SSAGO Blog

May 2020 update

Adele Upton, Chair

Saturday 9th of May 2020

Aims

• Get SSAGO and all events through Covid-19 (not part of my original plan but hey-ho!)
• Create a buddy system for both new and established clubs, as well as between events.
• Work with the events officer to optimise their role and capture event knowledge.
• Utilise SSAGO’s skills to create a volunteer staff scheme and teach each other new things
• Resurrect more relevant SSAGO projects, such as focussing on making SSAGO more sustainable.
• Promote SSAGO’s uniqueness to grow membership!

May 2020 update

Brittany Long, Secretary

Saturday 9th of May 2020

Aims

• Send out an updated full membership survey
• Come up with a plan for sorting through the policy documents and getting them updated.
• Work with Larah to get the SSAGO google drives in a more manageable state.
• Get in touch with clubs and reps to compile a thorough list of everything SSAGO do for Guiding and Scouting, and hopefully use this to form the base of a new strong relationship!
• Work with Oli to get to new SSAGO knowledge base ready to go

Introducing Brittany Long

Brittany Long, Secretary

Monday 16th of March 2020

I’m Brittany and I am your Secretary. My role on Team Pink is to do all the paperwork and keep the committee organised.

Since my first rally as a fresher I have fallen in love with SSAGO and the people I’ve met through it. I’m very excited to have the chance to give back and help make SSAGO better, by doing all the boring bits most of you will never have the pleasure of seeing!

I am currently finishing off my final year of maths at the University of Bath under less than ideal circumstances and I am looking forward to being done so I can focus on SSAGO! As part of Bath BUGS I’ve been Guide Rep, Secretary, and was also Secretary for Roman Rally this year.

I’m a very proud girl guide and have been since I was 7, and I have no intention of giving up any time soon. Outside of SSAGO I’m a big fan of musical theatre and singing in general – if you hear someone humming in the bathroom at camp at two in the morning, it’s probably me!

Introducing Maddy Brett

Maddy Brett, Treasurer

Monday 16th of March 2020

I’m Maddy and I am finishing my 3rd year of Pharmacy at Bath. I have been involved with guiding since I was 7 and I have continued my involvement through BUGS at university. I have been involved in SSAGO since coming to university almost 3 years ago, attending my first rally in November 2017 as a fresher.
Through BUGS I have had the opportunity to be the activities officer for Roman Rally, help with local guiding and scouting events and join SSAGO. I have been on the BUGS committee for 2 years taking the roles of guide rep and treasurer. Whilst at uni, I volunteer locally at a guide unit whilst working on my leadership qualification and volunteer at local scout events throughout the year. I have made many friends and lasting memories through SSAGO. Running a rally was an amazing experience which has shaped my entire time at university, and I want to help offer those opportunities and more to lots of other people!
As treasurer I want to focus on some of the behind the scenes aspects of being the role such as adding another account for the shop to easily track of spending, updating the rally budget form and making a guide to rally finances for those who would like some extra help.
Outside of SSAGO and BUGS, I ring the church bells and I’m involved with the LGBT+ society at Bath Uni.

Introducing Larah Korrison

Larah Korrison, Archivist

Wednesday 4th of March 2020

I'm Larah and I'm your archivist.

I Joined The Scouts at 8 years old and never looked back, I had a lot of fun gained all sorts of skills and completed my top awards. I did my undergrad course in History at UWE, Bristol and a Masters in Archive Administration at Aberystwyth, I now work for a public body as a records and information officer.

My role is about looking after records and objects of historical value that belong to SSAGO, these come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some of what we have include: minutes, published documentations, pictures, club reports, various magazines (Student Scout and Guide, Kudu, Kudu Notes, SSAGO Journal and SSAGO News). Our archive is both in digital and physical formats and continues to grow every year.

Introducing Adele Upton

Adele Upton, Chair

Wednesday 4th of March 2020

Hello SSAGO!

I’m Adele and I am your Chair for the next year! I am currently doing an industrial placement year and then will be heading back to Bath for my final year at uni, studying chemical engineering.

I joined the Scouts in 2010, after moving back to the UK from the Netherlands and needing to make some friends near my village. Since then, Scouting has become a huge part of my life, even influencing my choice of university! SSAGO has been a wonderful part of my university experience and I’m so grateful for the people I’ve met both in BUGS and at rallies. After 2 years on Bath BUGS committee and a year chairing Roman Rally, I decided SSAGO hasn’t taken up nearly enough of my time yet, hence my run for exec!

Happy SSAGOing!

Introducing Reuben Cone

Reuben Cone, Publicity

Wednesday 4th of March 2020

Hi there! I was your Publicity Officer for 2019/2020 and I had a really fun year on the SSAGO Exec - so fun in fact that I wanted to do it again! A few of my ongoing projects are close to completion, and I don’t want to continue the cycle where the handover causes great ideas to be dropped!

