It’s not difficult to notice that the majority of the projects on here are Scouting related and my role as Communications Manager for my local District is to blame.
In 2010 I was asked to take on the (voluntary) role which back then mostly consisted of writing news stories for District-run activities. When I took on the role I was determined to expand the role and improve the different ways the District communicates. I had also recently taken on administrating the District’s website and that role was merged with this.
Fast forward to 2016 and the role now involves:
- Managing and overseeing all internal and external communications within the District.
- Identifying and producing suitable news stories to be passed on to the local press and other external comms.
- Managing the District’s social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram), identifying and producing effective content for social media and producing a regular schedule for posts.
- Acting as the District’s official photographer and covering as many events and activities as possible to produce relevant, on-brand photos to be used in news stories, on social media and other uses.
- Documenting various activities/events that happen within the District by filming and producing videos from these events.
- Managing the District’s internal mailing list which uses MailChimp to email information, updates and important documents to every adult member of the District.
- Designing and producing promotional materials as and when required, including a set of pull-up banners, invites, leaflets, posters and more.
- Designing, producing and updating various documents including the District’s members directory, the District’s annual reports for the AGM and others when required.
- Administrating the District’s website using WordPress and developing it when new content and information is required to be added.
- Ensuring the District remains on-brand (with the Scout Association’s national brand) and providing support and advice to ensure Groups are also remaining on-brand.
- Anything else that’s required that’s related to media or communications with the District.
In fact, the only thing I don’t have direct involvement in is our monthly newsletter which is edited and produced by someone who has been producing it for years and still does a fantastic job. Of course I do provide stories for it!
With that huge list above, it’s not difficult to see why most of my creative projects are Scouting ones. I will never complain however, as without the role I would have never been able to develop the skills required or get the experience that I have done over the past 6 years.
It’s also still immensely enjoyable and I’ve not lost the passion for it (yet).
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