Scouting Statewide October 2002
VENTURING ON . . . news from Venturing SA
KATE’s BLURB
Expectations Vs Reality
M & M’s - How many of you have ever seen the Sesame Street segment where 2 little kids meet each other, one has a triangle above his head and the other has a square above his head. The triangle and the square represent each of their ideas. The boy with the triangle tries to show the one with the square what he wants him to do - the boy with the square looks blankly at the one with the triangle because he has no idea about the triangle - then, the one with the square proceeds to show the boy with the triangle what he wants him to do. Again they both look blankly at each other. Then the light globe appears above both of them and then the one with the triangle starts to talk to the one with the square and explain his idea about the triangle - then the one with the square does the same and in the end they both start to work together as they both have above their heads a triangle and a square. So they have exchanged ideas and both are working happily on the same idea - they are on the same train going in the same direction.
We have now had four M & M’s and each one has been different - after the last one in July, I was told that a few Leaders who attended the M & M for the first time, were disappointed with it and weren’t likely to attend another.
This bothered me a bit as my expectations of the night were met. So I thought I would send out a sheet to ask for people’s feedback. It has been interesting to read the feedback that people have sent into me.
So hence, my little parable above. What I had in my mind, my expectations, weren’t the same as some of the Leaders who attended the meeting.
My expectations of the M & M’s were: -
to get together VSL’s and AVSL’s with the Award Standards Committee, the Branch Team and DVL’s on an informal level, together to talk with each other
to share ideas over a coffee and biscuit
to break down the barriers within the Venturer Section
to incorporate some kind of training exercise
consider a guest speaker on a particular topic, which would be relevant to Leadership or be of interest to the Leaders in attendance.
A time at the end of the M & M give Leaders the opportunity to have an open forum "Table Talk"
Let’s see what the reality is: -
first one has been achieved - although I am encouraging more to attend
when we break for coffee people can use this time to have a chat with anyone about whatever
you all know my feelings on networking and hopefully this is happening with this open forum setting of the M & M’s
I have yet to make the training exercise happen - not achieved
This is yet to happen - but at the November meeting - we will be graced with a talk by the most senior Venturer Leader in SA.
"Table Talk" - achieved - this happens nearing the end of the meeting - the talk is open for anyone to bring to the meeting items of interest - coming events in their District any questions they have.
My expectations of the M & M were fairly simple to start with, although with anything new there is always ways to modify, rearrange and tweak things to improve. From the feedback I have received my expectations could possibly change to include
Promotion of coming events - Branch wise (this is planned for the September M & M). Everyone is given the opportunity at the end of the meeting to promote their own Unit activities.
Make the VSL’s and AVSL’s feel more comfortable about posing questions and talking in the meeting.
Exchanging ideas on programmes and activities for Units
Ideas on how to recruit Youth into Venturer Scouts
Queen’s Scouts discussion - including how to get examiners
In reality if I don’t have your feedback on how you want things to happen - I can’t change what I am trying to do to help you. Your expectations are more than likely totally different to what my expectations are and if what I am providing to you does not meet with your expectations then you are will go away feeling unsatisfied. What I will ask you to do is this - bring things up at the end of the meeting in "Table Talk" be straightforward and make yourself heard, so you can leave the meeting satisfied that you have been heard and your expectations hopefully will have been met.
We want the Venturer Section to grow and build on what we have now - we have a good base to build on - we have good Leaders who are running good Units and we can only get bigger and better with a little communication and help from each other.
So I thank those who have sent in their feedback and I would like to ask those who have not yet sent theirs in to do so. I would like your triangle above my head with my square so we can work together to improve our Section. I will be providing feedback sheets to everyone who attends the M & M’s at the beginning of the meetings - and I ask you to leave them in the box provided at the end of the meeting or similarly complete them at home and send them into HQ. Anonymity is encouraged - but I am also happy to discuss in person any issues you may want to see changed.
We will be having two more M & M’s this year the next being on
11th September at HQ at 7.30 - 9.30 and the one after that will be on the
13th November, same place, same time. I would really like to see you all there. I am not afraid of the big bad wolf - you talk to me and tell me how you really feel and I will hopefully be able to accommodate your wishes.
Yours in Venturing
Kate Ryder
Branch Commissioner - Venturer Scouts.
