups from 1st Croydon and 21st Craigalmond Scout Queensferry Beaver Colonies. We also had a great evening being shown round a Czech helicopter rescue centre. Our thanks to Paul for making this happen. We would like to congratulate Oliver Wait and Victor Dranch who gained their Chief Scout’s Bronze Award in August 2020. They did a fantastic job getting their awards completed. Finally, I would like to thank the members of my team who have been invaluable in delivering this year’s programme: my Assistant Beaver Scout Leaders Petra, Charles, Marta, and former ABSL Mauro who moved to the Cub section in September. Chisato Hashizume (Bambi) Beaver Scout Leader beavers@praguescouts.cz
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In the last report written, there was a joke made about the end of COVID situation in summer 2020. Rereading, seems a little naïve and premature to have written that. We’d like to first thank the parents, for continued support of the section, preparing the materials in advance of the online meetings, and being ready to jump in to fix technical problems and orientate your Cub in our physical absence. We couldn’t have done it without you 😊 This year, we welcomed Aidan, David, Iskender, Jasmina, Loki, Oliver, Max, Maria, Thomas, Loki, Oliver, Noel, and Victor to the pack. They have been engaged, in regular attendance, and are now valued members of the Cub pack. While we can’t meet physically today as normal, this AGM report is the opportunity to award 2 Chief Scout Silver awards to Sixers Tudor and Matthew. They have completed the Chief Scout Silver award. This gives the Cub leadership team an enormous sense of pride and achievement. Their participation, the energy they have brought to the pack, and the example and leadership qualities they have demonstrated as they’ve developed over the last two years has been a good example for the younger ones to follow. These 2 are part of the 10 departing senior Cubs who will graduate to Scouts in September. We wish them success in their continuing development personally and as Scouts in an exciting new environment. They will all be sorely missed. In spite of the complex epidemiological situation this year, we still managed to enjoy an off road bicycle trail ride, we had the opportunity to try footgolf, and had some great evenings learning hands on bike maintenance and camp skills in Letna park in the autumn. It’s a shame that Autumn Cub camp was cancelled on the eve of the event. It’s a shame we couldn’t do everything we’d planned. But Group Summer camp is a few weeks away in July and we look forward to seeing as many of the Cubs as possible. The split of responsibility and onus of running an enlarged Cub pack has become more distributed across the Cub leadership team: we collaborate and work together to share the burden, and this approach has fortified us as a group during this difficult time. The Cub leadership team benefited greatly from welcoming Bagheera into the team. His enthusiasm to produce a quality program, and his hands-on attitude to assisting with pack administration are much appreciated. Akela, Winifred, King Louie and Baloo have completed their wood beads leadership training, an achievement to celebrate and recognize the dedication in keeping the children safe, engaged, and learning new skills. Raksha, Kaa and Ikki have all stepped up and excelled in contributing independent, planned, new, engaging online program for the Cubs. We are really fortunate to have formed such a committed, enthusiastic team of volunteers. Highlights of the year for the leadership team include Winifred’s online Science experiments, Bagheera’s Astronomy evening, a creative evening with Lego organized by King Louie & Akela, and the games evening Ikki organized.
