First 50 days as DC
2008 has seen quite a large change within the leadership of Eastleigh District. After 10 years of excellent service, culminating in the 2007 Scouting Centenary Celebrations, Margaret Patrick has handed over the reigns of leadership to a new face, David McGregor.
After his first 50 days in charge, we caught up with him to find out a little bit about him, and how he plans to spend the next 1450 days in the role. So, over to you David!
“Hello, as many of you will now know I have been appointed the new District Commissioner for Eastleigh from 1st January 2008. I thought I would write and give you a flavour of who I am and where I will get my inspiration and ideas from.
It has been a hectic 50 days since I started and as you will understand that I have been having many meetings with individuals in the District and County to ensure that we remain a leading District in Hampshire Scouting. I have now set my District team with many faces remaining in their posts, these positions are published in our updated 2008 District Directory sent to the Scout Groups
Firstly can I thank Margaret Patrick who served tirelessly as DC for the last 10 years, she will be a hard act to follow – with all the celebrations of 2007, what a year to finish in – nothing like finishing on a high note.
So, a little bit of background about me as a person. I am 49 years old and married to Sandy. I have two boys from a previous marriage and Steven my stepson. The family is very important to me, and will always come first. During the week I am a Regional Sales Manager and spend long days working and travelling and always with the mobile phone attached to my hip.
My Scouting career started at the age of 8 in Chandlers Ford and after a break because of work, I came back to Scouting in Eastleigh. Claims to fame include winning the County Emlyn Trophy (camping competition) in 1974 – the first time Eastleigh ever won the trophy! I was also chosen to say the Law and Promise at the St. Georges Day Parade. I worked my way through the sections as a Cub, Scout and Venture Scout at Nor Stone VSU until finally becoming a Leader.
As a Scout Leader with the 3rd Chandlers Ford, we built the troop until it had 61 members. Looking for a bigger challenge, I took on the role of Group Scout Leader at the 12th Eastleigh. Over the last seven years, I have worked with the Leaders and Exec Committee to turn round the fortunes of that group to make it a strong part of the District. The group now has a strong leadership team in all it’s sections, and a Committee that is taking the group from strength to strength.
My thoughts about Scouting are very traditional. The Movement is a uniformed organisation with Christian values as well as giving it’s young members a strong basis for developing their role within the Community. My time as a young Scout taught me independence, planning, gave me challenging goals to achieve and most of all, helped me to believe in myself. These skills were given to me by my Scout Leaders and I want to pass on those skills and experiences to the young people of today.
So, what can you expect me to change? That’s easy – Nothing! The base of Scouting in Eastleigh set-up by Margaret is working well, and I would not want to change that one bit. Things might be done in a different order, but other than that, it’s Business As Usual.
I do want to improve the Leader Training in the District, as well as improving communication between the District, the Leaders, the Young Members and their Parents. All the Adult Members of the District will be invited to a conference in the near future to give them a chance to help shape the District of the future.
That is about it from me. I am keen to make sure that the successes and high visibility that Scouting achieved in 2007 are not lost as we move forward into 2008 and beyond. The strongest thing to take forward is that Eastleigh District is not just my District it is YOUR District – each and every person from the youngest Beaver to the Leadership teams and right through to each Parent can work together to make Eastleigh bigger, better and stronger than it has ever been.
2007 saw Scouting use the phrase “One World – One Promise” I want to finish by adding to that phrase…..
One World – One Promise – One District – One set of Goals
Making it happen – TOGETHER – in 2008”
———————————————
Keep an eye on the District Website for details of the Conference – we can give you the date now, 26th April at the Baptist Church in Eastleigh. But final information will be coming out nearer the time.
The District Website (www.eastleigh-scouts.org.uk) is also the place to find out what else is happening in the District as well as seeing the exciting things the young People of Eastleigh are capable of
You can contact David McGregor by emailing him on dc