Happy World Thinking Day

Happy World Thinking Day! The theme for 2017 is “Grow” and I thought it might be a good idea to reflect on how our Movement has grown over the years. We sometimes get discouraged when we struggle to find Guiders or when youth numbers dwindle – but as long as there are dedicated people (you) who not only love Guiding, but who also recognize the value of what we do, Girl Guiding & Girl Scouting will continue to thrive.

WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) was formed in 1928 at the 5th World Conference (Parad, Hungary), with 26 Founding Members – Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, India, Japan, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, and Yugoslavia.

In 1930 at the 6th World Conference (Foxlease, UK) Brazil and Egypt joined the family! Unfortunately, contact was lost with Liberia, and their Membership was cancelled in 1931.

The 7th World Conference (Bucze, Poland) in 1932 saw Ireland added to the list, and the first Tenderfoot Members – Austria and China. Contact had been lost with Yugoslavia, and their Memberships was cancelled. Greece,  Portugal and Romania all became Tenderfoot Members in 1933.

Out Chalet hosted the 8th World Conference in 1934, where a special membership category was created for the Armenian Eclaireuses in France, who had been exiled from their homeland.

Following the end of World War II, WAGGGS Members gathered in Evian, France for the 11th World Conference in 1946. Haiti, Italy, the Philippines and Costa Rica were welcomed as Tenderfoot Members, but we sadly said good-bye to a number of countries where Guiding was now banned or the organization dissolved: Austria, China, Estonia,  Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal and Roumania. Contact had also been lost with Guiding in Iceland.

The 12th World Conference, held in 1948 in Cooperstown, NY, USA was jointly hosted by Canada, the United States, and Brazil. Pakistan, Italy, the Philippines and Greece were welcomed as Full Members, and Mexico and Liechtenstein as Tenderfoot Members. Sadly, Guiding was now banned in Hungary. Guiding would also be banned in Poland and Czechoslovakia by 1949.

Haiti and Sri Lanka became Full Members at the 13th World Conference (Oxford, UK) in 1950. Germany was also welcomed as an Tenderfoot Member.

In 1952 at the 14th World Conference (Dombas, Norway), Japan was welcomed back as an Tenderfoot Member, along with Panama, while Liechtenstein gained Full Membership.

Lady Baden-Powell with Delegates from 27 Countries at the 14th World Conference

The 15th World Conference (Zeist, Netherlands) in 1954 saw the reinstatement of Iceland as a Full Member, as well as the addition of Germany as a Full Member and Colombia and Lebanon as Tenderfoot Members.

The 16th World Conference (Petropolis, Brazil) of 1957 was the first to be held in South America. Mexico and Colombia became Full Members, Austria was reinstated as a Tenderfoot Member, and Chile, Israel, Sudan, Guatemala, South Korea, Cuba and Congo (Brazzaville) were new Tenderfoot Members. Argentina and Myanmar were added as Tenderfoot Members in 1958, and Spain in 1959.

Japan was reinstated as a Full Member at the 17th World Conference (Athens, Greece) in 1960. El Salvador, Malaysia, Peru, Nigeria, Ghana, Monaco and Venezuela were added as Tenderfoot Members. Cyprus became a Tenderfoot Member in 1962.

Guiding continued to grow with Monaco, Argentina, Peru, Israel, Lebanon and South Korea becoming Full Members at the 18th World Conference in Nyborg, Denmark in 1963. Congo (Kinshasa), Thailand, Togo, Madagascar, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, Portugal, Taiwan, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jordan and Jamaica all gained Tenderfoot Member status. Sadly, Guiding in Congo (Brazzaville) was banned in 1963 and the Association in Myanmar was dissolved in 1964.

At the 19th World Conference, held in Tokyo, Japan in 1966, Jamaica, Panama, Malaysia, Taiwan, Venezuela and Nigeria became Full Members. Bolivia, Singapore, Malta, Ecuador, the Gambia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Zambia, Vietnam and Ethiopia were all admitted as Associate Members, the new name for Tenderfoot Member countries. Liberia was also welcomed back as an Associate Member.

Lady Baden-Powell with Delegates to the 19th World Conference (1966)

Otaniemi, Finland hosted the 20th World Conference in 1969. Austria, Trinidad & Tobago, Ghana, Iran, Tanzania, Spain, Guatemala and Kuwait were welcomed as Full Members, and Zimbabwe, Barbados, Guyana, Botswana, Swaziland, Kuwait and the Dominican Republic became Associate Members. Unfortunately, Guiding was banned in Cuba about this time.

