A time for celebrations (opens in a new tab)
There's plenty to celebrate this week with Scouting winning awards and Wayne getting to know our CEO designate.
The Bloggers
UK Chief Commissioner Blog
- Active 2010–2012
- Posts 167
- Words 5,051
The UK Chief Commissioner's diary of visits, events and reflections.
A blog's life in posts
Every post, newest first
Showing 1–50 of 167 · page 1 of 4. Each title opens the post in a new tab.
Never spent so much time in broom cupboards! (opens in a new tab)
National broadcasting conjures up an image of glamour, but Wayne's week, dominated by a media interested in our Fundamentals consultation, suggested that reality is often very different.
More inclusive and as busy as ever (opens in a new tab)
Wayne has been busy preparing for the fundamentals consultation while trying to catch up on all manner of exciting Scouting projects.
National Conference (opens in a new tab)
294 members from across the UK, one third under the age of 25, gathered at the weekend for our National Conference where they were informed, inspired and entertained by a very impressive 'A' list conference team.
Plenty of buzz (opens in a new tab)
Five Counties in 36 hours and no helicopter, but an exciting buzz gives Wayne much hope for the future.
The value of great preparation and planning (opens in a new tab)
With good planning and preparation being a pivotal key to success, Wayne considers how this works in Scouting.
Food For Thought (opens in a new tab)
Wayne looks at retail psychology and how we can apply this to Scouting.
Shining examples of great Scouting and Guiding (opens in a new tab)
Wayne attended our second annual thanksgiving service, which highlighted why so many lives are changed by Scouting.
Exciting times ahead (opens in a new tab)
Last weekend was perfect for Cub Scouts in Hampshire to demonstrate their survival skills; a bitter cold and some rain tested their character and camping skills. Wayne was lucky enough to join them for breakfast as part of a busy 24 hours in Hampshire.
International opportunities (opens in a new tab)
This week, Wayne visited Scouts Wales, caught up with Bear to discuss Scouting's progress and contemplated Scouting's many international opportunities.
A warm welcome (opens in a new tab)
This week, Wayne considers the appointments process and ponders possible improvements.
A weekend of great teamwork (opens in a new tab)
Opening a high ropes course in Guernsey and joining 'Team England' for one of their regular meetings in Leicester illustrated why teamwork is important at all levels.
Wayne's very own TOWIE experience (opens in a new tab)
Another busy week saw Wayne joining 300 leaders in Essex, 50 young leaders in Derbyshire and 500 Rotarians at their convention. He also had an inspiring meeting with Toby Hewson, CEO of Just Different.
Are we all still in this together? (opens in a new tab)
Our Public Affairs (PA) team attended each of the political party conferences over the past month; Wayne caught up with them at the Conservative conference in Birmingham.
Great Scouting (opens in a new tab)
Wayne shares his latest experiences, which neatly sum up why Scouting is so special.
'Such a great atmosphere' (opens in a new tab)
Wayne looks back over a busy two weeks to the start of the Scouting year (and it's no surprise why he got a little behind with his blog).
Skills and fun (opens in a new tab)
Central Yorkshire's Skills4U weekend was Wayne's latest experience of leaders learning and having fun. He then opened Fylde's new District HQ, which has risen from the ashes (literally) in just two years.
Continuing the search (opens in a new tab)
Wayne ponders how Scouting could better support military families, and continues the search for 'game changers'. He also conducts his First Response refresher.
Back into the swing of things (opens in a new tab)
Wayne takes a look back at a hectic (but great) month for Scouting and considers what this might mean for us as we look ahead.
Tim's takeover: good Scouting (opens in a new tab)
It's been a hectic week; at the end of it, I was having dinner with a friend when conversation turned to the broad spectrum of people in Scouting.
Tim's Takeover: What's important right now? (opens in a new tab)
Tim Kidd, Chief Commissioner of England, is taking over Wayne's blog for the next two weeks. In this week's post Tim assesses what's important in Scouting right now - staying focused on growth.
Wayne's Blog – Tim's Takeover. (opens in a new tab)
It's the time of year when Wayne takes a holiday and temporarily loses control of his blog. I have only two weeks to make a few comments, so here goes. My hope is that you will comment on my postings and create a good conversation.
Scouting's high standing (opens in a new tab)
This week, Wayne visited the newest international camp, BrumJam 2012. He also took the opportunity to explore ways of capitalising on the continued high standing of Scouting.
It's not all about Scouting (well, not quite!) (opens in a new tab)
A busy and largely non-Scouting week as Wayne focused on a couple of his local projects, though these still had a large Scouting component. He also managed to get to Essex and Blair Atholl, Scotland.
A movement shaped by young people (opens in a new tab)
We took advantage of the Operations Conference to practice for the National Conference in November. Wayne then visited Cheshire to see the power of young people in action.
