The Youth Forum has had another busy year. The members of the Provincial Youth forum are Scouts - Callum White (Dalriada), Ellen Brunton (Dalriada), Ellie Patterson (Brian Boru), Ben Toner (Brian Boru), Adam Walsh Oates (Brian Boru), Stephen McCollum (Errigal)
Provincial Commissioner
Down & Connor Scout County
The Northern Province is made up of 5 Scout Counties – Brian Boru, Dalriada, Down & Connor, Erne and Errigal. The total membership figure for the Northern Province is 4,597 members and a breakdown of this figure appears as an appendix to this report. There are a total of 64 Scout Groups in the Northern Scout Province.
The County has a total of 17 Scout Groups. A warm welcome to 8th Down (Portaferry), the new Sea Scout Group in the County. They have a full range of sections; Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venture Scouts and Rover Scouts. The County has a full County Management Team in place and a full programme of activities was run within the County.
Brian Boru Scout County The County has a total of 13 Scout Groups. Danny Hagan stepped down as County Commissioner during the year. Many thanks to Danny for all his hard work. Joe Corey was elected as County Commissioner at the AGM and we wish him good luck over the next 3 years. The County has a full programme of activities for all sections and a full County Management Team in place.
six main uniformed youth organisations in Northern Ireland. Scouting Ireland Scouters were awarded certificates for completing CRED training and the young people who took part told the audience about their very positive experiences. This event was hosted by the Chairman of the Education Committee at Stormont. In a major recognition of the work of Scouting Ireland, Lisburn City Council awarded the Freedom of the City of Lisburn to Scouting Ireland, and other similar youth organisations, “for their work in Lisburn and across Northern Ireland” This is a major honour for Scouting Ireland, its Scouters and the work that they carry out in Northern Ireland.
Dalriada Scout County The County has a total of 7 Scout Groups. Patricia McDonald has stepped down as County Commissioner and Martin McCaughey was elected during the year. Many thanks to Patricia for all her hard work and good luck to Martin over the next 3 years. A full County Management Team is in place and although the County is the smallest in the Province, a full programme of activities was run for all relevant sections.
Venture Scouts - Aoife Gannon (Brian Boru), Ronan McGibbon (Brian Boru), James Goodwin (Brian Boru), Aoibhean Moyne (Errigal), Niall Fogarty (Errigal), Annabell Browne (Errigal), Tiernan Doherty (Errigal)
“This year saw a focus being put on Group Leader and Commissioner Training.” Erne Scout County The County has a total of 8 Scout Groups. Tony Smith is the County Commissioner. A full County Management Team is in place and a full programme of activities was run within the County.
Errigal Scout County
Rover Scouts - Karen Bradley (Dalriada), David Irvine (Erne), Mark Stewart (Errigal), Jonathan Gallagher (Errigal), Raymond O’Donnell (Brian Boru), Fionntan Byrne (Down & Connor). At least three Provincial Youth Reps attended each of the Provincial Management Support Team (PMST) meetings and reported on what they had been doing and what support the youth in the Province needs. Each year the PMST gives the Youth Reps Stg£1,000 to be used for the benefit of the youth members within the Province. Five Stg£200 grants are made available for other youth members to apply for on behalf of their section or Scout Group. The Provincial Youth reps read all the grant application forms and they then decide who best meets the agreed criteria and then will award the grants to successful applicants.
A team from Scouting Ireland led by the CEO, John Lawlor and myself, met with the Education Minister John O’Dowd, to discuss the work of Scouting Ireland. They discussed the work the Association carries out across Ireland and highlighted some specific projects in Northern Ireland. The Minister later released a statement praising the work of Scouting Ireland and emphasising the benefits of Scouting. A number of Scout Groups in Northern Ireland have been awarded capital grants from the Department of Education in the last year to undertake major work on their dens and campsites. Congratulations to them all. 1st Tyrone (Dungannon) 6th Fermanagh (Irvinestown) 6th Tyrone (Cookstown) 1st/2nd Down (Downpatrick) St Michael’s Scout Group Enniskillen Down and Connor County, Ballyhornan Activity Centre 1st/2nd/3rd Fermanagh St. Michaels (Enniskillen)
The County has a total of 25 Scout Groups. Dessie Taylor is the County Commissioner. Dessie has a full County Management Team in place and a full programme of activities was run for all sections. A highlight of the year was a ceremony at Stormont to recognise those who have taken part in a major Community Relations, Equality and Diversity (CRED) project run by the 34
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