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Contents Group Chair Report
4
Group Scout Leaders Report
6
Section Reports
8
Finance and Governance
24
Membership Numbers: 2014-20
31
Young people’s top awards
32
Adult Good Service Awards
33
Appendix A – Minutes of the 2019 Annual General Meeting. 18th June 2019.
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Group Hike to Černošice 25th January 2020
1st Prague (Czech Republic) Scout Group z.s. Group Chairman’s Report Welcome to the 6th Annual Report of the 1st Prague Scout Group and a warm welcome to those who have joined since our last Annual Meeting. As I write, the Czech Republic is emerging from the coronavirus lockdown and I would like to thank all of you, on behalf of the whole leadership team, for your continued support during this disruptive and uncertain time. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let’s wind back to last September. We started the new scouting year with an all-time high of 65 scouts and to support this fantastic expansion in our numbers, we welcomed 10 new adults into the group. We were also excited to achieve a long-held dream of splitting all the sections and meeting separately. Thanks to the generosity and support of the British school community, Beavers and Cubs now meet on Thursdays at Park Lane International School in Malá Strana , while the Scouts and Explorers meet on Tuesdays at Riverside International School’s Hradčanská campus. Both of these developments mean that we are now able to offer a scouting program more tailored to the capabilities of each age group. After much discussion, the Executive Committee voted to increase the monthly subscription rates from the start of the scouting year. This was an important step towards putting the group on a more stable financial footing, as well as allowing us to offer a more ambitious program of weekly and weekend activities. After such an exciting start to the scouting year, the shutdown in response to the pandemic was a huge blow to us all. Huge thanks are due to the section leaders and their teams who have put in so much effort to offer
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an online programme. It is fantastic that so many scouts have joined the weekly sessions, taking part in virtual treasure hunts and overnight camps, and working towards their badges. As well as the many hellos, we’ve also said some goodbyes. After 4 years as section leader, Jenny KyseláHeikkinen (Sleepy) stepped back from the Beavers, handing over to Chisato Hashizume (Bambi). Jenny has been with 1st Prague Scouts from the early days and has been critical to its success. Luckily for us all, she remains as one of our two Assistant Group Scout Leaders and on the executive committee, continuing to provide support behind the scenes. Steve Entwistle stepped down from his role as secretary of the Executive Committee. He was also a strong support from the beginning and we are enormously grateful for his contribution. To get back to where I started my report, the Czech Republic is returning to some sort of normal state. Unfortunately, we are not yet authorised by The Scouting Association to resume face-to-face activities. This is a source of immense frustration to leaders, parents and scouts alike. Please be assured that we are doing all we can behind the scenes to restart as soon as we can and I am confident that when we return, it will be with an even more rewarding program. I think we are all nervous about what lies ahead at this most uncertain of times but surely, what is certain is that equipping our children with #skillsforlife is the greatest investment we can make. Thank you to Chris Roberts and Mark Farrell, parent representatives on the Executive Committee, for your continued advice. Thank you to Simon and his leadership team for their dedication, creativity and enthusiasm. Thank you to every one of you for being part of the scouting adventure! Eleanor Hammond Chair, Group Executive Committee
exec@praguescouts.cz
Online Scouting during the COVID 19 Pandemic
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Group Scout Leader’s Report
In our 6th year we’ve awarded a staggering 548 badges, including 11 top awards and organized numerous camps, hikes and other great activities. We opened our Explorer Unit, thereby completing our set of 4 independently-run sections, and had 5 international trips. We moved to a new location for Cubs and Beavers, which allowed us to finally split the Beavers and Cubs and promote growth. We are well on the way to completing 11 wood badges (adult training award) this year in our group, as well as all other adults working towards their required training. Four Nights Away Permits and two Snow Sports permits were also awarded. The ambassadors of the UK and USA attend our group AGM, and we launched the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in the Group. 