We’re rolling out Microsoft 365 - adult
Scouting volunteers will receive a unique Scouts Victoria login and associated
email address.
With a Scouts Victoria email address, you
will also receive access to role-based or team mailboxes, and other Microsoft tools like
SharePoint and Teams.
Why is Scouts Victoria rolling out Microsoft 365?
We are rolling this out to give our members
the best, secure, modern tools to manage and deliver the Scout program as well
as protect the personal information of our youth members.
This will give our volunteers the same
powerful digital tools that businesses use for chat, email, video calls, and
other online collaboration – making the day-to-day business of Scouting to
deliver our program as efficient and effective as possible.
In addition, reducing the amount of
personal information and communication that we keep in everyone’s personal
email and storage accounts is an essential part of our commitment to Australian
Privacy Laws and Child Protection Legislation.
What should I expect as part of this roll-out?
When it’s your turn, you will receive an
email prompting you to log in and setup your email account.
Depending on your role, you will also
probably be part of one-or more role-based or team mailboxes like
joeys.windyhill@scoutsvictoria.com
- this means that you will have your own personal Scout mailbox, as well as
role-based or team mailboxes when a team needs to read and reply to emails.
Roll-Out
When will I get an account?
This rollout is starting in mid-2023, and
we’ll pilot the rollout to a select number of Groups first, to check we have
everything set-up and ready to go.
After that, we’ll roll-out quickly so that
everyone has the same tools to get the job done. Check the Be Informed for the latest rollout information.
What if I don’t want an account?
We will create an account for all eligible Scouting volunteers. How you use the services and features delivered is up to
you, and the Scouting team you work in.
After the roll-out, you’ll need to use the
Scouts Victoria email address, rather than your personal email, or any shared
private accounts (like
1stwindyhill@gmail.com)
Can I keep using my shared Gmail/outlook account?
Yes, for the time being. We understand that Groups and Sections have set up their own
methods.
Of course, these email addresses are also
published in so many places, so it’s important we transition slowly, so that
everyone has time to adjust and update contact information.
Eventually, these email accounts will be
redundant, and you will then need to use your Scouts Victoria email addresses.
Can I keep using my dropbox/google drive/box?
Yes, for the time being. We understand that Groups and Sections have set up their own
digital storage. And we want to roll-this out in a way that makes things
easier, not more difficult.
The phase-out of individual Group storage will ultimately pose a significant security risk for our youth members. Numerous instances have demonstrated the retention of access to Dropbox accounts containing medical forms by Leaders from past years.
Eventually, everyone having their own
storage will be phased out – this is a big security risk for our youth members.
We have seen many examples of dropbox with medical forms, where Leaders from
years ago still have access.
Can I keep using TeamApp/Discord/Slack?
Yes, these
serve a different purpose, and we aren’t planning (at the moment) for Youth
Members to have Scouts Victoria accounts.
Please make sure these environments have
the highest levels of transparency and child-safety is paramount. Contact
childsafe@scoutsvictoria.com.au for advice on making these spaces safe, secure,
and respectful.
Support
Where do I get support help with this?
You can access the Scouts Victoria
Microsoft 365 support portal at helpdesk.scoutsvictoria.com.au
We always recommend checking with a trusted
volunteer like your Group Leader or Leader-In-Charge for help, but if they
can’t help you can log a support
request. There are also lots of freely available
guides, videos, and help information at support.microsoft.com/training
Email
Can I get a role-based or team email account (shared mailbox) for my Unit?
Yes! Role-based or team email accounts (sometimes called Shared Mailboxes) are being rolled out – you
don’t need to ask for one.
We recognise that just like our youth,
adult Leaders work in teams, and to work as part of a team you will be able to
send and receive email from the same mailbox.
Do our Scouts (youth members) get Scouts Victoria accounts?
No, we
are only rolling this out to adult members who hold leadership roles or are
part of teams or assets.
What about Rovers?
Yes, for some roles as long as the Rovers meet the mandatory requirements of having a
police check, and completing mandatory training, then Unit leaders,
secretaries, treasurers, and members of Region, state, activity, and campsite
teams are eligible to receive an account.
Unless they hold other leadership
positions, Rovers will need to submit a request to kick-off the process.
Do I have to use my Scouts Victoria email address?
Yes, eventually. As mentioned under the Roll-Out section, we understand that
this will be a transition.
After we are all on-board, it makes sense
to communicate and work under the same umbrella with the same tools and identity.
Can I forward my email to my personal address?
No,
automatically forwarding email to personal accounts is not allowed – setups like
this act like a window left-open in the Leaders’ den – any information could get
out.
Automatic forwarding also reduces our
information security, and by extension the privacy and security of our youth members
information.
Can I get email on my phone?
Yes! Your
Scouts Victoria email is available on your phone by logging into the
Outlook App for Android
or iPhone.
See helpdesk.scoutsvictoria.com.au for more information.
Other Microsoft Tools and Applications
Can I use Microsoft Teams?
Yes, we will
create Microsoft Teams for groups, activity teams, event teams.
We know lots of other formal and informal
teams exist, so please reach out at helpdesk.scoutsvictoria.com.au if you think
you need a team (or should belong to a team) but don’t initially.
Can I use SharePoint and OneDrive?
Yes, with
your email account, comes OneDrive which is for your own Scout file storage
(like Dropbox or iCloud). To be clear these are for Scout files but aren’t
shared with anyone by default.
You will also be part of one or more Teams,
which have shared file storage – this is the best place to keep all your
programs, activity planning, admin docs, etc.
Just like Scout Victoria email, the
organisation can gain access to these locations when needed.
Why can’t I access SharePoint?
Right now, we’re focussing on getting
everyone onto their new email accounts. SharePoint and OneDrive will be enabled
once we’re sure that the email roll-out is going smoothly.
Do I get Microsoft office?
Sort of.
Your Scouts Victoria account will come with access to Microsoft Office on the
Web, which you need to use in a web browser.
Security and Privacy
Is this secure?
Microsoft 365 is used by Australia’s
largest companies, our government, and other institutions. It follows a range
of international accreditations for information security.
What about privacy?
Scouts Victoria will keep control over all
our information, and Microsoft 365 is inherently designed to keep user
information private and secure.
Who has access to our emails and files?
In your personal Scout mailbox and
OneDrive, only you have access to your email.
Role-based or team Mailbox, Teams, and SharePoint will
depend on who has been given access to them, either by virtue of their role, or
by special request.
Scouts Victoria IT Team will be able to
access all email and files when needed for information security concerns,
misconduct investigations or similar reasons.
Other Questions
Does my group need to give up their domain name or
websites?
No, please keep
maintaining and updating your website. If you have a custom email domain,
consider forwarding that to your Scouts Victoria Role-based or team mailbox.