2014-National-Council-Minutes

MINUTES  OF  THE  MEETING  OF  THE NATIONAL  COUNCIL (‘‘COMMITTEE’’) OF  SCOUTING  IRELAND  (“ASSOCIATION”)

Venue: Silver  Springs  Hotel,  Cork

Date: Saturday  29th March,  2014

Meeting  Reference  Number: NC 14001

A. PRESENT:

1. Michael  John  Shinnick – Chairperson

2. Sean  Farrell – National  Secretary

3. Annette  Byrne – National  Treasurer

4. Therese  Bermingham – National  Commissioner  (Adult  Resources)

5. All  other  attendees  as  listed  in  the  Attendances’  Register

B. IN  ATTENDANCE:

1. John  Lawlor – Chief  Executive  Officer

2. Simon  Coveney TD Minister  for  Agriculture,  Food  and  the  Marine

3. Chief  Commissioner – Scout  Association  UK,  Wayne Bulpitt  and  his  wife,  Julie  Bulpitt

4. Mr  Matt  Kavanagh

MATTERS  DISCUSSED

1. Opening  Thought

The  meeting  was  opened  with  an  Opening Thought and  Renewal  of  the  Scout Promise as  delivered  by Father  David  Kenneally.

2. Apologies

• Ian  Davy – National  Commissioner  (Youth  Programme)

• Aidan  Smith – Provincial  Commissioner  (Dublin Scout Province)

3. Formal  Votes

A  vote  of congratulations to:

• Ian  and  Claire  Davy  on  the  birth  of  their  daughter

4. Minutes

The  Minutes  of National  Council  on 20  &  21  April  2013  were  approved  following a  show  of  hands  by  the  delegates

5. Matters  Arising

None  to  note

ACTION  POINT/  FOLLOW  UP

National  Secretary  to  issue  letter of congratulations

National  Council to  note

6. Opening  Address

The  Chief  Scout  made  an  opening  address  and  welcomed  Minister  for Agriculture,  Mr  Simon  Coveney  to  speak  to  National  Council.

The  CEO,  John  Lawlor  introduced  Ciara  Keegan  (Rover)  who  responded to  the Ministers’  address  and  thanked  him  for  his  attendance  before  Minister  Coveney was  presented  with  the  Knot  of  Friendship.

7. Appointment  of  Tellers

The  following  were  approved  as  Tellers  for  National Council  2014:

Chief  Teller: Bill  James

Tellers: Pat  Roche

Niall  Walsh

Mark  O’Callaghan

Alan  Palmer

Joseph  Mangan

Richard  Donovan

Caleb  O’Connor

Alex  Walker

Stephen  Punch

Graham  Hegarty

Niamh  Lee

Emmet  Dunlea

Matthew  O’Connell

Saramai  Dennehy

Alice  O’Brien

Jane  O’Shea

Markelle  McCarthy

Milo  Moran

Conor  Wiley

Sean  McDonnell

8. Standing  Orders

The  Standing  Orders  of  National  Council  were  approved  following  a  show  of hands  by  the  delegates

9. Annual  Report  2013

Following  a  show  of  hands  by  the  delegates,  the  Annual  Report  for  2013  was adopted.

Matters  arising:

National  Secretary  to  issue  letter of  thanks.

National  Council  to  note

National  Council  to  note

National  Council  to  note

Robert  Kennedy  of  164  Brackenstown  read  out  a  letter  of  apology  from  the Chief  Scout  in  relation  to  an investigation  into  an incident concerning  the  Group and  welcomed  the  proposals  that  the  Review  panel  put  forward  to  improve procedures  for  the  future.

10. Audited  Accounts  and  Financial  Report  of  Scouting  Ireland

The  Audited  Accounts  and  Financial  Report  of  Scouting  Ireland  for  the  year 2013  were  adopted  as  proposed  by  Annette  Byrne.    Annette  Byrne  presented an analyses  and  graphic  illustration  of  the  Association’s  Income  and Expenditure  Balance  Sheet  for  year  ended  31 st August  2013.

M atters  arising:

The  National  Treasurer announced  that  the  membership  fee  for  adult  members will  increase  from  €20  to  €25  for  2015.

The  National  Treasurer made  a  commitment  to  the  delagtes  of  the National Council  that  a  copy  of  the  Audited accounts  and  Financial  Report  of  Scouting Ireland  would  be  circulated  with  the  first  National  Council  mailing for  the  AGM of  the  National  Council  2015  and  going  forward.