5 of our members attended the World Scout Jamboree in the USA. We topped this off with a 70% increase in membership recorded at the annual census in January 2020, including a record number of new leaders and adults working in the group. So altogether a great year……….but then COVID 19 burst on us. But the group rose to the challenge! After a short period of thought, our leadership team threw itself into providing online Scouting. We have seen a large number of our members taking part on a weekly basis, and the originality and creativity from all sections has to be applauded. We have also shared these ideas with other Scouting groups across British Scouting Overseas. It has been sad that we could not provide all of the activities that Scouting is best placed to deliver. I hope that out of this global crisis, our group will emerge stronger. our membership numbers undamaged and our enthusiasm for Scouting renewed. As our Chair has already said in her report, we are working with British Scouting Overseas so that we can resume face-to-face Scouting again in the safest possible way. As usual, I have a number of thank yous this year because the group is now very much a large team effort. Scouting could not happen for the four sections otherwise. I am overwhelmed by the efforts of my team and group executive to provide Scouting of the highest quality. We might not always do things perfectly, but we learn from our mistakes and we will make things even better in the coming year. I would like to offer particular thanks to our host schools, Riverside International School and Park Lane International School and their staff. To Eleanor Hammond, Group Executive Chair, for her guidance and patience. To Jana Pavková, our Treasurer, whose workload has increased significantly due to our expansion. To Alastair Hammond for his wise council and his huge efforts in starting the Explorer Section, for which he has been awarded a Commissioner’s Commendation for Good Service. To Chris Wait (Baloo) who has also moulded a fabulous leadership team in the Cub Section, overseen our successful move to Park Lane, and who also spent part of the 2019 summer at the World Scout Jamboree in the USA. He has also been recognised with a Commissioner’s Commendation. To Jenny Kyselá-Heikkinen (Sleepy), my right hand for so many of the last few years: we simply could not have got this far without you. To Manon Frot, whose amazing admin skills have supported the group’s training as well as running the Scout Section. Thank you all! I would also like to highlight the work of Chisato Hashizume (Bambi). Just before the virus lockdown, she took over as Beaver Scout Leader. This meant that she hadn’t had much chance to get her feet under the table with normal Scouting when she was thrown into Scouting Online. I would like to thank her for her enthusiasm for this and the work she has
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done to keep this going in the Beaver Section, as well as doing a number of other jobs for the group and working toward becoming a trainer to deliver courses to develop our leaders.
To my leadership and admin teams, thank you all! 1st Prague has become a shining light in Scouting, and it’s all down to you. Thank you for volunteering, and for giving up your valuable time for all the young people we lead. You are each of you stars. I would also like to highlight a few other much-needed thank yous. To Chris and Julie Roberts for letting us use their basement for the last year to store our kit, a huge thank you. Thank you to Steve Entwistle, our former group secretary, who stepped down after the 2019 AGM, and who was a great source of guidance and enthusiasm from our earliest days. Thank you to Dominic Afriat, outgoing District Commissioner for all his support, and to our Local Training Manager John Marr and his wife Chrissy for all their help with training this year. Thank you to Dale Turnbull, Assistant Scout Leader, who left us to return to the UK but who still helps us out online. Finally, a huge thank you to my partner Simona and my daughter Mia for putting up with me spending many hours Scouting. Let’s look forward to a great uninterrupted year to come!
Simon ‘Mang’ Burgess Group Scout Leader gsl@praguescouts.cz
Group Leaders Training Day 12th October 2019
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Sectional Reports
I joined the Beaver Leadership team 20 months ago when I moved to Prague and have recently taken over the role of Beaver Scout Leader. This year kicked off at a new location, Park Lane International School. The venue allows us lots of space and we have been able to really develop our activity programme. The Beavers have learned skills such as rope knots, sewing, first aid, cooking and much more: during a science session, they looked at onion cells through a microscope and were impressed by the beauty of the science. On another occasion we invited a saxophonist to come and play music to them so that they could experience the live sound of the instrument.
