Annual AGM and Awards Evening at Pathfinders Scout Group: 

This evening, the Scout Hut was full with excitement as we held our Annual AGM and Awards Evening. The event was a full house, with trustees, leaders, parents, Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts all in attendance, along with special guests from the Reigate District: Steve Robinson, Andrew Bolton, and Tony Brown.

A Year in Review

Dan Gould, our Group Lead Volunteer, kicked off the evening with a comprehensive review of the past year. Following this, each Group Leader from the Salfords and Horley Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts sections shared the year’s highlights. They showcased the badges earned, fun outings, community events, and fundraising activities.

Chairman’s Section

Our Chair of Trustees, Kevin Smith, spoke about the new flexible Scouting model and emphasised the importance of volunteers. He highlighted the overwhelming need for leaders, noting that the team from Reigate District had mentioned that over 100,000 young people waiting to join. At Pathfinders, we also have a long waiting list so any volunteers will be welcomed and we have tasks for everyone on this new flexible model.

This year we especially need someone who could attend 3 meetings a year for us to take minutes and organise those meetings for the Trustees. This would require you to be a Trustee and will be rewarded with endless tea and lots of gratitude.

Anyone who has experience in Risk Management and again could attend 3 meetings a year to assist with the Risk Management of our 3 buildings. This is a Trustee position but also comes with endless tea and heaps of gratitude.

Kevin also discussed governance topics, including:

• Approval of previous minutes
• Adoption of the model constitution from Policy, Organization, and Rules (POR)
• Agreement on the number of members for the Trustee Board and Group Volunteer Board

Financial Overview

Nicky Chiswick, our Group Treasurer, presented the financial report, detailing investments made for the children and building improvements. She also emphasised the importance of Gift Aid in raising vital funds for our activities.

Awards Galore

The highlight of the evening was the award ceremony, which began with the presentation of the Sections Yearly Shields. We celebrated the achievements of our Scouts with a staggering number of Chief Scout Awards: 11 Bronze Awards, 2 Silver Awards, and 7 Gold Awards. Each award included a certificate signed by Bear Grylls and a badge for their uniforms.

Honoring Volunteers

Not only the children were recognised; our dedicated volunteers and trustees received awards for long service. A special Award of Merit was given to Steve Card who has dedicated over 10 years to Scouting. Alongside this, John Williamson, Lisa Gould and Stuart Bromley all received 5 year service awards.

New Scouts Values Award

This year, we introduced a new Scouts Values Award, recognising members who exemplify our values of integrity, respect, care, belief, and cooperation. This year,  Helen and Dave Bunn received the award for their remarkable contributions to Pathfinders.

A Fond Farewell

A special Scouts Values Award was given to two exceptional members of our Scouting community, Helen and Dave Bunn. They have dedicated over 15 years to Scouting and have made a significant impact, especially during the pandemic with online meetings that provided a valuable lifeline for many families.

Helen and Dave Bunn have decided to step down from Scouting, and they will be missed. They have nurtured hundreds of children and supported countless families, particularly during challenging times. Their creativity and dedication, such as hosting Beatboxing and Mug Cake sessions, will be fondly remembered. We thank them for their years of service and welcome them back to meetings anytime.

Tonight’s event was a testament to the vibrant and supportive community that makes Pathfinders Scout Group special. Here’s to another year of Scouting excellence!