Horizons Commissioner Conference

Booking link for district and division commissioners
Booking link for county commissioners

Workshops
As a district or division commissioner you can attend four workshops, each lasting 60 minutes. You can choose one workshop in each of the following four zones (apart from the Empowered zone):

• Confident
• Competent
• Happy
• Empowered (choose on the day)

County or assistant county commissioners are very welcome to attend the day. The workshops are very similar to those offered at ‘Connect More’ and have been focused on the needs of district and division commissioners. You are welcome to access the Empowered zone and the other common sessions.

Confident zone
In this zone you can explore your commissioner role. In the event registration form please choose ONE workshop that you think will be the best “fit” for you from the following options:

• Are you starting out as a new commissioner and want some guidance on what to do first? Choose ‘where do I start?’
• Are you needing to refresh your vision and plan for your guiding area? Choose ‘re-vision’
• Are you near the end of your term and would like some help in succession planning both for the role and for the area? Choose ‘succession planning’

Competent zone
In this zone you can contribute to and develop the topics that affect you as a commissioner. We have deliberately chosen topics where discussion and being with others in similar roles is beneficial. When we launch our virtual training later in the year, we will include other topics such as GO, financial management, being a trustee, property management, your role in the compliance process. In the event registration document please choose ONE workshop that you think will be the best “fit” for you from the following options:

• Adult Recruitment – time to review who you are recruiting for, shaping different types of roles and finding creative ways to attract volunteers.
• Storytelling with impact - building confidence in public speaking and representing Girlguiding with our members and externally.
• Different ways of working - getting the most from each individual whilst having the right structure and team that works for you and your area.
• Including all - practical ways to make your district/division a place where everyone feels welcome and safe.
• Communicating with all - focus on understanding and adapting to different communication styles and building confidence in having all types of conversations.

Happy zone
An opportunity to discover ways to relax and techniques to manage the challenges of being a commissioner. We hope you’ll take the opportunity to really reward yourself, take time out and have a chat. In the event registration document, please choose ONE workshop that you think will be the best “fit” for you from the following options:

• Managing your time – which will include ideas for effective prioritising, how to set boundaries and creating a support network.
• Looking after yourself – ideas on how to say no and making sure you take time for you.
• Happy teams – ideas to keep all your volunteers “happy and effective” including yourself.
• Just for you – an interactive practical session for your own wellbeing.

Empowered zone
This zone is different from the others – it’s an open space where you choose on the day what you want to do and have any questions answered. You will be allocated to attend this zone for one hour on the day where you will be able to have a personal surgery slot for 10 minutes to get advice from a range of region lead volunteers, region staff members and national staff members.

Structure of the day

9:30 - 10am - Registration and refreshments
10 - 10:30am - Welcome session - Girlguiding Today
10:30 - 11:30am - Workshop 1
11:30 - 11:45am - Break
11:45 - 12:45pm - Workshop 2
12:45 - 2pm - Lunch (in the restaurant)
2 - 3pm - Workshop 3
3 - 3:15pm - Break
3:15 - 4:15pm - Workshop 4
4:15 - 4:45pm - Tea and Cake
4:45 - 5:30pm - Closing session – planning for the future

Is there a cost?
This is a free event

Travel expenses
Travel expenses can be claimed from the appropriate level i.e. district/division/county

How to get to the venue
Bromley Court is just north of Bromley town centre, with plenty of on site and accessible parking. The venue is in the London Low Emission Zone. The venue also has 2 local train stations:

• Bromley South Train Station
  - Fast trains from London Victoria take approx. 15 minutes
  - Trains from London Blackfriars / St Pancras take approx. 35 minutes
  - Trains to Kent

• Grove Park Station
  - Trains take approx. 20 mins from Charing Cross / London Bridge / Cannon Street
  - Trains to Kent

What to wear
We encourage attendees to wear uniform during the event (or other comfortable attire if you do not have uniform).

Who's attending?
There will be a range of Girlguiding and Girlguiding LaSER volunteers and staff there on the day and we will send you more information about the volunteers/staff available to talk to you in the final event pack.

What will happen on the day
You don’t need to remember what you have booked. When you arrive, our welcome team will give you a lanyard with your personalised timetable of workshops. We’ve packed a lot in, so there are more workshops available than you have time to fit in. If you have had a change of mind and there’s a workshop you’re particularly keen to attend, check if it’s on your timetable. If not, you might be able to swap on the day. Just go to the room where your preferred workshop is held and the room manager will let you know if there’s space for you to join.

Aims, objectives and outcome of the event
Aim: Commissioners will have the opportunity to share experiences, build skills and confidence, and have fun together.

Objectives: At the event, commissioners will have the opportunity to:

• Update their knowledge and understanding of the latest Girlguiding initiatives.
• Attend 3 workshops of their own choosing using the topics from the commissioner review: confident, competent and happy.
• Develop their skills and confidence to manage the challenges encountered in their role.
• Network with other Commissioners, share ideas and offer support.

Outcome: At the end of the event commissioners will state they feel more confident in their role and use the new or refreshed skills and knowledge recorded in their action plan.

Photo and video:
Photo and video will be taken on the day. We'll ask for photo consent in the booking process. You can withdraw your photo consent by contacting communications@girlguidinglaser.org.uk

Now you know what’s on offer we hope you are as excited as we are to attend this event. Bookings close at midnight on 26 March. Click below to register your place today!

Booking link for district and division commissioners
Booking link for county commissioners

#LaSERHorizons2023