Another year of Scouting has flown by, during which we saw some amazing successes. While size isn’t everything, at the most recent census, 1st Prague became the largest group in British Scouting Overseas, with over 170 young people across 5 sections, supported by 70 adult volunteers. In 2024, we will celebrate our 10th birthday – and who knows what the next decade will bring?!
I referred above to 5 sections: in January, we launched the Squirrels section for 4-6 year-olds which meets weekly at the lycee in Smichov. The section already has 20 members, and a fantastic programme which has already offered skiing and ice skating, Mardi Gras celebrations and zoo visits, starting these very young people on their journey of amassing invaluable skills for life.
Camping is at the core of scouting life. Last summer, we held our annual all sections camp – but with a difference! For this was the first time we had organized a green field camp – and our largest camp everwith 80 people under canvas! Immense kudos to all the leaders and volunteers who invested so much time and energy in the planning and execution. It was a full and intense week of outdoor adventure and one which we look forward to repeating again this year when the group returns to the stunning site on the edge of the forests around Novy Bor.
Another first was in securing a grant from Prague City Hall. This covers venue rentals, subsidizes camp fees, allows us to buy new equipment and, critically, to invest in leader training. As a result, we have expanded the number of first aiders in the group and, most recently, 5 of our leaders and one of our Explorers obtained permits for climbing and archery.
There is a 6th section, albeit an unofficial one, of which we should all be immensely proud. This is our Ukraine Club, which now meets every other Wednesday and has some 25 children attending regularly. Thanks to Mang’s oversight and support from leaders and Ukrainian and Russian-speaking volunteers, we are able to offer a wide-ranging programme which includes activities such as pioneering, crafts, climbing and first aid. The year’s expenses were covered by a grant from Komercni Banka’s Nadace Jistota as well as our
own fundraising activities. A recent fundraising drive means that we can continue to operate for the year to come.
If you aren’t one of the many thousands of followers of 1st Prague Scout Group – British Scouting Overseas on facebook or Instagram, I would encourage you to become one. There you’ll see what an extraordinary group this is, and how much it has to offer our young people. None of this would be possible without the drive, passion, commitment and creativity of Mang, and the section leaders, their supporters and the executive committee. All are volunteers, from many different countries but united by a common goal: to offer the next generation priceless #skillsforlife.
Eleanor Hammond Chair, Group Trustee Board – (formerly Group Executive Committee)
Here we are in our 9th year and what a year it has been,
The main highlights have to be the opening of our second troop in September to reduce our Scout waiting list and completing our 4 to 18 years age range with the opening of our Squirrel Drey in January 23 which already has 20 members. Our leader teams in both sections have been amazing at getting these up and running.
As of January 2023 we have a membership of over 170 young people and, with adults, 250 members. This makes us the largest British Scouting Overseas group in the world! Although we have no immediate plans to grow further, our vision stays the same: ‘to provide quality Scouting to as many international young people in Prague as possible’.
We have done some great activities this year in all sections, including community events such as supporting local food banks, canoeing, ski trips and survival camps. Our Summer Camp in Novy Bor was attended by over 80 of our members. We have also attended several international events including the Kent International Jamboree two Monopoly Runs in the UK and the District Camp in Luxembourg which 45 of our members attended. We continue to find innovative and exciting activities for the young people in our group.
In August 2022 we supported the BSO/BGO Jamboree Contingent, who will be attending the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea this summer by providing equipment and travel logistics for their visit to Prague for The Central European Jamboree. We are very proud that 3 of our Explorer Scouts will be representing BSO at WSJ and one of our Assistant Explorer Leaders Ed will be there too as a member of the international service team.
We have been very fortunate to be able to significantly reduce the cost of Scouting for our members through grants from Prague City council, which also supported the purchase of equipment for and training in climbing and archery. The subs that all members pay have been reduced significantly.
2022 saw the start of the war in Ukraine and one of the most significant activities we did. Coming from an idea from some of our Explorer Scouts, we held a fundraising event: ‘The Hike for Ukraine’ This raised 50,000kc for a local charity supporting Young Ukrainians. The money also allowed the group to start running regular events based on Scouting activities and Scouting values and 30 young Ukrainians and their families based in Prague now attend these
In April 2023, we joined the Prague Council of Children and Youth (Rada dětí a mládeže hlavního města Prahy) - http://rdmp.cz. We look forward to working with the council to help support the future development of our group in a number of areas such as grants, insurance and advice.
I would like to thank my team senior team of section leaders, Julie, Charles, Mauro, Wannes, Simon, Baloo, Manon, Alastair, Alain and Chris Tebb. Also Elli, Claire, Michael and Alastair for their continued trustee board
support and work behind the scenes. I would like to thank Brook and his fundraising team for the sterling work they are doing getting grants and finding other opportunities for funding. And all those dealing with the admin and logistics of running such a large group. I however would like to single out Chris Wait (Baloo), our Deputy Group Scout Leader and Scout Leader, who has without a doubt been the driving force behind many of this year’s activities and background work and I am grateful for his unwavering support and dedication.
We are now looking to the future and we hope that in the next couple of years we will be in a position to find a permanent home where most of our sections can meet together. This will require the support of our whole community.
Our growth and success this year has been due to only one thing: the hard work and dedication of our leader team, our parent supporters and our young people. I am sure that this will continue and that we can provide even better Scouting in the year to come.
Simon ‘Mang’ Burgess Group Scout Leader
As you will see in this report, the last twelve months have been hugely successful for 1st Prague. The effort put in by Simon and his leadership team as well as all the adult volunteers, uniformed or otherwise, cannot be understated; to have become the largest Group in British Scouting Overseas (not just the district and by some margin) is utterly amazing, especially given the impact of recent global events.