Paudy  O’Brien  thanked  the  National  Treasurer  for  her  work  and  highlighted  the financial  contribution  made  by  the  Outdoor  Adventure  Store  to  Scouting Ireland.

Kiernan  Gildea,  while  understanding  the  need  to  cancel Jamboree  2013 encouraged  the  National  Management  Committee  to  consider  a  National Jamboree  in  Ireland  as  soon  as  possible; highlighting  that  the  legacy  of  National Jamborees  brings together  the  cohesiveness  of  an  Association

11. Appointment  of  Auditors

The  Firm  of  G rant  Thornton  Chartered  Accountants  &  Registered  Auditors  was appointed  as  Auditors  for  Scouting  Ireland.

National  Management  Committee

National  Council  to  note

National  Council  to  note

National  Treasurer

National  Management  Committe

National  Treasurer

12. Annual  Report  and  Accounts  of  The  Scout  Foundation,  The  Scout  Association  of  Ireland  Trust  Corporation Limited  and  Scouting  Trust  Property  Limited.

The  Annual  Report  and  Accounts  of  Scout  Foundation,  Scout  Association  of Ireland  Trust  Corporation  Limited  and  Scouting  Trust  Property  Limited  were endorsed  by  show  of  hands  from  the  delegates .

13. Election of  Honorary  Vice Presidents

The  election  of  Honorary  Vice Presidents  of  Scouting  Ireland  was  approved  as follows:

National  Council  to  note

National  Council  to  note

• Donald  Harvey

• Eoghan  Lavelle

• Kenneth  Ramsey

• Paul  Ring

• Martin  Burbridge

14. Awards  &  Presentations

Pauline  Lucas  presented  neckerchiefs  to  the  National  Youth  Reps:

Scout  Reps Venture  Reps Rover  Reps

James  Burke Niall  Fogarty Valerie  Maloney

Sarah  Kelly Karl  Mallon Brendan  Murphy

Stephen  Reid Sinead  Callanan Raymond  O’Donnell

Stephen  McCollum Ciaran  Van  Dam Andrew  Rigney

Luke  Coulton Dillon Aoibhinn  Moyne Alison  Maher

Adam  Oates Walsh Richard  Murray Niamh  Donnelly

Amy  McGrath Seamus  Cummins Lorna  Campbell

Dara  Rickard Greg  Anderson Megan  McGloughlin

Jordan  Walsh Eoin  Hickey Jonathan  Gallagher

The  Chief Scout,  Michael  John  Shinnick  presented  Scouting  Irelands  Order  of  Cú Chulainn  to  the  following:

• Brendan  Martin

• John  McQueen

• Morgan  O’Sullivan

• Pat  Roche

• Barry  McInerney

15. Address  by  the  Chief  Commissioner,  Scout  Association  UK

The  Chief Executive Officer introduced the  Chief  Commissioner  of  the  Scout Association  U.K.,  Mr  Wayne  Bulpitt  and  his  wife  Judy  and  invited  him  to  s peak to National  Council.

Cathal  Healy  replied  to  the  address.

The  CEO  also  made  a  short  speech  in  reco gnition  of  our  shared  vision  and  the Chief  Scout  presented  Wayne  Bulpitt  with  the  Order  of  CúChulainn.

16. Announcement  of  Results

Following  the  votes  cast  by  the  delegates,  The  National  Secretary  announced the  following  candidates  as  elected  for  the following  positions  of  the  National Management  Committee:

• Provincial  Commissioner – Northern  Province – Kieran  McCann*

• Provincial  Commissioner – Southern  Province – Morgan  O’Sullivan

National  Council  to  note

• Provincial  Commissioner – North  Eastern  Province – James  O’Toole

• *Was presented  with  a  neckerchief  by  Chief  Scout,  Michael  John  Shinnick

17. Motions  and  Proposals  to  National  Counci

Results  of  Motions  and  proposals  as  received  by  the  National  Secretary  and referred  by  the  National  Management  Committee Appendix A to  the  Minutes of  National  Council  2014

18. Presentations  to  National  Council

The  National  Council  noted  the  followong  presentations:

• PR  Video

• Outdoor  Adventure  Store

• Scout  Brand

• Fellowship  of  Irish  Guides and  Scouts  (FIGS)

• The  Gathering

• Community  Week

• Lumela Failte

• RAW  (Rover  Action  Week)

• CastleSaunderson

• World  Scout  Moot – Canada  2013

• National  Campsites

• The  Peace  Light of  Bethlehem

• World  Scout  Jamboree  2015

• Techweek 27  April – 3 rd May  2014

• QSE

• World  Scout  Moot  2021

19. Chief  Scouts  Closing  Address

The  Chief  Scout  closing  National  Council,  thanked  delegates  for  their attendance  and  contribution  to the  meeting  of  the National  Council and  express special  thanks  to:

• Minister Simon  Coveney

• Wayne  Bulpitt – Chief  Commissioner – the  Scout  Association  U.K.

