[Note Gauteng and WEBEX questions not included. Unfortunately a technical problem caused the questions not to be saved after the broadcast. If there are questions that are unanswered by those below please send them to revit@scouting.org.za and we will post the answers to this site.
Actual questions have been cut direct from submissions as written and not corrected or changed. Questions are in italics. Thank you for your questions.]
Will Sea and Air Scouts have the same uniform what method to show difs?
It is proposed that all Scouts wear a single uniform. Insignia on the uniform could be used to indicate affiliation but no decision has yet been made on this.
Is there a specific reason why troops/franchises should only focus on local fundraising? External funding can be managed provincially/nationally?
Fundraising is a critical aspect of the movement’s future success. There is no reason why Groups should only focus on local fundraising. There is also no reason why only “National” should do provincial or national fundraising.
The movement should be viewed as a network of connected individuals all having their own personal and business networks. It is important that these networks are leveraged to raise funds for the movement, be it on a national or a local basis.
It is however important that the coordination of the effort happens in the right place. National fundraising would be best coordinated from the central organisation even though the effort could be locally initiated based on a particular opportunity or network connection. Likewise fundraising for a group is best coordinated locally.
Collaborative fundraising is almost not existent in the movement at present. The emphasis on protecting one’s patch and the polarization of “National” vs Provinces together with an old fashioned hierarchical organisation with numerous committees does not do anything to help this. In some of our initial interviews fundraising was always seen as someone else’s problem.
Were scouts consulted about the new uniform and what about girls?
If you are talking about broad based consultation on the new uniform the answer is no. We are aware that the uniform is close to everyones heart and is a sensitive issue. The marketing workstream considered the issue of uniform and made proposals to the steercom. Given that there are almost as many views on uniform as there are people the steercom settled on the current proposal. Please keep in mind that active scout’s views were sought by the marketing workstream (albeit not widely) and active scouts and scouters were involved in the decision.
Is the new uniform replacing the old one or just for the project?
The new uniform replaces the old one and will be phased in over a few years.
Is the government involved in the project?
No Project Rev It was mandated by the NSC in March and funded by separate benefactors and the Scout Foundation. Scouts SA is apolitical.
Where is the (pc) comitiona?
The Provincial Commissioner role will no longer be required in the new model of operation.
How will this help increase numbers??? This will not help at all!! Who will pay theses members eg marketing????
Having a clear brand positioning with which the youth of today can associate, that would include an attractive new members uniform, and an organisation that can deliver what is promised to the youth and adult members will most certainly lead to growth. Ease of joining for Adult volunteers, an absence of bureaucracy and a vibrant, fun and adventurous weekly program will make Scouts SA attractive to adults. Exciting and adventurous activities and programs will pull in the youth.
Members will not be paid but remain voluntary - there will be a number of National staff in order to support the members and provide better resources, membership services and administration. National team members will include current provincial staff members.
You want to bring more and more members to run the association!! Who will pay them the poor scouters running the troop who give hours and hours of time ?
The proposals will require less members to run the Movement than current so more resources will be available for Group help. There is a need to get more Adult Volunteers as many groups are under staffed. Paid troop scouters is not proposed. Adult numbers will increase in line with Franchise Groups and require training etc. With a more attractive Movement volunteers will increase. This has been an exercise aimed at reducing bureaucracy and improving the speed of decision making so that more young people will get direct access to Scouting and Adults will be less burdened with paperwork .
That is the worst uniform ever!!!! Nobody will were that!!! Why change the scarf it gives identity!! How will this help with numbers?
We all have different views. The scarf is not proposed to change - the concept drawing was representative and not intended to replicate all group scarves. An attractive simple uniform will make membership more attractive to those who do not aspire to wearing a complex uniform.
As u cn see by the turnout specially in WC that a lot of ppl think rev it is a joke and its going to b a boring meeting. And hear things we knw already!
We cannot comment on WC members views - interest in many parts of the country reflected different interest levels both during the Project and broadcast. If you have the knowledge already then there was no need to attend the broadcast. As no meetings were held in WC to discuss input your source of knowledge may well be misinformed so please do try to understand the full package of proposals, how they fit together and how they can indeed drive the Movement forward to success.
will the steering committee have the final Say even if the majority are not happy?
The steering committee who are all committed members of the Movement have been mandated to make the decisions, but would not wish to go against the wishes of the majority of all members.
1. Was similar excercise in other countries compared? [these 5 questions were from 1 questioner]
The workstreams did look at other countries activities and changes - specifically New Zealand, Ireland and UK
Was there investigation to full SA Youth change/ shift of intrest and trend and what major interest enjoy prominence?
