Page 10 - Scouts NSW Annual Review

10
A Message from the Chief
The opportunity to contribute to the development of our young people in NSW in my rst twelve months in the role has been deeply rewarding, and I very much appreciate the numerous invitations to key Scouting activities and those that have given their time to share information and suggestions.
My role is to support the Chief Commissioner, with whom I share a mutual commitment to a one united team approach, a positive and enabling culture throughout the organisation and a professional business-like approach
to supporting Scouting.This includes engaging external stakeholders including Government, the business community, other Scout Branches and like organisations
to leverage opportunities.
Our unequivocal obligations in respect of Child Safety
has been my highest priority. Amongst many initiatives
and through the collaborative efforts of relevant Commissioners, professional staff and external parties, Scouts NSW provided two submissions and two progress reports to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. In addition, we attended hearings, initiated and progressed a comprehensive Child Protection Project, revised and re-issued the Scouts NSW Child Protection Policy, commissioned an external review by a respected independent organisation, upgraded and
refocused the position of Child Protection Of cer and enhanced our capacity and approach to handling allegations (including arrangements to ensure prompt and empathetic response to victims, legal review and support to police).
In order to meet our contemporary compliance obligations, support our members and facilitate the delivery of the Scouts NSW Strategic Plan, a review of the State Of ce restructure has been completed with a number of changes made or in progress. These include:
» the establishment of a Program Management Of ce to enhance our collective capability to deliver change in a disciplined, reliable and ef cient manner
» appointment of a CFO to provide strategic nancial management capabilities including support for non- member fee based revenue opportunities
» other changes arising from a detailed organisational review are being considered to enhance customer focus and pursue business transformation.
It would not surprise you that in my engagement with
senior executives in business and other organisations, I am frequently told that their Scouting experience played a profound and pivotal role in their personal and professional development. I am committed to ensuring this continues well into the future by working collaboratively with the Chief Commissioner and his team, as well as the professional staff at State Of ce, to build a positive and enabling culture that supports the development of our youth members.
I would like to thank the Chief Commissioner, the Board and my team for their support over the last 12 months.