• Mr  Matt  Kavanagh

• The  host  county

• Pat  Hollingsworth  and  his  team

• The  Tellers  and  National  Council  organisers

• Scouting  Ireland  Staff

UPCOMING  MEETING  DATES

National  Council  to  note

National  Council  to  note

The  next  meeting of  the  Scouting  Ireland  National  Council  will  be  18th April, 2015  in  the  R.D.S.,  Dublin

CONCLUSION

There  being  no  other  business  the  meeting  was  concluded

National  Council  to  note

Appendix A: National Council 2014 – Motions & Proposals Results

HONORARY  VICE-­‐PRESIDENTS

Honorary  Vice  Presidents:

To  elect  the  following  people  as  Honorary  Vice  Presidents  of Scouting  Ireland:

Eoghan  Lavelle

HVP 1

V -­‐ 1

General Motion

(National  Management  Committee) CARRIED

Kenneth  Ramsey

Paul  Ring

Donald  Harvey

Martin  Burbridge

V -­‐ 2

V -­‐ 3

General Motion

V 4

General Motion

V 5

Notice of Motion

VISION  2020

That  this  National  Council  endorses  the  rolling  three  year operational  plan  to  implement  the  strategy,  Vision    2020  for Scouting  Ireland.

(National  Management  Committee)

That  this  National  Council  endorses  the  National  Management Committee  to  develop  the  capability  to  implement  the  strategic plan,  Vision  2020,  to  deliver  success  through  Scout  Groups.

(National  Management  Committee)

That  this  National  Council approves  the  establishment  of  a  three tiered  support  structure  for  Scouting  Ireland

(National  Management  Committee)

That  Notice  of  Motion  be  accepted  to  amend  the  Scouting  Ireland Constitution  to  read  as  per  the proposed  constitution  (Revision  J) circulated  with  the  National  Council  2014  documentation.

(National  Management  Committee)

General Motion

That  this  National  Council  approves  the  implementation  plan  for  a three  tiered  support  structure  for  Scouting  Ireland circulated  with the  National  Council  2014  documentation  but  subject  to  the

WITHDRAWN

WITHDRAWN

WITHDRAWN

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V 6 General Motion

appropriate  changes  to  the  Constitution  and  Rules  being  carried by  National  Council

(National  Management  Committee)

That  This  National  Council  instructs That  no  Motion  or  Notice  of  Motion  shall  be  brought  by  the  National

Management  Committee  to  change  the  rules  and/or  constitution  in regard  to  Vision  20/20  until  a  full  detailed  inclusive  consultation  process is  instigated  with  regard  to  said  proposals  and  that  all  proposals  are circulated  at  least  six  months  prior  to  putting  same  to  the  membership.

This  circular  should  include  all  proposed  related  changes  to  the Constitution,  rule  changes  and  Scouting  Ireland  Documents  and  should be  openly  discussed  and  debated  in  a  proactive  way  with  a  significant and  substantial  cross  section  of  the  membership.

(Slieve  Bloom  Scout  County)

Explanation:

Slieve  Bloom  feels  that  while  there  were  Provincial  Conferences  in  2012, details  of  the  proposed  changes  to  the  structure  of  Scouting  Ireland were  not  and  have  not  been  discussed  with  the  membership.

We  feel that  major  changes  to  Scouting  Ireland  will  in  effect  last  a  generation and  that  the  very  least  the  membership  of  Scouting  Ireland  is  entitled  to is  for  said  proposals  to  be  circulated,  discussed  and  debated  for  a reasonable  time  prior  to  them  being  put  to  the  vote  at  National  Council/ Special  National  Council/  EGM.

