I recently found a group on the internet calling for the disbandment of SSAGO because it was taking resources away from Scout Network. I have several problems with this. Firstly there isn't as far as I'm aware as a guide leader a GirlguidingUK equivalent of Scout Network and that GirlguidingUK advertises SSAGO as something its members can do at university alongside normal guiding as it is more likely to give them a chance to socialise with people their own age.
My second issue with the idea of disbanding SSAGO is directly to do with Scout Network. SSAGO this year is 40 years old, how old is Scout Network? About five years old? Why when the Scout Association was setting up Scout Network didn't they take into account the fact that there was already a national group set up for 18 to 25 year olds to stay in contact with and serve the Movement (note the Movement and not just one association). Why didn't the Scout Association try and integrate SSAGO into their new ideas for Scout Network?
If the Scout Association are having trouble getting membership for Scout Network then maybe they should have thought about the following:
1. 18 to 25 year olds aren't known for being the most "socially active" members of our population
2. Although SSAGO has lasted for 40 years, it doesn't have a huge membership, only a tiny percentage of Scouts and Guides who go to university actually join SSAGO. This is an indication that maybe students want some time off from the movement.
Maybe the Scout Association should stop is pre-occupation of bad mouthing national organisation which have been set up to support the Movement and start taking advantage of the fact that they are there and willing to work for the Movement. The Scout Association needs to remember that there is one Movement and that they are only half of that Movement. Are they working for the good of the Movement or the Association.
3.6.07
Trying to be a good person but not always succeeding.
Branching Out
Too much spare time?
Fun and Games
Them that blog too!
Others that blog!
Subscribe to
Posts [Atom]
6 Comments:
And don't forget those SSAGO members over 25 that wouldn't be able to join Network at all.
I would take issue with your last paragraph, Disband SSAGO does not seem to be representative of the Scout Association as a whole, but of one or two individuals with chips on their shoulders. It is dissapointing to see the whole case against SSAGO become little more than insults.
It says it all when the groups founder says "I don't see what's wrong with being confrontational".
The closest thing to a good argument I have seen on the group is SSAGO discriminates against those that are not students. Not in any real sense- it's an insult to those who suffer true discrimination. If that is so Scout Network discriminates against those that are outside it's age range, fellowship against the under 18s, sea scouts against those who prefer green to blue.
Besides even SSAGO's supporters are forgetting that Student Scouting and Guiding has been going on far more than 40 years.
A bit of a mixed message in my previous comment. I'll clarify!
Beyond the shaky grasp of their own history, I'm quite impressed by SSAGO and their supporters. They have defended themselves quite eloquently, against a rude, borish, and ignorant opposition.
Those in favour of the "disband SSAGO" motion are either being incredibly devious in the weak defense of their argument, or incredibly silly. I don't know which.
I thought it was quiet interesting that grumblings that have been made by the Scout association not so loudly had made in onto Facebook. I remember being at a SSAGO AGM near Dundee and having the letters from the SA and GGuk read out, there where startling different attitudes towards SSAGO.
Hmm,
You'll have to explain when I next see you.
I remember that AGM rather too well, and for a few years now the SA has been ambivalent towards SSAGO. However that was in the day when the Network team at Gilwell were dealing with things, whereas now the people monitoring SSAGO are considerably more supportive.
Either way I doubt there is anything the SA can do to stop SSAGO existing, as SAGGA is living proof of what happened last time...
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home