The marketing team did look at the changing interest patterns in SA youth from a marketing perspective, and the team did relate to the changes in society and technology in the recent past. The SA youth segment has varied interests but the rise of social media is seen as a key change in our society. The reason the Scout program is ‘under construction’ is that the Programme forms the major attraction of the movement and we need more time to ensure it meets the wants of the target market. There is scope for input into this program if you have views and knowledge in this area.
Any similar youth groups in SA that grew better than Scouts?
There are NGO linked youth groups that have grown and a number of youth offerings that have been initiated. The Presidents Award is reported to have grown strongly off a similar activity base, but very different supporting structure. However the crux of the matter is hat Scouts SA has declined from 70 000 last century to 12 000 in 2010 and in the interim gained and lost 350 000+ members due to structural confusion.
Sponsorship - co-operation with ventures of philantropist
Thank you for the suggestion. Rev It is putting in place ability to make those contacts and create an attractive Movement with numbers and relevance for funders to consider on a large scale. If you do have connections or links that would help us raise funds for the movement please let us know.
Incorporation with education system of SA
Thanks for this suggestion - the Proposed Scouting-in-Schools channel will allow exactly that in a context that works for the Education authorities. However it will work within the Schools systems, not be incorporated into the Schools system.
Are we allow 2 use those proposed clour uniform? cos it looks like wosm stuff uniform
The colour of the uniform was chosen to be friendly to all and if it resonates with other youth this would not be surprising. However other countries have similar colour and we do not believe WOSM uses or restricts this colour. We are aware Sweden and UK have a similar colour.
Do u real think that in 18 month all groups in the far remove areas wil be it equipt?
No , Scouts SA aspires to that, but accept change is driven by the passion of members and the availability of funds. There is also a need to transition to a new way of doing things without disrupting scouting for our current youth members. We will expect to deliver new resource material, training material and ways of communicating, as well as enhanced resources like programmes and branded material within 18 months. However if we do secure funding and members drive the roll out, greater things are possible for Scouts SA.
Training for active adults - will it be SETA and NQF accredited?
At this stage the decision is not to pursue accreditation for our training as a detailed analysis by industry involved members confirmed the complexity and management of records and standards in our current structure would be extremely costly and challenging and so it has moved to lower priority and will not be taken forward now.
Scouting SA has a very poor image. Where is Scouting SA in relation to the One Young World conference which is being hosted in SA in 2013? Scouting in SA has no really influential leaders. I see Archbishop Tutu is linked to the OYW global conf. And mvt. We need to be highly visible and issues driven! Given the crucial role of the Chief Scout, surely Scouting SA needs a young person who portrays a leader who excels him or herself and has time and resources to drive the new issues driven mvt. The Chief Scout must be accsible to all. Currently it is impossible to reach the incumbent.
Rev It is about addressing the poor image and gaining relevance in SA society. The proposals around structure allow for members to express interest in Exco positions, rather than ex officio roles. There are a number of influential people in and interested in Scouting and many scouting people are influential leaders in their own right - having a Board of Trustees and appointed Exco will go a long way to creating the environment for influential leaders to play a greater role.
The One Young World conference has recently been announced and Rev It believe the new energised Scouts SA will be well placed to take a place at the table - but we have to move fast. Other than our brand link to WOSM, currently we do not have the relevance to be an influential player. Our Brand focus, and a common uniform worn in public at all occasions will go a long way to make us highly visible, as will getting the message out there via the media. The Chief Scout role in the proposed structure is positioned as an executive role rather than the UK model of high profile personality as we need structure internally to be set in place in the short term - it is not age prescribed though - however it would be nice to have high profile Scouts SA ambassadors and we all need to work to attract them. The impact of all members using every opportunity to be visible, push for press coverage of all events and flood community media with stories could be just as powerful in presenting a positive message of Scouting. In addition to the above the new structure has an executive for Marketing and PR with support of dedicated marketing and PR roles. These roles are intended to drive a cohesive and dynamic approach to Marketing and PR
Why has S A Scouting not had a chapter of the Intl Scout Guide Fellowship and what plans are there to direct ex Scouts and those older than 30 since this (is) a youth mvt to get involved to assist develop the mvt in this way? In other words when are we starting a SA chapter of ISGF?
