At Flinders Park Scout Group we pride ourselves on being a family group. We welcome parents being involved in our activities in a variety of ways.

Scouts SA is a voluntary organisation, and, as such, our Leaders have daytime commitments just like other people. In addition to regular meeting nights, Leaders spend many hours preparing for activities, attending planning meetings and keeping up with training requirements, as well as many other activities behind the scenes. As such, we value any support that parents and caregivers can spare, as the saying goes ‘many hands make light work’.

How can you help Flinders Park Scout Group?

Assisting on meeting nights/camps

You might be interested in helping out at the hall each week, or maybe coming along on camps and outings with one of the Units. A great benefit of doing this is that you get to see what your child is up to, and to enjoy some time with your child, while being of service to others.

If this is something that interests you, please speak to our Group Leader. You will need to complete some paperwork and ensure that you have the appropriate checks and clearances – this helps keep everyone safe. You will also have the opportunity to engage in some additional training. If you are a person who can support young people, while allowing them opportunities to lead, do and review activities and to learn from their mistakes, then please let our Group Leader know. We would love to have you as part of our team.

Group Committee

The main function of the Flinders Park Group Committee is to support the Leaders by ensuring that the Flinders Park Scout Group is financial and that all facilities and equipment is correctly maintained. The Group Committee:

• Ensures that the Group is financial
• Maintains the hall and grounds
• Completes submissions for special funding and applies for grants
• Organises fundraising activities
• Organises social activities
• Assists the Group Leader in promoting the Group and Scouting to the wider community to ensure membership growth
• Assists the Group Leader in seeking potential Leaders

The Group Committee is elected at an Annual General Meeting. Members attend monthly meetings, which are held with the Group Leader. The Group Leader represents the needs of the Leaders and youth members at the Group Committee Meeting.

Th Group Committee includes a Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary, as well as representatives for other positions focused upon supporting our group. These dedicated people work to ensure that Flinders Park Scout Group is able to provide as safe and well-equipped environment for its youth members.

Joining the Group Committee is one of the many ways that you can support your child’s Scouting at Flinders Park. It is a great way to meet other parents, and to give back to the Group. If you are interested in taking on a role in the Group Committee please speak to our Group Leader about this.

Transport

From time to time we require assistance with transport to and from activities. If you have an appropriately registered and insured vehicle, and are willing to transport children to and from events, please let the Leaders know, as they will truly appreciate your support.

Working Bees

The Scout Hall and surrounding property need regular maintenance to ensure the facility is kept in good repair and that our members and tenants are in a safe and pleasant environment. The Group Committee works to ensure that this happens, however at different times throughout the year additional support is appreciated. Please let the Group Leader or Committee Chairperson know if you have any particular skills which will support Flinders Park Scout Group when making improvements and adjustments with the hall and surrounds.

Becoming a Leader in Scouting

Most Leaders in Scouting are adults responsible for guiding the youth members in the development and delivery of their program. These Leaders undertake fun activities with young people, usually on a weekly basis. As a Leader of Youth, you work with your team to support young people learn new skills through the Scout Method. Our program focuses upon young people leading and adults supporting. If you are someone who can stand back and let young people have a go, maybe even make a mistake or two, but jump in if there is a safety concern, then you might be just the person that Flinders Park Scout Group is looking for. The more Leaders we have supporting our Units, the lighter the workload for all.

Being a Leader can be a very rewarding role. Not only do you have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people, but Scouting also gives you access to accredited training that will support your Scouting journey.

Here are some things that other Leaders have shared about their Scouting experience:

• You get to meet such a diverse group of people through Scouting
• Scouting teaches a sense of community
• You get to learn new skills and meet new friends
• Just get up and out into nature and fresh air!
• I love the adventure of Scouting
• The more energy that you put in, the most you get out of it!
• I have done so many different things through Scouting – things I would never have had the opportunity to do elsewhere
• Scouting is one big family

If you would like to enjoy new adventures, learn new skills and make new friends, consider joining the Flinders Park family as part of our Leader team. No experience necessary. Contact our Group Leader for more information.

Setting an example

To ensure our Scouting activities run safely, timely and with fun for all, we ask parents to observe and reinforce with their children the following:

Please try to be on time for activities and have the appropriate paperwork with you.

Our ceremonies at the beginning and end of the meeting nights are a time for celebration, reflection and a time to share information. Please respect these ceremonies and help educate your children about the importance of respectful behaviour during these times.

Please hold your catch-up chats with other parents outside the Scout Hall, as extra voices make it difficult for the youth members running activities to be heard.

Please effectively manage siblings to ensure they are not an interruption or distraction to our Scouting activities and ceremonies. Please also take care to ensure that siblings are safely supervised.

Please remind your child to behave responsibly at Scouts at all times and to follow their agreed Unit Code.

Finally, a reminder that all our Leaders happily volunteer their time to Scouting and your child – please ensure your child is respectful and responsive to the Leaders at all times.