November/December 2015 Volume No: 634 Trefoil News November /December 2015 Issue No: 634
Published by: Irish Girl Guides, Trefoil House, 27 Pembroke Park, Dublin 4. Printed by: Richardson and Watts, 36 Thornville Park, Raheny, Dublin 5.
The Editorial Team of Trefoil News reserves the right to edit material submitted. Publications Officer: Katherine Ryan. Contact : [email protected]
Message from the Chief Commissioner Page 1 Noticeboard Pages 2-3 Executive News / Dates for your Diary Page 4 Stitch’s Diary Page 5 Volunteer— Seeking Chief Commissioner Nominations, Website Volunteers, Pages 6-7 Fundraising Volunteers Trefoil Guild Page 8 Charity Collaborations: Refugee Relief Page 9 EDI: Discovering Faiths Pages 10-11 National Memorial Cottage Booking Form Page 12 Out and About Pages 13-14 Spotlight on Environmental Awareness Pages 15-17
Ladybirds Pages 18-22 Includes fun activities for Christmas time with your Ladybirds. Plus a special focus on the Environmental Awareness badge. Check pages 15-17 for introduction.
Brownies Pages 23-29 Includes fun Christmas crafts, Thanksgiving meeting ideas and information on how best to use the Six system in your Pack. Plus a special focus on the Environmental Awareness badge. Check pages 15-17 for introduction. Guides Pages 30-35 Includes first aid activities to help teach your Guides this important skill and some fun Christmas games and crafts. Plus a special focus on the Environmental Awareness badge. Check pages 15-17 for introduction. Senior Branch Pages 36-39 Includes last chance to book for November Weekend, report on all the fun at Ventact, a quick guide to registering for your Gaisce awards plus a special Environmental focus. International Page 40 Includes all you need to know about the Guide International Table Quiz, plus updates on Roihu 2016 and the Brownie Breakout
Cover Photo: Emer Hickey, with fellow Guides and Senior Branch member, at the special screening of “Girl Rising” - October 11th 2015 - in the IFI, Dublin Inserts: ♦ Replacement pages for Leader Travel Guide ♦ Journey Programme Interest Badges — Quick Reference Guide ♦ OGM Leaflet
From the Chief Commissioner
Dear Fellow Leader,
“When I grow up, I want to be a Brownie Leader” - that’s what a 7 year old Ladybird told me last week and I think it’s brilliant! What a great aspira on to have, and I do hope it’s one she will achieve. The girls around her said they wanted to be nurses, doctors, engineers, air hostesses, nail ar sts and scien sts. And I thought how amazing it is, that this young girl could see being a Brownie Leader as an equally important op on for her in later life.
As Leaders, we never think of ourselves as role models for the girls in our Units but whether we want to be or not, we are. As an IGG volunteer, we are seen generally as happy, posi ve, resourceful, highly-skilled females who provide endless educa on and entertainment for over 10,000 young people across Ireland every week. Let’s keep working together to con nue making a posi ve difference and ensure that the girls of today can worry less about fi ng into glass slippers, and instead can sha er any glass ceilings they encounter.
It’s been a busy Guiding year so far and I would like to thank all those involved in the 7 Regional Conferences held in September and October. To all who arranged the various strands of their life so that they could a end and become more knowledgeable; to those who planned and organised great quality training sessions; to the behind-the-scenes people who ensured the events were a success for close on 1000 Leaders; I thank you on behalf of Irish Girl Guides.
The fes ve season will soon be upon us and we’ll be shepherding in a new year. At this me of year, I am always conscious of our Leaders and staff travelling on the roads in the evenings to Guiding events. I wish you all safe journeys and to those a ending the various Pantomines in Dublin and around the country: enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
A li le reminder that Census 2016 will be done via Online Guide Manager in January. So if you need extra help or support in learning how to use OGM, get in touch now with your Commissioner to organise an informal training. There are many people around the country who know how to use it and are eager to share their skills with others over a cuppa and a laptop. I have heard a few people say they don’t want to use it too much in case they break it! But don’t worry, you can’t break it, so have a go, play around with the different things you can do on it, use it whatever way works for you. It has already cut the admin workload and reduced paperwork for lots of Unit Leaders!
If feels much too early to send you all Christmas gree ngs, so instead I will send you all wishes for con nued health and happiness, and the energy to fulfil your Guiding commitments.
In 2016, we hope you will spread the word about how great Guiding is and we will increase our Leader numbers to help as many girls as possible experience the benefits of our Journey programme.
Yours in Guiding,
Helen Concannon - [email protected]
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 1
Notice Board
IRISH Notice BoardWAIVER FORMS (from third party companies) GIRL GUIDES When using outside companies for activities ONLINE you may be asked to sign a waiver form to say that you won’t sue their company for any injuries occurring from their activities. Please DO NOT SIGN any waiver forms as, by doing so, you could leave IGG and our insurance company with no rights against @JillianvT Sep 26 defective equipment and/or unsafe practices Well done to all the volunteers @IrishGirlGuides & by the outside company. @ScoutingIreland who made Portmarnock Scout & Guide Hall possible Due to changes in @ybroIre Oct 3 the Guide Journey Both ICs of @CGIGirlGuides and @IrishGirlGuides programme, please at the 1st Guide Roverway preparation weekend find enclosed with #Ontheroad #RW2016 this issue of Trefoil @Dara_Daly Oct 9 News some Honoured to meet replacement the CEO of pages for your @wagggs_world, Leader Travel Guide. @AnitaTiessen! @Cathy188Swan These pages correct the information about @IrishGirlGuides the Trail Blazer and National Guide Award. Please replace pages 23 and 41 in your
Read more about Dara Daly and Catherine Leader Travel Guide regardless of which Swanwick’s trip to the Women in the World Branch you work with. Summit on http://irishgirlguides.blogspot.ie/ In addition, the Guide Unit Contact Person Miriam O'Connor Oct 9 will have received a special mailing at the My daughter Shauna all excited to see end of October. Using the pages sent out, @DayoftheGirl with @WorldVisionIre please remove and replace page 11 and @IrishGirlGuides #mallowtown & @emerhickk page 89 of your Guide Leader Journey Michelle O’Brien Planner. congratulations to Galway Bay Guide Leader Anna If you received a Journey USB key, you Burke on her recent can now download the most up to date wedding in Galway and version of the Leader Travel Guide from the here she is with the Unit’s National Resources storage section on Mini Fig who had great fun OGM (found under the Unit Admin menu). dancing the night away When downloaded it can be placed on your USB and the other copy deleted. Noelle Tracey Thanks to all concerned with the Mid-West Regional We apologise for any confusion conference especially the great girls on The Action and thank you for taking the time Team. Really looking forward to working with my girls on our new Ladybird Journey. Exciting times to correct the resources. ahead!!!
Page 2 Trefoil News November/December 2015
Notice Board
Notice Board
Please find enclosed the first of a series of inserts about OGM. North East Leaders taking part in OGM training at their We hope this will help Regional Conference Leaders to get the most out of OGM and use all it’s various features to make your Guiding life easier.
Distribution Centres Better Together Competition Christmas Closures Please vote for the Irish Girl Guides Dublin will close at end of business, Please cast your VOTE for the Irish Friday 18th December, Girl Guides in this year's Better re-open 10am Friday 8th January. Together competition. Cork will close at end of business, Raspberry Senior Branch from Tuesday 15th December, Caherdavin, Limerick have made a great re-open Thursday 7th January. video this year using the IGG mini-figs and it’s entered in the young filmmakers Galway will close at end of category. business, Saturday 12th December,
re-open Saturday 9th January. Please show them your support. Voting th closes on the 20 November. You can Limerick please contact centre vote once a day every day if you like. You for opening hours. can vote for the video by visiting this link
http://2015.bettertogether.ie/video/ igg-making-world-better-place
or scanning the QR Code on your smartphone to go National Office will be closed from directly to the end of business December 23rd voting page. reopening Monday January 4th. Merry Christmas to all….
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 3
EXECUTIVE NEWS The Executive Committee of the Irish Girl Guides meets to discuss policy issues and to ensure the smooth running of the organisation for all its members. Below are some of the decisions made at the October 2015 Executive Committee meeting: Congratulations The main findings of the Irish online survey and round tables showed that we need to pay attention to four areas i.e. technology, word of mouth sharing, accreditation and support. The Executive Committee agreed to consider and include all of these areas in IGG’s next Strategic Plan 2016 – 2020 in an effort to increase our membership.
Stakeholder consultation As part of the preparation and planning for IGG’s next Strategic Plan, time was spent consulting some of our stakeholders’ opinions regarding our organisation i.e. current members, parents of members, other youth organisations and Congratulations were expressed to those concerned with the Educational Training Boards. Members of Executive building of Portmarnock Guide and Scout Den which was considered the result of these stakeholder consultations officially opened by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, before spending time considering possible activities for IGG Dr. James Reilly and Senator Jillian van Turnhout. to focus on under the headings of the four proposed thematic areas for the next Strategic Plan. Congratulations were also expressed to Gillian Finan, who was elected as Chairman of Constitutions. She was wished Executive Committee approval well in her appointment. The Executive Committee approved the following at the meeting:- WAGGGS Growth Project Ruth Hughes gave a presentation to members of Executive • draft tender document for the review of IGG’s Website on the Growth Project being undertaken by the WAGGGS • Memorandum of Understanding with Gaisce – The Europe Committee on the growth of membership. Five President’s Award European countries (Ireland [IGG and CGI], Norway, • IGG’s draft submission for the Charities Regulatory Romania, Slovenia and Poland) took part in this project which Authority (CRA) website involved expert advice on research from Northstar consultants, followed by interviews, roundtables and online Forthcoming Dates for Executive Committee surveying between March and September 2015. The results 5th December 2015, 23rd January 2016 from all participating organisations have been analysed.
