A Brownie Update

[smallhobbit]

Girlguiding HQ said, about a month ago, that outdoor meetings could go ahead, so long as a very long risk assessment was completed.  Since this was during the school summer holidays we decided against it.  Not only that, but while it would be suitable for those with nice areas to meet in, the space we use for outdoor games isn't away from the general public at all, which makes running activities safely quite difficult, when the girls need to socially distance.  Before, with games they'd all be close together which was easier, but even then we'd had to rethink the week the fair was set up nearby.

However, we've now been told we should be receiving guidelines as to running indoor meetings - hooray!  Although how complicated that will be is another matter, so potentially we can start back, possibly with a smaller group at the beginning of October.

We've also been told that the money we will need to pay to HQ as the annual subscription will still be due in full, despite being unable to meet for a whole term.  This is a major issue for us, because unlike some units in more affluent areas, who continued with online meetings and charged subs for the summer term, and those who asked for donations, we haven't taken any money in.  Annual subscription to HQ per girl is almost exactly the same as our unit termly subscription, so it's clear this is a problem.  Though we're no longer deemed to be a deprived area, many of the families will have had reduced income due to Covid, so it would have been unrealistic for us to ask for support.

Which means I am about to try applying for grants for our unit to see if we can get some external support.  We shall be getting up and running in some way, but it would be nice to think we didn't have to worry about whether we can afford any activities.

Comments

[luthienberen]

Good luck with setting up activities indoors :-)

I wish you all the best also with applying for the grant and being successful. 🙏

It is frustrating you still have to pay HQ in the full considering the last few months.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you! It doesn't feel like we're being supported very well.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I hope you get funds, and I do think it's rather shitty of GirlGuides not to give you a pass or something.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Yes, we're of the same opinion.

[rusty_armour]

It seems completely unfair for HQ to insist on having the annual subscription paid in full when the Brownies have been unable to meet for the whole term. It seems ridiculous that you should have to pay this subscription when you were unable to take in any money. And, yes, considering how many families now have reduced income due to Covid-19, I can understand why you can't approach them for support. Well, I hope that you'll be able to get some external support. It would be a shame if you couldn't resume your meetings because of red tape and bureaucracy.

[smallhobbit]

That's pretty much what we thought. We shall keep going in some way, but if we can't get a grant we'll be very tight on finances.

[moth2fic]

Maybe HQ can help think of a way round it all, taking the circumstances into consideration? Obviously, they need money too, but I'm sure they won't want your unit to fall by the wayside completely.

[smallhobbit]

They seem to be quite adamant on it. And we're in a better position than I suspect will be a lot of other units, especially those in the north. But then I imagine a lot of those at HQ are nice ladies from the home counties ...

[corvidology]

Good luck with the grant applications. I can't believe HQ is insisting on this given COVID.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. We're surprised too.

[scfrankles]

Good luck with applying for the grants. And just adding here to the general Hard Stare in HQ's direction.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. I shall channel them in their direction ;)

[adafrog]

Good luck with getting grants.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you :)

[margaret_r]

It's amazing HQ has not taken the current situation into consideration with payment, after all most parents would not be agreeable to paying for something that hasn't been able to happen! Hope you manage to get some funding.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. You'd think so, but no doubt units in more affluent areas have sent out letters (template provided) and families have donated. We're not in a position to do that.