Canada hosted it’s first World Conference (the 21st), in Toronto, Ontario in 1972. Zimbabwe, Singapore, Barbados, Malta, Sierra Leone, Thailand and Kuwait became Full Members, while Burundi, Surinam, Turkey, Cameroon and Burkina Faso were welcomed as Associate Members.

The 22nd World Conference (Sussex, UK) of 1975 welcomed Portugal, Kenya, Guyana, Sudan and El Salvador as Full Members. Liberia was also reinstated as a Full Member. Indonesia, the Bahamas, and Mauritius were new Associate Members. Guiding in Vietnam ceased to exist about this time.

Tehran, Iran hosted the 23rd World Conference in 1978, the following year Guiding in Iran would be banned. New Full Members were Jordan, the Bahamas, Paraguay, Zambia, Bolivia and Cyprus. Associate Membership joining were Hong Kong, Lesotho, Papua New Guinea and Nepal.

In 1981, at the 24th World Conference (Orleans, France), we welcomed Chile, Hong Kong, Costa Rica, Mauritius, Libya, the Gambia, and the Netherlands Antilles as Full Members, and Honduras, Fiji, Senegal, Rwanda, Bahrain, and Nicaragua as Associate Members.

The 25th World Conference was held in 1984 in Tarrytown, NY, USA. Bahrain, Uganda, Ecuador, Botswana and Nepal became Full Members, while St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, and United Arab Emirates joined our family as Associate Members. About this time, Guiding in Ethiopia ceased to exist.

The first World Conference (the 26th) to be held in Africa was held in Njoro, Kenya in 1987. Botswana, Indonesia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Turkey and Madagascar gained Full Membership, while Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Dominica, Oman, the Solomon Islands, and Tonga became Associate Members.

At the 27th World Conference (Singapore) in 1990, the Gambia, Lesotho, the Dominican Republic, and the United Arab Emirates all became Full Members. Kiribati, Grenada, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Yemen became Associate Members, and Czechoslovakia was readmitted to Associate Membership.

The 1993 World Conference (the 28th) in Nyborg, Denmark saw Hugary, Latvia and Estonia readmitted as Associate Members, along with Aruba, the Cook Islands, Namibia, Romania, San Marino, and St. Kitts & Nevis.

Canada’s second World Conference (the 29th) was held in 1996 in Wolfeville, Nova Scotia. We welcomed the Czech Republic, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Ivory Coast, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Oman and Yemen as Full Members. Poland and Congo (Brazzaville) were readmitted as Associate Members, along with new members Belarus, the Maldives, Mauritania, Samoa and Slovenia.

Dublin, Ireland hosted the 30th World Conference in 1990, with Latvia and Poland being reinstated as Full Members, along with Namibia, Slovenia, St. Lucia and Tunisia. Guinea, Georgia, Russia and Ukraine were admitted as Associate Members.

The 31st World Conference was held in 2002 in Manila, Philippines. Belarus, Antigua & Barbuda, Burkina Faso, Honduras, Rwanda and Senegal were new Full Members, and Estonia was reinstated. Malawi, Chad, Qatar, Armenia and Cambodia became Associate Members. Sadly, we said good-bye to Indonesia as their Association resigned in favour of membership in WOSM.

The first World Conference (the 32nd) to be held in the Arab Region was in 2005 in Amman, Jordan. Benin, the Central African Republic, Qatar, Romania and Togo became Full Members and Mongolia was admitted as an Associate Member. Tuvalu voluntarily resigned their membership in 2006 after struggling to maintain a viable organiation.

The 2008 World Conference (the 33rd) was held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Burundi, Chad, Dominica, Malawi and Russia became Full Members, while Hungary was reinstated to Full Membership. Congo (Kinshasa) and Lithuania were readmitted as Associate Members, and Syria joined the world Guiding family. Unfortunately, the memberships of Samoa and Vanuatu were both cancelled after unsuccessful attempts to reengage Guiding in these countries.

The 34th World Conference was held in 2011 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and saw the reinstatement of Congo (Brazzaville) and Congo (Kinshasa) to Full Membership, along with Cambodia, Grenada, San Marino and Swaziland.