As a bit of background I was previously on Keele SSAGO’s committee for three years, taking the roles of Treasurer, Scout & Guide Coordinator and President. During my time in SSAGO so far I’ve run two international trips, chaired one Freshers camp and organised activities for another. Then there’s the year I’ve just spent on the Exec where I have done loads like revamping SSAGO Support, producing loads of Social Media content, publicised SSAGO online and in real life, designed loads of badges, and so much more!

This year I’d like to finalise the badges and get physical badges made, produce some more publicity materials for clubs to use, provide the new Exec with plenty of support and try and solve some of SSAGOs background issues!

On a personal level I’ll be moving to Manchester to do a Masters in Science Communication, and I’m looking forward to joining ManSSAGO and getting back to some ‘on the ground’ SSAGO action!

Manifesto for Publicity Officer

Reuben Cone, Publicity

Wednesday 19th of February 2020

At the request of the Returning Officer I have been asked to clarify that I am not currently a Student Member of SSAGO. However Standing Order 7.7 allows me to stand as an existing SSAGO Executive Officer.

Hello SSAGO!

I’m Reuben and for those of you who don’t know me I am your current Publicity Officer. I’ve had a really fun year on the SSAGO Exec and would like to have another one, hence here we are again!

Who I am and what I've done:

As a bit of background I was previously on Keele SSAGO’s committee for three years, taking the roles of Treasurer, Scout & Guide Coordinator and President. During my time in SSAGO so far I have ran two international trips, chaired one Freshers camp and organised activities for another. Then there’s the year I’ve just spent on the Exec where I have done loads, including but not limited to:

SSAGO Support: Using online infrastructure created by the webmaster Oli, we gave SSAGO Support a new home. Alongside this I created a new badge which is now awarded to anybody who attends a Support event. I also attended and managed our presence at Gilwell Fundays, Gilwell 24, Wellies and Wristbands and Wintercamp.

Social Media: This year I have tried to produce entertaining, engaging and interesting content, and reduce the ‘spam’ of links to the SSAGO website. Series of social media posts include: The Cutlery Cup Countdown, SSAGO Rallies for Freshers, Best of the 2010’s and SSAGO by the Numbers. There were 25 Christmas posts celebrating the year, welcoming 2020, talking about Christmas things, quizzes and announcements.

Publicising SSAGO: I produced some new sail flags, new PVC banners and a new pull banner. I attended Gilwell Reunion where we held a stand about SSAGO and had a workshop with an accompanying presentation that I created. I coordinated publicity pack distribution and sending out banners to clubs.

Badges: Badges that I have designed this year include: SSAGO Goes to Alton Towers, SSAGO Support, Roman Rally, Survival Rally, Sheffield Ball, Midlands Freshers Camp, National Event Attendance Badges, Clubs Challenge Badge, International Badge and SSAGO Goes to Spoons.

And more: I have written news articles on Anona’s Cutlery Cup win, Scot Rally, SSAGO Supporting Gilwell 24, SSAGO Support generally, Chocolate Rally and SSAGO Supporting Wintercamp. I’ve also helped Larah with the archives, and will be introducing a new SSAGO committee award in time for Ball.

Why I want to carry on:

Because why stop when you’re having fun! The fact that the National Exec operate in yearly cycles means that quite often great ideas and ‘in-process’ projects get dropped. A few of my ongoing projects are close to completion, and so I might as well run again and finish them off; If successful I’d be the first Publicity Officer to do a 2 year Exec stint in 13 years!

What I plan to do next:

Badges: "More SSAGO badges" has been something that I have heard being talked about for years – and yet it’s never happened. We’ve made good progress this year, with designs completed and online infrastructure being built, but now I can see why it hasn’t happened – it’s clearly a two year job! To quote a recent political slogan I’d like to GET BADGES DONE! Physical National Event Attendance badges, the Clubs Challenge badge and the international badge are all on the horizon – we’re so close.

Publicity Materials: The one area of my role that I didn’t do this year was to produce more ‘traditional’ (leaflets, flyers, business cards) publicity materials. Well now the previous publicity pack materials (from 2018) are running out, it’s time to get creative. I’d like to bring in a new style to our publicity materials, keeping them all consistent in design and high in quality.

Provide support for the new Exec: As the only current exec member potentially carrying on, I will do my best to use my experience from the past year to help the new Exec where possible. As mentioned, having a new Exec every year can be detrimental to SSAGO, however at least if I stay I can mitigate that!

Solve some of SSAGO’s ‘behind the scenes’ problems: One of the big things I have witnessed this year is how much of SSAGO is passed on through ‘word of mouth’. As Larah (SSAGO’s Archivist) likes to mention to me, SSAGO today discuss the same issues that they did 50 years ago. We need to get more things written down and more things updated. Webmaster Oliver is working on a solution to this, and over the past year we have developed a good working relationship together, with Oli doing the ‘techy’ bit and myself doing the ‘wordy’ bit. As Webmaster is the Publicity Officer’s Assistant I’d like to dedicate a good portion of my time this year to help him and to execute what he has planned.

