Team Pink are the team of the Executive Officers and Assistants who are responsible for the running and development of the National Student Scout and Guide Organisation.
Anna Matthews
Hi! I'm Anna and I'm SSAGO's Members Officer for 2024/25.
I had a bit of a weird start in Scouting having begun as a Brownie before joining Explorers when I was 14. I also became a Young Leader for Scouts and then Cubs, and completed my Young Leader Training. When I turned 18 I became a leader and I also helped set up a local Network Group which we called Underground Network.
When looking at universities I would only consider places that had a Scout and Guide Society. I didn't know about SSAGO at the time but I'm definitely glad to have found it. I joined BUSAG when I started at the University of Birmingham and have since been the club's Publicity Officer, Secretary and Social Secretary. I have enjoyed getting involved in both regional and national SSAGO events and have been Publicity for Midlands Freshers 2022 and Co-chair for Oktoberfest Rally. Whilst at University I have also volunteered at the local Scout group in the Scouts and Explorers Section.
I am currently about to graduate with a Political Science BA (hopefully!) and in September I will be extending my time in SSAGO with a PGCE in History.
Members
June 2024
Report
- Getting Started: I attended all handover meetings and Pink training sessions. I've begun familiarising myself with the membership system and the various SSAGO drives. I have also attended relevant meetings with events and clubs.
- Irish Rover Scouts: We (Jack, Ben and I) met with a representative from Irish Rover Scouts to discuss student scouting and guiding in Ireland and the possibility of joint events with SSAGO. We are currently considering a joint event at some point in 2025 to occur in Northern Ireland.
- New Clubs: I organised a hike for the Midlands where I was able to meet the chair of WUSAG and find out how their first year as a SSAGO club has been and what support they need from me going forward. I am also currently in the process of helping to set up a new SSAGO club at the University of Winchester.
Aims
- SSAGO Factsheets: When sending factsheets to new clubs noticed that the factsheets that are on the SSAGO website are not up to date. I want to make sure that any factsheets that committees might need are correct before the start of the academic year.
- Scouts Inclusion: I am currently in the process of trying to make contact and establish a relationship with the Scouts Inclusion team. The SSAGO strategy aims to introduce a new Reasonable Adjustment Policy by September 2026. The plan is to get advice from the Scouts Inclusion team to help Team Pink in developing this policy.