Half Term Finished

[smallhobbit]

And I can't say I'm sad!

Last week the Brownies talked a bit about local charities and then they had to make monsters out of cardboard etc.  That was the easy part - they also had to write a plan of how to make the monster, so that they could then take it apart and another group had to follow the instructions to remake the monster.  That was an interesting experiment as they found that their instructions were not detailed enough.  I explained to some of them it was like writing Bread on a shopping list but not saying Brown Bread and therefore someone taking the list and buying white bread.

This week was the best week we've had so far - quite possibly because we only had 10 girls present.  We split them into two groups and each group did what was needed for an interest badge, every girl then being presented be either Mindfulness or Charities at the end of the evening.  They were all engaged with what they were doing which made it so much easier.

As I've mentioned before, every year we have to pay a subscription for each Brownie and Leader - we pay just over £35 per member per year.  To put this in context our termly subs to the Brownies is £35, which has to cover hall rent, badges, equipment etc.  Girlguiding headquarters has just announced they are putting their subs up by £3 per member next February and a further £7 the following year.  As you can imagine this has not gone down well.  While I can understand they've had a hard year, telling hard pressed leaders they have to find extra money when they cannot turn to families for it, is not supportive.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Sorry about the financial woes, but glad you had a good session. You have never mentioned selling cookies (like Girl Scouts do here), so are there no fundraising things for the girls. I am glad you are sticking with it, and teaching the girls some valuable skills.

[smallhobbit]

We don't sell cookies in the same way as Girl Scouts do. A lot of fundraising events require time commitments on behalf of the leaders (which none of us are free to do) and we're reluctant to do an activity which would look for financial support from families when we know there are some who would feel pressure when they can't afford it. And I'd be reluctant to look for grants when the financial demand is coming from part of the organisation - we might be able to get funding for one of our activities, but is it right to do so simply so we can pay headquarters with money we've saved?

[corvidology]

That's awful about the subs. :(

I'm glad you had a good meeting though.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, it does nothing to encourage us. It was definitely the best meeting of the half term.

[margaret_r]

Glad you could have a good last meeting. The increase in subs is disheartening, especially after all the troubles of the last two years. I hope you find an acceptable way of coming up with the funding, it would be unfair to burden the parents with extra costs.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Fortunately I've just got a grant which will cover a large proportion even with the increase. Next year will be a different matter, but on a selfish note I won't be there.

[adafrog]

That monster exercise sounds really good.

That's a big increase. :(

[smallhobbit]

The Brownies enjoyed making the monsters. The increase is thoughtless.

[moth2fic]

Grr for the financial demands. We all know there are problems at all levels but they risk having fewer volunteers and fewer children.

I like the monster exercise!

[smallhobbit]

The monster exercise worked well.

My immediate thought was that they were guaranteeing a fall in numbers.

[debriswoman]

Pleased it went well and you get a break, but sorry about the frustrations.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - yes, the break will certainly be appreciated. I am not alone with the financial frustrations!

[rusty_armour]

It's a shame that you aren't sad about the end of half term, though I can definitely understand why! At least you had a better week with that one smaller group. It's nice to know that they were engaged in the activity. I suppose a bigger group means more distractions.

I'm sorry about the rise in subscription fees. That's additional stress the leaders really don't need.

[smallhobbit]

There are one or two girls who are particularly disruptive - if they're not there it becomes easier.

Yes - I've passed on my comments to the next level. I doubt it will do anything, but at least I've shared my opinion.