Dates for Your Diary
7th National Programme 3rd UN International Day of 1st New Year’s Day and Training Meeting Persons with Disabilities 23rd Executive Committee 7th Trainers’ Conference Meeting -8th 5th Executive Committee
Meeting January 30h International Table Quiz th
November November 13 World Kindness Day — National Final December 25th Christmas Day 21st Gold Awards
27th Senior Branch - 29th November Weekend
th 29 IGG Panto Guiding Dates are in italics!
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Stitch’s Diary
Hello Everyone,
I recently got to go to St Laurence's Brownies in Sallins for their Frozen themed Pack Holiday. (What a great Pack Holiday theme for this time of year.) I met up with all the Brownies who were going to look after me on the Pack Holiday! It was nice to meet them all.
We went by bus to the cottage in Enniskerry. It was all decorated in the Frozen theme. Anna, Elsa and Olaf were there at the entrance to the castle. We unpacked and made our tie dye t-shirts with an Olaf face on the front. They dressed me in one also. I looked so cute. We then had our camp fire that evening as weather was to be bad on Saturday,
We played lots of indoor games as it was too wet to go out. We built a snowman, made frozen cupcakes, we had to throw carrots at Sven and throw snowballs at Olaf. We all won Frozen prizes. We ventured out in the afternoon to do our Nature Observer badge.
The bus came for us at 11.30 and we went to Bray Sea Life. That was great fun. Then the Leaders took us to McDonalds to finish off our weekend. We had a great Pack Holiday. I loved my stay and now I am ready to go back and rest for a few days before my next adventure.
Lots of love, Stitch XXX
If you’d like me to come and visit your Unit or go with you on your camp or holiday, please contact my Mammy Egle at 01-6683898 or email her at [email protected]
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 5
Helen Concannon, IGG’s Chief Commissioner, will complete her first three-year term of office in April 2016. She has the option of running for a second three-year term of office. Regardless of whether she runs again, it is in line with good practice that the position is advertised so that open nomination and voting processes are carried out.
As per the IGG Constitution, the process for nomination and election of the Chief Commissioner is such that nominations are requested three months prior to the date of election. In this case, the election will be held at the Executive Committee meeting in January 2016 and the position ratified at the General Council meeting in April 2016.
Each Region is entitled to nominate two people, not necessarily from within the Region. Each member of both the Executive and the National Programme and Training Committees is entitled to make one nomination. Even in the event of there being only one nomination, an election will be held.
Voting papers, together with the curriculum vitae of each candidate are sent to members of the Executive and National Programme and Training Committees and to the Regional Commissioners 4 weeks prior to the election. Each Region has 3 votes, which may be apportioned to the candidates as the Region decides. Each member of the Executive and National Programme and Training Committees has one personal vote.
If you know of anyone who you think would be a suitable candidate for this position, or if you yourself would be interested in taking on this challenge, please read the job description below and contact your Regional Commissioner and ask if your Region will consider nominating the person concerned.
JOB DESCRIPTION FOR CHIEF COMMISSIONER
The Chief Commissioner has overall responsibility for the management of the Irish Girl Guides.
The role includes the following:-
• Chair Executive Committee meetings (seven Saturdays per year) • Chair meetings of Regional Commissioners’ Council • Attend meetings of National Programme and Training Committee • Attend meetings of Finance Committee • Attend National Office management committee meetings • Be an ex-officio (non-voting) member of all other national committees • Attend annual meeting of National Council • Liaise closely with the CEO and National Programme and Training Commissioner • Keep up to date with Regions, national committees and members around the country • Support Regional Development Officers • Be available to communicate with members as required • Liaise with the CIGA Committee and attend meetings if appointed by the Executive Committee • Attend appropriate National Youth Council of Ireland and other stakeholders meetings • Attend/chair meetings of Heads of Guide and Scout Associations • Set up a team to organise the National Conference • Keep up to date with regulations and good practices for registered charities & youth organisations • Have the option to attend World/European Conferences
Expenses regarding travel and administration costs in conjunction with the post will be paid out of national funds.
The Chief Commissioner appoints two assistants of her choice to support her in her role and attend meetings on her behalf as appropriate.
Page 6 Trefoil News November/December 2015
Help us build the best website for IGG
Work is continuing on a new-look IGG website, due to be launched in 2016. The new website will be bright, modern and user-friendly to allow Leaders, parents and girls to access IGG information easily and quickly.
Following consultations and workshops with Leaders at TWIGG in March, a volunteer Website Review Team was established. Led by Tullamore Leader Val Lynam, the team has been working through the summer to catalogue information on the existing website and to decide the style and content of the new website.
However, the work is progressing slower than anticipated and Val is hoping to recruit some more volunteers to speed up the last few pieces of work and keep the website review on schedule.
‘A few people had to withdraw from the team early on, then between summer holidays and family commitments, the work is not as far ahead as we would have hoped,’ said Val. ‘At the moment we are working on the Project Brief to send to website- design companies and colleges. Ideally we would like to have more of the current website material examined and catalogued before we issue the final version.
‘The work left isn’t technically difficult – it is just a matter of going through sections of the IGG website, listing the content, checking links and making suggestions about where the information should be on the new website. I have templates set up, so the work can be done from home and emailed through to me. If any Leaders have a few hours to spare in the next month or two, we would love to hear from them.”
As well as needing helpers to complete the cataloguing, there will be opportunities to get involved during proof-reading and website-testing phases after Christmas. So if you would like to have your say and be part of the new-look IGG website, please contact Val Lynam by emailing [email protected] .
Volunteer needed to help increase and diversify IGG’s income!
Do you have a background in business or marketing? Are you looking to gain experience in this area? Are you full of ideas and enthusiasm?
Our Finance Committee is looking for a new member whose role would include sponsorship, fundraising, and helping with grant applications. The Finance Committee meets 6-7 times a year, usually on Friday evenings, and works together via email throughout the year. National Office support with grant applications and other aspects of the role is provided by our Support Officer, Jemma Lee. To find out more, or to express an interest, contact Thérése Joyce, Chairman of Finance, at [email protected] or 087-4192334.
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 7
Trefoil Guild Twinning
Dun Laoghaire Trefoil Guild had a visit from their twin Guild the Anglesey Trefoil Guild. We collected them from the boat and took them to the Enniskerry Cottage where a lovely lunch awaited us. The lunch took a long time as we were so busy catching up on each other’s news. In the afternoon those of us who felt energetic went to Pow- erscourt while the others did more chatting. The noise of chat and laughter was still loud when we returned!!. After a delicious supper we eventually went home taking our guests with us.
The next morning we went to a special coffee party organised by two of our members. Then on to Dun Laoghaire where we had to choose whether to visit the new library, the Maritime Museum or the Shackleton Exhibition. Then some of us had to say goodbye while the others took our visitors on to the boat. We were not too sad as we know we will be invited to Anglesey in 2017. What a pity the boat does not dock in Dun Laoghaire any more because we would have had more time to chat !!
Joy Clarke
Cork Trefoil Guild recently held an excellent BBQ and Fun Day for members of FIGS in Cork. Addy Patterson acted as instructor in archery at the event, and that was just one of the many activities on the day. The Mayor of Cork was also there to open the BBQ and meet and congratulate the organiser… It was a very successful day enjoyed by all….
THESE ARE JUST A SMALL EXAMPLE OF SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES ARRANGED BY TREFOIL GUILDS AROUND THE COUNTRY.
If you would like to get involved then we currently have Guilds in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford and Sligo. We are also looking to open Guilds in the NE Region, WCM Region, MW Region, Carlow and West Cork.
For more information about Trefoil Guild or any questions you might have — contact Hazel Convery [email protected] 087 2213257
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CHARITY COLLABORATIONS - REFUGEE RELIEF
A refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. We are hearing more and more stories about the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean as millions of people try to escape dangerous situations.
Some facts from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees:
• It is estimated that 3,500 people died or were reported missing in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to escape to safety in Europe in 2014 • So far this year more than 300,000 refugees have tried to cross the sea with many landing in Greece or Italy and some 2,500 people have died or gone missing • UNHCR now estimates that the number of refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced people worldwide has, for the first time in the post-World War II era, exceeded 50 million people
Though this is a huge problem that needs to be tackled at a global level, here are some of the projects that Guides and Scouts are getting involved in across Europe to try and do their best to help.
• On the island of Lesbos in Greece, where many refugees are arriving, Scouts have been clearing the beach of rubbish which is also washing up on shore, including many damaged dinghies, inflatable tyres and life vests • In the port city of Mytilini and in many other areas in Greece Guides and Scouts have been organising fun and games for the refugee children who are there • In Styria, Austria, the Guides and Scouts are working with the local refugee welcome centre to offer their support to newly arrived refugees • Scouts and Guides in Dorthmund, Germany have been collecting, sorting and distributing donated clothing and other items • A group of Pioneer Scouts in Eupen, Belgium renovated a room in a refugee centre by painting, getting new carpets and furniture and creating a wonderful playroom • A playground in Rotterdam, Netherlands, was opened up to 250 newly arrived refugees as local Guides and Scouts partnered with the Red Cross to bring a little fun into the lives of the new arrivals to their city
Though Ireland might seem very far removed from these places, your girls can also do their bit to help. Like Corra Choill Brownies who recently held a Pancake breakfast and donated all the money raised to the Irish Red Cross…
Or Castle & Nore Guides in Kilkenny City who felt moved to do something after hearing of the plight of the Syrian refugees. Following a successful collection of clothes, sleeping bags and toiletries, they also decided to hold a Bring and Buy Bake sale and donated the money to the refugee crisis.
