This will be the last issue of Raspberry Ripple for 2013. The first issue of the New Year will be on the 16 January 2014.
Pipās Perspective ā a message from the Chief Commissioner
You've been busy Tweeting about carol singing, parties, pantos, crafts, night time treasure hunts and even a trip to the Christmas markets in Luxembourg with your girls in the past couple of weeks - what wonderful experiences! Thank you for all the time and effort you have put into the festivities; I hope you've enjoyed them as much as the girls. My Guides have once again chosen to go ice skating at the Tower of London. It's become something of a tradition and certainly feels very Christmassy with such a stunning backdrop. Traditions are an important part of our lives which many of us build on each year, and our girls enjoy the familiarity, sharing of experiences and reminiscences of past events. However, don't forget to build in new exciting challenges to your programme. Our Guides have requested a new winter challenge for 2014!
Season's Greetings to you all - Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Peaceful New Year.
pipmck@girlguidinglaser.org.uk
Twitter: @ PipMcKerrow
Who's New?
Welcome to Christine Gosden who has recently taken up the role of Queen's Guide Coordinator on the region team.
Campsite Consultation Reminder
This is your final reminder to complete the Campsite Review survey which closes on 31 December 2013. Remember this impacts both campsite and non-campsite users as increases in subscriptions may be needed to develop and maintain the sites. Therefore, we want to hear your views.
This not a vote regarding the final outcome; please be reminded that the trustees are seeking only your views via this consultation.
Leaders for Region International Opportunities 2015
When? Saturday 22 March 2014
Who for? Leaders ā you must have your Leadership Qualification
Where? Lee Valley Youth Hostel
How much? Ā£5
Whatās happening? International Opportunities event for leaders
Interested?
Hereās what you doā¦ Email Hilary Foxwell (hilaryf@girlguidinglaser.org.uk) at region office for an application form.
Closing date for applications is 21 February 2014
If invited to lead an international event you could be part of a leadership team heading a group of 14 -18 or 18 - 26 year olds on an overseas trip in 2015.
There are also other international invitations received from time to time.
However, a region international trip is different ā it is more than just a āholidayā and involves a cultural experience, a service project and meeting Girl Guides or Girl Scouts from the country you are visiting.
Your aims will include ensuring your group has an interesting and rewarding time. You will help them enter fully into the programme and encourage them to use their talents for the benefit of the group and to help everyone to get as much as possible out of their visit.
Girls' Attitudes Survey
Chief Guide, Gill Slocombe, comments on the new Girlsā Attitudes Survey:
āGirlguiding is the UKās largest charity for girls and young women, and I believe passionately that we have a responsibility to understand the world that girls live in today. This includes the challenges they face as well as the opportunities they can pursue, so we can support them in all they choose to do.
That is why for the last five years Girlguiding has carried out an annual survey of girlsā opinions ā the Girlsā Attitudes Survey ā which provides a unique insight into todayās world from girlsā perspectives.
Like many volunteers, I read this yearās report ā Equality for girls - with both surprise and recognition.ā
Netherurd House has opened its doors for the Commonwealth Games!
Will you be attending the Commonwealth Games in Scotland next summer? Netherurd House is opening its doors to any Girlguiding members or friends of Girlguiding!
Easyfundraising
Christmas is almost here!
As we mentioned last week, itās now that time of the year when online shopping almost triples! Leaders - make sure you log-on to the easyfundraising site and choose to support your unit - just think of all the money you could raise!
Happy fundraising!
New date for Rainbow and Brownie Helper guidance day at CHQ
We would like to welcome Rainbow, Brownie and Guide leaders - and their Rainbow and Brownie helpers - to share knowledge and expertise of having or being a Rainbow and Brownie helper. We are looking to draw on your valuable experience to gain an understanding of the learning and support needs of Guides who are Rainbow and Brownie helpers. We would also like to hear from girls who have previous experience of being a Rainbow and/or Brownie helper but who may no longer be in that position.