At the most recent World Conference (the 35th), held in 2014 in Hong Kong, Myanmar became the newest Associate Member of WAGGGS. At the same event, membership for Uruguay was cancelled.

From our humble beginnings, with just 26 member countries, WAGGGS had grown to include 10 million members in 146 countries around the world. The 36th World Conference  will be held in September 2017 in Delhi, India. Who will join our worldwide family this year?

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Olave, Lady Baden-Powell’s Standard

Based on an article from Ontario Newsletter, Girl Guides of Canada – Ontario Council, Summer 1974.

In 1922, some of the County Commissioners of England felt that their Chief Guide of England should have her own standard and decided to make one for her. The standard was designed by Rachel Kay Shuttleworth and took 3 years to complete. The English Commissioners were joined by their Overseas counterparts, who helped cut and embroider each emblem. When all was completed, it was assembled on a silk, swallow-tailed burgee.

(Image above is a cloth badge – do you have a picture of the actual standard? I’d love to see it!)

The measurements of the finished Standard are:

• Width at hoist end – 27″
• The Fly is tapered from the top end down to a width of 15″
• The length along the lower edge is 106″
• The Fly is double round at the end, the division at the end of the Fly being 2 1/2″

Each part of the design has its own meaning:

1. The golden trefoil on azure represents the three-part Guide Promise
2. The blue sea has silver waves that stretch the entire length of the burgee and there are silver dolphins in that sea to show that it is sea-water. The three red ships with white sails are carrying the Guide programme to all parts of the world. In the midst of the Sea is the Gold Fish Award presented to Lady Baden-Powell by the Commissioners of England in 1918 and is worn only by her.
3. Two red bands carry the motto BE PREPARED and the Powell family motto in Welsh “AR NYD YM PWYLL PYD YW”. (Where there is a Powell there is safety.)
4. Between these bands are white tents on a green ground representing the outdoor part of the Guide programme.
5. In the Fly are the British crown and the crest of the Powell family. The name Baden has always been a Christian name. It became hyphenated with the family name of Powell in the case of the Founder, Lord Baden-Powell’s branch of the family, by his mother to honour her husband’s name Professor Baden Powell. This was enacted by Deed Poll, September 21, 1869.
6. In 1930 when Olave, The Lady Baden-Powell was acclaimed the World Chief Guide, two hemispheres were added to the burgess. These hemispheres are 2″ down from the top edge and 2 1/2″ from the right of the trefoil (looking at the front or obverse side). There is 1 1/2″ between the hemispheres and the first dolphin. The latitude and longitude lines are embroidered with silver threads and the outside of the hemisphere is a thicker silver thread. The original embroidery of the countries having been done with very, very tiny French knots.

Christmas Cards

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all of my Guiding friends! Take a break from the craziness of the holiday season with a look at some of Guiding Christmas Cards from over the years.

USA, 1927	UK, c.1930s
USA, 1932	USA, 1932
UK, c.1930s	UK, 1935
Canada, c.1930s	USA, 1930s
Lord & Lady Baden-Powell, 1936	UK, 1937
UK, 1942	Canada, 1948
UK, 1948	USA, 1950s
France (FFE), c.1950s	UK, 1955
Denmark (DDS), 1957	Denmark (DDS), 1958
UK, 1961	Canada, 1970s
Canada, 1970s	Canada, 1986
Lebanon (GdL), 2008 (E-Card)	Denmark (DDS), 2012 (E-Card)
Hong Kong, 2014 (E-Card)	Canada, 2015 (E-Card)

More Games for Girl Guides!

Here are some games from an article “Games for Girl Guides” in The Schoolgirls’ Own Annual 1941 (Fleetway House: London, 1940)

Shipwrecked

The object of this game is to “rescue” a “shipwrecked” Patrol from a “rock” surrounded by “water” by throwing them a lifeline. Draw a circle on the floor with a piece of chalk, just large enough for the Patrol to stand in. Around this one, leaving a space of several feet from the first, draw another circle. For the lifeline, a piece of rope (with or without a bowline loop tied in one end). The rescuer must stand outside the second circle and aim at the shipwrecked Guides in turn, throwing the rope for them to catch. The Guide catching the rope secures it around her waist and is then ‘rescued’.

