 |
 Open Letter from FACCG Chairman |
| Dear all, HAPPY NEW YEAR! World leaders might not have agreed a deal in Copenhagen but FACCG`s volunteers have proved that actions speak louder than words... |
| Another year has past and what a challenging year that was. Legal disputes with Air Cadets HQ, Staff leaving or retiring, grant funding all but drying up and no closer to sorting out my spinal problems! Putting aside all the problems of the year, it was a very successful one and all the credit once again goes to everyone one of you who pulled out the stops to make it so. Each and every one of you turns out to projects for different reasons, a great social event, volunteer hours for the Queens Scout, Duke of Edinburgh, John Muir Award, to keep fit, meet new friends, learn a new skill, develop communication, self- confidence and good leadership qualities, the list is endless. The following PDF document is the programme for 2010... click to open and read |
 Click here to download the PDF file |
| Whatever though, come rain, snow, gales, and sometimes sunshine, volunteers have been out in force making that difference for the various communities we have helped this year. Without even looking back at the records I can think of many achievements. The ExxonMobil Wildlife Habitat Council Grounds for Learning Award and Certification of the Nature Trail. Falkland and the Britain in Bloom awards for youth and Champion of Champions. Nominated for the Fife Volunteer Group of the Year, and our international expedition to Hungary. Plus the many education and National Governing Body award certificates staff and young volunteers have been successful in, RYA Power Boat, Archery UK Leaders, First Aid to name a few. These will help the group offer different activities for many years to come. The volunteer hours are held on record to ensure volunteers complete their awards correctly. There are many hours of other activities that we don`t account for correctly. We have been guilty not recording all the hours, but with the amazing commitment behind the scenes this year at the base in SugarAcre whether tending to the garden under our contract with Falkland in Bloom for the free use of the site, to the bridge building and maintenance of all the Group equipment it is important to average these hours out to reflect the true picture of our work. Looking at the list there are many other tasks we could include but as it is really for our own records then there is no need. What is vital to note though is the sheer enthusiasm, dedication and commitment of every member of the Group. The hours are: Year 2009 Volunteer Hours - Conservation Hours Worked (Including JMA & Other Associated Projects & Tasks)= 7600.5 Other - Wednesday night projects with no registers - Average 9 people x 2.5 hrs x 18 weeks = 405 hours + 7 people x 6 hours per week x 40 weeks pa 1680 hours therefore total other hours is 405 + 1680 = 2085 hours TOTAL = 9685.5 over a total of 68 volunteer projects / activities. |
| A staggering amount when you think that the majority of volunteers also belong to another organisation as well. i.e.. Air Cadets, Explorer Scouts etc. This Christmas Bill Sweenie once again organised Bag Packing at Marks and Spencer in Kirkcaldy. I was gobsmacked by the amount we have raised over the period, but even more so by the overall turnout of Group members to help raise important funds to keep the minibus on the road. This also allows the Group to remain free from subscriptions. Think of the investment in insurance and educational courses each year, let alone the drastically subsidised residentials. A huge vote of thanks to all of you who gave up so much of your time to achieve the following. TOTAL = £3,342.57 Bag Packing Total For 2009 = £5748.39 Those that have taken part will obviously get priority on residentials and expeds throughout 2010. If you have not carried out your 6 hours of bag packing to help towards Group costs, then don`t forget our next bag packing is 16th Jan in ASDA. I had a councillor come up to me a few months ago and ask me how things were with the Group. After a short conversation he said to me that we should be proud as it is a known fact within the echelons at Fife Council that "FACCG`s work is solely responsible for inspiring many local people to get active in improving their community". Those words certainly hit me and got me thinking that even without our work in the communities we are still achieving. I personally believe that our young volunteers are very good role models in the schools they attend, they are committed to their responsibilities and show a �can do attitude.� I am told by many parents that they have seen huge improvements in attitude, motivation and aspiration levels. If you are a young volunteer reading this stop and think now. We have always had an open approach to volunteer work, and employability training. It is important to help build up not only the Groups tool kit of skills, but also that of every volunteer we have. What we must not forget is we can also help all our volunteers to develop their personal skills like communication, self confidence, effective time-keeping, leadership qualities, and working with others. FACCG is unique as the practical projects are organised and led always by volunteers, so there are no limits; opportunities with FACCG are as diverse as the volunteers themselves. If you have the passion, energy and enthusiasm, you can make things happen. The only limit is your imagination! We witnessed this just recently with the idea and fast implementation of the new Group hoodies. It is important though that we recognise that everyone`s needs are different. But remember everyone is a volunteer, so every volunteer is equal and should share responsibility for the Group`s wellbeing. I came across this saying recently that made me smile. `Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way when you do criticise him you`ll be a mile away and have his shoes`. Remember that I can`t run but I have a Landrover so can go anywhere, even if you do have my shoes! I attach the Group programme for 2010 so that you can get the important dates into your diary straight away. This year is the United Nation`s International Year of Biodiversity. People in Scotland are being encouraged by the Scottish government to spend more time outdoors to appreciate their country`s landscape and wildlife. It is with this that, apart from a few projects for others, we will concentrate on doing projects for ourselves this year once the timber building is completed. On the subject of the traditional timber building I think we will all need patience, commitment and a good sense of humour in the coming months. We need to concentrate on completing the building between now and April, hence the large amount of time given to the Treecycle project. During the remainder of the year we can get out and about and have fun. We have a varied programme that we can add to, or change, if required. Remember let`s have the young volunteers take the initiative. It was suggested that we visit Ireland this year, I am working hard on implementing that request. One addition to the programme, if I secure the grant funding I have submitted, will be "Venture Adventure" More details will follow shortly. It is vitally important that you should remember if you volunteer with FACCG at the Colin Burt Reserve for Wildlife Conservation in Glen Dochart you`ll get the freedom to make your own choices and put your ideas into action. Youth volunteering with FACCG isn`t about us telling you what to do. It`s about giving you the power to make things happen. A large number of volunteers still need to complete the "Share" section of their John Muir Awards. We will add in local gala/county show days where we can our achievements. If you need these hours then make sure you attend these. We are lucky to have an area at the front of ASDA (16th Jan) to publicise the Group`s work, I will make sure those needing "share" hours help in that area. A massive thanks go to all the volunteers who have been out with FACCG in the cold, rain and occasional ray of sun. We�ve planted trees to lock up carbon, managed watercourses to mitigate flood risk, constructed new nature trails in Hungary and grown food to cut C02 emissions from food miles. We must not forget the parents who play taxi each week to get you, our volunteers, to projects and SugarAcre. THANKS! Together we have demonstrated a real commitment to tackling climate change through local collective action. FACCG is committed to keeping the action going and with your continued support we will. Finally the Group wouldn`t run without all the staff who give up many hours of their evenings, weekends and annual holidays. A special thank you must go to Sharon, Cazz, and Terry who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes organising, writing grants, updating financial records the list is endless. Thank you once again to you all for "Working together for tomorrow`s future". Keep up the amazing work! Take care and see you all on Saturday 16th! Rdgs Mark Mark Pearson Chairman/Volunteer Co-ordinator Fife Air Cadets Conservation Group Working together for tomorrow�s future www.fifeaircadetsconservationgroup.co.uk www.projectwoodland.org.uk Mobile - 07887 998975 FACCG is a registered Scottish Charity � SCO38814 |
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