Scottish Committee teleconference, 1st December 2016
Present: Kathleen, Claire S, Laura, Fleur (staff) & Debs (staff)
Apologies: Susie
Minutes from the last meeting
Kathleen and Fleur proposed and seconded the minutes of the last meeting (8thSeptember) as correct.
Matters arising
Still to do:
- Fleur to complete the analysis of children and young people’s satisfaction/evaluation charts when she has received any remaining ones.
- Fleur to publish the minutes online
Action:
- Kathleen to circulate goals for the year, and members to offer feedback on goals achieved in preparation for a report to Scottish Gathering AGM
Officer’s report
Fleur reported that she had submitted the 6 month report to the Early Intervention Fund (main core funder), which received positive feedback from the funder. Groups should have also completed the Children’s Rights activities which were circulated to all groups.
Fleur is due to submit a further quarterly report to the Early Intervention Fund in January, this report will cover financial spend in the third quarter.
Clare R is currently meeting with existing Districts to draft sustainability plans, in response to the sustainability scorecard assessment. Clare has also delivered safeguarding training for Kelvingrove, and is planning to run a series of webinars aimed at District Officers. The skill sharing session is on the agenda later.
Clare R & Alex are both planning on attending Scottish Gathering to give the membership an update on their project update.
Kathleen fedback that people/members appreciated and noticed the additional support provided by Clare R – making a difference and supporting Districts to make action plans.
Fleur also shared Alex’s project update, including a large amount of interest for potential volunteers including 8 from existing members. Alex has begun to deliver training to new volunteers, and is making progress on recruiting families. Outreach will begin 10th December. Owen line manages Alex, and everything is on track.
Since the last committee meeting a project proposal has been submitted to Early Intervention Fund to support new group development in Edinburgh and Dumfries. Clare is also working on a funding proposal to Falkirk Council to support new group development in Camelon.
Debs and Fleur need to agree maternity cover arrangements.
Kathleen thanked all the staff for their work on these funding application and project activities.
Financial report
No report
Fleur to submit both 2015 and 2016 accounts in the pack for Scottish Gathering
Skill share review
Only 14 people completed an evaluation form. The evaluation was mostly positive, some members wanted more direction on the day e.g. announcements, welcome circle
People enjoyed meeting new people, singing, learning new skills, singing, catching up with other, good quality course, sense of belonging, mixed ages
People asked for more of the same, more engagement by members from across Scotland, more engagement with older young people.
Laura fedback that her Pioneers had really enjoyed the skill share.
Kathleen thanked everyone involved, and Laura confirmed that it seemed that we had met people’s expectations and needs.
Feedback from AGM and General Council
Claire S has previously fedback by email.
Stuart Walker was elected as our new chair. He pledged to work towards Woodcraft Folk being seen from outside the organisation as experts in youth education. He wants us to be more proactive in our involvement in youth issues and will work to put structures in place to make us more responsive to current affairs. He also sees his chairship as a transition step towards a young person chairing the organisation.
The remainder of office bearer roles and the appointment of sub-committees will take place on 06/11/16.
Much of the day’s business looked at our role as GC members and our responsibilities as company directors and charity trustees.
Work was also done on ‘Identity and values – the essence of Woodcraft’. This has come out of discussions at Folk assembly and the AGM about the need for Woodcraft Folk to identify our core goals, differentiate ourselves from other uniformed youth organisations and increase our reach and participation. Further work will be done across the movement.
We also discussed the planned Woodcraft International Camp in 2020. More info here
Scottish Gathering
The gathering mailing has been sent to all members, the deadline for bookings is 16th December. Fleur will now send the mailing as an email to encourage online bookings.
Fleur has booked the hostel, but has not yet booked the hall.
To do:
- Need to recruit a KP
- Need to confirm children’s programme (Simon to help with the kids)
- Need to confirm the young people’s programme (Debs has volunteered to led activity for Pioneers & Venturers)
Young people’s programme to include:
- Input into international camp 2020
- Woodcraft Folk’s identity
- Review, aspirations and presentation to AGM
AGM:
- Game with adults and young people
- Young people feed something in from their workshops
- AGM business
Action:
- Fleur to book the village hall.
- Debs to message Pioneer & Venturer leaders with information
Any other business
HLF – Kick the Dust partnership with RSPB, which would see resources for youth led projects linked to nature. The outcome of the funding bid will be known Summer 2017
Hostel weekends – Districts continue to have positive weekend’s away, although some have made a loss on the cost of residentials.
Chair – Agreed to invite Stuart Walker to attend the Scottish AGM.
Next meeting
Action:
- Fleur to doodle for a January meeting