Skill Connections: Teamwork, Knots – Bowline, Throwing a Lifeline
Program Connections: Sailing Badge, Swimming Badge

A Morse Game

Guides form a ring. One stands in the middle with Signalling Flag. Signals a letter to a Guide. When a Guide has had three misses at reading the letter she drops out, or she can take the place of the Signaller.

Skill Connections: Memory, Concentration
Program Connections: Build Skills in Communication, Interpreting Badge

Kim’s Game

This game is always popular, and tests memory and powers of observation. Various objects such as a cork, a pencil, a rubber, nail, and other small articles should be placed on a tray on the floor. The Guides squat in a circle round it. Captain must give a certain number of minutes in which the Guides may look at the assortment of oddments, then they turn their backs and in a given time write down all the things they can remember.

Skill Connections: Observation
Program Connections: Naturalist Badge; There are many! For example: Learn About WAGGGS (International uniforms or enrolment pins), Learn About Safety & First Aid Badge (First Aid Kit items)

Fences

If fences are broken round a garden, small boys and dogs will enter and do a great deal of harm; therefore, Guides must make strong fences. Guides should stand in two rows, facing each other, with a piece of string. Each guide must join her piece of string to her neighbour’s with a certain knot – chosen by Captain. The side with the least breaks in its fence at the end of a given time wins.

Skill Connections: Knots
Program Connections: Understanding the Promise, Law & Motto (Reef Knot)

What Is It?

This jolly guessing game is an ideal one for a Guide party. Everyone sits in a ring, the lights are turned out, and a series of small objects passed round. Each person must remember the articles which she has handed, and when the lights go on again, write them down in their correct order. The funnier the objects, the more laughable the results. Choose, for example, a piece of soap, a bone, a kid glove stuffed with kapok or rag, a rubber hot-water bottle stopper, the cover of a matchbox and a piece of coal. You will find six things quite sufficient, and be sure to insist on them being passed round fairly quickly.

Skill Connections: Memory, Observation
Program Connections: Naturalist Badge

Noises

This is a good test for training the sense of hearing! The Guides sit in Patrols with their backs to the Captain, who makes a series of noises. She may strike a match, burst a bag or balloon, drop a pin, twirl an egg-whisk, or anything else she chooses. As they hear the noises, the Guides write down what they imagine them to be. They must not write “scratch,” or “pop,” but say how the noise is made. This also would make a good game for a Guide party.

Skill Connections: Observation, Listening
Program Connections: Naturalist Badge

Numbers – Run!

The Guides line up behind their Patrol Leaders, facing their Captain. In front of the Patrols, at a distance of about six paces, there must be a chair. The Patrols number off from the front to the rear, and then, when the Captain calls a number, the Guides in each Patrol bearing that number run up the right-hand side of their Patrols, round the chair, back down the left-hand side, round the rear of their Patrols, and so to their places. The first one in her place gaining a point. A dead heat gains a point for the Patrols concerned. Numbers should not be called in consecutive order.

Skill Connections: Active Living, Following Instructions, Teamwork

Canadian Girl Guides & the War Effort

In honour of Remembrance Day, here’s a look at what members of Guiding in Canada did during the World Wars. Girl Guides took on important roles during both World Wars, taking on jobs that freed adults for other important war work. Whether it was collecting salvage materials, knitting socks, rolling bandages, or learning first aid, emergency cooking, and how to care for children during an air raid, Canadian Guiding members rose to the challenge. The attached package shares some of the activities of Guiding members during the World Wars. Activities in blue boxes are similar to activities Guides would have taken part in – and each ties in to a current badge.

Cookies in Canada

The information contained in this post has been derived from the Cookie history found on the National and Provincial websites, Ontario Council Minutes and Hamilton/Escarpment Area Minutes. Some dates are uncertain and the facts may be different for other Provinces. As always, local results may have varied!

Ontario, 1955-1959

Girl Guide Cookies have been a Canadian Tradition since 1927, when the first cookie sales were held in Regina, Saskatchewan.

The first Cookie sales in Ontario were held in Toronto in 1929. From 1929 to 1948, Cookie sales were arranged independently by Districts and Divisions.