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We are eager to get back to business as usual. We are full of (delayed) exciting ideas to get the Cub pack back to what we are all involved for: hands on, practical, face to face fun. We want to get back to delivering a good quality and variety of program, but we strive to keep on delivering a better learning experience for the Cubs. The leadership team is meeting in June 2021 to set out the program and weekend events well in advance for September, so you know, as parents, what the program will be and when to block the calendar out. The standard of behaviour needs work, we will be working to re-establish a clearly defined hierarchy of the 5 ‘Six’ groupings, and the use of points. We would like to further focus and develop these areas to make it clear and transparent to the Cubs what we expect from them, and that good behaviour and effort is rewarded. The departing senior Sixers/ Seconders mean we will be looking to restructure and promote new junior leaders in September. We will look to them to work together, to show leadership and to set a good example for their younger peers over the next year. COVID has meant we are yet to meet some of you face to face. The growth of the group in recent years has meant meeting and bonding with more parents, with a few of them actively involving themselves in the group. If you aren’t yet involved and would like to be, we would encourage you all to participate in future events as they come up. Baloo, (Chris Wait) Cub Scout Leader, on behalf of the Cub Leadership team cubs@praguescouts.cz
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The scout troop started Summer 2020 on a happier note as we were able to meet face to face for one great game session in Letna Park after almost 4 months online. This allowed scouts and leaders to meet again, remember what scouting really is and have some great time together. Due to the summer holidays we couldn’t organize another event over the summer, but leaders used this time to organize our first camp in 2020 that took place in Bechyne (close to Tabor). We used these 2 days to meet some of our new members who had just joined, and former Cubs who came of age to be Scouts. Our GSL had a great time using this camp to try out our brand new Patrol Tents and all their functionality. After so many months of online activities, I dare to say that everyone had a great time being a scout whether it was during the hike, the campfire or the games. We continued through September and October to have weekly meetings outside in Letna, to have games, orienteering and even one fantastic class on how to play cricket! Unfortunately, from mid-October the situation in Czech Republic with the coronavirus didn’t allow us to meet face to face. We had to resume our online activities. This time, we focused on having fun with scouts and leaders rather than typical scouting activity. Though everyone would prefer to meet face to face, the situation allowed us to meet online with another scout group: 44th Tarleton, from the UK. They contacted us as they wanted to achieve their World Challenge Award, and we started meeting them on a monthly basis between December and March. As we wanted the scouts to interact between each other, under the parents’ supervision, we created some temporary email addresses for the young people to mail their “digital pen pals” and try to make some friends in another country. Although not
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all the scouts really participated in this activity some did, and most importantly the leaders did ! We are hoping to meet them face to face some time soon, whether here or in the UK, and share some great memories. As the scouting year ends, we are now looking forward to the week group camp in July. We already have 10 scouts signed up and hope for more. Last time we saw the full troop was at Christmas for a joined sport field session with the Cubs Pack playing footgolf together. Having online sessions instead of face-to-face is not anyone’s first choice, but we had to do so, like everyone had to do their part over the past long months. However, through it all, the Scout Leaders have kept on going, and tried to help however they could to the best of their capacity. I want to thank them as I know I can count on them the day we return to face-to-face sessions. Manon Frot – Scout Leader scouts@praguescouts.cz
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The Bohemians
The summer of 2020 started with renewed hope and enthusiasm for Scouting after the earlier lockdown in the spring. The Explorers settled into their new “home” in the corner of Letna Park, enjoying new found freedoms running around chasing frisbees, each other, orienteering, tracking, slack-lining and perfecting their wide game tactics. It was not all frenetic activity. Jonathan Ledgard, a former Foreign and War Correspondent for the Economist and a thinker and commentator on disinformation, delivered a session on “How to Read the News” – a guide for teenagers to choose what news to read, how to spot fake news, and how to handle news on social media. And seven Explorers got stuck into planning their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award (DOFE) Adventurous Journey (Expedition)in and around Kokořínský Důl and Kokořín Castle north of Mělník, which had been postponed due to the extension of the lockdown affecting BSO. In late June, five Scouts moved up to the Explorers (Alex, Atreyu, Eva, Sisi and Sofia) to add to our new addition (Kris) who had joined during lockdown and finally got to meet his fellow Explorers. Our numbers were further increased by an addition of three more joining in September (Hannah, Thomas and Kadri)- doubling the size of the Bohemians in just a year from being formed.
