Trefoil News January/February 2016 Issue No: 635

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 International Commissioner/ Intro to World Thinking Day Page 1 Celebrating World Thinking Day / WAGGGS Connect Pack Page 2 #Connect10Million Activity Page 3 Learn more about CGI Page 4 World Thinking Day Fund Page 5 World Thinking Day Ceremony Pages 6-7 Noticeboard Page 8 IGGNite 2017 / Dates for your Diary Page 9 Stitch’s Diary Page 10 North Pole to South Pole — Join IGG’s Trek Page 11 NPT Updates / Trefoil Guild International Connections Page 12 Membership Page 13 Volunteer - NWCI Rep Needed Page 14 Spotlight on Jean Douglas Page 15 Out and About Pages 16-20 Ladybirds Pages 21-24 Includes some international themed ideas to help your Ladybirds connect with Guiding around the world and a few Valentine’s Day crafts for you too Brownies Pages 25-28 Includes lots of World Thinking Day activity ideas. Plus your chance to apply for the Brownie Breakout 2016 and final reminder for expressing interest in the Olympic badge Guides Pages 29-34 Includes teamwork games to get your Guides thinking about connections and WAGGGS activities to help them complete their World Guiding interest badge. Plus congratulations to 2015’s Gold Award Guides Senior Branch Pages 35-36 Includes a report on November Senior Branch Weekend and seeking an organiser for the Chief Commissioner’s Award 2016 - it could be you! International Pages 37-44 Includes Travellers’ Tales and upcoming International Opportunities including your chance to apply for the Juliette Low Seminar and the Diane Dixon Memorial Scholarships. A special focus on the four World Centres and becoming a Friend, information about EraScout, plus details of International's upcoming Go Global Day

Inserts: OGM Leaflet QQI Awards Information

Cover Art: Members from the Bandon District with the WAGGGS Connect puzzle pieces. Photography by Ciara Deasy.

Happy New Year to you and your family, you are all very welcome to this 2016 International Edition of Trefoil News.

I sit here in the immediate aftermath of the tragedies in Lebanon and Paris among others that reach our news and interrupt our lives for fleeting moments. For weeks my Facebook feed was filled with tinges of blue, white and red as people struggled to offer support and solidarity to our brothers and sisters in France. The moment passed but perhaps not the sentiment… our theme for World Thinking Day this year is ‘Connect’. Connect with Me, with Friends, with WAGGGS, with the World.

Guiding, through our volunteer Leaders, has so much to offer our young people to find their way to connect with the wider world as they struggle to understand the global issues of our times. We can and should be offering them something deeper than ‘liking’ a post on Facebook. How we respond to contemporary issues today will help shape their minds and their futures. Do not shy away from the difficult conversations, direct them to places that help open their minds, lead them through activities that help question what the media presents, and support them to make tangible efforts to make their world a better place for all of us to live in.

This summer many IGG groups will be travelling to attend international events and expanding their International friendships. I am sure these connections with other like-minded young people will inspire them to see their world as a place of hope. Good luck to Christine Cronin as she leads our National Contingent to Roverway in France and Hanne Naughton and Ruth Corkery who will be leading the National Contingent to Roihu in Finland. For those of you keen to start planning your own international adventures, be sure to sign up for the next International Permit training. As always your International Committee is here to help you plan every step of the way, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

I look forward to meeting many of you at our National Table Quiz finals in January and Go Global Days in April this year. Remember it’s not too late to organise an Area round for your table quiz and if only one Unit in an Area is interested in the quiz they are more than welcome to come to the National Finals. Yours in Guiding

Lorna Finnegan International Commissioner

WORLD THINKING DAY

Every year on 22nd February Girl Guides and Girl Scouts globally celebrate World Thinking Day. Together Girl Guides and Girl Scouts give thanks and show appreciation for the international friendship they find in our movement and raise money to help grow and share the movement with more girls and young women around the world.

Thinking Day started in 1926, the date February 22nd was selected because it is the mutual birthday of Robert Baden Powell the founder of the Boy Scout movement and his wife Olave, who served as the World Chief Guide. This day each year gives us the opportunity to celebrate that we are one in ten million members of the biggest global family and to think of those less fortunate.

We hope you enjoy our World Thinking Day ceremony and all the appropriately themed activities in this issue. Have a Happy World Thinking Day.

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 1

CELEBRATING WORLD THINKING DAY

Each year World Thinking Day has a theme, this year the theme is Connect. WAGGGS invites you to explore and celebrate the meaningful connections that make our lives better, whether to the people closest to us, to a place we care about, or to a Guiding friend on the other side of the world.

Making more positive connections matters, because it helps us to be happy. But what does it mean to feel truly connected i.e. connected to who we are, connected to where we are, and connected to the people around us?

There are some easy actions you can take to celebrate World Thinking Day this year:

1. Download the WAGGGS World Thinking Day pack and complete some of the fun activities from it. 2. Use the activities provided by your Branch in this months’ Trefoil News. 3. Follow the instructions on page 3 to make a large photo frame and share your activities/celebrations with IGG and WAGGGS on social media. 4. Use our World Thinking Day ceremony on pages 6/7 to give girls a chance to think about how they are connected and to make a collection for the World Thinking Day Fund and send the total raised to National Office.

CONNECT PACK

WAGGGS has made it easy for groups to celebrate World Thinking Day and earn their World Thinking Day badge at the same time with the Connect pack — available to download now from www.wagggs.org/en/resources/world-thinking-day-activity-pack-2016-connect or scan the QR code on the right

How does the activity pack work? This year’s pack is a puzzle challenge in five parts. Your Unit chooses one activity from each of the first four sections, to get four puzzle pieces. Finally, they put their puzzle together and complete their last activity, to #connect10million with the world. Each section has some very simple and quick activities, and some that take a bit longer or give a greater challenge.

How do you earn the badge? Simply complete one activity from each section.  Connect with me: If we take the time to connect with ourselves and understand what makes us happy and confident, we can make a bigger difference in other people’s lives.  Connect with friends: Connection is friendship and friendship is happiness. So what makes a good friend? Connect with someone you care about, introduce a friend to Guiding, and explore the relationships that matter to you.  Connect with WAGGGS: Look wider and connect with the amazing world of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting. Feel like one in ten million, learn about our global Movement and visit a WAGGGS World Centre!  Connect with the world: Look wider still and see how you can make a difference in the places you care about. Go outdoors and get active, get to know your community or a place in nature, and learn something about the world around you.

Try to work through the sections in order with the #connect10million activity coming at the end, as it pulls the programme together and asks girls to reflect on what they learned from the other activities.

How long does it take? The activities have been planned so that your Unit can make all five connections in a 90 minute meeting. If your group has more time they can choose some of the longer activities, use the “take it further” ideas or complete extra activities.

What does the Leader need to do? Just make time to look through the pack in advance and identify where you might need to adapt activities. Because the pack is for youth members of all ages from 146 different countries, you may need to adapt activities to fit your Unit. Try to keep to the learning outcome (at the beginning of each activity) but if you want to change how the activity is done, go ahead. You know your Unit best! Why not arrange some time together with your Unit to plan the activities?

What’s the best way to do it? Empowering young people to take the lead is the heart of the Girl Guide and Girl Scout method, and it makes the experience feel a lot more relevant and fun! Support them to choose the activities they would like to do, to work as a team in completing activities, and to take simple roles in planning and delivering activities.

Page 2 Trefoil News January/February 2016

In pages 45-52 of the WAGGGS Connect Pack you will find 4 puzzle pieces. Cut out all 4 pieces and build a large frame as shown in the picture below. Use the puzzle pieces for each of the four corners of the frame. The frame needs to be as large as possible (suggested size:120cm x160cm) in order to fit the whole group in when standing behind it. Use thick paper or cardboard.

Each of the corners represents one of the connections the girls in your Unit have made…

 Connect with me  Connect with friends  Connect with WAGGGS  Connect with the world

When your frame is complete, think of the activities you have done during the year and what you have learned from them. For every activity write a short message in each side of the frame — the message could be a new thing you learned, a connection that is important for you, or just something that you really enjoyed. When everyone has written their messages, release your creativity and decorate the frame, (without hiding the messages!).

Your #connect10million frame is now ready! Take a photo with all the group members holding it. Think of a caption for your photograph that includes the word ‘connect’.

If you have Internet access share the photo and your message on social media using the hashtags: #connect10million and #WTD2016. Check out what other Girl Guides and Girl Scouts groups have created!

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 3

In July 1993, at the 28th World Conference held in Denmark, the Council of Irish Guiding Associations was ratified as a full member of WAGGGS and was recognised as continuing the Full Membership first gained by IGG in 1932. The Council consists of IGG and CGI on behalf of their members who reside in the Republic of Ireland.

The Catholic Guides of Ireland (CGI) is a nationwide uniformed association open to all women and girls. CGI is one of three Guide Associations on the island of Ireland. The other two are the Irish Girl Guides (IGG) and Girlguiding - Ulster. CGI has members both in the Republic and Northern Ireland.

CGI's mission statement is "to provide a challenging Guiding programme within a safe environment, to enable all girls and young women to develop their full potential." Their vision statement is "We are a positive all inclusive community movement on the island of Ireland empowering girls and women to recognise the contribution they make to society".

What does this mean? Well, their mission statement is what they see as their core responsibilities, whereas the vision is like a fingerpost from what they are strong in now to where they’d like to be in the future. While CGI is a Catholic organisation, they are open to all denominations. Occasionally, programmes may incorporate a spiritual dimension but this will be general.

Association Badge

The badge consists of a Celtic Cross with a shamrock superimposed. The tree of life is engraved on the shamrock. The Guide Motto 'Bi Ullamh' is engraved on the base of the Cross.

The Sections:

Cygnets are aged 5-6 years old. They meet for approximately one hour per week and their activities include news time, games, dance and crafts. They also go on days out.

Brigíní are aged 6/7 - 10/11 years old. Brigíní usually meet for about an hour and a half per week and their activities include singing, dancing as well as crafts and games. They also go on days out and weekends away.

Guides are aged 10/11 - 17 years old. Guide meetings vary from one and half hours to two hours each week. Their activities include cookery, outdoor and life skills. Their programme leads them to organise a lot of their own meetings with the Guiders assistance. They also go on days out, weekends and weeks away both in Ireland and abroad.

Rangers are aged 14 - 19 years old. Ranger meetings are much more flexible and quite often they only meet once or twice a month. They run their own meetings and the Guider is only an observer. Rangers can then go on to become Guiders.

Guiders are aged 18+ and are responsible for the general running of the Company.

Structure of CGI National - Regions - Areas - Districts – Units; Cygnets, Brigíní, Guide, Rangers, Guiders

CHOICES Programme – The program for each section is based on the letters of the word ‘Choices’ and has a central theme, relevant to each age section.

Creativity, Health, Out of Doors, International, Communication, Environment, Special

The Cygnet Programme is called "Look What I Can do” The Brigín programme is called "Let's do it!" Brigíní can also earn ‘interest badges’ The Guide programme is called "Count Me In". Guides can also earn ‘interest badges’ The Ranger programme is called "Get With It". Rangers can also do an additional ‘Oisín’ Award.