Beavers in Central Prague, 19th September 2020
We introduced new outside activities including laser games, bouldering, hiking and enamel painting and a Group trip to iQLandia in Liberec. The Beavers made cups for their next camp in the enamel painting session and are looking forward to being allowed to camp once again! I would like to pass on my appreciation to Baloo (Chris) and the Cub Leadership Team for arranging the exciting outside activities which we were able to join. Page|8
We are pleased to announce that this year, the Beaver Bronze Award, the highest award a Beaver can earn, has been awarded to Ohsei, Elijah, Noel, Oliver and Victor. The greatest achievement of the year was our first Beaver camp in October 2019. Sleepy (Jenny) planned and led the camp. For some of the Beavers, it was their first time away from home. I am pleased to report that they all enjoyed the programme we put together and went home with big smiles on their faces. They used their knotting skills to build a den and cooked tasty burgers over the campfire. Everyone enjoyed the sing along in the evening, a JOTI (Jamboree on the internet) event, when our Beavers met other Scouts from different parts of the world. Sleepy, Spike (Charles), Rainbow (Marta) and Manuel used their Scouting experience to provide a memorable session and healthy homemade food for everyone.
Beaver JOTI Camp October 2019
Sleepy has been in our Group for many years and her enthusiasm and leadership in the Beaver Leader role has been pivotal during that time. Her knowledge, experience and creativity has inspired our Beavers in many ways. Sleepy stepped down from the role in January due to personal reasons, but happily she will continue to contribute to our Group in a different way in the future. I would like to thank her for her significant contribution. Thanks to the pandemic, we switched to online meetings in March 2020. No matter what is happening in the world, we will not stop Scouting! Since then we have had more than 10 online Beaver meetings. We continue to encourage our Beavers to learn new skills and earn as many badges as possible from home. They have practised a new song for their next camp. Many of them have also completed their Personal Challenges. The online sessions are enriched by Spike’s story time and Bagheera’s (Mauro) knowledge of photography and Page|9
physics, amongst other subjects. Mang (Simon) has been key in getting the online sessions set up and his voice characterisation in the storytelling sessions is always enthralling. As our Group has grown, many talented and experienced Leaders have joined us. Our Beaver Group has become more international than ever. What I have enjoyed most is watching our Beavers grow and develop through the year. This is most gratifying for me both as leader and personally, and I feel proud to be working together with our Beavers and Leaders in making this happen. I would like to express my appreciation to all the parents who have supported our Group in getting their children ready, taking them to meetings and preparing for online sessions. I appreciate their warm support. Over the next year, I look forward to continuing to grow the Group both in the activities it undertakes and advancing the skills and talents of the individual members. Finally, I would like to express my many thanks to the current Leadership Team: Spike, Rainbow, Sparkle (Arina), Bagheera and Adrian; I enjoy working with you all and have learned a lot from you in my role as Leader.
Chisato Hashizume (Bambi) Beaver Scout Leader beavers@praguescouts.cz
Beavers first aid session 26th September 2019
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As we stagger metaphorically out of the dark cave of COVID 19 isolation measures and blink at the warm light on the horizon which is the potential for scout activities to resume, it is time to take stock and review the year of progress and activity for the Cub section. In the AGM report last year, the Cub leadership team set out 4 goals:
To make a successful move from Riverside School in Sedlec to Park Lane School in Malá Strana To run independently as a section for the first time, under Baloo’s leadership To work together as a Cub team to better plan and execute a higher quality and age-focused Cub program To provide a more comprehensive weekend program for the Cubs.
