Second Briefing: Top Seven Things We Learnt

Pippa here, sharing an update after our second team briefing weekend (though with lots of input from my fellow team members). During the weekend we did some role-specific training and I heard about the blog which our team leader Helen contributed to during her trip to Cambodia last year (you can read it here). Taking inspiration from some of their formats, here's a 'Top Seven Things We Learnt at Second Briefing".

1. We can run a successful training activity together. 

First thing on Saturday morning we ran a training activity on Girlguiding's programme renewal for three other GOLD project teams. And it went really well. We thought about the feedback we received and will use this in the next trainings we run.

2. Glue guns and safety pins are excellent tools for fancy dress assembly. 

Our team leader, Helen, came prepared with all the tools we needed to assemble our costumes for the Best of British themed evening entertainments. We had the 'Adult Literature' category and a guest appearances from Gandalf the Grey, Arthur Dent, Lord of the Flies, 39 Steps, Frankenstein and Guiding Magazine.

3. WAGGGS have some pretty useful resources. 

WAGGGS stands for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Three representatives from their programme department ran a session for us and introduced us to resources we could use on our project. Have you heard about the Climate Change Challenge Badge or Prepared to Learn, Prepared to Lead?

4. And cute mascots can make any subject engaging.

During one of the activities in the WAGGGS session we were tasked with summarising Fit for Work, Fit for Life. We liked how it helped young women work out what skills they had and what they needed for their career, but also the cute mascots for each module. So much so that we have created our own to use in Aruba!

5. Mental Health is as important as physical health. 

On Sunday we had the opportunity to choose which of 3 training sessions we attended. Three of Team Aruba attended a training session on mental health. After learning about what mental health is and the importance of mental wellbeing before, during and after project we came up with a plan of how we can look after ourselves and each other on project. Our favourites were beach yoga, 30 second dance party and "trash and treasure".

6. It was the last time all the 2017 GOLD Teams would be together.

Second briefing was the last time where all the GOLD participants for 2017 will be in the same place at the same time! The next time some of us will meet is at debrief as our third and fourth briefings are just our teams. Team Aruba will be at second debrief in November (with teams going to Ghana, Estonia and Rwanda).

7. We have lots of reading to do!

At the weekend we were introduced to so many wonderful resources by Girlguiding UK, as well as WAGGGS. We're going to be using these as some inspiration for delivering our own training on Aruba. Following Saturday night's quiz on adult literature created by Bridget it would seem most of us need to get reading up on our British literature too!

Until next time.

GOLD Team Aruba

Introducing: Amy

Bon bini! Mi ta Amy i mi ta 22.

Hi all! I’m Amy, I’m 22 (turning 23 before we leave for project) and I’m originally from a town called Cwmbran in South Wales, but currently live in Watford in Hertfordshire just outside of London.

I am currently an assistant leader at a Brownie unit which I love doing. In the lead up to project I’ve been visiting other local units of different sections. As a result, I hope to look into helping with other sections on a more regular basis. Outside of guiding I enjoy watching television and movies and have most recently developed a newly found love of musical theatre through watching shows in the London West End. On the flip side of that I love being outdoors and walking my family’s dog, Bod.

I’m so excited to being part of Gold Aruba 2017 and feel incredibly lucky to be share the experience with such an amazing team of fellow guiders. I’m looking forward to meeting lots of Aruban Girl Guides across the island with the hope of sharing the joys of guiding with existing and hopefully aiding in showing this to potential new members. I’m really looking forward to visiting the ‘One Happy Island’.

I will be the team's treasurer while on project, which means I will be keeping track of all expenditures while in Aruba to ensure that we stick to our set budget. Yay for spreadsheets! While designing our badge I found it really interesting to find out that there is so much meaning behind Aruba’s Flag. I love that every element has an important meaning to the country.

For fundraising I have currently been doing cake sales at work and selling items online that I no longer need. I am planning an Aruban themed district Brownie Adventure day for the summer and hope to visit some other units to tell them all about GOLD and to run some activities to help them understand more about the wider international guiding community. Please check out my just giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Amy-Pritchard-GOLD

Introducing: Helen

Mi ta Helen. Mi ta 28 i mi di Liverpool.

What is your name, how old are you and where are you from?

I'm Helen, I am 28 years old and I am from Liverpool. 

What do you do in guiding?

I am a leader of a Senior Section unit where I currently have 10 girls who attend. Last year I was a participant in a GOLD project in Cambodia, that was my first international trip with Girlguidng and I hope it will be the first of many!

What do you do outside of guiding?

I work as a Children's Occupational Therapist, which I love! When I am not working or Guiding I really enjoy going to the gym, travel, eating and watching T.V. series.

What are you most excited about for our project in Aruba?

I am really excited for everything about our project but I am most looking forward to setting our objectives and achieving these after the success of last year’s project. I am also really excited for the new challenge of leading an international project. 

What role will you be taken on in the team, and what does this involve?

Following last year’s project in Cambodia I have been asked to lead this year’s Aruba project. I have big boots to fill following the incredible work of last year’s leader Miriam but I am really looking forward to the challenge. My role involves supporting my team through their GOLD year and leading them into a successful project. I will be liaising with our contacts in Aruba to plan the project and ensure that we achieve our aims whilst on project. I will also support my team in their roles before and during project by completing the risk assessment and overseeing the planning of our budget, resources, training sessions and first aid. 

Is there an interesting fact about Aruba that you’ve found out since getting a place on GOLD?

IT HAS SHARKS! But luckily the risks of shark attacks are EXTREMELY low! 

How is your fundraising going?

My fundraising is going well! I will be selling knitted Easter chicks filled with chocolate eggs soon and you can sponsor me via my just giving page. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/HelenHoseyDaviesaruba 

Introducing: Rachel

Mi ta Rachel i mi ta 26.

I’m Rachel, I’m 26 years old and from Ormskirk. I have been in Guiding since a Rainbow and I am now an Assistant Leader for both 5^th Aughton Guides and 1^st Ormskirk Senior Section. I have recently completed my Queens Guide Award (the highest award in Girlguiding) which was very rewarding! Outside of guiding I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, eating food, watching films and walking my dog.

I am so excited about everything to do with GOLD Aruba 2017, but most of all about how I will be making a difference within the local Aruban community. I hope to inspire others locally to also try to make a difference internationally. I’m looking forward to making new friends, exploring a new country and making memories that will last a lifetime. The most interesting fact I have found out about Aruba since getting a place on GOLD is actually where Aruba is - google maps can be so handy sometimes! (It’s off the coast of Venezuela in the Caribbean)

I have taken on the role of Training and Resources Coordinator for the project which means I will be coordinating the resources and drafting a budget for the resources needed, I will be supporting the team in the preparation of the training and session plans and I will be keeping a record of each training whilst on project. This means I will need to be very well organised, have good time management skills and I will need to keep clear records (so I need to make sure I can read my handwriting!).

My fundraising for GOLD is going well, I did a ‘buy a date’ date diary over Christmas and had a very successful cake sale organised by my District’s (and Sister’s) Rainbow Units. It has been so overwhelming how much support I have received from my family, friends and local guiding community - thank you to everyone who has been involved so far!