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.
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:
- 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.
MGR Plan 2019
At the moment the MGR Task Group are busy working on the 2019 MGR Plan as follows:
Action 1: Put the new MGR Task Group together and appoint a new MGR Team Leader to coordinate things
The task group has been formed successfully and is working well but we're still looking for that Team Leader. If you think this might be you, check out the Role Description and get in touch if you want to put yourself forward or have any questions.
Action 2: Be visible at public events across the county and promote volunteering opportunities in a professional way
The group have drawn up a list of possible events to cover and have already made firm plans for some of them. If you are able to help run a stand at any of these events then do get in touch as we cannot manage them all just as a small team, we need help from across the county on this one.
Confirmed Dates for far:
Other possible dates are:
Action 3: Create a Growing Guiding Challenge to encourage all units to support this campaign
The group agreed that the original idea of a poster campaign could be better adapted in this way and in May 2019 we launched the Growing Guiding Challenge (pictured right). We felt it was so important, it has it's own web page! Click on the button below to find out more.
At the moment the MGR Task Group are busy working on the 2019 MGR Plan as follows:
Action 1: Put the new MGR Task Group together and appoint a new MGR Team Leader to coordinate things
The task group has been formed successfully and is working well but we're still looking for that Team Leader. If you think this might be you, check out the Role Description and get in touch if you want to put yourself forward or have any questions.
Action 2: Be visible at public events across the county and promote volunteering opportunities in a professional way
The group have drawn up a list of possible events to cover and have already made firm plans for some of them. If you are able to help run a stand at any of these events then do get in touch as we cannot manage them all just as a small team, we need help from across the county on this one.
Confirmed Dates for far:
- University of Gloucestershire Volunteer Fayre - 26 February 2019 COMPLETE
- Clubs & Societies Fayre, Kingshill House, Dursley - Saturday 23 March 2019 COMPLETE
- Stroud Country Show - Saturday 13 July 2019
- The Moreton in the Marsh Show - Saturday 7 September 2019
Other possible dates are:
- Cheltenham Classic Run at Cheltenham Race Course - Sunday 1 September 2019 EVENT CANCELLED
- Gloucester Pride, Gloucester Park, Gloucester - Saturday 14 September 2019
- University of Gloucestershire Freshers' Fayre - September 2019 (Date TBC)
Action 3: Create a Growing Guiding Challenge to encourage all units to support this campaign
The group agreed that the original idea of a poster campaign could be better adapted in this way and in May 2019 we launched the Growing Guiding Challenge (pictured right). We felt it was so important, it has it's own web page! Click on the button below to find out more.
|
Recruitment Toolkit & Display Boards
Girlguiding 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.
To borrow the MGR Toolkit or the MGR Display Boards, please contact our Growth 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. |
|
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
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.
Looking for new volunteers?
It would be helpful, if when you approach our Growing Guiding 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 here
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, Unit Occasional Helper and Residential 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.
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
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.
Looking for new volunteers?
It would be helpful, if when you approach our Growing Guiding 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 here
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, Unit Occasional Helper and Residential 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
