Methinks it's time for an update. I was running a training on 'Basics of Guiding' the other day. This was geared to those working on the Leadership Qualification or interested in finding out more about Girlguiding. I am always excited to meet people who are new to Girlguiding, particularly people I have never met, because this shows that our reach is extending and more volunteers are joining Girlguiding.
I continue to be staggered by the fact that globally, Guiding reaches less than 1% of the eligible population - less than 1%!
This is what drives me to grow Guiding, to attract more volunteers so that we can provide more opportunities for more girls, in line with Being Our Best, Girlguiding's strategic plan 2015 - 2020.
One of our latest Rainbow units, 9th Petts Wood Rainbows, is being run by an interim leadership team from across the Division whilst we search for a new Leader. This interim leadership team is asking parents to do various administrative and preparatory jobs, so that the leadership team can focus on leading. We have a parent co-ordinating the helper rota; another purchases what we need for meetings; another is running the Twitter account and the comms more broadly. This has come about because we have directly asked parents to help with specific tasks and this been really helpful in the running of the unit. More adults are now engaging with Girlguiding and realising the value of the organisation.
We also have a strong team of Young Leaders and Rainbow Helpers who are Guides. They are a valuable part of the leadership team and take a full part on the delivery of meetings.
We were delighted that our first ever Facebook advert yielded someone interested in volunteering, who has since registered on Join Us after visiting a few unit meetings. She had been in Guides a few years ago and is now keen to be involved as a volunteer. This story is going to be shared at the forthcoming national Growing Guiding Innovation Event in Coventry in a couple of weeks. Another Facebook ad will launch very soon, so please look out for it!
So what's next? We're going to have a presence at various events in the run-up to Christmas, and continue to raise awareness of the need for volunteers within Girlguiding locally and the amazing opportunities Girlguiding provides.
If you're reading this and you are already in Guiding, why not give some thought to how else you could engage more people in volunteering? In my experience, people are often scared of commitment, hence not putting themselves forward to lead. Let's be clear - if someone can give any amount of time to Girlguiding, we can find a role for them. Please get in touch.
Email ChislehurstDivisionGrowGuiding@gmail.com and tell us how you would like to get involved!
As ever, if you come across anyone looking for a new hobby, a community opportunity, the chance to spend some time with excited, engaged girls and young women, please ask them to get in touch. Help generate more opportunities our existing members and for those wanting to join - let's reach out to that 99%.
If you haven't already, please consider 'liking' our page on Facebook and following us on Twitter. Thank you and let's speak soon.
