Guider's Link Vol. 4 2014

www.girlguidesireland.ie 1

Guider’s Link2014 Vol. 4

CHIEF COMMISSIONER AWARDPage 6

LOADS OF CHRISTMAS CRAFTSPages 12-22

2 Guiders Link Vol. 4

CONTENTS

Chief Commissioner's Message 3Noticeboard 4Chief Commissioner Award 6Cygnet Section 12Brigín Section 14Guide Section 16Ranger Section 18Christmas Crafts 20Christmas Quiz 22Diversity 23Training 24Outdoors 26Members Council 28International 30Around Ireland 37Contacts 47

Don't forget to send your photos and articles for the Guiders Link to: [email protected].

Closing date for the next issue is Friday 2nd January 2014.


It’s hard to believe that a year has nearly

passed as I write this Christmas message for the Guiders Link. Where has the time gone!

Looking through this year’s Guiders Links, you can see how busy the year 2014 has been throughout the Association. I am sure you will look back on the year with happy memories for years to come.

I was delighted to have had the opportunity to present 28 Guides with their Chief Commissioner Award this September in Farmleigh House. It was a lovely day for all involved.

As you are aware, CGI and IGG are working together providing the Free Being Me Programme to our girls. In October, I visited the first training weekend in Larch Hill. It was great to experience the enthusiasm and energy of all those present in learning about this important

programme. CIGA (Council of Irish Guiding Associations) have agreed to reach 16,000 girls across Ireland by 2016. If we all work together, we can achieve this goal and challenge unhealthy body talk.

This is also an ideal opportunity to encourage your Rangers to get involved in a peer education role as girls aged 16 and over can be trained and then train others.

As this is the last edition of the Guider's Link before Christmas, I would like to thank each and every one of you for the time you have given to CGI, be it on the NEB, on your Regional Committee’s or in your local Cygnet, Brigín, Guide or Ranger Companies/Units. Often, throughout the year you meet various challenges but you keep

going to enable the girls to develop to their fullest potential. For this dedication and commitment, all I can say is a very big THANK YOU.

I hope we are all looking forward to 2015 and what it holds in store for CGI. We have a lot of exciting events planned for the Sections and we will have the first National Members Council weekend in February 2015.

Christmas is also a time to remember those who have left us and returned home during the year.

I wish all our members and our Guiding & Scouting friends around the world a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas.

Cecilia Browne Chief Commissioner

CHIEF COMMISSIONER'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE


NOTICEBOARD

Ranger Weekend 14th-16th November 2014

Guide Weekend 21st-23rd November 2014

Brigín Day 22nd November 2014

Members Council Residential 7th-8th February 2015

Guider Course 20th-22nd March 2015

Outdoor All Sections Day (Regional) 12th April 2015

National Council 25th April 2015

Guide and Ranger Camp 26th-28th June 2015

Ranger Day 27th June 2015

CCA Ceremony 19th or 26th September (TBC) 2015

Cygnet and Brigín Leaders Day 10th October 2015

Guide PL Training Weekend 6th-8th November 2015

Ranger Weekend 13th-15th November 2015

UPCOMING NATIONAL EVENTS

EVENT & TRANSPORT FEES Just a reminder of fees for National events.

Cost per Girl Cost per Adult

Day Events (including All Sections Day)Event €10 €0

Transport €12 €12

Ranger Day EventEvent €30 €10


Weekend Events (Children)Event €50 €20


Weekend Training Courses (Adults)Event €n/a €50

Transport €n/a Participant's own responsibility


From 3rd January 2015, all cheques must be made payable to 'Catholic Guides of Ireland', written in full.

Cheques made payable to 'CGI National Office' or 'C.G.I.' will not be accepted by the bank and will be returned.

This is due to a security upgrade initiated by the Bank.

RESOURCE DATES

REGIONAL TRAININGS

NEWS FROM THE NEB• As far as possible, Mass should be part of the

programme for camps. If Mass is not an option, a Guides Own should be held.

• Reminder: Rangers should be Garda Vetted when they reach the age of 17½ and should also submit a Parental Consent form with their application. All forms are available from the National Office.

World Day of Social Justice 20th February 2015

International Women's Day 8th March 2015

International Day of Families 5th May 2015

Global Day of Parents 1st June 2015

World Refugee Day 20th June 2015

International Day of Friendship 30th July 2015

Managing Challenging Behaviour (Northern Region)

18th January 2015

Guider Course Part 2 (Eastern Region) 31st January 2015

Child Protection Awareness Training (South-Eastern Region)

21st March 2015

Warrant Training Spring 2015 (TBC)

IMPORTANT NOTICE

38TH NATIONAL COUNCIL 2014

CHIEF COMMISSIONER AWARD CEREMONYSaturday 27th September Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin



AWARD RECIPIENTS

Amy Barry St. Stephen’s, South West Region

Sadhbh Boyce St. Anne’s, South East Region

Maria Bradley St. Colmcille’s, Errigal Area of Northern Region

Carla Brennan Holy Trinity, Lagan Area of Northern Region

Sarah Challoner Buíon Naomh Brendán, Eastern Region

Leagh Clancy St. Anne’s, South East Region

Cara Collins St. Colmcille’s, Lagan Area of Northern Region

Carlie Counsel Buíon Colmcille, Eastern Region

Hannah Delaney Buíon Naomh Ailbhe, Eastern Region

Aisling Farrell Buíon Naomh Ailbhe, Eastern Region

Lydia Fisher St. Anne’s, South East Region

Mari-Anne Hamill Holy Trinity, Lagan Area of Northern Region

Kate Jenkin St. Stephen’s, South West Region

Sinéad Leahy St. Stephen’s, South West Region

Tamara Mann St. Anne’s, South East Region

Sophie McCabe Buíon Naomh Ailbhe, Eastern Region

Aoife McCormack Buíon Colmcille, Eastern Region

Róisín McDonagh Buíon an Leanbh Prague, Eastern Region

Angel Moore St. Anne’s, South East Region

Aoife Moran St. Colmcille’s, Errigal Area of Northern Region

Laura O’Neill St. Anne’s, South East Region

Emma Ormonde Buíon an Leanbh Prague, Eastern Region

Aoife Ryan St. Anne’s, South East Region

Mary Sheehan St. Stephen’s, South West Region

Amy Sheeran Buíon an Leanbh Prague, Eastern Region

Tierna Smylie Holy Trinity, Lagan Area of Northern Region

Grace Thompson Buíon Naomh Ailbhe, Eastern Region

Lauren Whelan Buíon Muire na nDólas, Eastern Region

CHIEF COMMISSIONER AWARD CEREMONYSaturday 27th September Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin

AWARD RECIPIENTS


"I would love to do the award again because it has given me the chance to meet new people and try new activities I never done before."

"My favourite part of the CCA was the outdoor camp as it was new, challenging and gave me the opportunity to meet new people."

"There are no words to describe how I felt, it was just a whirlwind of emotions."

"When my name was called, I felt honoured and excited to be receiving an Award from the Chief Commissioner."

"To get a silver award would be a huge achievement, but gold was a dream come true."

"The wonderful atmosphere on arriving at Farmleigh House and the anticipation of getting an award, will be my outstanding memories of the day."

"The ceremony was very well put together and made for a very memorable occasion."

"Great day, loved the sense of achievement."

"Inspirational speeches, a wonderful atmosphere and an rewarding result made the Chief Commissioner Award ceremony a brilliant day."



"Hearing your company cheering for you is one of the best feelings in the world. After receiving the Award, I just couldn't stop smiling!"

"It was a lot of work but when you get that letter saying that you've gotten the Award, there is just nothing like it in the world."

"I was expecting more people to be there on the day of the Award, seeing that there were only twenty-something of us made me feel so special, like I had done something really special."

"I enjoyed the whole thing, I really liked the fundraiser and I was so excited when I got the letter."

