Revitalise SSA - Adult resources

Action:

Adult Training material:

As a departure point, transition training material was developed that was delivered in different regions. This assisted regions to understand the new structures, job descriptions and roles.
All existing training material had to be formatted to a consistent style (everything was in 2 or 3 different formats and styles) and standardised]
All training material had to be updated to incorporate the new changes in the organisation, philosophy and as the organisational changes are taking effect, so the training has had to be adapted. This has been a mammoth task.
A questionnaire was developed where adult leaders could indicate which parts of the training they felt was mandatory, or optional and which parts of the training they felt should be face-to-face and what can be done through self-study. This study forms the basis of future distance learning training deployment.
We have not been able to move to e-learning yet as we originally envisaged. But all material has been structured and drafted in such a way that it can be modularised and digitized or taken online at a later stage. Further the administration of true Modular learning, carried over an extended period has not been manageable – this is all done by volunteers which has hampered the timelines of delivery.
To modernise the delivery of training a number of methods are being implemented and piloted:
- Thus far two Scout Warrant sessions are available on DVD
- Two team members are working on the Moodle system to learn the system and uploaded a Rover training course to test it workings and suitability.
- Some Self-study sections are being incorporated
- Some courses, such as Stage 1, are now being delivered over a number of evenings and thus not over a whole weekend. It is also able to be provided in a one on one setting if needed.
- ALT courses are run over 2 weekends instead of 4 consecutive days.
- Some material are now available electronically. The “This is Scouting for Adults”, which is an introduction to Scouting material and used to educate potential members, before they join the Movement.
The effectiveness of e-learning and is best applications is also being looked at.
Training is done more practically (learning by doing) in a Troop meeting scenario as the majority of adults trained are new to the Movement and go into new Scout Groups – not established Scout Groups which places more responsibility on the training.
Survey Monkey has been implemented to do evaluation of courses and materials.
For some training courses, self-study has been introduced in some regions where new members are equipped to do self-study.
Training manuals developed include:
- Part A: Self-study material
- Part B: Learner Manual
- Facilitator’s manual
- Tutor Manuals
- Activity sheets
- Training Aids
A list of all the revised training is under outputs. A number of skills courses have been introduced as well to incorporate the practical training that new “street recruits lack.
A workshop was held in May 2013 for trainers to establish the road ahead.
At the meeting of Regional teams in 2015 one day was set aside for sub team breakaways and the Adult support policy and approach to training was workshopped with one representative from each Region (meeting referred to in Activity: Organisational Structure).
At the meeting of Regional teams in 2015 one day was set aside for sub team breakaways and the Adult support policy and approach to training was workshopped with one representative from each Region (meeting referred to in Activity: Organisational Structure).
A workshop was held in October 2016 with 3 representatives from each region. This workshop gave an opportunity to revisit the revised material, strategize on the modularisation of training material and recommit to using standardised training material. The Aims, Objectives, module and Outcomes for the Stage 1 IAL Training and the Stage 2 Warrant Training (for each Branch) were reviewed, with some module moved from Stage 3 Wood Badge to Stage 2 warrant and from Warrant to Stage 1 IAL, to allow a limited Warrant to be issued after Stage 1 training.
A workshop was held in July 2017 with 2 representatives from each regional training team. There was a common understanding of the national training strategy, with special focus on the development of Wood Badge training. The training material follows the WOSM guidelines. Some of the key tasks completed were:
- Moving to standardise the pre-course (theory) assignments in each of the Wood Badges.
- Confirming or adding to the modules and outcomes for all the Wood Badge courses.
- Agreeing to the standard expected in post course assignments.
- Approaches for improving the effectiveness of the post course (on the job) observations.
- Agreeing on some compulsory and some optional stand-alone modules or courses (e.g. First Aid, Cub Camping, Scout Camping) that will form part of the Stage 3 Wood Badge training.
All (standardised) training manuals are being maintained on a Document Management System and accessible for regional training teams.
The Rover training, from Introduction to Rovers, through Warrant and WoodBadge, was completely overhauled, updated and aligned with the current Rover advancements and Challenges. The Introduction to Rovers training was successfully piloted in KwaZulu-Natal in 2018.
The updated objectives and outcomes for the Rover Warrant and Wood Badge have been completed, but material is still outstanding.
The revised Assistant Leader Training course was adapted and piloted in the Western Cape in December 2017
The Tutor training course material has been updated and incorporates significantly more training on running skills bases and how to instruct as these were found to be lacking in previous material.
Certified First Aid Training is done by Scout members, although certified by external recognised service providers.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) has been included in our training systems. It is available for the following training:
- Introduction to Adult Leader
- Assistant Leader trainer
- Leader Trainer
- Scout Group Leader Warrant training
- District Commissioner Warrant training

