Hi all,

I'm a newbie, its my first post on here so excuse me if I've missed anything, or not done something right. :) I'm from Essex and I am part of Essex Network (Like Mary :D )

Question: Why have you put Network and Fellowship in the same Forum? They are two totally different sections:

• Network is a part of the youth programme, Fellowship isn't
• Fellowship is a support section, Network is a self development section.

They are totally different!

The reason I'm getting on my high horse on this one is that on my travels I often come accross people that struggle to see the difference between the two sections. Clearly they are very different and the similarities are few and far between. Clumping the two sections in a forum together like this gives off the wrong impression and could give across the impression that the two sections are somehow linked!? - Their not! :P

Some people also struggle to understand why Network shouldn't be expected to carry out support roles (e.g. car parking, tea making, marshalling etc etc.) After all they are adults in Scouting!? But Network is for the self development of its members and not to support other sections. If Networkers choose to help out in Leadership roles or take on Support roles as part of their award work then great! But they shoudln't be expected to do this.

Therefore as a Networker I would kindly ask that you consider seperating the two forums, it gives off the wrong impression and could potentially confuse people as to the meanings of the two sections.

The only reason I can think of for you putting the two together is that you think there may not be enough going on in each forum to warrant it. Either way its clearly not helpful as outlined above.

Cheers, sorry to start on a rant!! :rolleyes:

Stuart

I don't think the title implies in any way that they are the same thing.

You answered your own question, I've got no objection to two seperate sections but is it really necessary, after all yours is only the 4th topic in total in this section!!!

Anyway good to see new people joining at last - welcome.

Hi Dr Pepper. :D

For people who don't know the differences between the two sections or don't understand them it just adds to the confusion. Seeing as your forums are linked to by National Scouts website in my eyes you have a responsibility to portray the movement correctly, the portrayal of having the two sections joined together is wrong!

There's only 4 topics? Thats the sole reason?

Well if we're going to argue that Fellowship and Network forums have to be lumped together as they don't have enough topics lets join on 2007 (currently only has 3 topics!) and add to the confusion!

A lot of people have worked hard to make people understand the difference between the two sections and doing this doesn't help!

Sorry to rant, but this is something that I don't agree with.

Cheers, :D

Stuart

This has actually been raised by other members of Scout Forum before... I side with Stuart here in that we should split the topics...

It's not like I actually care, It just seems to me that we could have sections for everything but at the moment we seem to have more forums than active members.

Anyway I'm just pointing out the obvious, I'm not bothered either way. :D

If no one cares and no one can give a proper reason for combining the two sections in one forum, how about just splitting them? :D

Give the Networkers what they want! B)

Then we'll get the rest of Essex Network to come and fill your forum with inane banter! :P

Ill split the forums within the next week or so and hopefully both will be well used.

The main thing we need are more members so get the word out in local network circles and hope we can recruit more explorers too.

Excellent! Cheers Keith! :D

Once the forums are split, I'll send a message round to Essex Network. B)

Cheers,

Stuart

P.S. I'll stop moaning now! ;)

Its a fair enough suggestion. however i have a feww problems with what has been said.

1) we are linked. we are all linked in some way. (SCOUTING)

2) i know of fellowships with youth members, so saying that they are not part of the youth sections is wrong.

3) why should'nt network be expected to help out with activities, i cant see a better developement program than getting them out there to help and organise things also gaining leadership skills.

4)why should being in the fellowship be just about support why cant they have activities of their own for develpment

5) as for portraying the movement "correctly" we are! should we start saying that scouts are not linked to cubs, or explorers are not linked to network?

as i say great suggestion but i think the argument for it was wrong. i am a network scout but i fell your argument was very much one sided. is it right, as you have just done, to portray the fellowship as just a support team. what a great way to boost their numbers!!!!!!

Hi Minimo, :D

Yes correct all sections in Scouting are linked, however does that mean we should all share the same forum? :huh: My issue was never with the fact we should be linked under Scouting, more that the forum structure was confusing and didn't make sense. :)

Read my posts again... I never said Fellowship don't have youth members, I said their not part of the Youth programme I.e. the 6-25 programme. :)

Network shouldn't be expected to help out, Network is part of the 6-25 youth programme as we just said. As such Network is for the members to do what they want to do, to self develop. Being a support section is not Network's purpose. If Networker's choose to help out, then thats great and it can count towards their award work. But it should not be an expectation. Over 60% of the Networker's in Essex are leaders, thats entirely out of their own choice and with no influence from the County Network team. So the system works... Network retain adults in Scouting, providing them with a release from demanding adult roles. In return many take on adult roles out of their own choice! :D The circle of Scouting is complete!

I agree with you, Fellowship should do social activities as well as provide a service to Scouting. Why should it be all work and no play, having a social release will keep the valued volunteers in Scouting and stop them burning out. However at the same time, Fellowships shouldn't just do social activities, every Fellowship should be providing some kind of service to Scouting, else what would be its purpose?

Please see my first point... Do you have all of the sections thrown in together in one forum? No, because it would be a nightmare! So quite reasonably the forums have been split. But for some reason, the Network and Fellowship forums have been singled out and combined. To an outsider or someone who doesn't understand the differences between Network and Fellowship seeing all the sections seperate and then seeing Network and Fellowship joined could give the impression that the sections are linked in some other way than just under the "Scouting" umbrella. Which their really not.

Fellowship are a suport section. That is their purpose, to support Scouting? :huh: If pointing out the purpose of Fellowship has somehow tarnished their image I apologise.

Cheers,

Stuart

Hi guys,

I have to say I agree with Stuart on this. The purpose of fellowship is to support the Scouting Sections within the Districts and the Youth Programme.

If you check-out POR, it will tell you that each Fellowship should have a mission statement outlining exactly how they propose to help their scouting District.

As for boosting their numbers, there are many many people that want to help out at events and evening activities but can't commit to a regular warranted position. for these people Fellowship fits and that's what is should be designed to do.

If you guys have been led to believe that Network should be supporting Districts and other sections due to the nature of its age-range and place in scouting, then as harsh as it seems, you have been misguided in this. If this is the message that your county team are sending out then its an even bigger issue as its clearly not what the section is about

I agree with all sides here - Fellowship is a section for supporting Scouting in Districts and Counties...

But that doesn't stop it from providing the ability to for its members to develop as well.


Perhaps if Fellowship were to show that there was support and development for its members in return for their supporting the other sections (obviously, there would still be a requirement for a Fellowship member to actively support Scouting before being able to get the benefits) then we would have a better time recruiting for Fellowship...

hmm... I might talk to my District Fellowship chairman about that.

Again, I agree with - Network is not there simply to inject young adults into Leadership positions... there is no requirement for a Networker to be involved in Scouting in any other way other than simply being a Networker...

On the other hand, this doesn't stop us encouraging Network members from sharing their knowledge/skills/experience to the other sections.

Side note (from me!!):

Hello all...which part do we add the etc part from the forum title "Scout Network, Fellowship, etc." to??

Yes, I am joking.

I have to say though, the posts we have above are great as they show you are really thinking about what you are putting. Thanks for coming and joining us here at Scout Forum, glad to have you all aboard.

The 'etc.' bit will be made into another forum with a new name.

Happy new year to you all, and welcome to Centenary! B)

Any ideas when the forums will be split?

When I get round to it. Its on my to do list to be done, so its just when I get the time.

Just a quick thankyou to Keith for splitting the forums! :D

What can I moan about next!? :huh: Just kidding! :D

Thanks again.

if you look hard enough and think hard enough theres always something you can find to moan about. lol

Well, it could help improve the site!!!!

i didnt think of it like that

I guessed.