Wayne Bulpitt (Chief Commissioner)

For his last summer take-over blog, Tim considers how we keep Scouting active and asks for your ideas.

This week Tim considers leadership in Scouting and asks what makes good leadership.

Tim Kidd is taking over Wayne's blog during August. In his first post, Tim introduces himself, explores what it is that makes Scouting so special and invites your thoughts.

Take 17,000 Guides, mix them up with 1,000 performers from all over Europe and you get Fusion, Girl Guiding UK's largest centenary celebration event.

Chamboree in Cheshire and Red Rose, West Lancashire's International Camp at Great Tower in the Lake District.

Another busy week, with visits to another four international camps and the Guide Centenary Fusion, starting with visits to Norjam 2010 in Norfolk and Goose International in Dorset

Blair Atholl in Scotland, Peak 2010 in Derbyshire and yet another day of meetings at Gilwell

A busy schedule of meetings, the blog gets an RSS feed, a grilling from the 1st East Grinstead troop, planning the exciting DC/GSL conferences and a chance to say hello to Andy, new CC for Warwickshire. All in 5 days...

Jack makes it to the delegation meeting on time, we're off to an excellent 'thought for the day' from the Flemish Government Youth Minister and the main business of the conferences - consider the resolutions...

Time to look forward today, with consideration of the future work plan for the next three years, presentations on future world events, a chance to share good practice across Europe and several receptions.

A visit from members of the 1st Brussels, a reception for Friends of Scouting Europe, solidarity for Scouts in Africa and celebrating the re-election of Craig to the European Scout Committee, and appointment as its Chairman for a further 3 years.

International Evenings are a superb feature of international Scout and Guide gatherings; a chance to experience the culture of each of the Countries participating - well, in reality share lots of food and drinks. But before we get there, we have a day of business to get through...

No, not another holiday or business trip, but the 13th European Scout and Guide Conference where 400 Scouts and Guides from across Europe, and a few guests, have gathered for five days to review work over the past three years, discuss future work and topics of mutual interest.

Challenge of the week: Thinking of something interesting and relevant to say to 3,000 Explorer Scouts at the opening of Gilwell 24 when they're itching to get on and enjoy over 200 adventurous activities.

A varied weekend joining more than 2,000 Beavers for the Kent Kaleidoscope Fun Days, having a chat with seven Scout Network members visiting Guernsey and a couple of Centenary camps. Oh yes, and viewing a steam driven television in Brede, nr Hastings - the home of television so they kept trying to assure me.

On Tuesday I travelled to Berkshire, the Royal County of, to be precise. Not to check out Windsor, but because I had invited myself to a Celebrating Success evening, which subtly included their AGM. And some success they are enjoying in Berkshire...

Envious videos... endless meetings... exploring what social inclusion means in practice and how we can support young people most in need... It's been a busy week.

Another early start on Tuesday. I flew to Manchester for a very productive day meeting volunteers and helping celebrate a couple of firsts in the buzzing Scout county that is Cheshire.

Another roller coaster week, from the tragedy of a devastated community to recognising the achievements of those recipients of awards from Her Majesty. Oh, and the delights of the dawn chorus...

"The rural home of food", so said the roadside sign as we drove into the village of Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire on Saturday. It also happens to be the home of the 4th Melton Mowbray Scout Group, and the venue for the opening of their new HQ building which I was lucky enough to join them for.