No matter how much you raise — every little bit counts…. You could complete a fundraising activity with the girls as a Christmas good turn. Please consider doing something to join with our fellow WAGGGS & WOSM organisations around the world in tackling this crisis. Irish Girl Guides would urge you to donate to the Irish Red Cross if you do run a fundraising event. You can do so by visiting www.redcross.ie/ircdonate
Winter is starting to sweep across Europe. Hundreds of thousands of people are now facing bitterly cold winds and rain outside in the open with no food, shelter, blankets or warm clothes. The Red Cross is on an emergency footing in 24 countries across Europe providing over 300,000 people with food, water, shelter, baby kits, hygiene kits and medical treatment. Your Unit’s donation could help prevent more deaths from cold and exposure this winter. Thank you!
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 9
Edi — equality, diversity and inclusion
If you refer to IGG’s Discovering Faiths Outreach Pack it states: ‘In Faiths, or religions, are the belief in and worship of a greater power which may be a god or addition to encouraging gods. Many religions have symbols and traditions which give meaning to life or explain the the girls to attend their own form of religion, origin of life. Most faiths have organised practices and meetings or services where people Leaders can include a come together to worship. The practice of a religion may also include festivals, feasts, Guides’ Own in the marriages, funerals, music, art and more. programme for Unit events. All of the girls can There are many different faiths and religion around the world. In Ireland most of the population are be included in the production and delivery of Christian, other major world religions include Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism. the Guides’ Own, which is Irish Girl Guides welcomes girls and women from all faiths and asks them to reflect on their promise, a good way of inclusively doing their duty to their god or their faith as they see fit. If you have members in your Unit from a expressing spiritual variety of religions or faiths it can be a great opportunity for your girls to learn about diversity and moments within a Unit.’ Spiritual differences are accepting differences. also catered for in our Promise with the inclusion Here are some activities to get you started; these will also help you to complete the Brownie and of the *my faith option. Guide Discovering Faiths Interest Badges. Winter Festivals Many faiths have a winter festival, traditionally to break up the dark nights and to hope for a good spring. Ask your girls what winter festival they know about, many will know lots about Christmas, how do people celebrate Christmas in Ireland? How do people celebrate Christmas in other countries? Why not have a fun evening to celebrate a different winter festival with your Unit!
Diwali Diwali Paper Lanterns Diwali is the biggest festival of the year in the Hindu calendar and is an official holiday across the world in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji and Pakistan.
The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness and is celebrated by lighting up homes and towns. Traditionally this was done with oil lamps but now many families use strings of fairy lights around their homes and shops and businesses hang large lanterns outside.
In the days before Diwali people will clean and decorate their homes. On Diwali night Hindus dress up in their best outfit, often new clothes, and light many lamps and candles inside and outside their homes. Family participate in puja (prayers) together and fireworks are often set off in communities. People come together for family feasts and gifts are exchanged.
The date of Diwali moves each year as Hindus use a lunar calendar. In 2015 it is on November 11th. Shab-e Yaldā Shab-e Yaldā is an ancient Persian festival which is still celebrated today in Iran and neighbouring countries. It is held on December 20th/21st, the night of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.
Friends and families will come together and stay up late into the night, eating, drinking and reading poetry by famous Persian poet Hafiz. They are looking forward to the new day when the days will start getting long and the nights shorter which symbolises the victory of sun over darkness and goodness over evil.
People eat dried fruit and nuts, and many will have saved summer fruits such as pomegranates and watermelons from earlier in the year to eat on this night. The warm red colours symbolise the new dawn.
Page 10 Trefoil News November/December 2015
Edi — equality, diversity and inclusion
Guess the Religion
TYPE OF ACTIVITY: Teamwork & knowledge game TIME: 20 minutes AIM(S): To learn about different religions. GROUP SIZE: Any size AGE GROUP: Brownies, Guides and Senior Branch WHAT YOU NEED: Copies of the table below (one for each team of 4-6 girls and 1 worksheet for the Leader), scissors and a freezer/Ziploc bag for each team PREPARATION: Cut up each photocopied worksheet into 30 pieces and put in a freezer/Ziploc bag
WHAT TO DO:
1. Divide the girls into teams of between 4-6. 2. Give each team a freezer/ Ziploc bag containing all the pieces. 3. Explain that they have to decide which symbol and set of 4 facts match each religion. 4. After approximately 10 minutes bring the group back together and discuss their answers. Tell the girls the right answers. 5. Debriefing & evaluation: •Ask the girls how they found the activity •Was it difficult? •Do they feel they know more information about other religions now? •Ask them to share with the Group one thing they have learned by taking part in the activity
NOTE TO LEADER: •See Section Three of the Outreach Pack for more information on the different religions •An alternative easier version is if the Leader cuts the worksheet up as a jigsaw and the girls have to make the jigsaw instead of matching the pieces
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 11
THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL COTTAGE, ENNISKERRY
Bookings for 2016 open on Friday 27th November, 2015. Holders of Campers’ Licence, Indoor Licence or the old style Pack Holiday Permit should send applications for bookings to the Registrar:
Ms. Diane Reid, 25 Abbey Park, Killester, Dublin, 5
clearly stating name of Unit and enclosing a large stamped self-addressed envelope, together with booking fee of €25 per weekend or €40 per week, otherwise bookings cannot be accepted. A Leader wishing to be assessed at the Cottage for her Indoor Licence should send an undertaking from her own OA that a tester will be available for the date (s) applied for.
TERMS: €8.00 per person per night } plus Minimum rent for weekend booking €200.00 €55.00 per person per week } electricity Minimum rent for one week booking €600.00
The Committee of the National Memorial Cottage wish to draw Leaders’ attention to the following:
1. Leaders must not change weekend bookings around amongst themselves without notifying the Registrar. 2. The number of adults entered on the Permission Form C1 should not be changed without notifying the Registrar 3. The Registrar should be notified when a test is taking place. 4. Inspections will be carried out as usual. We expect the Cottage to be left as it is found, otherwise you may not be accommodated again! 5. Any Leader who wishes to book the Cottage for a family holiday, may apply by completing the form. (The same rules would apply. Guiding activity weekends will get first preference)
THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL COTTAGE, ENNISKERRY - BOOKING FORM
Name: ______Phone No.______
Address: ______
Unit: ______Region:______
Qualification Held: ______Dated:______(if for assessment, see below)
Dates required: ______(1st choice) ______(2nd choice)
Booking fee: ______enclosed herewith – cheque made payable to the Irish Girl Guides
Leaders wishing to be assessed for Indoor Licence at the Cottage should have the section below completed before sending in their Booking Form. THE TESTER (LEADER-IN-CHARGE) MUST BE RESIDENT FOR THE WHOLE PERIOD OF THE BOOKING
Date Basic Standard Attained: ______
I certify that ______is a suitable Leader to hold an Indoor Licence
Signed:______District Commissioner Date:______
I undertake to arrange for ______to be assessed for Indoor Licence on the dates requested above and to ensure that a Licenced Leader is resident during this period.
Signed:______Outdoor Advisor Date:______
Page 12 Trefoil News November/December 2015
OUT AND ABOUT
Liffey Ladybirds
We had a fabulous Ladybird Day Out with Stitch. Mary, our Leader brought her to our bus and then we had a nice time carrying her in her own special backpack. We all walked our little feet off seeing rhinos, giraffes, lions and tigers but Stitch seemed to want to stop at the orangutans and we got loads of pictures there.
We had a Zoo volunteer Catherine who told us lots of interesting facts about all the animals and showed us ostrich eggs and giraffe tails that we were allowed to hold and touch in the African plains enclosure. I think Stitch was tired at the end of the day, all us Leaders and Ladybirds certainly were. Thanks Stitch for visiting us. See you again sometime soon.
Blackwood Ladybirds Portmarnock got busy making LOVELY craŌs to let their liƩle Guiding light shine.
Bandon Guides and Brownies at Stitch was so busy this month — she also the Kilbrittain Maze West Cork made a visit to Zion Ladybirds. She helped the girls colour in and learn all about their uniform for Ladybirds. Stitch listened to the girls singing “I caught a baby bumble bee” and “who stole the cookie from the cookie jar” as we learned the names of all the Ladybirds. Have you been Out and About? Tell us about it [email protected]
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 13
OUT AND ABOUT St Aideen's Ladybirds visited Howth Garda Sta on in September. We started our Road Safety badge in May and finished it on Saturday, with the Community Garda Maria asking the Ladybirds the ques on on the last page in the Road Safety book. We had Garda Eddie as the judge and he gave the thumbs up if the Ladybirds were right with the answers. Looking on we had Sergeant Paul and Community Garda Larry. Sergeant Paul told the Ladybirds they passed with flying colours. We all had a great trip to the Garda Sta on.
Later, three of the Community Gardaí came to our mee ng to present the Road Safety Badges to the Ladybirds. As it happens some of the Ladybirds that are going into Brownies were learning how to use a landline and mobile phone in an emergency, so the Gardaí got the girls to act out the phone call with different stories of what happened. The Gardaí asked the ques ons that are in the Ladybird Journey programme (page 68). It was great for the Brownies and one we’d recommend you try if you can arrange a visit from the Community Gardaí
Leaders Patricia Brady, Sinead Crilly, JoAnne Corcoran, Anna Marie Lawlor and Denise McDonnell receive their QM certificates at the North East Regional Conference
Have you been Out and About? Tell us about it [email protected]
LEADERS AT THE NORTH WEST REGIONAL CONFERENCE. We hope all of the Regions enjoyed their Regional Conferences and that Leaders had a great time learning more about the Journey programme.
Page 14 Trefoil News November/December 2015
SPOTLIGHT ON Environmental Awareness…
2015 is an extremely important year for our planet and for Climate Change Activism. The Global Goals for Sustainable Development (which follow on from the Millennium Development Goals) were released on 25th September and in December the United Nation’s 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) will be held in Paris.
