Phil Tarr @ReformBB

Have any @theboysbrigade or other groups used @CMCAdventure for activities while camping at @BBWMDCC in Dyffryn Ardudwy or has anyone had any other involvement with them? If so, you may be interested to know that they have launched a @crowdfunderuk page crowdfunder.co.uk/p/cmc-pensarn-…

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@RoseheartyBB No. It is precisely because I love traditional BB with drill, bands etc. that I want to see it survive. But with sharply declining membership, it will be financially starved (Felden going, Carronvale next). It needs something new alongside that will grow (c.f. ICONZ & BB in NZ)

I agreed, today, to temporarily refrain from continuing these tweets, while the Brigade Executive considers and replies to the points I have made and answers the question I raised at Brigade Council in September. I will respond to any replies to my tweets, though

@RoseheartyBB Hi Michael, I wouldn’t join the Scouts because they are a secular organisation and they are not able to evangelise and disciple young people. But they do provide an object lesson in how to turn around a severe decline within 10 years that BB have not been able to do in 40 years!

@davidmartin_law Only works if people are willing to engage and answer the question! Still haven't had a satisfactory answer to the question I raised at Council in September

@Matt55751863 It's a bit of both. BB activities are not adventurous enough and the single company single church structure works to our disadvantage when most of the churches to which we are linked are also declining (as indicated by Peter Brierley). Thanks for the link, I am aware of his work

I am sorry that these tweets have not had many replies or retweets. Perhaps I am using the wrong medium or BB leaders are too busy in their companies and don't want to get involved. This might change, if HQ staff are made redundant or properties are put up for sale, as is likely

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@Matt55751863 Thanks Matt. My main intention was to get the attention of the BB Exec (although some interaction would have been welcome), as previous attempts to lobby them and HQ staff had failed. I have now heard from the Chairman who said he will get back to me and have stopped the tweets

Nothing much is going to change in the BB unless pressure is exerted from the grass roots, which has been the story of the last 40 years. Sadly, only 207 of over 11,000 BB leaders took part in the recent Brigade Council, where the Executive is meant to be held to account

Phil Tarr @ReformBB

6 years ago

Speed of adaptation is the key to survival. BBHQ adapted quickly to the COVID-19 meteorite, with BBatHOME. But will the whole organisation, with its cumbersome governance structures, be able to adapt quickly enough to prevent its extinction or will it go the way of the dinosaurs?

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Speed of adaptation is the key to survival. BBHQ adapted quickly to the COVID-19 meteorite, with BBatHOME. But will the whole organisation, with its cumbersome governance structures, be able to adapt quickly enough to prevent its extinction or will it go the way of the dinosaurs?

Phil Tarr @ReformBB

6 years ago

The Scouts dropped Boy from their name in 1967, to update their brand image. Crusaders rebranded as Urban Saints in 2007, as its original name wasn't ideal in a multi-ethnic society. Perhaps, it is now the time for the BB to consider updating its brand image with a name change

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I remember a 20-year old BB leader saying in the BBNZ/ICONZ seminar at #BBConf19 in Swansea, that BB was like Fight Club. The 1st and 2nd rules for a young person in BB is that you don't mention Boys' Brigade. I wonder if this is a factor in BB's decline, if other YP believe this

Phil Tarr @ReformBB

6 years ago

The Scouts dropped Boy from their name in 1967, to update their brand image. Crusaders rebranded as Urban Saints in 2007, as its original name wasn't ideal in a multi-ethnic society. Perhaps, it is now the time for the BB to consider updating its brand image with a name change

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@PaulHagganBB Yes. It would clearly have to be agreed by Council, which would certainly be problematic. But the Executive should take the lead and try to convince everyone that this, amongst other changes, is needed if the organisation is to survive

It will be hard to get the Brigade Executive to see the need to change the organisation's name or those of any of its sections, and if they did, it would be even harder for them to agree what the names should be

Phil Tarr @ReformBB

6 years ago

Names of BB sections could also be updated. Anchor Boys is gender specific. Juniors and Seniors are unimaginative and Company Section is bewildering to anyone not in the BB. Most churches rebranded their Sunday Schools with all their departments years ago. Time for BB to catch up

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Names of BB sections could also be updated. Anchor Boys is gender specific. Juniors and Seniors are unimaginative and Company Section is bewildering to anyone not in the BB. Most churches rebranded their Sunday Schools with all their departments years ago. Time for BB to catch up

Phil Tarr @ReformBB

6 years ago

The Scouts dropped Boy from their name in 1967, to update their brand image. Crusaders rebranded as Urban Saints in 2007, as its original name wasn't ideal in a multi-ethnic society. Perhaps, it is now the time for the BB to consider updating its brand image with a name change

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The Scouts dropped Boy from their name in 1967, to update their brand image. Crusaders rebranded as Urban Saints in 2007, as its original name wasn't ideal in a multi-ethnic society. Perhaps, it is now the time for the BB to consider updating its brand image with a name change

Phil Tarr @ReformBB

6 years ago

Now for something controversial! The name of the organisation isn't helping. Male teenagers don't like being thought of as boys and it doesn't reflect that we work with 1,850 girls. Also, the military connotations of Brigade, puts off the evangelical churches we need to work with

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Now for something controversial! The name of the organisation isn't helping. Male teenagers don't like being thought of as boys and it doesn't reflect that we work with 1,850 girls. Also, the military connotations of Brigade, puts off the evangelical churches we need to work with

One of the problems with Amicus (and with the BB's Youth Networks, such as the one in West London) is that any Girls' Brigade members have to join the BB and capitation fees are required from both organisations. It would be better if BB, GB, Urban Saints and others cooperated

Phil Tarr @ReformBB

6 years ago

An Amicus Group, allowed my company (1st Cheam) to: form a large group, growing to over 20 recruit YP to do DofE, who wouldn't join a uniformed group retain our Seniors until 18, still doing Queen's Badge help some of them to find faith Why didn't BB relaunch and promote it?

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Students and other 18-25s probably won't attend meetings or events very regularly. They should not be treated in the same way as younger members who do, particularly with regard to capitation fees. Scouts abolished national fees for the Scout Network in 2015

Phil Tarr @ReformBB

6 years ago

BB only seem to be interested in 18-25s, if they are enrolled as leaders. The BB should be working with all 18-25s, aiming for a percentage of them to become leaders. Particularly important to keep in touch with them, when away at university and when they start their first jobs

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BB only seem to be interested in 18-25s, if they are enrolled as leaders. The BB should be working with all 18-25s, aiming for a percentage of them to become leaders. Particularly important to keep in touch with them, when away at university and when they start their first jobs

Phil Tarr @ReformBB

6 years ago

A factor in the @scouts recent success is deciding to start the Scout Network for 18-25s, which allows them to: Continue working with young adults Keep in touch with those away at University Get more young adults to volunteer as leaders in Scout Groups BB is missing out here!

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BB needs many more younger leaders to replace those retiring. The churches aren't going to supply them. The best source is from within our ranks. But we need to recruit, retain, evangelise and disciple 13-25s for this, with something similar to Explorer Scouts & the Scout Network

Phil Tarr @ReformBB

6 years ago

If I had been given access to raw stats to carry out academic research into the factors behind the BB's decline, I would have studied the age profile of BB leaders (esp. Captains), as many seem to be aged 50-80 and I suspect their retirement may be a factor in company closures

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