Russell Scott Trophy Winners

We are delighted to announce that the winner of the Russell Scott Trophy is the Isle of Wight Area Association!

All of our AAs are busy communities and we love to hear about what you've all been up to for your members. The Isle of Wight AA are very deserving of this trophy - read on to find out all about the sort of things they've been up to on the other side of the Solent!

To start with, here is an example of the social events that the AA has held for its members: Wine Tasting Event, Air Pistol & Rifle Shooting, Free Quiz at AGM, Falconry & Photography, General Knowledge Quiz, Wii Games evenings, Tenpin Bowling evening, Walking, Treasure Hunt, Horse Riding Taster Event, Midsummer Ghost Walk, Tapas Evening, Summer BBQ, Fireworks, Cruise, Kayaking Taster Event, Ice Hockey game, Trip on The Waverley to witness launch of the Queen Elizabeth, Music Quiz, Fired Art evening, Coach Trip to Brighton (planned but deferred due to adverse weather).

With regards to sport, the AA supports a group of members training for and playing cricket by helping to fund the purchase of equipment and also by supporting them at matches. Some social events have encouraged members to take up sports such as target shooting and horse riding. Others have been encouraged to support sports such as Ice Hockey. Members have been supported through the payment of travelling expenses not covered by Regional or National policies, for example for the Angling qualifiers.

They subsidise most of their events for members and work closely with their DA colleagues in HASSRA to provide joint events whenever practicable. A 'bottom up' scheme is in place, whereby members can apply for assistance if they organise an event for members.

Many events have a fund-raising element to them. Monies raised go to their nominated charity for the year (Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance). Five members of the AA committee took part in an event for Sport Relief in March and raised £152. They also supported ten members who took part in The Huge Hospice Quiz - an annual event in support of the only Hospice on the Isle of Wight. This year the event raised £3,500.

The Isle of Wight AA keeps in touch with members through regular newsletters and emails. They have a FaceBook page which carries information about forthcoming events and feedback on those that have taken place. There are also notice boards in workplaces where posters are displayed. Our committee meetings are open to members who wish to come along as observers and this has been taken up several times.

With regards to the recruitment of new CSSC members, the AA welcomed Phil Wright from the MRT on a recruitment visit when he attended various workplaces. Incentives were offered to encourage new members (18 recruited). Two committee members attended a Wellbeing event at Parkhurst Prison to promote our activities and encourage membership (4 recruited).

Most of the AA's volunteers are members of the committee and their contribution is acknowledged on a regular basis. Their Christmas meeting includes a meal and an opportunity to soclialise. Volunteers from outside of the committee have been recognised with letters of thanks and small tokens of appreciation such as Cinema Tickets or Love to Shop vouchers.

Well done everyone at the Isle of Wight Area Assocation!

Here are a few words from Anne Davison, chair of the Isle of Wight Area Association

"We were obviously delighted to win the Russell Scott Trophy. Three of us travelled to Bristol to attend CSSC Conference and collect our award; myself (Chairman) Helen Cooke (Secretary) and Debbie Cooke (committee member) who are not related, coincidentally! Helen and I have been on CSSC committee for several years and attended a number of conferences whereas Debbie was elected onto the committee in March 2011 and was a conference 'newbie'.

When Helen and I joined the committee the AA was quiet with a very limited programme of activities. As we are both active members of the Isle of Wight HASSRA Committee we have been able to bring our experience and expertise into action and also develop a strong partnership between the two organisations with lots of joint activities, pooling resources in both finances and volunteer manpower to the good of all members.

In 2010 we had the good fortune to have active members who came up with new ideas and a willingness to help make them happen (Debbie being one of these people). We also actively look at what other AAs are doing to see if we can use some of their ideas too. The end of year report, produced primarily as a summary for members, was submitted to supplement the electronic nomination form and this would give a fuller flavour of what we do, with a relatively small membership and the limitations of living on an island.

I would encourage other AAs to put forward their nominations for the Russell Scott Trophy, many of them are doing great work and should be proud to shout about it - you've got to be in it to win it!"

East Yorkshire AA were Highly Commended.