WAGGGS is sending a delegation of young women to COP 21 and they will also have remote delegates for the duration of the talks. WAGGGS has a huge role to play in tackling the adverse effects of climate change because climate change has a disproportionate effect on girls and young women. Girls and young women, especially in developing countries are less likely to be taught necessary survival skills such as climbing and swimming meaning their chances of survival during a flood or tsunami are lower. Girls are usually the ones who collect water for their families. As droughts are becoming more commonplace and wells dry up, girls have to Advocating for Climate Change - walk further and further, meaning they are missing school. Writing to your Government Ministers
It is hoped that a strong, just, legally binding agreement will finally be As Guides, we promise to obey Guide Law Number reached by all nations, as to how climate change can be tackled. It is 6: “A Guide cares for all living things and their hoped that an agreement can be reached that will keep global environment”. This has never been more important temperature rise as far below 2oC as possible. than right now, in the lead up to the most anticipated Climate Change talks of the last decade. We are Climate Change is a topic that all of our girls need to be educated on as it hoping that the Irish Government will be a key player has such an impact on all of our lives. In order to complete our mission in ensuring a strong agreement is reached at the UN statement of “developing girls to their fullest potential as responsible Conference, but we need your help! citizens of the world” it is necessary that they are all aware of Climate In the weekly email you will receive a letter urging Change and the effect it is having on our planet. our politicians to push for a just climate agreement.
We would ask you to print off some copies of this, get As part of the Journey Programme, an interest badge has been designed all your girls to sign it and send it to the Taoiseach, for Ladybirds, Brownies and Guides. The aim of the Environmental Tánaiste, Minister for the Environment, Community Awareness Badge for Ladybirds is “to care for your environment” and the and Local Government (Alan Kelly) and the Minister aim of the badge for Brownies and Guides is “to appreciate the necessity for Children and Youth Affairs (Dr. James Reilly) and of caring for the environment”. Climate Change can be a difficult thing to any other local representatives you want. The more get your head around, it occurs on such a large scale and is such a big letters we can send the better, so even if you cannot problem that oftentimes we like to forget that it is happening it and that it is get the Environmental Awareness Badge done this our actions that are causing it. year, please send a letter.
In each Branch section of this issue of Trefoil News you will find suggested activities to help you run the Environmental Awareness Badge with your Unit. You will also find explanations of the key issues for you, and also an age appropriate explanation for your girls. Over the next few weeks, you will also see resources appearing on IGG’s social media.
Climate Change can be a scary thing for us all to deal with, especially for our younger members. It is important when dealing with these issues that we emphasise what we can do to help and mitigate Climate Change rather than looking at an end of the world scenario.
If anyone’s confused there’s a simple explanation of Climate Change with some must know facts on the next page.
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 15
Climate Change is exactly what it says on the tin though the causes are a bit more complicated:
The Earth’s climate is driven by a continuous flow of energy from the sun. The Earth does not absorb all this heat energy and some is sent back into the atmosphere. The Earth is surrounded by our atmosphere which contains gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane and many more. These are called Greenhouse Gases. These gases are all natural and act as a blanket that traps heat in the atmosphere and ensure the planet doesn’t get too cold. However, since the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s, humans have been pumping more and more of these gases into the atmosphere and the planet cannot cope with this. The layer/blanket of gases has become so thick that not as much heat energy can escape. This is causing a significant rise in global temperatures leading to effects such as rising sea levels, melting ice caps, more frequent dramatic weather events, such as hurricanes and storms, and more frequent flooding, forest fires and drought.
Please take 15 minutes to watch Trócaire’s video called “There is No Planet B”, it explains everything, including the Irish Government’s action on the issue so far.
Trócaire There is No Planet B Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unu0ZTyl2a8
For your girls, Trócaire have a great video featuring CJ the Climate Justice Bee that explains Climate Change.
Trócaire Climate Justice Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eowlsxo4HnE
Climate Change vs. Global Warming: Climate Change is the more scientifically correct phrase to use and the one that is now more commonplace. Global Warming only refers to the rising of the surface temperature of the Earth while Climate Change refers to this and all the other negative effects a rise in Greenhouse Gas amounts lead to.
2014 was the hottest year on 97% of climate scientists record. agree that human-caused Among the richest countries, Climate Change is Ireland is the 5th most climate happening now. polluting country per person.
The countries who have done the least to cause If everyone in the world lived Climate Change are like an Irish person, we would suffering the most. need 3 Earths to survive.
On average, global It is estimated that by 2025, temperature has approximately 2/3 of the world’s increased by 0.8oC population will have some kind above pre-industrial of difficulty in accessing water. levels.
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This infographic is a fantastic resource for Leaders but could also be used with older Guides and Senior Branch members: November/December 2015 Page 17 Trefoil NewsDownload from http://trocaire.org/sites/trocaire/files/education/lent 2015/climate-infographic-trocaire.pdf
LADYBIRDS
Dear Leaders,
This month we have some lovely Christmas themed activities for you and we hope you will enjoy using them in the run up to Don’t forget to book for... the festive season with your girls. NATIONAL BRANCH This month’s Trefoil News also has a very special environmental focus and we would encourage you to get involved. You can: TRAINING WEEKEND th th 1. Have a discussion with your girls about Climate Change 5 to 7 FEBRUARY 2016 (see page 16/17 for facts/figures/definitions and video links) Details in October’s Trefoil News 2. Earn the Environmental Awareness Badge with your Unit by using some of our fun activity examples. (see page 21/22 for this month's themed activities) 3. Encourage your girls to use their voice and write to Book online now Government Ministers about COP 21 (see page 15 for more using the link below or details) scan the QR Code. Whatever way you choose to get involved — we hope you will use November to be more Environmentally Aware with your girls. Thank You! http://tinyurl.com/IGGBranch16
Ladybird Branch
CHRISTMAS GAMES
MYSTERY STOCKING Fill a stocking or sock with a collection of "mystery items," then pass the stocking around the circle, letting each girl guess what is inside. They may shake the stocking, smell it, or simply feel the shape of what is inside. We suggest filling the stocking with simple party favours that the girls can keep (if they guess correctly). Consider including crayons or chalk, wind-up toys, a toy car, small stuffed animals, a ball and jacks, or a pack of cards.
SANTA DOESN'T SAY Purchase enough Santa hats for all of the Ladybirds. Before they arrive, pin the name of a holiday character to the top of each one. Put a hat on each girl's head — without letting them see the name on the hat. Have the girls move throughout the room, talking to one another, and asking questions to try to guess their identity. The first person to guess who she is wins the game.
GIFT UNWRAP RELAY For this game, you will need several empty boxes and plenty of time to wrap the gift beforehand. Place a variety of holiday treats inside one box (enough for all of the Ladybirds) and wrap the box. Place the wrapped box inside a bigger box and wrap that one. Continue wrapping the box, layer upon layer, for as long as you can stand it. When the girls arrive, have them sit in a circle. Play holiday music, intermittently stopping it and letting the girl holding the gift unwrap a single layer at a time, until all of the layers are unwrapped and the treats are handed out. If you are short on boxes, you can wrap one box in several layers of paper. Also, you may want to consider having the Ladybirds unwrap the boxes with mittens on their hands for an added extra challenge!
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LADYBIRDS
FOOTPRINT ANGEL This Christmas angel has a footprint body and two hand print wings.
Materials: Paper, crayons, scissor, string, glue, photo of child/magazine picture, glitter/gift wrap/silver paper, ribbon, pipe cleaner
Instructions: • Ask the Ladybirds to stand on the paper with feet together. Trace the Ladybirds’ feet to form the body/robe of the angel • Trace both hands (or use yellow paint and make a paint handprint) on white paper. These will form the wings. They look better if the fingers aren't spread too far apart • Decorate the robe and wings with glitter/gift wrap/silver paper etc. • Glue the ribbon to the centre of the robe as a belt • Cut out the photo of the child or magazine pictures to serve as a head. Once you see how big the angel body is (dependent on the size of the Ladybird’s fee) you’ll know what size head you need. You can also just cut out a circle of light pink card and have the Ladybird draw a face • Assemble the angel by gluing the wings and head to the body • Add a halo made from pipe cleaner or ribbon • Cut out a many pointed star shape or a simple circle from shiny gift wrap or tinfoil and paste behind the angel’s head • Either on the back of the robe or on a separate tag, write the poem below. The Ladybird can also add her name and the year • Add a string if you want to hang the angel on the tree
Angel Poem This little angel is special you see; Because she is a part of me Her wings are my hands Her body my feet And on the tree she’ll look very sweet
LOLLIPOP STICK
CHRISTMAS TREE
Materials: Green thick lollipop sticks, 5 normal sized lollipop sticks, wool, Christmas confetti, glitter sequins, crayons, glue sticks (pritt stick)
Instructions: Each Ladybird is given 5 lollipop sticks to colour in. Let them glue the lollipop sticks to the green stick and glue on each of their decorations. Glue wool onto the back of the tree when finished in order for it to be able to hang on their Christmas trees at home.
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 19
LADYBIRDS
CHRISTMAS SONGS
SANTA (to the tune of BINGO)
Where you see a * it means you clap! Action Instruction are in [square brackets and italics]
♫ Red hat, [Pretend to put on a hat.] THE CHRISTMAS ALPHABET white beard, C is for the candy trimmed around the Christmas tree, [Pretend to stroke your beard.] H is for the happiness with all the family, twinkle in his eye. R is for the reindeer prancing by the window pane, [Point to the corner of your eye and twist your I is for the icing on the cake as sweet as sugar cane, finger back and forth.] S is for the stocking hanging on the chimney wall, Santa is his name-o. T is for the toys beneath the tree so tall, [Pat your big, round tummy.] S-A-N-T-A M is for the mistletoe where everyone is kissed, [Point to letter picture cards or the letters A is for the angels who make up the Christmas list, written on the whiteboard.] S is for the Santa who makes every kid his pet, S-A-N-T-A Be good and he'll bring you everything in your S-A-N-T-A Christmas alphabet! And Santa is his name-o. [Pat your big, round tummy.]
