Northern Europe District Newsletter - November 2016

PHOTO: 1st Waterloo (International) Scout Group

Welcome from the DC! Welcome to the Northern Europe District newsletter. This newsletter brings you as much up-to-date information of what is going on in Northern Europe District as we can squeeze into a few pages! Let us know if you think we should add something for the next newsletter, and as always, many thanks to all of you for making Scouting accessible to all English speaking kids in Northern Europe.

Dominic Afriat District Commissioner Northern Europe

Obituary - John Mason It is with sad regret that we have to inform you of the passing of 1st Brussels Phoenix Scout Leader John Mason.

Following a long period of illness, John peacefully passed away in his sleep on 23rd October 2016.

John joined the movement as a parent helper nearly 20 years ago and spent the last 10 years working with the Scout section and supporting many leaders as a training advisor. Recently John was awarded the Award for Merit for his dedication to the Scouts and his commitment to the movement.

John leaves behind his two sons David and James who are both living in the UK. Following in his father’s footsteps, David is an active Scout Leader (Explorer section).

Compass Focus Slowly, but surely, our records in Compass are taking shape. GSLs, local administrators & Lynn Jones our Appointments Secretary, are gradually working through the problems and getting them fixed. We still have a large backlog of leaders with scouting roles in “Pre-Provisional” or “Provisional” status and our first priority is to get these roles moved to FULL. It’s a problem because Scout Association rules limit the amount of time a leader can keep their role at this status, and they are starting to press to have these records updated.

What can you do? If you are receiving this newsletter, it is because you are registered in Compass with at least one role. It would be great if you could log-on now and just confirm your role is set to the correct status (https://compass.scouts.org.uk).

If you are unable to get onto Compass or you find your role is on a Provisional status, there are several reasons, and all require urgent action to sort out. Please contact your GSL, your TA or Dominic and we will be pleased to help you on your way.

Communications Over the next few months you will see some changes in communications in the district.

We have already created a new Facebook page www.facebook.com/bsoneurope to communicate news and a district newsletter. We will also soon have a new website which will provide a portal for a new district diary, news, forms and other information. Our aim is to connect all members the district more effectively using the latest online communications.

One of our first initiatives was to provide an Online Nights Away Notification (NAN) form.

This is now available for making all Nights Away Notifications. www.bsonortherneurope.org/nan We will be shortly contacting Groups in the district to support two way communications and to provide help when required to make more effective use of social media.

Simon Burgess—District Communications Officer gsl@praguescouts.cz

Also wellsome done branded to those clothing district members Badges and AwardsBSO have commissioned and are who offerhave completed their nights away assessment

ing these to Adult supporters at cost The current offer is for the first time andprice. been awarded a camping The following leaders have been awarded Wood Badges for permit: for a fruit of the loom polo shirt, woggle and scarf, all for only the first time: £20. If you are interested, please contact Dominic and Tony

Irina Krishnan (1st Brussels), Kaisa Kaihilahti Joanne Bywood, Sonia Alvarez, Zoe & TimothyDunn Griffin,soKevin that we can arrangeAlberto something.

(Waterloo), Burba (Central Brussels).

Hale, Samatha Wilson, Nicholas Crocker, Kaisa Kaihilahti, Irina Krishnan, Jos Wittevrongel , Vanessa Bowell, Maria Walligora Congratulations to all of you for the hard work completing the training. Hopefully you have all received your wood beads by now.

Congratulations also to the following people who have completed additional training for their present or recent roles: Neil Skinner (AGSL), Tam Pearce (GSL), Alan Sewell (GSL), Helen Williamson (GSL), Nilesh Tailor (LTM).

DIARY DATES Camp NIghts Away Permit Webinar Tuesday 8 November at 21:00 CET

A Gotomeeting to discuss the ins and outs of getting a camp permit. Where to start, whom to talk to, what does each permit allow you to do, and many more questions answered. To join this Webinar, please follow this link on the 8th November at 21:00 CET and follow the instructions.

BSO Clothing BSO have commissioned some branded clothing and are offering these to Adult supporters at cost price. The current offer is for a fruit of the loom polo shirt, woggle and scarf, all for only £20. If you are interested, please contact Dominic and Tony Dunn so that we can arrange something.

Scarf— £6

Cub Sixers Camp - 18-20 November 2016 at Overijse, Belgium Scouts PLs Camp - 25-27 November 2016 at Hopper Jeugdverblijf De Kluis, Belgium Scouts Winter Camp 21-22 January 2017 at Hopper Jeugdverblijf De Kluis, Belgium District Camp (all sections) - 12-14 May 2017 at Hopper Jeugdverblijf De Kluis, Belgium

Grey Polo Shirt £12 Sizes S to 5XL

Intercamp (Scouts & Explorers) - 2-5 June 2017 at Warendorf, Germany Poacher 2017 (Scouts and Explorers) 29 July5 Aug 2017 in Lincolnshire, UK

WSJ 2019 22 July-2 Aug 2019, USA - register your scouts interest here

BSO Woggle £2