Creation. In the beginning and a lot of preparation.

March to June 2023

Back in March, we had a division meeting where Gemma (our division guide advisor) asked for volunteers to set up and run a new guide unit, little did I think that I'd be setting up and running a new unit, but I said I'd be happy to be involved.  We set up a band group and came together for a planning meeting where we decided that our name would be 2nd Crossgates Guide and we would open in September 2023.  

Girlguiding have a new unit first term plan which we'll happily follow; it covers 12 weeks (I think our first term will have 13 weeks) but we can always finish with a pure craft / games night.  I'm also looking forward to getting the girls involved with cinema trips and other outings.

We also agreed to provide a joining pack (subject to a joining fee) which would include the guide handbook and interest badge book, as well as a guides badge. I've ordered some blue tote bags from cleverbaggers (they worked out around £2 each including postage, which we'll include in the joining pack.

Gemma set up the unit on GO then contacted the girls on the existing waiting lists - nine wanted to join our unit.

We are trying to set up our bank account (well, Rebecca is) and we know that we'll have to put aside about £30 per girl towards census from the first term's subs. 

Once the bank account is open, we can apply for a trefoil guild grant to buy some books tog give to the girls.

It's all very exciting and I can't wait to share our progress.