We're Back!

[smallhobbit]

And in person!

We started back last week and mostly played games and introduced them to some of the basics of a physical Brownie meeting.  A number had joined during our zoom meetings, and even the others needed reminding, since we hadn't met in person for 18 months.  We had 18 girls, including one who had joined but hadn't been on zoom.

We put them into their new sixes (moles, badgers and rabbits) and sorted Sixers and Seconders.

And then the Guides finally got their act together and invited five of our older Brownies to join Guides, so this week we revamped the sixes and appointed a new Sixer and a couple of new Seconders.  We had made the decision to temporarily drop our numbers from 24 to 18 to give us all a chance to regroup, and with the mass departure we are now below our minimum and ready to start taking in new girls (our waiting list currently stands at 27, and it's temporarily closed.)

This week we continued with our Take Action theme as environmental detectives, looking at things which are good and bad for the environment and then going for a short walk round the field to see what we could spot.

When we had our planning meeting before the start of term, I said I would like to step back at some point.  I've been leading Guides and Brownies for 17 years now and feel my enthusiasm starting to drop.  I wouldn't suddenly drop out, but I'm hoping that during this year they will find a new leader who fits into our unit and will take my place.  One of the things I am finding harder is the need to work to get the girls engaged with what we're doing - I understand they see Brownies as a fun outlet after school, but if we are trying to run a programme then I want to use my energy for that, rather than constantly getting their attention.

Comments

[rusty_armour]

It's great that the Brownies can finally meet in person again! I'm sure it must have been a bit strange after having meetings on Zoom, especially for the girls who had never met in person. I suppose that even the other Brownies would need to be reminded of how a physical meeting works.

It's good that five of the older Brownies will be able to move up to Guides and make room for those girls on the waiting list.

After leading Guides and Brownies for 17 years, I can understand why you've had enough, especially if your enthusiasm is waning. I hope a new leader can be found for your unit. She'll have some pretty big shoes to fill, though. :-)

[smallhobbit]

Yes, 18 months is a long time if you are only 9 years old - a sixth of your life!

I'm sure a new leader will be found - it's a great unit to be with.

[verdande_mi]

Wonderful you can meet in person again! I hope someone comes along who can take your place.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Yes, it has such a different feel being back in person.

[corvidology]

I'm sorry your enthusiasm is waning but I can totally understand why having to put so much attention into getting them to focus would be exhausting.

You've more than did you bit though and I'm sure have been a positive influence on lots of girls. ♥

[smallhobbit]

I've enjoyed doing it, but I can feel my time is coming to an end. I'll have plenty of good memories.

[margaret_r]

Great that you're finally able to get back to face to face meetings, it will be so much better for the girls I'm sure.

17 years is a long time to be involved with something and your need to step back very understandable. I'm sure you will be greatly missed when you do take that final step.

[smallhobbit]

Much better for them and also we can get back to working in a group, which is something guiding is keen to encourage.

[medievalrosalie]

That's so great that you finally got to meet in person! 17 years is a long time to be running anything, and I can understand you wanting to think about doing less in that regard.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Yes, I'm aware my patience is getting less.

[debriswoman]

Delighted you could meet up again in person , and I can understand wanting to reduce commitments after so much time. They have been lucky to have you:-)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - I can feel that I have less enthusiasm, which isn't fair on anyone long term.