Page 4 Trefoil News January/February 2016

WORLD THINKING DAY FUND

At the seventh World Conference in Poland in 1932 a delegate suggested that Girl Guides and Girl Scouts should give a penny for their thoughts. This was the start of the World Thinking Day Fund being established. The fund was to be used wherever the need was greatest. The sum of one penny or its equivalent is symbolic today as member organisations are asked to contribute what they can to this fund.

Money collected helps promote Guiding in countries less fortunate. Supporting underprivileged areas of communities, it can help with Leader training, encourage International exchange and support a wide variety of programmes.

Last Year IGG raised over €7,500 in donations for WAGGGS and we’d love to match or increase that this year!

MAKE A WORLD THINKING DAY MONEY BOX

If you make your World Thinking Day money box a few weeks before your ceremony it gives the girls time to collect up some money. Remind the girls to bring their money boxes back in on the day you are celebrating World Thinking Day.

This year’s ceremony focuses on connections made from friendships and we would like you to make smiley face money boxes.

You will need: (per girl)  Long tube with a lid e.g. Pringles tube  Coloured paper / white paper  Smiley face templates  Markers/pencils  Stickers/glitter — any other decorations you would like.

What to do:  Begin by covering the outside of the tube in white or coloured paper. The girls in your Unit can then decorate the outside of the tube whatever way they like  Have the girls colour in the smiley face template  Glue the smiley face to the lid  You can choose to have the girls take the lids on and off to put money in their box or you can tape the lid to the money box and cut a slot where the smile is for coins

Collect up your money boxes during the World Thinking Day ceremony

World Thinking Day Money Collection

Please send your World Thinking Day donations to

World Thinking Day, Irish Girl Guides, 27 Pembroke Park, Dublin 4.

Cheques should be made payable to Irish Girl Guides World Thinking Day Fund.

Please do not send coins/cash. Thank You!

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 5

Your World Thinking Day Ceremony is a chance for you to think about your sisters in Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting around the world and this year especially to think about how we can “Connect” with our 10 million sisters.

This ceremony would work well as a District/Area event but can also be used by individual Units or larger groups.

You will need:  A standard pack of coloured card (including red, orange, green, blue and yellow)  Purple card  Double sided tape  Markers / colouring pencils  Large puzzle pieces from the WAGGGS Connect Thinking Day pack (downloadable on the WAGGGS website)  A method of playing music tracks from YouTube  Connected: Barbie in a diamond castle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g829bF5qPc /  I am one voice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujQhs78jhoo  Projector and Laptop (to show song words – optional)

Each participant will need: Her World Thinking Day moneybox.

Before the ceremony:  Cut each piece of card into 5 strips lengthways – 1 per participant  Cut the double-sided tape into approximately 2cm pieces – 1 per participant  Teach the girls the songs  Distribute the readings

Welcome [Read by Leader or special invited guest e.g. District/Area Commissioner]

Introduction to Thinking Day - In 1926, Girl Guide and Girl Scout delegates from around the globe met in the USA for the 4th World Conference. Among other decisions, they agreed that there should be a special annual day when Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world think of each other and express their thanks and appreciation for our international Movement. This was called Thinking Day. The delegates chose 22 February as the date for Thinking Day because it was the birthday of both Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scout Movement, and Olave Baden-Powell, who was World Chief Guide. Six years later in 1932, the 7th World Conference was taking place in Bucze, Poland, when a Belgian delegate pointed out that a birthday usually involves gifts, and so girls could show their appreciation on Thinking Day by offering gifts to our international Movement by fundraising or making a donation.

Olave Baden-Powell wrote a letter to all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts later that year to tell them about this idea and to ask them to spare a penny to help support Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting around the world.

Explain the “Connect” theme [Read by Leader]

This year WAGGGS invites us to focus on and celebrate the meaningful connections that make our lives better, whether to the people closest to us, to a place we care about, or to a Girl Guide or Girl Scout friend on the other side of the world.

Making more positive connections matters, because it helps us to be happy.  You have the chance to connect with yourself: If we take the time to connect with ourselves and understand what makes us happy and confident, we can make a bigger difference in other people’s lives  You can connect with friends: Connection is friendship and friendship is happiness  You can also connect with WAGGGS: Look wider and connect with the amazing world of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting. Feel like one in ten million and learn more about our global Movement  Connect with the world: Look wider still and see how you can make a difference in the places you care about

Page 6 Trefoil News January/February 2016

Friendship Chains Activity

Distribute the pieces of card (red strips for Ladybirds, yellow for Brownies, blue for Guides, Green for Senior Branch, Orange for Unit Helpers and purple for Leaders), double sided tape and markers. Ask each member to write their name on one side and something that makes them happy on the other side. Starting at one point in the circle (or at several points around the circle depending on numbers) connect the chains together using the double sided tape. As each pair connect their chain, they can find something that they have in common or connects them to each other. While this is happening play the YouTube song.

Song Connected - Barbie in a Diamond Castle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g829bF5qPc

Puzzle pieces Invite one member of each Branch represented to bring forward their puzzle piece and have them join the pieces together in the centre of the circle. Invite each Branch to place their filled moneyboxes on and around the appropriate puzzle piece.

Reading [could be broken into sections and given to several Reading girls before the ceremony to read at this point] Smiling….. Happiness is… Yesterday I met a stranger; Happiness is an ice cream cone today that stranger is my friend, with a chocolate coating, Had I not taken the time to say hello and lots and lots of sprinkles. or return a smile I would have not known her. Happiness is a child’s laughter. Yesterday would have turned into today Happiness is two people holding hands and our chance meeting would be gone. while walking dreamily in the park. Everyday we meet strangers, on a street, Happiness is two people in love. in a shop, in the workplace. Happiness is the splashing of the waves Guiding gives us the opportunity to while sitting under the stars on the beach. meet people all over the world and Happiness is the sounds of a carnival, brings us together as friends with rides, laughter, and games. with common bonds, hopes and dreams. Happiness is winning a teddy bear from the dart game at the fair. End your ceremony by singing ’I am one voice.’ Happiness is a smile on a cloudy, dreary day. Song Happiness is helping someone I am one voice - from deep in your heart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujQhs78jhoo Happiness is dining out at a very special place, on a very special day. Happiness is saying, “I do.” Happiness is catching the bridal bouquet. Happiness is a leisurely Sunday drive down a peaceful country road. Happiness is all of this and much, much more. Happiness is in your mind, and what you make of it.

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 7

Notice Board

Notice Board IRISH GIRL First Aid West was recently established, GUIDES by Emma Walsh, a Leader with Galway West Senior Branch.

Emma has been a member in Irish Girl Guides in many capacities for over 20 years. She is a qualified nurse and an OFAAA Instructor and has stated that Carrigdhoun Guides being involved with IGG has shaped her Take a small bar of chocolate, wrap it in to become the person she is today.

white paper and First Aid West offers the following courses: colour it in your - Occupational First Aid Branch colour! What a great idea…. - Manual Handling - Community First Responder Aisling O’Boyle Centenary Guides received a - Basic First Aid lovely letter from our local TD Olivia Mitchell - Family/ Infant Safety this morning in response to our letters urging our politicians to take action on climate change These courses can be held both in- at COP 21. Small actions by our younger house at your meeting hall or office members really can make all the difference! and/or at our venue in Galway City.

@AlexWhiteTD Dec 4 For more information: Delighted to meet with the Dundrum Centenary Contact Emma on 086 1617350 Guides to discuss Climate Change before or at [email protected] and like Paris @IrishGirlGuides #COP21 them on facebook.com/firstaidwest Helen O’Reilly Working on our SPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE FOR IRISH GIRL GUIDES! Guiding Traditions badge with Guide bingo from 1959!

@_webkids Dec 5 @IrishGirlGuides Super organisation for #girls & #youngwomen creating #future #leaders ( My daughter loves it !!! )

@Cathy188Swan Dec 5 @IrishGirlGuides so excited for IGGnite! @GannonJenny looks amazing already! #IGGNITE17 #MoreInternationalBants

Follow us on Twitter, like us on District Commissioner Eleanor Cronin and Mickey Harte Facebook and get posting to see at the Macroom BOI Enterprise exhibition with members of yourself here next month! Ardilaun Guides and MacEgan Senior Branch promoting the wonderful world of Guiding in the District. For more Out and About stories see page 16-20

Page 8 Trefoil News January/February 2016

IGGNITE 2017 Igg’s NEXT International CAMP

Sunday July 30th — August 6th 2017

In Rockwell College, Tipperary

 Plenty of space - inside and out  Great campsite  25 metre pool  25 acre lake

On 5th December, the camp team shared the location of Camp 2017 with us all via their launch video. In the first 48 hours they had 2,500 views of their video… I think we’re all excited for camp.

If you aren’t following them yet you can follow them on Facebook by searching for iggnite 2017 and on Twitter by following @IGGnite2017 — check out their launch video if you haven’t seen it already.

More information will be in March’s Trefoil News SO WATCH THIS SPACE!

Dates for Your Diary

1st New Year’s Day 5th Branch Weekend 8th International Women’s -7th Day 23rd Executive Committee Meeting 14th Census Payment 17th St Patrick’s Day Deadline March

January 29th Deadline for Juliette Low 17th Deadline for Diane Dixon Seminar Applications February 22nd World Thinking Day Memorial Scholarship Applications 31st Census Completion 27th National Programme Deadline and Training Committee 27th Easter Sunday

Meeting Guiding Dates are 28th Bank Holiday Monday in italics!

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 9

Stitch’s Diary

Hello Everyone,

I was so happy to visit Glasson Ladybirds in December. It was a big surprise planned by

the Leaders and the Ladybirds were delighted to have a visitor.

We started by singing the Ladybird Song and then they all sat down to tell their news.

After that, we learnt all about healthy eating and got to see some unusual fruits.

We played a 'guess the fruit' game. Placing a piece of fruit or vegetable in a box, the girls were blindfolded and reached in to feel it and make a guess. After that we played 'fruit bowl'.

Everyone stands in a circle and when your fruit name is called you change places with someone. The girls enjoyed both games.

I had great fun too and was sad when we had to tidy up and I had to go home. I can’t wait to visit my next Ladybird Unit—could it be your Unit?! Call my Mammy Egle to arrange a visit.

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]

Page 10 Trefoil News January/February 2016

Join us on an IGG Trek from the North Pole to the South Pole!

The dawning of a New Year heralds new possibilities, new opportunities and new adventures for girls and Leaders alike … and we would like you all to join us on a very exciting expedition – a 20,000 kilometre trek from the North Pole to the South Pole. Yes, really!

Do you doubt it? Do you believe this is impossible? Are you worried about your fitness levels or wondering how you will convince parents to entrust their girls to you on such a journey?

Well, fear not! It isn’t quite as challenging as it may sound! We reckon that if every Ladybird walks one kilometre, every Brownie two, every Guide three and every Senior Brancher four km, then, when added together, the 12,000 members of IGG will have completed 20,000km – the distance from the North Pole to the South Pole! And Leaders and Trefoil Guild members get to contribute too by walking with their Unit or organising their own walk of 5km … or more!

What a great media-grabbing headline that will make, don’t you think?

But it’s not all about getting into the papers. More than anything, it is about encouraging our girls to take on a challenge and engage in an exciting and health-promoting activity with all their Guiding sisters in Ireland. This activity will also cover some of your Journey Programme:

Ladybirds: Grow - No. 10: Go for a ramble and the Active Body Interest Badge Brownies: Choice Challenge - No.s 1 & 13 and the Nature Observer or Local Knowledge Interest Badges Guides: Choice Challenge Outdoors No.s 5 & 10 and the Hiker and Rambler Interest Badges Senior Branch: Now You’re a SB Member compulsory challenge Fun activity or Bronze Star or Outdoor Adventure Choice Challenge.

