engage. excite. empower.
FOR OUR LEADERS
Welcome To Guides
WELCOME to Guides! You are about to embark on an adventure that thousands of girls and leaders have enjoyed for nearly 100 years right here in Trinidad and Tobago. If you love children and the company of young people, the Movement needs you. To be a leader in Guiding is one way to help young girls and women grow and to share in their education; it is a way of making a personal contribution to the future of Trinidad and Tobago. Being a Guide Leader offers a wonderful opportunity for broadening your own horizons as well as helping the girls. A host of lasting friendships can be established with our large worldwide guide family and as you develop your skills greater opportunities for service will be opened to you. Following is a series of articles which have been adapted for local use from Notes For New Guide Guiders published by Girl Guides UK with the help of Girl Guides of Canada. We trust that you will find them helpful. Should you need further support please direct your queries to the Training Department at the Grace Anderson National Girl Guides Headquarters, 8 Rust Street, St. Clair, Port of Spain. YOU, THE GUIDER Being a Guide Leader requires a flexible approach, the confidence to let girls make their own decisions and the ability to help them learn from their mistakes. Guiding encourages self-development – young people doing and discovering for themselves – and you are the one who makes this possible by creating within the unit the right atmosphere and opportunities. This may sound like a tall order but you can do it by using Guiding’s distinctive approach and methods. Being a Guider isn’t always easy but you don’t have to be Superwoman to run a unit. The most important things about a Guider are that she likes being with young people and has a reasonable amount of time, as well as energy and enthusiasm, to give to motivating a bunch of enthusiastic girls. You need a big heart and an even bigger sense of humour. In return there is the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing something positive to help young people growing up in today’s world. WHAT DOES BEING A GUIDER INVOLVE? All sorts of people become Guiders for all sorts of reasons but like any worthwhile job there are certain qualities that will be expected from you. These are: INVOLVMENT: Take a lively interest in activities, participate, help to make things exciting for the girls. Being a Guider is a demanding and challenging job and you must be able to give the time needed by the unit. You are asked to keep at least one evening free, every week, during the term. In this way the other Guiders will know that that you are to be relied upon. However, involvement does not stop at the unit meeting; preparation, District Meetings, occasional trainings, etc. will all take up some time. PREPARATION: To run an effective meeting requires proper long and short term planning. Keeping records of the Guides, meetings, the accounts etc. helps you and the Guides to manage your time. Be prepared to supply the Guides with the equipment they need until they can be relied upon to bring it themselves. All the leaders in the unit should be involved in preparation so that everyone shares leadership and responsibility. PARTICIPATION: During the meeting you should be prepared to give the Guides whatever help they need. If they ask to do something outside your scope, look for someone who can meet these needs. Don’t be afraid to bring out new ideas and activities, be adventurous. Think up new ways of doing familiar things. Don’t give up at the first sign of disappointment, hold on to your sense of humour. This will make things much easier for others as well as for you. TRAINING: Attending regular training is not only a requirement of the Adult Leadership Programme, but will help you keep abreast of changes in the Movement and in the wider world. These are available through your Commissioner or Regional Training Team at District, Division and National Levels, sometime on a one-to-one basis. ATTENDING DISTRICT MEETINGS: Through District meetings Guiders (and through them the unit) find out about Division news, National, Regional and International Events, and training sessions.
Responsibility
Running a unit demands a great deal from you and you have a great responsibility, however, the best thing about Guiding is that you are never alone. In your unit there might be: BROWNIE PACK: Pack Leader/Guider - Brown Owl; Assistant Leader/Guider - Tawny Owl; Unit Helpers, Young Leaders COMPANY: Leader/Guider – Captain; Assistant Leader/Guider – Lieutenant; Unit Helpers, Young Leaders AN ASSISTANT GUIDER She is the unit Guider’s partner, deputy and fellow worker in all aspects of unit life. She has a personality, knowledge and skills that are her own and which bring added value to the Guides. She is appointed by the Chief Commissioner on the advice of the District and Division Commissioners. A UNIT HELPRE (or two) The Unit Helper is an adult friend of the unit who is willing to help with some aspect of unit life. She or sometimes he need not make the Promise, doesn’t wear the uniform and does not follow the Adult Leadership Programme. The Appointment is confirmed by the District Commissioner. A Unit Helper can be asked to do anything that makes best use of her talents and interests, from helping with craft sessions to looking after a particular part of unit administration, such as accounts or organizing badge tests. However, Unit Helpers neither run unit meetings nor do they have to attend all of or every meeting, depending on their role. A YOUNG LEADER (or two) A Young Leader is a girl between her sixteenth and twenty-fifth birthdays, who is following the Young Leaders Scheme and is registered as a Young Leader by the Training Commissioner on the advice of her District Commissioner. The Scheme encourages her to develop her own leadership skills and to widen her experience by working with girls at various levels of the Movement and with her own peers in a variety of situations. She receives help and support from her Unit Guider, District Commissioner and Regional Trainer, who will also discuss the work and progress of the Young Leader from time to time. (Consult the Training Manual) THE GUIDE'S RESPONSIBILITIES No matter how many helpers you may have, the responsibility for the general running of the unit and the happiness of everyone in it belong to you. To do this you need: To know and understand each Guide in the unit and make her feel welcome and valuable; To see in even the simplest activities the possibility for the Guides to develop; To share fully with the other Guiders; attend District Meetings To ensure that all the helpers understand the reasons behind the Guide program; To encourage helpers to contribute their own ideas and carry them out; To realize that you don’t know all the answers and that like everyone else in the Movement you need training; To support the aims and objectives of the Girl Guides Association of Trinidad and Tobago and abide by its Policies and Rules.
