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In this edition:
Board Election
Australian Honours
Personnel Updates
Girl Guides Australia Values Survey
Youth Member Publications Update
Upcoming Events
Updated Forms for 2024
Juliette Low Seminar
Good News Story: Our Endless Power |
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Guiding has kicked off and many Members are actively participating in the wonderful outdoors – camping, boating and more! This month we will celebrate World Thinking Day and reflect on the hopes we have for our Movement: united by the Promise & Law and focussed on empowering girls and young women to navigate an increasingly complex world.
The AGM is fast approaching and Board elections underway. I urge everyone to participate by voting for our future.
Keep your eyes peeled for more opportunities as there are plenty of ways for you to get involved. |
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Board Election |
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Voting for the Board Director Election opened on Friday, 2 February and will remain open until 2pm Thursday, 29 February, 2024. This year, there are several candidates, and you may select up to five candidates who you wish to see fill the available Board Director vacancies.
There has been some confusion amongst our Membership about who can and can’t vote and what makes a vote valid or invalid. Michelle Kothe, Board Chair, on behalf of the Board has sent out some communications to help clarify some concerns and I would like to reiterate here that: |
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- All Adult Members and Trefoil Guild Members who are active Members with paid-up membership, and who are Child Safe Child Friendly (CSCF) compliant, are eligible to vote in the Board Director election.
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Read more about the voting process and cast your vote here. |
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The Board Chair has also prepared a statement. Read it here. |
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Australian Honours |
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On the recent public holiday, several Australian Honours were announced recognising service for Girl Guiding volunteers. Sarah Neill AM has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her outstanding contributions to youth and community service, particularly for her leadership roles in Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT. Yvonne Hazel OAM was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia and is a former Unit Leader in the Sydney area. Congratulations and bravo to all who were recognised and to those who prepared and supported the nominations. |
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Tell me more... |
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Personnel Updates and New Opportunities! |
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We recently shared there are some changes underway across the Guiding management team. Sophie Bogart, Innovation Lead and Patsy Marshall, Engagement Lead have also finished up following their appointment 2 years ago (1 term). Alongside the Deputy State Commissioners, I am grateful for their service and everything they accomplished in their terms. Please join me in sharing thanks for their wonderful efforts.
Both roles have now been archived. However, I am excited to announce a new position – the Tertiary Engagement & Student Volunteering Lead. This role will focus on university partnerships, membership development and student pathways in Guiding, picking up some of the responsibilities of the Young Women Lead into a standalone role. This role and others will be posted soon on the website.
Keen to hear more? Get in contact with me at [email protected].
Applications due 27 February 2024.
We are also recruiting for an Outdoor Lead, Outdoor Training Coordinator, Young Women Lead, Sustainability Coordinators, and soon a new State Lead that will focus on cultural inclusion. Stay tuned!
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Girl Guides Australia Values Survey |
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For the first time in our history, we are running a series of consultations to identify a set of national Values for our Organisation, surveying Youth and Adult Members, staff Volunteers and Guiding families across all States and territories.
As part of our Adult Consultation, please complete a short online survey.
Outputs from this survey will be combined with the Youth Consultation, and insights from our Guiding Families and Partners, to develop a set of Australian Guiding Values due to be launched in mid to late 2024.
Please note that is survey will close on Friday, 29 February 2024.
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Bank Statement Requests, Account Visibility, and the Financial Transformation Project |
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To meet compliance obligations under new government legislation for Guiding in NSW, ACT & NT, our CFO is required to have online banking visibility for all Girl Guides’ bank accounts. These changes will not affect any of the current systems in place, the way you use online banking or Financial Transformation Project (FTP) processes. Account visibility is essential for our accounting and audit requirements. If we are not able to meet these, our charity status granted through the ACNC and ATO could be revoked. This would mean the whole organisation would not be able to conduct fundraising, receive GST exemptions and apply for grants.
Thank you to the Districts who have already provided Kathy with visibility access. If you are still yet to do this and are unsure of the process, please get in touch with your Region bookkeeping team via your Region’s finance website.
We’ve had some feedback that some of the supporting documentation is jargon heavy and not geared towards all our Leaders, Treasurers and Volunteers who may not be across the latest financial acronyms. Care has been taken to avoid jargon within FTP resource. While the team investigates this, they have asked me to let you know that some common financial acronyms are:
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- NPP stands for New Payments Platform which is an industry wide payments platform for Australia,
- POBO stands for payments on behalf of,
- COGS means cost of goods sold, and
- MIS can sometimes mean a miscellaneous line item in accounting.