"It was stressful last year but I would recommend it so much! I can't wait to mentor the new guides in my company doing CCA this year."

"Excellent experience even though at times it was hard."

"I loved taking part and the Award day was fabulous."

"It was amazing getting my Award after all my hard work."



Hello everyone,

I don’t know about you, but I love this time of year! Christmas is in the air,

from the freezing cold to the crazy preparations. So with this in mind here are some simple craft and game ideas because no one has the time for lots of preparations. There is also a Cygnet Christmas Card Competition, details below, I would love to see as many colourful entries as possible, for this, so please send your entries into the office.

Lastly, I would like to wish all the Cygnets, their Leaders and their Families a very Merry Christmas and Wonderful New Year for 2015.

Yours in Guiding, Erica Tyndall.

National Commissioner for Cygnets

PS: Don’t forget to send in your Christmas Photos to the Guiders Link – so we can see what you all got up to!!

Christmas Game

Big & Little Christmas Trees What to do

Call out 'big', 'medium' and 'little' and have the Cygnets make themselves to be that size of Christmas Tree. For example:

• Big: Stand up with feet together and put hands above head in a point

• Middle: Squat knees together and put hands above head in a point

• Little: Sit down with legs crossed and put hands above head in a point

CYGNETS

Design your own Christmas card and the winning entries will receive a prize

Closing Date: 19th December 2014

Size: A4 or A5 Cards only

Send all your entries into the National Office before the closing date.

Don’t forget to put Cygnets Name, Age and Unit details on all the submissions!

Cygnet Christmas Card Competition


CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

Candy Cane Pipe Cleaners

This is a simple and easy craft idea for Cygnets. Cut Red, Pink and white pipe cleaners into 6-inch lengths. Twist these three together until you’ve created the candy cane swirls.

Shape one end in a hook and for additional decoration add a ribbon in a bow for a perfect Christmas Tree decoration.

Ginger Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 250g cream/plain flour • 75g butter, softened • 75g brown sugar • ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda • 50g golden syrup • 1 egg yolk • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon • ½ teaspoon ground ginger

Equipment Needed

• Gingerbread cutter • Baking sheets

• A Mixing bowl and wooden spoon

• A wire tray for cooling• Sieve

Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

2. Add bicarbonate of soda, golden syrup and egg yolk and stir well.

3. Sift the flour and spices into the bowl and mix with a wooden spoon until well combined.

4. Shape into a ball and knead lightly, wrap and allow to chill for about 30minutes before using.

5. Thinly roll out dough, using a gingerbread cutter to cut out shapes.

6. Place on lightly greased baking sheets, leaving a space between each.

7. Bake at 180°C/350°F/Gas 4 for about 10-12 minutes until

slightly risen and golden in colour.

8. Transfer to a wire tray to cool.

Note: Most shops sell undecorated ginger bread men, you can always buy these as well as some squeeze tubes of colored icing, small sweets and sprinkles and allow the Cygnets to decorate them.

Icicle Christmas Ornaments

For these decorations, simply twist any colour of a long length of pipe cleaner around a pencil to create the swirling effect. Get the Cygnets to tread on coloured beads for decoration and then twist the end up so the beads don’t fall off. To hang the decoration on your Christmas Tree simply use clear wire to make a hook at the other end.


BRIGÍNÍ

Christmas Games

SnowBall FightScrunch sheets of paper into balls about 2-3 per girl to represent snowballs. Divide the girls into 2 groups - 1 on each side of a line down the centre of the hall.

Divide the snowballs between the teams. When the whistle is blown the girls throw the snowballs that the other team. When they have thrown their snowballs the girls can pick up snowballs that have landed on their side and throw them back. At the final whistle, the team with the least amount of snowballs wins.

Rudolph Hokey Pokey Do the Hokey Pokey with Reindeer parts.

"You put your red nose in, you put your red nose out, you do the hokey pokey and you turn around, that's what its all about."

Continue with Antlers in, Right Hoof, Left Hoof, Tail etc.

Christmas meeting ideas• Get each patrol to do a Christmas play• Play Christmas-themed games• Arrange a Kris Kindle to be exchanged on that night

Hi All,

It was great to see so many Brigín Patrol Leaders and Assistants at our recent

Brigín Patrol Leader Training. I hope you all had an enjoyable day. Our Brigín Day will be held on 22nd November and once again I look forward to seeing you all. As this is our Christmas Guiders Link - I would like to wish all the Leaders, Adult Helpers and Brigíní a Very Happy Christmas & New Year.

Yours in Guiding, Suzanne Stuart.

National Commissioner for Brigíni


Christmas Crafts

Personalised Christmas Bauble

You will need

• 1 Plain Christmas Tree Bauble• 2 Stickers• 3 Glue• 4 Glitter

How to make

1. Give each girl a Christmas bauble, along with a selection of stickers (stars, snowflakes, 'Happy Christmas' etc.) to be stuck on the bauble

2. Alternatively, you can use self-adhesive letters and the girls can spell out their name on the bauble or make a glue design and dip in glitter.

3. Once the glue is dry they can be hung on a tree

Snow GlobeYou will Need

• 1 1 small jar per girl• 2 plastic figures (Snowman, Tree, Santa etc.) that fit

into jar and any other decorations to make a scene• 3 Glitter• 4 Superglue• 5 Ribbon & lace How to make

1. Superglue the figure and decorations to the lid - making sure that there is enough space to screw down the lid

2. Fill the jar with water leaving room for the decorations and glitter.

3. Put glitter into jar, screw on the lid. For extra security glue the lid on.

4. Glue lace around the bottom of the lid to hide it.


Snowball Cookies Recipe

Makes 36 cookies

Ingredients

• ½ cup of butter or margarine• ½ cup of milk• 6 tablespoons of cocoa powder• 1 ½ cups of sugar• 1 cup of desiccated coconut plus

more for rolling• 3 cups of oats (quick, or

ordinary porridge oats)

Method

1. Melt butter in a saucepan. Once melted add in the milk, cocoa and sugar. Mix the ingredients well and bring to the boil, remember to stir frequently.

2. Remove pan from heat and add coconut and oats. Set aside until cool enough to handle.

3. With moistened hands, form small 1" balls and roll in coconut to coat.

4. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

GUIDES

Hi Everyone,

I'm really looking forward to seeing so many of you at the National

Guide Weekend in Larch Hill for our Christmas-themed weekend. I would like to wish all our Guiders, family and friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy and peaceful New Year.

Yours in Guiding, Geraldine Conway

National Commissioner for Guides

Indoor Snow

Equipment needed

• 2 packets corn flour • One can of shaving foam• One mixing bowl Instructions

Pour cornstarch into mixing bowl spray in the shaving foam and mix well with your hands. Once mixed into fluffy consistency, it’s time for your indoor snowball fight. Easy to clean up it just brushed off and sweep up the floor. Great snowball fight or snow sculptures without the cold.

Indoor Snow

Snowman Pin

Equipment needed

• 1 square of red and green felt • 1 packet of pin backs • 2 white buttons (one large 2cm

wide and one small 1.5cm wide.)• Green beads • Green sequins • Craft glue or glue gun

Instructions

1. With the pin of the pin back pointing down, glue the large button at the bottom and the smaller button above the larger one.

2. Cut out a top hat from the green felt approximately 2.5cm wide and 1.5cm high. Also cut a small bow tie from the red felt, approximately 1.8cm wide.

3. Glue the hat on top of the small button and the bow tie between the two buttons. Glue the small green beads over each hole in the buttons to form the eyes and coal for the buttons on this belly. Finally glue one green sequin in the centre of the bow tie.