Leadership
POOR Mrs. SLOAN She did her best, poor Mrs. Sloan, To run the troop all alone. She made the cakes, she trimmed the tree, She made the favours personally. She bought the food, she made the fire, She set the trail through bush and briar. ‘Girls are so slow’ she always said, ‘Might as well do the job instead.’ She made the plans and carried them through, And the girls grew bored with nothing to do. They went their way, and she lies here, Worn to a frazzle, the poor old dear! New London Area, girl Scouts Council Inc. USA There are many theories on the best method of leadership but Guiding aims to achieve results through democratic or shared leadership. Here the leader guides the members of her group to express their own opinions, allowing room for individual talent and growth. This method works on the principle that those who help make decisions are committed to carrying them out. The Guides may not always arrive at a decision you agree with, but it is your role to help them learn from experience. You are there to structure and enlarge the scope of their thinking, to provide encouragement and to help them reach definite conclusions. It is important that all the leaders in the unit feel needed and valued. It helps if you build a personal relationship with them and try to meet them other than at unit meetings or Guide events: FIND OUT about each other’s talents and interests. PLAN TOGETHER – each taking responsibility for some part of the evening/event/outing. EVALUATE TOGETHER – after a meeting or event, talk it over. What went well or wrong? Why? What could be improved and what have we learnt from that? SHARE RESPONSIBILITIES Delegate whole activities or responsibilities, not just the running of games. Perhaps someone can take over the accounts, the camp fire or hike, organizing badge testers or training session. USE THE TIME when others are taking activities TO SPEAK to individual Guides or to observe the Patrols or individuals. As leaders you will have to step back occasionally and evaluate the quality of Guiding going on in your unit. Aim to create a warm, friendly and businesslike atmosphere which allows room for each individual to develop her own abilities and talents. BEATITUDES FOR LEADERS Source: Woodbadge Listserv Blessed are the leaders who have not sought the high place, but who have been drafted into service because of their ability and willingness to serve. Blessed are the leaders who know where they are going, why they are going, and how to get there. Blessed are the leaders who know how to lead without being dictatorial; true leaders are humble. Blessed are the leaders who seek the best for those they serve. Blessed are the leaders who lead for the good of the most concerned, and not for the personal gratification of their own ideas. Blessed are the leaders who develop leaders while leading. Blessed are the leaders who march with the group, interpret correctly the signs of the pathways that lead to success. Blessed are the leaders who have their heads in the clouds but their feet on the ground. Blessed are the leaders who consider leadership an opportunity for service.
The Patrol System
1. WHAT IS A PATROL? Each Guide Unit is made up of two or more Patrols. Briefly, a Patrol is a small group of about 6-8 compatible girls between the ages of 9-11 years of age who work together in cooperation. 2. THE PATROL SYSTEM The Patrol System is the means by which the responsibilities of the unit, its activities and its behaviour are shared by the Guides. The Patrol gives each girl the opportunity to be an active member – to speak, be heard and influence decisions. It also gives its members a sense of identity and belonging which, in turn, helps build confidence to try new things and develop leadership skills. 3. DECIDING WHO GOES IN WHAT PATROL A Patrol has a greater chance of being successful if the members belong to the Patrol of their choice. This is probably the best criterion on which to decide who goes where: When a new girl joins Guides she often has a friend with whom she wants to be. As long as the Patrol is willing, she may join her friend’s Patrol. Some units ask the girl to visit several Patrols before she makes a choice. In other units, the Patrol Leaders make the decision together. It doesn’t matter if Patrols are of uneven size. A unit with Patrols of varying number of girls, where all are happy, is far better than an even division with some girls discontented. Eight, including the Patrol Leader and Second is the recommended maximum for a Patrol. Most girls choose to stay with their Patrols but personality conflicts do occur. Girls should be aware they can move to another Patrol at any time if an intolerable situation exists. 4. HOW THE PATROL SYSTEM WORKS The essence of the Patrol System is that a Patrol is a self-contained unit with a life of its own. It has an elected girl leader (Patrol Leader) and a Second who is chosen by the Patrol Leader. It has its own area in the meeting place (a Patrol Corner), usually a Patrol Box or Bag containing its equipment and other personal belongings such as a pennant or poster. Through the Patrol-in-Council and the Patrol Leader’s Council each Patrol practises democratic decision making. PATROL LEADERS Patrol Leaders are elected by the Guides themselves. They speak on behalf of the members of their patrol at meetings of the Patrol Leader’s Council which manages the affairs and plans the programme of the unit. ACTIVITY Before electing for Patrol Leader are held, the unit could have discussions on the qualities and responsibilities of a Patrol Leader. One way to do this is to give each Patrol the following task: Make a list of the qualities of a good Patrol Leader. What sort of girl do you want your leader to be? Make a list of the things a Patrol Leader has to do. Make a list of ways in which you can help a Patrol Leader to do her job well. After each Patrol has had time to discuss these and to write down their thoughts, gather