I am privileged to be a part of this Group as well as leading our District and I have first-hand witnessed the dedication and personal resource that each and every one of the adult volunteers. It is not just in membership numbers though that 1st Prague has made achievements: there have been at least 25 top awards completed across all sections, we have attended several Area/District international events, three Explorers are attending the World Scout Jamboree in Korea this summer, and the continued support of the Ukraine Club is awe inspiring and a perfect example of scouting values at the centre of the Group.
While my time as District Commissioner is ending, my time with 1st Prague is not. I look forward to being able to contribute even more in the next twelve months.
Chris Tebb DC, Northern EuropeIt has been a very exciting year as January 2023 welcomed the opening of our new Squirrel Drey! This was my first year with 1st Prague Scouts and as a Scout Leader. It was a significant learning experience all around, and it was also loads of fun! I must extend my deepest thanks to the support I have been given by the more senior scout leaders, particularly, Simon Burgess and Chris Wait who have helped me learn how to develop and deliver a quality program as well as stay organized on the administrative side of things. We kicked off with quite a full group of 18 Squirrels, all ready and eager to make new friends and learn some cool stuff, so there were a lot of new faces and information to keep track of. We have held our weekly sessions in the Early Years classroom at the French Lycée School in Prague’s Smíchov area, which has provided us with ample space for both indoor activities as well as an outdoor space to run around and play games.
As a new, and quite international section, we started the year looking at our identity, both individually, and as Scouts living in Prague. We joined in on international cultural celebrations such as the Lunar New Year and Carnival – making lanterns and masks, as well as dancing in costume to traditional music from various parts of the world. We learned about bridge types – and a few of the more famous bridges in and around Prague (including the Charles Bridge, of course!), and we even designed our own bridges over a paper river. We talked about what it means to be a Scout, to make the Scout Promise, and to wear our uniform, symbolizing our common values. Later, we had a Zoom call with another Squirrel Drey in the UK, sharing a little bit about us, and learning about them, too!
We explored our feelings, talked about what makes us happy, and the best ways to express our emotions – both the really good ones, and the ones that aren’t so fun. The Squirrels showed their gratitude drawing pictures and writing thank you cards to some of the hard-working superheroes around us including police officers, firemen, postmen, garbage collectors, doctors and nurses who keep us safe and our community running. During our First Aid Stage 1 session, we learned how to recognize an emergency and practiced what to do and how to call for help. We also painted rocks, leaving them along a hiking path to brighten someone else’s day.
We explored the world around us, learning how to identify local birds, insects and flowers, the best foods for them to munch on, and what they need to grow and thrive. We talked about ways to protect our environment; we planted our own seeds, and we built bird feeders with reused plastic water bottles.
We had loads of fun both inside and outside, building dens for our teddies in the classroom and later on, for “little human Squirrels” in Hvezda Park. We learned about our five senses, how we can use them to understand the world around us, and we conducted a few colorful experiments, including swirling reactions with fatty milk, food coloring and dish soap, a classic reaction with sodium
bicarbonate and vinegar to model a volcano eruption, stacked colourful layers of liquids of different density, and tested our own senses, identifying various foods and herbs by smell.
We had an absolutely fabulous weekend programme of events, where our Squirrels learned new skills and got to try some amazing new things. During the colder months, Squirrels tried out ice skating and even went on a day trip to the Ore Mountain region of the Czech Republic to try out skiing with a group instructor! As the weather warmed up, we got out for our first hike together in Klanovice, taking an exciting train ride to get there.
The Squirrels loved taking a pony ride in Prague’s Park Zahrádky after learning how to care for the ponies at the nearby Pony Paradise Pony Club, and our most recent event challenged the Squirrels, testing their bravery trying out a few “high ropes” obstacles between forest trees at Sambar Lanky Park in Kladno while learning how to stay safe using a harness and double carabiner lead.
None of this would have been possible were it not for our rockstar team of leaders, Aurore, Yoohee and Alex who have all dedicated time and effort into planning such rich and wonderful experiences for our youngest Scouts, as well as our Squirrel parents who have supported us and assisted us through messy activities and outdoor adventures.
We look forward to our day visit to Summer Camp this July. It will be a fantastic opportunity for our squirrels to learn about more traditional outdoor scouting activities and for the older sections to mentor our young Squirrels – and will be a preview for future overnights being planned for next year. As we have grown slightly during recent months, some of our young people will be preparing to move on to Beavers in the fall, making room for those coming of age on our Squirrel waiting list. We will be happy to see them make the transition with greater confidence and a positive attitude having already had such valuable scouting experiences as a Squirrel.
Julie Maddox Squirrel Scout Leader
This was my first year as section leader of the Beaver unit. We had a record year in terms of Beaver numbers and added new members to our team.
I took over as section leader at the start of September 2022. At that time, our team consisted of myself, Chisato Hashizume, and Petra Novakova. We also had approximately 25 Beavers in our unit, which was difficult but manageable. That changed for the better as the year progressed.
Matthew Stokes joined us as a leader at the end of September. This was his first attempt at volunteering as a scout leader, which he has really taken to and is now confident in his role and the Beavers have really taken to him. As of the new year, Larisia Petre also joined the team as a first-time scout leader as well. She dove into the role and has an energy and drive that really suits her as a leader with our age group. We now also have two young leaders, Sofie Teodorovicova and Adam Caspe, volunteering their time with us for their bronze Duke of Edinburgh award and Sofie has already asked if she can stay and help after her DofE time has passed. We will welcome her with open arms and Adam too if he chooses to stay with us. Both have been very helpful and have really great potential as future leaders.
