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1st Crowborough Scout Group
Registered Charity no. 305839
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 4th May 2005
1st Crowborough Scout HQ, Whitehill Road, Crowborough

Officiating: Terry Moon Chairman, Eddy Dodwell GSL, Mike Barton Treasurer.

Welcome

The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming all those present and particularly Jim Ringe, Ashdown District Commissioner and Malcolm Wyeth, Chairperson Ashdown District.

Apologies for Absence

Jock Speedie, District President, Brian Sadd, District Explorer Scout Commissioner,
Wendy Downing, Cheyenne Colony Leader, Nick Tunstill, Assistant Leader Beacon and Debbie Woodgate.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting (5th May 2004)

Adoption of the minutes was proposed by Martyn Everitt and seconded by Helen Everitt there being no matters arising the minutes were signed on behalf of the meeting by the Chairman.

Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer expressed his grateful thanks to Richard White for auditing the accounts and commented that the £1697 excess of expenditure over income reflected the cost of the ongoing repairs and refurbishments to the headquarters. He reminded the meeting that the Land & Buildings had been revalued in 2003 to include the cost of the extension but that the value still disguised a substantial hidden reserve locked into the premises. He confirmed there remained sufficient funds in hand to ensure the Group's financial position for the foreseeable future.
Adoption of the accounts was proposed by Jim Ringe and seconded by John Easton.

Appointment of Auditor

Richard White had confirmed his willingness to continue.
Proposed by Helen Everitt and seconded by Valerie Hemsley.

Election/Approval of Officers

The Chairman informed the meeting that both the Treasurer and Secretary had been in situ for considerable periods of time and whilst each was content to continue neither would contest the introduction of a fresh volunteer to their post. In fact the Treasurer’s challenge in continuing through pressure of work had been minuted at last year’s Annual General Meeting.
Treasurer – Mike Barton, ) proposed by Derek Pettitt
Secretary – Zoë Turner, ) and seconded by Valerie Hemsley.
Chairman – Terry Moon being content to continue in this role accepted the Group Scout Leader’s nomination for a further term.
Supporters Committee – Rebecca Boddy, Sue Coates (Chair), Sheila Ringe, and Wendy Slack proposed by Martyn Everitt and seconded by John Easton.

Election of Group Executive Committee
Executive Committee – Sue Coates, Valerie Hemsley, Martin Roff, Sheila Ringe and Anne White proposed by Helen Everitt and seconded by Elizabeth Pettitt.

Chairman’s Report

The Chairman highlighted the year’s census figures as evidence of the success of the Group and District. In a pusillanimous society that is too willing to turn to litigation Scouting offered its members the chance of adventure with measured risk; the opportunity to leave their couches, televisions and computers and enjoy fresh air and excitement. He proposed an hypothesis that some of the social problems of young adults such as binge drinking may be a generation pushing the boundaries as a reaction to an absence of risk during childhood. Life by its very nature brought risk on a daily basis and the opportunity for youngsters to enjoy the excitement of personal challenge, to understand the risks and make sensible and informed decisions enabled an individual more able to meet the challenges and temptations of adult life. He offered his personal thanks to all Leaders, Helpers, Supporters and everyone however involved for all their time and effort throughout the year.

GSL/AGSL Reports

Eddy Dodwell, GSL, summarised a successful years Scouting for the Group:
Scout & Cub spring & summer camps went off enjoyably and this year’s camps are well in hand. A Group alcohol policy has been agreed. Good turnouts were seen for both St George’s and Remembrance Day. This year’s census is up again -186boys and 31 Leaders. Scout of the Year was Callum McKell and runner up Jeremy Wilkinson who are to be congratulated. John Easton has resigned as Leader of Beacon Pack and was offered the Group’s thanks for 5 years of dedication that has seen the pack grow from strength to strength. Nigel Jennings has agreed to be the new warranted Leader of Beacon pack and was wished good luck for the future. Ian Brand has also left as he has taken new employment in the Far East. It is understood he will be abroad for some 2 1/2 years and we hope to see him back in the Group on his return to the UK. Eddy offered not only his own but also the Group’s congratulations to his wife, Diane, for the well deserved award of the Silver Acorn, although she may not wear it until officially presented at the District AGM in a fortnight’s time. In conclusion Eddy thanked all the Leaders, helpers, parents and the Group Executive for their hard work and devotion over the last year.