Red hat, white beard, twinkle in his eye. CHRISTMAS Santa is his name-o. *-A-N-T-A TREATS *-A-N-T-A *-A-N-T-A And Santa is his name-o. • Melt some chocolate for the Ladybirds. Let them dip some marshmallows into the chocolate and Red hat, white beard, twinkle in his eye. then into some Christmas themed 100’s & 1,000’s Santa is his name-o. • Put the marshmallows onto large lollipop sticks *-*-N-T-A (can be found in Homestore & More, Dealz) *-*-N-T-A Let them set before enjoying *-*-N-T-A • And Santa is his name-o. Also Candy Canes can be a substitute for the lollipop sticks Repeat the song three more times, continuing to replace the letters with claps.
When you have reached the end—repeat the chorus one more time—putting all the letters back into the song! S-A-N-T-A And Santa is his name-o. ♫
Here is a link to the song on YouTube for reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGAYzlqj-aE
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LADYBIRDS
Environmental Awareness Badge Choice Challenges related 1) Play games to identify ways of reducing energy and water use in the home. to Climate Change/
Put a sign marked “TRUE” on the wall on one side of the hall and a sign marked “FALSE” on the Outdoors for Ladybirds other side. Ladybirds stand in the middle of the hall. 6 - Play games to identify ways Leader calls out the statements below and Ladybirds run to the appropriate side of the hall. of reducing energy and water use in the home Statements: 7 - Know different forms of I can save water by watering the plants with a hose rather than a public transport watering can (F) 8 – Play a nature game I can save energy by switching off the lights when I leave a room (T) 12 – Learn about the 4 Recycling paper is bad for the environment (F) Seasons I can save energy by walking to school rather than driving (T) 19 - Do various bark rubbings I can save energy by watching TV instead of playing outside (F) and compare Having a bath uses more water than having a shower (T) 26 - Go on a scavenger hunt Taking public transport uses less energy than going by car (T) outdoors
2) Produce a reminder for your house to save energy. Some sample templates for this fun activity are on the next page. Photocopy these for your Ladybirds, cut them out and let the girls colour them in and bring them home.
3) Recognise the appropriate bins for your rubbish
Materials Needed: Shoeboxes coloured in correlation to the different types of bins in your area (e.g. black = landfill, green = recycling, brown = cooked food or a compost bin) Pictures of different types of waste
What to do: • Explain to the Ladybirds that different types of waste should go in different bins. Explain that we should try and put as little in the black bin as possible because this goes into landfill • Place the different bins at the end of the hall • Get pictures from magazines or clip art of paper, food, cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles, plastic packaging, tetra packs etc. Have a copy of each picture for each team • Divide girls into teams. Give a set of cards to each team • Girls (with the help of Leaders if required) decide which items go into each bin and then run up and put them in the correct bin. This could be done as a relay race
4) Learn a song about recycling
Reduce, Reuse, Recycling (Tune: Eensy Weensy Spider) Recycle (Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle)
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – words that we all know. We RECYCLE what we use, We have to save our planet so we can live and grow. Separate things and you should too! We might be only children but we will try, you’ll see Glass and paper, plastic, tin, And we can save this planet – it starts with you and me! Go in your RECYCLING BIN! We must start now, we can’t wait, Quick, or it will be too late
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 21
LADYBIRDS
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Brownies
Dear Brownie Leaders, This month we have some fun activities for Thanksgiving and Christmas and some useful information about running Don’t forget to book for... your Brownie Sixes. We also have a special environmental focus in this NATIONAL BRANCH month’s issue and we’d like you to please get involved with your Brownie Unit. You can: TRAINING WEEKEND 1. Have a discussion with your girls about Climate 5th to 7th FEBRUARY 2016 Change (see page 16/17 for facts/figures/definitions and video links) Details in October’s Trefoil News 2. Earn the Environmental Awareness Badge with your Unit by using some of our fun activity examples. (see page 27-29 for this month's themed activities) Book online now 3. Encourage your girls to use their voice and write to Government Ministers about COP 21 (see page 15 using the link below or for more details) scan the QR Code. Whatever way you choose to get involved — we hope you will use November to be more Environmentally Aware with your girls. Thank You! http://tinyurl.com/IGGBranch16 Brownie Branch
• She may feel a sense of pride in having been chosen BROWNIE SIXES to be the Sixer • As you have all heard at your Regional Conferences we all Increased confidence in assisting the younger need to be using the Six system at our Brownie meetings. If Brownies will develop you are not, then January is a great time to set New Year resolutions, why not have this as yours? Benefits to the Leader • Using the Six system will contribute to the smooth The Six system is what we use in Brownie meetings to assist running of the Unit in the promotion of teamwork and to develop future Leaders. • If the Unit is short of Leaders the use of the Six system A small working group called a Six is made up of no more will enable the meeting to run satisfactorily than six girls of varying ages. The number of Sixes you will • The Sixer or Seconder will help with the younger have will vary and depend on your Unit numbers. Each Six Brownies should have its own corner in the meeting place. • Frees up the Leaders’ time
The Six system can be used in various activities in our Benefits to the group Journey programme, badge work, challenges, games and • A small group is easier for a younger, quieter Brownie activities. Some Sixers collect subs and mark up the roll book. to connect with rather than a large group A Leader may give a Sixer information about an activity that • the Sixer can then share with her Six. If a discussion is part of Leaders have an opportunity to chat to the Brownies the meeting a Six can discuss the subject and put forward the when in smaller groups and get to know them better • Six views in a democratic fashion. The Brownies are learning The girls establish a team feeling and a feeling of pride respect for each other through this small discussion group. and loyalty towards their Six • Using the Six system may help to improve the behaviour of the girls Benefits to the Brownie chosen to be Sixer • Friendships will form with Brownies who may not • Her leadership skills will develop have mixed with each other without the Six system in • Her self-esteem and confidence will increase with place added responsibility • She will have an opportunity to develop her The Six songs can all be found in both the Brownie Passport communication skills and the Leader Journey Planner.
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 23
Brownies
THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. This year it will fall on November 26th. It celebrates the winter of 1620 when the pilgrims landed in North America. The pilgrims survived that first winter due to the kindness and the help of the Wampanoag Indians. They shared their food and assisted them. After a plentiful harvest, and thankful to be alive and to have survived, the people gave a thanksgiving feast. It lasted three days and the neighbouring Indians were invited. Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday in North America in 1941.
THANKSGIVING EVENING Why not hold a Thanksgiving meeting. Ask the Brownies in advance to think about the things that they are thankful for; in their Sixes they could discuss these and compare themselves to Brownies around the world.
THANKSGIVING CIRCLE Have the Brownies sit in a circle. Pick a Brownie to begin who says “I am thankful for………..my family” The next Brownie says “I am thankful for……… my teachers and my family” The next Brownie says “I am thankful for…my bike, my teachers and my family” So each Brownie gives an answer and then repeats all the other choices. The last Brownie must repeat everyone’s.
THANKSGIVING VERSION OF “DUCKS IN THE POND” Brownies all stand in a circle. Leader says “pilgrims in America” the girls step in. Leader says “pilgrims on the boat” the girls step out. If caller says “In America” and a girl steps in, they are out. If caller says “on the boat” and a girl steps out, they are out. They should only move when the word “pilgrim” is used. The aim is to catch the Brownies out.
THANKSGIVING WORD SEARCH F T U R K E Y W G M COLONY COOK A V T S E V R A H S CORN M P U M P K I N P F FALL FAMILY I N D I A N S A I L FEAST HARVEST L R V R C S D Q E T INDIANS Y O K G K K C R Q I PIE PILGRIMS K C O L O N Y C B S PUMPKIN SAIL X N O I F A L L V Z THANKS
TURKEY S R C P J H I J P V N S U W F T S A E F
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Brownies
PAPER REINDEER
You will need: Dark brown card Light brown card 2 googly eyes Small red pom pom Glue
Instructions: HANDPRINT ORNAMENT Onto the dark card trace the outline of the Brownie’s shoe,
You will need: (reindeers head). Plain tree baubles, silver or light Onto the light brown card, trace both the Brownie’s hands (these in colour are the antlers). Glue the antlers onto the face and add the eyes and the red nose. White paint Paint brush Reindeer poem, Markers “This reindeer is special you see, as she is a part of me.
Instructions: Her antlers are my hands; her face is from my feet And hanging in our home, she will look very sweet”. Paint the Brownie’s hand with the white paint. Links to - Detect Compulsory Challenge Guiding 2 -take part in an Have the Brownie grasp the activity to get to know each other better and explore our bauble from the bottom, holding similarities and differences. (All have a handprint but everyone’s is it in her palm, pressing her fingers up against the side. different). Choice Challenge -19- learn that everyone in the world is different, e.g. fingerprints Allow the bauble to dry completely.
Once dry use the markers to decorate each finger as snowmen by drawing on faces, hats, scarfs, buttons, etc. REINDEER CHRISTMAS CRAFT
FINGERPRINT GIFT TAGS You will need: 3 lollipop sticks You will need: Glue / double-sided tape Ink pads Ribbon / pipe cleaner Fine pointed markers Red stick on pom pom Card cut into circles Glue on goggle eyes
Single hole punch Instructions: String (or wool) Assemble 3 lollipop sticks (as per photo) creating the reindeer’s Instructions: face, using glue or double-sided tape. Cut the card into circles. Make a bow from ribbon and attach to one side of the reindeer. Put a hole on the edge of the circle. Add eyes and red pom pom for the nose. Thread the wool through the hole and knot so that you have a tie. Use the remaining ribbon or the pipe cleaner to hang the Dip your thumb onto the ink pad and place onto the card, repeat if decoration. you choose. Draw a face, nose, ears, tail etc. onto the gift tag thumb print to create an animal. Write “Merry Christmas” on one side and “To” and “From” on the other side. You have lovely personalised fingerprint gift tags.