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The seven successfully completed their Bronze DOFE Adventurous Journey in late July. The weather played its part, being very hot, challenging the adventurers’ resolve and stamina. However, they stuck at it and completed their expedition, recording the wildlife they came across on their journey. A big thanks to Charlotte, who was the DOFE Assessor for their expedition as her final act for the Explorers before moving on to new challenges elsewhere. Next up was the Explorer Summer Camp in late August. A two-day canoe expedition on the Otava river; camping on the river bank, mastering the art of canoeing in a straight line and navigating a weir, sometimes followed by practice emptying the water from their canoe! Nine Bohemians attended and thanks to our new Leader, Tim Cranton (a qualified paramedic trainer and former British Army), they all completed their Advanced First Aid course (to the same level as the Scout Leaders) and practiced some survival skills and casualty recovery (in the dark!). In September we were back in the park, with the welcome support of two new leaders, Rachel and Gretchen. We had planned, with great excitement, a Survival Camp for the middle of October but unfortunately Scouting activities were suspended at the same time as schools had to return to on-line lessons. We reluctantly returned to online scouting, with the Explorers attending regularly and even organising sessions for each other. We had a new game designed by Kris, regular entertainment provided by Games’ Master Francesco, an escape room, a visit to the Army Royal Flying Museum, learning sign language courtesy of Rachel, a session on building selfconfidence from Andra, and the DOFE Adventurers made their presentation to complete their Adventurous Journey. Culinary skills were tested too, artisan bread making and also pancakes on Pancake Day (of course!). December allowed us to meet briefly and we managed an informative night-time historical tour of a deserted Prague (blissfully quiet due to the lack of tourists). 2020/21 has taught us many things, presented huge challenges to young people and those older. None of us has been immune from the impacts of isolation and lack of other human interactions. This group of Explorers have amazed me with their solidarity, their support for one another, their determination to get on with it, to stick with online scouting, and to look forward to better times. Our first session back, just a week or so ago, was both humbling and exhilarating as we had a 100% turnout – 19 Young People determined to get back to Scouting and to embrace life and its challenges - together. A big thank you to our Leaders, Andra (for being there always), Rachel and Gretchen, and our new addition Chris, and of course Simon and the other Section Leaders, who all help make 1st Prague the wonderful community it is. We look forward to many more adventures, learning more #skillsforlife, to our first Group Camp (with all sections) in early July, to finally doing our Survival Skills camp, and many more fun, challenging and interesting things together.
Alastair Hammond (Colonel Hathi) Explorer Scout Leader, Deputy Group Scout Leader and D of E Manager explorers@praguescouts.cz
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GROUP TREASURER’S REPORT TO 31ST DECEMBER 2020 All of the Group´s finances in 2020 went through the account at Fio banka. There are two cards for the account, kept by the Group Leader and the Scout´s Section Leader. I am responsible for the online banking. Despite the constraints on meeting this year, the number of Scouts enrolled increased in 2020. Thanks to this and the continued support of our community families, we saw a 29% increase in subscription income. We ended 2020 with an account balance of 194 050 Kč. I would like to thank the Executive Group members for their tireless work and great support. Big thanks go also to our scrutineer, Kateřina Greif. Jana Engelová Pavková Group Treasurer May 2021
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treasurer@praguescouts.cz
Scrutineer’s Report to the Trustees of the 1st Prague (Czech Republic) Scout Group z.s I report on the accounts of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2020 Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Scrutineer As the Group's Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. It is my responsibility, without carrying out an audit or independent examination, to scrutinise the accounts and to report to you. Basis of Scrutineer's Statement In accordance with the directions given in Policy Organisation and Rules, I have scrutinised the records and the accounts set out on pages below. Scrutineer's Statement In my opinion the accounts are in accordance with the records produced to me and comply. Signed Katerina Greif Scrutineer 12th May 2021
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Receipts and Payments Account For the period from 1/1/20 to 31/12/20 Unrestricted Funds CZK
RECEIPTS 2019
2020
262,950
339,400
262,950
339,400
6,652 333,336
21,933 177,900
339,988
199,833
602,938
539,233
Youth programme and activities Uniforms, scarves, woggles, badges Camps, hikes and activities Camping equipment Stationery Others Capitation Sub total
14,208 76,248 333,229 4,473 1,473 32,538 51,543 513,712
10,207 63,298 292,354 10,447 543 44,096 78,827 499,772
Total Gross Expenditure Net receipts
513,712 89,226
499,772 39,461
Donations, legacies and similar income Membership subscriptions Sub total Miscellaneous income Uniforms and scarves Camps, hikes and activities Sub total Gross total income PAYMENTS Charitable Payments
