Scouting volunteers working harder than ever

MEDIA RELEASE
6 December 2006

Scouting volunteers working harder than ever

The more than 6,000 adult volunteers already involved in Scouting provide over 3.5 million hours of service each year supporting 14,000 youth members. This is an exceptional contribution to the positive development of young people across New Zealand.

“Words cannot express the level of debt that is owed to our volunteers and deserves a very big THANK YOU” says Geoff Knighton, Chief Executive. “During the last 12 months the changes taking place have meant that even more time has been required from volunteers to get things into place for the launch of New Scouting in 2007”.

During the last 12months Scouting has acknowledged the services of its volunteers through annual service award ceremonies. There were 58 Leaders (3yrs) Service Awards, 89 Chief Scout Commendations (5yrs), 47 Medal of Merit (10yrs), 30 Bronze Tiki (15yrs), 24 Silver Tiki (20yrs) with 9 Bars for the Silver Tiki (25yrs), 6 Silver Tui (30yrs) and 2 Life Memberships for distinguished achievements. Giving a total of 2,504 years of service from just 265 of volunteers.

Scouting NZ provides unique self-development experiences for boys, girls and adults throughout the country and this is only possible through our volunteers. Scouting wishes to publicly acknowledge the service provided by all its volunteers on International Volunteer Day 5 December 2006.

Our youth are our future and are everyone’s responsibility. Through their involvement in Scouting thousands of young people and adults in New Zealand learn important values and enhance their personal and leadership skills. This has helped them take active and contributory roles in their families, communities and working lives.

If we are to continue to teach and reinforce the right values in our youth for them to become good citizens of the future, we must as a nation understand, support and take part in their development. Scouting is always willing to accept responsible and caring adult volunteers to play their part.

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About Scouting New Zealand

Scouting is New Zealand’s leading and preferred youth movement.

The Scouting movement includes a range of age-appropriate membership options for school age children through to young adults.

* Keas (6 – 8 yrs )
* Cubs (8 – 10 yrs )
* Scouts (10 - 14 yrs)
* Venturers (14 - 18 yrs)
* Rovers (18 – 26 yrs) )

Scouting has included young women since 1980.

Scouting encourages its members to develop personal responsibility, positive self esteem and self confidence through participation in outdoor activities and national events.

The outdoor activities programme for Scouting has been developed to challenge young people in a safe and supportive environment. All activities are delivered under supervision through a network of Scouting staff and trained volunteers.

The Chief Scout in NZ is the Governor General, His Excellency Hon. Anand Satyanand, PCNZM.

The Scouting movement began in 1907 and was established in New Zealand in 1908.

ENDS

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