the Patrols together for a general discussion. (Keep in mind that Guides will want the same qualities in their Patrol Leaders as the Patrol Leaders will hope to find in you.) PATROL LEADERS RESPONSIBILITIES Each unit will have a different set of tasks expected of its Patrol Leaders but this list gives an example of what might be expected: Keep Patrol corner, Patrol Box and equipment in good order. Collect, record and balance Patrol’s weekly subscriptions (a Guider should keep an audit check on the accounts at regular intervals) Lead Patrol Games. Help members learn. Keep Patrol members informed of future events and pass on messages from the Guiders as necessary. Represent your Patrol at the Patrol Leaders’ Council. Organize your Patrol routine duties. Help new members feel at home. Find out what Patrol members are interested in doing. Wear the uniform properly and encourage others to do the same. Be a good listener and make sure everyone has their say at Patrol-in-Council. The best kinds of leader share their responsibilities with others. The Patrol Leader is responsible for seeing that the job is done; this doesn’t mean that she has to do it all herself. A good Patrol Leader shares leadership, particularly with her Second. The Patrol Second deputises for the Patrol Leader if she is absent, so each Patrol Leader choose her own Second. Make sure that the Second (and the whole Patrol) knows that when the Patrol Leader retires she retires as well and does not automatically become Patrol Leader. WHAT IS PATROL-IN-COUNCIL? The Patrol-in-Council is a meeting of the Patrol to discuss matters which will be considered at the Patrol Leaders’ Council. It usually takes place during unit meetings at ‘Patrol Time’ in an informal way. It helps the Patrol Leader to hold a productive Patrol-in-Council if she: Has a special notebook in which to record her Patrol’s ideas Knows the importance of listening to each of her Patrol members Has a list (agenda) of possible topics. It also helps if all the Guides know their responsibilities in making the Patrol System work. WHAT IS THE PATROL LEADERS' COUNCIL The Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) is the unit’s governing body and as such is a decision making council. Each Patrol Leader represents her Patrol at this meeting and speaks on behalf of her Patrol members. The meeting is chaired by either the Guider (usually, but not necessarily the Guider in charge) or an elected Patrol Leader who has the ability to do so. The chairperson has a list of items to be discussed and this agenda should be given to the Patrols ahead of time so that the Guides can make their views known. The Patrol Leader bases her discussion of these items on the opinions of her Patrol. A secretary is chosen (one of the Patrol Leaders or any member of the unit chosen by the PLC) to act as recorder of the discussion and of the decisions taken. It is good training for a girl if a Guider (not the chairperson) helps her take notes of the meeting. The Company Treasurer (not necessarily a Guider, could be a Unit Helper) usually presents a brief financial statement. each Patrol Leader presents a report on her Patrol. Sometimes Brownie or Senior Guides Guiders or Ranger Guiders are invited if matters of joint concern are to be discussed. The Patrol Leaders’ Council meets whenever several items of business need to be discussed. This may be termly, monthly or whenever necessary. An informal Council may be held to talk about something on which the girls’ opinions are needed. It is better if the PLC is held outside unit meetings and preferably on a different day to the Patrol-in-Council meeting. Some Guiders prefer to hold the PLC in their own homes; this provides a change of scene and informality which the Patrol Leaders will appreciate
Beatitudes For Leaders
Thanks very much to Tiger (aka Dooreen) Rousseau for posting this wonderful reading to the Guiding Mailing List! Source: Woodbadge Listserv.
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Blessed are the leaders who have not sought the high place, but who have been drafted into service because of their ability and willingness to serve.
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Blessed are the leaders who know where they are going, why they are going, and how to get there
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Blessed are the leaders who know how to lead without being dictatorial; true leaders are humble.
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Blessed are the leaders who seek the best for those they serve.
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Blessed are the leaders who lead for the good of the most concerned, and not for the personal gratification of their own ideas.
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Blessed are the leaders who develop leaders while leading.
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Blessed are the leaders who march with the group, and interpret correctly the signs of the pathways that lead to success.
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Blessed are the leaders who have their heads in the clouds but their feet on the ground.
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Blessed are the leaders who consider leadership an opportunity for service.
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More DO YOU KNOW ...?
The Silver Fish
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The Silver Fish was originally instituted in 1911 for all-around good work and the gaining of 15 proficiency badges and could be worn by any Guide or Guider who qualified.
It was shaped like a whiting with its tail in its mouth. Then in 1917, it was changed to the highest possible award for Good Service to the Movement and the shape was also changed to that of a sardine, worn on a light blue ribbon with navy blue edges.
There is only one Gold Fish in the World. This was awarded to the Chief Guide in 1918 and is unique.