Back in October I was given an amazing opportunity to attend The Academy held by WAGGGS and WOSM Europe. In November, I was able to fly to Krakow Poland to attend along with 5 other members from the Girlguiding UK.
From the minute I landed in Poland, I met Scouts from a variety of countries whilst at the train station. They all had their national neckers on so I was able to spot them easily. We made our way to the hotel which the event was taking place in. I was finally able to meet with the other girls from the UK which I hadn’t met before. We took a nice trip into the city to have a look round as well as find the donuts I heard others talking about.
The second day at the Academy is where all the fun began. We were put into peer groups that we remained in for the rest of the week. Each day we would come together and share what we had learnt and share facts about our own organisations. I had some really amazing people within my group! I hope I can keep in contact with them going forward.
The sessions I got to attend were run by amazing facilitators from WAGGGS and WOSM. There were so many sessions to choose from it was a very hard choice. I attended a few sessions about Growth and what barriers we face. I also attended a session about mental health in which I found some new calming exercises for when I’m in a heightened moment.
The session which surprised me the most was an Intro to Gamification. The idea is how can we add game like features into a context which doesn’t have them. Gamification within guiding and scouting is seen to be the starting point of it all in how we collect badges. We also are gamified when we shop in the supermarkets or use learning platforms that reward us. I almost didn’t go to the session, but Lauren took me along and it turned out the be one of the best sessions I went to.
We got to celebrate our countries at international night. What a night full of dancing and exchange. I got to try many national sweets from the countries as well as a lot of cheese! We offered a variety of British snacks including biscuits, quality street and Scottish tablet. We took part in a traditional Polish dance and the Scots taught us all how to dance the Gay Gordon. It was such a great night of culture and celebration.
On the final night we were able to take part in a race across Krakow. As peer groups we had to complete a series of questions hidden around the city to collect points. It was a great way to explore Krakow. Each team had its own item to swap and whilst on the mission we had to swap cards with all the teams to collect extra points. I was in charge of swapping these cards and I’m not saying that I’m amazing but we were the only team to collect all the cards. We won the challenge! It was amazing and in true guiding spirt we were awarded regional neckers from Krakow.
My favourite part of the Academy was meeting amazing people from all over Europe and learning so much about their organisations.
Some of my favourite findings were:
- In Norway it is common to camp in Ice Caves in -30.
- In many European countries you would be considered retired from guiding at the age of 30 (People found it hard to believe that in the UK we have leaders of all ages).
- Many countries have multiple organisations that all come under an umbrella organisation (Imagine all countries and regions having their own syllabus, completely different uniform and their own promise but they all were members of Girlguiding UK too).
- Finally, just how small some organisations are. We are so lucky to have such a large number of girls join us in guiding, I spoke to the Swedish who this year celebrated having 80,000 members nationwide.
Overall, the memories I made at the Academy have been amazing! I loved every second of it and I learnt so much I hope to implement into not only my Guiding journey but my day-to-day life. So thank you to the Chief’s team for allowing me to go on this amazing journey!
This month, I’ve had a lot of conversations about money so why not have a whole blog on the subject! Not many Girlguiding volunteers join our organisation to handle finances, although those that do, are worth their weight in gold. For everyone else, it might not be our favourite task but it’s essential that we are good stewards of our charities finances. Wherever you are on this scale, I’ve got some top tips for you this month.
We were thrilled to see Girlguiding’s webinar on accounts has been made into an elearning module. Completing this course as an elearning or webinar is a requirement for all new leaders, ensuring that everyone has a solid understanding of our financial processes and responsibilities. But it’s not just for new leaders – existing leaders will also find it incredibly beneficial as a refresher.
The course covers everything you need to know about managing unit finances, from budgeting to maintaining good records and all the requirements of managing unit accounts. The elearning version is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, so you can complete it at your own pace. Plus, it’s packed with practical tips that you can apply to your role.
Why budgeting matters
One of the key topics covered in the elearning module is budgeting. Effective budgeting is crucial for the smooth running of your unit. It helps ensure that you have the funds needed for subscriptions, rent and activities throughout the year plus having some set aside for unexpected costs. If you are one of the units with a financial year that runs January through to December, now is a perfect time to budget. Regardless of your unit’s financial year, having a clear and well-planned budget is essential.
Tips for setting and following a budget
Here are some tips to help you set and follow a budget for your unit:
Be realistic:
Make sure your budget is realistic and achievable. Overestimating income (like donations which aren’t guaranteed) or underestimating expenses can lead to financial shortfalls.
Track your spending:
Keep a close eye on your spending throughout the year. Regularly compare your actual expenses to your budget to ensure you’re staying on track.
Adjust as needed:
Don’t be afraid to adjust your budget if circumstances change. This is particularly common if your number of young members goes up or down significantly. It’s natural that you’ll need to adjust if circumstances change.
Check your reserves:
It is always good to have 3-6months running costs in reserve. If you have more than this, reduce it by providing high quality opportunities for your existing members. If you have less than this, plan to gently increase it by putting a small amount on your unit fees, cutting costs or fundraising.
Seek advice:
If you’re unsure about any aspect of managing unit accounts, seek advice from more experienced leaders. This is especially important if you are not sure that you’ll have enough money to pay for big invoices like subscriptions in February/March next year. Speak to your commissioner early with any concerns that you have.
Remember:
We offer great value for money for parents and careers and a fantastically varied programme. Don’t be afraid to put up fees if you need to but find ways to support households that can’t afford the increase. Speaking openly and honestly about your unit’s financial position can help avoid any misconceptions and grumbles.
Taking it further
For more detailed guidance on setting and following a budget, check out this helpful page by Girlguiding – Setting and following a budget. It includes the first video from the elearning, a link to a simple budgeting template and lots of other helpful information. If you want to dive deeper, take a look at the elearning. By understanding our financial processes and mastering budgeting, you’ll be better equipped to provide a fantastic experience for the girls in your unit. Plus, you’ll gain confidence in managing your unit’s finances, which can make your role more enjoyable and less stressful.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to Girlguiding. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of young girls in our communities.
Click here for the last blog. The next blog is coming in 2025!