It’s clear that we’ve achieved these goals. We’ve expanded the section to 30 Cubs; we now have 8 Cub leaders; the leadership team meets regularly and ahead of time to plan the delivery of the Cub syllabus; we have successfully delivered a diverse range of exciting weekend adventures for the pack. Moreover, many of the Cub leaders are close to completing their mandatory Scout leadership training, an impressive achievement that has required much dedication, and we will receive our wood beads to signify this. Each member of the Cub leadership team brings different strengths. Winifred (Rebecca) is a 3-year veteran of our section, she is ever-present, and her enthusiasm has pushed the group to deliver diverse and ambitious experiences for the Cubs. Wontolla (Alain) has been a great asset to the section this year, pushing traditional Scout etiquette and bringing to the group his vast experience from the Mexican Scouts. King Louie’s (Simon) teaching background, understanding of how children think and focus on raising the standards of behaviour has been fantastic. Akela (Joana) brings enthusiasm and great organisational skill in structuring the running of the leadership team, and she drives for quality of program delivery. Raksha (Kamila) and Daniela have both independently contributed original, well-executed programs, and we are pleased to have recently welcomed Klara/Milla to the team. Highlights of the Cub leadership team included: the pancake evening that Raksha organized; the Piratethemed January indoor camp with Baloo, Winifred, King Louie and Akela in Beroun; the road trip with Wontolla, Baloo and 6 Cubs to Belgium for SSW, the Bonfire group event in November, and the archery weekend event. While we can’t meet physically today as normal, this AGM report is the opportunity to award 4 Chief Scouts Silver awards - the highest award for Cubs - to our newly graduated Scouts: Noa, Stephen, Mickey and Samuel. This gives the Cub leadership team an enormous sense of pride and achievement. These 4 are part of the 11 departing senior Cubs who will graduate as Scouts in September. We wish them success in their continuing development personally and as Scouts in an exciting new environment. They will be sorely missed.
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Cubs Pirate Camp - January 2020
In spite of everything we’ve achieved, we must focus on what we would like to improve this coming year. Following the isolation measures, we would like (when allowed) to get back quickly to business as usual. We have a good quality and variety of programme, but we strive to keep on delivering a better learning experience for the Cubs. The leadership team is meeting in June 2020 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 out your calendars. The standard of behaviour has been raised this year, with 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; that good behaviour and effort is rewarded. The 5 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. The growth of the group this year has meant meeting and bonding with more parents, with a few of them actively involving themselves in the group. This has been a wonderful addition to the regular running of the section, and I feel as though I’ve made some new and like-minded friends. It was lovely to see so many of you at the bonfire evening in November, and I would encourage you all to participate in these sorts of events as they come up. Baloo, (Chris Wait) Cub Scout Leader, on behalf of the Cub Leadership team cubs@praguescouts.cz P a g e | 13
Cub Scouts Dancing Lessons 21st November 2019
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Cubs doing their Local Knowledge Badge 12th September 2019 P a g e | 15
The Scout troop finished June 2019 with the annual AGM, during which all Scouts presented their activities from September 2018. At the end of the event, 3 of our oldest members were awarded their Chief Scout’s Gold Award. The troop returned in September with new members and new leaders ready to start new challenges. New patrol leaders and assistant patrol leaders were appointed as old scouts joined the new section of Explorers. We had our first weekend in Desná, where the Scouts learned how to pitch a patrol tent and food shelter. Over the weekend, they learned how to work as a patrol with the kit given to them to prepare their food and keep their equipment clean. Though the sun shone throughout the weekend, the weather got a bit cold due to the altitude, but both scouts and new leaders enjoyed the hike and activities.
Scouts cooking at our Desná Camp in September 2019 In October, the Scouts resumed indoor sessions as the weather got colder, and prepared a 2-course meal over two sessions in celebration of World Food Day. The PL and APL learned a bit about leadership while the rest of the troop worked on communication between each other, respect and how to work together. This leadership session was topped by a fantastic spaghetti tower challenge, to show what a team can accomplish if they work together. The troop had another bonding moment when they joined with the Cubs and Explorers on a camp during JOTI weekend. They went on an incident hike, tested their navigation skills, and worked with the other sections on an obstacle course. We had newer (and some less new) leaders joining in for the weekend to spend some good time around the campfire. P a g e | 16
November was focused on crafts, the troop learned how to make woggles or key chains using paracord, which they took home as souvenirs. They had the chance to test their skills during the November camp, which took place in Bělá pod Bezdězem, where they slept indoors due to the cold weather. Over the weekend the Scouts perfected their navigation skills and learned how to handle safely axes and saws, and to light a fire. Before closing, the troop worked on their pioneering skills by creating a tripod-type wooden structure. As the end of the year came in, more sensitive topics were brought up, and one policewoman came to our session to talk about her work in the community. The term finished with an open forum to talk about past activities, and how to improve them in the future.
