Saskatchewan Council
Starting a New Unit
2014
WHEN to consider starting a new unit:
· A unit has become too big
· There is a waiting list for girls to join a unit
· You have more leaders than needed to run a unit
· You want to host a bring-a-friend event but can't accommodate any new girls that might join
· There is interest in Guiding from a nearby town or community
· A Guiding Unit has become large enough to split into single branch units
· You have girls that want to move onto the next branch of Guiding but there is no nearby unit
HOW to start a new unit:
Step 1: Recruiting Guiders
A minimum of 1 Guider and one Non-Member is required to start a new unit. However, it is challenging to run a unit with only one Guider. It is STRONGLY recommended to have two screened Guiders to start a new unit.
TO BECOME A GUIDER:
1. Contact the Provincial Office for a screening package which contains:
i) A.1 (Adult Membership Application)
ii) IR.1 (Image Release Form)
2. Complete the forms and return them quickly to the provincial office
3. The Provincial office will complete the screening process by:
i) facilitating the Police Record & References Check using the Girl Guide service provider,
BackCheck.
ii) providing the orientation booklet
iii) completing the interview process
iv) notifying the potential guider and District Commissioner once the screening process is
completely successful.
TO BECOME A NON-MEMBER
1. Complete the A.7* form and return it to the provincial office.
2. Complete an Image Release (IR.1*) form and return it to the provincial office. 3.
3. Have a PRC (Police Record Check) completed and send the original documents directly to the provincial or Area office. To obtain a Police Record Check through BackCheck, please contact the provincial office.
*Forms are found at the Girl Guides of Canada website. Under the 'Volunteer' tab, click on 'Member Volunteer Resources' scroll down to the 'Forms' link and then look on the left side of the page for the A.7 and IR.1 links.
Ideas for recruiting Guiders:
1. ASK – friends, work colleagues, neighbors, social contacts. Speak to them personally of the need for leaders and the benefits of Guiding. Ask them directly to be involved. Practice saying: “Would you be a leader for this Unit?” GGC has countless surveys in which parents don't think that they have been asked to help. Make sure that the people you speak to KNOW that they have been asked.
2. Contact the Provincial Public Relations Adviser () to get promotional materials for your community. Put materials in high visibility spots such as bulletin boards in libraries, grocery stores, schools, daycare centers, before and after school programs, hospitals and laundromats. Be sure to add a local contact name and contact number.
3. Tie a recruiting event to another high publicity event such as cookie days or a service project that your units are doing.
4. Ask to give a short talk about Guiding to a local women's group or a group for new immigrants.
5. Speak to the Area office about starting a new unit. They may have contact information for someone who has expressed an interest in Guiding.
6. Be visible – wear your uniform proudly and show the community how much fun it is to be a part of Guiding.
7. Talk to nearby Guiders. Is there an experienced Guider who is interested in running a new unit? Is there a Guider that works in a different community and could run a meeting after work?
Step 2: Look for a location for meetings
· Schools, Libraries, and Churches often have meeting spaces available.
· Senior Residences and Nursing Homes may have a meeting room that you could use.
· Businesses may be willing to let you use a room in the evening.
· Don't forget that you can share meeting spaces with other units. Units can take turns using the space alone while other units head outside or engage in another activity.
REMEMBER – ONLY THE AREA COMMISSIONER IS AUTHORIZED TO SIGN RENTAL AGREEMENTS.
Contact the person who has authority to give permission to use the space. Get information about the space and how to arrange to use the space and provide this information to your Area Commissioner.
Step 3: Register the unit
1. Complete the Unit/Property (B.1*) form for the unit.
2. This form will direct you to select your meeting day and time and to provide other information about the unit.
3. Return this form to the Area office.
Forms are found at the Girl Guides of Canada website. Under the 'Volunteer' tab, click on 'Member Volunteer Resources' scroll down to the 'Forms' link and then look on the left side of the page for the B.1 link.
Step 4: Find the girls
1. Be visible – have as many public events where you wear full uniform
2. Use free publicity such as community radio or newspapers
3. Contact the Area office to get promotional materials for your community. Put materials in high visibility spots such as bulletin boards in libraries, grocery stores, schools, daycare centers, before and after school programs, hospitals and laundromats. Be sure to add the Girl Guides of Canada website (www.girlguides.ca) for registration.
4. Provide membership information when you are doing cookie sales
5. Hold bring-a-friend meeting nights.
Step 5: Get started
The Girl Guides of Canada website (www.girlguides.ca) website has documents that can help you with your new role. These documents are found under the 'Volunteer' tab. Click on 'Member Volunteer Resources'. There are links to documents that can help you get started.
“Orientation to Guiding” includes organizational information about Girl Guides of Canada.
“So Now You're a Unit Guider” explains the roles and responsibilities of a Unit Guider. This document includes information on how to access MemberZone on the GGC website
Take the opportunity to connect with others and participate in Training.
Throughout the year GGC and Areas will send email blasts with information to keep you up to date and provide programming ideas.
Contact your District Commissioner for support and information.
Check out the Saskatchewan Girl Guides of Canada website: www.girlguides.ca/SK
Instant Meetings for all Branches can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the SK webpage, Click on the “Instant Meetings” box on the scrolling “Quick Links” box.
The Area offices contain additional resources and information:
Bridging Rivers Area Girl Guides: wwwsaskatoongirlguides.ca
Southern Horizon Area Girl Guides: www.guidesregina.com