Christmas Crafts

Pasta stars

Equipment needed

• Pasta shapes • PVA glue • Ribbon • Gold /silver spray paint Instructions

1. Layout your design with the pasta, once you are happy with the design glue all the pieces together.

2. They spray your design with silver or gold spray paint.

3. Once dry finally glue on the ribbon and hang from your Christmas tree.

Christmas Crystals Equipment needed

• 3 cups of caster sugar• 1 cup of water• A lollypop stick or circle of wire. Or some string.• A Jar• Sellotape.• Some glitter and/or food colouring

Instructions

• Dissolve the sugar in the water, as soon as it is dissolved remove the heat and leave to cool a little bit. Add in food colouring or glitter it’s optional.

• Pour the solution into a glass jar and suspend the lolly stick, use some cellotape to hold it in place. Don’t let it touch the bottom or the sides.

• You should see crystals start to form after a few days, within seven days it will be fully formed.

The month of November is National Novel Writing Month why don’t you start your writer’s badges as one of your badges this year. November is a great time to start or finish your bookworm badge!

GUIDE BADGES


CraftPapier-Mâché Ball Ornaments

Materials

• Newspaper cut or torn into 1 inch wide strips

• Small balloons, like water balloons

• White flour• Water• Plastic tubs or large old bowl• Poster paints• Wool• Glitter• PVA glue• Paintbrushes

Directions

1. Cover work area with old newspaper.

2. Blow up balloons to ornament size.

3. Mix just a bit of flour with water to make a thin paste – not too runny – about like gravy.

4. Drag newspaper strips through the paste and wrap around the

inflated balloon. Smooth the strips on the balloon as you go.

5. Cover the balloon with strips, applying the strips from different directions about 2-3 layers thick.

6. Let the papier mâché dry overnight or for a couple of days. It will be ready when there are no dark looking damp spots.

7. Now to decorate! Paint the ornament, bumps and all! Try painting areas different colours.

8. Let the paint dry.

9. Paint or drizzle glue onto the painted ornament, sprinkle with glitter.

10. Now let the ornament dry.

11. Glue ribbon or yarn to the ornament for further decoration.

12. Glue a loop of yarn or ribbon to the top to create a loop for hanging on the tree.

RANGERSHi everyone,

I would like to wish all Rangers and their Leaders a very Happy Christmas and

look forward to working with you all in the New Year.

Yours in Guiding, Trish Derwin.

National Commissioner for Rangers


Christmas Recipe

Chocolate Brownies Christmas TreeIngredients

• 125g/4oz Cream/ Plain Flour• 125g/4oz Butter or Margarine (room temperature)• 75g/3oz Chocolate• 150g/5oz Caster Sugar• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Essence• 2 Eggs (beaten)• Pinch of Salt• Pinch Baking Powder

For Decoration

• 125g/4oz Chocolate melted with 50g/2oz butter• Red & Green Sprinkles• 3 tablespoons sieved icing sugar mixed with 1

tablespoon of water• Lollipop Sticks (you can use candy canes for extra

decadence)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 160°C/320°F/Gas 3. Lightly grease and base line a 7”/18cms square tin. Small roasting tin would also do.

2. Melt the butter or margarine and chocolate together over a low heat.

3. Remove from heat, add the sugar and mix well.

4. Add vanilla essence and eggs. Beat well.

5. Sieve the flour, salt and baking powder together and gently stir into chocolate mixture.

6. Pour into prepared tin and bake for about 40-50 minutes until crusty on top.

7. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

8. Cut into triangles to resemble Christmas Trees. Spread some of the melted chocolate on top and sprinkle with the ‘sprinkles’. Make a rough snow design with the icing.

9. Dip the lollipop stick into the melted chocolate and press into the base of the ‘tree’.

Ranger Programme update

Our Ranger Programme ‘Get With It’ is under review at present. If you have any ideas or questions regarding the programme please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected].

Don't forget Ranger Day takes place on June 27th, 2015.

Keep an eye out for further information in the new year!

NEWS EVENTS


Christmas Biscuits for hanging in the tree

(Makes about 20)

Ingredients

• 175g softened butter• 125g white (table) sugar• 125g soft light brown sugar• 1 egg• 350g plain flour• ½ level tsp salt• 1 level tsp each cinnamon and ground ginger (mixed

spice is also good if you don’t have these to hand) To decorate

• Icing sugar• Water• Sprinkles, silver balls, writing icing• Ribbon to hang

1. Beat butter and sugar in a bowl until fluffy, then gradually beat in the egg. Fold in the flour, salt and spices and beat well until it forms a dough that leaves the bowl clean. Roll into clingfilm and chill for at least 30mins.

2. Roll out on a floured surface until 5mm or ¼“ thick. Use cookie cutters to cut into Christmas shapes and use a pencil to make a hole for the ribbon in each piece.

3. Prick the biscuits all over with a fork while on the

baking sheets to stop them getting puffy.

4. Bake at 180°C/ 350°F/ Gas Mark 4 for 12-15 mins or golden brown.

5. These are good to hang/ eat as is. If you decide to decorate, make the icing thick to glue on any silver balls or heavier decorations.

Beaded Pipe Cleaner Ornaments

With a little help, these ornaments are easy enough for Cygnets to make but cool enough for Rangers.

For Each Ornament You Need

• 2 tinsel pipe cleaners• 12 metallic barrel beads• 18 8mm rystal Faceted

Beads• 12 pearl beads• 12 translucent barrel beads• Scissors Instructions

1. Cut pipe cleaners in half.

2. Twist three of the halves together in the middle to make a six pointed snowflake.

3. String nine assorted beads on each point, bending the end to hold beads in place.

4. Cut 2" off the remaining pipe cleaner half and use it to make a hanger.

Even more

Crafts!


Macramé Christmas Tree Bracelet Fun to wear, quick and easy to share as gifts.

You Need

• 3m of green craft cord (you can buy #20 Hemp in shops, or find something about twice as thick as embroidery thread)

• 3m of burgundy craft cord• Glass and metallic Beads • Masking Tape• Scissors Instructions

Gather both pieces of cord together. Fold in half. Tie an overhand (ordinary) knot 1cm from the fold. Securely

tape the loop to your work surface with masking tape. Arrange the green cords in the middle with a burgundy cord on each side. The green cords will be your anchor cords and the burgundy cords will be working cords. Gently pull the green anchor cords straight down taut and tape in place. They will be cords 2 and 3 in the

diagrams below. The burgundy cords will be cords 1 and 4.

Making the reef knots

Cross strand 1 over strands 2 & 3 and under strand 4. Bring strand 4 under strands 2 & 3, then up through the loop created by strand 1. Tighten. Cross strand 1 over strands 2 & 3 and under strand 4. Bring strand 4 under strands 2 & 3, then up through the loop created by strand 1. Tighten.

It may be easier to think of this as making a reef knot around the anchor cords

Make nine reef knots with the burgundy cord. Untape the green anchor cords and tape the burgundy cords in place. They will become the new anchor cords. Make 1 reef knot with the green cord. Make the second reef knot 5mm from the first. After tightening, slide the second knot up to the first knot causing the sides to loop outward slightly. The third knot should be made 1cm from the second knot then pushed up. Continue in this manner, making each knot an additional 5mm farther from the previous knot. Each side loop will get progressively larger to form the tree shape. Randomly add beads as you work to represent ornaments. After the eighth knot, slide on a large bead to represent the base of the tree.

Switch anchor cords back to the green cords and make reef knots to complete your bracelet. Finish with an overhand knot. Trim ends leaving enough extra to tie on the bracelet.

Even more

Crafts!

1 3

2 4


The very festive annual CGI Christmas Quiz!

ANSWERS1. The Star of David2. Saint Nicholas3. Green and red4. The Nativity Play

5. 31st December6. White Christmas7. Ebenezer8. Holly Bush9. Twenty-Four (24)

10. Mary11. Rudolph, Prancer, Dancer, Don-ner, Blitzen, Dasher, Vixen, Comet and Cupid12. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

13. A Christmas Cracker14. Turkey15. Mince pie16. Cards and presents

Questions1. What was the name of the star above the stable where Jesus was born?

