Guiders Staff Room Part 3

Hi folks,
I normally just lurk on here and pinch ideas but I'm really struggling with my guide unit and thought I'd ask for help/ advice. I'm considering closing my unit as I have 22 girls and am having to chase every single payment of subs, on top of this I have quite a lot of issues with the girls being quite nasty to each other. When I have separated them or done a meeting on supporting each other's and respect, I've had parents emailing me or just coming in and shouting at me that "it's not school, she comes to have fun not deal with my crap ?" I'm at my wits end as I took over from a leader who had broken every guiding rule but been around 30 years so there was hostility from parents. I'm just trying to help these girls but it's impossible.
Nb it's not that they don't have the money as I have advertised we can help with this and very affluent area. They also want to do wellies and wristbands next year but still not had any deposits or reply forms back & that's why I cancelled this years 2 possible camping trips.
Thank you for any advice

Email back from trading, I have to ring and order one by phone for Dd1. Progress.

That's really bad that they were rude, that wasn't necessary. And how embarrassing for you. It's pretty poor of trading. I emailed straight after posting, because otherwise I'd have forgotten! Dd1's only 11, and timid when out of her comfort zone - which this definitely was! So I should have thought in advance, maybe.

Inflagrante and anyone else who missed out on badges, please email trading, they are planning to make more but they need to know just how many people were disappointed, being the one telling people we didn't have any badges was not a nice experience

I could handle the leaders that decided to take it out on me - coz you know, it was totally the volunteers selling them's fault trading didn't order enough, and being rude was definitely going to make me find some - but some of the girls did look really disappointed.

I've gone round and round on me doing Rainbows but I don't think it's a goer for me at the moment (young DCs but neither is a Rainbow aged girl). We may be able to recruit new leaders if we change day or time so I've been tasked with investigating availability of a meeting place. There are a few who are looking for units (local uni students) but currently none can do their day/time.

Think I'll email hq. One more voice and all that.

Sorry to hear about rainbows. Sounds serious. Could you start with a new leadership team and take over?

That's a shame on both counts

Apparently they have completely run out of the badges and will only be buying more if 1000 are ordered!

We had a County day today, good time was had by all but sad to think it was one of my last Guiding days for the moment. With my Guides being so small I actually just went to support our Rainbows and Brownies and it looks like Rainbows will be suspended as well due to recent issues.

I'm sure you'll be able to buy the badge from the online shop soon enough!

You're welcome Pinkpetrol, think we'll be doing it again too!

Dd had an awesome time. She's a bit gutted she didn't have the queues for a badge, but didn't stop talking about how brilliant it was

I loved it Lottie but I am paying for it this morning, My feet ache from working the first one and I was a bit too close to the smoke machines and the speakers.

Did everyone who went enjoy the big gig? My ears are still ringing...

Inflagrante thank you for the Campfire skills idea. It went really well and the girls loved it (especially using a knife) i think it may end up being something we do every year. thank you

Right, it's got EVEN more complicated if that's possible. Guider has likely blatantly broken a Guide law. Any DCs on here I can bend the ear of?

Still not settled, more parents emailing me and harassing the Brownie leader. I've asked the DC to deal but she is at another activity day today!

Dd1 is off the the Wembley one tomorrow morning. She's well excited!

Welcome Lottie. Sounds like your assessment of the situation up thread was accurate, DrSpouse, it's the admin. Hope you got it all settled without too much trauma.

I went to the Sheffield one and loved it!
I saw three current or ex girls from the unit yesterday by chance. All really happy to see me. Sad about leaving. But then a nightmare with the Rainbow parents contacting me and the Brownie leader about a day out I booked (but the Rainbow leader is supposed to be sorting consent forms).

Enjoy! We saw Scouting for Girls,Tinchy Strider, JLS, Pixie Lott, and Ed Sheeran (before he was really famous) it's a great atmosphere and nice to see so many Guides in one place!

Yeah they do Squirrel I'm working the early one, I'm quite excited, I've not been before.

I've posted on these threads before but not for ages so hope it's ok if I jump in now.

I've recently taken over a guide unit and we're off to the big gig tomorrow eek.

No one going to watch wears uniform, lots dress up "themed", I can't remember what the merch people wear! I have a feeling when we went they had event t-shirts on, maybe they give you them on the day?

It's great fun to watch, I've been to 2 and saw some good acts! Do they still do it so you work one session and get to watch the other?

Have any of you been to big gig before? I've volunteered to help tomorrow and just realised I forgot to check, do I need to wear uniform? (I'm helping with merch rather than going with a unit, if that makes a difference)