National Scout Leader Appointed

MEDIA RELEASE

National Scout Leader Appointed

29 August 2007

Scouting New Zealand has appointed Invercargill-based Kevin Todd, an electrical engineer at New Zealand Aluminium Smelters as the new National Scout Leader.

Each of the five Scouting codes, Keas, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers has a National Leader to offer support, advice and encouragement to the organisation’s membership, and in particular to act as mentor to the small army of warranted adult volunteers.

Todd has been actively involved in Scouting since 1973 and holds a number of Scouting awards, including the Bronze Tiki for outstanding service.

According to Todd, the benefits of Scouting are not limited to the young people who are active members. “I frequently see adults come into the Movement with various skills and degrees of confidence. They quickly develop new skills and their confidence and self-esteem grows immensely,” says Todd. He describes working with youth as a great privilege and believes that through working with youth and fostering their success, a win-win situation is established for adult volunteers as well. “There is no age limit on learning. Scouting encourages everyone to extend themselves, make strong friendships and have a great deal of fun,” he says.

Among the changes that Scouting has gone through recently, has been the introduction of new programmes which better suit the timing of School terms and additions to the series of National Schools, many of which offer NZQA approved courses such as photography, mountaincraft and flying.

One of the immediate challenges for Todd will be to focus on attracting more adult volunteers to apply for warrants. Membership for Scouts is beginning to trend upwards after being in decline for a number of years and there is currently a waiting list for young people to join in some areas.

ENDS

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