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Youth Member Publications Update |
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All the publications below have had minor wording updates to reflect current Girl Guiding language and program information. The table below outlines the specific updates made to publications. |
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Some good news as well – across 2024, we are transitioning to free digital resources, and by 2025, our Guide publications will be available free and online for all Members. Print versions will be phased out. |
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Please see the links below for digital publications:
Girl Guide Handbook 4
Girl Guide Handbook 5
Look Wide
Look Wider Still
Aim High |
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Regatta 2024: Heroes, Myths and Legends |
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Are you a Senior Guide Leader? Did you know that Registrations are now OPEN for Regatta 2024: Heroes, Myths & Legends?
Join us for a huge weekend filled with boating, canoeing, kayaking, and rowing! But not JUST water-based activities, you can also expect: |
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- Lots of land activities
- Free time in the afternoon to relax and/or explore!
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Come along for a wonderful weekend filled with competition, or just some friendly fun!
Register now! |
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Mardi Gras Parade |
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Get ready for an electrifying celebration at the Mardi Gras Parade 2024 because registrations close TONIGHT - February 9, 2024 at 11.59PM ADET!
Prepare to groove down Oxford Street in a spectacular display of glitter, rainbows, and create unforgettable memories with your Guiding friends and family. But that's not all – for those journeying from afar, we've added an accommodation option at the Chatswood Guide Hall.
Register now! |
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Updated Forms |
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Camp/Adventure-based Activity/Event Application Form (OUT.01) |
The 2024 version of the Camp/Adventure-based Activity/Event Application Form (OUT.01) is now available on the Guide Lines website. This form must be completed by the Leader in Charge for all camps, adventure-based activities or events.
A new procedure is being developed to help streamline outdoor administration. An update will be provided soon.
The new form looks different, and this is part of an effort to simplify outdoor administration.
Access the form here.
Please forward any questions regarding this form to [email protected]. |
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Activity Consent and Health Form for Youth Members (ADM.27) |
The 2024 Activity Consent and Health Form for Youth Members (ADM.27) is now available.
Please ensure it is completed for all Youth Members, ready to hand in to your Unit Leader when you return for your first meeting.
You will also need to complete a new form when there any changes to the information contained within the form.
Please make sure that the information in the form matches the information in your online Member record.
The ADM.27 form ensures that Youth Members may continue to experience many exciting adventures for years and years to come.
Access the form here. |
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Please forward any questions regarding the form to [email protected]. |
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Juliette Low Seminar 2024 – WAGGGS International Leadership Event |
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The Juliette Low Seminar (JLS) is a World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) leadership development program which brings an international network of girls and young women together with the goal of empowering them to develop as empathetic global citizens who value different perspective and celebrate diversity.
This year’s theme is peace, and young women will focus on building peace in their local communities and participants, leading together to create an equal, inclusive world where all girls can thrive.
Program Dates: April 2024 to December 2024
Who should apply? Girl Guide Members aged 18-30 years who are interested in leadership development and being part of a global program.
For more information, visit the Opportunities webpage here.
Apply by completing the International Program/Event Application Form. |
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Our Endless Power Music Video by The Random 20 |
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Celebrating the Creative Spirit of Coonabarabran Junior Guides!
In an exciting collaboration, Matilda, Addie, and Sophie from Coonabarabran Junior Guides joined forces to produce a music video titled 'Our Endless Power.' This inspiring project was brought to life by 'The Random 20,' a dynamic group of 20 participants ranging from ages 8 to 20.
Together, they poured their creativity into crafting lyrics, recording vocals, and brainstorming scenes. Undeterred by the elements, they faced rain, wind, and heat to capture the essence of their town on film.
A big round of applause to our three Guide Members for their outstanding contribution, and kudos to the entire 'The Random 20' for their leadership, inspiration, and undeniable talent!
A heartfelt thank you goes to Vivian Evans for her coordination prowess and to the Coonabarabran Local Aboriginal Land Council and MusoMagic for their unwavering support.
Read the full story and experience the magic of 'Our Endless Power' by watching the music video here. |
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Gratefully yours,
Emily Milton Smith (She/Her)
State Commissioner
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT
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