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 25
Brownies EDIBLE TEA CUP CRAFT CHRISTMAS GIFTS
You will need: BROWNIES CAN MAKE THIS AS A GIFT FOR THEIR DAD Party ring biscuits Fruit polo sweet SWEETS Pink or white marshmallows You will need: Sprinkles 8oz icing sugar per Six Icing A sieve A whisk Instructions: 1 egg per Six Assemble the Flavouring, strawberry, peppermint, banana marshmallow on top of Food colouring, red, green, yellow the party ring biscuit Melted chocolate (optional) using icing (this forms the Each batch should make approx. 24. cup and saucer). Add the fruit polo sweet Instructions: to make the cup handle. Brownies must first wash their hands. Place some icing sugar Sieve the icing sugar into a bowl. on the top of the Whisk the egg white and add a few drops of food colouring, marshmallow and add the and flavouring to it e.g. strawberry flavour and red colour, sprinkles. peppermint flavour and green colour — make up your own Allow the icing to set combinations A nice Christmas treat for Add the egg white mixture to the icing sugar and knead until the Brownies to eat…. the mixture is stiff and dough like. (From Smartie Pack Leader Eidin Burn) Roll into small balls, flatten the tops and leave to harden. You can flatten with a fork to create a pattern on them if you wish. They can be dipped into melted chocolate if you have the facility to melt the chocolate. DO YOU WANNA These can be arranged in a prettily decorated box or tin lined with coloured paper. Don’t forget to put your hand made BUILD A SNOWMAN fingerprint gift tags on them.
You will need: BROWNIES CAN MAKE THIS AS A GIFT FOR THEIR MUM 3 large white marshmallows per MAGICAL HONEY MASK snowman You will need (Per Brownie) : Chocolate chips 1 egg yolk Toothpicks 1 teaspoon of olive oil Icing sugar I teaspoon of honey Black card for the Very small jar (these can be purchased in Pennys/Boots/ hat (optional) Dealz, 10ml travel jar) Instructions: Crepe or tissue paper to wrap Stick 2 of the large Instructions: marshmallows on Brownies must first wash their hands. top of each other Blend all the ingredients together. and stick the toothpick through the middle vertically. Place in the jar. Cut the 3rd marshmallow into 4 pieces and attach using the Wrap the jar in the paper and add the handmade fingerprint toothpicks (or stick on using icing sugar). gift tag. Add the chocolate chips for the eyes, mouth and buttons.
Cut the card into a circle, cut in half, and roll and staple to make a cone shaped hat for the snowman.
Page 26 Trefoil News November/December 2015
Brownies
Brownie Environmental Awareness Choice Challenges related to Climate Change/ 1. Discuss different ways of reducing water and energy use at home. Try one of Outdoors for Brownies these ways for a week and keep a record of what you've done. 1, 6 , 7, 8. 10, 12, 13, 15 , 16, 21, 28, 30, 31, 32, 39, 41, 2. Make a poster or a useful item from recycled materials.
3. Examine different ways of reducing your family’s carbon footprint. Get the Brownies to complete the Carbon Footprint Worksheet on page 29. Then use their results and the activity below to aid your discussion about what they can do to help the environment.
How Can We Stop Our Climate from Changing So Quickly? (Source: http://www.trocaire.org/sites/trocaire/files/education/lent2015/climate-primary-resource-trocaire.pdf)
• Divide the Brownies into their Sixes • Photocopy and cut out the pictures. Give a set of pictures to each group • Ask Brownies to describe each picture and discuss how this can help slow down climate change • Ask Brownies to read the statements and to match them with the correct picture • Ask Brownies to rank the pictures, putting the best solution at the top and the least effective solution at the bottom
Note: There is no correct order to the pictures. This activity is to allow Brownies participate in democratic discussion.
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 27
Brownies
4. Find out about one protected species in Ireland and one endangered species in the world. Make a display using this information.
Irish Protected Species Endangered Species
in the World Badger All Bat species Black Rhino All Deer species Giant Panda Hare species Amur Leopard Hedgehog Sumatran Tiger Otter Black Spider Monkey Pine Marten Chimpanzee Red Squirrel Indian Elephant Dolphin species Orangutan Sea Lion
5. Identify the seven principles of Leave No Trace. Top Tip: This is also the Investigate Compulsory Challenge 3: Outdoors
The Seven Leave No Trace Principles are: • Plan Ahead and Prepare • Be Considerate of Others • Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife • Travel and Camp on Durable Ground • Leave What You Find • Dispose of Waste Properly • Minimise the Effects of Fire
Leave No Trace Activity Create a set of 20 or more cards ahead of time that show actions humans take that affect the environment. Examples: straying from established trails, picking wildflowers, building large campfires, running and yelling, feeding wild animals, littering, urinating near streams and cutting down trees. You could use magazines to cut out pictures or google.
To start, collect all of the cards and pull two from the stack at random. Read the impacts listed aloud and have the Brownies decide which is more disgusting or distasteful, setting that card aside (no need to take a vote; just get a consensus of which action is worse). Repeat with additional pairs of cards until you’ve worked your way through the deck.
Play a second round, this time using only the cards you set aside in the first round. Follow the same process, again setting aside the cards most Brownies selected.
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Brownies
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 29 GUIDES
Dear Leaders,
We have some great fun Christmas activities for you and also some activities to help you teach your girls about First Aid. FIRST AID GUESS AND FEEL Put a first aid item inside a sock. Pass the sock around the Along with that, this month’s Trefoil News has a special circle allowing the Guides to have a feel and guess the item. Environmental focus. Please get involved with our special If using this with the whole Unit start several socks all with environmental issue this month. You can: different items at different parts of the circles preventing the 1. Have a discussion with your girls about Climate girls’ minds or attentions from wandering. Change (see page 16 /17 for facts/figures/ definitions and video links) HELP YOUR FRIEND 2. Earn the Environmental Awareness Badge with your You will need approx. 12 cards on wool to hang around the Unit by using some of our fun activity examples. girls’ necks. Make similar versions of the same card for each (see page 34-35 for this month's themed activities) first aid situation for example: nose bleed, cut or graze, 3. Encourage your girls to use their voice and write to sprained wrist, wasp sting, burn, dehydration, fainting. Government Ministers about COP 21 (see page 15 for more details) Step 1: Give 2 to 3 of the smaller versions of the cards to each Whatever way you choose to get involved — we hope you Patrol. Ask each Patrol to discuss the care that they would will use November to be more Environmentally Aware with give a patient with the presenting complaint. (This is a your girls. Thank You! discussion activity. Please listen to the girls and make sure t the care they propose is appropriate). Guide Branch Step 2: Give 1 person in each Patrol a larger card to put around her neck. On the word “go” she moves around the hall. When the whistle blows, injury strikes. It is up to her Patrol to find, rescue and treat her. It is useful to have a first aid kit for this activity. Why not spend some time the week before going Don’t forget to book for... through first aid kits and ask the Patrol to bring one with them on the night. Will they have brought all they need? NATIONAL BRANCH Follow up by allowing the girls in Patrols to tell the rest of the Unit (a) what the situation is (b) what they did to help and (c) allow the girls from other Patrols to say if they would or could TRAINING WEEKEND have done anything differently. th th 5 to 7 FEBRUARY 2016 Step 3: Details in October’s Trefoil News Why not introduce a few extras and make it into a role play. Each Patrol has one or two injured parties as per large card. There could be two or three in the group playing or walking etc. who witnessed the incident and become the main helper Book online now and someone who puts call through to the emergency using the link below or services.
scan the QR Code. Role play ideas may be: • Girls climbing trees or walking on walls - one falls and is hurt http://tinyurl.com/IGGBranch16 • A girl falls from bicycle and hurts her arm • A group of girls out shopping see an older person faint • When helping to prepare a meal someone burns their hand and feels dizzy with shock
Page 30 Trefoil News November/December 2015
GUIDES
Testing what the girls know….. First Aid Scavenger Hunt (adjusted from a game by Meaghan Lister) To play To play Hide the following objects around the area. Allow the girls to • If the question is right or the girls feel they should say find the objects. If you want to make it harder you could write yes, get them to move three steps forward a word or a clue on each object to make a sentence on the • If the answer is no or something they should not do, topic of first aid. This will ensure the girls will find each object they stay still and not just answer the questions without looking for the • If they get the wrong answer send them back to the objects. Why not throw in a few red herrings too! start line What you need to hide: When someone first starts to appear to choke and attempts to (1)Triangular bandage/necker, (2) band aid, (3) ice pack, (4) cough, you should try encouraging them to cough. Yes if magazine, (5) gloves (6) index card with location of someone can cough they are still getting air in and may be emergency,(7) tweezers (8) maxi pad/nappy/kitchen roll (9) able to free their airway. medical tape (10) blanket
The first thing you do for someone who is unconscious is to 1. Find something that you can use for a sling. check if they are breathing? NO call for help with anyone who ______is unresponsive. 2. What is something that you can use to cover a wound/cut?
If someone is cold put them in a hot bath to warm them up? ______NO a lukewarm bath as they need to warm internal body 3. Find something that you can use if you hit your head. temperature gradually. ______4. Find an everyday item that you could use to splint an arm. You lose most heat from your head? Yes ______To treat frostbite, you should get out of the cold and warm up 5. Find something that you could wear to protect yourself the affected area with body heat? Yes before you help someone.