As to be expected, Chisato and Petra have been indispensable both as leaders in welcoming and folding our new leaders into our unit right away. Their love for volunteering with our age group of kids shows every day, both in patience and creativity. They were the first to volunteer to help guide our new leaders through leading sessions and on the planning side. We also tapped into our parents as a resource more this year than in the past.
Several parents volunteered to plan and run a couple of sessions. Venno Jelinek came in several times to use his engineering prowess. He planned and ran a wonderful build your own water propelled rocket session, with some basic explanation of the physics behind it that the kids got to experiment with on their own. He also came in to teach the Beavers about electrical circuits. Andrea Colantoni stepped up on several events with our unit and came to our December planning session to contribute, which lead to our first attempt at an international month where parents from similar regions would come in and tell something about where they were from, play games or sing songs, and of course cook some nice recipes from home that the kids loved. I believe the crepes on French night were the largest hit. The international month was nice but will require some tweaking in the future.
As has been traditional, we went to the enamel cup making workshop around Christmas and added gingerbread cookie decorating around the same time And, as expected, they were a great hit, and we will do them again.
Now that the year is coming to a close, we expect to have ten Beavers earn their bronze award by the summer group camp, the most since I have been here. And our kids are hungry for more experiences that of course results in badges. For the next year, we hope to add an autumn camp and some more events that tap into our parent network with some guidance from lessons learned from the international month. Matthew and Larisa are beloved by our kids and I can’t wait to see what our full team can do next year. We hope to have Adam and Sofie with us next year too. We are lucky to have a very willing and active parent network that we can rely on when needed and plan to continue to nurture that as a resource. We look forward to seeing the first crop of Squirrels come up in the autumn and have them start their journey with us. All in all, it has been a great year with a great team. I couldn’t be happier.
Charles “Spike” Beaver Scout Leader
With the end of COVID, we were finally able to bring back Scouting to its more traditional form, with regular sessions and outdoor activities.
The growth of our 1st Prague Group has continued throughout this year and the two packs, Bears and Wolves, consolidated their leadership and their operations. Fifteen new cubs and three new leaders have joined 1st Prague since September!
During this year, Thoughtful Beaver assumed the role of Leader of the Wolves pack, aided by King Louie, Zita, Nala, Harley, and Wednesday and Bagheera that of the Bears, assisted by Winifred, Wookie, Zita, Tabaqui, Grey Brother and Bandalog.
Cubs spent a lot of time out in the open, engaging in all sorts of activities, including hikes and ice skating. Having enjoyed the rhythms of the Summer Camp, most of our Cubs braved the morning frost on our tents and joined us for the Autumn Camp in October 2022 at a campsite in Zizkov. The Cubs learned many skills at camp including pioneering, backwoods cooking, and how to put up patrol tents. They also spent a morning at a high ropes course which was enjoyed by all.
As the days got shorter and colder, we started using the spaces provided by Sokol in Ujezd and Vrsovice, our stable bases since last year, to meet inside. Cubs also had the chance to visit the annual Maker Faire in Holesovice. The autumn term was rounded off by a joint Christmas party.
Our sessions covered a wide range of topics such as backstage theatre, science experiments, air activities, DIY, photography, money management skills, fire safety, astronomy, and International Women’s Day.
Whenever the weather or the occasion allowed, we also organised outdoor activities and sessions. We went hiking, ice-skating, a scooter ride to Areal Vltavanu, rafting down the Berounka, slack-lining, held a martial arts session, explored our local areas of Mala Strana and Vrsovice, and volunteered at Metro Farm, a local community farm and garden.
All those activities contributed greatly to what is probably one of the main goals of scouting; teaching skills for life. And we are proud to announce that this year we were able to award the highest number of Chief Scout's Silver Awards, to Eliska, Elijah, Noel, Max, Benjamin, David, Caleb, Levon, Emily and Zarah, with a few more soon to follow.
For the first time in the history of 1st Prague, we also awarded the new YouShape core badge to 13 of our Cubs.
In the past 12 months we awarded a record grand total of 509 badges, between activity, staged, challenge and the Union Jack badge, awarded after the first international camp!
This is the case for the 13 Cubs that flew to Brussels for the 2023 District Camp, where they had the chance to participate for two days in Scout activities and meet other Cubs from Northern Europe District countries.
It’s been a year full of achievements that will soon culminate with the largest Summer Camp ever organised by 1st Prague! An amazing experience our Cubs are looking forward to.
Mauro and Wannes
on behalf of the Cub Leadership team
This is my 1st year as a Scout section leader. We started the 2nd Vltava Scout troop in response to demand for the experiences and opportunities we provide. I am getting to grips with the new section, and I enjoy getting to know the ever-growing capabilities of the Scouts, both new faces and some familiar ones too. What made the induction to the task of running Scouts so enticing was the enthusiasm and support of the incumbent leader Manon, and her partner Gabi, who helped me get underway and up to speed with the challenge of running the older section. 5 years ago, they started the Scout section, provided a fantastic programme and opportunities for young people to develop, and they are sorely missed. I hope we will welcome them back into the fold sometime in the future.
A highlight of the year was that we were able to award both Adam and Aarav the Chief Scouts Gold award, the highest award a Scout can earn! The aim of the Scout group is to help as many of the Scouts achieve this as we can, and many others are well on the way to achieving this honour.
This year has had some ambitious activities. The Scouts canoed 30km in September, competed in the Manchester Monopoly Run in October, hiked 16km in the dark in November, produced a high level of cuisine in the cooking competition in March, cycled 55km in April, and are due to walk 20km in June. These were ambitious targets, and the participating Scouts exceeded all expectations with the way they tackled the challenges set.
All we achieve and all we do with the Scouts would not be possible without the fantastic group of leaders that run both the Scout troops. Both leader teams in the Snezka and Vltava troops collaborate in a providing varied, engaging weekday programme, supporting me with the administration of running the 2 troops, planning the programme and booking weekend events. I really appreciate all the energy, thought and effort they put in to making such a fantastic experience for so many young people.
