Pip’s Perspective – a message from the Chief Commissioner
Last weekend I travelled to the farthest sides of our Region to celebrate both the Kent East Big Brownie Birthday 'Starquest', with 1,000 Brownies beside the sea in Margate, and the PGL Marchants Hill in Surrey where lots of Guide and Brownie units from around the Region were enjoying a whole host of adventurous activities. These special occasions held perfect mountain-top moments for brave girls and Leaders who chose to make their Promise on the high trapeze or centre stage at the Winter Gardens. Of course, for some girls making their Promise during the Unit meeting with proud family members watching is their very special moment. Wherever, whenever, and if, members choose to make the Promise I hope that it will be a very memorable occasion for them.
The recent warm sunshine has brought with it a feeling of 'good to be alive-ness', the promise of spring and rebirth. As we come to the welcome end of a particularly wet winter it's a great joy to see our waterlogged region drying out and our natural world blossoming once again. Happy springtime everyone, enjoy the holiday season and a very Happy Easter and Happy Passover to those of you celebrating the religious festivals.
One of the patrols in my Guide unit has enjoyed learning the Promise using Makaton sign language as part of the Big Brownie Birthday Challenge.
pipmck@girlguidinglaser.org.uk
Twitter: @ PipMcKerrow
An invitation to join Pip...
In conjunction with Great Western Railways, 573 Brownies and their Leaders from Girlguiding Oxfordshire are taking over the railway and travelling by a specially commissioned train from Oxfordshire to London on Saturday 26 April, arriving into Paddington Station at 11.26am.
We're extending an invitation to all members of LaSER to join Pip, our Chief Commissioner, to welcome the Brownies from Anglia Region as they step down from their decorated carriages waving their Brownie flags! Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and their Leaders, The Senior Section and Trefoil - we'd love to see you! Come and say hello and then enjoy your own day out in London. Please email info@girlguidinglaser.org.uk by 24 April if you plan to join the reception party!
Becoming a Trainer
• Are you over 18?
• Do you have a current role on Go! as a volunteer?
If so, read on!
• Have you any experience as a leader and/or manager of adults within or outside Girlguiding?
• Have you completed the Leadership Qualification?
• Are you currently working with girls (5 to 25) within a unit or as a District/Division/County Appointment?
• Are you an expert in a subject matter?
• Have you used your specialism within the last three years?
If you answered ‘yes’ to some of those, have you ever considered becoming a Girlguiding Trainer?
Did you know?
• There are, at present, 65 Qualified Girlguiding Trainers in LaSER and a further 12 Prospective Trainers working towards the Trainer Qualification
Check out the website today to find out how YOU can become part of this dedicated team of Trainers.
Want to hear from the Trainers themselves?
Keep an eye out for the next article in the ‘Training’ series!
Glyn Martin
LaSER Leader & Commissioner Training Adviser
LaSER walks MILES
How far can LaSER walk next term?
Challenge LaSER to walk to Our Chalet!
Next term we want to encourage all LaSER members to get out and walk – whether to school, work or for ‘a walk’.
As a leader, all that is required for you is to:
• ask your girls to record the miles they walk
• award certificates after particular distances have been achieved (these will be cumulative distances, a bit like the Nights Away badge)
• log the certificates awarded
Certificates and record sheets will be downloadable from the LaSER website. Look out for further details on the website and in Raspberry Ripple. You could even consider doing this with the LaSER Walking Challenge.
Best of luck!
How do you communicate?
We're trying to understand how best your Region, Girlguiding LaSER, can communicate news and opportunities with you. Also, we're looking for people passionate about social media to help support the Region strategy, if you'd like to get involved get in touch via Twitter or Facebook.
Region Boating Weekend and Baden Powell Adventure
When? Friday 11 to Sunday 13 July 2014
Who for? Guides and Senior Section in Year Seven and above and Guides wishing to complete a Baden Powell Adventure
Where? Paxmead Riverside Base, Shepperton, Middlesex
How much? Cost £75 (Leaders £20)
What’s happening? A fun boating and water-related weekend with activities on land and water. A maximum of six girls per unit (with or without a leader) may attend.
Guides wishing to complete their Baden Powell Adventure should have completed at least eight challenges.
Interested? Here’s what you do… For further information and to register your interest, please contact info@girlguidinglaser.org.uk.
Places are limited and bookings will close on 13 June 2014 or when capacity is reached
Would you like to be part of the team that delivers this event?
Contact info@girlguidinglaser.org.uk for more information on roles available.
Suitable for Service section of Queens Guide Award.
Evening Boating
When? 2 x four week courses 1st Course starting 12 May at 6.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. 2nd Course starting 16 June on the same evenings as above
Who for? Guides 11+
Where? Paxmead Riverside Base, Dockett Eddy Lane, Shepperton TW17 9NT
How much? £6 per evening
What’s happening? Canoeing for novice paddlers and those with some experience
Interested? Here’s what you do… Email paxmead@hotmail.co.uk for an application form and/or more information.
Vacancy - Membership Communications Manager
Digital Communications
£31,554.00 per annum (including London Weighting)
Girlguiding is recruiting a Membership Communications Manager to bring clear strategic direction to Girlguiding’s communications with our 500,000 members.
Should you wish to apply, please complete an application form and return to Human Resources (hrvacancies@girlguiding.org.uk) at HQ.
Closing date: 14 April 2014
Canoeing Instructor Course
An outdoor centre in Kent has four spaces left on a canoeing instructor course in April which they are offering to Girlguiding members.
Course: UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) Level 1
Venue: Arethusa Venture Centre, Rochester, Kent.
Dates: 13 - 17 April, full board and accommodation included
Price: £350
Prerequisites: Candidates must hold at least the BCU 2 Star award and have registered to become a coach with the BCU
Contact details: 01634 719933
1st Central Wandsworth and 6th Earlsfield take on a mile for Sports Relief
Six girls from 1st Central Wandsworth Senior Section, six Guides from 6th Earlsfield and three brave (or crazy) Leaders recently took on the Sports Relief Mile in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The Senior Section had been doing some training runs prior to the event, but for most this was the furthest they had ever run! With the Senior Section sporting fetching turquoise tutus that they had made themselves and the Guides kitted out in red headbands with red warpaint, the girls ran, jogged and walked the mile. Between both Units they estimate that they have raised over £400 for Sports Relief! It was an extra special day for Hebe, Caitlin and Eleni as they made their promise as members of the Senior Section for the first time in the shadow of the Olympic Stadium.