We  feel  that  there  has  been  far  too much  secrecy  with  regard  to  the  proposals  and  that  when  they  come  to be  voted  on,  that  they  will  be  brought  as  a  take  it  or  leave  it  package while  members  may  wish  to  make  changes  to  same  and  may  and probably  would  put  some  excellent  changes/  adjustments  to  same  if they  were  given  the  opportu nity  to  do  so.

Notice  of  Motion

That  Notice  of  Motion  be  accepted  to  amend Article  38  (G) of  the Constitution  of  the  Association  to  read  as  follows:

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NM 1

Article 38  (g)

Four delegates no min ated by the S co ut Gro up Council of each re gister ed S co ut Gro up, at  least one  of  whom  must  be  a  registered Scout.

(National  Management  Committee)

Explanation:

This  proposal  will  increase  the  Scout  Group  representation  to National  Council  by  one  person  per  group  and  at  least  one  of  the

CARRIED

Scout  Group  delegates  must  be  a  registered  Scout.

A  Scout  is  defined  in  the  constitution  as;

A  Scout  is  a  uniformed  youth  member  who  receives  the  Youth Programme  of  Scouting  Ireland.  All  Scouts  make  the  commitment of  the  Scout  Promise.

Rules

R -­‐ 1 Rule  52 That  Rule  52  be  altered  to  read  as  follows;

The  Group  Leader  is  a  Scouter  nominated  by  the  Scout  Group Council,  recommended  by  the  County  Commissioner  and appointed  by  the  Chief  Commissioner  (Adult  Resources) on  behalf of  the  National  Management  Committee . (National  Management  Committee)

That  Rule  54  be  altered  to  read  as  follows;

CARRIED

R 2 Rule  54

The  Appointment  of  Group  Leader  may  be  cancelled,  withdrawn or  suspended  by  the  Chief  Commissioner  (Adult  Resources)  on  the recommendation  of  the  Scout Group  Council  or  the  County Commissioner on  behalf  of  the  National  Management Committee.

(National  Management  Committee) CARRIED

Addition  to  Rule  114

The  notice  of  the  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the  National  Council shall  be  accompanied by  the  following:

(a)  The  draft  minutes  of  the  previous  meeting; (b)  The  Annual  Report  to  be  adopted; (c)  Invitation  for  proposals  to  the  National  Council; (d)  Nomination  forms  for  completion  for  the  following Appointments  when  necessary:

i.  Chief  Scout

ii.  Chief  Commissioner  (Youth  Programme)

iii.  Chief  Commissioner  (Adult  Resources)

iv.  National  Secretary

v.  National  Treasurer

vi.  Communications  Commissioner

vii.  International  Commissioner

viii.  Provincial  Commissioner e)  Nomination  forms  for  completion  for  the  election  of  six other  members  to  the National  Management  Committee;

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116

(f)  Nomination  forms  for  completion  for  members  and directors  of  the  Scout Foundation  and  other  relevant  entities; (g)  Nomination  forms  for  completion  to  confer  the  title  of Honorary  membership.

Add  in (h) The  Audit  Accounts  of  Scouting  Ireland

(Slieve  Bloom  Scout  County)

Explanation: Scout  Groups  and  Scout  Counties  should  have  the  Annual Accounts  of  Scouting  Ireland  as  part  of  the  first  mailing.

This would  enable  them,  if  they wish,  to  submit  motions  with  regard  to the  finances  of  Scouting  Ireland.

Bearing  in  mind  the  Accounts year  end  is  August  31st each  year  there  is  plenty  of  time  between that  date  and  the  first  mailing  to  have  them  ready.

That  Rule  116  be  altered  to  read  as  follows; A  second  notice  of  the  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the  National Council  shall  be  forwarded  by  the  National  Secretary  to  those members  of  Scouting  Ireland  notified  with  the  first  notice  not  less than  four  weeks  prior  to  the  date  of  the  meeting.

This  second notice  shall  be  accompanied  by  the  following:

(a)  The  Agenda;

(b)  All  nominations  validly  received  by the  National Secretary;

(c)  Any  matters  referred  to  the  National  Council  by  the National  Management Committee;

(d)  Any  proposals  received  by  the  National  Secretary  by  or on  behalf  of  any  Scout  Group Council,  Scout  County  Board  or  National  Youth  Forum.

(e) The  Audit  Accounts  of  Scouting  Ireland.

(f)  The  Annual  Report  of  the  Scout  Foundation  and  other relevant  entities.