Beginning in 1949, contracts for Ontario’s Cookies were organized at the provincial level, although Toronto would continue to have different cookies and/or suppliers into the 1950s. Divisions and Areas remained responsible for arranging their orders directly with the supplier. Eventually, Cookies became a National program with standardized cookies, packaging and pricing across the Country. From the information I have found, this seems to date to between 1960 and 1972 – if you know the answer, please let me know!

Ontario, 1962

Toronto, 1962

Newfoundland, 1962

Cookie Timeline

• 1927 – Christina Riepsamen and the 4th Regina Guide Compa

  

  c.1965

  ny bake cookies to raise funds for camping. Cookies are sold for $0.10 per dozen.

• 1929 – Toronto Guides sell cookies to raise funds to replace the roof on the barn at Bonita Glen.
• 1930s – Cookies are made with fruits, nuts and spices. The recipe is lost when production ceases in 1941 due to the War.
• 1946 – Vanilla creme, maple cream, and shortbread

  

  1967

  cookies are offered.

• 1949 – Ontario begins province-wide sales. The cookies are made by Barker-Bredin and are a trefoil-shaped Scotch-crunch cookie.
• 1953 – Chocolate & Vanilla sandwich cookies make their first appearance.
• 1955 – Ontario signs a new contract with George Weston.

  

  1967

• 1960 – A new contract is signed with Christie Brown & Co. for a sugar-topped cookie.
• 1966 – Chocolate & Vanilla sandwich cookies return.
• 1967 – A special box is produced to celebrate Canada’s Centennial
• 1970 – A special box is produced to celebrate Guiding’s 60th Anniversary
• 1985 – A special box is produced to celebrate Guiding’s 75th Anniversary
• 1988 – Peanut Butter cookies are offered for one year only.
• 1993 – Chocolately Mint Cookies are introduced in Ontario.
• 1995 – All provinces begin selling Chocolatey Mint Cookies.
• 2000 – A special box is produced to celebrate Guiding’s 90th Anniversary
• 2003 – A new contract for all cookies is signed with Dare Foods.

Cookie Bakers

• Hamilton Division

  

  1970

  • Barker-Bredin Bakeries, 1943 to 1948
• Ontario Council
  • Barker-Bredin Bakeries, 1949 to 1954
  • George Weston, 1955 to 1959
  • Christie Brown & Co, 1960 to 1971 *This may include National contracts
• National Council
  • Christie Brown & Co, 1972 to 2002
  • Dare Foods, 2003 to present (2016)

Cookie Prices (per Box)

• Hamilton Division

  

  1973

  • 1943 through 1948 – $0.25
• Ontario Council
  • 1949 through 1956 – $0.35
  • 1957 through 1964 – $0.40
  • 1966 & 1967 – $0.45
  • 1968, 1969 & 1971 – $0.50
• National Council
  • 1972, 1973 & 1974 – $0.50
  • 1975, 1976 & 1977 – $0.75

    

    1985

  • 1978 & 1979 – $1.00
  • 1980 & 1981 – $1.25
  • 1982 & 1983 – $1.50
  • 1984 & 1985 – $1.75
  • 1986 & 1987 – $2.00
  • 1988, 1989 & 1990 – $2.25
  • 1991 through 1994 – $2.50
  • 1995 through 2001 – $3.00
  • 2002 – $3.50
  • 2003 through 2011 – $4.00
  • 2012 through 2016 – $5.00

 

1991 (v.2)

1988

1991 (v.1)

 

1992-1995 (v.1)

1992-1995 (v.2)

1996-1999

 

A Guide Meeting: 1917

Looking for ways to being Guiding History to life? Why not try holding a Guide meeting as it would have been in the past! Guides can take part in heritage activities and learn about Guiding history in a fun and interactive way.

The following is based on “A Model Evening” by G.M. Cobb, in The Girl Guides’ Gazette, April 1917.

Meeting is held 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

5.30 – On the sound of the whistle the Company “falls in.” The Leaders then call the roll, prove their Patrols, and inspect their kit and general smartness. At the end of ten minutes they leave their Patrols and report to the Captain.

• The week before, let the girls know you will be using a whistle instead of your usual signals the following week.
• Girls go to their Patrol Corners, Leaders take attendance, collect dues, etc. (your usual routine).
• Inspection could consist of wearing uniform, proper shoes, water bottle (specifics will depend on your Unit). You could also provide hair ties and ask anyone with long hair to tie it back (this was required in the past!)
• If your group likes to dress up, they could dress like Guides in 1917. Canadian Guides at this time wore a long navy blue skirt, white middy blouse, and blue scarf.
• If you have time, make your girls Shoulder Knots in their Patrol colours. (I have done this and the ‘knots’ were worn for the rest of the year!). Shoulder Knots were worn by Guides until 1964.

