Hi All

PAW PRINTS

I must start this update off with an apology as for some reason I thought I had informed you of the Paw Prints Review last December but it seems I did not. So hands up it was me who forgot. So at last here it be.

Paw Prints was the brain child of the committee, one before last, and it was incumbent on the last committee to bring it into being. That being the case it was this committee's task to review Paw Prints and see how things had gone, was it a good idea, did it work and can we afford it? This was discussed and a decision made last year.

Ursa’s Paw Prints were developed for two reasons:

1. To say thank you to members for attending events as Southern Stars

2. As encouragement to members to attend events and/or send in items for the SSUKF Newsletter.
Like any brilliant idea after a while it needs to be looked at to ensure that it runs smoothly and is affordable. The following is the result of that review.

Note: Every Paw Print had a value of 25 pence.

To answer the questions.

How did things go: The project did incur extra work for our Events Coordinator as members attendance at events etc. needed to be recorded accurately. This was not too onerous though.

Was it a good idea: Yes in principal the current committee did agree it was a good idea but it did seem that the cost and effect of the expenditure was not originally taken into account.

Did it work: Not really. Although some members did benefit from the vouchers it did not really increase the number of members attending events or sending in items for the newsletter.

Can we afford it?: No. The total cost to SSUKF of last years vouchers, if all of them are used, will be £217.50.

The effect: This amount of expenditure can only be sustained if we increase the membership fee by a minimum of £3.00 per member. This is not an acceptable solution.

The Management Committee therefore decided not too continue with the Paw Prints Scheme until and unless we can come up with a less costly idea.

Yours in Scouting

Barry Finnis


URSA'S HELPING PAW

It can happen to any of us. Through ill health, job loss, caring for a partner or a number of other ways things can go awry.

Ursa feels that Southern Stars is there for all members to have fun with our activities and that no one should miss out because of a financial challenge.

We are not talking about paying for you to go to a big Jamboree. What we are discussing here are such events as Gilwell Reunion, SSUKF AGM or work weekends. Possibly helping out with your Southern Stars ‘uniform’ either your polo shirt or our Necker.

The fund will not help out with paying membership fees for Southern Stars or the Scout Association.

Where does the money come from?

Well one pound from your SSUKF membership fee goes to Ursa’s Helping Paw Fund. So we are not talking about a lot of money, just enough to help out.

Yours in Scouting

Ursa and The SSUKF Management Committee