The Unit programs are the responsibility of the Guides and Leaders.  But the District Manager has the overall accountability for the quality of the programs in her area – ensuring programs are enriching, challenging, and varied.

You also have a role to ensure your Leaders are adequately trained and qualified to deliver the program and that the appropriate paperwork for program and outdoor activities is completed. 

Outdoors

Advice and assistance is available from Resource Leaders, State Subcommittee Chairs, and State personnel in the areas of camping, water activities, adventure-based activities, environmental/earth education activities, air activities, and radio activities.

As a District Manager, you can encourage your Leaders to undertake Outdoor Modules which are required for the Leader-in-Charge of the activity.  Outdoor Modules for conducting camps, expeditions, canoeing, and rowing are available on the GGA website.

For information on training and activities refer to your State newsletter, Learning & Development calendar, or State website.  When planning Region training for the year ahead, consider whether it would be valuable to hold training in any areas related to the outdoors.  Information on outdoor activities and training opportunities can be included in the Region newsletter.  As part of the talent planning at Region level, consider whether there are opportunities to enhance the capability to run outdoor activities and/or appoint a team member to specialise in the outdoors.  As part of your meetings take time to brainstorm outdoor activities. 

Example of a Region outdoor activity

‘We run an activity called “Tracks” which is a treasure-hunt style event that is held in one of the towns in the Region on a day in the holidays. Patrols of any age register for the event and turn up on the day ready for anything. The challenges can include visiting special buildings such as museums or Council chambers, finding the location of photos, answering facts, geocaching, getting signatures from various people, or catching a bus to a particular place to find information. As it is held in different towns each year, it is a great chance to explore the area and meet new people.’

International

You can encourage your Youth and Adult members to access International opportunities (published on the Girl Guides Australia and State websites). For girls aged 18 years and over there are opportunities for gap year volunteers at World Centres.  These opportunities offer growth and development as well as exposure to other cultures.  Events at World Centres are a gentle introduction to other cultures and any member can apply. All applicants are interviewed and final selections made at national level. District Managers and Region Managers have a role in assisting members to apply for international activities and are responsible for providing references for members applying for international events.

Limited funding is available for assisting members to attend events and so members are encouraged to raise funds by their own efforts as needed. They may be assisted by their Unit/District/Region provided this does not compete with Support Group fundraising activities.

Any member moving overseas for one year or longer can apply for an Overseas Transfer form from their State Office.

Example of District International activity

‘When members of a District are going to travel overseas, it is a good time for the whole District to get involved in finding out about that country. A round-robin of activities with each Unit running one or more things is a great chance to explore together. For such an activity we have given the girls a ‘Passport’ in which to collect ‘stamps’ as they visit each stall. An example might be when a Guide is going to India to have stalls for wearing a sari, making mehndi designs, making friendship bracelets to take to Sangam for their fundraiser, trying out the tracking of tiger prints, exploring Hindu culture and a bazaar where each person brings an item to donate for selling and money to buy at the bazaar (a fundraiser for the girl going away).’

Service

Girl Guides and Units can organise their own service projects, but some service projects can be undertaken as District events, taking the opportunity to build links between Units in the District.  Service projects utilising community days can be included in the events calendar, such as “Clean Up Australia” day. As the District Manager or Region Manager you can also ensure Units know of and are encouraged to participate in State-wide events.

Example of District Service activity

‘One of our Districts supported Tasmanian devils by making posters to raise awareness of the problem, assisting other groups who were fundraising for research, and various Units made devil toys (papier mache balloons from unbleached paper that were given to devil shelter groups who filled them with food and hung them in the pens). This could have been done by individual Units, but with everyone helping it was easier to make a difference.’

Ceremonies

Ceremonies are an important Guiding tradition but are not just restricted to special occasions such as a Promise or World Thinking Day Ceremony. They can also be used at the weekly meeting for opening or closing the meeting, presenting a badge, a welcome or farewell, or progression to another Unit. Ceremonies are planned and carried out by the girls. They instill a sense of occasion, participation, belonging, sharing, friendship, achievement, recognition, caring, and respect.  If flags are being used as part of a ceremony, they must be treated with respect and protocols observed.

The attendance of the District Manager or Region Manager emphasises the importance of the ceremony.  Wearing the uniform sends a message about the importance of traditions and provides an example to other members. The Leader-in-Charge (LIC) is responsible for determining and communicating the uniform for an event as well as the relevant protocols.  Before each event ask the LIC what is expected; this helps to build a culture that avoids excluding people because they don’t know the unstated codes of behaviour.  Prepare for your visit by checking names, preparing what you are going to say, even if not making a speech, and have a quick game or new action song ready just in case! (but don’t impose it)