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19 Sept 2023 |
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In this edition:
100 years of Guiding in Hay
Virtual Town Hall
IDG 2023 Competition
WAGGGS Virtual Event
Adult Recruitment Campaign Check In
Opportunities
Online Mentor Training
FLY 2023
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I was delighted to join Twin Rivers Region to celebrate the centenary of Hay on the weekend. Hay holds the distinction of being the furthest Western NSW District in Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT, as while Girl Guiding operates in Broken Hill, it is managed by Girl Guides South Australia. Michelle Kothe, Deputy State Commissioner joined me for the special Region sleepover, where girls participated in fantastic activities including a science themed round robin, iceblocking, and an orienteering challenge around the town! What a significant achievement for the District and the Region. Included in this edition is a testimonial from the Hay Shire Mayor, former Principal of Hay Public School and Girl Guide Alum about the impact Girl Guides made on her!
Maitland District also celebrated its 100 years on Saturday gone and Charlotte Weatherall from the Board, a former Maitland Girl Guide herself, attended the festivities to recognise this occasion, while Shaylah McClymont, Deputy State Commissioner visited a joint Region Camp for Cumberland Plains and South Coast & Highland Regions. |
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Pictured left, Board Director Charlotte Weatherall with sister, Kate Weatherall (both Queen’s Guides). Pictured right, Maitland District Queen’s Guide Recipients |
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The State Commissioner Team is pleased to see so many celebrations continue for Districts, recognising our impact, showcasing our purpose, and raising the profile of Girl Guiding for communities today. We are also thrilled to see the ongoing efforts to achieve greater cross-Region collaboration and enable more opportunities for girls and young women! This has been a key focus over the last two years led by the State Commissioner Team – enabling a more collaborative approach to work smarter rather than harder to ensure we can leverage our amazing people and ideas to achieve more. |
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Pictured above, Deputy State Commissioner Shaylah McClymont at a joint Region Camp for Cumberland Plains and South Coast & Highlands Regions. |
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100 Years of Guiding in Hay! |
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At a special afternoon for the 100 Years celebrations of Hay District, the Mayor of Hay Shire who is the former Principal of Hay Public School delivered an address recognising the impact Girl Guiding had on the woman she became. It was a heartfelt and poignant reflection to the purpose of our movement – empowering future women and creating leaders in our girls and young women today and for tomorrow. |
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An extract from Mayor Carol Oataway's address: |
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In reflecting upon my own experiences as a Girl Guide all those years ago, I credit this time for learning essential life skills, developing lifelong friendships, and embracing the ideals of courage, confidence, and character. I embarked on countless adventures, whether it be camping, engaging in community service projects, or learning about global citizenship and through these experiences, I became an empowered young woman ready to take on the challenges of the world.
Today, as we look to the future, we see a new generation of Girl Guides emerging, armed with the knowledge and determination to make a difference in our community and beyond. They are our leaders of tomorrow, and they carry with them the rich legacy of those who came before them. |
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Virtual Town Hall |
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I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the Virtual Town Hall this Saturday, 23 September at 2pm. All Adult Members including Trefoil Guild are encouraged to come along to hear from the Board regarding current plans and future direction, including on organisational change and strategy. Members may ask questions from the floor but are encouraged to submit questions in writing ahead of time to ensure the Board can be prepared in answering your questions and managing time.
The meeting is anticipated to go for 1-2 hours but may run longer depending on the number of questions received.
The Board will provide further communications to Adult Members following the Town Hall relating to key themes/questions to assist Members understand more and provide greater clarity.
All registered attendees will receive a pre-event email this Thursday 21 September with a join link and instructions for entry. Our Town Hall will be hosted in Zoom. As we approach the meeting date I’d like to kindly ask everyone to make sure that you’ve updated to the latest version of Zoom to ensure that we all have access to the latest features and security enhancements. |
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Register Now | Email Your Question(s)
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IDG 2023 Youth Competition |
Looking to engage girls in IDG? |
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All Youth Members 5+ are encouraged to join the IDG 2023 competition and showcase their creativity by submitting artwork that represents how they can change the world.
