Remembering the Puffin Club…
I don’t usually post things from my Facebook page, but this little trip down memory lane is worth keeping for posterity! https://www.facebook.com/johnccmay/posts/10151499571491420?comment_id=27737123¬if_t=feed_comment
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Examining diversity in Scouting
Diversity Today I had the opportunity to speak to adults and young people from the South East region of England at their day-long conference held at Gilwell Park. They had spent their morning exploring how they could improve links with local communities and how they might better engage young people in their corporate decision-making…
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It is time…
Last year, I sat down for a coffee and a chat with an old friend who is a senior Scouting volunteer in a country in Africa. We talked about the state of youth work in a country that has seen more than its share of civil conflicts, poverty and health pandemics, but is now becoming…
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Learning from other people’s success
I’ve been lucky enough to meet some very, very successful people over the last few years; not just business people, but adventurers, philanthropists and sporting heroes as well. I’ve always thought it was ridiculous to suggest that they all have the same traits in common and that success can somehow be distilled into an amalgamation of…
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Using English proper(ly)
2013 will be the year that I am finally exposed as the bigoted, prejudiced and intolerant person that I really am. For, whilst I would like to think that I relish inclusivity in most parts of my life – and indeed have been known actively to fight discrimination and injustice – there is one…
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Some very sad news.
Many people contacted me after I wrote about the extraordinary Masixole Mkrakra, the young man from a rural township in South Africa, who discovered a passion for cricket and the Award. I’m sorry to have to report that earlier this week a tragic accident took place and Masixole drowned. As his friend Ross has…
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On my honour, I promise….
The UK Scouts have launched an historic consultation. Amongst other things they are considering whether or not to introduce a version of the Scout Promise for those who feel uncomfortable promising to do their duty to (or in the case of very young children, to love) God, Allah or their Dharma, as doing so…
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Transforming the Award
This week, I made my inaugural address to The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Forum, our world conference, which is held every three years. What follows are my speaking notes – and some of the slides that I used as illustrations. We are the world’s leading youth achievement award, bringing together practical experiences…
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Lessons from an expert organiser
Major Sir Michael Parker, the man for so many years behind such enormous events as the Royal Tournament and other wonderful events that I remember from childhood, has just written his autobiography. In it he suggests eight essential rules for life: ‘One: have a very big idea — then double it. ‘Two: if it’s…
