Summer 2013, Geneva

Committee.Update
It was agreed that in advance of the Conference, and as soon as possible after distribution of the Draft Regional Scout Plan that the Regional Office would draft a recruitment form and construct a circular calling for volunteers. It was noted that more effective recruitment techniques should be used to ensure the best possible team is assembled. All that said, it was noted with gratitude the huge commitment already made to the work of the Region by the volunteer team, formal and informal. 21st European Scout Conference The Committee considered all the updates concerning the Regional Scout Conference.. Already there are more that 200 Scout direct participants, with more that 250 already registered including guests, WSB, staff. Committee etc.. This is an increase on the last Regional Scout Conference. The Committee approved the Draft Agenda, Evaluation, Regional Scout Plan and Workshops documents for translation and distribution. Working methods for the sessions were agreed, preparatory sessions and briefings were planned. th Discussions moved to the 14 European Guide and Scout Conference. A total of more than 400 registrations have been received 60% from WOSM members. There had already been significant exchanges between the Committees on the Joint Report and proposal for our strategic partnership with WAGGGS so the discussions were shorter. Major Points
Activities A whole range of Regional events are bringing the Triennium to a real climax, with Partnership Event, Agora, Diversity th Event, Rovernet/VentureNet and the 10 Euro-Arab meeting. Discussions with those working at World Level highlighted the issues identified by the European Region as important to the region and the other regions. Positive reports on the priority areas of st the World Triennial Plan - 21 Century Leadership, Our Strategic Path, Global Support and the major world events. Conferences Excellent progress was made on conference documentation, logistical preparation, developing the methodological approaches to consultations, networking and sharing.

Andrea Demarmels / WSB-ERO 2013

Highlights With the European Conferences only 2 months away, there was a natural focus on the work required to deliver successful and important events. The Committee welcomed part of the staff team who had been meeting to progress preparations for the conference and joined the first 3 hours of the meeting. In particular, Radu Stinghe was welcomed to his first full meeting as Deputy Regional Director. Continuing the pattern established in this triennium, the Committee welcomed the two Youth Advisers to the World Scout Committee from Europe, Esben Holager and Vemund Oveson as well as Karin Ahlback, Member of the World Scout Committee. All contributed to the richness of the meeting. The Chairman noted that this was the last full committee meeting of the Triennium and the end of his own 9 year period on the committee, first coopted and subsequently elected twice. He had very mixed emotions shared, in part, by all members. Regional Scout Plan: Progress, Reporting, Transition This was the last time that the in-depth reports of the actions to accomplish the Regional Scout Plan were considered. It was pleasing to note that much of the mapping exercise had turned the plan green though it is important to note that in some areas, actions and updates will continue until the Conference and well beyond. Indeed some actions will likely form part of the planned Objectives and Actions in the 2013-2016 Triennium. Feedback was received from some groups on how working at regional level could be better supported and in particular, consideration was given to the recruitment of a volunteer team to assist in the delivery of the next Regional Scout Plan.

World Level

Committee.Update | June 2013

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Committee.Update | June 2013

Regional Scout Events Committee briefly reviewed the 5 European Scout Symposium noting in particular the good job made by Scouting Ireland in hosting the event in Dublin. The work of volunteers who acted as rapporteurs and facilitators, the key role played by staff and the inputs from many people were recognised. The output of the Symposium was discussed in detail and the wording of the proposal for the Regional Scout Plan, Document 5, was agreed. Preparations for the 10 Euro-Arab meeting continue and there will be good representation from both Regions at the event scheduled to take place in Rome. The Diversity Event to be held in Bratislava is well advanced in preparation and numbers have increased for this important topic. The Committee reviewed briefly the Partnerships Event in Zurich in March, the Agora in April in KISC and Rovernet/VentureNet in Malta in May. All had contributed good experiences to participants with positive suggestions on the future of such events. Finances and Budgeting The Treasurer presented an update on the current budget, particularly where there were some planned overspends. The Committee observed that the overall income and expenditures were entirely in line with anticipated amounts and commended the office for maintaining this against a difficult economic climate. The performance of the European Investment Fund was noted with satisfaction. On a point of order, the Committee approved the Investment Policy of the European Scout Foundation. The Committee considered the budget proposal as developed during the Staff Management Conference. The elements were based on the initial proposals made following the European Scout Symposium and it was noted that the income of the Region will be significantly reduced, by at least $225,000 less than the current year. Following discussion and redrafting, the Committee approved the budget proposal as the basis of the application to be made to the Fund for European Scouting. Regional and World Fees The Committee noted the current situation of regional fee payments. With the exception of the Albanian association which is suspended, all NSOs in the region have paid their regional registration fees.
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It was further noted that 90% of World fees had been paid, but there were some payments to be made before 1 July 2013 to avoid NSOs being automatically suspended with partial application of sanctions, meaning that some would not be able to vote in the forthcoming Regional Conference nor have the right to propose candidates for election to the European Scout Committee. As a post-meeting note, it is confirmed that there are no outstanding issues regarding world fees. Partnership Fund The Committee completed a review process of the Partnership Fund under the direction of the Treasurer who sought to identify the points which should be retained in any new proposal for the Fund, the elements which could be changed and those which should be dropped. This will form the basis of the first part of the Partnership Fund Report. The second part would be an overview of all projects undertaken during the triennium. One change to the process was accepted to accept applications under the same criteria as NSOs/NSAs made by Kandersteg International Scout Centre. The Committee reviewed a number of interim and final reports of projects supported by the Region s Partnership Fund. Subsequently, a total of EUR 17 900 was paid out to the projects which had realised their commitments in seven projects, with three payments deferred pending further information. Three new approved. applications were considered and

World level The presence of Karin Ahlback, Vemund Ovesen and Esben Holager enabled significant reporting on the World Triennial Plan the priority areas and working groups. Additional there was a lot of exchange on key issues raised by the European Committee concerning the Global Issues. Upcoming Meetings
16-21 August 2013 21 European Scout Conference & 14 European Guide and Scout Conference in Berlin (DE) where European NSOs and NSAs elect the new European Scout Committee and approve the Regional Scout Plan. http://14egsc.europak-online.net http://europeanconference.de https://www.facebook.com/14egsc?ref=hl
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World Scout Bureau European Regional Office | June 2013 rue Henri-Christin 5 | CH 1205 Geneva | Switzerland www.scout.org/europe | www.euroscoutinfo.com

Committee.Update | June 2013

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