Current volunteering opportunities throughout the county
Besides becoming a leader, there are many other flexible volunteer opportunities within guiding. Some support roles are home-based which means they fit well around work, family and other commitments too. Volunteers have the flexibility and freedom to give whatever time they have available.
We would particularly welcome volunteers with skills in the following areas at the moment:
- Property management
- Property maintenance
- PR and marketing
- Recruitment
- Project management
- Administration
Adviser
Advisers have an area of specialism which they share with others within the county. This may relate to a particular section of the programme (eg Rainbows) or it may relate to an activity (eg music or boating). It may also relate to a specialist area of knowledge or expertise (eg Safe Space or PR/communications).
The role of the adviser varies according to the specialism although enthusiasm for the particular specialism is common to all. He or she may offer any combination of advice, training or resources to support leaders within the county.
For more information contact countycommissioner@wncounty.org.uk
Commissioner
Commissioners, whether at district, division or county level, are responsible for supporting guiding and leaders within a specified area.
What do I need to become a commissioner?
The main thing you need is enthusiasm for working with a team of adults to support them in delivering good guiding through good practice.
You may have skills and qualities gained and developed in the workplace or in other volunteering roles which are transferable. Communication, leading and building a team, tact, diplomacy and flexibility are all important. A commissioner develops her skills over time though and is not expected have them all at the outset.
I haven’t been a leader very long, so can I be a commissioner?
There is no minimum length of service as a leader before taking on a commissioner role. You do not have to have been a district commissioner to become a division commissioner, neither do you have to have held other commissioner roles to become county commissioner. The person is more important than their history.
Can I job share?
Yes of course. Many of our district, division and even county commissioner roles are shared; it’s practically the norm! There are great benefits to sharing the role with someone you can work well with. Striking the work/life/guiding balance right is very important.
What support is there?
You start as a commissioner designate for up to six months; this allows you time to settle in to the role. You then have a discussion with one of the county commissioners to check that you are happy to continue.
You will be allocated a mentor, usually a leader who has experience as a commissioner, to help you through the initial period. She will be able to answer any questions you may have and provide advice, for as long as you feel it is useful to you.
Networking with other commissioners is very valuable. You will meet other commissioners at division or county meetings. We also hold commissioner forums or trainings within county and there are occasional region commissioner conferences which you may be invited to attend.
I’m interested – what do I do now?
Contact countycommissioner@wncounty.org.uk
Mentor
For the Leadership Qualification (LQ) every new leader needs a mentor. Qualified leaders may also need mentors eg for activity or residential qualifications or when taking on a commissioner role.
What is mentoring?
Mentoring is a partnership between you and a learner, which is designed to build confidence in the learner and help her to achieve a goal she has chosen. In this case a Girlguiding qualification.
What experience do I need to be a mentor?
You will need to hold the qualification that you are going to mentor someone else to achieve. For the Leadership Qualification it can be any leader holding the LQ or a leader who has just completed her LQ (a chance to share the experience and reinforce her own learning).
You need to be enthusiastic so that your enthusiasm will be passed onto your mentee!
What training will I get?
There is an e-learning module for you to try. This can be found at www.girlguiding.org.uk > E-learning > Mentor > Mentor module.
Your county, division or district will be able to advise you of the next mentor meeting/training in your local area. There will also be on-going support from the coordinator or adviser for whichever scheme you want to mentor.
Girlguiding Wiltshire North has a Mentoring Pack which can be obtained by emailing countycommissioner@wncounty.org.uk
How much will it cost?
Being a mentor will cost you nothing except your time! Expenses will be paid at a local level for meetings, visits to units etc and for your training.
I’m interested – what do I do now?
The Leadership Qualification: tell your local commissioner and she will discuss the role with you. Alternatively, contact the County Leadership Coordinator.
Activity or residential qualifications: contact the relevant adviser.
Commissioners: contact a county commissioner – she will tell you how you can help.
Secretary
Districts, divisions, county and various county committees all need secretarial support. In most cases, this involves attending a few meetings per year, taking and then distributing minutes (usually electronically).
This is a role which may be held by a non-member. Contact your local commissioner for more information.
Treasurer
All units, districts, divisions and county need treasurers to make sure their finances are in order. In a unit, it is not always the unit leader who does the accounts.
This is a role which may be held by a non-member, although all treasurers are subject to Girlguiding recruitment checks (including DBS). Contact your local commissioner for more information.
Unit helpers and occasional helpers
Helpers are vital in enabling the unit to keep running. They help out either on a rota system, or just whenever they can, providing the leaders with an extra pair of hands.
Unit leaders and assistant leaders
Every Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Ranger unit has at least one leader, who has completed the Girlguiding Leadership Qualification. Leaders have overall responsibility for the unit, although this is often shared between a team. Leaders and assistant leaders work with the girls to plan activities and to ensure that finances and records are kept up to date.