It has been a quiet Guiding week this week after the excitement last week of presenting to Surrey County Council on our application of funding. We have yet to have confirmation of the outcome but we were satisfied with the indications given.
This week it has been paperwork mainly. Also I had another Supper where Guiders shared their thoughts with me. So far 24 have come to dinner and let me have their thoughts in return for food (cooked by me so the culinary experience was not gourmet!) and good company (provided by everyone else). Next week is the last one and I think they have been useful.
I have also been pondering about the desirability of having "Coffee and a chat" sessions. These would be completely informal but let anyone who is feeling a bit stressed or lonely join me for coffee somewhere in County. I may give that a go from the new year as my work seems to involve quite a bit of travel at the moment and it may be difficult to find time before Christmas.
Thursday 27 November 2008
Monday 17 November 2008
Lots of people to meet
It has been a few days since I last posted anything so I hope you haven't got bored waiting! There has been so much to do that time has just slipped by. There have been goodbyes to say and welcome to new appointment holders. I have met more people through a series of suppers I have been holding.
This week I will be meeting the Youth Development Service to seek funding. This is very important to us as this funding helps us manage our costs and keep them at a manageable level. The funding is aimed at teenagers and we have put together an integrated programme of bids that we hope will be attention grabbing. Most County Commissioners have to do this at least once in their period of office and, as it has happened so early in mine, I suspect I will be doing it again at some future period. I hope you will cross everything you have and think positive thoughts between 4pm and 5pm on Thursday so we get as much as we can.
This week I will be meeting the Youth Development Service to seek funding. This is very important to us as this funding helps us manage our costs and keep them at a manageable level. The funding is aimed at teenagers and we have put together an integrated programme of bids that we hope will be attention grabbing. Most County Commissioners have to do this at least once in their period of office and, as it has happened so early in mine, I suspect I will be doing it again at some future period. I hope you will cross everything you have and think positive thoughts between 4pm and 5pm on Thursday so we get as much as we can.
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Enthusiasm and Energy
Sometimes what we all need is a burst of energy. I don't know where you get yours from but I get a real buzz from bouncing ideas around with creative people who are willing to look positively on change. What drains my energy are people who always see problems and never see solutions. Fortunately, we have lots of the first group in Guiding and I am getting to know more and more of them.
Now, I don't say things must change but we do have to be ready to move if it is necessary whether it is through relaunching the website and making this the first port of call for information (No, I haven't forgotten that not everyone has access to a computer and we will make sure those people are also catered for), changing the way we do things either in response to changes elsewhere or just to make life easier, and we also need to be prepared to reject change if it makes things worse - but we should do any or all of these only after we have thought about what changes mean and what the possible consequences are. That is what positive and creative people do. So we do have lots of them in Guiding and they are very welcome in an organisation that does not stay still.
PS - By writing about the type of people who drain my energy, please don't make the mistake of assuming that I think there are lots or even any at all in Guiding.
Now, I don't say things must change but we do have to be ready to move if it is necessary whether it is through relaunching the website and making this the first port of call for information (No, I haven't forgotten that not everyone has access to a computer and we will make sure those people are also catered for), changing the way we do things either in response to changes elsewhere or just to make life easier, and we also need to be prepared to reject change if it makes things worse - but we should do any or all of these only after we have thought about what changes mean and what the possible consequences are. That is what positive and creative people do. So we do have lots of them in Guiding and they are very welcome in an organisation that does not stay still.
PS - By writing about the type of people who drain my energy, please don't make the mistake of assuming that I think there are lots or even any at all in Guiding.
Monday 3 November 2008
Family comes first
As several people have reminded me recently; we are all volunteers - and that includes me. This means that family and work (usually in that order) must take priority over Guiding.
For the past few weeks I have been juggling a recently bereaved mother, a hospitalised mother-in-law and a Great-Aunt rapidly losing her sight. I have also been trying to fit in work at what is usually the busiest time of year for me. As a result I have not been able to do as much as I would have liked to as CC. So if I have turned up late, forgotten to acknowledge you, responded in a curt way or not at all, I hope you will bear with me as it is a difficult time. A little bit of patience, forbearance and support always helps as I am not super-human. Fortunately I met several people at the weekend who were willing and able to listen and reassure and I would like to say a big Thank you to them all. Things will be back on track again soon I hope.
For the past few weeks I have been juggling a recently bereaved mother, a hospitalised mother-in-law and a Great-Aunt rapidly losing her sight. I have also been trying to fit in work at what is usually the busiest time of year for me. As a result I have not been able to do as much as I would have liked to as CC. So if I have turned up late, forgotten to acknowledge you, responded in a curt way or not at all, I hope you will bear with me as it is a difficult time. A little bit of patience, forbearance and support always helps as I am not super-human. Fortunately I met several people at the weekend who were willing and able to listen and reassure and I would like to say a big Thank you to them all. Things will be back on track again soon I hope.
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