This year more than most, I must thank the parents for their active involvement. I have had help with translation, running programme, event booking, camp cooks, hikers, cyclists, shoppers, lunch makers, drivers, van loaders, store cleaners, and kitchen hosts that have really got into the spirit of what we are trying to achieve. Thanks for stepping when we needed you to!
One of the elements of this year I am proudest of is the community events we have engaged in. That we had so many Scouts willing to give up their free time to help at the metro farm, to pack food donations, and to wrap Christmas presents for the vulnerable is intrinsic to the values of Scouting, and I will look for more opportunities for them to do more in the community in the future.
The ambition for next year is to run frequent, local opportunities for the Scouts to camp overnight, perhaps a little more independently of the leaders. All the Scouts will get the chance to experience a Scout expedition. I am keen for the Scouts to take ownership of their troops, strategize with their peers, and tell the leaders what programme they want us to run. Cub graduate Benji organised a computer games afternoon in the winter. I’d like this to set a precedent, to promote true youth-led Scouting.
Intercamp in May was a first taste of an International Scout camp environment for 35 Scouts & Explorers, we have put together an exciting programme for the 37 Scouts attending the Viking Summer camp in Novy Bor, and we are really looking forward to spending 11 nights in August at the Haarlem Jamborette with 17 of the Scouts. Enjoy the summer break. We go again in September!
Chris Wait – Scout Leader
The last twelve months have been a series of transitions and firsts for Prague’s Bohemian Explorers. The end of the 2021/2022 year saw our first wave of graduation to Network and away to university for several of our Explorers who had been with us for some time (SJ, Kadri, Francesco, Sonia), with one of these claiming her DoE Gold award (Milla). Further advances in the DoE programme saw the majority of our Unit complete their DoE Bronze practice expedition on another successful summer camp (albeit forever remembered for one member losing their phone into the drop toilets.).
The new year started with a much changed dynamic but with focus on the DoE, our members closed out their adventurous journey which allowed us to present our first three Bronze awards. The autumn term saw trampolining, disc golf, learning about foods from displaced people and was rounded off with a cultural visit to Dresden and its famous Christmas market.
The new year saw a change of leadership, with professional demands requiring Alastair Hammond to step back from ESL; Alastair had led the Explorers for five years since the inception of the Unit and his commitment to our young people has been exemplary.
Our winter term focused on mini-pioneering, leadership and learning about Operation Hlavak which is where Ukrainian refugees are processed as they reach the sanctity of Prague. There was also time for a world discussion, Zendaya to win a balloon debate, going to a Hildebrandt art exhibition and learning Aikido and traditional Irish recipes for St. Patrick’s Day. The term concluded with a celebration of the Ukraine Club and all the work it has achieved that was initiated by our Explorers last year.
We also had three of our young people (Lydia, Evan and Ondrej) join other Explorers from the District at the London Monopoly Run in March.
We have done our community duty through the year, with attendance and participation in celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and coronation of King Charles III, as well as the more sombre occasions of HM The Queen’s memorial, Remembrance and ANZAC day.
Our successes this year include our first Chief Scout’s Platinum award (Isabella), two Explorers completing their Young Leader mission badges (Isabella and Alex), and the same two achieving their over 75 nights’ away badge. We wish our three attendees (Isabella, Alex and Sisi) at the 2023 World Scout Jamboree in Korea a wonderful experience and the same to the sizeable contingent heading to Haarlem Jamborette in August
Chris Tebb Explorer Scout LeaderThe Scout Activity Support Unit is a special unit whose main goal is to provide support to the group and its sections.
The unit is intended for adults who wish to volunteer and who have limited time but a great desire to help others by using their skills and knowledge.
They help the group with diverse tasks, from logistics for the camps, setting up camp infrastructure, loading and unloading minivans, running errands before and during camps, making pictures, cleaning, organizing events etc.
From my humble point of view, the profile of SAS members summarizes the ultimate goal of Scouting...“Adults who serve others without expecting any reward” They help others not for money, not for fame, not for likes... They help because it is their duty and it should be everyone’s duty: to help others as much as possible to do their best.
Maybe you cannot see them at the activities but many of those activities are only possible thanks to them.
If you want to help the group but can only offer sporadic support, this is your opportunity. Come and be part of us!
Alain Flores y Flores Scout Active Support Manager
All of the Group´s finances in 2022 went through the groups sole 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.
For another year the number of scouts continued to grow year on year, driven by the opening of new sections,
In addition, there was a significant diversification in income sources, with the successful application for a grant from the City of Prague, fundraising activities for the Ukraine fund, and from KB Bank too. This has allowed us to expand the activity carried out, whilst reducing the cost to parents.
The closing the bank account balance on 31/12/2021 was 1,053,447.68 Kč.
Michael Bibby Group TreasurerI report on the accounts of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2022
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.
In accordance with the directions given in Policy Organisation and Rules, I have scrutinised the records and the accounts set out on pages below.