To treat severe bleeding, apply a tight tourniquet to cut off ______circulation? NO, tourniquets should not be used. Direct 6. Find a card with important information that you would need pressure should be applied. to call 112. ______You should always pop a blister? NO, Blisters are nature’s 7. Find something that will help remove a sliver/ splinter. band aids. ______To prevent heat exhaustion drink plenty of water and wear a 8. Find something that you could use to stop bleeding when hat. YES someone is cut if you don’t have gauze etc…
Fainting is a short period of unconsciousness usually lasting a ______few seconds. YES 9. Find an item that you could use to secure gauze in place. ______Poisons can be inhaled, injected, ingested and transmitted by 10. Find something that you could use to keep someone contact. Yes warm so that they don’t go into shock. You should always make someone who has ingested (drunk) ______poison vomit? ) NO if they burned their oesophagus going down, they will re burn it on vomiting.
Regardless of the type of injury you should be ready to treat for shock. YES
When cleaning a wound, always wipe around the edge and across the centre. NO wipe away from the centre to keep dirt out of the wound.
Irish Girl Guides require health forms from all members to make Leaders aware of any allergies or medical conditions that members have. YES
Always access Circulation, Airway and Breathing. YES
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 31 GUIDES Gift Wrap Relay Gift Stacking Relay
WHAT YOU NEED: WHAT YOU NEED: Duplicate sets of wrapped boxes, items inside the boxes Two gift-wrapped boxes of the same size, pre-cut wrapping (optional), 4 chairs. paper, tape (Hint: To make it easier for Guides, avoid using ribbons or bows and simply stick to wrapping paper.) Divide into 2 teams, Team A and B Now split each team so half are at one end of the room and HOW TO PLAY: half at the other end. (Distance 15 – 20 feet.) Players divide into 2 teams. One Guide on each team starts Stack 3 gifts on top of each other. by unwrapping the wrapped box at a gift-wrapping station Teams are told that they must take the stack of gifts from one where pre-cut gift wrap and tape are set up. Then they re- chair to the next chair without dropping any gifts. Then the wrap the box and race back to the next person in line. That next person must pick up the gifts and take them back to the person then runs to the wrapping station and unwraps and re- other chair. First team finished wins. wraps the box again. Players take turns until one team Note if the gifts fall, then the Guide must go back to her finishes first. starting point and begin again.
Variations - Easy version for small Guides use - empty boxes. Santa's Helpers Game - A little trickier - add chairs that girls must weave around (obstacles) WHAT YOU NEED: - Harder version - tell teams that they can only use one hand Party favours, box, wrapping paper, tape, wool/ribbon to carry the gifts (two when lifting off chair) - More difficult - add items into the gifts – top box apple or HOW TO PLAY: orange! To set up, put out party favours, one box, a sheet of wrapping - Even more difficult - increase to 4 boxes, 5 or more. paper, tape and wool for each pair. Each team must race to wrap the favours in the box and tie a Another variation: bow. The catch? Each girl must hold one hand behind her In this version the first Guide races with 1 gift to their back, an impediment that makes it necessary for the girls to teammate, where they hand over the gift and add 1 more gift. communicate and work together. Now the Guide must take 2 gifts to the other end, where the The first team to finish wins the party favours next Guide must take 3 gifts, etc…
Memory Game Present Scramble You'll need to do a bit of prep to pull off this game, but it will Get 10 to 20 small Christmas items and place on a tray, the pay off 10-fold in laughs when the time comes to play. Wrap a more the merrier. Examples: stocking, ornament, small gift in a small box. Then wrap that gift in a larger box, Christmas cookie, Christmas light, wrapping paper, candle, Christmas movie, nutcracker, etc… and repeat as many times as you can. To play, choose a number and then have everyone in your Unit take turns rolling Set the tray down or walk around with the tray and allow the dice. The first person to roll Guides to study it. Then take the tray out of the room. Now the chosen number can begin give everyone a piece of paper and a pencil and have them unwrapping. But there's a catch: write down as many of the items as they can remember. The they have to wear oven mitts to Guide with the most correct items written down wins.
do it! The remaining players Fun Twist: After removing the tray from the room, come continue rolling while the mitted back and tell them you are going to play a memory game. player is unwrapping. The next (They will think it is the tray items.) Instead tell them we are person to roll the chosen number going to see if you can identify the 12 days of Christmas takes the mitts and continues the items. Then one by one ask the Guides (what was the 2nd unwrapping. The person who day of Christmas, what was the 4th day?) to provide the unwraps the actual prize gets to answers. Then after you do those get out the pen and paper keep it. and challenge them to remember the items on the tray!
Page 32 Trefoil News November/December 2015
GUIDES
Christmas Snowflake Cookies
What you will need: 6 cups plain flour 1 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate 1 cup unsalted butter 1cup packed dark-brown sugar 4 teaspoons ground ginger 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 ½ teaspoons ground gloves 1 teaspoon finely ground pepper 1 ½ teaspoons salt Felt Christmas Stockings 2 large eggs Cut two pieces of felt, one green and Icing Sugar one red, into a stocking shape. Using a hole puncher, punch holes in the Directions: stockings all the way around except 1. Sift the flour and sodium bicarbonate together into a across the top. Ask the girls to sew in large bowl. and out of the holes with white wool. 2. Put butter and brown sugar in a separate bowl and mix When done use fabric paints to until fluffy. Mix in spices and salt followed by the eggs. decorate the stockings further. Why 3. Add flour mixture to the above mixture. Mix until just not see who can decorate the best combined. Divide the dough into thirds, wrap each in Christmas scene? cling film and chill in fridge for approximately one hour until cold. Ribbon Christmas Trees 4. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Roll out dough on a lightly Kindly sent in by Paula Mc Quillan of Ballybay Guides from Woman's Way 2012 floured work surface to ¼ inch thick. Cut into snowflakes
What you need for each tree: by hand or use a cookie cutter. -15mm wide ribbon in two 5. Space 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with different colours- 3 metres greaseproof paper and refrigerate until firm, about 15 of one colour and approx. -- minutes. 2 metres of second colour 6. Bake cookies until crisp but not dark, 12 to 14 minutes. -1 polystyrene cone Let them cool on sheets or wire racks. -11cm dressmaker pins 7. Put icing in a pastry bag fitted with a small plain round -1 star or bauble for the top tip. Pipe designs on the snowflakes, immediately sprinkle with sugar. Let stand for five minutes and then tap off Directions: excess sugar. Cookies need to set with the icing. This • Cut the ribbon into 6cm lengths. To make a loop, place the will take approximately 1 hour. two cut edges on top of each other with the right side up
• Use the pin to hold each ribbon loop in place, sticking them into the cone about 1.5cm from the bottom edge keeping them Recipe makes approx. level as you go around the cone 16 cookies. If you • Next take the contrasting ribbon colour and stick them above want to hang them the previous layer, covering the pins of the first layer with ribbon on a • Repeat this with alternative rows of ribbon to work up the tree branch to make a until you reach the top snowflake cookie for • Take a sharp pair of scissors and carefully poke a hole in the the Christmas tree, top of cone and glue in a star or Christmas bauble don’t forget to make • Note - the colour you start with is the ribbon colour you will an eye hole to hang need more of. So by asking the girls to alternate between up before baking. themselves which colour they start with will allow you to use your ribbon more evenly
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 33 GUIDES
Choice Challenges related Environmental Awareness Badge to Climate Change / Outdoors for Guides 1. Understand the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace (Top Tip: This is also the Innovator Compulsory Outdoor Challenge – pg.79) Global Awareness Adventure: 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 The Seven Leave No Trace Principles are: Outdoor Adventure: 9, 10, 12, 13, • Plan Ahead and Prepare Teamwork Adventure: • Be Considerate of Others 4 (could be used if community • Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife organisation they volunteer with is • Travel and Camp on Durable Ground an environmental organisation) • Leave What You Find Change Adventure: 4, 11, Global Awareness Adventure: • Dispose of Waste Properly 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 • Minimise the Effects of Fire
Human Impacts (Source: http://www.leavenotraceireland.org/sites/default/files/uploads/101Waysbrochure2015.pdf) Tip: there are lots of other Leave No Trace Activities on this website too if the one below does not suit your group.
Objective: To teach Guides the result of ‘Leaving a Trace’ using drawings and discussion. Materials: Paper, crayons/markers, ‘human impacts’ prepared ahead of time on slips of paper. Duration: 30 minutes or longer. What to do: Each Guide is asked to draw her favourite place in the countryside. After they have finished, they each present their illustration to the group and explain a little bit about why they like this place. Next, the Leader passes out slips of paper with different ‘human impacts’ written on them which the Guides must add to their pictures.
Examples of ‘human impacts’ include: • Dumping at your site (add black bin bags, broken glass, car tyres and a fridge) • Thoughtless campers move into your favourite place (add bright yellow tents, a big fire, a radio and some food) • People have gone walking all over your favourite place (add in wide muddy trails, big footprints and bare rocks on the paths) • Some people were here before and had lunch (add in food scraps, litter, and some hand soap) • A group of people came through your favourite place collecting natural objects (remove any flowers, feathers, pretty stones, seeds etc.) • A group of people arrived to take some photos of the animals; they were not very thoughtful and pestered the animals who ran away (Remove all animals, birds, insects and fish) • Some animals found rubbish left by people (add in insects crawling over a fizzy drink bottle, a mouse eating a plastic wrapper)
Debrief: Ask Guides how they felt about making the changes to their pictures. Ask girls if they have ever seen any of the ‘human impacts’ in real life and discuss what could be done in each case to prevent ‘Leaving a Trace’ in a natural area. Round up the activity by reiterating the key learning points from the activity and relate back to the Leave No Trace principles.