HOW DO WE TAKE PART?

It’s simple …  Bring your girls out on a walk (it can be in the neighbourhood during a meeting, or you may prefer to arrange a walk another day in a nearby park, forest etc.) and work out how many kilometres have been completed altogether by your Unit e.g. if 15 Ladybirds and 5 Leaders walk 1km each, then the total for your Unit is 20km  Send an email to Fiona Murdoch, IGG Communications Officer, at [email protected] saying how many kilometres your Unit has completed. Include a picture, if you like, which may be used in IGG promotional material. It would be great to send to local papers too!

Fiona will be totting up the distances covered by Units over the coming months and posting the running total on Facebook and in Trefoil News each month.

We hope every Unit – Ladybirds, Brownies, Guides and Senior Branchers - will take part and we would ask you to complete your trek on a date that suits you before May Day (May 1st)!

At that time we will calculate to see if we have reached the target distance of 20,000km. If we fall short, we will be putting out a MAY DAY call asking Leaders and Senior Branchers to make up the shortfall during the months of May and June!

Just think: wouldn’t it be great for each IGG member, from the youngest Ladybird to the most senior Trefoil Guild member, to say they have taken part in a trek from the North Pole to the South Pole?!

And finally, it goes without saying … feel free to walk more than the suggested distance and, of course, have fun!

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 11

September & November NPT Updates Sash charts are printed in the Brownie Passport and Guide Publications Travel Folder and available on IGG’s website. The ironing instructions for the new interest badges are also available on Copies of the Leader Travel Guide will be included in the the website for parents’ reference as the instructions need to Leader Registration Packs in future so that new Leaders will be carefully adhered to. receive it as soon as they join Guiding. Branch Weekend Environmental Awareness & COP21 Plans are well underway for this event. There have been a Aisling O’Boyle was accepted as a remote WAGGGS good mix of applications from across the Regions and the delegate for the COP21 global environmental event which Branches and the event is almost full to capacity. took place in Paris in December. The November/December issue of Trefoil News included activities relating to Succession Planning environmental awareness interest badges to mark this event. Congratulations were offered to Clare Sheridan on her Journey Programme election as Chair of Senior Branch. Her election was formally ratified at the December Executive Committee meeting.

Trailblazer Badge Jenny Gannon was thanked for her time on NPT and The update to the Trailblazer badge and the National Guide presented with a Thanks Badge from IGG. Award has been circulated widely to Leaders, in Trefoil News and online communications. The most recent versions of the Congratulations also to Shona Kirkpatrick who has been publications are available on OGM for anyone who wishes to appointed Assistant International Commissioner. check their version or update their memory sticks.

Jillian Glancy has resigned as Chair of the Communications Badges Committee and was thanked for her time. The Distribution Centre is now completely out of link badges, so these have been discontinued. For this year it was agreed Guide Branch is currently seeking a new Chairman and a that the last programme badge a girl earned may be worn on number of Regional Reps. Anyone interested in these the next Branch sash/bag e.g. Brownies flying up to Guides positions should speak to their Regional Commissioner. can wear their last footprint earned on their Guide sash.

International Connections

Do you know that by joining Trefoil Guild you can have many opportunities to travel abroad in an all adult group? You can even go with your partner who need not be a member.

Trefoil Guild is affiliated to ISGF who organise several events in different countries each year.

The European Conference will be held in Tours, France in September 2016.

In Easter 2016, a Trefoil Guild group from Northern Ireland is visiting Sangam and we can join them. And in September 2016, the Irish Trefoil Guild National Council is organising a trip to Our Chalet. The Chalet holds an International Friendship week especially for Trefoil Guild members at this time.

If you would like to get involved then we currently have Guilds in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kildare, 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

Page 12 Trefoil News January/February 2016

membership

Last March IGG and CGI travelled to Slovenia with WAGGGS members from Norway, Poland & Romania for a weekend working on Membership Growth. You might recall WAGGGS global online survey of 2012. We built on repeating this with help from Noah Roychowdhury from NorthStar Consultancy. We planned for one to one interviews and roundtable focus groups with members, lapsed members and potential members; adult, youth and parents. We gained 127 online responses and over 30 face-to-face responses during the summer. In September we reconvened in Brussels to analyse our data.

Findings for Ireland included:

Support needed for Leaders  Isolation and lack of structured support was mentioned by a large proportion of the adult respondents. This was often their main reason for leaving

So remember to look after each other as well as recruiting new helpers.

Safe use of technology  Safety as well as an all girls space was one of the most common reasons for joining

So take the time to discuss online safety/cyber bullying with your girls and look at the technology interest badges with them.

 Many were surprised how much we avoid technology at meetings

So please try to make full use of OGM - it's there to make Leaders’ lives easier.

Adult accreditation for Guiding skills  Accreditation was not seen as a main reason to join, but there was surprise it was not easily available

So keep an eye out for updates about FETAC/QQI coming soon. Also, remember that if you are under 30 you can now complete Gaisce alongside your Guiding awards to gain further accreditation.

Sharing by word of mouth  Most of our members joined as they have heard about Guiding through friends or their parents’ friends

So think of some different ways to spread the message about Guiding. Hosting Tea Parties in your locality or having Open Days or stands - any place where you can strike up a conversation with new people

The Membership / Equality, Diversity and Inclusion committees would love to hear from you if you've other thoughts on growth. Please email them to [email protected]

WAGGGS’ 2020 strategic aim is to reach 12 million girls in 157 Member Organisations and you can be a part of making that happen!

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 13

National Women’s Council Comhairle Náisiunta na mBan in Éirinn

As an all-female organisation providing a safe, girl-only space for our members our work for women is hugely important to Irish society. We are a key member of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI). NWCI is the leading national women’s membership organisation seeking equality between women and men, founded in 1973.They represent 170 member groups and a wide range of individual members from a diversity of backgrounds, sectors and locations.

NWCI’s mission is to lead and to be a catalyst for change in the achievement of equality between women and men. They articulate the views and experiences of their members and make sure their voices are heard wherever decisions are made which affect the lives of women. Their vision is of an Ireland, and of a world, where there is full equality between women and men.

The organisation is very active on Facebook and Twitter. They often share articles which would be of interest to many of you so why not give them a like and follow!

www.nwci.ie

The Membership / Equality, Diversity and Inclusion committee (MEDI) is seeking an IGG member who would like to represent Irish Girl Guides on the NWCI.

The candidate must be willing to attend the organisational meetings of the NWCI on a regular basis in Dublin and report back to the MEDI committee 4 times a year.

The also attend IGG’s Executive Committee once a year to go through the motions for NWCI AGM.

The previous representative is willing to help the new member in their role and support will be available.

If you or someone you know would be interested in the role please contact Ruth Hughes at [email protected]

Page 14 Trefoil News January/February 2016

SPOTLIGHT ON JEAN DOUGLAS

Jean Douglas was born on 11th January 1920 in Jean took part in an International Oldcastle Co Meath. Jean’s father was a school camp in Hungary. She teacher in the local Gilson School. Jean enjoyed the usual described this as being a childhood activities but it was Guiding that won a place in her wonderful occasion. The whole heart and today, at 95 years of age, there’s nothing Jean likes journey took place by train. better than sharing her stories of her fondest Guiding There were around 20 Irish on memories. Jean is a remarkable woman and when my the camp. She fondly daughter and I went to visit Jean, to share both her stories remembered travelling through and update her on recent Guiding traditions, I can safely say it the Black Valley. The day they was a truly wonderful occasion. returned to Ireland was the day War was declared. As they Jean joined Guiding in the Brownie Unit in Oldcastle in travelled and stopped at the approximately 1928/1930 and later moved on to Guides. She stations, there were military clearly remembers being in the Daffodil patrol. She told many personnel everywhere. They had no idea of what was going stories of her love for Guiding, her memories of Lady Nugent on at all. and her friendship with her daughter Alison Nugent (Hirschberg). An International Camp to Hungary and meeting Jean later moved to Dundalk and became involved with a Unit Lady Baden Powell were some of her highlights. there. She remained there for a number of years until the Company eventually closed down. One of her greatest Camping with Alison was always a memories here was of meeting Lady Baden Powell. She said great adventure. Jean described her that there was great excitement and everyone and everything as being energetic and motivated but was being “dusted down” in preparation for the big day. She she also said she was often “scary” and told the story of Olave telling the girls to get some balls to play of course strict. She remembers the a game with. The girls looked at her and said we don’t have a times that Alison would stand outside ball. Jean imitated Olave with tone in her voice saying the tents carrying out tent inspections “Improvise, Improvise” but sure the girls didn’t know what and also has great memories of being Improvise meant and just looked at her. She made them all in the tent late at night, often woken up take off their jumpers or coats and roll them up into a ball and by Alison calling the girls to get up to they played for ages. go on a night hike. Jean’s grand-niece is currently a member of the Irish Girl One of my favourite stories was about when the children from Guides. She joined Mullagh Ladybirds and moved on to St the “slums” would be brought to visit. Alison did a lot to help Killian's Brownies. A Pack Holiday to Orchard cottage was the needy and very often children from underprivileged areas organised by the Brownie Unit. Prior to the event, Jean was so would be brought to share the experiences. Those children excited for her grand-niece, she insisted on going to see were not always involved with Guiding but some were. Orchard Cottage herself which brought back some wonderful Everything was a treat to them and Jean recalled one memories to her. She also attended our Regional Day out to particular story about when Alison decided to make toffee. For mark our centenary celebrations in Navan. Zara is now a some reason though, the toffee was not turning out quite as it member of our Guide Unit and recently attended our Regional was supposed to. It didn’t thicken and set and it was more like Camp. There’s nothing Jean enjoys a runny syrup. However in true Guiding form with plan B in more than talking to Zara about place, Alison called for a packet of biscuits. The syrup was Guiding. then spooned on to the biscuits and made into a sandwich. The children more than enjoyed them. A beautiful book, "BE PREPARED - A Handbook for Guides” that was Camping was a great favourite of Jean’s. She told us many presented to Jean, by Alison Nugent in stories about how they camped, the hard work of the “cooks” 1946 has very kindly been passed on and how they prepared the porridge, the way the fires were lit to me by Jean’s niece and I am and how they were only allowed 2 matches to light the fires privileged to have it in my possession. but normally they would have some boxes hidden themselves. In return, I’m passing on copies of the For sleeping they were given bags and sent over to the field to Trefoil News to Jean to keep her in fill it with straw. They had to bring their own pillowcase which tune with Guiding today. they also filled with straw and Jean laughed and said “Sure you didn’t know what animals had been lying in it either”. Christine Conlon

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 15

OUT AND ABOUT

Kiltale Guides and Brownies went on a great weekend away to the Enniskerry cottage, county Wicklow.

20 Guides and Brownies from the Culmullen and Kiltale Units in County Meath travelled down with 8 Leaders to the cottage.

Heritage and culture were the themes of the weekend so the girls took part in quizzes, hunts and crafts related to the theme. We visited Powerscourt Gardens and the Doll’s House Museum which was both fun and educational.