My main goals for the next year would be to finish off what I have started, create something new and work on some of SSAGO’s background issues. But don’t worry, I plan for the usual social media content, news articles, Support events and most importantly memes, to carry on as usual!

 

 

 

Manifesto for Secretary

Brittany Long, Secretary

Wednesday 19th of February 2020

Hi!

I’m Brittany, a final year mathematician from Bath. This is my fourth year now in SSAGO and it's definitely been an adventure. I’ve loved getting to meet so many wonderful people and I’m looking forward to meeting many more! I'm running to be your new secretary as I love the idea of being able to give back to the organisation that has made my university years amazing, and helping make SSAGO better for future years to come.

Why will I be good for this role?

• I have a bit of a reputation among friends for being super ‘on it’. If you need something done and a guarantee it will get done, I’m the one to ask!
• I’ve gained a lot of experience this year that will make me an awesome secretary, namely being secretary for both Bath BUGS and Roman Rally, at the same time, while juggling final year. My organisational skills are (necessarily) top notch…
• I am seriously enthusiastic about SSAGO. I firmly believe I have read more of the resource documents than anyone else.
• I’m already experienced in looking after the secretary mascot Rex, who ex-Secretary Lauren trusted me with at Witan in a Weekend Rally, where he came to the National History Museum with me!

What I’d like to do in the role

• Continue Oli’s work in giving a new life to the resources section of the website, particularly focusing on sharing good practice and event ideas between clubs, and improving resources available to committees running events. I’m also keen to improve the search feature to make these resources easier to find.
• Work with Larah to help SSAGO connect better with its history, and to encourage more clubs to start up their own archives and learn more about their roots!
• Find new ways of sharing what the exec are up to and recent decisions voted in by reps, in a way that is concise and easy to access.
• SSAGO best bits - I'd like to make some changes to the ways news is added to the SSAGO website, to best display our 'best bits' and make it more of a treasure trove of memories for SSAGOers, including past rally newsletters and gems from the archive.
• Use my love of statistics to really up the value provided by the feedback forms we fill in, to help them be as useful to future events as possible.
• Write the best and most interesting minutes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, feel free to come and chat to me at Roman Rally (I'll be on reception!)

Manifesto for Chair

Adele Upton, Chair

Wednesday 19th of February 2020

‘Hello, it’s me’

And by me, I mean Adele, and I’m running for the position of chair.

A little bit about me

• Chemical engineer at Bath University
• Currently undertaking a placement at Jacobs Douwe Egberts (think Kenco and Tassimo, so if you want cheap coffee, you know where to come) 
• Ex fishmonger at Bath Farmers Market
• Keen climber
• Lover of all doggos – I have a springer spaniel named Flash and if you make it to the end, i'll reward you with a picture of him in a necker

My plan for the next year in SSAGO

Buddy System

New and established clubs: One discussion that keeps coming up is ‘how can we help form and grow new clubs?’. Ultimately, new clubs need help from established clubs. I propose we pair up new clubs with older clubs in similar areas, to give advice and support. Established clubs would provide a point of contact for questions relating to programmes, general running of the club, etc. This pairing also has the potential to help both clubs make it to national events, through shared transport and equipment if both clubs agree.

Past and future national events: Currently, there is a knowledge gap in SSAGO. Those running rallies and balls currently take on the task of preparing an event for ~ 300 people, often without any support of those who have experienced the task themselves! This results in a cycle of committees of national events having to start afresh each time, rather than build upon all the knowledge gained from previous events. For example, spring rally organisers would offer advice to the spring rally in the following year. This would allow committees to have access to those with experience and learn from past mistakes/successes/random events, also taking some of the pressure off exec!

Continuation of Event Knowledge

In addition to the events buddy, I plan to work with the events officer to make sure the knowledge from each event is captured and retained between events. National event reports, detailing the events, successes, weaknesses, learnings will hopefully lead to better events for all of SSAGO, happier committees and an easier start for those thinking of running an event.

SSAGO Volunteer Staff Scheme

We have a SSAGO support team for helping with national Scouting and Guiding events, but we do not have one for our own organisation! SSAGO is lucky to have so many members willing to step in and help at national events. I plan to build a volunteer staff team who enjoy and want to help at national/regional events. This would also help smaller clubs considering running an event, as full support could be provided from within SSAGO. In addition to this, I hope by creating a new SSAGO project dedicated to volunteering within SSAGO, it would open volunteering up to those who don’t usually have a chance, such as indie members and those with an introverted nature, by enabling them to volunteer for specific tasks they are comfortable with.

Also, I foresee a badge being involved to reward those who sacrifice their time!

Utilising Skills

Linking to the SSAGO Volunteer Staff Scheme, I want to utilise those with skills to develop SSAGO from within. The scheme allows event committees to determine what skills people have and what they are willing to share – just look at the SSAGO ceilidh band! These skills range from anything from large catering experience, drivers, activity instructors, to reviving the media team!