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Statement of assets and liabilities 31/12/2019 31/12/2020 Unrestricted Funds CZK
Cash Funds Bank Current account Petty cash Total cash Funds
154,589 1,056 155,645
194,050 0 194,050
0
0
Non monetary assets for charity's own use Badge stock 32,562 Uniforms 17,595 Misc Equip 482,610 Sub total 532,767
41,667 39,005 484,468 565,140
Other monetary assets Sub total
Liabilities Sub total Cash fund year end
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0
0
155,645
194,050
Group Executive Committee Annual Report for the Period 1st January 2020 to 31 December 2021 Reference and Administration Details Name: Czech Association (Spolek) ID Number: UK Scout Association Group Number: Principal:
1st Prague (Czech Republic) Scout Group z.s. 04755057 47529 Simon Burgess (Group Scout Leader)
Trustees: Name Eleanor Hammond Jana Engelová Pavková Claire Whiting Alastair Hammond Jenny Kyselá-Heikkinen Chisato Hashizume Chris Wait Manon Frot Simon Burgess Mark Farrell Chris Roberts Stephen Foster
Office Group Chair Group Treasurer Group Secretary – from September 2020 Explorer Scout Leader (Now DGSL as well) Assistant Group Scout Leader Beaver Scout Leader Cub Scout Leader Scout Leader Group Scout Leader (ex officio) elected - Parent Rep elected - Parent Rep nominated member
Structure, Governance and Management •
The Group's governing documents are those of The Scout Association and of the Czech Republic’s Association (Spolek). They consist of a legal Spolek (association document) and a Royal Charter, which in turn gives authority to the By-Laws of the Association and The Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
•
The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. It has a constitution, drawn up in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association, Czech law and UK Charity Commission guidance.
•
The association committee members/trustees are appointed in accordance with the rules governing a Czech Republic Spolek (association) and Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
•
The group is managed by the Association Committee/Group Executive Committee, the members of which are the effectively ‘Charity Trustees’ of the Scout Group (as defined in UK law). As charity trustees they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns as appropriate.
•
The association committee/group executive committee consists of 3 independent representatives, Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, together with the Group Scout Leader, individual section leaders
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•
and parents’ representation. It meets every regularly as required. Electronic communication is extensively used for discussion and decision making. This association committee/Group Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointment and is responsible for: o o o o o o o
The maintenance of Group property; The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance, including advising on and setting budgets for sections to follow; The insurance of persons, property and equipment; Group public events; Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support; Appointing any subcommittees that may be required; Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected.
Objectives and Activities The objectives of the group are as a unit of The Scout Association. The aim of The Scout Association is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. The method of achieving the aim of the UK Scout Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership. The trustees declare that they have approved the association committee report above.
Signed on behalf of the group executive. Eleanor Hammond - Group Chair
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Membership Breakdown 2014 to 2021 May Jan 2014* 2015 Beaver Scouts Cub Scouts Scouts Explorer Scouts ** Young Leader that are in ESU** Young Leaders on D of E not in ESU*** Young Leaders not in ESU** Leaders Explorer Leaders ** Group Active Support Unit Executive members Total Membership by year
Jan 2016
Jan 2017
Jan 2018
Jan 2019
Jan 2020
Jan 2021
4 5 0 0 0
5 4 1 0 0
8 10 2 0 0
12 6 12 0 0
9 13 5 0 0
13 17 15 4 0
13 28 26 9 1
17
0 0 4 0 0 0
0 0 3 0 0 1
0 2 6 0 0 2
0 2 9 0 0 2
0 2 10 0 0 5
0 0 11 0 0 3
0 1 18 5 3 5
1
13
14
30
43
44
63
108
26 25 18 1
0 22 4 4 8 124
*Membership numbers based on invested members in 2014. Not census. **Explorer Scouts and their leaders are counted in Northern Europe District census figures but are show n here for completeness. YL's in ESU are not included in the total figure. ***Not included in census numbers only noted.
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 9 10 20 30 27 49 76 86
Total number of yps to pay subs
Number of members
30 25 20 15 10 5 0 May 2014*
Jan 2015
Jan 2016
Jan 2017
Jan 2018
Jan 2019
Jan 2020
Jan 2021
Census retuns* Beaver Scouts
Cub Scouts
Scouts
Explorer Scouts **
Young Leaders not in ESU**
Young Leaders on D of E not in ESU***
Young Leader that are in ESU**
Leaders
Explorer Leaders **
Group Active Support Unit
Executive members
140 Number of members
120 100 80 60 40 20 0
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May 2014*
Total Membership by year Jan 2015
Jan 2016
Jan 2017
Jan 2018
Jan 2019
Jan 2020
Jan 2021
Young People’s Top Awards 2020/21 There is a specific Chief Scout's Award for each Scouting Section: the Bronze Award is dedicated to Beavers, the Silver Award is for Cubs, the Gold Award is only for Scouts and the Explorers can choose between the Diamond and Platinum Chief Scout awards.