In my opinion the accounts are in accordance with the records produced to me and comply. Signed TBC
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
Spolek Principal/Director Simon Burgess (Group Scout Leader)
Trustees:
Name Office
Eleanor Hammond Group Chair/Spolek Member
Michael Bibby Group Treasurer (previously acting - from 9/6/22)
Claire Whiting Group Secretary
Alastair Hammond DGSL/ Spolek Member
Jenny Kyselá-Heikkinen
Chisato Hashizume nominated member Beaver Scout Leader (resigned 1/7/22)
Chris Wait Scout Leader/DGSL
Charles Bird Beaver Scout Leader (from 1/7/22)
Manon Frot Scout Leader
Mauro Lovecchio Cub Scout Leader (from 1/7/22)
Simon Burgess
Vacant Group Scout Leader (ex officio) Spolek Member Network Member (under 25 rep)
Mark Farrell elected - Parent Rep
Chris Roberts elected - Parent Rep
Erica Hartinger elected - Parent Rep (from 9/6/22)
Steve Foster nominated member (resigned 9/6/22)
Brook Braithwaite nominated member - Fundraising and Grants Sub Committee Chair (previously co-opted - from 9/6/22)
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 and the trustee board. As charity trustees the members of the board are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns as appropriate.
• The association committee is represented by 3 members who are responsible to the group trustee board which consists of 3 independent representatives, Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, together with the Group Scout Leader, individual section leaders and parents’ representation. It meets every regularly as required. Electronic communication is extensively used for discussion and decision making.
• This association committee and the Group trustee board exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointment and is responsible for:
o The maintenance of Group property;
o The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance, including advising on and setting budgets for sections to follow;
o The insurance of persons, property and equipment;
o Group public events;
o Assisting in the recruitment of leaders and other adult support;
o Appointing any subcommittees that may be required;
o Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected.
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 Trustee Board
Eleanor Hammond - Group Chair
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 Acorn Award (Squirrel Scouts)
Anna Klenerova
Nora Buckley
Chief Scout’s Bronze Award (Beaver Scouts)
Evelina Topinkova
Gabriel Jelinek
Victoria Rose Bird
Clémentine Charlotte Hervoches
Franz Kolar
Finley Houlihan
Mia Ellen Burgess
Chief Scout’s Silver Award (Cub Scouts)
Elijah Hartinger
Eliska Pagacova
Noel Roberts
Max Novák
Benjamin Nikolai Fontijn
David Koptev
Emily Coyne
Caleb Hayden
Zarah Bathe
Levon Savzyan
Chief Scout’s Gold Award (Scouts)
Aarav Jawahar
Adam (Smith) Capse
Evan Hartinger
Chief Scout’s Platinum Award (Explorers)
The Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze Award
9th June 2022
A Whitmore Steffensen, Explorer Scout for their work on Ukrainian Support.
Isabella Hammond, Hannah Aston, Sofie Farrellova9th June 2022
Petra Novakova, Assistant Beaver Scout Leader
9th June 2022
1st Prague (Czech Republic) Scout Group – for the work on supporting young Ukrainians.
22nd July 2022
Matt Lightfoot, Vice President
28th December 2022
Rebecca Prew, Assistant Cub Scout Leader
Brook Braithwaite, Assistant Scout Leader, Chair of the Fundraising Committee
1st October 2022
Rebecca Prew
1st January 2023
Manon Frot
Gabriele D’Ortona
Chris Wait
Alastair Hammond
Joana Storey
Last year we instigated a new award: The Bronze Scout Award. This award is given annually to the Squirrel Scout, Beaver Scout, Cub Scout, Scout, and Explorer Scout in each section who has shown particular dedication and commitment to being a Scout and to Scouting values during the year. We will recognise adult volunteers who have shown exceptional dedication to supporting the young people in our group.
Recipients receive a special framed certificate
This year’s recipients: -
Squirrel Scouts - Anna Klener
Beaver Scouts - Alexander Fedoruk
Cub Scouts - Phoebe Coyne, Emma Bird
Scouts – Ethan Warren, Patrick Safarik
Bohemian Explorers – Hana Tomosova
Adult Volunteers –
Stephanie Shattuck, Brook Braithwaite, Yoohee Kang, Aurore Pascot, Wannes Leirs, Charles Bird, Chris Wait, Maisey Bonito
Present: All sections 1st Prague Scouts, leaders and young people. Parents from across all sections. In total, approx. 125 young people and adults were present at the AGM. Apologies: Jamie Greenwood.
Item 1. Welcome
Eleanor Hammond – Chair of the group – welcomed parents, leaders and volunteers to the 1st Prague Scouts (Czech Republic) Scout Group z.s. – British Scouting Overseas, Annual General Meeting 2022. The group colours were marched in by young people from each section.
The guests for the evening were welcome: Chris Tebb – District Commissioner, Callum Kaye – International Commissioner for UK Scouting and Members of the Group Scout Council, parents and leaders as well as friends and supporters of the group.
Item 2. Approval of the Minutes of the 2021 Annual General Meeting held on 31st May 2021 (previously circulated) were approved as a true record.
Item 3. The Scrutinised Statement of Accounts and Annual Report for the year ending 31st December 2021 were presented Michael Bibby and approved. There was great growth in overall numbers, income did not follow as made reductions in subs for months that had lower activity linked to COVID.
Main expenditure was the summer camp. Ended the year with a healthy balance of funds and assets. Report has been scrutinised by the scrutineer, all found to be in order. No questions raised.
Simon Burgess Group Scout Leader to present the rest of the annual Report. A 2nd cub pack was opened to reduce the waiting list. All sections are full, with the exception of the explorers. Thanks to all the leaders for growth and retention across all sectors. There has been a 40% increase in numbers in the past year. Presented a record amount of chief scout awards. A new section is planned for September. Thanks to Brook Braithwaite, who has helped to secure a large grant. Thanks were given to the senior team – Manon, Chisasto, Chris, Simon and Jo and the executive committee Michael, Mark, Claire, Alistair, Chris, Elli – for support this year. The group and specifically the explorers and Aliais ran five events for young Ukrainians and their families. This is what scouting is about. Thanks to everyone who donated a generous amount to support activities for Ukrainians. A video of the years activities was presented.