Harnessing Associates

Associates are key members of SSAGO and are an asset to improving SSAGO. I plan to work with the associate rep to identify their skills to make better use of associates and improve national events for participants and committees!

New Skills

As well as utilising current skills, I want to help pair up people from within SSAGO who want to learn new skills and those who are happy to share their knowledge. This could help make running events easier, by allowing staff of future events to gain experience before their own event. For example, the catering team of autumn rally could help with some of the catering at summer rally.

I’m also keen to introduce instructor-led courses at rally to help build up people’s skills, in a similar manner to that which occurs at Gilwell Reunion. Courses such as these provide a chance for people to develop and improve skills, gain permits or just try something new.

SSAGO Projects

It’s time to resurrect SSAGO projects and unite SSAGOers with common interests! Projects such as SSAGO Pride and the media team allow those from different clubs to come together and experience a different side of SSAGO. They also benefit SSAGO in general as utilising peoples’ passions will translate into their efforts to improve SSAGO, as they work for a common goal.

I also hope to establish other projects, such as:

• SSAGO Sustainability Project. Those on SSAGO exec should always be striving for improvements, not just for members, but also for the environment - SSAGO camp outdoors every weekend pretty much! SSAGO have an opportunity to be change leaders in a problem that is not going to go away any time soon, and I hope to help focus the efforts of the exec and SSAGO as a whole to tacklet this.
• Programme Badges. Similar to the SSAGO 50^th Anniversary Badge, I hope to implement SSAGO programme badges, providing ideas for new activities for clubs to run during their programme and engage SSAGO clubs with each other in order to earn a badge.

By utilising SSAGO projects, I want to provide a platform for those within SSAGO with ideas to be able to share and act on them! SSAGO projects allow members to make new friends and help build new relationships and links.

Highlighting SSAGOs Uniqueness

One of the best parts of SSAGO, is the opportunity to meet people from other clubs at national events, something quite unique that other university clubs cannot offer. When looking to grow SSAGO membership, we should be advertising this, to encourage those potentially interested in joining SSAGO. I aim to work with the publicity officer to aim advertising outwards, promoting the opportunities and experiences provided by SSAGO. I hope to achieve this by releasing a quarterly SSAGO newsletter and working with the media team to design adverts according to the standards set by Scouting and Guiding.

Regional Support

SSAGO has links at local and national level, however, lacks links at regional and county level. I hope working with clubs, Scouting and Guiding, we can build relationships to gain resources, such as equipment, funding and training in return for volunteer support. This could also help to grow SSAGO membership by promoting SSAGO early to those in Guides, Scouts, Rangers and Explorers

Ultimately SSAGOers great ideas and skills, and I want to encourage them to promote change and new opportunities in SSAGO.

Why me?

This is my 4^th year in SSAGO and I’ve chaired a few things in my time – including Bath BUGS and Roman Rally! (I know, I’m practically asking for this rally to go badly by running for exec before it’s even gone well!) and have experience treasuring for the charity fundraising committee on placement.

But in the wise words of a certain secretary:

‘The 3 ingredients to a good chair are

1. You want to do it
2. You know you’ll do a good job at it
3. You care about SSAGO

Actually 4 things – some reluctance to do it because you’re sensible!’

And I believe I have these qualities!

So, to sum up: I have the experience of committee life, the ability and drive to make a change and I believe SSAGO makes the time, effort and work all worthwhile.

Plus I’m a sucker for a challenge 😊

P.S. Here's your reward

Manifesto for Members Officer

Amy Franklin, Members

Wednesday 19th of February 2020

Hi, my name is Amy and I am a final year Physics student at the University of Hertfordshire where I am the treasurer for HUGGaS. I am just coming to the end of my time at university and have loved every minute of my SSAGO experience and I now feel it’s my time to give something back to the organisation as I have taken so much from it. Thank you for taking the time to read my manifesto.

My Guiding/Scouting journey:

• I have been in Guiding all my life due to my mum being a Guide leader, but I officially started my guiding journey as a Rainbow aged 5
• Since then I have been in Rainbows, Brownies and Guides
• When leaving Guides there wasn’t a Ranger unit near me so I became an Explorer Scout for 4 years and a young leader with my local Rainbow unit back home
• When I started at university, I became a Brownie leader and I now help at different 2 units
• I joined SSAGO in my first year of university as an Indie member due to there not being a club at my university at the time
• In my second year I helped set up HUGGaS and have been the treasurer ever since

Why I think I would be a good members officer:

• I have experience in both Guiding and Scouting
  • From this I have gained a broad variety of skills and know what it’s like to work with people from both organisations. It also means I understand both organisations rules and their different ways of doing things, so I have a broad perspective of the organisation as a whole
• I was an Indie member
  • So, I have first-hand experience of being part of the national organisation without having an immediate point of contact at my university and what it is like to attend a national event on your own. I believe this gives me a better understanding of the needs of an Indie member and would put me in a better position to support them
• I have started a new club at my university
  • Hertfordshire has never had a SSAGO before and so starting a club from scratch with just one other person (whom I had only recently met but is now one of my closest friends) was quite a daunting experience! However, we received invaluable support from the members officer at the time which made the whole process a lot easier, so I know the importance of the role! I also hope to be of valuable support to new clubs having had first-hand experience in setting one up myself
• I have attended a range of SSAGO events and Guiding events that SSAGO supports
  • I have been to several rallies and balls and have always attended Wellies and Wristbands (a national Girlguiding festival for Guides and Senior Section which SSAGO supports) as a volunteer. This has given me a reasonable understanding to how SSAGO works  and what being a part of the organisation entails but I am always wanting to learn more, and I think being on the national exec would be an invaluable insight not only into SSAGO but also Guiding and Scouting

What I would like to do if I got the role:

• A calendar of events on the SSAGO website
  • I’d like to put together a calendar which has all of the national SSAGO events and SSAGO support events in one place which would be accessible to all members to make it easier for people to plan for them well in advance and not double book the time and hopefully increase attendance at future events
• A new clubs guide to SSAGO
  • From starting a new club I know how daunting it can be joining a national organisation without knowing much about how it runs and what part our club plays so I would like to put together a guide, using information from the various factsheets and from asking reasonably new clubs what they would have liked to have known when starting, which can be given to new clubs just starting out

• National event “buddies” for indie members
  • It can be daunting going to a national event for the first time as an Indie member and I was fortunate that I had a friend in Guiding who was also part of SSAGO who took me under her wing and made the whole process easier. However, I am aware not everyone is so lucky and so I would like to introduce a “buddy” scheme where people can volunteer to be buddies to Indie members who would like one, to be there to answer any questions in advance of an event and to keep an eye out for them when they are there
• A place for members to ask questions and share knowledge
  •  As well as being able to contact the exec I would like to encourage members to ask each other their questions and share experiences so we can all learn from each other. Whether this be through a social media platform or on the website I would like to create a dedicated forum-like space for people to raise issues and ask advice from the broader SSAGO community
• Ensure membership is paid and give support to clubs who might be struggling financially
  • One of the key parts of the role is ensuring clubs pay their national membership on time. For most clubs I imagine this will simply be a case of asking, however I know some clubs struggle financially so I would like to deal with this sensitively and privately so as not to embarrass clubs that may be struggling
• Most importantly I would like to be a friendly face to all members of SSAGO!
  • I would like to be contactable to all members, for everything from advice on any SSAGO related issues to answering any “stupid” questions people might have (I know we had many when starting our club and really appreciated the members officer for being patient with us!) to just being available for a chat! I would also like to be a familiar face at national events to everyone but particularly those who are new to SSAGO or are in need of someone to talk to

Overall, I am very passionate about SSAGO and I want to be there to support its members as they have supported me throughout the last 4 years. I have met so many wonderful people through this organisation and gained so many skills and I would like to make sure that more people get the opportunity to experience it.

Manifesto for Treasurer

Maddy Brett, Treasurer

Wednesday 19th of February 2020

Hello! 

I am Maddy, a third-year pharmacy student from Bath! 

Some fun facts about me: 

• I have been in guiding 14 years! 
• This is my 3^rd year in SSAGO 
• I am the current BUGS treasurer and Roman Rally activities officer (yes, at the same time!) 
• I’m originally from South Devon but spend almost all my year at university and work in Bath 
• I have been ringing the church bells since the age of 10 and was the Assistant Ringing Master in South Devon for 3 years 

Reasons why I would be a good treasurer: 

• I am the current BUGS treasurer so have experience keeping the BUGS accounts as a charity account with our SU. Becoming a charity will be demanding as a treasurer but having run charity accounts before I understand what the charity commission are looking for
• I am the activities officer for Roman rally so have been involved in the finance and planning of national SSAGO event  
• Up until this year I was a leader at a guide unit where I jointly looked after the accounts
• Having sat on a variety of committees, I understand the importance of maintaining good communication and clear job roles! 
• I love making a good spreadsheet! But I want to make it simple and easy to understand for all members!

What I want to do as treasurer: 

• Having run a rally, I understand how difficult event finance can be, I want to try allowing some flexibility in the cost of rally (within a reasonable range) as campsite and other costs can vary up and down the country 
• I want to help clubs running national events to avoid common finance mistakes which could be avoided early on in event planning by creating a more in-depth guide to rally finance with input from people who have run events. As part of this I would create pie charts and other easy to read chart to display information in a simpler way instead of just spread sheets! 
• I want to make it easier to access the development fund!! Having clear examples of things that you can get and why they benefit SSAGO
• I want to be able to support clubs which are struggling financially as all clubs get different levels of support from their universities and student unions. I want to ensure that SSAGO can provide support to those who want help and there is clear information available to those looking for support
• I believe that exec should be more accountable to members and you should be able to understand much more what each officer does! I want to make the something similar to the factsheets about each exec role and you should be able to question throughout the year what we are doing and why! I want to help every member understand what exec do and can do for them! 
• I don’t think we have enough badges!! Every year people say they want to bring more badges, let this be the year we get them! I want to work with Ruben to develop his idea challenge badges and bring it to reality!