Linda McCormack

Shannon Ladybirds on their recent trip to Athlone Fire Station. They girls learned all about fire safety and earned their Fire Safety badge. The highlight of the evening was their spin in the fire engine.

Naas Brownies made ADORABLE little snowmen at their meeting before Christmas and also put together two hampers for their local St. Vincent de Paul. Well done girls — a great cause to help at a great time of year!

Sallins Brownies were all asked to bring in some miniature shampoos, shower gels, toothbrushes and paste, deodorants and disposable razors. Some were leftovers from hotels and plane journeys, some stuff was bought but the response was overwhelming. Have you been Out and About? They had enough to fill 43 ziplock Tell us about it bags. These were then presented to [email protected] Louise Bagnall of Crosscare, a Dublin homeless charity. These will be given out to people using their brand new cold weather hostel on Thomas St over the winter months.

Eilis Reumkens

Page 16 Trefoil News January/February 2016

OUT AND ABOUT

Navan Guides adventure day out in Kippure, Co. Wicklow

Greystones Guides and Senior Branch had a taster night at Sugarloaf Gymnastics recently and it was very enjoyable!!! What a great idea to help Guides do their Active Body badge.

Belmont Brownies — We recently had some girls finish up in Brownies and move on to Guides. We had a lovely ceremony for them and we hope they will be very happy in Guides. The girls that flew up were Aisling, Alex, Rosanna, Kayleigh & Sienna. Good luck to them all on their Guiding Journey…

Joanne Messitt, Belmont Brownies

Have you been Out and About? Tell us about it [email protected]

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 17

OUT AND ABOUT

Bray Brownies - Harry Potter Pack Holiday

Bray Brownies turned Enniskerry cottage into Hogwarts for one special weekend . On Friday evening the girls arrived and were sorted into their houses (instead of Sixes we used the Hogwarts house names) by the sorting hat . Then they picked up their wands from Olivander's shop and collected their capes. They then visited Honeydukes sweet shop and saw the Great Hall all set up and lit by candle light (we used electric tea lights and electric candles) - it was truly magical. A full potions lab in the kitchen and floating keys, candles and of course the Nimbus 2000 really made us feel we were in Hogwarts.

In the evening each House took turns in the kitchen for Transfiguration Class (cooking as part of their cooking badge). Brownies each made their own pizzas for dinner, mmmmm!

On Saturday we played a Quidditch match on broomsticks. Later in the afternoon after a day of crafts, lunch and games we had Potions Class (as part of their science badge the girls made a tornado in a bottle and made slime) and they loved it and our two professors , Professor Snape (Tawny Owl Barbara ) and Professor Flitwick (Tawny Owl Jo) really embraced their roles and made it extraordinarily fascinating for the Brownies.

Snowy Owl Michele kept us all fed and watered and baked delicious cupcakes. Bray Guide Leader Mary Byrne also came to visit us and held a fantastic indoor camp fire with the Brownies, teaching them some great new songs.

We were lucky to have our Area Commissioner and District Commissioner both come and visit us at some stage over the weekend and it was a fantastic weekend for all involved.

Jennie Finane, Bray Brownies

Blackwood Ladybirds and Martello Ladybirds went on a great day out to Wooly Ward’s Farm for a Halloween Experience, we are working on our Fun Day badge. It was a lovely day for both Units to meet up!

Page 18 Trefoil News January/February 2016

OUT AND ABOUT Zion’s Centenary Celebrations

October 17/18th saw a great Centenary weekend in Zion with well over a hundred visitors from across the decades between Saturday afternoon's campfire, that evening's dinner and Sunday's church service and coffee.

Hazel Shiel was very happy to join us as our oldest visitor with great memories of her Zion days and many adventures since. Neighbouring Guides and Rangers from Rathfarnham enjoyed the campfire and Bishop Warke were also among the visitors. The Rector said grace, after we'd achieved a silent break in all the long-lost greetings and chat, by the usual hands up. He said "I don't know what that means, but it's very impressive". A beautiful cake was made by Kendal Mooney, an ex Guide. We had another campfire kindly led by Joanne after the dinner with some of the great singing and harmonies that Zion has heard over the years. Thanks to Ruth Burleigh for making souvenir songbooks. Also thanks to the Guides who helped serve and wash up after dinner.

Sunday was also harvest, and ecumenical, with the Rathgar priest, Fr Joe, sharing stories of harvests in Co. Down, North Dublin and South Africa. Readings and the collection were very capably done by a Guide and Brownies. See if you can spot ex Brown Owl, Barbara Bailey's very clever decoration in the photos for the match we were all cheering for in the afternoon.

Our thanks again for the parish support over the years and for the weekend. Thanks also to the archive volunteers in National Office and to Sarah Fay who helped us dig up some treasures and contact lists. Special thanks to Pam McDonough for "Guiding" a few of us to make the weekend happen and for her 2 terms as Captain.

If you're still reading and weren't with us but would like to stay in touch, or maybe even help out with your local Unit, we've updated our contacts list. [email protected] or Facebook (Zion Centenary) We also have some badges left, very skilfully designed by Morwenna Gentile.

Here's to the next 100! We wish Aisling Costello and all the current Leaders and Guides a very happy 100th birthday.

Sarah Fay, Ruth Gibney, Ruth Burleigh (nee Warke), Pam McDonough (nee Greene) & Ruth Hughes.

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 19

OUT AND ABOUT

Newly re-formed Ardmore Guide Unit in the South West Region with Leaders Jackie Mansfield and Coleen Hurley. Included is special guest Martha Tierney who Enrolment day for new Ladybirds in Ardmore ran Ardmore Guide Unit for over 20 years. Martha with Leaders Annie Tobin, Brenda Griffin, Jane was presented with a gift from the Leaders for her Moloney and Area Commissioner Sharon Higgins. commitment to Guiding in Ardmore.

WCM SENIOR BRANCH WEEKEND The inaugural Senior Branch “Juniors” Weekend was held on 30th and 31st October in the WCM Region. The event was held in Mote Park, Co. Roscommon and was open to all Senior Branchers ages 14 to 15. Stitch even came along to join in on the fun! The girls choose the topics How to Organise Meeting Activities, Fundraising & Finance, Crafts for Grown-Ups and Use What You Have for their Workshops. The highlight of the weekend was the playing of the two board games the girls devised from random materials found in one of the visiting Leader’s Craft Bags – the only proviso was that the players themselves had to be physically involved in the game! The first game involved tickles and straight faces while the other involved a giant board spanning the length of Mote Park house, cryptic directions and frustratingly simple questions!! For more details on both games you can email [email protected].

Ardilaun Brownies from Macroom taking part in the Keep Fit Finger activity from the Journey programme. It’s great to see photos of Units completing Journey programme activities - please do send more photos like that in and let us know how you’re getting on! Have you been Out and About? Tell us about it [email protected]

Page 20 Trefoil News January/February 2016

LADYBIRDS

Happy New Year to all Ladybird Leaders and wishing you all the very best for Guiding in 2016.

This year the theme of World Thinking Day is Connect. Connect with yourself, with other Ladybirds within your Unit i.e. your friends, with the other Guiding Units within your District/Area, with Guiding throughout the world. This month’s activities focus on connecting with the four World Centres. We hope you enjoy.

We also have some fun Valentine’s Day crafts for you to In October 2015’s Trefoil News we ran a Unit Autumn enjoy as well! Collage competition. The prize winners in this competition were as follows :

Have a Happy World Thinking Day 1st : Moycullen Ladybirds, Co. Galway. Ladybird Branch 2nd : Bray Ladybirds, Co. Wicklow. 3rd : Ballyroan Ladybirds, Rathgar, Dublin 6.

Well done, well done, very well done to all involved.

CONNECT WITH GUIDING AROUND THE WORLD

Did you know that we have over 10 million Guiding Friends throughout the world? There are four special homes (called World Centres) in different countries that you share with these friends. Connect with Sangam Connect with Our Cabaña

Sangam is in India. Can you find Our Cabaña is in the Mexico. Can India on the world map? you find Mexico on the world map?

India's flag is orange on top, then The Mexican Flag is green, white white in the middle with a wheel in and red with an eagle in the centre. the centre and green on the bottom. It’s something like the Irish  Ladybirds in Mexico are flag. called Girasoles (Sunflowers)  They wear a white shirt, pink  Ladybirds in India are called tunic and bright pink neckerchief Bulbuls  Their promise is “I promise to  They wear a blue dress and a share and be a friend” red neckerchief  Their promise is “I shall try to be Material: Cardboard for group, markers /pencils – one Leader a good girl” to write for each group  Imagine now that you are in Our The word Sangam means “coming together”. Cabaña/Mexico  What do you know about Mexico? Why not write a letter to Sangam telling  What do the Mexican people look them all about where you come from, like – what clothes do they wear? the name of your Ladybird Unit, how  What food do they eat? many Ladybirds are in the Unit, when  Draw pictures of things that remind and where you meet, what you do in you of Mexico and get the Leader to write down the your Ladybird Unit etc. Include a photo words to explain the picture of the Ladybirds in your Unit and some  When you are finished all the groups come together to photos of the area in which you live. share their pictures

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 21

LADYBIRDS

Connect with Our Chalet Connect with Pax Lodge

Pax Lodge is in the United Our Chalet is in Kingdom. Can you find the United Switzerland. Can you Kingdom on the world map? find Switzerland on the world map? The flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Switzerland's flag is a white cross on a red background. Ireland is sometimes called the Union Jack. It is a red, white, and  Ladybirds in Switzerland are blue flag. called Beavers  They wear a Troop neckerchief  Ladybirds in the United  Their promise is “With your Kingdom are called help, I will happily do my best” Rainbows  They wear a pale blue shirt Choose an outdoor space to run this with red sleeves and red pants activity and mark a route with the  Their promise is “I promise that starting and finishing points I will do my best to love my (approximately 5m apart). God and to be kind and helpful”

What you need: A collection of different objects that make sounds, for example: musical instruments and pots. What you need: Uniform neckerchiefs (or something similar) and any other material The alp-horn was traditionally used by the shepherds in the alps of Switzerland as a Did you know that besides the Dove, tool for communication. Primarily the horns Pax Lodge has another special logo were used to communicate with shepherds which is a double-decker bus? In on a neighbouring hill or people down in the London, where Pax Lodge is located, valley. Different combinations of tones would buses and other public transport is the be used to pass along various messages. best way to move around and connect with different parts of the city. What to do:  Split the group in 3 teams: Shepherds, Cows and  Create a large picture of the Pax Lodge bus using any Nature material you have available in a mosaic style Shepherds: make the sounds  While you are making the mosaic, talk about which Cows: follow directions by listening to the sounds places in London you would like to ‘connect’ with made by the Shepherds when visiting Pax Lodge Nature: this group should have at least 3  Once your bus Ladybirds in it; they stand still around the route as mosaic is finished, obstacles, like the rocks, trees, rivers, etc. take a group photo  The aim is for the Cows to complete the route, by with your creation following the musical directions given by the  Send your photograph Shepherds without running into any of the ‘Nature’ to Pax Lodge and the obstacles team will connect  Using objects and materials you have in your meeting them all together to space come up with different sounds that will make a bus mural at represent the following statements: turn right, turn left, Pax Lodge walk straight ahead 5 steps, stop, etc. Make sure everyone knows the “code” and is aware of the safety rules  When everyone is ready, let the Cows free and start #CONNECT10MILLION the game! See page 3 for details on completing this fun activity Page 22 Trefoil News January/February 2016 with your Ladybirds

LADYBIRDS

St Valentine’s Day

On 14th February each year we celebrate Valentine's Day by giving flowers, chocolate and cards to those we love. We do this in honour of St. Valentine who was a priest in Rome. There was an Emperor who ruled Rome named Claudius II. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those who were married and said that all young men serving in his army were not allowed to get married. Valentine decided this wasn't fair and chose to marry young couples secretly. When Emperor Claudius II found this out he put him in prison. Some stories say that the young couples, that Valentine had married in secret, gave flowers and letters to Valentine when they visited him in the prison.