Mud bath at G24, sunburnt in York - all in one day (opens in a new tab)
On Saturday, Wayne kicked off a very wet Gilwell 24 with Scouting's newest Ambassador, Ed Stafford and 5,000 Explorer Scouts. He then travelled to York to join the National Scout Car Races in the glorious sunshine.
Quizzes, Commissioners and the Cotswolds (opens in a new tab)
This week, Wayne discusses presentations, projects and Scouting's online presence. He also talks about being quizzed by County Commissioners and getting muddy in the Cotswolds.
Scouting for all (opens in a new tab)
Wayne looks back on a week of meetings and talks about Scouting development and diversity.
Common sense prevails (opens in a new tab)
Wayne reviews an article from Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Health & Safety Executive, highlights the value of good induction and finds time to return to Wales for the All Wales Scout Camp.
Development and celebration (opens in a new tab)
Building on the theme of development, Wayne joined the conference of the DGB project teams and also celebrated 80 years of Gang Shows at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Whale spotting (opens in a new tab)
The term 'whale' in a business context often refers to a big deal or transaction that significantly changes the game. Wayne ponders what this 'whale' might be in a Scouting context.
Celebrating volunteering (opens in a new tab)
Volunteers' Week (1-7 June) highlights the importance of volunteering to our communities. It's a fitting time for Scouting, which is the epitome of volunteering.
Cub Scout successes (opens in a new tab)
While Bear was inspiring Scouting in Northern Ireland and Scotland, Wayne was out and about in the Midlands, celebrating achievements and learning more about the Cub section and how we can support its development.
Getting to know Manchester (opens in a new tab)
Wayne learns more about the three Manchester Scout Counties and how we can help to develop Scouting opportunities there.
Big weekend (opens in a new tab)
Not arrogant, just better.' This strap-line for the Mumbo Explorer Scout Unit, Preston District, sums up my busy three days in West Lancashire, West Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.
Immensely proud moments (opens in a new tab)
Whilst the highlight of Wayne's week was undoubtedly the annual Windsor parade and service, before then he had a very full week with meetings, catching up with the website consultants and a full days meeting of the Operations Committee discussing...
Moving on together (opens in a new tab)
The theme for Wayne's weekend has been working together, whether in a new District, with two neighbouring Districts or making new volunteers feel welcome and supported.
What does camping have to do with boosting CV points? (opens in a new tab)
Youth unemployment is undoubtedly one of the challenges of our time - we can play our part in equipping young people to overcome it. Not just because we want to do our best - but so they can too.
16,408 reasons to be cheerful (opens in a new tab)
With total membership going above 525,300 and some stunning increases in the number of Explorer Scouts (teenagers) and especially young leaders the past 12 months has been another great one for Scouting in the UK. Thank you.
Inclusion and challenging perceptions (opens in a new tab)
Wayne ponders on some of the comments made in response to the recent media coverage following our very successful launch of a new clothing range designed for Muslim girls and others in the movement, and what these mean about us.
Spreading the word (opens in a new tab)
No surprise that a theme of Wayne's last week was volunteering, and some very creative recruiting techniques at a careers fair provided quite a talking point in the local community.
Developing partnerships and building awareness (opens in a new tab)
A full 8 days on the road including Dublin, London and Edinburgh led to a rather full-on Scouting week for Wayne with a multitude of meetings.
National Citizenship Service, Scouting and more (opens in a new tab)
Meetings this week were more outward looking including the heads of St John, an adviser to the Government on the National Citizenship Service and finishing by joining the County Commissioners of South West England Region for their regular meeting.
Joining up the dots (opens in a new tab)
Speaking at the latest DC induction day at Gilwell Park Wayne took the opportunity to explain how elements of our central strategy all come together.
Moving forward (opens in a new tab)
Sometimes you look back at your diary and wonder how you managed to cram so much in. A combination of things last week meant that it was just one of those weeks...
Founder's Day and beyond (opens in a new tab)
A rather a 'full on' week, made even more challenging with Guernsey airspace closed for two and a half days from Thursday due to fog. Like all good Scouts, Wayne was undaunted and adapted his schedule...
If only we knew where the skills we learn could lead us (opens in a new tab)
After a couple of days at Gilwell during the week Wayne caught up with former Scout, Phil Packer, whilst he was in Guernsey as part of his BRIT 2012 Challenge, in which he is travelling around the UK raising awareness of his charity.
Great recognition for Scouting in Scotland (opens in a new tab)
Joining Scouts Scotland for their annual Scottish Scout Burns Supper was a great opportunity to enjoy some warm hospitality and get up to speed on why Scouting in Scotland is thriving and is now formally recognised by schools.
Growing inner-city Scouting: no myth... (opens in a new tab)
Wayne visits Greater London North Region to talk to them about their successes in recent times
What it's all about (opens in a new tab)
Wayne takes time in another hectic week to pick up on some of the feedback he's had concerning recent blogs