LIPHOOK DISTRICT GUIDES

Guiders

We are very fortunate to have an excellent group of warranted Guiders in Liphook District.

Some have been in Guiding for many years and others have joined more recently.

We currently have just enough Guiders to run all the Units, however we can always use more leaders in all sections.

Read our section on Becoming a Warranted Leader if you are interested in helping.

However, it is not so much the QUANTITY of leaders that makes Liphook special, it is the QUALITY, even if we do say so ourselves!.

Guiding in Liphook is unique and successful because we have a dedicated, experienced, well trained, talented and keen group of very friendly people willing to give their time voluntarily. We work well together as a team, and our main priority is the girls in our care.

How do we attract and keep our leaders and helpers? There is not just one reason, but some of the contributing factors are:

•  We are building on a firm foundation laid down by the previous generation of Guiders such as Margaret Dalman.

•  Our District Coordinator Barbara Crook is very hard working and experienced and always prepared to listen and support when needed. We also have a supportive Division Commissioner, Sue Barratt.

•  We are very fortunate at present to have the use of an HQ which although not legally our own, means we all meet in the same hall and we are able to organise joint events together. This is crucial as if we were spread around the village meeting in different locations as in past years, working together to provide exciting events and opportunities for the girls would be so much more difficult if not impossible.

•  We have a core set of experienced Guiders who have worked in Guiding together for many years. We operate as a team, each taking on a part of the organisation and administration of the District.

•  We are a friendly bunch and ensure that all new volunteers are made to feel welcome and appreciated and they soon feel part of the team.

•  We are very keen to find ways to keep older Guides interested in Guiding so that they stay on and then they are given lots of support to enable them to become Young Leaders and eventually these girls often become Guiders.
Many other Districts lose all their Guides around age 13 and never have Young Leaders. We have enough 14 to 18 year olds for all Units to have at least one and often two each. In fact 22 of our current Young Leaders and Guiders were previously Liphook Guides or Rangers!

•  The adults in the District are supportive and will always help each other out when needed. We enjoy each others' company and have several social events each year which helps to glue the fabric of the District together.

•  There is a good community spirit in the village which is popular with families.

• We enjoy an exellent relationship with our brother organisation Liphook Scouts. See Liphook Scouts website

These are just some of the reasons Liphook has a strong leadership team; there are many more.

Crucial members of our District team are Barbara Ellis and Christine Ling, who although not warranted Guiders, work as hard if not harder than Guiders. as in adition to being Unit Helpers, they are our District Treasurer and District Secretary respectively.

If you would like to become part of this team, see Becoming a Warranted Leader