Guiders Staff Room Part 4

[Groovee]

Moving on from Part 3

Has everyone seen the news about the closure of all TACs? How on earth can they sell off Foxlease? I'm so upset right now, first BGO now the family silver. 😡 Something is going on and it's not healthy or suggesting a future for the organisation.

It's very odd, especially when the have a London base that would see for a fortune.

They'd be better moving H/O to one of the guiding centres and keeping it going.

I was very upset to read the email - almost felt tearful! Does not fill me with confidence. And I’m regretting deciding we’d go to wellies next year instead of this! The buildings were in quite a state though, I can see they needed some investment. But where will all the trainings etc happen, are there just going to be less events?

It's sad isn't it, I feel what's the point of introducing things like the new adventure badges and then getting rid of some of the main 'adventure' type sites.
We've been told off in our Commissioner Whatsapp group for not being positive and that we have lots of local facilities. But our local Guide campsites (all about 40 minutes drive) are all just a hut and a field, which is a lot harder to sell to the girls. Other than that we have 2 Scout sites within about the same distance, but I don't like camping on Scout sites particularly, so not really up for booking them!

It's all so sad. It seems that there is no consultation, no consideration of alternatives. If nothing else it's all very poorly communicated. It also seems wrong to close all five sites. I'm nowhere near Glenbrook but anecdotally I hear it's pretty hard to get into because it's always fully booked... surely they aren't all running at a massive loss??
It just doesn't feel like a movement in good health at the moment and it makes you wonder what decision is coming next.

I have been in Guiding for almost 40years. I have visited Foxlease and Waddow once each and Blacklands twice in that time. Big houses are a money pit. I don't want our annual census to increase significantly for something that most members don't use or can't afford to get to. Yes they were gifts and have history but did those gifts include a fund for upkeep?

I think the Comms have been really poor but the Trustees do have a duty to review longer term costs so that we can survive as a movement.

I know a lot of people say that they should try and make more money but the more we let to the general public the less the centres become about the girls and young women. I really dislike the fact that Blacklands has family camping. It reduces the amount that you can let the girls roam.

I have never felt quite so disengaged from an organisation I've stuck 20+ years into.

1. Still hate the "new programme" and how I need to arse about adapting it so I don't feel like a PSHCE teacher
2. Two bombshells (BGO and Activity Centres) within a couple of months - WTF is going on at HQ?
3. A major rebrand . . . which I actually like BUT . . .
4. the £££ spent on it should have been directed towards making GO a portal fit for bloody purpose
5. Our image tarnished (in some quarters) by safeguarding concerns re trans policies

I'm not sure how long I'm gonna last out, TBH . . . . it just doesn't feel the same any more, even at grass roots level in our lovely, supportive District. 🙁

Sorry to butt in, I am quietly and not so quietly following along this latest crash-and-burn, lots of leaders are acknowledging that both leader and girl numbers are down but nobody will even CONSIDER it might be due to safeguarding concerns.
GG then ask everyone if they "want to be trans inclusive" and everyone says "of course" meaning "when my friend/daughter/patrol leader identifies as a boy I don't want her kicked out" and GG says "nothing to see here".
Sorry, as you were.

I think you're onto something there Katie. That said, I know many leaders who would not be nodding along aimlessly but feel strongly that GG should stick to being single sex. I know that for myself and many division that is our personal line in the sand, that we'd be sad to stop but will not be lying to ourselves and our units.

That should say "many in my division". Stoopid phone

Your division and the wider area @InflagranteDelicto ... another one for who that is the line in the sand.

Afternoon campers.

For the first time in a long while, I'm thinking about not going back. Have lost my faith in hq and feel really disposable. 😔 If I say sod it, it means closure, 32 existing girls without a unit and 6 more who won't join this term.

I'm realising just how much relies on my personal resilience and keeping things going even if Girlguiding as a whole seems to have lost its way. Go's not fit for purpose, residential processes are cumbersome and bgo/tacs made it clear there's no 'us', it's us in the units and division v hq who run after the next shiny thing but ignore the need to support the people on the ground.

The other two adults haven't initiated anything, and I know it's waiting for me to push and direct and jolly things to happen.

I feel much the same. I've lost a leader who was great but super scatty because of the ridiculous tone of the email she received for not renewing her safer space training in time. She's banned from helping and can only pick up and drop off her daughter to Guides. She complained to HQ and they grovelled and wanted to reinstate her.
I've had an email from the County commissioner laying into me after I asked a question about my DC expecting v detailed Ra's from me and not from the Guide leader I support. My friends are in scouting and I may join them. Guiding is painful

The communications I received about safe space during the pandemic when i was really struggling and the Unit was not even running were a factor in me leaving after running a unit for over 10 years

I can't believe they shut down go during half term!

Let's find a silver lining, I came across a positive thread on mumsnet about Brownie and guide songs. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4932752-brownie-and-guide-songs

At least you are on half term - we are back and good job I didn't need the emergency contact list, add new people, change roles - I did but most jobs can wait and I have all parents numbers on my phone with permission!

The latest post on Facebook post for trans awareness has really got my goat and is a bit tone deaf "confidence and privacy at all times" doesn't found very safeguardy to me. I think this might be the last straw, I don't think I can be a leader much longer.

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0dXiFet3HdMW3AKrErgXf6n9K1zRGSh8QRxUMZouzrDc5XAkfw9Hf72TGEvtQ34p2l&id=100064781318308

I couldn't see a similar tweet - maybe they've worked out they will just get roasted.

interesting replies though - they’ve had to turn off comments. Several from people saying that they are glad to be in a ‘trans inclusive’ organisation because their daughters were supported when they came out as ‘non binary’ (which I imagine everyone would do, as they should, not least because it makes no difference to anything or anyone else). How can people not see that including girls who don’t confirm to female stereotypes in a girl only space is not the same as suddenly welcoming some men or boys! Which changes the entire purpose of the group and does affect everyone else!

I met a parent whose DD had been told to leave Rangers when she started identifying as a boy. I think in theory that doesn't happen any more but some leaders on FB groups were suggesting this should happen a few years ago.

Did you see the toe the line or else posts?

Given Aimee Challoner and co helped Girlguiding develop the trans policy and after the Monica Sulley scandal, you'd think they'd keep their heads down on this because of the mass safeguarding own goals. Also note the subliminal message that volunteers shut up about any safeguarding concerns or worries. They glossed over that in safe space.

Interesting theyngot this out bang on time but most things such as the Black History Month stuff we get well after planning or vague usefulness. We know at least where their priorities lie.

I'd love to be able to see all the hidden posts, I'm confident that the majority weren't actually offensive!

I'm off work at the moment and spotted the post come up, so tracked the comments with interest to see when they would be deleted. Most of the ones now gone were about "Monica", Fair Play for Women and safeguarding concerns...

£33 to HQ for census, plus maybe £3 extra per person for county? Next term is going to be a very frugal one I think, we may not have much left after that and the hall rent!

Scotland have Scottish HQ then County. I think ours were over £50 this year. Leaders are despairing at how much it costs us.