HERE is a look at the magic of sisterhood the Irish Girl Guides which has a membership of 13,000 girls and young women the largest non formal education organisation for girls in the Republic.
Earlier this year in Portlaoise, the IGG introduced its first Code of Ethics and Good Practice, setting forth the mission of The Irish Girl Guides, which is to enable girls and young women develop to their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world. Jillian Hassett, resident of the National Youth Council of Ireland and a life long member of the IGG, spoke at its launch. She believes the IGG will lead the way for youth organisations through its use of this code.
Life Skills
There is more to the guides than camping, chomping apples, singing songs and learning how to do knots. Ms Hassett is the former secretary general of the European Co-ordination Bureau, which is the international youth work platform of the Council of Europe, working with more than 30 organisations. She credits the development of her life skills to her membership of the Irish Girl Guides.
In Portlaoise, Ms Hassett urged IGG members to communicate with the public about the way in which the organisation's leaders work with their young members. She urged the organisation's adult members in particular, to be energetic and active about bringing the organisation into the next century.
Ms Hassett reminded IGG members of the importance of communicating with the parents of young IGG and potential members about the value of guiding in developing the life skills necessary to become confident, fulfilled individuals. "All areas of their future lives can be influenced by the many real skills which they acquire as members of our organisation."
It is not just the uniform and the colourful neckerchief, shinny whistles and leather buckle belts that attracts individual youngsters to the Irish Girl Guides each year. A quick look at a recent IGG information sheet is full of details about what brownies, guides and lady birds the newest branch of the guides were up to around March this year. For example 62 IGG rangers and young leavers hiked from Glendalough to Lough Dan on a training weekend in March in preparation for a hiking competition later this year. Another group of guides and brownies from Killarney, in association with National Tree Walk, planted more than 200 saplings near the ancient oak woods on Tomies Mountain.
In Co Cork, the Mitchelstown Girl Guides are helping their town towards a three year plan to develop for re-entry into the Tidy Towns competition and also towards the long term development of the town by running a survey of every householder to ask their opinion of how to improve the town environment.
Guiding started in Ireland in 1911. Could one say that guiding has world wide appeal? There are more than eight million members in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, of which Ireland is a member through the Council of Irish Guiding Associations. The guides are spread throughout 128 countries.
Bob-a-Job
From bob-a-job week to jamborees, and brass bands to bring and buy sales, the IGG provides a meeting place for girls from a variety of backgrounds where they are encouraged to enjoy themselves in an unpressurised atmosphere. They take part in a variety of activities, that help encourage them to grow in self confidence and develop leadership skills.
For the first time the new code, which is published in booklet form, clearly sets out the aims and objectives of the IGG. It includes information and definitions on child abuse physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, sexual abuse and bullying. It includes guidelines on how to respond to suspected child abuse. As a voluntary organisation working with children, the IGG aims to ensure that the children in its care are protected from harm. The code sets out the correct procedures for responding to accidents and complaints and to dealing with, alleged or suspected incidents of abuse. It also deals with procedures for disengaging unsuitable leaders and for the suspension and dismissal of children.
As a voluntary, non-denominational organisation working with children its parameters to recognise that children and adults have rights as individuals and must treat each other with dignity and respect. The guide leaders are encouraged to establish links with parents. The booklet includes guidelines which are to ensure that all activities will have antiquate supervision and boundaries and that leaders will take time to listen to the young people in their care and believe, what they say.
Dress Code
But the dress code is important too. Within the IGG there are ladybirds, brownies, guides, rangers, young leaders and then there are the adult leaders. Ladybirds, aged between five and seven years, wear a smart, practical, navy track suit with a red neckerchief. The ladybirds promise is "to try to do my best, to love God and to help other a people".
"Brownies, who are aged between six and a half and 11 years, wear a yellow sweatshirt with a navy neckerchief, a navy badge sash and track suit bottoms or culottes. They promise "to do my best, to do my duty, to God and my country, to help those at home every day, and to, obey the brownie law".
The guides, aged between 101/2 and 16, wear a navy sweatshirt, a neckerchief, a badge sash and jeans. Their role is expanded also and they are encouraged to take more responsibility for their own actions at camps, on hikes, in their weekly meetings or giving service in the local community, and foster a caring attitude to the environment.
The Irish Girl Guides place a great deal of importance on, leader training. There are no special qualifications to become a leader. According to a brochure, all you need is an interest and enthusiasm in working with young people and to be prepared to give some time on a regular basis. "Training is on going and adults often find themselves trying things which they have never done before."