2. Santa Claus is also known as Saint who?

3. What are the two main colours of Christmas?

4. What is the name of the popular play that Children (from countries like our own) act out at Christmas?

5. What date is New Year's Eve?

6. Complete the two missing words from these song lyrics 'I'm Dreaming of a .... ....'?

7. What was Scrooge's first name?

8. Which bush beginning with the letter 'H' is associated with Christmas?

9. How many doors are there on a standard advent calendar?

10. What was the first name of Jesus' mother?

11. Santa has nine reindeer, can you name them all?

12. What gifts did the three kings take to baby Jesus?

13. On Christmas Day, what would you find a joke inside of?

14. Which meat do we traditionally eat with Christmas dinner?

15. What type of pie is typically left out for Santa on Christmas Eve?

16. What two things do we traditionally give to our friends and families on Christmas Day?


Goal To enhance social skills development by illustrating how our words affect people.

Time15 minutes

MaterialsTwo apples and a knife

Procedure

Seat a group of six to eight participants at a round table.

Take one apple; say something unkind to it (for example, “What is up with your hair?” “I don’t want to be around you.”), and drop it to the floor. The next person picks up the apple, is mean to it, and drops it. This continues around the table as everyone takes turns being nasty to it and dropping it. Cut that apple in half and lay it in the centre of the table, allowing it to brown.

Take the other apple and, as each participant takes a turn holding the apple, have everyone else in the group take turns complimenting or affirming the person holding the apple. (Encourage participants to not re-use the same compliment all the time) Continue until everyone in the group has been complimented by everybody else.

Discussion

Lead the participants in a discussion of how being complimented feels. Were compliments easy to receive? Why or why not? Was it easier to be mean or to give compliments? Why? Ask if anyone wants the brown, battered apple on the table. Of course, no one does. Discuss how a lot of people feel like that apple - all bruised and battered because they’ve heard unkind things all their lives. They feel like no one cares about them and no one wants to be their friend. Explain that our words can bruise people’s feelings like that apple.

Both youth and adults respond well to this activity. Youth and adults develop social skills as they become more sensitive to the feelings of others.

Complimentary Round Table

DIVERSITY ACTIVITY


TRAINING

Did you know CGI delivers a wide range of training courses? The table on page 25 shows the ongoing CGI training thats available from your Region or Nationally. These courses are a welcome addition to any CV and

offer a great opportunity to meet with fellow Guiders from both your Region and other Regions around the country.

Feedback from Guiders on previous courses has been that they’ve loved the opportunity to meet up, discuss Guiding, share ideas and make new friends.

I'd love to see you attend one of our courses over the next year, whether its your first time or you want to refresh something you've learned before, you're more than welcome to come along!

Mandy Bradley National Commissioner for Training

Scenes from our Brigín PL Training


COURSE DESCRIPTION REQUIREMENTS/ELIGIBILITY

Guider Course This provides an overview of CGI as an Association and your role as a Guider

New Guiders or existing Guiders (Refresher Training)

Child Protection Awareness This is a mandatory course for all volunteers working with members of our Association

All volunteers: Guiders, Adult Helpers, etc.

First Aid Training This is a course for all Guiders working with members of our Association

All Guiders

Intermediate Training* This course enhances the personal development and leadership skills of the Guider

Completion of Guider Course & at least 3 years as an experienced Guider

Skills Training This is a course for all Guiders working with members of our Association, especially with regard to organised events outside the company meeting

All Guiders within 2 yrs of joining Association (Course content will be section led)

Unit Leader Training This is a course for all Unit Leaders or those acting as such. It strives to ensure Unit leaders are equipped with the necessary leadership, management & administrative skills required to run a Unit

To be completed by all Unit Leaders/Open to section heads

An Dushlan* This is an Advanced Guiders course. Participants work on a project with a common goal/challenge, agreed by the participant and the Training Commissioner, which they feel might benefit Guiding at Region/National

Completion of Intermediate Training

Camp Warrant This warrant is awarded upon completion of:

• Guider Course• First Aid Training• Child Protection Training• Skills Training• Assessment Camp

It is only valid while component certificates are current.

* Course content may vary

TRAINING COURSES

Why not make a Guiding resolution to attend a new course this year? Take a look at our courses taking place during 2015.


Hello Everyone

Hope you enjoyed the glorious start to autumn we

had and took the opportunity to get out and about before the evenings draw in. I was lucky enough to go on the Guiders trip to Switzerland in October and the scenery was spectacular and it does open your eyes to the wonder of nature all around us. I even conquered some personal fears as I wanted to see the beauty of the mountains so amazing how nature can bring out the best in us all. And I had the moral support of good friends, always a bonus in the outdoors.

So on the following pages we have some news from Coolock and Seville Place’s Train Together.

We also have the information on the All Sections Day for next April, which I hope you will all take part!

Also a date for your diary is the National Guide and Ranger Camp. Hope to see you all there, it's going to be FUNtastic.

As you won’t hear from me before the New Year, may I wish you and all your families a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Emily Mc Cann,

National Commissioner for Outdoors

OUTDOORS

Coolock & Seville Place Train TogetherWell it seemed like a great idea when we were basking in the sun at TOE camp but as the 22nd August fast approached and the weather changed rapidly we began to think we were mad!

Ah well, in true Guide fashion we donned our rain gear an headed for Larch Hill with

14 willing participants to get our Training Camp underway. It wasn’t long before the girls learnt the 1st and most important lesson of camping – the importance of good rain gear! Then came the second one – it takes a lot longer to put tents up in the rain!

Anyway tents were eventually up and we moved on to gadgets and it was amazing to see how willing the girls were to haul spars to the campsite when they were in competition with the other groups in coming up with a new gadget for camp – see photos for their inventions – would love to have the weather to sleep out in the bed!

The rest of the weekend was filled with orienteering, exploring and making as many new items as we could. After Mass on Saturday night it was time for a great campfire and some smore making.

Thankfully Sunday dawned bright and sunny – even if it did take a while for the sun to make it round to our corner of the field – and all the tents came down nice and dry – happy days!

Hope everyone remembers all they learnt.

Mairead Quinn


National Camp for Rangers and Guides

Join us for the Funtastic carnival style camp and enjoy all the fun and friendship of camping and a national event combined

There’s a fantastic programme being worked on and it will have something for everyone.

So: Save the date!

And – Watch out for more details!

“Out and About with CGI”

Aim of the day: to get all Cygnets, Brigíni, Guides, Rangers and Guiders out and about

How: you can stroll, walk, hike, cycle, scooters, run, which ever you prefer

With whom: you can do your activity as a Region, as an Area, as a Unit, as a Company, with other Companies – it’s totally up to you but we want you out there on the 12th April 2015

How do I register: In January you will receive an Outdoor day pack, it will contain registration form, it will include helpful and practical hints on planning and preparing for your adventure. Pack will also have press release that you can send to

your local paper as we want this day to hit the headlines

Once you have registered your event and confirmed your numbers after the day - we will order the badges and we will have them out to you as soon as possible.

So remember – out and about with CGI whether it’s a stroll in the park, a hike up a mountain , a walk on the beach , a walk beside the canal, a fun run, a coastal cycle…the more unusual the better

Looking forward to hearing your adventures!

EVENT

NATIONAL ALL SECTIONS DAY

12th April 2015Venue: Around Ireland

Castle Saunderson Campsite26th to 28th June

Camp FUNtastic

National Camp for Rangers and Guides

SAVE THE DATE


MEMBERS COUNCIL

Lagan Area Members’ Council in the Northern Region thank their leaders at afternoon tea Lagan Area Members Council, have met several times, and they are all keen and active members of their own Units.

