Guiders Staff Room Part 3

And you are right, I could probably grow to love Rainbows, but I do enjoy Guides. Except do I really enjoy it when I only have 2 at a meeting? Or when all but one are busy so I can't run the meeting?

Yes our DC is supposed to be trying to recruit one (and I also feel that by trying to take the admin off me I can step back on this too - except that of course Rainbows become Brownies become Guides).

It is a difficult one. To me it sounds like you'd only be taking on Rainbows because you really feel you ought to and not because you really enjoy it like you do Guides. I strongly feel that we should get something back as volunteers as well because that way we'll enjoy it more and stick around longer.

Is it worth holding off for now and trying to recruit a new leader as part of the boot camp activities that are coming from HQ?

Oh dear, dilemma.
I have v few Guides.
Rainbows needs help. And has a waiting list.
I can't do both (they run one after the other, would wear myself out).
Pros to running Rainbows: more girls would get a chance to do Guiding. I wouldn't have to struggle with recruitment. Meeting is shorter! My own DD will be starting in 2 years so I might end up running it anyway.

Cons: I don't find it as fun (and parents more annoying!). Rainbows would be awkward for family timing (DH really prefers me doing Guides). I'd be abandoning my tiny Guide unit (I don't think they'd go elsewhere TBH) as well as the 3-4 due to move up over the next year. Hence losing girls from Guiding.

We have been having this issue with the Rainbow leader being unavailable/out of contact while our Brownie leader has been harassed by school parents (as she is the only leader of the 3 sections who is a school parent at the local school).
I also feel she isn't that ambitious for things the girls do and has not really been open to offers of help (e.g. shall we do a joint outing that I and the Brownie leader run, but would be adventurous for the Rainbows). So I can see some struggles there. Though she is lovely and I hate saying negative things about her!
I've already been doing admin for her which is hard when she won't give me information (the DC has suggested we cut her off from that which the Brownie leader worries will lead to more complaints from parents!)

Dilemma as I say!

That's most of the info that's out there right now! Plus the bit from the magazine last November.

You can't just click and email people, as far as I can see.

Anyone know where all the info is on the new programme? All I have are the sample packs.

I managed to transfer one on mine to a new unit (moved quite a distance away) that was a very good moment. Hopefully she can stay in Guiding, she is one who will really benefit.

That bad Twist? Emergency contact list is my bugbear. The Facebook groups have been really helpful, are you on them?

Transfer is good. The fact that I no longer have details to contact people I mentor is bad. Fact that I no longer have any contact details for my Senior Section is pretty flipping rubbish as well. Am glad it's much faster now.

GO. My mother taught me that if you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing.

(by which I mean, having someone else coordinating me - not lack of organisation!)

Well despite my natural inclination not to be "coordinated" I think it might be helpful to actually have someone to ask questions!

Issues are that I'm the longest standing leader (and I used to do Rainbows and also Brownies, though not at the same time), so parents ask me all the questions, and I tend to coordinate e.g. all the units going to a County event.
Brownie leader is the only parent at the main school our girls go to so parents also tend to ask her questions/assume she knows everything.
But if I had less admin then it might not stop the questions from parents in other sections - but it might leave me with more time for my section.

Sounds interesting DrSpouse, do you feel it's a positive move? Will pop over and have a lookey

PS please have a look at my other new thread in Extracurricular about activities that expect/don't want parents there. Struggling with this at the moment TBH.

Ooh I've dropped off this.
Had a meeting with our new DC last night (District has changed rather than DC!) and we discussed lack of girls in Guides. She has made some helpful (and new) suggestions (not "do an assembly" which we have done x1000).

Also discussed one of our other unit issues (staffing) and I think we may have a solution though it wouldn't have been my initial suggestion it does mean I can step back from some of the admin side a bit (this is not really the full story which is v outing, but it's something like, me doing admin for the other sections and feeling it was all out of control despite finding the other leaders very lovely so therefore not wanting to complain - she is going to try and move the admin away though not necessarily to the existing leaders - I am worried I will still get the parent complaints as they think I do all the admin!)

I'm not really used to having a DC as previously it was a team with a v hands off DC.

How are you now Grover? Back week after next. Not a clue what we're doing yet, can't get hold of the other leader to start planning anything anything!

Adults need strong nerves . Was a great night. It was introduced as doing stuff your parents would never let you do

Thanks Inflagrante. That seems very doable. All i need now is an axe, a bow saw and 3 more adults! All of which shouldn't actually be a problem. Cant wait to have a go- they will love it

Dp ran it, it's a session he'd previously run with his beavers. 4 stations, adult on each, plus an adult keeping a fire.

1- long handled matches. Light, 40 degrees to box so strikes first time. Play with it, what happens as you move the match from head pointing up, head pointing down..., light a tea light

1. Make kindling. We used a stump from our garden as a Base. Use the axe to split the wood, it's not a swinging action, more lift by about 8", bring down into the wood, then lift again, the axe now embedded a little. Bring down, it'll split further. Repeat to produce several pieces of kindling, child then adds to fire themselves

1. Dp made a little saw horse. Bow saw used to take off 6" lengths, add to fire.

1. Elder sticks. Use knives to scrape bark of end 3" or so. Recommend Stanley knives. Stay sharp (so less likely to have an accident), easy to replace with a sharp blade, no faffing with blunt knives or sharpening (his personal pocket knife takes Stanley refills, it's really useful). They had 10" squares of ply to go protect the table. Once clean, seal stick in fire.

Then once everyone's been round - toasted marshmallows!

It's as much about being them used to using the tools, becoming confident around fire, but understanding the risks. Any questions, ask.

Inflagrante how did you organise your campfire skills evening? I would love to do some wood whittling with my brownies. The axe sounds intriguing.

I like the look of that, DrSpouse! And the ikea idea. Will try contacting them. Think Wise Owl might have kittens though