There are a number of reasons why I volunteer in Scouting. The biggest reason being the smiles on the faces of our young people when they learn a new skill or do something that is exciting and builds their team-working skills.
Working together is so important and this is not just for our Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers, but for us as adults too. Volunteering in a team, whether that be in the section team, the group leadership team, the Trustee Board, the District or the Area, is what makes Scouting strong. We would not be able to provide the experiences we do without those other volunteers around us. Sometimes we get on really well with the other volunteers but occasionally there maybe someone or a situation where team working becomes hard, where something happens that makes the smooth a little bumpy.
At these times we need to remember our values and find ways to ensure that we draw on them in all our interactions.
We need to treat each other with respect and care, finding a way to understand things from each view point and also being respectful in our disagreements. To be sincere in our respect of others we need to listen. Baden Powell said “If you make listening and observation your occupation you will gain much more than you can by talk.” We don’t need to share the same opinions as others, but we do need to listen and we need to be respectful of others.
We need to co-operate with all the volunteers around us – we cannot do things alone and if we need help we need to be able to ask and be given support or help to find support. This could be something simple as has anyone got a good programme idea for… or a risk assessment for… or time because we are short of leaders tonight…
We need to believe that we can work together, we are there for the children who come through Scouting, we need to believe our methods and principles are important. Most of us groan when the words policy, organisation and rules are mentioned but it’s there to protect us as Scouting volunteers.
In everything we do, both whilst carrying out our Scouting role or when we just going about out normal daily lives, needs to be done with integrity.
We are role models for our young people, if we expect them to follow the Scouting values, the section code of conduct and to work as a team, then we need to do the same. We need each other as no one can deliver Scouting on their own. Please do your best to live the Scouting values and treat each other with respect even in the difficult moments.
Cathie Steele
Lead Volunteer / Gwirfoddolwr Arweiniol
Cardiff and the Vale Area Scouts / Sgowtiaid Ardal Caerdydd a’r Fro
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