In June 2014, they held an afternoon tea for the leaders in Lagan, to say thank you for all the volunteer work that they carry out for and on behalf of the girls.

The girls are extremely thankful for all the things their leaders do for them, and wanted to let them know this.

Photos show the leaders enjoying their pampering and the girls having fun on the climbing frames after their hard work.

They also have a few ideas about what they wish to do over the next few months.

Plans for future activities in the Lagan Area include a Mother and daughter night, interunit Table Quiz with mixed teams of parents and members of CGI, a Pamper Night for Guides and Rangers and an all sections event.

If you have any photos of Members Council activity in your Area/Region send them in!

The new Guiding year is well underway but is your Members’ Council up and running yet?

Remember CGI belongs to its Members and it is important that everyone is encouraged to contribute to making it a better place to learn and have fun. To do this, our members must be involved in the running of the Association. Through listening and encouraging our members to participate, and make decisions affecting

them, Guiders are fulfilling CGI’s mission statement to “enable all girls and young women to develop their full potential”. Participation is critical to our members’ development. The more they participate, the more confident, experienced and able they become. It is important that CGI helps them on their journey.

Here's a few pointers to get your Unit's Members’ Council up and running!

1. Choose 2 representatives from your company to go forward to Area Members’ Council.

2. Build Members’ Council into your programme – make sure to allow some time at least once a month during meeting times,

so that your representatives can discuss issues for Members’ Council with the rest of the girls and gather their ideas and opinions, so that they have something to bring to the Area meetings.

3. Help them to clarify the issues and ideas they have to being up.

4. Ensure the girls know what will be expected of them at Area Members’ Council and if you can, ensure a Guider attends Area Members’ Council with the girls.

5. Send Area Members on to Regional Members’ Council.

Don't forget!

The National Residential for Members’ Council takes place on 6-8 February 2015 in Castle Saunderson. Only active Unit Members' Councils can attend!

SAVE THE DATE

GET IN TOUCH!


International Handbook The new International Handbook is now available on request from the National Office. To obtain your copy, contact National Office:Tel: (01) 661 9566 Email: [email protected]

A digital copy is also available online at: http://bit.ly/1lIjSB7

INTERNATIONAL HANDBOOK

YO U R P A S S P O R T T O I N T E R N AT I O N A L G U I D I N G

CGI National Of�ce12 Clanwilliam TerraceGrand Canal QuayDublin 2

Tel: 01 661 9566Fax: 01 676 5691E: [email protected]

CGI Northern Region Of�ceSt. Francis De SaleBeechmount DriveBelfast BT12 7LUTel: 028 9031 3639Fax: 028 9031 3639E: [email protected]

This publication is funded by the Depar tment of Children and Youth Affairs and the National Lottery.

Your Passport to International Guiding


CGI Leaders Trip to Our Chalet 2014Eleven Guiders travelled to Adelboden Switzerland from 1-5 October.

It was a fantastic group from Belfast, Dublin and Wexford. The trip was a nice length of time

though still it went too fast. We stayed at Our Chalet throughout the trip and were very fortunate to have 5 days of gorgeous weather.

On the first day, we were very lucky to visit the Adelboden market. This beautiful village of chalets holds only two markets a year. We were very fortunate to witness this lovely event. All the villagers were out and all the shops had stalls with sales of

cheese clothes or jewellery. This is where they would buy their clothes for the winter and the farmers would bring their cows and the cheese back down the mountains and share the profits from making the cheese.

During our time we travelled up Silleren, Niesen, and Tschenten mountain top in cable cars or

There has been much excitement over the launch of the 'Free Being Me' Programme, since the last

edition of Guider's Link. We have also had representation at the Academy Training event in Belgrade, Serbia. In this edition, you will see details for the selection for the Juliette Low Seminar over the next few weeks, please consider putting yourself forward, the opportunity to attend this event only comes around every six years so don’t miss out.

With the New Year approaching, many of you will be considering locations for next years summer camp, Please consider taking part in one of the international camps abroad, these are great experiences for both leaders and girls.

I know many Rangers are keen to take part in Roverway 2016, more information will be available next year, and we hope to have as many, if not a few more, taking part in this great European Rover/Ranger specific event than we had in 2012, in Finland.

In the meantime, I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year.

Yours in Guiding, Yvonne Browne.

International Commissioner

INTERNATIONAL

"Its a magical place that everyone should visit."


gondolas. Niesen was the highest at some 2430m. For the trip to Niesen we were joined by a group of Guides from South Australia, led by Judy Harris, a past staff member of Our Chalet. We were also joined by some visiting staff from Sangam in India. We then took a lovely trip across the lake at the foot of the mountain on a ferry to Oberhofen castle. It felt like we walked straight into a fairytale book. With tall Rapunzel towers and happy prince picturesque gardens. It was magical. The day trip to Thun was brilliant.

Some of us did a good bit of hiking while there to soak up the alpine scenery which is so perfect it looks like a painted backdrop. Next time I would do some steep hill walking before I leave. The climbs weren't as tough as the toll they took on your calves afterwards. Pain or not, I'm still glad I did them as I would not

have seen a wood pecker, met lovely calves, discovered wild mushrooms and strawberries or an unusual humming bird/insect.

One of the most exciting parts of the trip was to visit the Woodcarvers; the Trummer family were very welcoming. They have a family run business where you can get a hand carved woggle with your name on it. They have many wonderful pieces, it was hard to choose what to buy. It is a definite visit that must be done as part of any trip.

"In order to truly understand the spirit of Our Chalet you need to stay there."

"Being on top of Niesen was like being on top of the world!"


So they say the best chocolate is in Switzerland. It was amazing and there were so many beautiful chocolate shops that are impassable. The desserts were also amazing; custard cream pastries, lemon drizzle cake, chocolate mousse, the list goes on. We got to try chocolate fondue at the Swiss Night in our chalet which was so yummy! The Swiss cheese I liked, though it was quite strong.

Altogether, it was an unforgettable experience and I'm delighted to stay now I have been to all of the world centres. I was also delighted to share it with such a lovely funny group of ladies. The best moment was Dolores on a skateboard!

“There is nothing like waking up in a World Centre and to the sound

of cow bells, birds singing and see the shafts of sunlight dance their way

over the mountains on to the Chalet. The lovely wooden chalet keeps

the cosy feeling of home as you share your meals with new friends from

across the globe”.

"The hills are alive, with the sound of cow bells,

They chime all day long, to let you know they're there,To appreciate Our Chalet, and Adelboden,You got to go visit and check it out yourself."


JULIETTE LOW SEMINAR Sangam India

9th-15th February 2015

The Juliette Low Seminar is the WAGGGS’ flagship leadership develop-ment programme for young women that has been running and growing since 1932.

It provides wonderful opportunities for young women to develop their leadership skills in a creative and supportive environment. This is a great way to learn and share experiences with other young women in a cross cultural context. We know that many young women are looking for spaces where

they can interact with peers from around the world, broaden horizons as well develop leadership skills which will prepare them for national and international responsibilities. The JLS is that space and it offers a week of personal development, challenge and fun.

There is only one participant accepted per country it is a great opportunity to experience International Guiding at its best.

PARTICIPANT CRITERIA Participants should:

• Be 20 - 30 years old

• be actively involved in the Association

• Be part of a decision making body or being prepared to take on leadership roles in their Association

• Have leadership qualities and be able to work in a team

• Be committed to personal development & continuous learning

• Have a comprehensive knowledge of their region (Europe)

• Have a mature and responsible attitude

• Be able to understand and communicate well in English

Event Details

• The participation fee for this event is €100. This includes flights, all meals, accommodation and programme. Please note this does not cover vaccinations, visa costs.

• Application deadline is 15 November 2014

• To apply, send an email requesting the application form to [email protected]

Young women who have already attended a Juliette Low Seminar or WLDP event will not be considered.

