Conferences and options Summary

What emerged from discussions at the Mayo conference was the need for a selection of options to allow regions to best mange the challenge of the conference. Regions should be presented with workable alternatives, well in advance, and decide on what would suit them best.

Conclusions

The value of a smaller conference

Most in agreement

The need for Heads and reps to meet and address business issues.

More discussion needed

Conference delegation ratio should remain unchanged

Agreed

As should the current length.

Agreed

Maintain the global diversity of delegate representation

Agreed. Establish conference attendance guidelines for regions to ensure diversity at conferences

Opportunities for adults to interact and find appropriate time and place for business in structure

If we are wanting the organization to grow, because we believe the RS philosophy is good for education and students we are going to have to move to a more representative type of democracy than a fully participative one. One in which delegates elect representatives to conduct the business and affairs of the organization, rather than everyone being directly involved in the organization. That will impact on the nature of the organization – it will no longer feel like a small and intimate scout troop, but more like an institution, with a necessary level of bureaucracy, rules and procedures for doing things.

Schools must be fully involved in the planning and delivery of each conference.

Agreed

They must remain school focused and be sure to following Hahnian Principles, For example, at time for silence should be included within the conference, along with a service day and   a strong environmental ethic.

Agreed

Conferences should leave a practical permanent memory. This should be something that provides lasting value to a community or environment of the region.

A nice to have – lasting memory should be a change in behaviour

The conference theme and character should adjust to or reflect  local/regional conditions

Absolutely

Concerns regarding increasing costs and the tendency to” outdo” the last conference. Must avoid the Olympic Games effect!

Agreed

Regional Conferences grow in size and open invitation options to schools from other regions’ on a capacity (or other) based criteria.

Needs further discussion. Feelings for and against

There are a number of options for the international conferences.

1.       Split Conferences

a.       The Back to Back Split with overlap

Cannot really have realistic application unless off site model

b.      Split Concurrent Model

Very little support

c.       Split Separated

Most likely option

2.       Hyper Conference

Divided support but possible every three or four years. Might be overwhelming for 16/17 year olds?

3.       Outsourcing

Little support - The power of hosting a conference lies in the school community pulling together to pull it off. It can have a powerful positive impact on the life of a school. Home hosting is more powerful than simply paying someone else to do the work, and often the dirty work. I think it is an important principle for us to be doing the hosting, especially the dirty work associated with hosting. Perhaps it is too strong to call this a Hahnian principle, but hosting should be seen as part of the community service pillar of RS.

4.       Off site venue

Little support Much more powerful and homely to be hosted in a school with interaction with real host teachers, parents and pupils.