What is Network?
Gloucestershire Network is the 18-25 section of the scout movement within Gloucestershire. It’s run by its members for its members with many activities taking place right across the county each week. Over the past few years members have been able to try climbing, narrowboating, a monopoly run, backwoods cooking, Zorbing and Segway plus much more!
Membership and Registration
When Scout Network was initially created in 2002, all member of the Scout Association between 18 and 25 were automatically members. This changed in early 2007, and you now have to register as a member of Scout Network if you wish to take part.
Why join?
Many members of Scout Network are already members of the Scout Association as leaders or helpers with other sections, or as members of Scout Active Support. At the same time though many members are just network members, with many being students are the local university.
Scouting gradually changes throughout the age ranges. Network is particularly informal and laid back with almost all the formalities being reserved for St. Georges Day and Remembrance Day parades! Networks spend most of their time taking part in events you would NEVER otherwise end up doing. This ranges from the annual piano bash (where you use a sledgehammer, felling axe and saw to post a piano through a letterbox! Don’t worry all of the pianos are past usable for their original purpose) right through to making oversized chocolate bars and exchanging items for paper-clips! All in all it’s a laugh!
Membership of Network also entitles you to take part in Scout Network events, both local and National/International, and to work towards and gain the Chief Scout’s, Queen’s Scout and Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards.
How to join
Local networks may have their own procedures but you must complete and return the County Network Registration form . You may need to undergo a CRB check, and obtain a Network Uniform. Your local Network will then arrange for you to be invested as a member of Scout Network. It sounds scary but it’s not that hard, if you’ve got any questions just ask!
Membership and Registration
When Scout Network was initially created in 2002, all member of the Scout Association between 18 and 25 were automatically members. This changed in early 2007, and you now have to register as a member of Scout Network if you wish to take part.
What is it?
The Uniform for Scout Network is the same as that for adult leaders, with the addition of the ‘Network’ badge (Badge Positions).
The formal uniform consists of the stone shirt, navy trousers (official formal and activity trousers are available, but not compulsory!) and County Network necker. An optional polo shirt is also available.
Where can I get it?
The official uniform shirt and trousers are available from local district scout shops or from Scout Shops online. Some uniform items are also stocked by National Schoolwear Centres, who have branches in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud.
The appropriate badges and County Scout Network Necker can be supplied by your Gloucestershire Network should you join.
What about polo shirts and hoodys?
Gloucestershire Network have black polo shirts and hoodys that a lot of members like to wear to meetings. These are ordered periodically, speak to Gloucestershire Network for details.
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Checks
eCRB forms here
As part of its Child Protection policy, the Scout Association requres all adult Leaders/Helpers and all Network Scouts to undergo a CRB check. If you have recently completed a CRB check elsewhere for the Scout Association or SSAGO you may not need to complete another one for Gloucestershire if it can be confirmed – contact your Scout Network Leader for details.
Further Information
For full information on the Disclosure process, the checks that will be undertaken, and guidance for anyone with queries about criminal convictions, please see the full guidance on Scoutbase. There is also a specific factsheet entitled ‘Criminal Records Disclosures and the Scout Network’.
Census & Capitation
As Scout Network members can be members of more than one Network (e.g. at home and at university), and can also be leaders or helpers with other sections (Beavers/Cubs/Scouts/Explorers), Census and Capitation for Scout Network can be a little complicated.
What is Census?
Census takes place in February each year and is designed to capture the number of members in each Group, District and County. Census information forms the basis for charing Capitation, so it is important that each member is only counted once.
What do we need to know?
If you are a member of Network in another County besides Gloucestershire, or are a Leader or Helper with another Unit (whether in Gloucestershire or elsewhere). a Leader or Helper with another unit (Beavers/Cubs/Scouts/Explorers) we will need to know details for the census return.
What is Capitation?
Capitation is an annual charge to cover the running costs of the Association. It includes elements for HQ, County, and District, but the majority of the money goes on the insurance cover provided to all members of the Association on Scouting activities. It is paid by (or for) each member of the Association. If a member is involved in more than one Group/Unit/Network, they only pay one lot of capitation.
Who pays Capitation?
If you are a Leader or Helper with another section, your Scout Group (or District, for Explorer Units) will normally pay your Capitation for you. If not, you will need to pay it through your local Network (if you are a member of more than one Network, you will need to agree with them which one your capitation will be paid through). Some Networks may charge for Capitation in one go, others may include it in termly Subs.