Participants are expected to arrive by 8 February 2015. Seminar officially starts on 9 February 2015 and closes on 14 February. Departures are 15 February 2015.

Participants may stay at Sangam as independent guests before and after the event with a prior reservation for an additional fee, - contact Sangam directly to arrange.

TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY


Free Being Me Training Weekend

More than 40 Leaders of all ages, Rangers and Young Leaders from Catholic Guides of Ireland and Irish Girl Guides took part in the first Free Being Me training session, which took place in Larch Hill from 10th to 12th October 2014.

A great weekend was had by all, and we were also very lucky to welcome Paul Bigmore, Head of WAGGGS’s Dove Global Programme, and Laura Ede, National Chair of Girl Guiding's Peer Education Programme to join us for the weekend.

Throughout the weekend Leaders actively took part in the Free Being Me Programme themselves and confronted the image myth head on while having fun all the way through. The Leaders are now ready to share

the Programme with their own and other units so that Girl Guides all over Ireland can begin to talk and share what they have learned with their friends. In this way, CIGA hope the programme will reach 16,000 girls age 7-25 throughout the country by 2016.

Help reach our target!If you want to join the Free Being Me programme, and to help us reach our target of 16,000 girls, the Free Being Me Committee will be holding day training events in the following locations in 2015 (Belfast date TBC);

January 24th

Wexford (Trainer: Nicola) Navan (Trainer: Hannah) Limerick (Trainer: Marg) Belfast - TBC (Trainer: Helen)

February 7th

Dublin (Trainer: Nicola) Cork (Trainer: Marg) Galway (Trainer: Hannah) Sligo (Trainer: Helen)

Each event will run from 10 am – 4pm and will cost €12. This will include lunch and a copy of each Free Being Me booklet. Venues TBC.

If you would like to sign up for the event or have any questions, please email [email protected] with the county and the trainer’s name in the subject title. Also, training events are open to all members age 16 years and over so keep Rangers informed of training events in your region.

REPORT


What is Free Being Me?

Free Being Me unmasks society’s beauty myths -

exposing air-brushing and challenging unhealthy body talk. Through a series of fun,

interactive and thought-provoking activities, girls are challenged

to stand up and take action to stop unhealthy body ideals affecting the next

generation of girls. The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and the Dove

Self-Esteem Project set up the programme with the vision of creating a world free from appearance-related

anxiety by boosting the confidence of a whole generation.

Visit the website, download the activity packThere is an activity sheet available here which introduces Free Being Me. Your group will play a card game to discover fascinating facts about beauty round the world.

Download the pack at: www.free-being-me.com

Come to a training!See details on page 34 about joining in one one of our Free Being Me trainings in 2015.

Free Being Me

Upcoming Camps

Guiding Mosaic 2016

Alberta, Canada 9th-17th July 2016

www.guidingmosaic.com

Flame 2016 Foxlease, England

23rd-29th July 2016

www.flame2016.org.uk

Essex Jamboree 2016

Essex, England 30th July-6th August 2016

www.eij.org.uk

Pinakarri Austria 1st-11th August 2016

www.pinakarri.at

Roverway 2016

France 3rd-14th August 2016

www.roverway2016.org

MarisCamp Luxembourg 25th July-5th Aug (16yrs-25ys)

www.marriscamp.com


AROUND IRELAND

EASTERN REGION

Raheny Ranger represents on Dublin City's youth council

Raheny (Eastern Region) Ranger, Fiona McPartlan, was elected to Dublin City Comhairle na nÓg at their AGM in Croke Park on Thurs 16th Oct. Comhairle na nÓg is a forum to bring young people's concerns to county and city councils across Ireland. Well done Fiona, great to have a CGI representative on the council.

I attended the Dublin City Comhairle na nÓg AGM on Thursday the 16th of October, representing Raheny Rangers.

It was an amazing day! The current members of Comhairle told me and Rhianna (the other Ranger from Raheny) all about what they did at their meetings and the topics they discuss. We started off with some icebreakers and then moved on to choosing a topic to discuss at our table; we chose Youth Services.

During our table’s lively discussion on how if the young people in towns and villages had more amenities there would be less vandalism, petty crime and hanging around, I decided that I’d actually like to put myself forward to fill one of the empty places for our region in Comhairle.

I had to give a speech on why I would like to take part, a daunting task, but in the end I was elected in and I was ecstatic!

I will now attend meetings every 4-6 weeks in City Hall or the Civic Offices and will discuss and help to potentially solve a problem facing young people in Dublin City.

The problems which we will discuss in Comhairle were also decided at the AGM.

We voted on the topics put forward by the AGM and chose to have our discussions on: Litter, Youth Services and Cyberbullying.

All in all, it was a fun and stimulating day, and I can’t wait to get started.

Fiona McPartlan Buíon An Leanbh Prague Rangers

About Dublin City Comhairle na nÓg

Comhairle na nÓg are local authority “youth councils” to give children and young people (ages 11-18) the right to have their voices heard in the development of local services and policies.

Comhairle na nÓg are a consultative forum where members can select topics of interest, work on them and bring to decision makers for change.

Dublin City Comhairle na nÓg has 56 elected members, 10 members from each of the 5 administrative areas of Dublin City and 6 places for seldom heard young people. Young people are elected at our AGM for a 2-year term.

Fiona McPartlan (left) with Rhianna Dougan (right) at this year's Chief Commissioner Award.


24 SEPTEMBER2014 • NORTHSIDE PEOPLE EAST

Eleven members of the Catholic

Guides of Ireland, Raheny, travelled

to Waddow Hall in Lancashire to join

more than 1,000 members of girl-

guiding for the action-packed

Wellies and Wristbands extrava-

ganza.Thrillseekers had their pick of the

adventurous activities on o�er at

Waddow Hall - one of girlguiding’s

training and activity centres – includ-

Raheny girl guides pictured at the event in the UK.

Raheny girl guides enjoy UK festival

A GROUP of guides and rangers from Raheny have returned from four

days of high-adrenaline activities at a fantastic festival in the UK for

girlguiding members.ing zip wiring, abseiling, canoeing

and kayaking, climbing and the

crate challenge, which sees fearless

participants build a huge tower of

crates while harnessed to a rope.

In the evening they were enter-

tained by the Loveable Rogues on

the main stage as well as a host of

local bands. The Raheny girls (all aged 13-

17) also had the chance to relax and

learn new skills, with nail artists, face

painting, hot tubs, dance workshops,

zorbing and in�atables on the 178-

acre site.Louise Browne, a leader in Ra-

heny, said: “Wellies and Wristbands

was a great experience for the girls.

“There was a real festival-style

atmosphere and it was extra special

because the event was girl-only.”

For more information about how

to get involved with the Catholic

Guides of Ireland visit www.girl-

guidesireland.ie

With after dinner Champagne Cocktail

€35.00

Romantic Candlelit Dinner

@ Geisha

PRESS CLIPPING


Buíon Marc and Buíon an Teaghlaigh Naofa Ranger trip to Portugal

On Friday the 1st of August nine of us Rangers from Buíon Marc and Buíon an Teaghlaigh Naofa set out on our adventure to the Portuguese guides regional camp in Braga, Northern Portugal accompanied by our three amazing leaders Sarah, Aoife and Emma. Nobody was quite sure what to expect, including the leaders as none of us had attended a Portuguese regional camp before. There were only two international groups at the camp – us and five guides from Mexico and we were treated like superstars by all of the other guides at the camp.

On arrival we took a three hour train journey from Lisbon to Famalicaõ which was the local towns train station where we were met by a patrol of local Portuguese guides from Famalicaõ who were our hosts for the first evening. We stayed the first night in a local school with them, and we were the guests of the local mayor who provided us with all of our food for the evening!

