APPENDIX A

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the 1st Prague (Czech Republic) Scout Group held on 9th June 2022.

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.

Chief Scout’s Awards

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.

The Group Bronze Scout 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