This is a one-off commitment and will take place on Saturday 18 January 2014 at Girlguiding CHQ.
Deadline for applications is 9 am on Monday 6 January 2014.
Japan 2015
Do you know a Guide or Senior Section member born between 28 July 1997 and 27 July 2001? An opportunity has arisen for participants to be part of the two Girlguiding LaSER teams joining the Scouts attending the 23rd World Scout Jamboree 2015.
When? Tuesday 28 July to Saturday 8 August*
Who for? Active members born between 28 July 1997 and 27 July 2001**
Where? Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi City, Japan
How much? Approx. Ā£3,000
* including Home Hospitality pre/post event
** no exceptions to age restrictions
Interested?
Hereās what you doā¦ Email Hilary Foxwell (hilaryf@girlguidinglaser.org.uk) at region office with your full name and membership number.
Closing date for applications is 3 January 2014
Plan UK Youth Advisory Panel
Do you know someone who isā¦
ā¦passionate about being heard?
ā¦passionate about making a difference?
ā¦passionate about changing the world?
If youāve answered YES to any of the above questions, and the person is 12 ā 15 years old, Plan UKās Youth Advisory Panel may be just the group for them!
They would need toā¦
ā¢ Commit to a minimum of three residential meetings per year (costs covered by Plan)
ā¢ Keep in regular contact with the group throughout the year via phone and email, in addition to responding to weekly updates
ā¢ Be enthusiastic and passionate about making change
ā¢ Commit to doing work independently within their own communities to raise awareness for development
A Leadership Journey
Grace Williamson speaks about the responsibilities of being a young leader:
āOn 26 October 1st St. Jamesā Guides took a week trip to Gilwell Park. From being a very cheeky and mischievous Guide to becoming a young leader was amazing! It seems completely different because you have to do a lot more and be a good role model; we get a lot of tough challenges but work it out together. During our Guide holiday I wanted to challenge myself and finish my Young Leader Qualification for Brownies (which I normally help at) and I finished the practical and theory in three days!
Doing the holiday was a great experience and I learnt a lot about cooking and safety within the Guides. We did a range of activities to complete our ācaterpillarā Rustle Bustle and Squeak badge - from high ropes to peddle go-karting - we made our own soup, had a Halloween party and cooked outside! During the experience I learnt a lot about friendship, work, safety and, most importantly, leadership. I absolutely love 1st St. James!ā
Thank you!
Now that the KaBoom! event is over and the results from Survey Monkey are in, I would like to take this opportunity to say āThank youā to a few people.
Thank youā¦ to all those that attended the event and brought their girls along either Friday, Saturday or Sunday. We all had a wonderful time and it is still a great topic of conversation everywhere I go.
Thank youā¦ to the LaSER Trefoil Guild for the gift of the lovely goody bags you provided for all the leaders. It was lovely and a great reminder that Trefoil is āGuiding for Adultsā and a chance for us to do all the great things our girls get to do.
Thank youā¦ to those who went to the trouble of completing the survey, this really does help to shape the future events that LaSER offers to all its members. There was a lot of positive feedback, and a few things for us to think about for the next time we do a region event.
Last but not least, a BIG thank youā¦ to the team that worked with me to bring this fantastic event to you; Janet Samuel, Pat Downer, Angela Purser, Barbara Littlechild, Pat Rawson, Rosemary Pullen, Kim Whitmore and Caroline Pook.
I hope you all feel that you now have the confidence to bring Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics into your programmes, no matter how small.
Anne Hudson
Lead Volunteer KaBoom!
Celebrate World Thinking Day
Are you looking for an exciting volunteer opportunity?
āCelebrate World Thinking Day 2014ā takes place on 22 and 23 February 2014 at Alexandra Palace. The day will be full of activities from Bollywood dancing to Zorbing, with nearly 4000 participants each day from all sections.
We are looking for volunteers to join over the weekend to run craft activities, marshal adventurous activities and set up the event.
Interested? Email Claire (celebrate@girlguiding.org.uk) for more information.