More Fundraising and some Frustrations

[smallhobbit]

Firstly, the frustrations.  Brown Owl has definitely decided to finish at the end of the summer term - I'm not surprised, she's done a whole year more than she originally planned and feels that after a great number of years it's time to stop.  When she finishes Sparkly Owl (her daughter) will leave too.  I'm happy to continue, but not as the main leader (I have quite enough to do without the administrative side).

So, I went to a district meeting - where a group of units (Rainbow, Brownie and Guide) join together within an area.  And I explained how we really wanted the pack to continue, because we're right in the middle of a growing housing estate with masses of potential.  All I was met with was two other packs who are short on number of girls appealling for parents to be encouraged to send their daughters there.  Whilst at least one of the packs would be happy to merge, they want to keep to their village meeting place.  To get there our girls would need transport - I know probably two-thirds of the girls come to us by car, but one-third walk because either there's no car, or there's one car which the other parent will use for work.  And when, after the meeting, I stressed I would not take on the leadership, I was lectured on working as a team.  It is all very frustrating.

But onto better matters.  Last week we held a sponsored silence to raise more money for Gloucestershire Bundles.  For one hour, amazingly, all our Brownies stayed silent.  They designed posters encouraging people to support the work of Bundles.  Some of the spelling is original, but that only adds to the charm and no-one's going to judge an 8 year old for asking for donations of toylotries.  I dropped the posters off earlier this week, together with another three bags of clothing which had been donated.  In total, with the cake and book sale, sponsorship money, plus a donation from our funds, we have raised £250.  Brown Owl will go shopping during the Easter break and we will hand over the purchases at the beginning of next term.

Last night was the final week of this term, so they made spring wreaths out of paper and card.  It was an easy craft which actually did prove easy, but kept the Brownies happily absorbed, and gave them something cheerful to take home.  We also gave them an Easter egg each.

Comments

[mafief]

That is all very frustrating. Do you think the club will end if another leader isn’t found?
Years ago when I did 4-H, often one of the club member’s parents would be the leader. Are any of the parents interested?

The spelling is adorable. Well done girls on the fundraising!
Wooo! I like that craft - no paints involved. Did they use a straight edge (inside of scissors) to curl the petal edges?

[smallhobbit]

Yes, our pack will close if we can't get a leader. We don't currently have parents involved, but that is one possibility. However, because we are part of Girlguiding and therefore a national (and international) organisation there are certain requirements regarding the leader, which involves extra responsibilities and training (which is why I won't take it on), so even with parental help there needs to be a qualified leader.

We always ask if parents are willing to be involved, and most of ours have said not. There are those who would help on an occasional basis, but that would depend on their availability - one of them is in the police and therefore on a rota. Also a lot of our parents either have younger children, or else they're working and the grandmothers are the ones who bring the girls.

Yep, no painting and glue dots to join the sections together. They could either us the inside of the scissors to curl the edges, or roll them round a pencil and let them unroll again.

[margaret_r]

What a pity you're having trouble getting a new leader and not getting much sympathy from the other units. I hope thing work out.

That's an amazing amount of money to raise, well done to the girls and all supporters. And those wreaths are very pretty:)

[smallhobbit]

Yes, it's very frustrating. But if all else fails we shall go out in a blaze of glory.

[moth2fic]

How very frustrating that your pack has girls and no leader where other packs have leaders with no girls!! It would make more sense for them to do the travelling, but sense is not always in abundance. I have recently been getting subtle and not so subtle hints in AO3 about working as a team and taking on leadership roles. Like you, I am not happy!

The daffodils are lovely. I have two lots of real ones I bought from Morrisons - a bunch in a vase that are now about to open, and a tiny plot of miniatures that are in full bloom.

Oh - and this post of yours is the last one that shows up properly on my reading page - dunno if that helps identify the problem or not!!

[smallhobbit]

I know. And those who go to the village packs often drive anyway, so coming somewhere else is hardly a problem - and if you live in a village you are more likely to be in a two car family anyway. (At least in most cases.)

Isn't it funny how often you get the feeling you're supposed to work as a team, whilst others do what they want?

The daffodils were pretty - I like real ones too, but paper ones are easier for Brownies - at least there's a good chance they will get home safely.

Hopefully I've solved the problem and reposted my entry - I decided it was wisest to start a new post and delete the old one (including your comment, but I'm sure you won't mind).

[moth2fic]

I don't mind a bit - I'm just pleased at the renewed visibility!! I must, must, must do some of these memes, or possibly adapt them for Wordpress posts.

And yes, there are clearly those who do things, and those who tell other people what they should be doing...

[vix_spes]

Ugh, that's so frustrating - especially given how much work you've put into the pack and how well it's been doing. I hope you manage to find a suitable Brown Owl.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. If we don't at least we'll have given the girls a good variety of activities they probably wouldn't have done otherwise.