Annual Review 2007/2008 by Bonnie Hill, County Commissioner
I must first say that I believe that the County is only as good as it's Team. My Team have given their all in so many ways this year and in doing so we have achieved so much. I am so grateful to them for all the personal time they have invested in Girlguiding and it really does show.
Over the last 18 months a great deal of work has gone on behind the scenes to ensure that on 22nd February 2008 we were able to officially launch our new website at our County Awards Evening. We were delighted to have our Ambassadors to Girlguiding with us, one of which was Lord Petre, Lord Lieutenant of Essex. Our new site www.girlguidingessexne.org.uk was professionally designed and has the capacity for County Advisers and others to enter their own information directly onto the system ensuring that we have all the details we wish to share available as quickly as possible.
A concerted effort has been made this year to strengthen Adviser roles both at County and Division level. This has taken the form of bi-annual meetings for Advisers at County level and ensuring that Division and County Advisers meet together on a regular basis and drive their area of responsibility forward. This has brought not only continuity of information but also empowered some at Division level to take ownership and bring in new initiatives.
The new method of Recruitement for Commissioners and County roles has over the past 12 months had a significant impact. We now have many guiders who would not have mentioned that they would like to get involved beyond their unit now applying for roles. We now have additional new, enthusiastic women of all ages working at every level.
A highlight for our Senior Section members this year was not only the introduction of the new programme, but an opportunity to attend the Queen's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 15th July. As a Deputy Lieutenant of Essex, I was given the opportunity to put two names forward and everyone in the County was asked to apply or nominate a Senior Section member aged between 18 and 25 years of age. The response was fantastic and competition fierce, as there were so many excellent people to choose from. In the end, Rachel Butterfield (21 years of age) and Emily Sonnex (20 years of age) were succesful. They are so excited at the prospect of attending, it is going to be one of those mountain top moments.
There have been, of course, residential, training opportunities and team building as one would expect during the year.A day visit to the World Scout Jamboree was just too good to miss for a large number of guiders and unit members - a chance to share in something very special and to also pick up on the best ideas and bring them back to use when it is our turn in 2010. This was also the case for those from the County that managed to get seats in Westminster Abbey for the Thinking Day Service in February - my memory will be of Peter Duncan, Chief Scout, standing on the steps of the Abbey looking for someone. I couldn't resist putting my hand out and shaking his and saying how nice it was of him to greet us all in person. The guiders that I was standing with laughed and as I entered the Abbey the Chief Guide, who was standing just inside, said she knew exactly who it must be causing the hilarity. To be serious, however, the theme of Water used for the service was extremely thought provoking and the young people who took part in the presentations can be proud of themselves.
When I receive reports about the programme for unit members there always seems to feature chocolate and when I heard that the leaders within Colchester South Division were having a wine and chocolate tasting evening, this seemed a wonderful idea. The outdoors is a very valued part of our programme and as a County we are so fortunate to have Riffams as our County camp site and two Districts within Maldon Division took advantage of this by having a circus skills event and proving once again that the site can be used for more than the obvious.
International opportunities have been applied for and, as a result, Anneabell Bailey has gained a place on the Tall Ships crew and others have travelled the world in search of adventure and new skills. International doesn't always have to be leaving home, however, with Halstead Division going on Safari with all sections participating. I would have loved to have seen the Rainbows decorating the full sized elephant shape that had been taken along to the local hall and heard them all singing their animal themed songs later in the day, concluding with the guides taking part in a Safari incident hike and sleepover.
I have already referred to the County Team, but I am so aware that there are almost twelve hundred adults who are working in one role or another, within our girl only space, to support the 5,772 girls that we are working with. I am delighted to report that we are having new leaders arriving all the time and this is reflected in our census figures which show that we have 175 more leaders registered this year than last. The Senior Section numbers continue to increase and are up by 20. Although our Rainbow total is down by 80 and our Brownie figure down by the same number, the Guide section numbers are up. The County has increased its membership overall and it now stands at 6945.
The opportunities I have spoken briefly about don't even touch the surface of what is available to the girls entrusted to our care each week. I can't adequately thank here the unit leader teams, commissioners, advisers and supporters that spend hours behind the scenes planning and facilitating the choices that our girls and young women make. This is precious personal time and to every single one of you, can I say thank you for your contribution. I would also thank Janet Edwards, my Assistant, who works so hard and has spent a significant amount of time providing support, a listening ear when I need one and also joining me in the fun and adventures that we have when we get out and about around the county.
Girlguiding is a wonderful global organisation with 10 million members. We must however look outside our own roles in Essex North East and realise that around the world other women have made the same commitment as we have to ensure that girls and young women benefit from the opportunities provided by our ever changing, diverse, challenging and fun programme. As we move towards our Centenary in 2010, let's just give a thought to Lord and Lady Baden Powell who I am certain would have been so proud of Girlguiding. Every guider in North East Essex can feel proud of what they have achieved during the past year and if the girls were here, I am sure, they would join me in echoing that message.