Chief Scout’s Bronze Award (Beaver Scouts)
Oliver Wait
14/08/2020
Victor Dranch
14/08/2020
Chief Scout’s Silver Award (Cub Scouts)
Tudor Ionita
16/05/2021
Matthew Brown
16/05/2021
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Adult Awards 2020/21 Commissioners Commendation for Good Service
September 2020 Matthew. Lightfoot
Group Vice-President
June 2021 Gabriele D’Ortona
Assistant Scout Leader
Chisato Hashizume
Beaver Scout Leader
Chief Scout’s 5 Year Long Service Award
Jenny Kyselá-Heikkinen
Assistant Group Scout Leader
Wood Badges Gabriele D’Ortona
Assistant Scout Leader
Chisato Hashizume
Beaver Scout Leader
Jenny Kyselá-Heikkinen
Assistant Group Scout Leader
Alastair Hammond
Deputy Group Scout Leader
Manon Frot
Scout Leader
Chris Wait
Cub Scout Leader
Charlotte Ward
Group Active Support Member (former AESL)
Rebecca Prew
Assistant Cub Scout Leader
Simon Storey
Assistant Cub Scout Leader
Joana Storey
Assistant Cub Scout Leader
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President and Vice President of the Group President Vacant
Vice Presidents Matt Lightfoot – Group founder member.
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APPENDIX A Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the 1st Prague (Czech Republic) Scout Group held on 29th June 2020, online. Present: Simon Burgess (Group Scout Leader), Alastair Hammond (Explorer Leader), Eleanor Hammond (Chair, Group Executive), Jana Engelová (Treasurer), Manon Frot (Scout Leader), Chris Wait (Cub Leader), Jenny Kyselá-Heikkinenová (Beaver Leader and AGSL). Also in attendance were a number of assistant leaders, a number of young members (Explorers, Cubs, Scouts and Beavers) and a representative sample of parent members of the Group Council. Guests: Paul Kanikowski, District Commissioner, Northern Europe District. Apologies: Matt Lightfoot, Deputy Area Commissioner 1.
Welcome Eleanor Hammond welcomed everyone and outlined the meeting’s purpose and proceedings.
2.
Minutes of 2019 AGM The minutes of last year’s meeting were approved with no matters arising.
3.
Annual Report 2019 The Chair introduced the annual report (including the financial report), which illustrated a successful year despite the unprecedented challenges of having to evolve in an online scouting environment.
4.
Review of 2019 The new scouting year had started with a record number of new scouts and leaders as well as a new home for the Beavers and Cubs which allowed all four sections to meet separately. All sections ran a dynamic programme throughout the autumn and well into the winter, including the first all section camp in October, a canyoning and rafting expedition to Austria for the Explorers and trips to IQLandia and enamel workshops for the younger scouts. It was therefore a bitter disappointment that the pandemic had meant that the sections could no longer meet in person. The Chair thanked the section leaders for their creativity and flexibility in delivering a successful online program of activities that had offered comfort and continuity to everyone at a very difficult time.
5.
Presentation of Awards: a. Jenny Kyselá-Heikkinenová (Commissioner’s Special Award). b. Matt Lightfoot (in absentia). c. Dale Turnbull (5 Year Award). d. Manon Frot (Commissioner’s Commendation).
6.
Election of Officers to the Group Executive In addition to ex-officio and nominated members, the following were (re)-elected to the Group Executive Committee: a. Jana Engelová (Treasurer). b. Clare Whiting Topinkova (Secretary). c. Mark Farrell (parent representative). d. Chris Roberts (parent representative).
7.
Nomination of members: Steven Foster was nominated by the Group Scout Leader and accepted onto the Executive Committee.
8.
Appointment of Scrutineer It was announced that Katerina Grelf had accepted the appointment of scrutineer for the 2019 accounts.
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