New Zealand, January 2024: The forum of the Council of South Pacific Scout Associations (CSPSA) took place on 4 January 2024 followed by two days of deliberations on the follow-up actions. Scouting New Zealand hosted the event in conjunction with their 23rd Aotearoa New Zealand Scout Jamboree at Mystery Creek, Hamilton, New Zealand.
The CSPSA is a group of National Scout Associations—WOSM members and potential members—in the South Pacific that meet biannually to discuss matters of mutual interest towards promoting Scouting in the region, and strengthening collaboration and cooperation amongst the CSPSA members and partners.
Representatives from The Scouts Association of Australia, Scouts New Zealand, Fiji Scout Association, Cook Islands Scout Association, New Caledonia Scouts and Guides, and Polynesia Scouts Council attended the meeting in person. On the other hand, The Scout Organization of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Scout Association joined virtually.
Also present at the event were the World Scout Bureau/Asia Pacific Region (APR) Regional Director and Director Organizational Development.
The forum elected Mr. Noel Pinda from Papua New Guinea as the new Chairman.
CSPSA members resolved the following:
Resolution 1- Draft Guideline/Criteria on the CSPSA Membership Fund
The Forum recognized that some of the resolutions from the past CSPSA meeting could not be implemented due to the lack of a guiding document on the CSPSA Membership Fund. Thus, they created the Taskforce Chaired by Ms. Raani Kelderman, Chief Commissioner Scouts New Zealand, with members from New Caledonia and Polynesia to complete the guidelines during the Forum.
Resolution 2 - Training and Development for Adult Recruitment
Adult Recruitment was identified as a major challenge amongst the Pacific Scout Organizations. It was resolved that a special training program, with the support from WOSM Consultants must be conducted to find solutions and build internal capacity in attracting adult leaders to Scouting.
Resolution 3 - Maintain frequent contact with CSPSA Members
The Chair/Secretary should initiate communications with the leadership of each CSPSA member at least once a quarter by e-mail. If no initial response is received, seek alternative methods of communication.
Resolution 4 - Annual reminder of registration fee
The Secretary should initiate a digital method of paying the membership fee and send an annual reminder of when payment of the membership fee is due. The reminder should be done 6 months and 1 month before the due date.
Resolution 5 - Conduct of CSPSA Jamboree
The CSPSA must consider organizing a stand-alone CSPSA Jamboree. The Chairman was asked to develop a paper for the review and agreement by the CSPSA members within the first quarter of 2024 and plan for the said Jamboree within the term (by 2026).
Resolution 6 - Follow up on the Resolutions of CSPSA 2020
The forum noted that certain resolutions from the Forum 2020 have not progressed yet thus the new team shall look into it and ensure all these will be implemented.
In the following days, the members discussed the elements of Good Governance, GSAT, Programme and Training, and Trail ahead. The members drafted an action plan focusing on implementing the Forum Resolutions, engaging the non-active members, and promoting Scouting through close collaboration amongst the members and holding events at the CSPSA level.
The Forum ended with the handover of the Chair from Fiji , Mr. John Naisau, to Papua New Guinea, Mr. Noel Pinda, with thanks and appreciation to Scouting New Zealand for hosting the Forum, to members for attending the forum, and APR for their support.