Scouts Camp, Bělá pod Bezdězem
The troop returned in January fresh from their holidays. They worked on the history of the scout movement which was followed by presentations. This allowed all the Scouts to learn more about the evolution of the movement, and for the leaders to get one training module ticked off. Once again, the Scouts joined with the other sections on a group hike, where they used gas and Trangia cookers to prepare a hot meal in the cold weather. Through February, the Scouts (and leaders) enjoyed a great session at the smalterie (enamel) workshop, where they could let their imagination run free and decorate their enamel mugs, followed by a special session run by our leaders focused on how to exchange and trade, with different resources. The troop had a great trip to the science museum in Liberec, to learn about biology, science and to experiment with new technologies.
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One of the Scout Online Sessions From March, the troop have had to meet online. Though all international camps have been cancelled, WINGS has been postponed to 2021, and Intercamp 2021 will take place in the UK as it was planned for this year. The troop has been able to stay in touch online and we have encouraged them to keep a positive attitude during the current situation. Hopefully the troop will be able to meet soon, and once enjoy again outdoor activities. Manon Frot – Scout Leader scouts@praguescouts.cz
Scouts Pancake Day 2020 P a g e | 18
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The Bohemians Can it be only a year since the Explorer Unit was formally opened by the British Ambassador, His Excellency Nicholas Archer, at the AGM last year on that warm, June evening in the Skautský Institut. Francesco and Emmie, 1st Prague’s longest-serving Scouts, joined all the other eligible Scouts in moving up to the new Explorer Unit and were quickly joined by three new recruits, making a total of nine. Based at our fantastic new home in Riverside School’s Arts Centre, the team quickly gelled into a tight-knit, supportive group that has seen them weather the uncertainties that were to follow in the spring. Our objective at the start was to engage in many more adventurous activities and challenges that would test and build their confidence, their teamwork and initiative, to prepare (those that wanted to) for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and in general to equip them with #skillsforlife.
First up was a canyoning and rafting trip to the Salza river just south of Salzburg, Austria. On a dark, torrential Friday night late in September, the Explorers set up camp. The next morning dawned clear but damp, and the Explorers were kitted out in their thick, cumbersome neoprene wet suits and safety P a g e | 20
equipment before heading to Almbach for our canyoning adventure. Exhilarating, and rising to the challenge, we slid, jumped, swam and abseiled down the creeper-festooned, wild gorge in crystal clear Alpine water. The following day saw the Explorers building their own raft from wooden poles, rope and some recycled barrels. With everyone on board, we tentatively pushed off into the steady flow of the Salza. Further downstream, we beached our raft and proceeded on foot up a tributary where we could jump into the smaller river which was flowing quite quickly after the previous evening’s rain. We floated down river and learned how to ford a fast-flowing river as a group. Where an individual would be quickly swept away, working as a team with the largest in front, supported by the rest in a pyramid behind, we doggedly, and surprisingly easily, crossed to the other side. Proceeding down river, we had to negotiate some rapids on our raft and had now gained some confidence. The final challenge was to negotiate a notorious standing wave that would challenge our vessel and our teamwork in equal measure. Both stood up to the test, although we lost one barrel, but no team members (just)! Allin-all, it was an amazing trip and one we will have to work hard next year to beat. After much debate, the Explorer Unit adopted their new name (as is traditional amongst Explorer Units) and became “The Bohemians”. On the one hand, a native of Bohemia; but also a person, or group, that is unconventional, interested in the unusual; a free-spirit, artistic, original, experimental or even unorthodox. Time will tell, but there is much in the name to live