Section Reports

Grant Kerwin-Nye, Tullis Explorer Leader, reported on a most successful camp in the South of France last summer and looked forward to this summer’s camp in the Czech Republic where all manner of exciting activities are anticipated. A varied ongoing programme is being pursued with pursuit of Duke of Edinburgh awards and a very productive Young Leader scheme. For the first time Tullis will be nominating for the Explorer of the Year award.

Elizabeth Pettitt, Forest Pack Leader, confirmed that her pack was growing from strength to strength and reminded Grant that he had been one of Forest’s Cubs. A diverse programme is being pursued and all 30 boys are anticipated at camp this summer. Elizabeth thanked the Group Scout Leader for his support over the year.

John Easton, Beacon Pack Leader, spoke of backwoods cooking, scuba diving and snorkelling whilst at camp, the pride of winning the District Football tournament at Groombridge and the District Soakout where Callum Main won the underwater swim, the Gimmie 5 challenge where £400 was raised for the WWF and a visit to the Sussex Police Firearms unit. He reminded everyone that he is standing down as Pack Leader and he will be followed in this role by Nigel Jennings.

Diane Dodwell, Leader Blackfeet Colony, reported all 3 Beaver Colonies are working at capacity. All Colonies fully support District and County events and Blackfeet was 2nd in the District Football Tournament
Martyn Everitt, Leader Southon Troop, advised the troop had been out every weekend since the turn of the year and that Scouts also participated actively at District events with Chapman Troop having won the District Soakout.

Supporters Report

Fund raising had increased by £73 to £631 during the year but that it remained the same small group. A plea for additional support brought one generous offer with a new volunteer being welcomed as a member of the Supporters group.

Any Other Business

The Chairman reminded the meeting that on 27 January the Group Executive had acknowledged the Scout Association decision to go co-ed with effect from 1January 2007 and had debated and agreed to the admission of female members to the Group with effect from this autumn. However it had been resolved to place the decision before the Group Council at this AGM and the subject had been fully publicised to all Group Council members through the medium of their individual invitations. The matter was vigorously debated with particular support from John Easton, Beacon pack Leader, and concerns expressed by Elizabeth Pettitt, Forest pack Leader. It was confirmed that there would most certainly not be reverse discrimination and admission would remain as before through either the waiting list on a first come first served basis or through transfer from another Group of an existing member moving into the area. Maureen Tull, Guide Association, District Commissioner, was asked to comment and she confirmed that whilst she had neither knowledge nor expectation that the Guide Association would enact a similar change she saw the Scout Association’s as a natural progression that met the needs of some girls who may prefer the different emphasis of Scouting. However, she expressed the opinion that whilst there are obvious comparisons between the two organisations the product offered by Guiding and Scouting was subtly different and would most probably appeal to individuals with differing demands and accordingly she did not see the change as any threat to Guiding in Crowborough. These sentiments were warmly accepted by the meeting. In conclusion the proposition to admit female members to 1st Crowborough Scout Group with effect from the commencement of the autumn term was placed before the meeting, a show of hands was taken and with 18 for, 5 against and no abstentions the motion was carried.

The District Commissioner gave a short summing up during which he thanked
1st Crowborough for its support of the District and the accommodation provided to Tullis Explorer unit, which is proving highly successful and it is hoped will prove the engine room for the provision of new Leaders. Both Stewart Lomax and Martyn Everitt have qualified as Mountain Leaders and will be invaluable to the District. Jock Speedie the District President has been selected to be one of the representatives of the Scout Association at the VE Day commemorative service at Westminster Abbey; a signal honour for both Jock and the District. This was followed by the Chairman offering a vote of thanks after which the formal business of the meeting was drawn to a close before everyone dispersed for light refreshment.