December 2019 update

Oli Bills, Secretary

Monday 23rd of December 2019

Report

• Minutes: All minutes are up to date and published
• Bank Accounts: Worked with Lexie, Lucy and HSBC to resolve all the previous outstanding issues with HSBC and the bank accounts, including resolving fraud concerns over the Witan account
• Reps Discussion: Added a new discussion feature to the Reps system allowing clubs to discuss and respond before voting takes place to ensure all clubs have a voice before voting.
• Reps Feedback: Created a new reps feedback system to allow the Exec to feedback on all points raised by Reps. Wrote up and prepared all the reps feedback from June.
• Rally Buddies and Teams: A brand new teams system has been developed which all events can now use, which will automatically take into account preferred buddies and activities and automatically form teams
• Lanyard System: The lanyard system to help events create automatic lanyards has been further updated and developed and now works automatically and can be used by any event
• Archive: Helped with the National Archive weekend with Larah, the Archivist. Worked with Larah on the launch of the new SSAGO Digital Archive to exhibit archive materials and allow clubs to start and contribute their own archives.
• Event Resources and Support: Worked to help support upcoming events and the production of resources to help with food, activities, transport, accommodation, requirements and finances
• Improved Resources Section: The resources section has been updated and improved with new reps resources and a new search in section function to make it easier to find resources
• Exploring National SSAGO Support: Working with Lucy and Reps to establish new ways in which National SSAGO can support new clubs and current clubs, including transport help for reaching National events
• Development Fund: Moving the development fund system online to make it easier to apply, keep track of and review past accepted and rejected development fund bids
• Email System: Created a new email system where clubs can browse, search and view past emails, including before they were on committee and reply and send new messages
• Freshers: Added a lot of new features to help SSAGO clubs with Freshers, including updates to the interest form for collecting volunteering information and exporting of interested members
• Supporting Clubs and Members: Created a set of new exec tools to help support Exec members, including identifying under 18s, automatically gauging club and member activity and potentially struggling clubs and other supporting tools
• Constitution: Working through the new constitutional changes and liaising with The Scouts, Girlguiding and SAGGA on additional changes and making this available in a transparent way to members
• Awards: Worked with Larah to further build and update the awards section of the website, celebrating SSAGO achievements

Aims

• Badges: The new badge system to support both Reuben’s badges and SSAGO activity badges
• Knowledge Base: The collaborative SSAGO knowledge base system to replace Factsheets with something more useful
• Programme Library: Building up a selection of exciting SSAGO activities and events to help inspire SSAGO clubs
• Campsite Directory: Quick and easy way to get campsite ideas and find the best places for SSAGO to camp
• Archive: A further SSAGO archive weekend to come and getting clubs involved with the digital archive project and pushing the SSAGO archive to the next level
• Event Resources: Continuing to develop useful resources for upcoming events
• Working with SAGGA: Following up with SAGGA to help bridge the gap between SSAGO and SAGGA

December 2019 update

Lexie Massie, Chair

Monday 23rd of December 2019

Report

• Bank accounts – Along with Oli the Secretary I have sorted out our HSBC bank accounts, ensuring that each account now only has 3 signatories (as opposed to the previous 18!), and changing both the address and the primary user
• Events – Liaised with the Witan committee, ensuring they have had the appropriate bank account access and that the site deposit got paid to KISC on time
• Also been liaising with the other upcoming events, and have had a meeting with Birmingham Chocolate Rally
• Members Officer – Worked with the rest of the Exec to run an EGM to elect a new Members Officer
• Attended Gilwell Reunion along with the rest of the Exec where we promoted SSAGO and met with SAGGA to discuss the proposed changes to the SSAGO Constitution
• Went to the World Scout Jamboree and met Ban Ki-Moon from the United Nations, and even appeared in the World Organisation of the Scout Movement’s Facebook video talking to Ban Ki-Moon whilst wearing a SSAGO t shirt!
• Made friends from Student Scouting in the Netherlands at Jamboree, telling them more about SSAGO and how it works, giving them a SSAGO t shirt, necker and badges and hopefully encouraging them to consider attending Rally
• Lost an evolutionary (I hope!) useless organ, moved out of Cornwall, and handed in my master’s dissertation

Aims

• Charity status – Updating the SSAGO Constitution to allow us to become a charity had been put on hold over the busy summer, so I plan to get this sorted over the next term
• Once our new Members Officer has taken over their role I will work with them to provide greater support to the clubs and encourage SSAGO Regions
• Am hoping to look into merging our separate bank accounts with HSBC to make changing signatories easier for future Exec’s
• Continuing to review the previous full membership survey to ensure the changes made continue to benefit SSAGO

December 2019 update

Tom Webster, Members

Monday 23rd of December 2019

Report

• Been elected! It’s been a busy month.
• Set up new clubs. I’ve met with Aberdeen and Derby and they’re all set up on the website.
• Caught-up with events. Had video calls with Chocolate Rally, Roman Rally, Steel Ball, Survival Rally and Build-A-Rally.
• Sent lots of emails. Over 100 in the past month answering all your questions and helping people join SSAGO.
• Got set up on the exec. Got access to online banking, became part of the SASU and lots of other catching up.