The next morning we set off to our campsite which was our home for the next eight nights. At first we were slightly shocked as it was raining really heavily and it was a far leap away from our usual two night camp in Larch Hill with plastic tables and chairs etc. usually provided for us! We had to use our knots and lashings skills and construction skills and over the next two days we were assigned time to gradually build our camp around us.

Each patrol had their own campsite on one of the sub-camps – we were on sup camp Nix with the other Caravela guides (aged 14 to 17). We were assigned a friend patrol which was really helpful for translations and helping us to understand the camping process as it was it was definitely more DIY than our camps over here. Portuguese guides are allowed to camp at the age of 6 so there were some children as young as six camping alongside us on their own sub-camp!

Over the next eight days we got a true insight into Portuguese guiding and camping, There was a timetable set out and each day there was a range of activities taking place including a 'raid' which took place over almost two days where we were basically given a map, divided into our patrols (we were with our friend patrol) and we had to find our way to a certain location. When we got there, we had a cultural and survival night. We basically shared traditional food, dance, and other culture and then had to make our own make shift tents using a tarpaulin. It was a truly interesting experience to say the least.

A few other activities that took place were campfires every night (singing is very important in Portuguese guiding) and a 70s night where a fashion show was held and we all wore seventies clothes. Each Caravela sub-camp had a different decade – ours was the 70’s and the other was the 1920’s. The whole theme of the camp was human rights, especially women. That's why this night was held to not only show fashion in these times but also the role of the woman in these different decades. We also had a wonderful day in the city of Porto where we took part in a city game – we followed clues which lead us to different sites in the city. We also managed to find a local restaurant which was voted the most beautiful McDonald's in the world and we just had to check it out …

Every day we cooked our lunch and dinner on an oven each patrol had made. Each morning we rose at 8am and had to be out of our tents and at our sub camps meeting spot for 8:10am to discuss the day ahead and do some 'exercise' to wake us up! A different patrol every morning took the responsibility to be up for 10 to eight and go around to each campsite in your sub-camp and wake them with a song.

Along our way we met the Chief Commissioner of Guiding along with several other important people. They were all honoured to have us, we were like celebrity's over there!

Over the last two days it began to rain again, after an incredibly hot week as we took down our constructions and began to pack away, we left camp on Saturday morning, and once again after saying goodbye to all our Portuguese and Mexican friends began our journey once again to Lisbon, where we spent the night and it was amazing! Especially to have running water and hot showers too! Overall it was a truly incredible experience and I would do it again in the blink of an eye (maybe without all the strange bugs though).

Nikita Fay


Fr. Matt remembered now and always

In June Holy Trinity Guide Unit joined with the whole of our Parish community in a week-long festival to celebrate the life of our late Parish Priest Rev. Fr.

Matt Wallace on the 1st Anniversary of his death. Not only was Fr. Matt our Priest but he was our friend and worked tirelessly for us all. The Guide Unit organised a family fun day in the Falls Park in aid of suicide prevention and along with money raised from a fund raising ballot by two Guides working on their Chief Commissioner Award, we raised £2,200 for this very worthy cause and the money was split between Trinity Counselling Services and Console, the national suicide charity.

After a week of beautiful weather, the heavy rain started on the Friday night before our event and continued all through the Saturday of our family fun day, so being true Guides we prepared and held our event in the large sports pavilion in the park. We spread the word through the powers of social media, Facebook and also word of mouth.

We had a brilliant family fun day with generations of family coming to support us, along with members of our Guiding family from Church of the Nativity and St. Paul's who lent us a helping hand and we were delighted and honoured to have members of the Wallace family join us on the day.

We finished of our day by attending Fr. Matt's Anniversary Mass.

Catherine Toner

NORTHERN REGION

Back in November,Was a time to remember.I heard of an adventure,Where Girl Guides come together.At first I thought no,Why on earth would I go?But later I said yes,With the need to buy new vests.Then it came to the day,That we all had to go on a plane.We seen a very muscley man,To which we all replied with "Damn!"When we arrived at our destination,The Portuguese greeted us with exhilaration.They led us all to a school,In which we stayed , it was cool!The next morning we headed to camp,Down a bumt road with many ramps.This is it the start of it all,When we got on site we started to bawl.There was plenty of rain,And we were all so drained.Through the days we had new activities,The Portuguese were full of positivity.We all wanted to scream,

When we got a glimpse of the latrines.We made many friends, one named Ana,She helped us a lot, our little baba.Aggie, our Guide, was our flag raiser,When she would do it we would chant and praise her.Our leaders who came were Sarah Emma and Aoife,They are pretty cool but ain’t no Queen Latifah.We built tripods, chairs, tables and washing lines,They weren’t amazing, but were mighty fine ;)Then there was the 70s night,We all dressed up with such delight.We gave a presentation and sang ‘Dancing Queen’,Not only did we sing, we had a dance routine!One thing i didn’t mention was Survival night,It would’ve been better if we didn’t get lost, am I right?Hours upon hours, hills upon hills,But after 6 hours, to sit down was just brill.The Céilí was a disaster,

Riverdance was not a skill we had mastered.However that was all okay,They don’t know what its meant to look like anyways.The Portuguese look flawless in all that they do,It’s not fair when we woke up looking like poo.We had to make dinner from a fire in the ground,For making it edible we should’ve been crowned.On the last day of camp, tears were shed,We all thought this would never end.Off we went to Lisbon and into a hostel,It definitely was far from awful.With hot water and nice warm beds,We were ready for this adventure to end.I’ve learned lots of routines but out of these,I think I will bang pots at 8am with ease.

Sophie Shaw

A poem from Portugal

Recognition for Guiders at Stormont

Seven members of CGI in the Northern Region were recognised in a Six Association

Award ceremony, of the Uniformed Sector Consortium, in Stormont on Monday 7th April for their part in the Community Relations Equity and Diversity Project, which has been running in Northern Ireland for the last four years. The Leaders received their OCN Level 2 award ‘Contributing to a Divided Society’ facilitated by Northern Ireland Children’s Enterprise. The courses

ensured that volunteers would gain skills to enable them to carry on this type of work back in their own setting. This ensures that the projects will continue to have impact into the future beyond the life of the projects themselves. The training supported volunteers to develop additional skills to those they already had addressing issues of identity, community relations, symbols and emblems, racism and sectarianism. This aspect of CRED work has helped embed CRED values and approaches

into the work that each of the six organisations undertake with young people. The venture was commended by a member of the Education Committee at Stormont, Mervyn Storey, and also by Máire Young from the Youth Council. Mervyn Storey also organised a tour of the Great Hall and the Parliamentary Chambers after the event. A very enjoyable evening was had by all. The Guiders are pictured below with their certificates.

Brenda Davison



TOE 2014

TOE 14 was a joint camp organised by the Catholic Guides of Ireland Northern Region and the Northern Ireland Scout Association. The Camp is held on the last weekend in June every other year in Crawfordsburn Scout Centre.

So after almost 2 years of planning, Thursday night saw many of the local Units attending, starting to pitch their tents while dodging a few showers. On Friday morning all our prayers had been answered the good weather was with us where it remained all weekend.

By 8pm on Friday, all 589 Guides and Scouts and approximately 150 leaders including 23 CGI Units from all areas in the Northern region, plus units from Eastern, South-Eastern, North-Eastern Regions. Friday evening activities included a campfire and cinema, with many of the Guides, Scouts and leaders taking the opportunity to meet up with friends old and new.

A group of Scouts attending the next world Jamboree in Japan organised a really successful BBQ on Friday evening. The coffee bar ran on both Friday and Saturday evening

this was especially welcomed by the leaders that got a ‘proper ‘cup of coffee made for them at camp!

After a few hours’ sleep, Saturday morning started bright and early with a served breakfast before everyone picked up their packed lunches and headed to meet up with their bus groups for a day of activities.