up to! Next up was the first ever 1st Prague Group Scout Camp in Sedlčany in mid-October. The Bohemians joined the Scouts and Cubs for JOTI (Jamboree on the Internet) where scouts from around the world get in touch with other scouts). We were even joined virtually by the Beavers who were at their own camp in Prague, and who visited us online. Over 50 scouts and their leaders had an amazing camp, including a challenging incident hike in lovely countryside and a huge obstacle course competing in teams. On the incident hike, the Explorers practiced their pioneering skills and built a rope bridge over a stream which the whole Group subsequently crossed as they passed around the course. Their navigation skills were well-tested and they demonstrated their knowledge of first aid in dealing with a planned incident involving a casualty who had fallen into a flooded quarry and was suffering from hypothermia. January saw a Group winter hike followed by a ski trip in February to Janské Lázně run by our very own Network Scout, Edward Entwistle. Staying in the faded glory of a communist-era hotel, repurposed as a self-catered hostel, we had two fabulous “blue bird” skiing days – the best skiing I personally have had in the Czech Republic. We were looking forward to the spring and early summer. We had planned camps and hikes aplenty, including Intercamp (for the fourth consecutive year) and WINGS (in August) in the UK, culminating in the Explorers doing their Bronze DofE Adventurous Journey (Expedition, in old parlance) when the coronavirus took over our lives. As the restrictions started to be discussed, we took the early decision to suspend face-to-face scouting activities to protect our young people and their leaders. Due to our early decision to stop, we were amongst the first to start online scouting. After just one week without a meeting we continued online; playing games, quizzes, an escape room, a virtual visit to the Army Flying Museum in the UK, some early DofE preparations, and even a virtual dinner party when the Explorers cooked dinner for their families. Throughout the lock-down, the Bohemians remained positive and enthusiastic. We had good attendance at the meetings despite occasional bandwidth issues and most having P a g e | 21
spent their days online doing their school work. Much credit should go to them all for maintaining their own morale throughout this difficult time.
Explorers Ski Trip February 2020 As things have improved in the Czech Republic in recent weeks and the restrictions are slowly being lifted, we look forward to starting face-to-face scouting as soon as possible. Scouting will look different for the foreseeable future; social distancing is the new “norm”, and we will be looking at new ways to deliver a rewarding programme while keeping everyone engaged and safe. We are planning the DofE Bronze Expedition with safeguards to ensure we comply with the rules and regulations (such as one person per tent). We are looking forward to September when four more Scouts will move up to join the Explorers. Hopefully we will also get some more new recruits – if you know of anyone who would like to join, a child of a friend or colleague, please point them in our direction! A big thank you from me to our leaders, Charlotte, Andra, Edward and Jim, without whom all this would not have been possible, and of course to Simon and the other Section Leaders for their support. 2020/21 beckons like a new dawn and we are looking forward to providing many more exciting sessions and weekend activities filled with fun and adventure. Lastly, many thanks to The Bohemians – you have, one and all, lived up to your name! Alastair Hammond (Colonel Hathi) Explorer Scout Leader, Assistant Group Scout Leader and D of E Manager explorers@praguescouts.cz
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One of our Cub Scouts joining Earth Hour online on 28th March 2020
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GROUP TREASURER’S REPORT TO 31ST DECEMBER 2019 All of the Group´s finances in 2019 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. As the number of Group members grew significantly in 2019, the same applies to our turnover. Our income grew by 248% and our expenditure by 235% in comparison with 2018. We ended 2019 with a positive balance of roughly 155 000 Kč. From September 2019, there was an increase in monthly subs. In total, subs accounted for 44% of our income. The remaining 56% mostly came from fees for camps and weekend activities. We were able to expand the Group´s assets (mainly camping equipment). I would like to thank the Executive Group members for their tireless work and great support. Big thanks go also to our new scrutineer, Kateřina Gelf. Jana Engelová Pavková