Aims

• Writing guidance. Making documents to help new clubs understand SSAGO and helping them grow as well as helping them understand the process of starting a new club and the support the exec can provide.
• Liaising with potential new clubs. Currently working with groups at Edge Hill, East London, Askham-Bryan and Holloway.
• International Webpage. Worked on a new international page for the website with Harriet.
• Supporting existing clubs. Worked with existing clubs to help them overcome issues and grow membership.

December 2019 update

Reuben Cone, Publicity

Monday 23rd of December 2019

Report

• Creation of SSAGO badge programme: The designs of National Event badges, SSAGO Support badges, International badge have now all been finalised and passed on to the webmaster for putting on the website. The SSAGO Clubs challenge badge has been awarded to PUGS who will be giving their ideas at Autumn Reps.
• SSAGO social media: I scraped filming a new video idea. Instead focusing my efforts on the social media content. For our social media platforms I have: With help from Archivist produced series of content with items from archive, decluttered following lists on Instagram and Twitter, produced a short ad for Results Day, wrote News article for Scot Rally and Gilwell 24, collated stories from Freshers Camps, pushed clubs freshers stalls, made a few memes, and much more!
• Helping Clubs: I recently sent all clubs a bespoke email with advice on their social media and website. I also managed the distribution of Publicity Packs and SSAGO publicity materials over the Freshers period. I am also helping the events with their badges.
• SSAGO Supports: I managed our presence at Gilwell 24 which was an overwhelming success. Work included producing new banners and flags beforehand, writing a quiz, creating a 24 music playlist and staying awake for 24+ hours. I also went to Waddow Hall for Wellies and Wristbands where I lost a tire along the way. Badges are on order.
• Scouting and Guiding: Tried to get us featured in Scouting and Guiding Media. For the Scouts we got featured in the membership email and post on social media regarding clubs at universities. I have yet to sort anything out with the Guides. Also attended Gilwell Reunion.

Aims

• Produce new publicity materials, for download online and in the form of publicity packs for collection at Survival Rally.
• Help keep SSAGO fun whilst we get through the lockdown with lots of online content.
• Support my fellow Exec members in their first few months, and create my own plan for the upcoming year especially as it will be like no other.
• Get the badge system in place and get some badges ordered!
• Attend Wellies and Wristbands (if they’re still happening) and do lots of SSAGO promotion online and in real life.

December 2019 update

Lucy Tregoning, Treasurer

Monday 23rd of December 2019

Report

• Re-done the accounts for 2018-2019 to account for all payments and anomalies to ensure a clean slate for 2019-2020
• Reviewed, approved and worked on numerous budgets from Rallys and freshers’ camps in order to ensure they operate at break even
• Attended Gilwell Fundays, Gilwell 24 and Gilwell Reunion to help Reuben and SSAGO Support to promote SSAGO and support at large events
• Worked with Scot Rally to find out where the areas are that were a success and less successful to help out future rallys
• Sorting out the SSAGO insurance
• Working with the Webmaster to ensure all events have a singular and consistent approach to document storage on google team drives
• Supported regional freshers camps allowing them access to bank accounts for the first time

Aims

• Insuring accounts are up to date and labelled correctly
• Working with future rallys to have a reasonable budget to ensure minimal loss to SSAGO with maximum experience satisfaction
• Helping SSAGO become a charity and ensuring accounts reflects that status
• Working with the exec to formalise day to say processes such as exec expense forms
• Working with Rally committees to reduce costs

Manifesto for Members Officer

Tom Webster, Members

Sunday 22nd of September 2019

Hi, I'm Tom, a first year PhD student studying Informatics at the University of Edinburgh and currently an Indie member of SSAGO! While currently a fresher to Edinburgh I'm not a fresher to SSAGO, having been part of Cambridge for 5 years and ducktator of a national rally. As a PhD student I've got lots of free time to dedicate to SSAGO by taking the important role of membership officer for the next seven months.

Why you should choose me

• I've been a scout for 18 years and this will be my sixth year of SSAGO.
• I've held 5 club committee positions in CUSAGC.
• Organized Duck Rally 2018.
• I've previously been an associate and am currently an indie, two key groups the membership officer works with.
• I've attended a wide range of SSAGO events across several clubs and regions.

