Membership growth & retention
MGR task group
Our membership growth & retention (MGR) task group is brand new for 2019. It was developed after hearing of a similar venture in Bristol & South Gloucestershire and is already making a big difference in the county. The way the group works is simple:
Get involved - we are always on the lookout for new members of our MGR task group. If you would like to know more or would like to get involved then get in touch.
- The group meets just three times a year.
- The group has members from a range of volunteer roles as well as members from different areas of the county geographically.
- The group works with the MGR plan which is devised each November at the SWE region MGR conference and runs for the duration of the year.
- The group also has scope to come up with their own ideas to add to the plan and members are always on the lookout for bright ideas and new ways to spread the word about how great guiding is.
- Members are asked to commit to the group for just one year initially, with the option to extend by a further year at the end of each year's commitment if they wish.
- At the meetings, the group discusses the MGR actions within the plan and each person agrees to take on a small task based on their availability and their own skills.
Get involved - we are always on the lookout for new members of our MGR task group. If you would like to know more or would like to get involved then get in touch.
Waiting list recommended process
This recommended process is designed to provide leaders and parents with clear information as to how we manage our waiting lists in the county and is based on the guidance from Girlguiding.
Within Gloucestershire units, we will do our best to manage waiting lists fairly, consistently and transparently.
Girls may join Rainbows, at any time after their fourth birthday; will usually move onto Brownies shortly after their seventh birthday; will usually move on to Guides shortly after their tenth birthday; and on to Rangers shortly after their fourteenth birthday. This allows leaders to estimate when a space might become available to give a parent a rough idea of when their daughter might get a space. However as girls are encouraged to move up when they are ready and not immediately they reach the next age bracket, any date given to a parent can only be an estimation and the leader will keep the parent informed closer to the time whether this remains realistic.
Unfortunately, there are times when units will be unable to offer a space for a girl for several months. In such cases, parents will be informed of this and given the option to see if there are spaces in other local units.
You can view the full document via the button below.
Latest version: Launched May 2020
Within Gloucestershire units, we will do our best to manage waiting lists fairly, consistently and transparently.
Girls may join Rainbows, at any time after their fourth birthday; will usually move onto Brownies shortly after their seventh birthday; will usually move on to Guides shortly after their tenth birthday; and on to Rangers shortly after their fourteenth birthday. This allows leaders to estimate when a space might become available to give a parent a rough idea of when their daughter might get a space. However as girls are encouraged to move up when they are ready and not immediately they reach the next age bracket, any date given to a parent can only be an estimation and the leader will keep the parent informed closer to the time whether this remains realistic.
Unfortunately, there are times when units will be unable to offer a space for a girl for several months. In such cases, parents will be informed of this and given the option to see if there are spaces in other local units.
You can view the full document via the button below.
Latest version: Launched May 2020
Recruitment toolkit & display boardsGirlguiding have provided us with a fantastic recruitment toolkit which is available for our MGR task group or to any unit, district or division in the county who would like to try raising the profile of Girlguiding in their local area, whatever the event. The toolkit includes a wide range of resources including posters (laminated for durability), examples of resources such as badge books and unit meeting activity cards, bunting, a table runner, display stands for posters and postcards, a mix of postcards and so on.
A full list of what can be found in the toolkit can be downloaded using the link below.
In addition, we also have a fabulous recruitment display board, all set up ready to be put up at recruitment opportunities. The only tricky bit is ensuring the panels go up in the right order (see the photograph) so that it meets branding rules and the section photos appear next to the correct logo.
NOTE - These boards are still using the old branding. To borrow the MGR toolkit or the MGR display boards, please contact our MGR coordinator. Keeping the boards up to date
We're currently in the process of updating the photographs on the board to meet with GDPR legislation. If you are holding an event where we might be able to take some photos for promotional purposes and are willing to help us by coordinating the photo consent forms (don't worry, we'll explain it all and provide the forms) then please let us know.
To invite our photographers to your unit or event, please contact our marketing & communications team leader. |
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New unit grant
Growing Guiding tips and tools
Transition tip: Brownies to Guides
One Guide unit sends round its unit newsletter to the local Brownies turning 10. They have been successful in attracting more Brownies to join Guides.
Lead into Guiding
Check out the Lead into Guiding page under Growing Guiding on Girlguiding website.
The 'lead into guiding' pack is a tool to help recruit young people into guiding as volunteers and potential leaders.
The 'lead into guiding' pack is a tool to help recruit young people into guiding as volunteers and potential leaders.
Volunteer Gloucestershire
Volunteer Gloucestershire is a website dedicated to helping potential volunteers find opportunities and those seeking volunteers to advertise their opportunities. The following is a report from Volunteer Gloucestershire about using their website to advertise for Girlguiding roles.
Volunteer Gloucestershire has looked at visit statistics to the various sub-pages of their website to see what people are interested in. Although 'animals' is a popular area at 8% it is dwarfed by people interested in working with Young People (11%) and various other 'people' volunteering categories. This is good news for us. See the full report.
Volunteer Gloucestershire has looked at visit statistics to the various sub-pages of their website to see what people are interested in. Although 'animals' is a popular area at 8% it is dwarfed by people interested in working with Young People (11%) and various other 'people' volunteering categories. This is good news for us. See the full report.
Looking for new volunteers?
It would be helpful, if when you approach our MGR coordinator for help with recruitment, you could confirm that you have already contacted parents for help; you and your other volunteers have approached friends and family; and you have promoted the role locally.
Tips for attracting parents or carers as volunteers can be found in Girlguiding's recruitment and growth toolkit.
Tips for attracting parents or carers as volunteers can be found in Girlguiding's recruitment and growth toolkit.
Tips for online advertising
If you decide to advertise online, please remember not to give the full address of your meeting place or the exact time of your meetings. It is a good idea to create a unit email address for responses rather than using your personal email. We can set these up at a county level with an @girlguidingglos.org.uk domain. Email the marketing & communications team to request a new email.
Volunteer role descriptions
Have you also seen the new role descriptions on Girlguiding website?
They outline the purpose of a Girlguiding volunteer role, the tasks a volunteer in that role will be expected to do, and what skills and attributes they will need. The roles included are: unit leader, assistant leader, unit helper and unit occasional helper.
The role descriptions help volunteers to understand their role within the organisation, what is expected of them and what they can expect from us. They help ensure volunteers and staff supporting volunteers get the right people in the right roles and to make the most of their time and skills.
The documents can be used throughout the volunteer journey, including for volunteer induction and support. They are designed to be flexible enough to be used locally while setting a consistent standard across Girlguiding.
They outline the purpose of a Girlguiding volunteer role, the tasks a volunteer in that role will be expected to do, and what skills and attributes they will need. The roles included are: unit leader, assistant leader, unit helper and unit occasional helper.
The role descriptions help volunteers to understand their role within the organisation, what is expected of them and what they can expect from us. They help ensure volunteers and staff supporting volunteers get the right people in the right roles and to make the most of their time and skills.
The documents can be used throughout the volunteer journey, including for volunteer induction and support. They are designed to be flexible enough to be used locally while setting a consistent standard across Girlguiding.
Move On Up!
Here are some tips to help girls transition to the next section.
- Running joint events with other units.
- Leaders talking to girls about moving up as a positive move.
- Leaders of the next section units visiting feeder groups.
- Move on Up! Go for it.
- Taster evenings.
- Rangers, Guides and Brownies going and running sessions with Guides, Brownies and Rainbows.
- Involving parents.
- Brownie leaders going up with new Guides for the first week or two.