treasurer@praguescouts.cz
Group Treasurer June 2020
Group visit to IQLandia, 9th February 2020 P a g e | 24
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 2019 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 Grelf Scrutineer 16th June 2020
Explorers learning about The Velvet Revolution P a g e | 25
Receipts and Payments Account For the period from 1/1/19 to 31/12/19 Unrestricted Funds CZK
RECEIPTS
2018
Donations, legacies and similar income Membership subscriptions Sub total Miscellaneous income Uniforms and scarves Camps, hikes and activities Sub total Gross total income
2019
129,800
262,950
129,800
262,950
5,550 37,935
6,652 333,336
43,485
339,989
173,285
602,939
4,768 49,600 26,030 28,118 884 16,435 27,545 153,380
14,208 76,248 333,229 4,473 1,473 32,538 51,543 513,711
153,380 19,905
513,711 89,228
PAYMENTS Charitable Payments Youth programme and activities Uniforms, scarves, woggles, badges Camps, hikes and activities Camping equipment Stationery Others Capitation
Total Gross Expenditure Net receipts
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Sub total
Statement of assets and liabilities For the period from 1/1/19 to 31/12/19
31/12/2018 31/12/2019 Unrestricted Funds CZK
Cash Funds Bank current account Petty cash Total cash funds Other monetary assets Sub total
65,361 1,056
154,589 1,056
66,417
155,645
0
0
Non-monetary assets for charity's own use Badge stock 4,200 Uniforms 12,358 Misc Equip 30,058 Sub total 46,616 Liabilities Sub total Cash fund year end
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32,562 17,595 482,610 532,767
0
0
66,417
155,645
Group Executive Committee Annual Report for the Period 1st January 2019 to 31 December 2019 Reference and Administration Details Name: 1st Prague (Czech Republic) Scout Group z.s. Czech Association (Spolek) ID Number: 04755057 UK Scout Association Group Number: 47529 Principal: Simon Burgess (Group Scout Leader) Trustees: Name Eleanor Hammond Jana Engelová Pavková Steve Entwistle Alastair Hammond Jenny Kyselá-Heikkinen Chris Wait Manon Frot Simon Burgess Mark Farrell Chris Roberts Silvie Frumoltová.
Office Group Chair Group Treasurer Group Secretary – resigned July 2019 Explorer Scout Leader (Now AGSL as well) Beaver Scout Leader (Now AGSL) Cub Scout Leader Scout Leader Group Scout Leader (ex officio) elected - Parent Rep - from November 2019 elected - Parent Rep elected – resigned September 2019
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.
Scouts presenting the History of Scouting 28th January 2020 P a g e | 29
23rd January 2020 - Cubs navigation
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Membership Breakdown 2014 to 2020
Number of members
30 25 20 15 10 5 0 May 2014*
Jan 2015
Jan 2016
Jan 2017
Jan 2018
Jan 2019
Jan 2020
Census retuns* Beaver Scouts
Cub Scouts
Scouts
Explorer Scouts **
Young Leaders not in ESU**
Leaders
Explorer Leaders **
Group Active Support Unit
Executive members
120
Number of members
100 80 60 40 20 0 Total Membership May 2014*
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Jan 2015
Jan 2016
Jan 2017
Jan 2018
Jan 2019
Jan 2020
Young People’s Top Awards 2019 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)
Ohsei Hashizume Elijah Hartinger Noel Roberts
06/02/2019 20/10/2019 05/11/2019
Chief Scout’s Silver Award (Cub Scouts)
Krystof Engel
11/06/2019
Olivia Hammond
11/06/2019
Adam Caspe
11/06/2019
Vaclav (Evan) Hartinger Sebastian Straka
11/06/2019 11/06/2019
Chief Scout’s Gold Award (Scouts)
Emilie Baker
11/06/2019
Isabella Hammond
11/06/2019
Francesco Tasssi
11/06/2019
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Adult Awards 2019/20 Commissioners Commendation for Good Service
June 2019 Simon Burgess Manon Frot Jenny Kyselá-Heikkinen
Group Scout Leader Scout Leader Beaver Scout Leader
April 2020 Alastair Hammond
Explorer Scout Leader and Assistant Group Scout Leader
Chris Wait
Cub Scout Leader
Chief Scout’s 5 Year Long Service Award
Dale Turnbull
Assistant Scout Leader
President and Vice President of the Group President Vacant
Vice Presidents Matt Lightfoot – Deputy Area Commissioner- British Scouting Overseas, Group founder member.