The fleet of Ulsterbuses transported all the Guides and Scouts to numerous activity bases in the North Down and Belfast areas. Everyone visited 3 bases where they participated in a range of activities including body zorbing, tag archery, swimming, football, climbing, sub-qua, self-defence, dragon boating and Laser Quest. The Chief Commissioner came to visit on the Saturday afternoon.

Everyone had a great day, they all arrived back on site exhausted and ready for dinner.

Fr. Damian from St Mary's on the Hill Parish joined us on Saturday evening to celebrate a lovely Mass in the chalet. Saturday evening had a festival like atmosphere at the karaoke in the stage area, with the coffee stall and tuck shop opened. Leaders, Guides and Scouts had

plenty of time to catch up and participate in the singing.

Everyone had a lot more sleep on Saturday night following the busy day. The Leaders prayers had been answered, after a light rain shower overnight, the morning was dry and the tents could come down dry. After breakfast everyone joined together for a Guide and Scouts Own, where we celebrated the great weekend.

The final activity for the weekend was the very successful TOE Fete, with range of stalls including, crafts made by the Guides and Scouts including a number of stalls with the popular Loom bands, photo booth, stalls selling S'mores and lots of games. The fete raised almost £3,000 for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.

After lunch a cheque was presented to Mrs Christine Higgins, from Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice Bangor Support Group. The McKnight shield was won by St. Anne’s Guide Unit, Clonard, who raised the most money per head for the charity. 1st Armagh Scouts where awarded a prize for the most imaginative stall.

Everyone headed home after one of the most successful TOE camps, with loads of great memories and friendships made and renewed.

Thanks go to all the Leaders who attended with their Guides and to those that helped with the activities. The camp doesn’t work without all of the leaders help.

A big thank you to the wonderful catering team that did a great job of making sure over 750 people had great food served to them all weekend. Also to the TOE committee for the smooth running of the camp; a camp as big as TOE does not just happen overnight and has been in the planning since 2012. We would also like to acknowledge the funding we received from the National Lottery Awards for All Programme, that allowed us to run a great camp at a reduced cost for everyone.

Lastly at the closing ceremony Marian Stewart and Phil McKeever announced that they will be stepping down as the CGI TOE Camp Chiefs. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Marian and Phil for all their hard work on the various TOE Camps over the years. They have worked very hard for twenty years to develop TOE into the camp that has become a very important part of the Guide and Scout Calendar in Northern Ireland. Enjoy your break Marian and Phil!

But don’t worry the Northern Region will have a new Camp Chief for TOE 2016 in the next few months!

Meave Heaney



Our Lady of the Angels Kilkeel raises €84

Guide Leader Ailish McBurney and Rangers' Niamh McBurney and Caitlin Smyth completed the Rostrevor mud run raising €84 for Southern Area Hospice.

St. Oliver Plunkett Ranger Guides Lurgan

“We did it!!” Last year our group decided to take on the Duke of Edinburgh Award; this would include 3 months of physical activity, 6 months of a new skill and 12 months volunteering as well as an expedition.

We decided for our expedition we would take on the challenge of canoeing as hiking was ‘the norm’ for most expeditions. As none of the Ranger Guides or our leaders had ever canoed properly this was a ‘BIG’ challenge. However, after lots of practicing, hard work and even a yellow weather warning we battled through and are very happy to say we have successfully completed our expedition part of the Duke of Edinburgh, one step closer to achieving the award.

Reflecting back it was tough having to carry all our equipment with us and battling the rain and sunshine but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, we had a laugh and the team work was brilliant (should we say so ourselves!)

Thanks to our leaders Gerardette & Joanne for their commitment (they were with us all the way) over the summer months and their belief in us.

Shannon, Caitlin, Anna, Rachel, Aoibhin & Eimear

Our Lady of Lourdes, Ballinlough and St. Catherines, Frankfield Link Up Ceremony 2014

On the 30th of September 2014, members from both Our Lady of Lourdes, Ballinlough Cygnet, Brigín, Guide and Ranger companies, and St. Catherines Brigín Company were in attendance at the annual Link Up ceremony, held in Eglantine School, Ballinlough, which saw Cygnets move up to Brigíni and Brigíni to Guides.

In total there were 19 moving up through the ranks between both Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Catherines. Our Lady of Lourdes Brigín Company welcomed twelve new Cygnets into their company while St. Catherines welcomed one Cygnet into their company. Our Lady of Lourdes Guide company

welcomed six new Brigíni into their company, five of which came from Our Lady of Lourdes Brigín company and one from St. Catherines. The new cygnets who had moved up to Brigíni, in Our Lady of Lourdes, were welcomed to the company by leader Marian Hughes, and in St. Catherines, by leader Clara Hurley. The new Brigíni who had moved up to Guides were welcomed to the company by leader Catherine Fitzpatrick.

This Link Up ceremony also saw the introduction of four new young leaders, Amy Batt, Kate Fitzpatrick, Alison Gleeson and Olivia O'Callaghan, three of which, Kate, Alison and Olivia, who have

come through the ranks, being the first ever Cygnets of the Our Lady of Lourdes Company to young leaders, working their way through Brigínis, Guides and Rangers. A presentation was made to these three which showed their progression through a photo collage.

Of the four new young leaders introduced, two of them, Olivia O'Callaghan and Kate Fitzpatrick, have been chosen to represent CGI next summer taking part in the Service Project to Sangam in Pune, India.

Aoife O'Donovan, Brigín Leader.

SOUTH-WESTERN REGION

Squelch 2014 Linda Gleeson and Cara Burke from Our Lady of Lourdes Rangers were supervising St Theresa's Guides from Passage West when the temptation to join in just got too much ...



Guider's Training

Guiders from Tramore, Barntown and Castle-bridge joined the South East Regional training team in Carne in October for there Guider's training. A great weekend was had by all and great as always to renew acquaintances and make new friends. The training was provided by Mary Lawlor, Barbara Ryan, Geraldine Con-way and Emily McCann and the catering a very important part of any course was supplied by Nichola Donnelly and Beverley Goggins. Many thanks to both participants and trainers and caterers all who helped make the weekend very enjoyable. Participants from each unit headed off with there challenge booklets so plenty of opportunity's for them for the next few months.

South-East on the treasure trail The South-East Region held a Treasure Trail and Guide's Own for all sections to start off the new Guiding year. It was a great day and the weather in the sunny South-East didn't let us down. A fun time was had by all.

SOUTH-EASTERN REGION


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CONTACTS

NEBChief Commissioner [email protected]. Chief Commissioner [email protected] National Treasurer [email protected] National Secretary [email protected] [email protected]íní brigíní@girlguidesireland.ie Guides [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Region [email protected] Region [email protected] Region [email protected] Region [email protected]

Child ProtectionEastern Region Catherine Monaghan Anne Murphy Clare O’Brien

086 2710931 086 2710951 086 2710953

South-Western Region Marion Gleeson Maria Dowling

086 2710941 086 2710950

South-Eastern Region Barbara Ryan Aideen Moran

086 2710958 086 2710952

Northern Region Josephine Higgins Martha Mc Grath Sarah Mc Manus Carol Ewings Maire Mc Grath

07581644947 07581644899 07581645481 07581644860 07581639739

Staff

Nicola Toughey National Office Coordinator [email protected] Hosback Finance Officer [email protected] Yvonne Nulty Administrative Assistant [email protected] Geoghegan Communications Administrator [email protected]

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Funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the National Lottery.

CGI National Office12 Clanwilliam Terrace, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2Tel: (01) 661 9566 • Fax: (01) 676 5691Email: [email protected]

CGI Northern Region OfficeSt. Francis De Sale, Beechmount Drive, Belfast BT12 7LUTel: 048 9031 3639 • Fax: 048 9031 3639Email: [email protected]

www.girlguidesireland.ie

Charity Number: CHY 7958

Documents

Guider's Link Vol. 4 2014