5.40 – Company notices are then given out; this is followed by Patrol inspection, each Leader being held responsible for her patrol, and ready to explain absences, etc.

• Hold your opening ceremony, make any announcements, share information for the evening

5.45 – The next three-quarters of an hour the Leaders are responsible for the work. Each Leader takes a different subject, such as Second-Class, Proficiency Badge work, Recruits, and so on. The Leader may choose whatever she things most interesting or most needed by her Guides, and can detail them off for work with another Leader, if not advanced enough, or too far on, for work with their own Patrol. After half an hour each Guide must return to her own Leader, and the remaining quarter of an hour is spent in drill. When the Leaders’ three-quarters of an hour is up, they leave their Patrols “at ease” and report to the Captain.

• If possible, have Patrol Leaders, 3rd-Year Guides, Pathfinders or Rangers lead activities rather than Guiders.
• Activities could be based on traditional Guide skills such as Semaphore, Morse Code, Trail Signs, Tracking and Stalking, Knots, First Aid, Map and Compass, Fire Lighting, Camp Gadgets, or Weather Lore.
• Drill could include learning hand and whistle signals (very useful at camp!)

6.30 – The next three-quarters of an hour is given to games, varied by ball, and musical drills, Patrol competitions, any display work, and singing, the last being popular.

• This time could include relay games, participation stories, etc. about Guide History
• Here are some games from the early days of Guiding: Games in Stalking (1918), Games for Outdoor Skills (1925), Some New Games to Play (1927), Games for Patrol Corners (1938)

7.15 – The Company sit in Patrols, and the last quarter of an hour is given to the serious side of  Guideship – debates on difficulties, talks on the Guide Law, and how best to follow the Great Guide, and the parade closes with prayer, and the Vesper Hymn for our men at the front, “Tonight,” and then the “Dismiss.”

• End your meeting with discussion about the Guide’s experiences during the evening, or share more tidbits from our past. Explore this blog for more interesting pieces of Guiding History.

Canadian Girl Guides – 1917

A report on Guiding in Canada by Lord Baden-Powell appeared in the September 1917 issue of The Girl Guides’ Gazette

     We are going ahead in Canada. Most gratifying reports have reached us as the National Headquarters to the following effect: –
     During the past year no less than eighty new companies have been raised, comprising some 3,000 Guides and Guiders, and many more are promised. Altogether there are 299 registered Companies with a membership of close upon 10,000 Guides.
     Other societies are working in friendly co-operation with us, including the Daughters of the Empire, the Women’s Institute, the Girls’ Friendly Society, the YWCA, and many public and private schools and Sunday Schools of all denominations. Their reports on the value of the training are most encouraging.
     During the year over 3,000 Tenderfoot Badges have been issued, and 2,650 Proficiency Badges have been earned.
     Officers’ Training Classes have been started with excellent results in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver.
     An increasing number of older girls have been joining the Movement as Senior Guides from offices, shops and factories. During the summer camps have been arranged in a great many districts, and were very successful. In several places, instead of their usual camp activities, the Guides offered their services to farmers for fruit picking, etc., and have done much good for the country, for the farmers, and for themselves thereby.
     In many cases also the Guides have started “War plots” for producing food. They have also done a great deal of work for the soldiers at the Front in the way of making clothing and supplying delicacies, and have organised 22 centres for carrying on this work.
     It will be remembered that last year they earned $830 and contributed it to the Girl Guide Hut Fund in France.
     Lady Pellat, the Chief Commissioner for Canada, held a most successful rally at Toronto on the 24th of June, at which over 600 Toronto Guides were present, together with others from neighbouring districts.
     A splendid programme of Guide activities was presented, together with an exhibition on a large scale of things made by the Guides.