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APPENDIX A
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the 1st Prague (Czech Republic) Scout Group held on 18th June 2019 at the Skautský Institut, Prague, Czech Republic. Present: Simon Burgess (Group Scout Leader), Steve Entwistle (Group Executive Secretary), Alastair Hammond (Acting Chairman, Group Executive and Explorer Leader), Jana Engelová (Treasurer), Manon Frot (Scout Leader), Chris Wait (Cub Leader), Jenny Kyselá-Heikkinenová (Beaver Leader and AGSL). Also present were a number of assistant leaders, a good number of young members (Explorers, Cubs, Scouts and Beavers) and a representative sample of parent members of the Group Council. Guests: A number of special guests were also present, viz, HE Nick Archer (British Ambassador to the Czech Republic), HE Stephen B King (US Ambassador to the Czech Republic), Chris Garratt (Chairman of the British Scouting Oversea Executive Committee, Northern Europe), Tomáš Vokáč (Chief Executive, Czech Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme). Apologies: Apologies were received from: Peter Dawes (Area Commissioner), Dominic Afriat (District Commissioner), Graeme Chisholm (Principal, Riverside Primary School) and Paul Ingarfield (Director, Park Lane School). 1. Welcome Alastair Hammond welcomed everyone and outlined the meeting’s purpose and proceedings. 2.
Minutes of 2018 AGM The minutes of last year’s meeting were approved with no matters arising.
3. Annual Report 2018 The Acting Chairman introduced the annual report (including the financial report), which illustrated another very successful year. He thanked all concerned and the report was duly approved. 4. Review of 2018 Simon Burgess introduced a video review of 2018, following which he handed over the sections who sang a song (Beavers and Cubs) and gave an entertaining presentation (Scouts). Simon highlighted some of the successes from the year and told an amusing story from Intercamp. 5. Ambassador King The Chairman introduced Ambassador King who then spoke for a few minutes on the importance of the participation of young people in Scouting. He also acknowledged the role played by all the adults involved in Scouting and thanked them for their time. 6. Presentation of Awards The Acting Chairman then asked Chris Garratt to join him and Ambassador King for the presentation of awards. Awards were presented to: a. Jenny Kyselá-Heikkine (Commissioner’s Commendation). b. Matt Lightfoot became Group Vice President (in absentia). c. Dale Turnbull (5 Year Award). P a g e | 34
d. Manon Frot (Commissioner’s Commendation). e. Simon Burgess ((Commissioner’s Commendation). 7. Investiture of New Leaders Simon Storey, Andra Crisan and Alastair Hammond were invested as leaders while everyone else who had been invested at any time re-affirmed their promise. 8. Launch of Explorer Unit and Participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme Simon Burgess explained the purpose of an Explorer Unit then Alastair Hammond explained the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and introduced Tomáš Vokáč, the Chief Executive of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme in the Czech Republic who explained the work of the scheme in the country. 9. Ambassador Archer Ambassador Archer was introduced and presented with a badge and flag as a memento of the evening. He then spoke for a few minutes, outlining his views on the challenges faced by young people and what the DofE scheme can offer. He then presented Edward Entwistle (Explorer) with his gold award. The Explorer Unit was officially launched, its flag was presented and the Explorers were invested. 10. Major Scouting Awards There followed a presentation of awards to Scouts, Beavers and Cubs. (See report). 11. 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. b. c. d. e. f.
Eleanor Hammond (Chair). Jana Engelová (Treasurer). Steve Entwistle (Secretary). Alastair Hammond. Silvie Frumoltová. Chris Roberts.
12. Appointment of Scrutineer Helena Vodražková, the Bursar of English of College, was re-elected Scrutineer. 13. The Chair (Eleanor Hammond) then briefly discussed the need to raise money and the launch of a fund-raising committee and she spoke about the recent British day in Dolní Břežany. She then closed the meeting and the flags were paraded out.
Signed ………………………………………..
Date ……………………………………….
Name ………………………………………… Place ………………………………………
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