Hello Charnwood District,
Today marks the start of my role as District Lead Volunteer for Charnwood. I am proud to have been given this opportunity and excited about what we can achieve together.
I would like to thank everyone who has already contacted me to wish me well. Your messages have been very much appreciated.
Many of you will already know me as the Group Lead Volunteer at Rothley, a role I have held for the past ten years. During that time, I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of our District and taking part in the District events, especially the camps. Their size, range of activities and opportunities showed what we can achieve when we work as a team.
My priority is to rebuild the District team. That means reconnecting with experienced volunteers, welcoming new people, and creating clear, manageable opportunities for people to contribute their skills and time. If this is something that interests or you want to find out more then please reach out to me.
I am not coming into the role believing that I already have every answer or fully understand every challenge we face. Over my first few months, I want to meet with every Group and listen to volunteers and young people across Charnwood.
I want to understand:
• What is working well?
• What challenges are you facing?
• What support would make a genuine difference?
• What would you like to see happening across the District?
• How might you like to be involved?
My initial priorities are to:
1.Rebuild the District team.
2.Listen to Groups, volunteers, and young people.
3.Improve communications.
4.Re-establish a programme of well-planned and well-delivered District events.
5.Address growth and retention.
6.Review training and practical skills across the District, helping volunteers gain confidence and share their expertise.
These priorities are our starting point, but Charnwood’s longer-term plan must be developed together. The District should support Groups, create opportunities that are difficult to provide individually and help volunteers feel confident, valued, and connected.
Over the coming weeks, I will begin meeting with Groups and members of the existing District team. In the meantime, please start thinking about what Charnwood does well, what needs to change and what you would like us to achieve together.
If you would like to meet with me, please feel free to invite me to a section meeting or leaders’ meeting, meet me for coffee or take me down the pub! I will aim to reply to emails within a day, and I am also happy to receive WhatsApp messages when you need a quick answer.
Improving communication across the District is one of my priorities, so I fully support the new Charnwood District WhatsApp Community, which many of you have already joined. It includes channels for each section as well as a main community channel. I would like us to use it to share ideas, ask for help and support one another.
I would like to thank Bijal for looking after the District since Nick stepped down, and to Nick for Leading Charnwood through Transformation.
I am really looking forward to working with you all.
Yours in Scouting,
Tim May
District Lead Volunteer
0 Comments