What I'll do as Membership Officer

• Prioritize SSAGO's most valuable asset, you, our thousand strong membership.
• Continue to develop regions.
• Improve how you can engage with SSAGO nationally.
• Support existing clubs and work with those looking to expand SSAGO to new universities.
• Make attending your first rally less daunting for those from indie and small and new clubs.

How I'll do this!

The current format of three rallies and a ball has existed for many years and lots of SSAGO members choose to attend no national events, I'd like to consult members if there's any changes people want to see to increase attendance and allow people to engage in new ways outside their club. This will include smaller regional events and the format these should take. I'd also aim to have elections for regional coordinators in place, this could be held online after the AGM and coordinators would be able to begin preparation for regional events taking place in the summer or freshers 2020. I'd also continue some of the discussions had at the last reps with the exec to ensure members are represented at the national level.

My time in Cambridge saw me hold 5 different positions including chair of club and being responsible for our social then adventurous programme and representing the club on scout district, guiding division and the SSAGO Reps committees. I've taken CUSAGC from no current students attending events to winning a national event bid through out my chairship and hope to be able to support other clubs do the same during my term as membership officer. With this experience I know how to make a good programme, design a committee structure and can help clubs recieve support from their districts and divisions. I'd also want to assist existing clubs who don't engage as much to help members make the most from national SSAGO.

Last year I took a gap between my studies and was an associate member, assisting my club and others with driving minibuses and organizing and staffing events and understand the importance recent graduates have in SSAGO with the differing flexibility that comes with working life. I'm also currently an indie member and understand the challenges faced engaging with SSAGO without any regular meetings. I've experienced what it's like to attend your first event knowing few people, mine was going to Leeds ball with one other member of CUSAGC and I ended up sat with people I still talk to today. I'd aim to make sure these people feel welcome as soon as they arrive and create opportunities for people to meet others on the Friday night as soon as they arrive and ensuring they felt as welcome as I did at my first SSAGO event. I'd also aim to use the regions to increase communication between indies and local clubs to involve them more in events and camps. I'll also work with the international officer to support both our foreign members and those flying to events with Friday night shopping trips and them being hosted by local clubs with spare tents.

When living in London I had been disappointed that while London hosts many SSAGO support events and project meetings, like the recent archive meeting, there are no social events taking place yet. I'd like to work with members living there to formalize the London Indies into a London Universities Club, with limited success of previous London SSAGO clubs I'd like to try creating a different style of club for those studying in the capital, with a small committee organizing monthly events.

June 2019 update

Oli Bills, Secretary

Saturday 1st of June 2019

Report

• Organised meetings with Scouting, Girlguiding and SAGGA
• Worked on the constitution to make the updates as required by our associated organisations
• Begun work on the new SSAGO Knowledgebase and Programme Library
• Written minutes and agendas for all the Exec meetings undertaken so far
• Worked with Larah to launch the new Awards part of the website, for nominating people and exploring past awards
• Increasing Awareness of what Team Pink and National SSAGO get up to, by creating the new Team Pink hub
• Helped sort out the behind-the-scenes paperwork and administration needed to facilitate handover and the start of the new Exec

Aims

• Create a national SSAGO programme library, bringing the great ideas of different SSAGO clubs together and enabling every club to benefit from great activities and challenges
• Build a collaborative SSAGO knowledge base of everything needed for a SSAGO member, club, event, trip - from campfire songs to tips for recruitment to how to run an international trip.
• Increase communication and openness to make it easier for people to suggest ideas and engage with National SSAGO and also know what’s going on at a National level.
• Make SSAGO more fun with more national events, badges, projects and history shared through the archive.

June 2019 update

Lexie Massie, Chair

Saturday 1st of June 2019

Report

• Myself and the rest of the Exec have had a meeting with both Girlguiding and the Scout Association where we discussed the constitutional changes and other important changes within SSAGO
• Learnt a lot about the Articles of Association, Byelaws, and Memorandum of Agreements
• Have liaised with a very confused HSBC about bank mandate forms, and have arranged for the appropriate forms to be filled in
• Began Wood Badge training offered by the Scouts to support me in my new role as Chair
• Read a lot of emails and replied to slightly fewer emails
• Made Brian an Instagram account and gained access to his Facebook!

Aims

• Review the previous full membership survey to see if the proposed changes such as the increased food budget for Rallies have had their desired effect.
• Work with the Members Officer to encourage SSAGO Regions, as this will really help new members of SSAGO feel more confident about attending large, national events.
• Liaise with the members, SAGGA, Scouting and Girlguiding about the proposed constitution changes, implementing suitable modifications and making sure all parties are happy before anything official goes ahead.
• Work with the Secretary in improving the outdated factsheets on the website, ideally condensing them into a smaller number of more informative documents.
• Improve the existing support structure for new and struggling clubs, assigning mentors to these clubs to guide them and help them establish themselves.