Over the year, each Section has done fun, challenging, exciting and education activities during the week or at weekends. Each one designed to give the young people of the group #skillsforlife. We have camped, cycled, walked, swam and cooked our way to a record number of Chief Scouts Awards. We have come out of COVID stronger than ever. We have plans to open a second troop in September and Squirrels not far behind that. Thanks to the work of Brook Braithwaite we have obtained a substantial grant from the city council to help the group, we will let you know more
about that later. Thanks to all in the group for this year’s success that can be seen in the Annual Report. Please find time to read it if you have not done so,
The annual report and accounts were adopted with no questions.
The chair confirmed the Group Vice Presidents of Matt Lightfoot. Matt our groups co-founder has confirmed that he will would like to continue in this role this is confirmed here.
Item 4. The Group Scout Leader’s and Group Executives nomination for membership of the Group Scout Council.
All leaders, parents, patrol leaders and Explorer Scouts are members of our Group Scout Council, but in order for others to be involved in the work of the group we need to nominate them. Brook Braithwaite and Jenny Kyselá- Heikkinen were nominated to be a member of the Group Scout Council for a fixed period not exceeding 3 years. This may be extended. The proposal was carried
Item 5. Group Scout Leader’s nomination and approval for Group Chair to the Executive Committee of the 1st Prague Scout Group Council.
Eleanor Hammond has agreed to continue her role as Group Chair of the Group Executive Committee and the 1st Prague Scout Group Council for the next year. The proposal was carried. Eleanor shared that she thrilled to be part of it and extended thanks to all parents and leaders and volunteers for bringing their children and was excited about the year ahead.
Item 6. The election of Officers.
To ratify the appointment of Group Treasurer and Group Secretary of the 1st Prague Scout Group Council. Michael Bibby has agreed to continue are group treasurer and Claire whiting has agreed to continue as our Group Secretary. The proposal was carried
Item 7. The Group Chairman’s nominations for members of the Group Scout Council to stand on the 1st Prague Scout Group Executive Committee for the next 12 months:
Brook Braithwaite who was been instrumental in our groups fundraising efforts and Jenny Kyselá- Heikkinen one of our long standing leaders until recently AGSL were nominated and the proposal carried.
Item 8. Election of members of the Group Scout Council to the 1st Prague Scout Group Executive Committee
o Mark Farrell – Parent Rep and Group Appointments Secretary (safeguarding checking)
o Chris Roberts – Parent Rep
o Erica Hartinger – Parent Rep
The proposal was carried
Item 9. To confirm the members of the Spolek Association committee.
The group executive committee nominated the following members of the Group Executive Committee to act on behalf of the Spolek Association and the Scout Group in all legal matters for a fixed period not exceeding 3 years. This may be extended.
Simon Burgess – Group Scout Leader
Alastair Hammond – Deputy Group Scout Leader
Eleanor Hammond – Group Chair
The proposal was carried
Item 10. Katerina Grief agreed to continue be the Group’s Scrutineer to examine the Accounts for 1st Prague Scout Group Scout for the next 12 months. The proposal was carried.
Item 11. Confirmation of the new constitution of the 1st Prague Scout Group.
The group recently streamlined its Spolek (Charity) document to allow the group to manage its business more easily. In order to ensure that the Spolek operates in conjunction with the executive committee and this forum the group council a new constitution is required. This constitution is presented to the Group Council for approval, it has already received the approval of the Group Executive Committee. The proposal was carried
The Chair formally closed the business part of the Annual General Meeting
GSL, Simon, handed over to our District Commissioner Chris Tebb who lead volunteer for the Northern Europe District and one of the Assistant Explorer Scout Leaders in Prague. Simon welcomed our distinguished guests. Callum Kaye – International Commissioner, responsible to lead international work and engagement and supporting our growth and development overseas in the UK.
Calam commented that had never seen an AGM with so many people Wanted particularly to commend the inspiring work that the Explorers and Scout Group has being doing in relation to the Ukraine Humanitarian work.
Thanks to Simon and all leaders for time given to deliver the program. Thanks to parents for giving YP to 1st Prague Scouts and having the trust in us for looking after your children. Thank you very much.
Chris Tebb handed over to Nathan Prince – Area Commissioner. Norther E, Southern E, the Middle E and the rest of the world as his 4 areas.
UK Chief Commissioner Carl Hankinson who has volunteered with Scouts for over 30 years and has held a variety of local roles, including County Commissioner and County Chair was welcomed. He’s had various programme roles across Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Scout Network, which have given him an exceptional understanding of the hard work and dedication it takes to run Scouts locally. Carl has also held a number of UK volunteer roles including being part of a Programme
Support Team, as UK Contingent Leader to the 12th World Scout Moot, and chairing the Operations Committee as a member of the Board of Trustees. Most recently he’s been the lead volunteer for the work we’re undertaking to transform our volunteer experience.
Commissioners Commendations:
Commissioners commendation presented to the group as a whole.
Presented on behalf of the area commissioner and the international commissioner. Awarded to 1st Prague Scout group for the exemplary scouting given and support given to Ukrainian refugees. Thanks given to every single one.
Simon accepted as the group scout leader. Shocked when heard would receive. Doesn’t happen often. Thanked Nathan and BSO and UK Scouting and proudly and gratefully accepted the honor. Will put on the wall of the HQ when get one!! Thanks given to Alistair Hammond, who has been the driving force and all of the explorers who gave the inspiration.
Commissioners Commendation to members of 1st Prague scouts.
1st awarded for the direct support to the Ukraine effort. Given to one YP, who established the Help Ukraine effort - Atreyu. 40,000 initially raised, now 100,000kc (£3,500) raised. An amazing effort recognised.
2nd awarded for the effort given for the development and growth of the 1st Prague beaver unitPetra Novakova. Petra put in effort to negotiate and obtain the current home of 1st Prague Scouts. It’s an amazing location in Kampa park.
