Travel Show

Tonight was the Travel Show and we were treated to some very sophisticated slideshows and films of trips to Thailand, Zambia, Madagascar and New Zealand. The opportunities are fantastic. If only more people had turned up to find out about the trips. Many of the audience were already going on trips and I think there was only one girl who was thinking of going to selection.

New District Commissioner appointed

Yes - Cindy and I talked to a new DC and so I will know what to do next time. The question is whether appointing DCs could be delegated as it is a substantial commitment to finding, phoning, persuading and meeting with candidates.

No entry - dull and fruitless meeting in progress

The title comes from a cartoon in Management Today magazine and it rung a chord as I sat through a day at a meeting - one of many I have sat through over the years. We are really very poor at meeting management in Guiding. Everyone's time is precious and meetings should be held for a purpose, should achieve their objective and do so in a productive and efficient manner. Is that too much to ask? One of my District Commissioners suggested to me that meeting management is a key skill all commissioners should be taught. I would agree.

(For those who read an earlier version of this post I would like to apologise if I caused any offence.)

Could do better

It is the end of my first week and it has been busy but manageable thanks to a great deal of help from Julie in the Office.

So how am I doing? Well the letter introducing myself seems to have been well-received and the Picnic in the Park went well BUT I failed to turn up to one engagement and my ACC took me to task over appointments. She was quite right as I had appointed someone without consultation and it had always been my intention to widen the pool we appoint from. Like most Commissioners I was grateful someone volunteered so I didn't say that I would consider her offer and then look for others that might be interested so we could get the best person.

Still Rome wasn't built in a day.

Have a good weekend
Georgina

Lunch and thoughts on Trefoil Guild

It has been a busy week as you might have guessed as it is my first in post. On Monday I met with Julie in the office to sort out lots of things - not least the Exec meetings which I want to make shorter. That took all morning.

Today I had lunch with a Trefoil Guild. It was a lovely lunch, held at Weyside, but it was clear that this group, unlike many others who continue to find new members both in Guiding and retired, was finding it hard to recruit younger members. Their numbers had fallen and they were losing members as they died (sad to say). They had all known each other for some years and grown up together.

Perhaps we need to accept that Trefoil Guilds tend to be cohorts - like Rangers - where a group of friends join and it needs another group of friends to join to keep numbers up. As there are a group of Leaders close to retirement at the moment perhaps they could form a "Class of 200X" Trefoil Guild? Our Leaders in their 60s are in most cases fit, active, competent and very supportive folk. We can, and have, involved them in County events such as Dirty Hands and Muddy Boots Day and Gangstas and Glamour to run activities and play an active part and not just make the tea. They are a fantastic resource. Of course, I don't say Trefoil Guild has to be older people - I joined at 21 and had a brilliant time.

Signing off

Gold Medal at Beijing

RACHEL MORRIS Women's time trial HC A/HC B/HC C
and a Ranger in Farnham! Well done to one of our own.

First official engagements

Yesterday I had two official engagements - but only managed to turn up to one due to a diary malfunction (I forgot to write down the time). Thanks to Jenny Pratt from Camberley for not being cross with me and for giving me lots of craft ideas for my Guides. She also sells some brilliant Guide cards designed by her YL Hannah. I had 150 printed for the County. If you want some for you then email Jenny (craftyjenny@fsmail.net).
So my first official engagement was Picnic and Prom in the Park at Herons Wey (HW). What a fabulous evening - lovely weather, glorious surroundings, beautiful music and all for a good cause - improving water supply for HW. It really was a fantastic event and Enid Brewer and her team worked really hard to make it a success. If you missed it this time (and I know a lot of you did!) then we will probably do it again so get your order for tickets in quickly.
So I am sitting down doing paperwork - the joy of being a CC - and every so often someone emails me and I realise what lovely, helpful bunch of people we all are. Lots of wonderful ideas coming too. Enough to keep me busy for some time.
Signing off......

My first day as CC

So here it is at last and how does it feel?
Exciting? worrying? Those and more. Have I ever done anything like this before? No. Have I ever managed people before? No. Have I got good support? Yes! Have I got plans? Absolutely.

Today will be an admin day - changing things on the website, introducing myself to people, buying drink and food for tomorrow's Picnic in the Park where I am running the bar (agreed before I took on CC), oh and I will probably squeeze in some of my paid work and possibly find time to go to the Gym before Guides this evening. So, as usual, a packed day.

I think that is one of my concerns - time or lack of it. I hope that setting up a good team will help there and making good use of the County Office too. Also I need to find out who I have in County to help. I could do with some project management experience - anyone out there with Prince 2?

End of first post - I hope this works.