Game: I sent a letter to my love Ladybirds sit around in a circle. One person is chosen to be it and is given a sealed envelope with the words “To my love” written on the front of it. She dances around the back of the circle singing the song and drops the envelope behind one of the Ladybirds: “I sent a letter to my love and on the way I dropped it, A little Ladybird picked it up and put it in her pocket, It was not you, it was not you………………………………….., it was you.”

When she gets to the Ladybird behind whom she has dropped the envelope she tips her on the head and says “it was you”. That Ladybird then stands up and the two Ladybirds run around the circle in opposite directions. The first Ladybird back to the space is the winner and becomes “it”. Valentine's Tree Valentine’s Lantern

What you need: Printer, What you need: Lantern template, something to blue card for the colour with, scissors, glue, wool, string or ribbon (red background, paper – or white would be best) brown for the trunk and white for the hearts, green What to do: tissue paper, cotton wool  Copy the Valentine's Day balls, scissors, glue, paper lantern template on something to colour with. page 24  Let the Ladybirds colour in What to do: their lantern. Then carefully  To make the trunk, trace the Ladybird’s arm from cut out the lantern the elbow up, including the fingers, onto brown  Set aside the handle piece, paper for now, but don't lose it!  Cut out the trunk and glue it onto the blue card  Fold the lantern down the centre (there's a faint  Cut out heart shaped pieces and colour in line on the template to give you guidance) and different colours crease firmly  Glue the hearts all over the tree to decorate  Use the scissors to snip the dotted lines (there  Glue on scrunched up pieces of green tissue are 5). Make sure you don't snip all the way paper for grass and white cotton balls for clouds through. Stop snipping at the top and bottom borders (the white part with hearts)  Unfold the paper and use the tab to glue the edges together forming a tube shaped lantern  Glue the handle on either side of the lantern  Optional: string a number of paper lanterns in a row and hang them to decorate

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 23

LADYBIRDS

Page 24 Trefoil News January/February 2016

Brownies

Happy New Year to all and welcome to 2016. Brownie CONNECT WITH… Branch committee would like to extend our best wishes to you all for the coming year. We wish you well in your …GAMES FROM AROUND THE WORLD meetings and your activities.

WAGGGS theme for World Thinking Day 2016 is Australia: Skippyroo Kangaroo CONNECT. We hope you have lots of fun learning and sharing with the information and activities we have here. Ah, Australia! It's both a country and a continent: a vast, mysterious, and diverse land filled with wonderfully wacky We’re very excited to have news about the Brownie wildlife -- animals like the Tasmanian devil, platypus, wallaby, Breakout in this special international edition. This will be a wombat, koala, kookaburra, and, of course, every child's first of its kind event for Irish Brownies and we hope you favourite, the kangaroo, which gives this game its name. will get involved. This is a popular game played in many Australian We also look forward to meeting lots of you at the Branch preschools and kindergartens to help teach classmates Weekend February 5th to 7th. each other’s names as well as good listening skills. Brownie Branch  Brownies should sit in a circle and the Leader asks one girl to go into the middle -- she is the first Skippyroo, the kangaroo  Skippyroo crouches forward on the floor with her eyes closed while the Brownies in the circle chant: "Skippyroo, kangaroo, dozing in the midday sun, comes a hunter, run, run, run"  At this stage a Leader points to a Brownie sitting in the circle, who then touches Skippyroo's shoulder and says, "Guess who's caught you just for fun?" and waits  Skippyroo tries to name the owner of the voice and if she guesses correctly, swaps places. The game begins again and continues until all the Brownies have had a chance to be Skippyroo Olympic Badge 2016 Chile: Corre, Corre la Guaraca Brownie Branch will issue an Olympic Pack in February 2016. Badges will cost 50c The fun-to-say game name translates to "Run, Run, la Guaraca." Chilean children typically speak Spanish, each. Please register your Unit’s interest in but Guaraca is actually a nonsense word. the Pack and badges by 10th Jan 2016. Badges will be available to What You'll Need: A neckerchief registered Leaders from mid April 2016. The pack will be up on OGM, What to do: however badges will only be available for  Brownies sit in a circle while a runner jogs around the those who have pre-registered. outer rim with a neckerchief. The seated Brownies are not allowed to watch. This is a final reminder that registration  They sing "Corre, Corre, la Guaraca who looks back closes on 10th January 2016. will be bopped on his head!"  Trying not to be felt, the runner drops the neckerchief on a Brownies back and runs. If she makes it around Please post your registration form the circle before the other girl realises that it's on her (which was sent out as an attachment in back, the seated player is out the weekly email) to: Ciara O’Reilly,  If the seated player catches on, she must tag the 7 Willow Bank, Cluain Ard, Cobh, Co. Cork runner. If she succeeds, the runner is out. If she fails to tag her, they play again, but this time player 2 is the runner

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 25

Brownies

CONNECT WITH ME CONNECT WITH WAGGGS

Connect with my breathing Connect with Pax Lodge

You will need: A space indoors or outdoors where the Brownies Learn more about Pax Lodge World Centre (UK) can sit or lie down. relaxation music (optional) Material: uniform neckerchiefs (or something similar) and any What to do: other material you can use around you

 Everyone sits or lies on the floor Did you know that besides the Dove, Pax Lodge has  Read this script in a slow, gentle voice, pausing between another special logo which is a double-decker bus? each sentence: In London, where Pax Lodge is located, buses and other  “Please relax. Try to stay as still as possible and as quiet public transport is the best to move around and connect as possible… spines straight, with your eyes gently with different parts of the city. closed. Try to focus on your breathing. Inhale slowly as if blowing up a balloon in your belly. Exhale slowly and  Create a large picture of the Pax Lodge bus using any notice the balloon fall. Inhale, noticing how your belly material you have available in a mosaic style moves out, away from the body. Exhale, noticing how  While you are making the mosaic, talk about which places your tummy moves closer to the body. Repeat this breath in London you would like to ‘connect’ with when visiting 5-10 times. Observe how you feel as you inhale and as Pax Lodge you exhale.”  Once your bus mosaic is finished, take a group photo with your creation Discuss: How do you feel after trying this? Concentrating on our  Send your photograph to Pax Lodge and the team will breathing is one of the easiest tools we can use to calm down in connect them all together to make a bus mural at Pax any situation. When could it be useful for you? Lodge Younger members may find this activity easier if they lie down with a bean bag or stuffed toy on their bellies and move it slowly Links: World Guiding badge/ Global Awareness and no 12 up and down, or hold their hands to their mouths to feel their Explore Core Challenge breath go in and out. CONNECT WITH THE WORLD Links: Healthy Friendship and Healthy Mind badges Connect with the wild! CONNECT WITH FRIENDS Encourage Brownies to plan where to go. Could take place in Connect with my fans - Experience the power of positive any outdoor space. Wear weather appropriate clothing. reinforcement and build team spirit  Individually, find an outdoor space no bigger than five  Group gets into pairs. This activity is based on the classic paces across - this is your personal “island” game of rock-paper-scissors where rock beats scissors,  Spend a fixed time on your island; no less than 15 scissors beat paper and paper beats rock minutes and no more than an hour. You can do anything  In your pairs play a game of rock-paper-scissors against in this time, as long as you stay on your island each other  Try to learn everything you can about your island, pay  Losing individuals must cheer for the winner, using their attention to the details, and reflect on how you feel name or any other positive reinforcement, in the following  When you return to the group, draw or write down what match. The winners keep playing, and collecting cheerers you experienced

 This will continue until everyone is on one team, or has Discuss: What impact have people had on your island? played Can you imagine what it would be like if people had never been Discuss: How did you feel during the game? Did you enjoy when there? What could you do to take care of your island? people cheered for you and when you cheered for others too? Make this activity part of a bigger expedition to a new place; for How often do we cheer positive messages to people in our older members, set up a larger island where they can observe everyday life? the biodiversity and the impact of people. Encourage the group to put some of their ideas for taking care of Links: Core challenge for Explore year / Healthy Friendship or their wild space into practice! Cultural Diversity badge Links: Choice Challenge No. 1, Choice Challenge No.13, Core #CONNECT10MILLION Challenge Lifeskills

See page 3 for details on completing this fun activity Page 26 Trefoil News January/February 2016 with your Brownies

Brownies

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 27

Brownies

Beaded Heart

You will need: Craft wire or pipe cleaner, beads

Instructions:  Bend your wire into a simple shape heart shape  Thread the beads onto the wire. Twist the ends together  Cut the wire so you are left with two over hanging pieces of wire  Twist the ends of these together to form a loop to hang

Love Bug

You will need: Strip of card, 6 small craft foam hearts, 1 large craft foam heart, 2 tiny craft foam hearts, pipe cleaner, 2 small wiggly eyes, red pen, heart stickers, glue

Instructions:  Stick six of the small hearts in a column overlapping the top of one heart over the point of the heart above. This is the body  Stick the large heart on top. This is the head  Cut two short pieces of pipe cleaner. Stick these to the back of the head. Stick a tiny heart to the end of each piece of pipe cleaner  Glue on the wiggly eyes to the head, add a heart sticker for the nose and draw on a mouth

Valentine's Day Card

You will need: Card, paper and markers/colouring pencils

Instructions:  Fold a piece of card in half and then trace the Brownies hand. When you cut around the hand you will end up with two copies of the hand. then cut out two copies  Cut out a strip of paper and fold it accordion style. Let the Brownies use markers/colouring pencils to add the words "I Love You" on the outside, and "This Much" on the strip of paper. They can decorate the hands any way they like — by colouring in, adding glitter, stickers — as creative as they like!  Glue the ends of your accordion strip on the insides of the hands and your card is done. :-)

Page 28 Trefoil News January/February 2016

GUIDES Dear Leaders,

Happy New Year to you all. We hope you are now well and truly getting stuck into the Journey programme. We have included a few activities and games to help you. We hope to see you at Branch weekend.

And of course, we’d like to wish you a Happy World Thinking Day! We have some good ideas from the WAGGGS Connect

Pack for you to use and don’t forget to check out the World Thinking Day ceremony for inspiration at the front of the issue. Guide Branch

CONNECTING TOGETHER -

TEAMWORK ACTIVITIES

Blindfold Soccer

Equipment: Blindfolds for half the Guides, two soccer balls

Divide the Guides into two teams, or use Patrols. Each team then divides into pairs. One member of each pair is blindfolded. The game starts when the Leader throws or kicks two soccer balls into the middle of the soccer field or playing area.

