I have done my last piece of paid work before Christmas, have a couple of Guiding phone calls to make and then I am ready to celebrate an exclusively family Christmas. The turkey is in the fridge, the children are decorating the house, my son is desperate to make pigs in blankets (sausages in bacon to the uninitiated) and there is the spare room to prepare for my mother in law. Tomorrow my PC will go into its bag and not come out, my mobile will be answered selectively and you will find me slaving over a hot stove making turkey stock, mincepies and so on. I hope I find you in the same happy place, looking forward to a quiet/festive/party time according to your preference. I hope you all get the presents you most want and that the new year will see you refreshed and ready to get back into Guiding.
I look forward to working with you all in 2009 - and the start of the Centenary.
Tuesday 23 December 2008
Tuesday 16 December 2008
Every time I think things are getting quieter!
Christmas is coming (I thought) so everyone will have family things on their minds (I will). But I continue to be busy with paperwork to complete, messages to circulate, arrangements to make. Sadly, however, Guiding will need to take a back seat as I my Great Aunt (who I helped care for) has just died. Please bear with me while I work through this difficult time.
What it does remind me, though, is that I spoke about having a coffee and chat for anyone who fancies turning up. I might aim for the second week of January but need to find a cafe open in the evening. I'll post details once I have firmed them up so keep reading......
What it does remind me, though, is that I spoke about having a coffee and chat for anyone who fancies turning up. I might aim for the second week of January but need to find a cafe open in the evening. I'll post details once I have firmed them up so keep reading......
Wednesday 10 December 2008
Christmas is coming!
Having survived a Christmas Sleepover with a full Christmas Dinner cooked in a kitchen with NO roasting tins or dishes (thank goodness for tin foil) and done most of my Christmas shopping I feel I have Christmas under control. It is our last Guide meeting this week and we will continue to do Christmas craft including a very brave attempt to teach knitting.
I have also got Carol Services to look forward to with Trefoil Guilds, schools, Divisions and others.
The one thing I am behind with is Christmas cards - I am having some printed and waiting with bated breath to see if they need to be rebranded "New Year" cards. I have plans for how to get them written and posted with minimal delay involving excel spreadsheets, printed labels and lots of family participation.
Yesterday, we held our first commissioners reception which went well. I discovered that the bag packing last weekend went very well - it looks like we could have raised a few thousand pounds - at least £2000 we already know about. We also have a logo now for the Water project (No, it does not have a toilet on it!).
I am in Edinburgh tonight so aiming to catch up with some paperwork. On Friday I am vsiting the venue for our strategy day so things are going along nicely.
I have also got Carol Services to look forward to with Trefoil Guilds, schools, Divisions and others.
The one thing I am behind with is Christmas cards - I am having some printed and waiting with bated breath to see if they need to be rebranded "New Year" cards. I have plans for how to get them written and posted with minimal delay involving excel spreadsheets, printed labels and lots of family participation.
Yesterday, we held our first commissioners reception which went well. I discovered that the bag packing last weekend went very well - it looks like we could have raised a few thousand pounds - at least £2000 we already know about. We also have a logo now for the Water project (No, it does not have a toilet on it!).
I am in Edinburgh tonight so aiming to catch up with some paperwork. On Friday I am vsiting the venue for our strategy day so things are going along nicely.
Friday 5 December 2008
Another busy week
As we start the run up to Christmas, I remain very busy at work as well as making arrangements for family Christmas and, tonight, my Guide Christmas Sleepover. My car is full of Turkey, stuffing, (chocolate) plum pudding and so on.
It has been a very busy week for Guides with the last CC supper which was again thought-provoking and gave me a lot to ponder about. There was also a Herons Wey meeting where the review continues apace, and a meeting with Surrey East to pull together a recruitment training due for March. A great deal is going on, as you can see.
I have also had the pleasure of signing off two District Commissioners' induction packs and am looking forward to meeting some of the recent appointment-holders next week. Of course, we still have some important vacancies to fill including Chair of Programme and Chair of Adult Support. Both roles represent major groups of leaders in county and will play an important role in developing our long-term plans next year. I will be advertising those in the New Year both through the Weekly News but also to Queens Guides living in Surrey but not actively Guiding (at the moment). I am confident we will find two people who will take on these roles and be enthusiastic, creative and will take the county forward. Could it be you? Keep your eyes open for these ads.
Lastly, I would like to congratulate Cindy Barnes who will be the Region Chair of Campsites from the start of 2009. I am sure she will do a fantastic job although it will need a lot of travelling as the sites are scattered across the Region from Essex to Sussex.
It has been a very busy week for Guides with the last CC supper which was again thought-provoking and gave me a lot to ponder about. There was also a Herons Wey meeting where the review continues apace, and a meeting with Surrey East to pull together a recruitment training due for March. A great deal is going on, as you can see.
I have also had the pleasure of signing off two District Commissioners' induction packs and am looking forward to meeting some of the recent appointment-holders next week. Of course, we still have some important vacancies to fill including Chair of Programme and Chair of Adult Support. Both roles represent major groups of leaders in county and will play an important role in developing our long-term plans next year. I will be advertising those in the New Year both through the Weekly News but also to Queens Guides living in Surrey but not actively Guiding (at the moment). I am confident we will find two people who will take on these roles and be enthusiastic, creative and will take the county forward. Could it be you? Keep your eyes open for these ads.
Lastly, I would like to congratulate Cindy Barnes who will be the Region Chair of Campsites from the start of 2009. I am sure she will do a fantastic job although it will need a lot of travelling as the sites are scattered across the Region from Essex to Sussex.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)