Pip’s Perspective – a message from the Chief Commissioner
Girlguiding has written to the Acting National President and the International Commissioner of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines offering support following the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan. There are around 600,000 Girl Scouts in the Philippines.Girlguiding members wishing to support Guides affected by natural disasters should send donations to the Guide Friendship Fund using the details on the website.
Please note that the Guide Friendship Fund offers grants towards the rebuilding of facilities or the replacement of equipment used by Guides or Girl Scouts affected by natural disasters. Girlguiding members wishing to support the wider aid efforts are advised to refer to the Disasters Emergency Committee website.Our bucket collection at Region Day and the Executive Committee last weekend raised £89.25 for the Guide Friendship Fund - many thanks to all those who contributed.
pipmck@girlguidinglaser.org.uk
Twitter: @ PipMcKerrow
Congratulations
Congratulations to Kim Fairhall of 2nd Chessington Brownies, Greater London West on the completion of her Queens Guide Award.
The Big Brownie Birthday Stay Away
The Big Brownie Birthday is coming...........if you haven't had time to organise to take your Brownies away yet, then come and join the fun at PGL Marchants Hill, Hindhead as its exclusively for Brownies on 14 -16 March 2014.
Weybridge Division are organising the weekend but all Brownie Units from any areas are welcome to take part in this fun weekend.
Accommodation with en suites, super food, fab activities during the day and evening, all run by friendly PGL staff. Activities include abseiling, aeroball, archery, fencing, giants sing, low ropes, sensory Trail, Quad biking, Zip wire and lots more.
A limited number of places are available so if you are interested in finding out more please email info@girlguidinglaser.org.uk.
Apologies
All involved in the Raspberry Ripple would like to apologise for not including all servicemen and servicewomen as part as army personnel in the Remembrance Day articles. They are always in our thoughts.
Remembrance Parade
Girlguiding Sussex Central was honoured to represent Girlguiding in the Remembrance Parade this year; they had a Senior Section member representing each of the 25 Districts and five adults. After two hours of practice marching last Wednesday, courtesy of Horsham Cadets, a sleepover in Haywards Heath and up at 5.30am to catch the train to London, everyone looked very smart in their new County Coats and County Scarves. It was very emotional to watch them march past and then to receive texts from people saying we had been seen and mentioned on TV! All those enjoyed the experience and were honoured to take part. We returned via McDonalds at Victoria Station for a well-earned lunch!
Lisa Barden
County Secretary of Sussex Central
I thought it was an honour to represent Girlguiding at the Cenotaph and a very special once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in an important national event. It was moving to see the veterans, even those who weren't marching but were there to watch and remember, proudly wearing their medals. It really made me wonder what they had all gone through and the experiences that were in their memories. It was moving to actually be standing in Whitehall for the service; it is certainly the only time I have ever sung the National Anthem in the presence of the Queen! To hear the applause as the columns of veterans started to parade past the Cenotaph was wonderful. When it was our turn to march it was great to hear members of the public point us out saying 'There are the Guides' as we went past, and clap us too. The atmosphere was amazing.
Jane Hains
Brownie Leader 10th Burgess Hill Brownies
Making the Promise
On Sunday we headed out really early to make our way to Warner Bros Studios in Watford, the home of Harry Potter World. Chloe, our Jack Petchey Award Winner had decided this was what she wanted to do with our award money.
While there we had three Guides make their promise; Chloe chose the Harry Potter triple decker bus, this was the bus Harry charged around London in. Tabitha chose Diagon Alley and Othalia by the large model of Hogwarts.
On every occasion we all gathered around and saluted while the girls made their promise, we also gained a crowd of onlookers trying to work out what was happening.
The girls will always remember where they made their Guide promise and for them it was a mountain top (or bus top) moment! They were all very excited about being the first girls in our unit to use the new words. We think it’s really important that each girl makes their promise in their own time and on their own terms, even if it means getting up stupidly early on a Sunday morning.
Becky Day
3rd Plumstead Common Guides
Let Raspberry Ripple know if you have unusual places your girls have made their Promise.
Vacancy – Part-time Office Administrator
Girlguiding LaSER is recruiting a part-time Administrator to work at the Region Office for two mornings or afternoons a week (Tuesday & Friday) to manage the Join Us queries. This is a six month position.
To express interest please email info@girlguidinglaser.org.uk.
Closing date: 26 November 2013
Heyswood Camp Site
Belmont District has recently refurbished two ageing huts at Heyswood, Greater London West's County campsite, in memory of Emma Freeborn; a much missed leader from Belmont District, who lost her battle with cancer in February 2012. Elaine McCulloch persuaded Wates Construction and Carpet Express to donate their time and resources to the project, enabling the renovation to be completed.
Both huts are now available to hire and will add some much needed extra space to your camp!
Girlguiding Vacancies
Directorate Administrator
Guiding Services
Girlguiding is recruiting a Directorate Administrator, reporting to the Head of Youth Programmes, to work within our Guiding Services Directorate.
Closing date: 01 December 2013
Senior Project Coordinator
Quality & Membership Development
Girlguiding is recruiting a Senior Project Coordinator, reporting to the Development Manager – Leadership, to work within the Leadership Development team.
Closing date: 29 November 2013
Growing Guiding Coordinator
Quality & Membership Development
Girlguiding is recruiting a Growing Guiding Coordinator, reporting to the Head of Quality & Membership Development, to work within our Guiding Services Directorate.
Closing date: 29 November 2013
Volunteer Support Administrator
Volunteer Support
Girlguiding is recruiting a Volunteer Support Administrator, reporting to the Head of Volunteer Support, to work within our Guiding Services Directorate.
Closing date: 27 November 2013
Should you wish to apply, please complete an application form and return to Human Resources at hrvacancies@girlguiding.org.uk