A brief Southern Region Conference report
On a freezing February day the IOL Southern Region Conference went ahead at the Bowles Activity Centre near Tunbridge Wells with nearly 60 attendees. Delegates were welcomed with bacon butties and a hot drink, before an inspirational keynote address from Geoff MacMullen, who set the scene for the conference titled 'Back to Nature' with his experiences and the inspiration that Nature and particularly birds have given him throughout his life.
The region and national AGMs, with attendance from John Crosbie and Andy Robinson, took place before members attended a range of sessions on natural awareness, creative orienteering, kayak rolling (in the indoor pool fortunately!) and national updates. Sustenance was provided in the form of an excellent buffet lunch that gave the opportunity for networking, including the opportunity to find out more about IOL Professional development awards from Jo Mcready Wessex Region PDC who made a guest visit. The afternoon continued with sessions on climbing in nature on Bowles own sandstone rocks, tracking a concentric ring and session on the 'what if ...' of scenarios we hope will never happen.
The day finished with sessions on expeditioning with a purpose, survival skills and natural music before a well deserved hot drink and safe journey home.
On behalf of the Region Committee I would like to thank Sarah Collings and all the staff at Bowles for hosting the conference, all the people who led sessions, John and Andy for making the journey from Cumbria to join us and all the members who attended.
The Region AGM was marked with Mike King standing down as Chair after a number of years to concentrate on his work as Trustee of IOL and his own business - Thanks for all your work in the region over the years Mike and good luck on your new ventures, but we wont let you go too far.
Ian Harris on behalf of the region committee.
This took place on 9th February 2012 - Venue: Runways End Activity Centre, nr Aldershot. The conference was an excellent opportunity to meet with other outdoor practitioners and catch up on the latest news. KEYNOTE: Rod Carr - (ex-Chief Executive of the RYA) shares his story of success from Outdoor Education to Olympic Gold Medals.
Ian Harris - the presenter - reports on the workshop: "The day was very hands on, looking at adaptations to a range of activities that are adopted by the QE2 centre and also shared ideas and discussed issues from the attendees. There was not a computer or PowerPoint in sight, and most of the day was spent out and about looking at and taking part in outdoor activities!
I would like to say a huge thanks to Phil Oates and the staff at QE2 centre for their efforts in making today so successful."
The Southern Area Committee would like to announce The Parry Adventure Trophy which has been conceived after an inspirational personal adventure carried out by a member of the committee. The trophy award is open to anyone who is a member in the Southern Area who participates in an adventurous journey anywhere in the world. A candidate can either be nominated or put themselves forward in a citation which is no longer than one A4 sheet and submitted to the committee. The criteria for the award is a follows:
- The adventure must be a journey of some kind carried out in the last 2 years.
- It must be self-organised, planned and funded by the participant and not part of a course or other organised event or part of your employment.
- The adventure itself must involve a journey by non-motorised means.
- Candidates must be current IOL Southern Region Individual Members at the time of application for the Award.
The citation should include the full name and contact details of the candidate, their previous experience of such an experience and if they have overcome any personal challenges to participate in such an experience. The Award Ceremony will be carried out at the next Southern Area Conference in February 2012. The winner will receive a modest trophy and the admiration of other members in the region. The committees decision is final with regards to who should receive the award.
We look forward to hearing from our members in the south who have been able to participate in such an adventure.
Closing date is December 31st 2011.
Please send your citation for the Parry Adventure Trophy to Louise at IOL
After a successful conference in March at PGL Marchants Hill, Hindhead the Southern Region Committee met to review the programme of events and start planning for the next programme of training and the 2011 conference. The provisional date for the next conference is 10th February 2011, please book it into your diaries.
We would welcome ideas which would help us to serve the outdoor community within the South East, please do not hesitate to contact the committee either via central IOL office or email Mike King 
Next meeting: Thursday 21st July at Henley Fort at 4pm
Vital information on Insurance for all IOL Events
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