SCOTTISH NEWS Jan - May 2008
- Blueprint Survey
- April Blueprint Online
- Guiders on the BBC!
- Scottish Rainbows say it with Sunflowers
- Win Royal Museum Goodie Bags!
- Race for Life
- Guider Finalist in Young Scot of the Year
- February Blueprint Online
- Scots Celebrate Guiding
Blueprint Survery
It's a year since Blueprint was relaunched so it's the perfect time to see what's working and what's not. Please tell us your thoughts, opinions and suggestions by completing the survey below.
You can return the survey by post or email. Address details are given in the form.
Blueprint Survey Word Document (right click to save)
Blueprint Survey PDF (right click to save)
May 2008
April Blueprint Online
The latest issue of Blueprint is now online in pdf format.
Open April Blueprint in new window.*
(* requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
May 2008
Guiders on the BBC
Glasgow Guider, Julie McElroy and Deputy Scottish Chief Commissioner, Pat Marwick will both be appearing on the BBC next week (7th – 9th May).
Julie, who completed a trek across the Amazon as part of the BBC’s Beyond Boundaries series, will see her adventures broadcast on BBC2 at 9pm on Friday, 9th May. The programme is titled Across the Andes: Beyond Boundaries!
Meanwhile, Pat attended a debate about children’s issues which will be broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland at lunchtime on Wednesday, 7th May. It will then be available on the BBC Radio Scotland website for a further week.
To read Julie’s diary of her adventures, click here (pdf).
May 2008
SCOTTISH RAINBOWS SAY IT WITH SUNFLOWERS
At the start of their 21st birthday week (3-10 May), Rainbows – the youngest section of Girlguiding Scotland’s members - are appealing for more adult volunteers. Since Rainbows was launched, the number of Rainbow units in Scotland has grown from 16 to 867. The programme and uniform have been adapted to meet the changing needs of the girls and the section has proven so popular that there are currently over 10,000 Rainbows across Scotland. With Rainbows growing in popularity, waiting lists to join have grown too.
Adult volunteers are needed from across Scotland to do anything from opening and leading new units to taking part in the 12 Hour Challenge, where they can offer their skills for just 12 hours a year.
Dinah Faulds, Scottish Chief Commissioner said: “Rainbows are going from strength to strength and we now need more adults to help numbers grow even bigger before their next landmark birthday. Although it is really important to look back on the history of Rainbow Guiding and to celebrate all that we have achieved, this is also a time to look forward and plan how we can continue to invest in the girls and women of the future.”
To mark their 21st birthday, Rainbow units across Scotland are celebrating in a number of ways including grow a sunflower in a pot to present to a member of their local community during 2008.
Isobel Lockhart, Rainbow Advisor, said: “It’s a special time for Rainbow leaders too and I know I’ll carry fond memories of the different birthday celebrations I’ve already attended from the Rainbows singing and signing ‘I can sing a Rainbow’ in front of family and friends, to planting sunflower seeds that will bloom and bring sunshine into the recipients’ life.”
6th May 2008
Win Royal Museum Goodie Bags!
At the end of April, part of the Royal Museum in Edinburgh will be closing for redevelopment.
To celebrate the start of the building work, the museums are organising a spectacular free weekend of music, dancing, art and history on 26 and 27 April 2008.
Take part in treasure trails and last chance tours. Experience a fusion of international and Scottish music and dance. Get hands on in object sessions, games and art workshops. Encounter historical characters and exciting entertainers. The event comes to an end with pipes, drums and rock, courtesy of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers as building work begins.
We have 10 Royal Museum goodie bags to give away, filled with souvenirs, books and cards. The first ten to email Royal Museum with the subject line 'Celebration Weekend Competition' (including their name and address) will win a goodie bag. Find out more on the Royal Museum website.
April 2008
Race for Life
Cancer Research UK's Race for Life and Girlguiding Scotland have joined forces to help beat cancer.
Race for Life is the UK's largest women only fundraising event, where women of all ages come together to raise money and walk, jog or run 5K to help Cancer Research UK prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.
In 2008 there will be 14 Race for Life events taking place all over Scotland and Girlguiding will be helping to make them happen!
Girlguiding members are needed on the Race for Life event day to help set up a 5k course, to marshal, hand out goody bags and medals, help with enquiries and cheer the women on.Please get involved, why not help as a unit or county?
If you’d like to help your local Race for Life run smoothly, contact Web@girlguiding-scot.org.uk.
April 2008
Guider Finalist in Young Scot of the Year
Julie McElroy, a Guider from Glasgow, is one of the finalists in the Young Scot of the Year competition. She has been shortlisted in the Unsung section of the award.
Julie who has cerebal palsy has completed in Tall Ship adventures, been actively involved in Guiding since she was a child and trekked through the Amazon with the BBC.
Over a period of four weeks last summer, Julie fought her way from the edge of the Amazon Basin, climbed up to over 5000m to reach the snowline on Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world, and then descended to sea level, wading through miles of swamp before reaching the Pacific Ocean. The TV series Beyond Boundaries : Across the Andes is provisionally scheduled to be broadcast sometime in spring this year on BBC2. Julie is also participating in the BBC's Ben Nevis Challenge this year.
The Young Scot of the Year award will be made on March 20th at Glasgow City Halls.
Everyone in Girlguiding Scotland wishes Julie the best of luck.
Read Julie's blog about the Ben Nevis Challenge
Read Julie’s diary of her adventures in the Amazon. (pdf file *)
(* requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
March 2008
February Blueprint Online
The latest issue of Blueprint is now online in pdf format.
Open February Blueprint in new window.*
(* requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
March 2008
Scots Celebrate Guiding
Scots will be joining more than ten million girls and young women from around the world to celebrate the diversity of guiding on World Thinking Day (22nd February 2008). Members and supporters of Girlguiding Scotland will attend a variety of events to reaffirm their commitment to international friendship and understanding. They will also be taking the opportunity to learn more about Guides in different countries.
Despite the differences in guiding around the globe, all Girlguiding members share a commitment to help young women to develop leadership skills and self-esteem, make new friends, and speak out on issues that affect them and their peers. The Scottish girls will also be fundraising so that guiding can continue to empower girls and young women in other countries.
Scottish Chief Commissioner, Dinah Faulds:
'There are a number of exciting events taking place around Scotland including a Thinking Day
extravaganza at our outdoor activity and training centre at Netherurd in Peebles. The theme
is Carnivals: One World in Our Centre and
the girls will get the chance to try out activities they may never have experienced before including
African drumming and circus skills.
'Guiding spans more than 140 countries with over ten million members, and our World Thinking Day celebration will help the girls and young women to develop a better understanding of the cultures and traditions of our members not only here in the UK, but also worldwide.'
Calling all Bebo users - to upload your Thinking Day Bebo skin, click here.
February 2008