Pip’s Perspective – a message from the Chief Commissioner
The Big Brownie Birthday celebrations are certainly in full swing across the Region and with all the media coverage this week I would be surprised if anyone could be left in any doubt that Brownies are celebrating their 100th birthday this year! I'm cramming in as many party invitations as I possibly can and thoroughly enjoying every minute of it. Last weekend I visited Girlguiding Camberley Division and discovered Brownies exploring our solar system from inside a mobile astrodome, then, it was onto Leeds Castle where Girlguiding Kent Weald County Brownies immersed themselves in the magical, imaginative world of the House of Fairytales, in the most spectacular of surroundings.
I've enjoyed taking part in the Big Brownie Birthday Challenge with my Guide Unit and on Sunday was delighted to be able to tick off my most 'unusual place to drink tea' - so far! - at Ebbsfleet United Football Stadium whilst watching 1,000 Girlguiding Kent West County Brownies zumba their way through 'Happy'!
I'm looking forward to more exciting Starquest adventures this Saturday with Girlguiding Surrey East County Brownies in Painshill Park - what a feast of celebrations.
Wherever and however you are celebrating the Big Brownie Birthday, thank you for all the wonderful opportunities that you give to our girls. All our fabulous volunteers most definitely deserve their 'Brownie Points'!
pipmck@girlguidinglaser.org.uk
Twitter: @PipMcKerrow
Getting Out and About
This month Girlguiding are launching Out and About. This is a resource for Trainers to run training sessions for Leaders to encourage you to take your girls out of the meeting place and ensure you are supported to do this, whether you’re going to the local theatre or for a walk in the woods. Find out about training near you so that you and your girls can get the most out of going Out and About.
You are a Brand Ambassador
Why am I being called a brand ambassador? Because you are an ad for Girlguiding. You can talk positively about all the things that you do in guiding to show what a fab organisation you belong to.
What does it mean to be a brand ambassador?
Take a minute to think about your favourite shop. What are all the good things that you like about it? What makes you shop there? Why do you go there time and time again? Now think about those questions for guiding and the last event you went to. What were all the good things about the event? What made you go to the event? And why would you go again? If we can think of these things when we think about guiding we can enthuse others about the movement and encourage them to be a part of it. This can just take five minutes over a coffee break with your colleagues.
Yellow is the new Raspberry
What is the Brownie Points Challenge?
Back in 2013, Girlguiding asked Brownies which - of all the amazing skills they pick up in their three years in Brownies – were most deserving of ‘Brownie Points’.
More than 6,000 Brownies made their choices – and friendship, being brave and building independence came top of their list.
Now Girlguiding is challenging the nation to see how they measure up to the skills and qualities Brownies say are really worthy of Brownie Points in the 21st century.
Girlguiding are inviting Brownies all over the UK to challenge friends, family, Leaders – just about anybody – to see if they have what it takes to measure up to the Brownies!
This is a brilliant opportunity to showcase what makes Brownies so special, update people’s perceptions about what Brownies do today and involve as many people as possible in the Big Brownie Birthday buzz.
How Brownie are you?
Girlguiding has created a series of suggested mini-challenges based around the Brownies’ top 10. Challenges can tackle one or more of these challenges:
Paxmead Water Fun Day
When? Saturday, 20 September, 2014. 10.30am – 4.30pm
Who for? Guides and The Senior Section who can swim 50 metres and keep afloat for 5 minutes
Where? Paxmead Riverside Base, Dockett Eddy Lane, Shepperton TW17 9NT.
How much? £12.50 plus pocket money for souvenir shop and snacks
What’s happening? Fun activities on and off the water. Half day land based activities and half day water based activities. Cardboard canoe competition theme Mystical Creatures.
Interested? Here’s what you do… Email - paxmead@hotmail.co.uk or tel: 01932 561 435 for an application form and/or more information.
Closing date – 12 July.
Places are limited to 12 participants per Unit.
Come and join us for a day of challenges on and off
(Sometimes in) the water!
Blackland Farm
Blackland Farm has just had a cancellation for Weavers Lodge! The lodge is now available for the weekend of Friday June 6 to Sunday June 8.
If you are interested please call Blackland Farm on 01342 810 493.
Jubilee Award for Young People
The Jubilee Awards are to reward outstanding service in the public sector. This year, for the first time, the Awards will recognise young people aged 10-20 who take part in social action.
There are 2 awards:
One for 10-15 year olds
And another for 16 to 20 year olds
If you know anybody who deserves to be acknowledged for their outstanding service to others then please email j.higgins@bham.ac.uk explaining why this person deserves an award.
A prominent panel will judge the nominations. Winners will be invited to attend the 2014 awards ceremony – hosted at the House of Lords on 24 July.
Award winners will have their stories published on the website and included in the Awards magazine.
This is our chance to say thank you to outstanding young people in the UK!
The deadline is 16 June 2014.
Educational Visits 2014
The Educational Visits Guide is a great way to plan educational trips that get young people out and about across the UK. It brings learning to life!
The team at Educational Visits spend months looking for the best places to stay and visit around the country.
The guide is full of inspirational ideas – so be sure to check it out.
Girlguiding Website Workshop
What? London Website Workshop. Please help recruit members, parents of girls, and supporters of the Girlguiding website. We have organised a workshop to help us gain useful feedback regarding our national digital presence. We need feedback on our website to make it the best website possible!
Where? Girlguiding London HQ
When? 29 June 2014. 11am – 2pm for members (with a break for lunch). 3pm – 5pm for non-members.
Contact: Jo.Kerr@girlguiding.org.uk
Big Wild Sleepout
Did you know 60% of people surveyed by the RSPB have never seen a badger?! And 30% have never seen a hedgehog?! This got the RSPB thinking…
They decided to organise the Big Wild Sleepout! From 16-22 June 2014, the RSPB want to get people sleeping under the stars! Camping can be either in your back garden or at a local sleepout.
The Royal Society for the Preservation of Birds want people camping, taking part in outdoor activities, building dens, stargazing, using bat detectors and going on torchlight safaris! You can take part in all these adventure activities AND raise money for threatened wildlife!
Check out the free fundraising pack
Or book a place at one of the Big Wild Sleepout events (booking is essential!)
They are also running an exciting competition. Check the website for more information!
Jobs with WAGGGS Europe (Brussels)
WAGGGS Europe Region are currently recruiting for two really interesting roles, both 18 month contracts based in Brussels, Belgium.
Learning and Development Coordinator
Gender and diversity coordinator
Closing date for both jobs is 26 May.
Vacancies
Administrative Assistant
Foxlease, Lyndhurst, Hampshire
£13,751.00 per annum
Communications Manager (Membership) Digital Communication
Girlguiding HQ
£31,554.00 per annum
Should you wish to apply, please complete an application form and return to Human Resources at hrvacancies@girlguiding.org.uk
Closing date: 29 May 2014