Rules: 1. Only the blindfolded Guide may kick the ball; the sighted Guide can only offer verbal directions to her partner. Year 3 - Innovator - 2. Team members may not intentionally touch one another. Teamwork Normal game contact is allowed as long as the touching is not used to direct a blindfolded participant. 3. There are no goalies. Number Game

4. If a ball is kicked out of bounds, the Leader will throw the This activity will require the Guides ball into the middle of the field and play resumes. to work as a team to display the Scoring: Each successful kick earns 1 point for the team. numbers as quickly as possible. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. Equipment: A list of numbers e.g. Everybody Up 53,142, Number 1 - 5—a set for each team This initiative exercise is a useful way to introduce the idea of group cooperation. Instructions Ask two Guides of about the same size to sit on the ground or 1. Arrange everyone into teams of 6/Patrols. Hand each team floor facing each other with the soles of their feet touching, a set of numbers, 1 to 5, and ask everyone to take a number. their knees bent, and their hands tightly grasping each Have the team elect one person to be the leader of the team. other’s. From this position they try to pull themselves into a The leader can help arrange the team. standing position. If they succeed, ask another Guide to join 2. The objective of the game is to be the first team to them and try standing with three Guides, then four, etc. As rearrange themselves to the number that you call. Once the the group grows, each player must grasp the hands of team rearranges themselves, they have to raise their hands another person and must maintain foot contact with the and stand in place. e.g., 12,345. Leader calls Twelve group. An expanding group will find that thinking is required thousand, three hundred and forty five to come up with a solution that allows large numbers (50 or 3. The first team to arrange themselves correctly receives more players) to get everybody up. one point. The team that reaches 10 points wins the game. Variation: Ask the Guides to sit back-to-back and try to stand as a pair, trio, etc. To avoid possible shoulder dislocations, do not allow interlocked arms.

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 29 GUIDES World Guiding Badge

Learn what WAGGGS stands for and how many countries are members

Suggestions: Play a relay game in Patrols  Have the different parts that make up the WAGGGS name (e.g. World, Association, etc.) written on cards at the end of the hall face down  In turns, Guides have to bring back a card and when all cards are retrieved, put them in order

Recognise the World Flag Suggestions: Use the template on the next page to teach the Guides the meaning behind the World Flag

Know 12 things we share with Guides around the World Suggestions: Have a tray with different items or pictures of items and do a Kim’s game.

Find out about World Bureau, the World Centres, and World Thinking Day Fund. Suggestions: Basic facts can be written on cards and Guides can put them into True or False piles. Alternatively Leader can call out facts about them and girls run to True or False corners. You can also use this World Centre foldable fortune teller to teach facts about the World Centres.

Page 30 Trefoil News January/February 2016

GUIDES

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 31 GUIDES CONNECT WITH ME

Connect with your family

 Learn more about who you are by studying your family tree  Have the Guides complete a family tree and speak about it with other girls in their Patrol to show how we are all connected

NOTE TO LEADER: Be aware that, if you have any adopted children in your Unit, this activity would not be suitable. It is important that girls only tell what they want to share. No one should feel under pressure to disclose facts that they do not feel comfortable with. It is important that there is already an atmosphere of trust in the Unit which allows for differences to be put forward. Otherwise girls may be reluctant to share something about their family which they fear could lead to exclusion.

CONNECT WITH FRIENDS

Identify the skills needed to make good friends

Material: Pieces of paper and pens for working in small groups

 Make a list on a piece of paper and agree on the ‘top 5 skills’ needed to make a good friend  In your small groups, decide and allocate a different shape for each skill (for example: the skill of listening has the circle shape)  Decide on the one skill you believe that you are very good at. Then make that shape to represent it  Finally, all the groups come together to create a human ‘friendship bracelet’: stand in a circle next to each other and make your preferred shape/skill using your body; in turns share your skill

Links: Healthy Friendship badge

CONNECT WITH WAGGGS

Learn more about the Fifth World Centre (Africa) Have the following statements ready to read. Depending on the size of the group, you can #CONNECT10MILLION divide into smaller teams and compete against each other. Read out the statements one at a See page 3 for details on time. After each statement has been read, the teams should discuss if they think it is true or completing this fun activity false and stand in either a capital T (for True) formation or a capital F (for False) formation. with your Guides Then reveal which team was right and give extra information below if statement was false.

Statements:  Africa is a country (False: Africa is a continent with 54 countries in it)  ‘African’ is a language (False: There are in fact over 2000 languages spoken across Africa)  The WAGGGS Africa Region is composed of just under 1 million girls and young women in 31 countries (True)  In 2010, at the Africa Regional Conference it was unanimously agreed that the Africa Committee would explore opportunities to deliver World Centre experiences in Africa (True)  The Fifth World Centre is in a specific location like the other World Centres (False: The Fifth World Centre is a project exploring how WAGGGS can bring a World Centre experience using existing facilities in Africa. The ‘centre’ has no fixed site but changes location at every event, bringing international experiences for girls and young women in different countries in Africa.)  To date there have been Fifth World Centre events held in Ghana, South Africa, Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria and Benin (True)  WAGGGS Africa Region targets to reach out to 2 million girls and young women by 2020 (True)

CONNECT WITH THE WORLD

Use the World Guiding activities suggested on pages 30/31!

Page 32 Trefoil News January/February 2016

Gold Award GUIDES

This was a fantastic year for Gold Awards. We had 140 girls receive their award this year from Units all over the country. This is the highest number ever and a great achievement. Sadly it is the last Gold Award as we know it as the new Journey programme has begun and next year we will be awarding the new National Guide Award. This award will be brought to you by a new Guide Branch Chairman and I would like to wish the new Chairman all the best and I look forward to their term.

I would like to thank you all for your help, support and patience with me as Chairman of Guide Branch over the last 5 years. It was a pleasure to work with so many different people and to get to know so many of the Leaders on the ground. I also thank the staff at National Office for their help and support.

Pat O’Brien — Outgoing Chairman Guide Branch

Eastern Region Naas Leaders: Stephanie Jones & Lisa Ulhmann Ballyroan Leaders: Anne McPartland & Ann Marie Connolly Caoilinn McDermott Kate Connolly Niamh O’Connor Aisling Cronin Rachel Steele Ciara McPartland Newbridge Leaders: Melanie Phillips & Lesley Goldsmith Grainne McPartland Caoimhe Brady Rebecca Murphy Abigail Coates Shannon Cullen O’Rourke Elizabeth Meehan Margaret Soper Rathfarnham Leader: Heather Bowen Dun Olaf Leaders: Fiona Walsh & Aoife Hayes Kate McConnell Emily Cazzini Virginia Tozer Jill Connor Laura Farnan Rivervalley Leaders: Mary Clooney & Marian Mulvey Jodie Bermingham Edenderry Leaders: Ann Doyle & Jennifer O’Neill Kathryn O’Flaherty Aoife Cassidy Naoise Sweeney Shauna Lee Cooney Shauna Farrell Tivolli Leaders: Gill Buckley & Ciara Fleming Jennifer Kenny Remi Hehir Lauren Mangan Isobel Jackson Laura Kendrick Griffin Valley Leaders: Maresa Connolly & Kate Sawyer Aoife Dardis Whitechurch Leader: Ruth Hughes Sarah McAlister Zoe Mulligan Nicole Miller Anne O’Sullivan Zion Leader: Aisling Costello Ellie Sawyer Iseult Law Aoife Woods North East Region Howth Leaders: Susanne Galligan O’Reilly & Emma Crowe Sarah Aherne Boyne Valley Leader: Denise Mc Donnell Amy Brady Mary Kate Nevin Leighea Flannery Cu-Chulainn Leaders: Mairead Faulker & Jessica Lockwood Louise Nangle Caoimhe Branigan Holly Sheehy Sophie Kelly Roisin Toal Orlaith Mc Entee Lucan Leaders: Amanda O’Sullivan & Nicola Le Roux Aoife Walsh Sarah Brogan Emma White Amy Dunne Milmount Leaders: Sinead Crilly & Ann Cassidy Abbie Greene Niamh Kelly Alex Healy See pictures of the Gold Award Natasha McArdle Emily McIntyre Guides on the inside back cover Louise Quigley Susanne Moody or online in our Gold Award Lauren O’Connor Album on the IGG website Mullagh Leaders: Rachel McCrann & Corinna McCrudy Michelle Redmond Kathy Calnan Sophie Thompson Aimee Cunningham NiamhTrefoil Treanor News January/February 2016 Ava Lynch Page 33

North West Region Marian Leader: Clare Flynn Aisling O’Sullivan Raphoe Leader: Doris McGee Eimear O’Sullivan Melanie Kee Emer Watt Gemma Russell Mitchelstown Leaders: Liz Downes & Norma Connolly Mid-West Region Caoimhe Corbett Lauren Fitzgerald Blackberry Leaders: Tracy Healy & Niamh Healy Sandra Furey Nora Burke Rachel O’Grady Avril Healy Carla O’Mahony Vanessa Sheehan Dolphin Leaders: Lynda Renshaw & Eidin Burn Ailish Brady Schull Leader: Liz Flatman Carol Martin Tarah Fleming Maeve Ryan St. Barbara’s Leaders: Jackie Sheehan & Tracy Carroll Grove Leader: Ruth Corkery Ellen Collins Rebecca Corkery Alannah Cullinane Cooney Valerie Meany Alannah Hegarty Siun O’Callaghan Rathdowney Leaders: Alison Cahill & Claire Stanley Charlotte O’Mahony Aisling Henderson Michelle Usher Sarah Hennessy Grainne Hoare St. Brendan’s Leader: Pauline Carroll Sarah Prendergast Laura Egan Aoise Scanlon Sinead Foran Aoife Sherman Ailbhe Mangan Jessica Moynihan St. Bridget’s Leaders: Catherine Cotter & Corrina Hanley Aine O’Sullivan Rebecca Flynn Emma Sheehy Emma Hanley Amanda Maloney Torc St Mary’s Leaders: Mary Corkery & Maura Fitzgerald Kate O’Brien Orla Finn Fionnuala Murray Thurles Leaders: Mary Flyer & Michelle Cornally Rebecca O’Reilly Deirdre Fogarty Ciara O’Sullivan Siobhan Green South-East Region South-West Region St. Killian’s Leaders: Cathy Connolly & Niamh O’Neill Arbutus Leader: Una Clarke Holly Doyle Ciara McAuliffe Saffron Dunne Sadhbh O’Driscoll Roisin Pawley Ardilaun Leader: Ann-Marie O’Leary Mairin Wogan Nadine Relihan Nicola White

Niamh Mc Sweeney Waterford City Leader: Mari-Claire McSweeney Lorna O’Connor Isabelle McSweeney

Barnagore Leaders: Eithne Downey & Majella Duggan West and Central Midlands Region Amy Cullinane Leah Willis Glasson Leader: Brenda Grouden

Great Island Leader: Helen Faughnan Ciara Casey Jennifer O’Neill Ashleigh Faughnan Eaibhin Gormley St. Ciaran’s Leaders: Grace Grouden & Sylvia Quain Orlagh Timon Kinsale Leader: Carol-Ann O’Reilly Liz Timmons Si Gaoith Leader: Nonie Hickey Cathy Hynes Alana Flaherty Mia Hynes Aoibhinn Lynch St. Rynagh’s Leader: Carina Egan Susan Timmons Aine Daly Olwen Kenny

Lislpoil Leader: Siubhan Fagan Viking Leader: Ursula McDermott Ciara Moriarty Mary McGann Orla Moriarty Abbie Moloney Aisling NiChathail

Page 34 Trefoil News January/February 2016 Congratulations to all the girls who received their Gold Award this year!

