As being a young(ish) explorer leader (22). I cant help notice that a couple of oldies in district are in some ways holding back some young leaders by saying the word 'no'. so i want to put an idea out there to see other peoples oppinions. Ive had a 'yes' from my GSL to be contraversial with district. just wouldnt mind knowing other peoples oppinions or see if anyone else has tried this.

Ive never been a firm believer in network. and to be honest i probably never will. its made to keep uni students in scouting and allow them to slack off after 18 instead of being leaders! ONCE YOU TURN 18, if you wish to stay in scouting, become a leader... simple.
anyways after 2 years of saying networks poo, i gave it a go. no harm there. after 2 hours i found it was a complete waste of time! nothing got done, there was no order to the night and i wasnt best pleased!
within 2 hours of being there, we spoke to 3 young girls 1 young lad from our district and they asked me and another explorer leader (also 22) who is also from our unit, to start a 'network' type section within the district.

OK

My thoughts are if were going to start a section to run along side county's network, we have to have some purpose.
the age limit i was looking at was 18-23.Because these are 5 years were your 'free' and pretty keane (if thats how you spell it).
You also, if you dont have one already, take out a warrant and become a leader.

This would be the main emphasis on the 'section'. Everybody in the section would have to be a leader. if your not a leader your not invited, end of!!!!
During the meeting, the main thing to happen would be to discuss any section problems any members are having and look at resolving them. secondly the section would have to run 1 scout skills orientated event for district each year. If that doesnt happen the section will have let themselves down.
the other thing to happen would be to get the section memebers out for themselves. What i mean is if a member wants to go walking they put it out to the group and other members of the group want to, they can go off doing various activities for themselves.. if they keep it to just members of the section (18-23) they can do it and keep paper work minimal. However no member must cancel his sections activities (scouts cubs explorers etc) to take part in an event. priority goes to the kids, this section for the 18-23 year olds is purely for spare weekends. Also they can push themselves a little more without worrying about the kids, this is also good practice to refine their scouting skills.
Also one key factor is to have no LEADER of the section. no-one does any of the work thmselves... if during the meeting they decide to go camping, one person sorts food, another tents, another mess equip etc. the works spread easy, also gives you an idea on all the different ways to run camps and makes you aware of what it takes to run the camp. If you dont already.


lastly once you turn 23 unlucky. you've had your time in there now time to grow up and teach kids properly! hopefully your time in this new section thing has made you a better leader for the next generation of kids...


hope i havnt bored you with them ideas...
myself and 2 other leaders have discussed this with a large amount of people with mostly 'yes' from younger people and 'no' from older (other then my gsl). Has anyone done something similar?
OR
Even better can any 'older' leaders be willing to tell me if you disagree with this idea, why you disagree.

Thank You
your time in response would be appreciated.

"Scouting is a movement because it keeps on moving forward.
If it stops moving it becomes an organisation and is no longer Scouting!" - Baden Powell

I, like yourself, am of Network age , 23 currently, and have never seen the point in the section. I refuse to be a part of it and am so glad that the rules were changed meaning that because I am a leader and therefore still involved in Scouting that I do not have to be a member of network.
Quite frankly with running a section and helping out with two others I simply do not have the time to be involved or even the desire to want to attend a network meeting.
I shall just stick to my cubs, scouts and archery thanks!!

I never have, and probibly never will have any involvement in network.