Adult Training:

There was a big drive to grow the team of trainers and tutors around the country. In some regions there were very small training teams (sometimes less than 2 people), which hamstrung any growth initiative.
Between June 2014 – May 2017, 7 ALT courses were run with 109 participants (3 from the Southern Zone included)
Between September 2013 and April 2017 5 LT courses were run with 68 participants (10 from Southern Zone).

Training of District Commissioners and other Commissioners (Coaches)

Senior members of the national team visited various regions and did ad hoc training with District and Regional Commissioners. It was important for the people in the specific jobs to understand that their job descriptions have changed at that they needed to play a much more support role. All 10 regions were visited and trained.
The first new District Commissioners warrant course, that addresses the new role of DCs were piloted in the Free State in July 2017 and in KZN in December 2017.

Development Officers

Specific Development officer training was not held as they were included in the DC trainings in the regions.
Support was given to Development officers in Western Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West and KwaZulu-Natal. The funding assisted with travel costs. This initiative was in conjunction with environmental education camps and follow-up visits to the Groups and in that way supporting the groups in their efforts.

SGL training

Scout Group Leader training took place in Gauteng, Western Cape, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
SGL training is now part of the training curriculum
With the Lekgotla in September 2017, direct face to face interactions were held with the SGLs (more under Activity 5: Organisational structure).

Adult Recruitment

An Adult Recruitment strategy was developed in 2017. This strategy is under continuing development.
An urban Adult Recruitment campaign was launched in 2017. It consisted of posters, recruitment cards, YouTube videos on the Recruitment cards and boosted Facebook posts.
- 3,000 Posters and 16,000 Recruitment cards were printed in kind by 2 separate donors.
- Every Scout Group in South Africa received a kit consisting of the material.
- A Recruitment page was created on the national website
- Three boosted Facebook posts were launched. The response rate on the Facebook boosts were very good. In South Africa the norm is an engagement of 3-4% on a boosted post. On these boosts we received 11,2%, 7,71% and 9.98% respectively.

Adult Support

An updated Adult Support Policy was developed and implemented in October 2014.
Member Code of Conduct was reviewed and implemented in September 2014.
The Award system has been reviewed and where awards were assessed and granted only once annually it is now being done continuously and the process of application standardised and simplified.
All warrants are managed centrally where this was previously done in regions.

Alumni

The official Alumni network was launched in August 2017 and a Chair appointed
In the development of the Alumni concept, we heavily relied on material from BSA.
Promotional material was developed, a page on the national website developed as well as a dedicated Facebook page. Newsletters were circulated to all potential alumni.
This programme is not having the success we have hoped for and we are reworking the strategy to adjust to local realities.
The post of national Chair is vacant but has been advertised. The new Incumbent will lead the review.

Rover Programme

The Rover Programme was reviewed and the material layout was issued under the new branding and the CEO assisted in finalising the handbook at the end. (This was not part of project.)

Outputs:

Training and training material:

“This is Scouting for Adults” published
Stage Two Warrant Training for Pack and Troop Scouters revised to correspond to new programmes
The Wood Badge training reviewed against and adapted to correspond with the latest WOSM guidelines
RPL has been adopted for the following training: Introduction to Adult Leader, Assistant Leader Trainer and Leader Trainer courses, Sailing Charge licence course
District Commissioner’s manual updated and put into use
District Commissioner Trainings held
7 ALT courses run
5 LT courses run
Scout skills course developed as part of Stage 2 training
Scout camping course developed and piloted in KZN
Scout Group Leader Warrant Training course developed with pre course self-study material
Scout Group Leader warrant courses run
DC warrant Training course developed
DC warrant course piloted
Group Management course developed and run
Introduction to Mentorship and a full mentorship course have been developed and piloted
Hike Leadership courses for Pack and Troop Scouters developed and piloted (and mountain awareness) Courses
Two Scout Warrant sessions available on DVD
Survey Monkey assessments of each session by participants during the course piloted
Draft “Continuing Scouting Development” (CSD) points document.