Getting Back on Track by Pam Ireland https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs 2022 Novemberfest training session en-us 2022-11-12 20:18:06 UTC 2026-03-01 15:21:58 UTC hello@padlet.com Flexibility pamireland https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381199026 Good ways to help cover ratio:
Parent volunteers
Ranger junior leaders for Spark, Brownie and Guide units
Other leaders in your district
Bridge with another unit for the night

]]> 2022-11-12 20:19:35 UTC https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381199026 Recruiting new Guiders pamireland https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381199562
Moms and other female caregivers
Colleagues/neighbours
Cegep or university students
Tell them that they can take on as large or small a role as they wish
Big and small evening - spa theme, build something or fun science
Community events - park gatherings - cookie selling

]]> 2022-11-12 20:21:09 UTC https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381199562 Back-pocket plans for online meetings pamireland https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381200305 Games, mentimeter, online presentations/videos, pet shows, baking, cooking, closeup pictures, guess the animal, Kahoot, talent show, present your favourite book)
Guiding journals - also useful in person

]]> 2022-11-12 20:23:15 UTC https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381200305 In-person but not many leaders pamireland https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381200749 Games, extended campfire. 
Let the girls choose and lead games and songs. 
Craft evening
Have one instant meeting from the platform printed out and ready to go at the beginning of the year so that if something falls through, you’re immediately prepared to run a meeting.

]]> 2022-11-12 20:24:33 UTC https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381200749 In-person meetings pamireland https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381201918 Craving connection 
Focus on team-building, conflict resolution, self-expression activities
Let them be with their friends (in patrols and for activities) 
Make meetings fun - games, campfires, hands-on activities, dance parties
Science fun  
Check out the games, songs, creativity and friendship sections of the unit compasses
Ways to get everyone's attention
Round-robins. Some “station” can be self-led.
Some members may seem young/inexperienced for their age 
Leadership skills

]]> 2022-11-12 20:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381201918 If you’re feeling overwhelmed pamireland https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381203099
Acknowledge it to yourself
Self care 
Remember that Guiding is supposed to be fun for you, too!

Use the platform!  Instant meetings and activities/themes for badge work Big Ideas calendar
Share the load - planning calendar, take turns planning and delegating
Have open conversations about this before people get frustrated
2019 Sisterhood Challenge.

Invite guests (bird rescue / astronomy / yoga / self-defence)
Resource Guiders

Need a break? Go online for one meeting a month or every other month

]]> 2022-11-12 20:31:25 UTC https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381203099 Girl led/run meetings pamireland https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381203702
Guides - 3rd-year meetings 
Pathfinders and Rangers - work up to entire meeetings
Sparks and Brownies - they CAN lead activities.
Everyone teach everyone else a skill - new way to tie your shoelaces, how to say a few words in sign language…
Talent shows and show and tell

]]> 2022-11-12 20:33:09 UTC https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381203702 Want to get outside your meeting space? Or have you lost your meeting space? pamireland https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381204447 Don't worry about the weather
Sensory hike
Walk around several blocks - nature/urban bingo
Paint chips - match the colours to things found in nature
Winter - go sledding / skating / snowman or fort building
Cookie selling next spring

]]> 2022-11-12 20:35:06 UTC https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381204447 Outings pamireland https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381204890 Local facilities (fire stations, climbing gyms, skating rinks, libraries, grocery stores, park)

]]> 2022-11-12 20:36:01 UTC https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381204890 Other ideas pamireland https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381205617 Bridging
Organize a meeting for a younger level or with an older one
Community service
Kris McGee’s list 

Service within your Guiding Community

  • run a bridging event
  • host a thank you/appreciation event for guiders and their families
  • book exchange with another unit
  • make decorations for an upcoming guiding event (eg. award ceremony)
  • camp clean up
  • older girls can help younger girls at a cookie selling event
  • set up a reading tent at your local mall. Run a PR event and set up a tent full of books. Read to children who come to visit
  • host Thinking Day event
  • make a thank you card for the Guiders in your communities to be distributed in April/June
  • make thank you cards for the Pathfinders and Rangers who help in units
  • host a membership stand in the mall during holiday shopping time. hand out pencils and bookmarks etc.
  • make placemats for Guider events
  • create thank you gifts for PF and Rangers who help at events
  • host a tea for Trefoil ladies
  • check the “wish list” for the World Centres, collect and send items with someone travelling to the centre
  • make “Feels Like Home” bags for the volunteers working at a World Centre (send loot bags with gum, lip balm, Tylenol, sample shampoo, sanitary napkins, toothbrushes, notes and pictures)
  • host a “sock hop” as a bridging event. Everyone brings a pair of socks as their entrance fee, donate to local agency
  • host a pizza night for CWFF, bring in pizza for the unit and sell it for “snack” for $1
  • host a CWFF dinner, parents pay to go to your “restaurant” and donations to World Friendship Fund