Whether it's through paints, recycled materials, or any other medium, your ideas matter. Ask yourself, "How can I change the world?" then let your artistic talents speak volumes. All submissions must be individual however we highly encouraging Units or Patrols getting together and ‘uniting through creativity’!
Submissions must be made prior to the 18 October 2023 deadline. A publicly accessible Facebook album will be made to showcase our incredible artworks (pending the artists’ approval via the submission form). And guess what? WAGGGS-inspired prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place! |
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Tell me more!
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IDG 2023 Information Session with WAGGGs |
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Do you want to encourage your girls and young women to develop the confidence to be brave, innovative, and truly feel prepared to lead change in our communities?
Complete the International Day of the Girl Activity Pack with them! WAGGGs are inviting all Unit Leaders to register for the free Online Information Session. Step through the 2023 theme, activities, and integrations. This is an awesome opportunity to connect with the Asia Pacific WAGGGS network and really nail your IDG participation for 2023!
The session will take place this Sunday 24 September @ 7pm (NSW & ACT time) and 6.30pm (NT) |
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Interested? Register Here |
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Adult Recruitment Campaign Check In |
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The We Need You Adult Recruitment Campaign is now on its home straight. With 6 weeks' campaigning down and 4 more weeks' to go, the awareness we’ve raised and the audiences we’ve engaged is truly astonishing. Here’s a snapshot of the impact you’ve made so far: |
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Social media metrics: |
An average uplift of 685% on Facebook reach for Unit, District and Region pages. 90+ new users connected to a range of Unit, District and Region Facebook pages. 200+ campaign posts published.
34,000+ Facebook users reached via the GGNSWACTNT profile. 40+ new users connected to GGNSWACTNT Instagram.
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Our enormous uplift in digital presences has converted into promising leads: |
38 external contacts registered for Virtual Campfire Meetups and Adult Open Week. The first month of the Campaign saw a 69% uplift in Adult Enquiries (compared to July 2023).
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The first hurdle of increasing brand awareness has been cleared, with engagement skyrocketing! As the Campaign continues we must turn our attention to the conversion of leads and ensuring that our calls to action are causing enquirers to ask about volunteering.
So what are we doing about this? We are developing tools and templates to help encourage interested people to continue to engage with Guiding and to help you increase their knowledge of Guiding and their involvement with your District! |
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Do you have Campaign queries or feedback? |
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Opportunities for Volunteers and Members |
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Your next WAGGGS volunteering opportunity! |
Are you passionate about the environment? Do you want to change the world? If yes, apply to be a Helen Storrow Seminar Participant today!
WAGGGs are looking for young women aged 18–25 who are passionate about the environment to join Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from around the world for the 2024 Helen Storrow Seminar.
Learn more via Opportunities page |
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Guide House Event Manager Role |
As we continue to focus on growth and improvement, we are pleased to announce an opportunity that has arisen for an Event Manager Role in Guide House.
The Event Manager will be responsible for the development and maintenance of the association’s event calendar, the marketing and awareness associated with the event calendar and the planning, development and implementation of stakeholder activations and other activities both internal and external for Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT.
Express interest here |
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Online Mentor Training: Refresher & Accreditation |
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Thank you to all the wonderful Members who attended last weekend’s Online Mentor Training! These trainings are a valuable opportunity for Trainers and experienced Mentors to share their knowledge, passion, and insights with new Leaders. And of course, for new Leaders to feel inspired by others' Guiding journeys!
Come along to share and soak up skills, knowledge, and experience. The next training is set for Saturday 11 November @ 1pm. |
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Register now! |
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Fun Leadership for Youth (FLY) |
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Promote FLY among your Senior Guides and Junior Leaders!
Join us for the FLY Leadership Development Weekend at Random Cottage, Mount Victoria NSW from 6–8 October! Get ready to soar to new heights, develop your leadership skills, and have a blast while learning leadership-ready skills like team building, communication and more.
Limited spots available, so secure your spot today! |
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Learn More/Register |
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Financial Transformation Project |
Why change is essential for contemporary Guiding. Read more! |
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R U OK? Day |
A Conversation could change a life. Read update. |
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Helen Storrow & Juliette Low Seminar |
For 2024 WAGGGS volunteer opportunities click here. |
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Yours in Guiding,
Emily Milton Smith (She/Her)
State Commissioner
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT
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