Recognition was given to members who had achieved their top awards this year. They received a special certificate from the District Commissioner to recognise their achievement throughout the year. GSL and DGSL presented the certificates to:
Individual praise and feedback for each beavers journey through beavers to earning their Chief Scouts Bronze Award was given by Chisato. This process is called beaver magic. All beavers have this magic and they all change and progress on their own path. Thanks was given to all parents for the warm support given.
The Cub Scout Chief Scout’s Silver Award Recipients:
Average achievement is 15% across UL. Today the Prague cubs are giving out 15 awards. Two cubs earnt their awards in just 12 months – that’s an indication of how hard they worked. Huge round of applause for the achievement of the YP in earning the awards.
Scout Chief Scout’s Gold Award Recipients: Congratulations were given to the two scouts that earnt the gold award.
This year we instigated a new special award The Bronze Scout Award. This award will be given annually to the Beaver Scout, Cub Scout, Scout, Explorer Scout in each section that has shown particular dedication and commitment to being a Scout and its values during the year. We will also be recognising the adult volunteer who has shown exceptional dedication to supporting young people in our group.
Recipients received a special framed certificate and their names engraved on the trophy that has been donated to the group.
This year’s recipients were: -
Beaver Scouts - Jaroslav Moravec
Cub Scouts (Bears) - Eliska Pagacova
Cub Scouts (Wolves) - Benjamin Fontijn
Scouts – Miki Roberts
Bohemian Explorers – Isabella Hammond
Adult Volunteers – Simon and Jo for starting the new cub pack., Rudolf - an amazing leader and to Brook – who has made a big difference to how the group will operate in the future.
Scouts leaving the youth sections.
Recognition ws given to some of our members who are leaving the youth sections as they have grown old – are now 18 or older and are off to other things. The following members are now moving up from Explorers to the Scout Network section our adult section that allows them to continue as members of the group undertaking exciting activities as adults.
Kadri Aston
Milla Szirányi
SJ
Sonia Furlong
Francesco Tassi – 7 years
Emmie – been with the group for 8 years – the only founding member who has been with the group since it was established.
We look forward to having you join us in further adventures in the years to come.
Emmie has been a fantastic Cub, Scout and Explorer and she has enjoyed many exciting adventures with our group over those 8 years as we have with her. Her membership was recognised by giving her a small gift.
Investitures –
New beavers (5), cubs (6) , scouts (2) explorers (1) and leaders (4) were invested.
World Scout Jamboree Presentation
Biggest scout event in the world. 12 days long with over 50,000 people attending will take place in South Korea. It is an amazing once in a life time opportunity for each attendee. 3 scouts were selected. Honor to represent 1st Prague scouts. Now need to raise the money in 18month. Are sewing badges, babysitting and working.
New Grant
Brook Braithwaite explained about the grants we have received from the city council and the impact it will have on the group. PCC gives 20-25million KC a year to organisations like Scouts. June 2021 formed a fundraising committee. Found details on how to apply – applied and got the result. Were approved for 8-% of what asked for. These were, rent, equipment, camps abroad and domestic, training for leaders. This includes for example
International camps – 2 per year. Giving 130,000KC
Domestic camps – 100kc per child per day
Equipment – 90,000kc
Rent – 100% covered for all locations and for the storage unit. 100,006kc
Leadership – volunteer leaders will have activity training – archery etc. Subs – annual subs will be reduced from May 1st dues will be 2500, KC per year reducing the cost of scouting and making it accessible to all. Thanks to city of Prague Council.
The meeting ended with refreshments
Under Czech law charities are required to be registered as Spolek Associations to regulate their activities. 1st Prague (Czech Republic) Scout Group z.s. is registered as a Spolek Association, ICO04755057
In order to regulate the association in line with Czech Law and in compliance with Policy Organisation and Rules of the UK Scout Association this constitution has been written to ensure compliance.
Previously the constitution was defined in the Spolek Association document. However the Spolek Association document is currently being simplified to reduce complexity. In order
The Group Scout Council is the electoral body, which supports Scouting in the Scout Group. It is the body to which the Group Executive Committee and the Spolek Association Committee is accountable.
All adult members and associate members of the Scout Group as defined by Policy Organisation and Rules of the UK Scout Association.
Patrol Leaders;
all parents of Squirrel Scouts, Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts;
District Commissioner
District Chair
Nominated members
Other supporters of the Group appointed by the Group Scout Council on the recommendation of the Group Scout Leader and the Group Executive Committee.
The number of Nominated Members must not exceed the number of Ex Officio members.
Nominated members must be appointed for a fixed period not exceeding 3 years. Subsequent reappointments are permitted.
iii. Membership of the Group Scout Council ceases upon:
the resignation of the member;
the dissolution of the Council;
the termination of membership by Headquarters following a recommendation by the Group Executive Committee.
iv. The Group Scout Council must hold an Annual General Meeting within six months of the financial year end to:
receive and consider the Trustees’ Annual Report and the annual statement of accounts (following completion of their examination by an appropriate auditor, independent examiner, or scrutineer); prepared by the Group Executive Committee,
approve the Group Scout Leader's nomination of the Group Chair and nominated members of the Group Executive Committee
approve nominations for the Spolek Association Committee;
elect a Group Secretary and Group Treasurer;
elect members to the Group Executive Committee;
appoint an auditor, independent examiner or scrutineer as required;
adopt (or reconfirm) certain resolutions:
agree the quorum for each of meetings
Group Scout Council
Group Executive Committee
Group Sub Committees
agree the number of members that may be elected to the Group Executive Committee
adopt the constitution of the Group Scout Council
appoint (or re-appoint) any Group Presidents or Vice Presidents
i. The Spolek Association Committee exists to run the legal responsibilities of the Czech Spolek Association.