Service within your Local Community

  • care packages for families who need help
  • plant trees/bulbs
  • veteranaffairs.gc.ca - Remembrance Day postcards
  • Regift appropriate gifts/items to Children/Family Services and/or shelters
  • Collect books and gift to Community Centres etc. that run a birthday shelf.
  • Go for a walk and visit all the Little Libraries in your neighbourhood, make and leave bookmarks in each library after tidying them up.
  • singing circle at senior’s home
  • clean meeting place grounds (school or church yard etc.)
  • emergency bags for Children/Family Services (toiletries, underwear, PJs etc.)
  • volunteer to make lunch/dessert for group like Community Care of Meals on Wheels
  • make or donate socks/mittens for shelters/homeless
  • play board games at local senior’s home
  • village food drive
  • regular monthly food drive in meeting neighbourhood
  • collect cereal for breakfast program at schools
  • dog treats for Humane Society
  • community clear up
  • sew catnip toys
  • sing-song at senior’s centre
  • collect items needed by the Humane Society (newspapers, feeding bowls, food, collars etc.)
  • collect Halloween Candy the week after Halloween, make treat bags and deliver to Food Bank ** GGC does not promote or include Halloween as part of its programming, however this activity may be considered as a means to talk about food waste in our world and how to regift appropriately. Your gift of loot bags SHOULD NOT be reflective of Halloween. This activity could be done at any time of year, taking advantage of candy sales
  • litter chase
  • Yellow Fish Road
  • make and donate bat houses
  • Shore Line Clean up
  • Pitch-In Canada
  • book drive
  • carry flags in parade, at court house etc.
  • sing O Canada at City Hall/meeting, local event, hockey game etc.
  • collect soup cans for Food Bank
  • offer assistance to a local community member
  • run a Remembrance Day observance at your meeting place and invite the members of the meeting place (eg. church or community centre)
  • collect kitchen items for new refugee families (dish soap, tea towels, utensils etc.)
  • read books to children at the library
  • donate or deliver food hampers with the local service clubs (Lions, Optimists etc)
  • lay a wreath on Remembrance Day
  • decorate gift bags to donate to a shelter
  • plant spring flowers at your meeting place, or randomly in the forest along walking trails
  • request paper bags from the LCBO (liquor stores) write messages about “arrive alive” “don’t drink and drive etc.” return the decorated bags to the LCBO
  • collect school supplies for Food Bank and shelters
  • read to seniors
  • Pennies with a Purpose, Quarters that Care - then purchase and donate items (remember you can’t donate cash to an organization)
  • donate left-over gift, seasonal or greeting cards to the Food Bank
  • sort cans at the food bank
  • clothing drive
  • letters to Veterans
  • Earth Day clean up
  • volunteer at a thrift store
  • sew pet beds for Humane Society (google pet beds made from sweaters)
  • pop tabs collection for wheelchairs
  • rake and run (go around a neighbourhood and offer to rake leaves)
  • contact Lions/Optimist clubs and offer to help at their next event
  • help at a community garden
  • serve/clean up at a local meal (eg. a pancake breakfast)
  • decorate doors in senior’s homes
  • host a “sock hop” as a bridging event. Everyone brings a pair of socks as their entrance fee, donate to local agency
  • Collecting eyeglasses for Lion’s Club (ask local optometrist if you can put a collection box in their waiting room. Ask them to email/call you when it is full)
  • Donate cookies to the local Armed Forces Regiment, EMS services
  • Take plant cuttings and put them into tea cups/coffee mugs from the thrift store (or ask families to donate), gift the plants to seniors at retirement/care facilities

Service within the International Community

  • milk bag matts
  • rolling bandages for soldiers
  • cut milk bags into strips
  • pencils for overseas schools
  • complete WAGGGS challenges, buy the badges - the funds support overseas units/groups
  • healthy hygiene kit collection for Red Cross
  • adopt a family overseas, or a child (note, you can’t send funds to another organization)
  • host a CWFF dinner, parents pay to go to your “restaurant” and donations to World Friendship Fund
  • Adopt an animal from the World Wildlife Foundation
  • collect emergency items for overseas volunteers - Doctors without borders etc.
  • Izzy Dolls for distribution
  • well water projects
  • literacy national service project - make bookmarks
  • bookmarks for Nepal (Students Rebuild)
  • Days for Girls
  • Create a virtual meeting or a game about the 5 WAGGGS Regions, share this activity with a younger branch or another unit
  • Learn about the Olave Baden-Powell Society, host a fun information night/game/virtual meet about this organization
  • sew pillow case dresses
  • knit hats for newborns in other countries (and at home)
  • pinwheels for Syria/Nepal (Students Rebuild)
  • host a pizza night for CWFF, bring in pizza for the unit and sell it for “snack” for $1

  • Write letters and create cards/posters for overseas service personnel, drop these and boxes of spring cookies (the fall melt in transport!) to a local regiment and ask that they be sent to personnel on duty in Canada and overseas.


]]> 2022-11-12 20:37:14 UTC https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381205617 Camping pamireland https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381206045 Many members and their families may be reluctant to embrace camps
Sleepover for a “first” experience of being away from home
Share gear if you can

]]> 2022-11-12 20:38:24 UTC https://padlet.com/pamireland/kaonfbpq91lkgyvs/wish/2381206045