DIANA SLABU

Diana Slabu

Candidate for European Scout Committee

National Organisation of the Romanian Scouts

First steps in Scouting

My story started 22 years ago, back when I was a 10-year old shy and curious girl that only wanted to be accepted by the cool kids at school, that had also joined scouting that autumn. During my first camp I discovered scouting was not only about making friends, but also about games, stories, fun, new skills and overcoming your fears. I also found some of my dearest friends to this day, that became my patrol.

Personal Power to Change the World

When I was 16, I discovered that we can have an impact in society through our own small scout projects and I became more and more motivated to continue on in scouting as an adult. Two years later I became a unit leader and I joined the National Youth Programme team to contribute to our programme renewal process by coordinating the team focusing on the educational proposal for the Scouts Age section (11-14 y.o.).

The Big Scouting World

I had discovered the international dimension of scouting in 2005 at Eurojam in the UK, but during my time as Programme Commissioner, I understood that networking and training international events for national-level volunteers can change our way of thinking and make our work more efficient and smarter.

International Service to the Movement

The 6th Educational Methods Forum in Portugal in 2009 was the first in a series of over fifteen european training and networking events for me. I switched hats from the participant role to the facilitator role in 2013 when i joined the regional level as a Diversity and Inclusion Consultant, I continued as a regional volunteer in the 2016-2019 triennum (as part of the Educational Methods Area of Operation) and in the past triennum, I served as a WOSM consultant in the areas of Adults in Scouting and Safe from Harm.

Systemic Changes for a Better Future

At the national level, I continued my journey in scouting in 2015 as a National Board Member for the National Organisation of the Romanian Scouts, in the role of Adult Resources Commissioner. In 2016 I started the process of introducing the first Woodbadge training scheme in Romania, a process that was successfully finalised in 2019, and that is currently continued by a wonderful team of motivated trainers and volunteers.

My Commitment

During this long journey, I have accepted every challenge with curiosity, courage, and a smile and I have continued to enjoy learning new things every day, together with wonderful fellow scouts. It is with a positive attitude that I prepare for the next challenge in scouting and I am committed to continue doing my best every day to make the world a better place.