SENIOR BRANCH

Hi Everyone,

I’m Clare Sheridan, your new Senior Branch Chair. I’m just back from an amazing Senior Branch Weekend in Killarney where I met lots of our Senior Branch girls…it was brilliant! If you couldn’t make it, watch out for the next Senior Branch event near you and I look forward to In 2014, the Chief Commissioner’s Award took seeing you there! place in and around the Burren. Next year’s destination is still a mystery and that choice Just a little bit about me because some of you will could be up to you….. know me and some of you won’t. I’m 27, a Primary School Teacher and have been involved DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO ORGANISE in Guiding since I was 9. Nearly 20 years….very cool but also a bit scary! I always say that sending NEXT YEAR’S CHIEF COMMISSIONER’S AWARD? me to Brownies was one of the best things my Mum ever did because I’ve had so many The Senior Branch committee is looking for a very unforgettable experiences thanks to Guiding. special person/ group of people to help plan the next These include trips abroad…Austria, Italy, Iceland Chief Commissioner’s Award. Assistance will be and Finland to name a few, National Senior provided in the form of a mentor. Branch events…Lightweights and my Chief’s among others and through the years I’ve made Get in touch with the committee by emailing some fabulous friends in Guiding. [email protected] if you would like to be involved in organising this special event for Senior As Senior Branch Chair, I’m looking forward to Branch. seeing you take on our exciting new programme and the committee and I are here to support you and your Leaders with that in any way that we If you’ve done your Chief’s in the past and know what can. So please don’t think twice about getting in it takes, if you’ve staffed or evaluated previous touch as you embark on your journey through it. Chief’s — now is the time to take the lead! Pick and My hope for all of you is that, like me, you will plan that Secret Location! have some life–changing experiences in Senior Branch. My advice is to take every opportunity GET IN TOUCH NOW! that comes your way….you just never know how much fun you might have!

I’d like to say a huge thank you on behalf of the Check out the World Thinking Day committee, to Jenny Gannon, the outgoing Chair for all her hard work over the past four years. She theme and activities from pages 2-7. will be missed but I know that, with her as Camp Why not get involved in helping to Chief, we have a great week to look forward to in 2017! plan the World Thinking Day Keep an eye on Facebook, your email and the ceremony for weekly newsletter for all things Senior Branch related and start planning your next adventure! younger Branches in your District? Talk soon everyone, Clare :-) SB Chair

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 35

SENIOR BRANCH

Senior Branch November Weekend 2015

On the 27th of November, Senior Branchers from all over the country headed to the Killarney International Youth Hostel, where a weekend crammed with Disney Princess themed fun awaited. We arrived at the hostel, just outside of Killarney, at around half eight on the Friday evening, to be given bedding and shown to our rooms, which were very comfortable. Curry was served for dinner, always a camp classic! All around the room, you could see girls from different counties mixing and getting to know one another. There were over fifty SB-ers in all, including about ten Leaders.

After dinner, everyone congregated in the living room and we were split into teams for the “Disney Princess Quiz.” The questions ranged from “Who lost her shoe?” to “How many official Disney Princesses are there?” (Anyone know?), including two picture rounds, namely Disney Princes and Disney castles! The tie-breaker was a re- enactment of each team’s favourite scene, made even more dramatic by the fact that both teams picked the same scene!

After the quiz, some girls went up to bed while others stayed downstairs to talk… I myself stayed up till past one! The next day, we were woken up at half eight to prepare for the day ahead. The weather was horrible, grey and wet (of course), but it did nothing to dampen our spirits. Some girls went for a tour of Muckross house and gardens, but most went to Killarney Monopoly, an intense scavenger hunt around Killarney with tasks to do, including singing in front of the clock gateway, getting our sheets stamped by the librarian, and about half a dozen selfies!

We arrived back at the hostel, where we had lunch, did some activities towards our Ladybird and Brownie badges (remember how simple being seven was?) and a make- up demonstration and book signing from Youtuber Sinead Cady (aka The Makeup Chair). It was very interesting to see all of her techniques, and she and her sister, the model, were both very nice, and answered every question we could think to ask! And then it was time to get ready for the ball…

Whether it be ballgowns or best jeans, every SB-er looked amazing! The dinner and party were in the Plaza Hotel, chosen partly because of its beautiful staircase that was perfect for pictures! A three-course dinner was served to a background of Disney songs and a slideshow of pictures from the weekend. After the beautiful food was the Disney- themed Guides’ Own, ending in the coronation of Clare Sheridan as Senior Branch Chair (whoop whoop!). And then, the party really started! With a photo booth in the corner, and the DJ’s awesome playlist, plus requests, (which I may or may not have taken advantage of…), everyone had one of the best nights of their lives, and danced until midnight!

The next day, we were asked questions by a representative from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs about IGG and Senior Branch, and how the system could be improved. After that, the previous Chair Jenny discussed official roles in the high-up places of IGG and how we could get there. Then, it was time to leave… much sadness, many tears!

The weekend was one of the best of my life, and probably my favourite overnight to date! I made friends from all over the country, and I am soooo excited for next year! See you there!

Meabh Lonergan, Carrigaline Senior Branch.

Page 36 Trefoil News January/February 2016

International—Spotlight on World Centres

Sangam World Centre opened in 1966. It was the fourth World Centre to open. It is the World Centre in the WAGGGS Asia Pacific Region.

Sangam is in the city of Pune in the state of Maharashtra in India on the banks of the Mula river. The area was selected because of its temperate climate, it's rich history, strong tradition in education and its proximity to Bombay now called Mumbai.

The name Sangam was chosen for its meaning in the ancient language of Sanskrit 'coming together'.

Over the years many Guides and Girl Scouts have passed through Sangam  WANT TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH as guests, campers, staff and volunteers. ALL SANGAM RELATED THINGS?

Whether visiting for a few hours or staying for several years, the voices,  WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP RAISE smiles and energy of these people give Sangam its spirit. AWARENESS ABOUT SANGAM?  WANT TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH Over time Sangam has grown and changed with the times, with new THOSE WHO ALSO LOVE SANGAM? amenities, buildings and modern equipment. In 2015 the swimming pool was upgraded and looks very inviting. Then get in contact with Friends of Sangam Ireland! We Events are scheduled throughout 2016 to celebrate Sangam’s 50th recently had our relaunch and Birthday. 2016 would be an exciting time to visit Sangam but as many of the are back with new and exciting birthday events are fully booked you might consider planning to visit for an ideas! To get involved, just email [email protected] to register event or to take part in a volunteer programme at another time. your interest!

Many members of IGG have visited or volunteered in Sangam and others have worked there - why not invite one of them to talk to your Unit?

Another really popular activity for Units is to borrow the Sangam sari box through Friends of Sangam and have an Indian evening, with the girls dressing up in saris.

In January 2015 we introduced the 5th World Centre to you, a pilot project designed to bring the World Centre experience to Africa.

In October 2015 it was decided to give the 5th World Centre a permanent name. In keeping with its African roots its new name means 'to journey' in Swahili - Kusafiri. Hopefully some of you will be able to journey to Kusafiri in the future, check out page 42 to apply for your chance to visit Kusafiri this year!

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 37

BECOMING A FRIEND OF A WORLD CENTRE

The 4 World Centres – Our Chalet, Pax Lodge, Sangam and Our Cabana are a unique and special resource belonging to Guiding and therefore to each of us as members of WAGGGS. They each offer a special view of international Guiding and make you feel at home and very much part of the world Guiding family.

In various reports and articles written by members of IGG who visit the World Centres, there is one word that stands out in particular - ‘friendship’. By visiting a World Centre with an IGG group or as an individual, you can meet other groups of Guides or Girl Scouts or Leaders from around the world, have fun trying out new activities, strike up friendships, swap badges, information and much more. As an IGG representative at an event like the Helen Storrow seminar or a Juliette Low seminar or other international events, you are brought together with a peer group to discuss topics, develop leadership skills, challenge yourself and while doing this you may develop life-long friendships, think a lot more outside the box, be challenged and return to IGG determined to do more.

By working as a volunteer or staff member in one of the World Centres you are helping to deliver an international Guiding programme and are challenged to fulfil your potential and also get to feel that the world is your home.

Does a World Centre mean anything special to you? If so, give something back and become a Friend. There are three friends groups – Friends of Our Chalet; Friends of Sangam Ireland and Friends of the Four World Centres supported by members of IGG. Each does valuable work to support the World Centres and the donations go to help the Centres buy a specific piece of equipment, maybe support a programme; assist with a special day for the volunteer staff and much more. The money makes a difference to the World Centre and each Centre appreciates what is raised by IGG. The Friends groups have newsletters which are sent out a couple of times a year to members to update them on what is going on . They often have events that can be attended at the World Centres and other locations where new friendships are made.

So, if you have been to a World Centre and enjoyed the experience, consider becoming a friend. It makes all the difference to the World Centres. Don’t forget the World Centres welcome all members – Units, independent guests, families, adult Leaders, seminar participants, volunteers. The World Centres are a ‘world of possibilities’ ready to be explored.

To join – please complete the appropriate form I/We wish to become a Friend of the below and send it to: Four World Centres – Irish Girl Guides Friends of Our Chalet / Four World Centres Name______Irish Girl Guides Trefoil House, Address ______27 Pembroke Park Dublin 4 ______

______I/We wish to become a Friend of Our Chalet Membership fee for individual €15.00 €______Name______Membership fee for Unit €20.00 €______Address______I/We wish to order the following badges: ______Metal badge – number ______@ €5.00 €______

Cloth badge – number ______@ €1.80 €______Membership fee for individual/Unit €20.00 €______

Total €______Please send a stamped self-addressed envelope if a receipt Please send a stamped self-addressed envelope if a receipt is required. or badges are required. Cheques should be made payable to: Cheques should be made payable to: Irish Girl Guides – Friends of Our Chalet. Irish Girl Guides – Friends of the Four World Centres. Signature ______Signature ______Date ______Date ______

Page 38 Trefoil News January/February 2016

International Travellers’ Tales

On Tuesday October 28th 2015 at 6.45am 6 girls, a mascot and 3 Leaders boarded the bus to Dublin airport for their 3 night trip to the city of London. None of the girls had ever been on an international trip with IGG before.

After a 3 hour journey we arrived at Dublin airport where we checked in two bags and got our boarding passes. We passed through security and went to the gate. We arrived at Stansted Airport around half past one and we had an hour to wait for the Stansted express train to Liverpool Street. From there we got the tube to Kings Cross tube station.

