Rover Scouts

ROVER TEAM BLOG IS LAUNCHED"

Rover Scout Commissioner Appointed

Former Communications Commissioner of Scouting Ireland Garrett Flynn has been appointed Programme Commissioner Rover Scouts.

A Venture Scout Leader until recently and currently a Group Leader in Dublin, Garrett will have responsibility for developing a programme, an identity and a profile for Scouting Ireland’s newest section.

In addition, the Rover Scout Commissioner will work closely with the Events and Venture Scout Commissioners to ensure that current members get the most out of their involvement as the Rover Scout Programme comes on stream early in 2010.

Commenting on taking up the role, Garrett Flynn said “Rover Scouts represents an incredible opportunity for Scouting Ireland to become relevant to a large number of young people in the 18-20 year age group.

The concept is a completely blank canvas and I’m arriving in the role with no preconceptions at all. I want to get as much input as possible from as many people as possible – both prospective Rover Scouts and others with an interest in making a contribution to the thinking behind this new section.

I believe the Rover Scout concept will need to offer a compelling reason to Venture Scouts and potential new members to get involved and I consider that the total overall package will be important - a programme built around our symbolic framework that is easy to engage with and relevant to the age group/life-stage, a strong identity and sense of purpose within our association and a high public profile will all play a vital role in making the concept a success.”

Flynn also considers Group Leaders and County level management to be key stakeholders “I want to develop Rover Scouts into something that no properly functioning scout group can possibly consider being without – part of this will be taking the time to consult widely with GL’s & County staff among others around their expectations and identifying the benefits the Rover Scouting can and will bring to Scouting at local level”

Garrett has already outlined an ambitious target of having 5,000 Rover Scouts in Scouting Ireland within three years and has secured enthusiastic support for this vision from many, including the Chief Scout Michael John SHinnick. “This may or may not happen but it is very achievable – if only half the Scout Groups in the country have a Rover Scout section of 15 members by 2012, we will be well on our way to achieving this target – the opportunity is there and the possibilities are endless, both for the Rover Scouts themselves and the potential benefits to Scouting Ireland generally”

The Rover Scout Programme Team is currently being assembled and already some high-calibre personnel have agreed to get involved to drive this exciting project. The full team of core personnel will be announced shortly.

A new email address roverscouts@scouts.iehas been set up and anyone interested in making suggestions, sharing opinions, seeking advice or wishing to pitch in is welcome to make contact.

If you want to do none of these things, but are interested in joining the Rover Scout database, send an email with your contact information to the same address.

Watch out for the Rover Scout Facebook page and read ‘Smack’ for regular updates on Rover Scouts.

NEWS: Ways and Means of Working with Older Teens

The National Youth Council of Ireland's Annual Conference is taking place on Friday 27 November 2009 in the Emmanus Centre, Swords, Co. Dublin.

The event is an exciting change for members of Scouting Ireland to explore and share best practices for working with older teenagers.
Anyone interested in attending from Scouting Ireland is asked to contact Jamie Gorman through jgorman@scouts.ie

Booking forms for the conference, and more information on what to expect, can be found here:
http://www.nyci.ie/what_s_new/ways_and_means_of_working_with_older_teens_conference

Rover Scouts

ROVER TEAM BLOG IS LAUNCHED"

Rover Scout Commissioner Appointed

** NEWS: Ways and Means of Working with Older Teens **

NEWS: Ways and Means of Working with Older Teens