Tag Archives: #DPSG

MOVIS – Management of Volunteers in Scouting: Network Meeting 2016

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The Network Meeting of Commissioners involved in the management of adult resources is one of the well-known and successful networking opportunities for Leaders (on national level) of National Scout Organisations (NSOs) and National Scout Associations (NSAs) of the European Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM).

Formerly known under the acronym TCNM (for: Training Commissioners Network Meeting) it has now updated its name to MOVIS (for: Management of Volunteers in Scouting) in order to refelct the wider area of interest of the network, which is going beyond training.

Next year will see the sixth edition of this event at the DPSG Westernohe Scout Centre in Germany from 26 to 29 May 2016, where issues of common interest for National Commissioner and other Leaders directly involved at the national level  in supporting the personal development of adults in their association.

=> Find out more about this event in Regional Circular 26 2015 (available in English only).
=> Make sure to register for #movis2016 on the MOVIS Network website before 21 April 2016!

Regional Circular 26 2015 – Invitation: MOVIS Network Meeting 2016

Screen Shot 2015-12-18 at 13.40.27 PM

The Network Meeting of Commissioners involved in the management of adult resources is one of the well-known and successful networking opportunities for Leaders (on national level) of National Scout Organisations (NSOs) and National Scout Associations (NSAs) of the European Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM).

Formerly known under the acronym TCNM (for: Training Commissioners Network Meeting) it has now updated its name to MOVIS (for: Management of Volunteers in Scouting) in order to refelct the wider area of interest of the network, which is going beyond training.

Next year will see the sixth edition of this event at the DPSG Westernohe Scout Centre in Germany from 26 to 29 May 2016, where issues of common interest for National Commissioner and other Leaders directly involved at the national level  in supporting the personal development of adults in their association.

=> Find out more about this event in Regional Circular 26 2015 (available in English only).
=> Make sure to register for #movis2016 on the MOVIS Network website before 21 April 2016!

Refugees Welcome! The Lower Rhine Region is Colourful!

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Scouts and Guides contributing to refugee support activities in their local communities in Europe (23): a story from Xanten, Germany

Last month, an unused building the city of Xanten, in Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany, had decided to open for refugees was victim of an arson attack. This incident was at the origin of an event the local DPSG Niederrhein-Nord Scout District (member of DPSG – Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg and the World Organization of the Scout Movement) organised this Sunday. Together with other civil society associations (including the Flüchtlingshilfe Xanten, the Jugendkulturwerkstatt eXit and neighbouring Scout Districts), the Scouts decided to show everybody that the Lower Rhine Region (Region Niederrhein) is colourful and open to welcoming people seeking refuge from atrocities in their countries.

And more than 600 people answered the call. Dressed in colourful cloths and equipped with flags and posters claiming “Refugees Welcome” and “The North Rhine Region is coulourful”, they assembled in Xanten’s market square on Sunday afternoon.

When looking at the colourful crowd in front of him, District Commissioner Christoph Fromont felt that this was an incredible picture, really showing that the Region was open and diverse: “Each bad news, like the recent arson attack of the future refugee centre in xanten, should be countered by plenty of positive, encouraging story. This is what we have achieved. And this is why we have called for this gathering!”

“The willingness to welcoming refugees to the Lower Rhine Region does not stop with the distribution of flyers and the wearing of ‘Refugees Welcome’ tee-shirts. No, that’s just the beginning!” he added, “Let us eliminate fear and encourage encounters.”

The gathering ended with the more than symbolic building of a colourful human cordon (measuring several hundreds of meters) around the partially destroyed building, which will soon be the new home for refugees in Xanten. And as a strong signal of the city’s colourfulness and hospitality many people decorated fences and railings with scarves, shawls and handkerchiefs of all shapes and colours.

(contributing to the text & (c) image: DPSG Bezirk Niederrhein-Nord)

Read a full story in the regional newspaper rp-online.

And if you are involved in a similar refugee support activity in your local community, let us know and we will share it, too: just complete this form!

How do I make a campfire bread? Come, I’ll show you!

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Scouts and Guides contributing to refugee support activities in their local communities in Europe (21): a story from Uedem, Germany

Uedem? Where is Uedem? Many refugees might have wondered where this town was situated on the map of Germany where destiny had decided that they would find their temporary new homes. We, too, had to check the map to discover that Uedem is located between Duisburg and Kleve on the river Rhine close to the Dutch border.

And the surprise was even greater when the refugees arrived in Uedem: a group of members of  DPSG Uedem, the local Scout and Guide Group (a member of DPSG Niederrhein-Nord District of DPSG – Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg) awaited them waving colourful flags, holding up “Welcome” and “Willkommen” posters.

The Scouts and Guides – with the help of friends of the local school – had spent several days preparing their Welcome Party: they collected toys, games and jigsaws, stuffed animals and dolls, footballs, basket balls and other sports equipment! And they planned a series of activities for their “Willkommensfest” using many of the collected items with their guests, handing them over as presents at the end of the day. Others were busy in their kitchen and prepared pastry and other dishes to serve at the party.

Many of the newly arrived refugees attended the welcome party, happy spend an afternoon in friendly and happy atmosphere with their new neighbours. While children and young people happily enjoyed the games their parents and other adults were glad to settle down and relax for a few hours in good company, away from their tense and stressful life.

What started as a colourful afternoon of games and sports finally ended around a genuine campfire, where Scouts and Guides and their new friends enjoyed preparing (and later eating) their campfire bread on sticks cut from bushes only moments earlier.

(Source: rp-online, 9 Ocotber 2015)

If you are involved in a similar refugee support activity in your local community, let us know and we will share it, too!