Delete  point  (e)  &  move  to  rule  114

(Slieve  Bloom  Scout  County)

General  Proposals

That  this  National  Council  acknowledges  the  value  and  importance of  the  relationship  of  Scouting  Ireland  with  its  patron  Uachtarán Na  hÉireann  and  instructs  the  National  Management  Committee to  seek  to  maintain  and  grow  this  important  relationship  with  the presidency  into  the  future.

Commitment by  Nat Treasurer  to circulate Financial Report  with  1st Nat  Council mailing

WITHDRAWN

CARRIED

4

(National  Management  Committee)

Explanation:

The  following  proposal  was  passed  at  National  Council  2013

That  this  National  Council  instructs  the  National  Management Committee  to  return  to  National  Council  2014  with  the  necessary Motions  and  /  or  Proposals for  consideration  to  formally  cover  the patronage  of  our  Association  in  the  Constitution  and  /or  Rules  of Scouting  Ireland

That  this  National  Council  instructs  the  National  Youth  Program Committee  do  an  immediate  review  of  the  Chief  Scout  Awards, particularly  in  the  older  3  sections  and  that  they  report  back  to next  National  Council  with  regard  to  same.

This  review  to include  input  of  various  groups  actually  helping  their  youth members  try  to  achieve  the  relevant  awards  in  their  sections.

(Slieve  Bloom  Scout  County)

Explanation:

Slieve  Bloom  feels  that  some  aspects  of  the  Chief  Scout  awards  in the  oldest  3  sections  are  almost  impossible  to  achieve  at  present by  the  youth  members  and  other  aspects  are  by  their  very  nature extremely costly.

We  feel  that  all  youth  members  should  be  able to  aspire  to  getting  these  awards  and  that  their  facilitators  should be  in  a  position  to  help  them.

We  propose  that  as  part  of  the  12  days  of  Christmas  draws  that the  book  size  should  be  reduced  from  20  tickets  to  10  tickets.

(17/20/30th Waterford,  St.  Pauls)

Explanation:

Given  the  economy  sending  home  tickets  to  families  already  hard pressed  to  make  ends  meet,  20  tickets  in  the  booklet  is  big  ask  to sell.

Smaller  book  size would  encourage  people  to  sell  the  book and  the  knock  on  effect  hopefully  is  to  sell  more  booklets.

We  propose  that  Scouting  Ireland,  through  its  calendar  of  events and  training  calendar  support  Scout  Centres  whether  national  or local as  a  priority.

(17/20/30th Waterford,  St.  Pauls)

CARRIED

WITHDRAWN

Explanation: CARRIED

Given  the  economic  situation  Scouting  needs  to  support  its  own. We  would  hope  that  as  part  of  Vision  20 20  that  Scouting  Ireland will  invest  in  its  centres  that  will  bring  them  to  good  standard  so that  we  can  hold  National,  Provincial  &  County  events  be  they training  or  programme  events. We  should  only  use  Hotels  &  Centres  where  our  own  resources  do not  fit  the  criteria.  However  within  the  Vision  20 20  plan  we  need to  have  a  target  that delivers  on  this  proposal.

That  early  payment  rebates  be  provided  as  Group  credit  towards expenditure  of  events,  training  courses,  etc.  within  Scouting Ireland,  not  vouchers.

(  Waterford  Scout  County)

Explanation:

The  purpose  behind this  proposal  is  to  facilitate  Groups  which have  no  need  to  additional  equipment  or  physical  resources,  but instead  would  see  the  rebate  spent  better  on  National /Provincial/County  events  and/or  training.    The  money  will  still remain  within  Scouting  Ireland,  and  the  Groups  will  benefit  from more  activities  and/or  higher  caliber  leaders.

That  Service  Awards  to  take  into  account  total  tenure  of  an  adult member,  not  just  continuous  service  as  this  does  not  take  into account  career  breaks and  personal  circumstances.

(Waterford  Scout  County)

Explanation:

We  submit  this  proposal  with  the  reasoning  that  several  adult members  with  Waterford  Scout  County  have  had  no  choice  but  to stand  down  from  their  Scouting  duties  due  to  events  beyond  their control.    These  adults  have  often  been  long  standing  and  active members  with  strong  loyalties  to  Scouting  Ireland  and  the Scouting  Movement  however  have  not  been  entitled  to  Service Awards  to honour  that  loyalty  as  they  may  have  taken  a  leave  of absence  for  an  individual  year  on  several  occasions,  or  even  a single  occasion.

WITHDRAWN

CARRIED