It been a challenging time at Venture Scotland, adjusting to the reality of being a much smaller organisation. We are missing our former colleagues, there are less groups of young people around and there are less opportunities for volunteering than before. However, there have been a number of big successes too.
Volunteer Development Weekend 2019
Our annual volunteer development weekend at Wiston Lodge in September was a huge success – with canoe training, hillwalking training and mental health first aid training all being completed. Saturday night was spent around the campfire telling tall tales and on Sunday, we collectively looked at our organisational mission, vision and aims. Thanks to all who attended and particularly to the volunteer committee who organised the whole weekend.
Glasgow Awards Night – 26 September 2019
We held an Awards Night in Glasgow City Chambers as guests of the Lord Provost of Glasgow. Seven young people graduated from the Leadership Stage of our programme and spoke brilliantly about their experience and their plans for the future. Twenty others graduated from earlier stages. The awards were kindly handed out by our local councilor Angus Millar. We had over 70 people in the audience including family, friends, referrers and supporters. Thank you to everyone who came along to support the young people.
Date for your diary – 27 November 2019
We are also planning another Awards night, this time in Edinburgh, on the 27th November 2019. Please keep the date free in your diary, so you can come along and support our young people graduating.
Venture Scotland's AGM
Normally in November, we would also be holding our AGM, which will be a little different this year as our Board of Trustees are currently reviewing our governance arrangements, to consider if our constitution needs to be updated.
While this process goes on, we have decided to not to hold the normal AGM evening in Edinburgh, but to simply hold the AGM as part of a board meeting (as required by our governing rules), inviting the ‘lifetime members’ to attend if they wish. We’re going to rethink how to involve everyone in an end of year celebration in 2020. Watch this space.
Thank you!
Finally, our continuing thanks to everyone who supports Venture Scotland. These have been tough times, but the future looks bright and exciting, and we couldn’t do it without the fantastic support of all of you.
David Brackenridge
Chief Executive of Venture Scotland