Lady Pellat presenting Florence Hardy with the Silver Fish, 1915

     The first Silver Fish in Canada was won by Guide Florence Hardy, 7th Toronto Company, and the first Silver Cross for gallantry was won by Guide Ethel Leaver, of New Liskeard.
     Early one morning last summer her home caught fire during her parents’ absence, and with great presence of mind she managed to rescue four small brothers and sisters, escaping herself with scorched hair.
     The Silver Cross was also awarded to Guide Grace Tysoe, 2nd Victoria Company, for saving the life of a companion who, while swimming in deep water, was seized with cramp, and would probably have lost her life had not Grace Tysoe immediately gone to her rescue.
     A Badge of Merit was awarded to Guide Jean McNish for her presence of mind in rescuing a small boy who fell from a boat into water much beyond his depth.
     Her Excellency the Duchess of Devonshire has accepted the Presidency of the Girl Guides in Canada, and in each of the Provinces of the Dominion the wife of the Lieutenant-Governor has accepted the office of Vice-President of the Dominion Council.
     Well done, Canada!

Agnes Baden-Powell

Agnes Baden-Powell has always been my favourite “B-P”, and I have found it frustrating how little her importance to the beginning of Guiding seems to be recognized. The Guide Program (Canadian) asks girls to learn about both Robert and Olave, but not Agnes – needless to say, my Guides learn about all three!

Agnes was responsible, with her brother, Robert, for the organization of the early Guide Movement. They co-wrote the first handbook, How Girls Can Help to Build Up the Empire, and steered the fledgling Association through its early days. Agnes was President of the Girl Guide Association until 1920, when she relinquished the role to Princess Mary. She would remain a Vice-President until her death in 1945.

Outside of Guiding, Agnes was a talented musician and artist, beekeeper, natural history enthusiast, keen balloonist, camper, and animal lover. She kept unusual pets, including a colony of butterflies and small birds. Her other involvements included the Red Cross, League of Mercy and Queen Mary’s Needlework Guild.

For anyone interested in learning more about Agnes, I highly recommend The First Girl Guide: The Story of Agnes Baden-Powell by Helen D. Gardner

Agnes Baden-Powell Appreciation Society

“A group for  those who appreciate Agnes Baden-Powell [16 December 1858 – 2 June 1945] and her contribution to the beginning of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.”

Facebook Group – www.facebook.com/groups/182448958264/

Agnes Baden-Powell Guild

To goals of the Guild are:

• To keep alive the memory of Agnes Baden-Powell, “The First Girl Guide”
• To add Agnes Baden-Powell’s name to the family memorial in Kensal Green Cemetery over her burial place
• To raise the £10,000 needed to repair and restore the Baden-Powell family monument in Kensal Green Cemetary and to add Agnes’ name, and to work with the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery to undertake the restoration.

Society Membership is £10 (includes newsletter, membership button badge and card)

There are also notecards, crests and pins available for purchase, and the “How Girls Can Help … Challenge”.

Membership information is available on the Facebook group of the Agnes Baden-Powell Appreciation Society.

Membership Fees

As registration for 2016-2017 has opened, and discussion has started once again over increases and changes in fees, it seems timely to look at just what the membership fee has looked like over the years.

Membership fees in Ontario have been in place since 1921, with the first per girl fees beginning in 1936 (Ontario). This became a National fee in 1937.

National Membership Fees

Fees were paid annually 1937 to 1957
1937 to 1946 – $0.10
1946 – $0.25
1947 to 1948- $0.25 for Guides & Rangers, $0.125 for Brownies
1949 to 1957 – $0.25

Fees were collected in September and carried through to the following June beginning in 1958-59:
1958/59 – $0.35
1959/60 to 1966/67 – $0.45
1967/68 – $0.65
1968/69 to 1975/76 – $0.85
1976/77 to 1978/79 – $1.75
1978/79 to 1981/82 – $2.75 (estimate) (total fee for Ontario is $6.00)
1982/83 to 1986/87 – $3.85
1987/88 – $4.05
1988/89 – $5.05
1989/90 – $6.50
1990/91 to 1991/92 – $7.00
1992/93 to 1995/96 – $8.50
1996/97 – $10.00
1997/98 – $11.00
1998/99 – $11.50
1999/2000 to 2000/01- $17.00
2001/02 – $18.00
2002/03 – $22.00
2003/04 to 2004/05 – $25.00
2004/05 to 2007/08 – $35.00
2008/09 to 2010/11 – $45.00
2011/12 to 2013/14 – $50.00
2014/15 to 2016/17 – $60.00