Guiders’ Conference 2008 was held on 20 September 2008 at the Guide House. The attendance of the Guiders was very encouraging- 114 Guide Guiders and 30 Brownie Guiders were present.
Ms Yvonne Lim, the Chief Commissioner, updated the Guiders that 56,582 tins of Cookies were sold in 2007. As at September 2008, 42,458 tins were sold. In November and December 2008, public sale of Cookies were arranged at several NTUC branches (Woodlands Civic Centre, Jurong East, Tiong Bahru Plaza and Tampines Mall), as well as Lucky Plaza, Far East Plaza and the Meritus Mandarin Hotel. Guiders would be called upon to manage some time slots.
To encourage greater participation, the Cookie Committee had worked out a new incentive scheme whereby units would be paid commissions if they met the criteria. A Cookie Badge, sponsored by the Vice President, Mrs Chew Soon Gek, would also be given to Guides and Brownies who sold 5 or more tins.
When consulted, the Guiders unanimously opted for no increase in the price of the cookies.
The Chief Commissioner also reported on the Walkathon held on 21 June 2008 which raised $183,834.51 and the Combined Uniformed Groups President’s Challenge led by GGS at the invitation of the Co-curricular Activities Branch. $200,000.00 was raised and the cheque was presented to President SR Nathan on 29 August 2008 at the Guide House.
Other events attended by the members to date were:
• 33rd World Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 6-12 July 2008
• Girl Guiding New Zealand J’08 Jamboree in Christchurch
• Leadership and Service-Learning International Conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• World Leadership Development Programme [WLDP] at Pax Lodge, London, UK
• Girl Guiding Scotland’s Arywaves 2008 in Ayrshire
• Girl Scouts of Japan’s 60th Anniversary International Camp in Osaka
• Persatuan Pandu Puteri Malaysia’s 90th Anniversary Celebrations in Kuala Kangsar, Perak
Participants shared their experiences of the overseas events with the Guiders after the Conference.
The WAGGGS’ Vision and Goals were also communicated to the Guiders:
Vision – We are a growing worldwide Movement – the voice of girls and young women who influence issues they care about and build a better world.
Goals -
Goal 1 - Leadership Development – Capacity Building
Goal 2 - Strong and Growing members Organisations – Revitalising the Movement
Goal 3 - The Voice of Girls and Young Women – Building a Better World
Also, WAGGGS would be celebrating 100 years of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting from 2010 to 2012. During this 3-year period, all of WAGGGS’ activities would come under the banner of the centenary theme “Girl Worldwide Say 100 Years of Changing Lives”.
The Guiders’ Conference was also a time to review GGS’ Strategic Direction and Focus, which were broken down into 3 broad areas:
1. Educational Programmes - review to be relevant and attractive
2. Communications – refresh GGS website to be current, attractive and interactive; e-bookings, e-applications, e-census improvements to be more efficient
3. Membership – increase and retain girl and adult membership for a vibrant organization
Membership statistics of Brownies, Guides and Guiders were conveyed to the Guiders to give everyone an idea of the current enrolment.
Guiders were invited to brainstorm new ideas for Programmes, Membership, Cookie Project, Fund-raising and other suggestions and comments. The response was overwhelming and many good suggestions were collected and consolidated for future reference.
The highlight of the Conference was the presentation of the Long Service Awards. Ninety-two members received the Awards:
• 71 were presented the 5 Years Award
• 11 were presented the 10 Years Award
• 2 were presented the 15 Years Award
• 1 was presented the 20 Years Award
• 3 were presented the 25 Years Award
• 1 was presented the 30 Years Award
• 2 were presented the 40 Years Award
Mrs Wah Teng Siew, Adviser for Shop, received the loudest applause when presented the 55 Years Award.
The Guiders’ Conference was an ideal platform for Guiders to share and exchange ideas, and for the National Council and Executive Committee to gather feedbacks from the Guiders. The Conference was a success with its objectives met.