The members need to decide if they want to join the ISGF as it is an international structure that is there for interested older members. Scouts SA has focused on youth members and will be establishing an Alumni group going forward. If members would like to join ISGF they are free to do so as individuals. It would be a demand driven decision and currently there is no plan to start a SA Chapter of ISGF. What we do however see is that the Alumni and Fellowship have an important role to play in the revitalised movement.
How will those groups who are currently struggling be strengthened without the support of the district. Not all groups have strong parent committees
Groups that are struggling will get help from their allocated coach. Many districts are not staffed to help groups and volunteers freed from districts can help in groups that are struggling. The essence of Scouting is proving the Aims and Methods to children and it is essential their parents are encouraged and expected to take more responsibility and accountability. The Movement cannot expect or recruit volunteers to operate with children without their parents support and acceptance even at a cursory level. A key role for coaches and sponsors is to build the parent involvement and the proposals aim at facilitating parent support.
Will uniform B phased in and over what period???
Yes it will - the actual period is open to the implementation teams who will agree that, but it will consider the need for uniforms to serve a useful life before being replaced - there will inevitably be a transition period, kept to the minimum.
Where are all these qualified adults coming from?
Not sure as to the question - if we aspire to growth we will need to recruit and train as needed, new volunteers - we need to make it attractive, easy and fun for Adults to be members - training will be done using training teams but with a strong focus on making information available for learning in own time, and only as needed. Prior experience will be recognised by Coaches and Development officers against set criteria.
Scouting is an adventure - how come so much of our programme, particularly on cub level, is done in the schools already? Can we not look at that when dra
The question is incomplete however the cub and scout programmes are being reviewed going forward. We as mentioned are wanting to reduce complexity and increase attractiveness to youth members.
Will we still have badges on the uniform?
Recognition and reward systems are not yet finalised. Although we reflect minimal badges as being the group scarf and world badge.
Does this change speak to 3rd world South Africa?
This change is intended to allow all youth in SA to experience Scouting’s Aims and Methods for as long a period as we can retain them. That is our driver. We firmly believe the structure and changes will ‘speak’ to a much bigger share of all South Africa’s youth than our present structure and offering has been able to achieve.
Regarding the uniform - what is envisaged for shoes and socks?
We believe the shirt, scarf and world badge are the critical elements of the uniform. We have not defined the shoes or socks on economic and practical grounds.
Your proposed exec structure looks a lot more bureaucratic. Where will people get the time to do these jobs as volunteers?
The Movement requires sound leadership and a structure to provide that. That should not be confused with bureaucracy. The proposed structure allows the Movement to set clear goals, and tasks volunteers to get on and make decisions in a collaborative style to deliver. It allows for open and transparent measuring of success and has a sound oversight body reviewing and guiding against WOSM criteria. It will put pressure on those keen to be considered for the exco roles, but they are not intended to be single person empires, rather firm leadership of a team of support volunteers - much like the effort put in but current members, but in a more efficient manner and directed always at the youth getting the real deal scouting in their programmes. This will make the roles much more rewarding.
There will be permanent staff in the central organisation who provide the daily hands on operations activity.
Is this a done deal or just a proposal at this stage?
The proposals are accepted by the Steercom on behalf of NSC, but all feedback to enhance the proposals will be taken into account by Steercom.
Again, about the uniforms, we know our scouts are proud of their uniforms, we forsee great resistanc. This new proposed uniform will work well for the public eye. My question is, what happens to advancement recognition, and who designed it? I could lend some taste.
Please do let the scouts have an open opinion, and consider the role of the uniform in marketing and attracting new members, rather than just something to wear to scouts per se. See earlier replies re advancement recognition. A pity your offer to lend some taste comes at the end of the project.
I am a young scouter and i am embarrased to wear that new uniform
We respect your view. Please see the uniform proposal as part of a bigger picture for Scouts SA.
Our uniform is part of a historical recogniti|n of scouting, this branding will b lost with this new proposed uniform.
The key branding for scouting is the world badge and to a lesser degree the scarf. Whilst the current uniform is as recognition of scouting as it is sometimes confused with other para-military and non-scouting organizations. Changing the uniform provides a visual platform for communication of a new message about scouting and allows the creation of fresh associations with the brand. It’s the management of a brands evolution that determines it’s ultimate success.
What is proposed re badges earned by cubs, scouts, where would they be worn?
See earlier replies re reward and recognition
What is being done to get more goverment support through funding and promotion
Creating a structure for Schools and NGO’s will allow Scouts SA to have greater potential voice with authorities. Having a Central focus and ability to talk for all members will facilitate easier conversations with Government and other funders.