Emma-Louise Horn started her guiding journey as a Brownie at age 7. Now at the age of 33, she is the leader of that very same unit – as well as taking on the role of division commissioner for the North East area of Glasgow.

We sat down with Emma-Louise to find out more about her experience.

What have you enjoyed about being a commissioner?

I’ve really enjoyed visiting units and getting to know other volunteers across the division. This role has given me the opportunity to connect with people I likely wouldn’t have met otherwise. Through these interactions, I’ve built meaningful relationships – including a strong friendship with my current assistant commissioner.

Thinking back to the beginning of your role, what prompted you to take it on and has it been what you expected?

At the time, I wanted to challenge myself and was considering volunteering for a district commissioner role. My division commissioner called me to discuss the possibility of becoming her assistant instead. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I decided to take the opportunity. Since then, she has stepped down and I’ve taken on the commissioner role fully. It’s been more than I anticipated – both in responsibility and in reward – but it’s absolutely been worth it.

How do you navigate the role of a commissioner alongside your personal life and other commitments?

Balancing the commissioner role with my personal life and other commitments has definitely been one of the biggest challenges. I’m fortunate to have a very supportive partner who understands the time I sometimes need to dedicate to admin in the evenings. Of course, there are times when personal life has to take priority and guiding takes a bit of a back seat. That said, I’m incredibly lucky to have a fantastic division team behind me – they’re always there to offer support, whether it’s practical help or just a catch-up to help me unwind.

Why did you decide to join Girlguiding Scotland as a volunteer? Were you a young member?

I chose to join Girlguiding as a volunteer because I was originally a young member myself. I started as a Brownie when I was 7 and absolutely loved it. When I moved up to Guides, I didn’t feel the same connection – probably because my older sister was there! So I asked my old Brown Owl if I could come back and help with the Brownies. Since then, I’ve never left! I now have the privilege of running that same Brownie unit.

What advice do you have for prospective commissioners? Do you recommend the role?

Go into the role with both feet – embrace the challenge! There will definitely be times when it feels tough, but the rewards far outweigh the difficulties. It’s a role full of growth, connection and impact, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone considering it.

What do you feel is the most important part of your role as a commissioner?

For me, the most important part of being a commissioner is bringing the division together. Just before Covid, our division went through a major change when two divisions merged. Unfortunately, the pandemic meant we didn’t get the chance to fully integrate as one. One of my goals is to help make that happen during my time as commissioner. Another key part of the role is seeing the girls in our division enjoying themselves. I love hearing stories of girls growing in confidence through their units – those moments really highlight the impact of what we do.

In our recent commissioner survey that you filled in, you said you feel recognised by volunteers in your local division, volunteers in your county area and Girlguiding Scotland. How do they show their recognition?

I feel recognised by my local division when volunteers take the time to speak with me or respond to my emails when I have a query – it shows they value the connection and the role. The county team are also incredibly supportive and often show their appreciation with a simple thank you, which goes a long way. These small gestures make a big difference and remind me that the work I do is valued.

You also said in the survey that a challenge has been feeling like you’re not doing enough – are you able to explain what you mean by this?

At times, I’ve felt like I’m not doing enough because I want to create more opportunities for the girls – such as fun days or fundraisers. The challenge has been finding enough volunteers to help plan and agree on what we can realistically do within our budget. It’s been frustrating at times, but things have started to change. I now have a team of volunteers who are enthusiastic and willing to help organise events, and that’s given me a real sense of excitement and renewed motivation.