Guiders Staff Room Part 2

Thank you. I would have asked them face to face but they didn't come. Luckily we don't have to pay rent but they don't know that! If they gave me a reason or said it will be paid soon I would be totally understanding, it's just the radio silence. It does grate when I have turned girls away or stuck them on an increasing waiting list.

This role has really taught me that I need to toughen up!!

We havent done many outings with a cost associated in brownie time.

Those we have I think a pound or so the unit should cover, anything more than that would have to ask for help from the parents, unless we were having a very frugal term otherwise

Thanks Groovee, I wasn't sure I was doing the right (or wrong) thing keeping the place open for her when there's a list of girls waiting. I wonder if we asked if nana might want to come for the last couple of sessions this half term she might feel more comfortable coming maybe.

I've only done one outing & that was free so am no help there I'm afraid. I would be asking for the balance though at the moment as there was very little left from the leader who I have just taken over from.

I think I'd use every form of communication going (so fb, text, email for now) telling them that any missed weeks MUST be paid for as you still have rent/activities to pay for and that subs MUST be brought up to date next week for those who owe as you have paid for their activities regardless of whether they pay or not(unless exceptional circs). Then next week a note home saying any missed weeks MUST BE PAID FOR and subs must be kept up to date for you to be able to continue to provide a variety of activities for the Rainbows.

Having said that about exceptional circs, the Rainbow whose mum lost the baby has still paid up to date (well, last week as she didn't come this week). The message I got told me that nana had subs up to then as she was expecting to pay even though the Rainbow hasn't returned yet.

I'm in a bit of a pickle about that one - I can't hold the place forever & know the Rainbow has been sent home from school several times the past few weeks as one of her classmates is in our unit, but it's been 5 weeks & she shows no sign of returning to us and I have a waiting list. I'm just not sure whether to let her be and see after half term (we're having two weeks off from 17th) so that'll have been near on 3 months she hasn't come to a meeting. TELL ME WHAT TO DOOOOOOOOOO!

F&B's sounds awesome. I will earmark that for the future. We planned the Pot of Gold party last night and they want to stay in the hall It's quite sweet really to think our little old skool parties are what they really like but I want pizza.

What do you do about non payment of subs? I sent a text to say overdue subs were to be paid that night (yesterday) and ALL the girls who owed money didn't turn up. It really irritates me as you can't get away with this at say, swimming or gymnastics. Somehow the parents see Rainbows as a given right. I want to say that if subs aren't paid next week then their place is given to the next girl on the waiting list. Can I do this? Seems a bit harsh.

Aah, I'm miles from the local ish Tesco that does F2F. Annoyingly, the one that's 5 mins down the road have been super un-helpful.

I have no idea if we have a Pizza Express - shall have a google and see.

Anyone any idea how long Tesco take to ring back about F2F visits? I used their online thingy last week but haven't heard yet.

Wilko never got back to me about their Helping Hands scheme but I'm not sure the woman I handed it to had a clue what it was so am going to fill in a second one and post it - see if that gets a response.

Lloyds welcome pack finally arrived today, just need my paying in book/cheque book now.

If you don't mind doing a separate trip during a school holiday, I took my Rainbows to Pizza Express last February half term - it was completely free :o they all made a pizza, only difference to a Pizza Express party (for those that have suffered attended them) was that they didn't get toppings to put on their pizzas, just cheese tomato and oregano. Most restaurants only offer a couple of sessions a month though, I used a "schools" link via their website to book.

I like Frankie & Benny's better though, hope you have a good time Groovee!

Fab night last night with the man from the ambulance service. He taught the girls DRABC & how to put a grown up (me) in the recovery position. They were amazed they could shift me . And they asked mainly sensible questions.

Bluebell went home for the first time fully kitted out in Build a Bear sized uniform. The Rainbow who took her's mum text last night to say she's so excited to have her for the week!

Found out one of the girls daddys is a policeman too so asked if he could do us a half hour session & he said let him know when so he can bring a car! Going to post on fb to see if anyone else has anything to offer...

I'm off to the fire station with the Brownies too in a couple of weeks so they can do their Fire Safety badge as one needs a 1-2-1 when out and about so it makes numbers right for the rest of them.

All go, go, go here

Ooh, yes tell us more about it Groovee!

I'm just about to sit down and make our new mascot a Rainbows top...watch this space, it could go very wrong (I'm not good at sleeves)

Wow that sounds liek an awesome evening Groovee, do you mind me asking how much they charge?

Wow, 10 years AP! I received my LQ badge last week.

Fab news Lucysmam

I think maybe talk to your DC about the closing unit Rue. These things always go in cycles, and you may find in two years time there's a lot of demand.

We're having a quiet night tonight after left weeks tea party for parents. I hope to do lots of adventure book signing off while Wise owl runs some bird/planting activities. Hoping its nice enough to do planting outside! When will summer arrive properly?

Exciting times ahead river!

Going Away license is next on my to do list - although not sure I can do it alongside Module 1 for Guides so must check that unless anyone here knows?

Congrats rivier!

DAK what you should do if a unit is closing, or at least being put on hold? The sister Rainbow unit to mine (same meeting place, different day) will only have 3 Rainbows left come July, nobody on their waiting list, and one of the leaders wants to stop - she's just finished chemo, has been running it for 23 years, and has had enough.

I'm happy to take their remaining Rainbows and the other leader into my unit assuming they can make the day we meet on, but what happens re the stuff in their cupboard, bank account, flag etc?

The unit might reopen at some point in the future - our hall is due to be demolished and rebuilt over the next 2 years, it makes sense to revisit it when the hall is available again I think. Would this make a difference?

Congrats lucysmum! My record has just been updated to show i've finishen my LQ as Well. And all being Well, i'll have my camp license by the end of the week.
It's driving me doolally at the moment though. I stayed on at work for An extra there hours today to use the computer and the printer etc

Good point about her maybe not letting our DC know...bet DC is sick of hearing from me with all my emails

At least I keep in touch (very regularly) though!

Wow - double congratulations lucysmam
Yes to emailing DC. Your LiC might not have told her and she really needs to know.

Feel frazzled after tonight's meeting. Think the activity really pushed them!! Plus they all turned up which never usually happens so had a full quota.

Unexpected email tonight from LiC - she's going to slip away quietly without a fuss made and leave us to it.

I'll make sure she gets the girls' card and little gift over the next week once I get the last few daffodils.

Looks like I'm properly in charge! Do I need to email DC just to let her know?

Congrats lucysmam!