This year has been a tremendous year for the 2^nd Turramurra Scout group, with our members making tremendous progress both big and small.  Overall our group membership has held steady at just over 60 members.  A few notable facts include: 

• 8 camps held across the different groups
• >30 parent helpers supporting ongoing activities
• 3 new Leaders invested
• 15 leadership courses completed
• 2 participants in the Hornsby Gangshow
• Over $5,000 raised for new equipment through Bunnings BBQ and cake stalls
• Major repairs to the hall roof
• $2,400 raised through Monster raffle and Return and Earn, and a $27,000 grant received to address drainage issues around the hall

We’ve also seen tremendous progress at all levels with a record number of badges handed out and the associated improvement in parent’s stitching experience.  We’d particularly like to recognise and congratulate the following achievements: 

• Cubs Grey Wolf Scout Award:  Thomas Mc, Nina B, Zoe D, and Poppy BD
• Venturers Queen’s Scout Award: Ethan McGregor
• Leaders Wood Badge:  Adam Desmarchelier

The attached slides cover all content discussed at the AGM with a particular emphasis below to articulate the ongoing need for Leaders and opportunity for parents to join the committee.  Each role not only provides unique opportunities to help support your child’s scouting experience, but also comes with discounts on fees. 

Ongoing Need for Leaders

Leaders play a critical role in not just our week-to-week success, but the long-term journey and experience of our journey.  We’ve made progress in this area with the addition of three new leaders throughout 2023 and a few more leaders who we are working to setup and confirm for 2024.  Ideally, we’d have 5 leaders for Cubs and Scouts due to their size and would be looking for 2-3 to maintain the Joey’s group as well. 

• Time commitment is based on what you can give, and aside from one planning meeting a term it really only takes the time to prep the sessions you’re able to lead and otherwise you are there to help support the kids. 
• Having more leaders relieves the pressure on existing Leaders to always attend when life pressures increase and we have competing priorities. 
• All leaders receive specific training and certification on core areas of Scouting and then are able to obtain different certifications so that we have the ability to take the kids on different adventures (abseiling, kayaking/canoeing, night bush walks, etc.). 
• Fun Fact:  Due to risk and insurance purposes, we are not able to take kids on bush walks without the appropriately certified leaders – so having qualified leaders is critical. 

With the current economic situation, it is also important to note that leaders receive a full discount of all the 2^nd Turramurra Scout fees, significantly lessening the financial ask. 

Committee Update & Open Roles

The 2^nd Turramurra Scouts Committee’s role and purpose is to administer and manage the financial position and assets which the groups utilise.  This includes seeking funding and grants, coordinating the maintenance of the hall, organising group wide events such as fundraisers and social activities, and ensuring we maintain our financial position.  Over the next year the Committee’s focus will be on looking to address some of our processes to support leaders, increasing visibility to parents, and supporting the experience of all members. 

The following roles are or will be vacant in 2024 if there are parents interested in joining the committee. 

• Social Lead: Organise and support regular social events (camping, ice blocking) for the whole group as Kerri Tresidder moves into the President Role.
• Treasurer: Manage the financial aspects of the group including expense reimbursement, maintaining the financial records and annual audits.  Emma Jenkins has done a tremendous job getting us organised this year however is stepping down in the new year
• Maintneance: Help organise and manage ongoing maintenance to the building utilising the available funds and grants.  This role has been vacant and its activities picked up by other memebers, however a dedicated role could exist to support this focus.  
• Fundraising:  coordinating the biannual Bunnings BBQs, Return and Earn, and other fundraisers.  Matt Treston has filled this role this year 2023 and setup much of the systems. 

We’d like to thank those Committee Members who are moving on for their support and efforts, as well as those who are continuing to play a critical role in the Group. Similar to Leaders there is a discount with Committee members receive a 50% discount on the 2^nd Turramurra fees for their children.