I'm an Advisor!

Meet Lucy. She's an Assistant Duke of Edinburgh Advisor for Girlguiding Norfolk and a District Commissioner for Hellesdon District.

What does your role involve?

My role as a county DofE Award advisor involves making sure that Senior Section members and Leaders across the county are aware of the DofE Award and that those who choose to work towards the award are given the support they need.
This may be helping a Senior Section member choose an activity to do for the skills section or teaching and training girls how to use a compass and read a map before they go on an expedition.
Once the girls have completed their award, I make sure their achievement is celebrated, usually by having a party where their award can be presented in front of family and friends.
There is some paperwork involved with this role, but its out weighed by the hands on tasks!

As a District Commissioner I am responsible for overseeing all aspects of guiding in the area where I live.
I am involved in all sections of guiding and all activities.
I might be invited to a Rainbow Promise Party one day, a Brownie Challenge Day the next, a Baden-Powell Award Party, Senior Section camp or the Trefoil Guild coffee morning.

However, the role isn't just about the social life!

I attend around five Division meeting each year and then chair a District meeting to pass on information to the Leader's in my District about whats going on.

I meet new Leaders and carry out their Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks, I administer the sleepover and holiday forms each time a units stays away and I complete the census forms and audit the accounts once a year.

I also keep the Leaders in my District happy and make sure they have the right tools and skills to do a fabulous job!

What do you love most about guiding?

I love international guiding and the sense of belonging to a world wide organisation. I've been to international Jamborees and visited the World Centres in Switzerland and Mexico. I met some amazing people on these trips and I am still in contact with some of them.

What guiding achievement are you most proud of?

Getting my Queens Guide Award has to be my biggest achievement and my proudest moment. It's the highest award you can gain in guiding and took me nearly three years to complete. At times, I thought I was never going to finish it but there was always a guiding friend encouraging me when I needed it. I was so nervous when I had my award presented by HRH Countess of Wessex and the Chief Guide I was so excited too!

I wear my badge on my badge tab and love it when the Rainbows and Brownies ask what it is. My certificate has been framed and is hanging on my bedroom wall!

What would you say to someone who is thinking about becoming a Senior Section member and taking on your role?

I would encourage any Senior Section member to take on a role of a District Commissioner or as an Advisor.

My advice would be: don't be put off by what other people tell you about a role. Try it for yourself there is always someone willing to help you if you're struggling. Some Leaders may think you're too young to be a Commissioner but it's up to you to prove them wrong!

Taking on a role such as a Commissioner or an Advisor is my way of saying thank you to all the people that have helped me since I was a Brownie. Plus I can make sure that the younger girls have the opportunities I've had.

Talk to a Commissioner about what you'd like to do.

P.S. It looks great on your CV!