ii. Spolek Association Committee Meeting operates as part of the Group Executive Committee Meetings.
iii. Members of the Spolek Association Committee are also members of the Group Executive committee and their appointment is approved by the Group Scout Council, their appointment must be for a fixed period not exceeding 3 years. Subsequent reappointments are permitted.
iv. These nominated members have legal authority to act on behalf of the Scout Group Executive Committee and the Scout Group. No actions relating to the use of this legal authority can be carried out by these members without first gaining Group Executive Committee approval.
v. The Scout Group/Spolek Association is always represented by 2 Spolek Association Committee members together in all legal matters.
a) The Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of their appointment.
b) Members of the Group Executive Committee must act collectively as de facto Charity Trustees of the Scout Group, and in the best interests of its members to:
i) Comply with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association
ii) Protect and maintain any property and equipment owned by and/or used by the Group.
iii) Manage the Group finances.
iv) Provide insurance for people, property and equipment.
v) Provide sufficient resources for Scouting to operate. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting recruitment, other adult support, and fundraising activities.
vi) Promote and support the development of Scouting in the local area.
vii) Manage and implement the Safety Policy locally.
viii) Ensure that a positive image of Scouting exists in the local community.
ix) Nominate the members of the Spolek Association Committee.
x) Appoint and manage the operation of any sub-Committees, including appointing a Chair to lead the sub-Committees.
xi) Ensure that Young People are meaningfully involved in decision making at all levels within the Group.
xii) The opening, closure and amalgamation of Sections in the Group as necessary.
c) The Group Executive Committee must also:
i) Appoint Administrators, Advisers, and Co-opted members of the Group Executive Committee.
ii) Prepare and approve the Trustees' Annual Report and Annual Accounts after the examination of the accounts by an appropriate auditor, independent examiner or scrutineer.
iii) Present the approved Trustees' Annual Report and Annual Accounts to the Group Scout Council at the Annual General Meeting; file a copy with the District Executive Committee; and to the appropriate charity regulator if the regulator’s rules require it.
iv) Maintain confidentiality with regard to appropriate Executive Committee business.
v) Where staff are employed, act as a responsible employer in accordance with Scouting’s values and relevant legislation.
vi) Ensure line management responsibilities for employed staff are clearly established and communicated.
d) The Group Executive Committee consists of: -
Ex-officio Members
i) The Group Chair;
ii) The Group Secretary;
iii) The Group Treasurer;
iv) The Group Scout Leader;
v) The Deputy/Assistant Group Scout Leader;
vi) The Explorer Scout Leader (if stated in a Partnership Agreement, and subject to that Explorer Scout Leader expressly indicating to the AGM (in writing or orally at the meeting) that they are willing to perform such a function);
vii) All Section Leaders (i.e. individuals holding a Squirrel Scout leader, Beaver Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader or Scout Leader role) subject to that Section Leader expressly indicating to the AGM (in writing or orally at the meeting) that they are willing to perform such a function.
Elected Members
viii) persons elected at the Group Annual General Meeting;
Nominated Members
ix) persons nominated by the Group Scout Leader;
x) the nominations must be approved at the Group Annual General Meeting; the number of nominated members must not exceed the number of elected members.
Co-opted Members
xi) persons co-opted annually by the Group Executive Committee
xii) the number of co-opted members must not exceed the number of elected members.
Right of Attendance
xiii) the District Commissioner and the District Chair have the right of attendance at meetings of the Group Executive Committee.
e) Additional Requirements for sub-Committees:
i) sub-Committees consist of members nominated by the Committee.
ii) The Group Scout Leader and the Group Chair will be ex-officio members of any sub Committee of the Group Executive Committee
iii) Any fundraising committee must include at least two members of the Group Executive Committee. No Section Leader or Assistant Leader may serve on such a fundraising sub Committee.
f) Additional Requirements for de facto Charity Trustees:
i) Because legally only the association committee members are Charity Trustees in UK terms, the members of the Group Executive Committee are therefore regarded by the Scout Group as de facto Charity Trustees.
ii) All ex-officio, elected, nominated and co-opted members of the Group Executive Committee are de facto Charity Trustees of the Scout Group.
iii) Only persons aged 18 and over may be full voting members of the Group Executive Committee because of their status as de facto Charity Trustees (however the views of young people in the Group must be taken into consideration).
iv) De facto Charity Trustees are responsible for ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation including GDPR.
v) All must complete Module 1 Essential Information, Safety, Safeguarding, GDPR and Trustee Introduction training within 5 months of the role start date and submit a criminal record check.
a) Membership of the Section Leader Meeting consists of the Group Scout Leader as chair, assistant and deputy Group Scout Leaders, all Section Leaders including the Explorer Leader, the Group Scout Active Support Manager.
b) Other leaders may be invited to attend from time to time.
c) The role of the Section Leaders' Meeting is to:
i) consider the well-being and development of each Member of the Group;
ii) ensure the progress of each Member through the programme;
iii) plan and co-ordinate all the Group's activities;
iv) to keep the Group Executive Committee advised of the financial and other resource requirements of the training programme.
a) Only members as defined above may vote in meetings of the Group Scout Council and the Group Executive Committee.
b) Decisions are made by a majority of votes cast by those present at the meeting or by an electronic vote prior to the meeting. In the event of an equal number of votes being cast on either side the chair does not have a casting vote and the matter is taken not to have been carried.
c) A quorum is defined in the Spolek Association Document.
d) The Group Executive Committee / Group Scout Council can meet by telephone conference, video conference as well as face to face in order to discharge their responsibilities when agreed by the appropriate Chair.
