Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) Election
We are emailing you to let you know the expression of interest phase is open for the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) Election. This means that any young person in Scouts aged 14-25 can register that they are interested in becoming one of Scouts Scotland’s Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP). Scouts Scotland is entitled to two MSYPs, as are a number of voluntary organisations like Girl Guiding and LGBT Youth Scotland.
In the past our MSYPs have been responsible for leading a campaigns to get youthwork awards recognised by SAAS, making sure that all of our Scottish Scout Adventure Centres provide free period products and also in gaining the support of SYP members for the Save Your Outdoor Centres campaign. They have also had the chance to take part in media work, speak at events and are given training and support by both SYP and Scouts Scotland. Our MSYPs are also part of our youth involvement team. It’s a really great opportunity for our members.
As you all know the last year has been so tough for young people so it’s more important than ever that their voices are heard. SYP is a great way for young people to speak up on the issues that matter to them. We would love to run a proper election but we can’t do that without candidates so I’m asking your help to promote this opportunity to your young people.
If a young person wants to sign up all they have to do is visit <www.elections.syp.org.uk/> www.elections.syp.org.uk and sign up. I’ve attached some information for you, a timeline, a poster you could share and a graphic that you can use on social media. Draft text for a social media post could be “Could you be the next voice of @ScoutsScotland at @OfficialSYP register your interest now <elections.syp.org.uk/> elections.syp.org.uk
Online Election in November
In November we will be running an online election and I will need your help in issuing a voting number to the young people in your district.
Early in November we hope to provide you with more information about the election and we will also provide you with enough temporary numbers for Explorer Scouts and Network Members in your District. We hope that you will then distribute these numbers to your members so that they can participate in the elections. In areas where there is no DESC or DSNC in post then we may need to distribute the temporary numbers to District Commissioners. We will also be communicating with Explorer Scout Leaders to highlight that they election is taking place and to encourage them to contact to you to help you to distribute numbers.
However, we are aware that sometimes when pulling off data from compass there may be Explorer Scout Leaders, DESCs, or DSNCs who do not appear within our search and we are limited in our ability to communicate with them, if you know of any leaders etc. who may not get this communication then please do pass this information on. We will also do our best to share on the numerous private Facebook groups order to communicate this as widely as possible.
In the meantime if you have any questions about how the election will work then please get in touch with Janis (details below).
Thank you,
James Cumming
Depute Chief Commissioner – Perception and Protect
Janis McCulloch
Media and Public Affairs Officer
Scouts Scotland
My working days are Monday – Thursday
07498997586
<www.scouts.scot/> www.scouts.scot
<www.facebook.com/scouts.scotland> facebook.com/scouts.scotland |
We prepare young people with skills for life
Fordell Firs, Hillend, Dunfermline, Fife, KY11 7HQ
Scouts Scotland is a Registered Scottish Charity No. SC017511