We arrived atour youth hostel around 5pm and got our rooms. We then got the tube to Belsize Park and visited Pax Lodge. Friday morning when our alarm went off we were sad as it We got a tour and visited the Pax Lodge shop. We returned to was our last day in London. We checked out of the hostel and our hostel and had dinner. left our bags in the store room while we went in search of Girlguiding UK Headquarters. We had a tour of their new The next day we got up extra early and met in the hostel facilities which they opened in July 2015. After this we reception where we went with another group of people to decided to go to Covent Garden - it was really cool. We got Queens Park Tube station to meet our tour guide Dale. Dale lunch in one of the courtyard restaurants while listening to an was a very good tour guide who definitely made our walking Opera singer, before rushing back to the hostel to collect our tour of London special. We saw the changing of the guard, bags to catch the train to the airport. We just made the train Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, Big Ben and the Houses from Liverpool Street to Stansted airport. We made it to the of Parliament. We came back to the hostel and fell into bed. gate with time to spare and got onto the plane. We arrived back to Dublin and got onto the bus back to Galway. We On the Thursday we got up early and got the tube to “Ripley’s arrived back to the bus station in Galway at 11pm on Friday Believe or Not”. This is a weird and wonderful museum in night exhausted from travelling but with loads of new Piccadilly Circus, there were lots of cool and interesting things memories and having had a great international experience. here. It was really fun. At this stage it had started to rain so we got the tube to Oxford Circus where we spent a few hours We are all really glad we went on the trip and can’t wait to go doing some shopping. We then had dinner and went back to back. the hostel and started to pack our stuff up trying to fit all our shopping into our carry-on bags was great fun. At this stage Kate, Aditi, Alannah, Niamh, Leah, Caoimhe, Our Mascot we were all exhausted and slept soundly. Wesley, Sharon, Gail and Michelle

Pax Lodge is a thriving World Centre that offers day visitors and guests a variety of international events, including morning and evening programmes, self-guided challenges around London, and extended tours of Pax Lodge and the city.

No matter how long you intend to stay with them, they'll ensure that you leave with a brand new appreciation for other cultures and international Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting traditions!

Some upcoming events in 2016 include their 25th Birthday celebrations from the 13th-18th of March. Join them for a week of fun and memories as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of Pax Lodge.

Guests are encouraged to make reservations as soon as possible by contacting [email protected]

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 39

International Events

As members of a worldwide movement of 10 million Girl Guides and Guide Scouts, we know that international experiences are a key element of the Guiding programme. Go Global Day is an opportunity for you to feel connected with your sisters in Guiding throughout the world.

This year we are running three exciting Go Global events at the same time! Please be sure that you are booking the correct event when on the iregister website.

APRIL 16TH 2016 11.30 – 15.00

DUBLIN : VENUE TO BE CONFIRMED

Guides Go Global Girls aged 10-14 Explore different cultures and try activities from other countries.

Senior Branch Go Global Senior Branch members aged 14-30 Learn what happens at International selections and find out how you can represent IGG abroad in the future.

Leaders Go Global Adult Leaders only Complete your *International Permit Training* to enable you to take girls abroad.

FOR EACH EVENT:  Travel expenses will be refunded at the most economic rate

 Please bring a packed lunch

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS MARCH 31ST 2016

REGISTER ONLINE BY VISITING www.iregister.ie/v2/goglobalday/

For additional queries please contact [email protected]

Page 40 Trefoil News January/February 2016

International Opportunities

“

Many of you may be familiar with the ‘Erasmus’ mobility scheme for third level students aimed at facilitating stays of between 3 and 9 months in another European country either studying or working.

What you may not know is that there is a parallel network called “Erascout” in France, “Erasmus Scout” in Belgium, “ErasmuScout” in Italy, or “Scoutasmus” in Spain, and perhaps yet differently in other countries. The aim of this network is to help keep you involved with volunteering while you live, study and work abroad.

So if you are considering an Erasmus experience, consider using your Guiding connections to make it a deeper, more enriched experience. A recent participant from Germany who travelled to France offered this advice “I can only recommend this experience! Even if it is more exhausting and perhaps more challenging to work with young people in a foreign language, which you may not fully understand or master, it is worth every effort! My French is now a lot better, and this is because I was forced to use that language when helping out in the local Group. It was also valuable to meet French children and young people and see the conditions they live in. As a simple exchange student living in a hostel you would never get that insight.”

If you think this is something you would be interested in, please get in touch with the association in the country you will be living in.

Belgium www.lesscouts.be/?id=1194 France www.sgdf.fr/vos-opportunites/jeunes-adultes/472-erascout43 www.scoutisme-francais.fr/Erascout Portugal http://internacional.cne-escutismo.pt/TrilhoEuropeu/Escout/tabid/2341/Default.aspx Spain http://www.fceg.cat/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Scoutasmus-Introduction-FCEG-International-Area.pdf

If anyone is familiar with other EraScout networks in other countries please let us know.

IMWe – International Creative Workshop for Guides and Scouts

When: 20th – 28th March 2016

Where: Rieneck Scout Castle, Germany

Who: Senior Branch and Leaders age 18+

What’s it about: Every year around Easter time a group of Guides and Scouts from around the world come together in Rieneck Castle to explore their creativity around a particular theme. There are workshops, sharing sessions, evening programmes and traditional Guide and Scout activities. This year the theme is Heros and Gods – Olympus Calling.

How much: €265 participation fee. Travel, insurance and other costs are additional.

For more info or to apply see www.imwe.net

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 41

International Opportunities

Juliette Low Seminar - Call for Participants

Applications are now open for the next Juliette Low Seminar, the flagship WAGGGS leadership development programme for young women, which will take place at Kusafiri in May / June 2016. We are able to send one representative who demonstrates strong leadership potential. Please share this opportunity with the young women in your Unit, District, Area and Region.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: FRIDAY 29TH JANUARY

SELECTION WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY 6TH FEBRUARY

What is the Juliette Low Seminar? The Juliette Low Seminar is WAGGGS’ flagship leadership development programme for young women. It provides wonderful opportunities for young women to develop their leadership skills in a creative and supportive environment. This is a great way to learn and share experiences with other young women in a cross cultural context.

The week-long seminar offers delegates a space where they can interact with peers from around the world, broaden their horizons and develop leadership skills which will prepare them for national and international responsibilities.

What do I need to know? The Juliette Low Seminar will be held at the 5th World Centre, Kusafiri. As Kusafiri does not have a permanent base, 5th World Centre events move around Africa. This event is due to take place in Ghana. Dates are not fully finalised but we believe it will be held in late May / early June 2016. All programme, accommodation and meals will be provided.

CIGA has been allocated one place on the event and it is the turn of IGG to send a participant. We will fund and organise travel, insurance and a briefing for the selected participant. The successful person will need to cover a €65 administration fee and any travel vaccinations required for the visit.

What are the criteria for applying?  Be 18 to 30 years old  Be actively involved in the Irish Girl Guides  Be part of a decision-making body or be prepared to take on leadership roles in Guiding  Have leadership qualities and be able to work in a team  Be committed to personal development and continuous learning  Have a comprehensive knowledge of Guiding  Have a mature and responsible attitude  Be able to understand and communicate well in English  Have not participated in a Juliette Low Seminar or WAGGGS Leadership Development Programme event before

How do I apply? Fill in the International application form on page 44 or download it from the website. Submit the application form to your Regional Commissioner for approval and she will submit it to the International Commissioner on your behalf.

Page 42 Trefoil News January/February 2016

International Opportunities Diane Dixon Memorial Scholarships

The International dimension of Guiding was never far from the thoughts and deeds of Diane Dixon. She has given many years dedicated service both within Ireland, as a former International Commissioner, as well as within Europe, as Chairman of the Europe Region Committee and most recently Chairman of the Our Chalet Foundation. Sadly Diane passed away in April 2015 after a long battle with cancer.

In September’s Trefoil News we mentioned that the WAGGGS World Board had contacted IGG after Diane’s death to express their “wishes to acknowledge Diane's absolute focus on the development of girls and young women. They intend to capture the spirit and commitment Diane had to broadening horizons and making a difference by offering IGG some funded places for young members to attend international leadership training events in her name”.

We are delighted to present to you three unique events over the coming three years for which we would like to recruit three special IGG members to live out Diane’s spirit. We have selected venues close to Diane’s heart, Our Chalet - where she chaired the Our Chalet Foundation, Sangam – where she herself attended a service project event and, with an eye to the future, Kusafiri, the fifth World Centre in Africa.

SCHOLARSHIP 1 – 2016 Participate in “Walking Week” at Our Chalet, Switzerland 12th – 19th September 2016.

Visit www.wagggs.org/en/events/walking-week-2016 for more details on this event

SCHOLARSHIP 2 – 2017 Participate in Sangam’s programme of events for its Celebratory 50th year! Celebrate International Women’s Day in India during 4th – 10th March 2017

Visit www.wagggs.org/en/events/be-changeii for more details on this event

SCHOLARSHIP 3 – 2018 Participate in an event in the new 5th World Centre - Kusafiri - in Africa Region.

Details not available yet.

Conditions:  You may only avail of one scholarship, though you can apply for all of them  Event fees are being covered by WAGGGS and the travel to the event is covered by IGG. Scholarship recipients will have to pay for any vaccination costs and a €65 admin fee  Applicants must be over 18 years of age  Deadline for receipt of completed applications for Scholarship 1 and 2 is 17 March 2016, after which a selection will be held  Applications for Scholarship 3 will be advertised in January 2017  Travel to the selection will be reimbursed by IGG  Scholarship recipients must be willing to share details of their experience with IGG via Trefoil News, presentations, etc.

How to apply: Fill in the International Application form printed on page 44 of Trefoil News or download one from the IGG website.

Under event please indicate which Scholarship (s) you are applying for using the code DDMS 1, DDMS 2 or DDMS 1 and 2.

Send your completed form to your Regional Commissioner for her approval and she will send it

on to the International Committee for consideration. We look forward to receiving applications from interested Leaders and Senior Branch members of all ages

Trefoil News January/February 2016 Page 43 International Application Form Personal Details Event : Region: Name: Date of Birth: Phone Number: Email Address:

Language Proficiency Language: Spoken Fluency Written Fluency (options: Junior Cert Level / Leaving Cert (options: Junior Cert Level / Leaving Cert Level / Advanced in country experience / Level / Advanced in country experience / Native) Native)

Guiding Details Current Position in Senior Branch: ☐ Ranger: ☐ Leader: ☐ Trainer: ☐ Guiding: (Select all that apply) Guiding Qualifications: Basic Standard: MO: QM: Indoor Licence: CO: (Select all that apply) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Name of your current Unit: Name of District/ Area Commissioner:

Open Response Questions What would you hope to gain by representing the Irish Girl Guides at an international event?

Why do you think you would be a good representative of the Irish Girl Guides?

Please outline any previous experience you have of International Guiding (camps, seminars etc.)

References Please email the form to your Regional Commissioner who will forward your application to the International Secretary after she has approved it. Forms sent without Regional approval will not be considered. Regional Commissioner’s Approval: Yes: ☐ Yes with reservations: ☐ No: ☐ Please state clearly why you do or do not support the application of this candidate:

Page 44 Trefoil News January/February 2016

Congratulations to the Gold Award Guides

REMEMBER — TREFOIL NEWS IS YOUR MAGAZINE! YOUR STORIES! YOUR PICTURES! YOUR VOICE!

Email [email protected] with all your pictures and stories! IRISH GIRL GUIDES Bantreoraithe na hÉireann

[email protected] dist Web in Distribution Centree-mail site http://www.irishgirlguides.ie e-mail Trefoil News 5503 01-660 e-mail Reception Fax Distribution Centre Number 01– 01-668 3898 01-668 National Office Irish GirlGuides 660 9035 National OfficeContacts 2779 National Office,27PembrokePark,Dublin4,Ireland as responsiblecitizensoftheworld. is toenablegirlsandyoungwomen The missionoftheIrishGirlGuides to developtheirfullestpotential Mission Statement [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

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