Enrolments and a Dilemma

[smallhobbit]

Last week we did some preparation for our mass enrolment, although I don't remember too much about it.  I know the new Brownies wrote invitations to their parents and Doodles talked to them about about what was involved.

This week we held the enrolment ceremony, which given the number, took nearly half an hour.  That wasn't surprising, since there were eleven girls in all.  Most of them had either one or both parents come to watch (not all are able, and there was one dad who shot off afterwards to go to work), plus one older brother, who seemed genuinely happy to be there.  There was only one girl who didn't have anyone, which is rather sad.  What was interesting was the number of parents who came, watched (and photographed their child) and left without any interaction with us, it does make me wonder how much support there will be with activities which need to be done at home.

I mentioned in my last Brownie post that I was preparing a craft activity for Remembrance.  Last night the leader asked whether it could be amended, because any mention of the German dead will bring aggravation for her from some of the parents, and she's already having various problems.  I understand she really doesn't want to have to deal with anything else, and don't blame her for that.  But then I stood and listened to all the Brownies making their promise to 'be true to my beliefs', so I said afterwards I wouldn't compromise on what I wanted to do.  She offered to lead the session instead, but I said I would find something different, as I don't want to add to what she's already contending with.

It's not as if I'm being particularly controversial, just having the poppy for the British & Commonwealth dead, the cornflower for the French and the forget-me-not for the German.  I've taken the idea from my 'Flowers of Peace' fridge magnet which I bought in Ypres.  But what particularly annoys me is that I am expected to compromise my beliefs to keep others happy in something I volunteer at.  And if this is how things are going to go, I'm not sure I can be bothered.

Comments

[scfrankles]

I thought it was rather touching that listening to the Brownies making their promise gave you the added determination to stand up for your beliefs.

I appreciate this must be frustrating for you. I mean, you're right - it isn't particularly controversial. It would have been the perfect opportunity perhaps to talk about reconciliation after war. And there's so much movement of people from one country to another these days - 'British' covers a lot of different races and former nationalities. What would have happened if one of the Brownies had had German ancestry?

[smallhobbit]

Yes - it highlighted my dilemma rather well. Be true to my beliefs so long as they don't disagree with others. We shall see what happens. I've now suggested I do some acting around Edith Cavell.