Cambridgeshire Scouting joins Chamber of Commerce to promote the Scouting Adventure
By Chris Ward, 15th January 2006
The Scout Association in Cambridgeshire is looking to promote itself to business through membership of the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce. It is a bold step for an organisation run entirely by adult volunteers. For the first time Cambridgeshire Scouting will participate in business networking and debate across the County.
In Cambridgeshire there are more than 5,000 young people aged six to 25 enjoying the Scouting adventure every week. This is only made possible through the efforts of an unpaid workforce of more than 1,000 dedicated adult volunteers.
Through membership of the Chamber of Commerce, Scouting aims to promote the benefits to companies and their employees from joining this adventure. These benefits include enhancing community involvement, sponsorship opportunities and networking.
The aim of this link is to make the members of the Chambers of Commerce much more aware about the activities of the County's Scouts. We believe that Chamber members, who in many cases were Scouts in the past, will enjoy being involved in our events and activities.
Tony Bell is leading this initiative on behalf of the County Commissioner and already he has made several new contacts wanting to get involved. Tony will attend Chamber of Commerce business networking events and we have new marketing material aimed specifically at Cambridgeshire business to help with this.
Richard Hames believes this is a significant initiative and said:
‘I see membership of the Chamber of Commerce as a key way to encourage this support from the business community. It is also an opportunity for Scouting to make a contribution to the business debate, bringing wide ranging experience of the volunteer sector in the areas of youth development, leadership skills and team work’
Stan Taylor, Senior Relationship Manager, Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, is keen to welcome the Cambridgeshire Scouts management team at future business networking events and is already looking at ways that Scouting and the Chamber can work together. To show his support for Scouting the Chamber of Commerce is offering a £25 donation to Cambridgeshire Scouts for every new member that is introduced to the Chamber through a Scouting connection.