2. Investigate where the recycling facilities are in your area. Guides should learn where they can recycle various items e.g. clothes, glass, tin, paper. Maybe create a map of your locality and mark the various areas on it.
Page 34 Trefoil News November/December 2015
GUIDES
3. Identify different types of pollution & how they affect your area and the wider world. (Top tip: This is also a Global Awareness Choice Challenge pg. 213-217 )
Ranking Climate Change Causes Source: http://www.trocaire.org/sites/trocaire/files/ education/lent2015/climate-primary-resource- trocaire.pdf • Divide the Guides into their Patrols • Photocopy and cut out the climate change causes statements. Give a set of statements to each Patrol • Ask the Guides to rank the statements, putting the biggest cause of climate change at the top, the least cause at the bottom Note: There is no correct order to the statements. This activity is to allow Guides to participate in a democratic discussion.
4. Compare renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Identify how renewable energy sources can be used in a home.
Energy Burst Note: This is only an introduction game. Guides have the capacity to learn a lot more about this topic.
TIME: 10 minutes WHAT TO DO: Tell the girls they must run around whenever you say “on” and run on the spot whenever you say “off”. Gradually introduce some other actions as well which represent different sources of electricity, including: • Hydroelectricity (girls could make a big swoosh like a waterfall) • Wind power (rotate arms like a windmill and make blowing noises) • Nuclear Power (do a star jump) • Wave Power (everyone lines up and does a Mexican wave) • Coal (make digging actions) • Solar Power (fan yourself like you’re really hot)
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in association with the Department of Education have developed a website with teaching resources about Renewable Energy. While some of these activities are a bit school-like, many can be adapted to be used in Guides. It’s also a fantastic place to get information that’s presented in a child friendly way. Visit www.seai.ie/Schools/Primary_Schools/Exploring_Our_Energy_Primary_Programme/Fifth-and-Sixth-Class/
5. Keep a diary of the journeys you make during a week. Explain what the most environmentally friendly methods of transport are. Discuss ways your family could reduce its carbon footprint. Take a look at the Brownie Carbon Footprint worksheet on page 29 fi the Guides would like to calculate their Carbon Footprint.
6. Choose an action to improve your environment and carry it out. The Guides can do whatever action they want for this challenge. The only thing stopping them is their own imagination! Make sure the Guides are involved in the decision-making process as they are much more likely to be engaged in a project that they helped design.
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 35
SENIOR BRANCH
Hi Everyone,
My time as Senior Branch Chair has come to an end. My last official SB event will be the Senior Branch Weekend at the end of November – I hope to see you there!!
Four years ago, I started at the November weekend, and what a great few years it has been – so many great events – SB weekends, 18th Birthday Parties, Lightweights, Chief Commissioner Awards, Learning Leadership and an Explorer Belt. A number of great Leader trainings, the development and delivery of the Journey Programme were also on the agenda over that time.
Senior Branch is such an exciting place to be at the moment. I really hope the Journey Programme is everything you want it to be and I encourage each of you to take it on, get involved, have fun and start earning badges, pins and awards!
It’s been a privilege to work with all of you, to have met so many of you – you are an amazing bunch of young women and I look forward to seeing you all at our International Camp in 2017 and hearing and reading about your adventures over the coming years.
Best of luck to the new Chair taking over – she will be fantastic!
Enjoy the adventure ahead. Journey far, Journey well, Journey together!
Yours in Guiding, Jenny Gannon LAST CHANCE TO BOOK November Weekend
When: 27th - 29th November 2015 Where: Killarney How much: 60 euro Who: SB members 16 + (or if you’ve been an SB member for the past year you can also attend)
IT’S GOING TO BE A HUGE PARTY AND YOU’RE INVITED!
COME AND CELEBRATE THE NEW SENIOR BRANCH PROGRAMME WITH US!
BOOK ONLINE NOW USING THE LINK BELOW OR SCAN THE QR CODE https://regonline.activeeurope.com/novemberweekend2015
Page 36 Trefoil News November/December 2015
SENIOR BRANCH
Ventact 2015
KaƟe Weir In all my years of Guiding I can't believe my first Ventact was only now! What an absolutely amazing camp and to top it of, it was Harry Po er themed!!!
It honestly pushed some boundaries for not just the girls, but for me too (heights fear had to be overcome.) I couldn't be any prouder to be an IGG Leader and to see how the girls have grown and matured in the last year alone is a magical experience.
Honestly without the Guides I would never have become the person I am today. Here's to the last 16 years with IGG and many, many more to come.
# SoppyPostOver #Ventact2015 #ItWasMagical #HarryPo er # IGG #ProudLeader # S llRecovering #GirlGuides · Anne Hyland This was my first Ventact but it won’t be my last! What an absolutely amazing camp made up of IGG, CGI and Scou ng Ireland. It was Harry Po er themed, which was brilliant and I dressed up as Aragog the Spider for the Saturday night disco. For the tradi onalists there was also a fabulous campfire!
I met some amazing young people and got to have a reunion with Leaders I'd met through trainings with IGG. I was delighted to support a group of Senior Branchers to come to the camp, not realising how much fun I would have too. I was made very welcome by members of all three organisa ons and it truly felt like a real team effort. I was happy to step up and be part of the staff, while the girls who had travelled with me were off taking part in the amazing ac vi es, ranging from water skiing to ra making, and some lucky campers even got to take part in a flying lesson!!!!!!
I love being part of Senior Branch and I have learnt to throw myself in at the deep end and go along to events and ac vi es on my own; I know I'll be mee ng lovely, like-minded, friendly people who will soon make me welcome. I just give them my best Brownie smile and ask if there is a spare seat and we're soon cha ng. I can honestly say that, without Guiding, I would not be the person I am today.
# V e n t a c t 2 0 1 5 # I G G #ProudLeader # SeniorBranch #givinggirlsconfidence
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 37
SENIOR BRANCH
We have a special environmental focus in this month’s issue and we’d like you to please get involved with your Unit. You can:
1. Have a discussion about Climate Change (see page 16/17 for facts/figures/definitions and video links). 2. Earn an Environmental Awareness Badge with your Unit by using some of our fun activity examples — as Senior Branchers you can choose whether to earn a Ladybird, Brownie or Guide interest badge. 3. Use your voice and write to Government Ministers about COP 21 (see page 15 for more details). 4. Complete some of the Senior Branch Choice Challenges that can be linked to Environmental Awareness such as Change Adventure: 19 (could be used if the service to help change the world for the better is to do with the environment/climate change) Outdoors Adventure: 1, 2, 3, 9 ,12 Global Awareness Adventure: 6 (potentially), 7, 13, 14 (potentially), 22 (potentially), 25 (potentially).
Page 38 Trefoil News November/December 2015
SENIOR BRANCH Registering for Gaisce
If you are planning on getting your Golden Sun, Silver Moon or Bronze Star, then you need to go and register on the Gaisce website – www.gaisce.ie
When you go to sign up to Gaisce, please make sure you follow the instructions below to help you get through the process in the easiest way possible.
When you get to the website, click on the award you want to register for.
Once you have clicked here, you can then progress to complete your registration.
When you get to the section about the Operating Body and PAL – this is what you need to fill in. No matter where you live in Ireland, you must choose Dublin 4 as your county, then IGG National as your Operating Body and finally select Admin IGG as your PAL.
You are going to have a wonderful adventure – keep your plans open and, if you need any help, please get in touch with the Senior Branch Committee.
Trefoil News November/December 2015 Page 39
International Events
Guide Quiz
Get your Guides ready and excited for Go Global Day this year by entering them in the InternaƟonal Table Quiz.
The quiz will run at Area level and all Guide Units can send Patrols to the Area Quiz. The deadline for the Area Quiz is January 17th 2016.
The winning Patrol from each Area will be eligible to a end the NaƟonal Final which will be held in Dublin on Saturday 30th January 2016.
Teams, for all levels, must be made up of four girls of different ages.
Ques on rounds will cover IGG, WAGGGS, Ireland and our focus countries of Dominican Republic, Finland, Madagascar, Lebanon and Korea. Ques ons will cover general knowledge and Guiding ques ons on each country.
Area Commissioners - watch out for the table quiz SAVE THE DATE quesƟons arriving in your post in the coming days. April 16th, 2016
Go Global for Guides Go Global for Senior Branch
Go Global for Adult Leaders (International Permit Training)
Brownie More details and booking information will be available Breakout in January's Trefoil News.
The Interna onal Commi ee is delighted to confirm that Hanne The planning team is gathering in early November to Naughton will head up the leadership put the bones of this inaugural event together. We team for the Na onal Con ngent to think you will like what they have in mind!!!
Roihu in Finland next summer. This event will target Brownies aged nine and older, Hanne previously a ended the 6th the same members who will be Guide age by the me Finnajamboree 'Kilke' on the same our Interna onal Camp in 2017 comes around. site and brings a wealth of Guiding and camping experience to this role. What a fantasƟc start to their InternaƟonal
Due to the age group of the girls involved it has been experiences the Brownie Breakout will be! decided to run selec ons for this event at 2/3 venues around the country. We hope every District will have a group of Brownies ready to join us. Watch out for more details in the next Watch out for further details in Regional emails and on Trefoil News. Facebook.
Page 40 Trefoil News November/December 2015
Girl Rising Day of the Girl Special Screening
This year on Sunday October 11th almost 100 Guides and Senior Branch members aƩended a special event organised by IGG in conjuncƟon with World Vision in the IFI , Dublin.
They were joined by prize- winning Young ScienƟst and IGG volunteer 17-year-old Emer Hickey from Kinsale, Co. Cork.
To read more about the event check out the ‘News’ secƟon of the IGG website
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