Pip’s Perspective – a message from the Chief Commissioner
Have you finalised your plans for this term with your girls? There are so many wonderful opportunities for us to take our members out of the usual meeting place during the warmer, lighter summer evenings and some of the best activities are the ones that come for free! Take a look at the National Trust's '50 things to do before you're 11 3/4' for ideas and tweet us #50things #wildtime and tell us what you've been up to.
I'm looking forward to seeing the miles accumulate as you log up your Unit's Girlguiding LaSER Walks MILES each week. I enjoyed a couple of long walks over the May holiday weekend, including a loop along the Boat Race route beside the Thames from Putney, a version of which we often walk with our Guides on a summer's evening. The sights, sounds and smells of the southern bank, beside the London Wetland Centre, are one of the greatest 'wild' spots in London!
On another note, have you considered becoming a Trustee for Girlguiding LaSER? We're looking for volunteers with a range of experiences and skills and that could be YOU! The closing date for applications is fast approaching, please see the article on the next page for more details.
pipmck@girlguidinglaser.org.uk
Twitter: @ PipMcKerrow
East meets West
The county choirs of Girlguiding Kent East and Girlguiding Sussex West met in Folkestone for a joint concert recently. Following a successful visit of Girlguiding Kent East to Littlehampton, this was the second concert we have given together. The Tower Theatre was almost sold out for the concert, which was a great success. The choirs performed a number of songs together and also their own repertoire, including war-time pieces and a medley of James Bond theme tunes. Both choirs had a fantastic day and the concert was a huge success! We're already thinking about what we will work towards next! Watch this space!
Could you be a LaSER Trustee?
You still have two weeks to apply to be a LaSER Trustee. There are three vacancies to fill from the LaSER adult membership and we are especially looking for Leaders aged 18 – 30 to apply.
We need your skills and experience to shape the future of LaSER.
Friends of Cudham Annual Lunch and Mini Market
When? Wednesday 11 June, 2014 from 12.00 p.m. for 12.30 p.m.
Where? at the Shaws Guide campsite, Cudham
Tickets are £12 and are available from Brenda Howe (howeaton@talktalk.net). Tickets are limited to 100 on a first come, first served basis, and applications should be received by 20 May.
Volunteering Opportunity at One Direction Concert Wembley
We are looking for some enthusiastic over 18 year olds* to volunteer at the 1D concerts at Wembley this June. Dates are 6th, 7th and 8th June and you would be needed from 10am till 6pm. The roles on offer are quite varied but some involve helping to make sure that people attending the event know where they are going when they arrive in Wembley and others helping to keep them safe in whatever the weather conditions may be on the day. Up to £20 can be claimed towards your travel expenses and a light lunch and drink will be provided on the day, as well as 2 complimentary tickets to an England football game on the 9th October 2014. (*preference will be given to volunteers aged 18-26)
easyfundraising
Raise free, unlimited money for your unit with easyfundraising!
easyfundraising gives you a free way of generating money to support your unit – just by shopping online.
Here’s how it works:
1. Register your unit
2. The next step is to input your unit’s name
3. Then tell easyfundraising how they can contact you and a bit about your unit. Please feel free to copy and paste this into the box:
We are the (insert unit name here) and we are a part of Girlguiding London & South East England Region. We give girls a space where they can be themselves, have fun and build brilliant friendships.
4. Search for a retailer you’d like to shop with, such as Amazon, Tesco and Argos. The retailer will make a donation to your unit as a thank you for shopping with them.
5. Ask parents and guardians to help you raise money by signing up to support your easyfundraising page.
Girlguiding units have already raised over £209,000 through easyfundraising, and we want you to be part of this success!
Watch out in future issues for some tips on how to promote easyfundraising to parents and guardians.
District and Division Commissioner Training
When? Saturday 14 June
Who for? District & Division Commissioners – experienced and new!
Where? Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
How much? Free
More information:
The aim of the Training Day is to support Commissioners in developing the knowledge and skills needed for their role.
This will be an Induction day for new Commissioners whilst for the experienced Commissioner there will be a choice of sessions to attend.
There will be an opportunity to consider the Commissioner role, the team, the support and to ask lots of questions and share experience!
9.30 for coffee for a 10am start
Interested? Here’s what you do… Please contact Marie at MarieB@girlguidinglaser.org.uk
Yellow is the new Raspberry
1st Beckton Brownies visit Crystal Palace
We had a fun-filled day at the Crystal Palace maze. We all renewed our promise and sang some songs, the girls thoroughly enjoyed it. "Can we come again Brown Owl it’s such a lovely park?" "Why have we got to go home?"
We had this trip as somewhere we have not been before as part of the Big Brownie Birthday Challenge.
1st Wigmore Brownies to celebrate 80 years!
1st Wigmore Brownies are celebrating their 80th birthday in the summer and want to invite as many former Brownies or Leaders as possible to their party which is taking place on Saturday 28 June, 2pm to 4pm at the Millennium Centre, Gatekeeper Close, Rainham, Kent. There will be refreshments and cakes, and a raffle, as well as entertainment for children and adults! The unit is also keen to have any photos of former Brownies, Leaders, Brownie Holidays, or events to be on display during the party. Original copies will be returned.
So, if you have been a 1st Wigmore Brownie or Young Leader or Leader with the unit over the last 80 years and want to attend this milestone celebration then please email: 1stwigmorebrownies@gmail.com.
Croydon Baden Powell Adventure - Tramopoly
When? Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 June 2014
Who? Guides near completion of their Baden Powell Award (ideally completed at least 8 challenges)
Where? Radcliffe Guide Centre, East Croydon
How much? £37.50 (£35 for Croydon Guides)
What? A fun weekend completing a Monopoly style challenge on Croydon’s trams, and an introduction to The Senior Section (girls will travel in groups independently)
What now? To register your interest, please contact Ruth Clery at info@girlguidinglaser.org.uk.
Places are limited.