Chiefs at Work

The month began with Rona and Tracey attending Lancashire East’s Annual Celebration, where they had the privilege of presenting former County Commissioner Tricia Beesley with a Region Chief Commissioner Award in recognition of her outstanding service and dedication to Girlguiding.

Rona then joined Kelly Hunter, Executive Manager, at Girlguiding Ulster’s beautiful Lorne Estate for the Girlguiding Leadership Weekend. Bringing together Chief Commissioners, senior managers and Girlguiding HQ colleagues from across the UK, the weekend provided an invaluable opportunity to explore some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing our movement, including membership growth, membership systems and the consistent management of serious incidents. Alongside the discussions, there was also time for adventure, with Rona successfully tackling the zip line and avoiding a serious incident of her own! 

Throughout the month, Rona attended her regular International Residential Notification Meeting with Region International Advisers, joined HQ policy and procedure discussions, and continued weekly catch-ups with Kelly. She also attended the Trainer Support Day, where it was a pleasure to celebrate many of our dedicated trainers with Hero Awards, recognising the incredible contribution they make to developing and supporting volunteers across the region. 

At Merseyside’s Annual Meeting, Rona was delighted to present Sarah Bilbao with a Region Chief Commissioner Award, celebrating the remarkable impact she has made through her service to guiding. 

Meanwhile, Tracey attended Cheshire Border County Day, followed by the Region PR & Growth Meeting. There she was proud to recognise two volunteers for their outstanding commitment: Nat Rigby, Region Growth and Engagement Adviser, who received a Region Chief Commissioner Award, and Sarah Lemonofides, Lancashire South East Growth Adviser, who received a Hero Award. 

As a Chief Commissioner team, we spent time together at the Region Operations Board (minus Frankie, who was busy at Mersey Moot), focusing on operational priorities and planning for the future. During the meeting, Rona presented Karin Howorth, County Commissioner for Cheshire Forest, with a Region Chief Commissioner Award. The board then headed to Tawd Vale to visit Mersey Moot, one of the highlights of the guiding calendar for so many members. Anya and Frankie embraced the adventure spirit with a spot of axe throwing, while Frankie also had a go on a segway and took over our social media channels for the weekend, sharing the energy, excitement and unforgettable experiences available to members. 

We also came together for a rearranged Region Trustee Board meeting, continuing to support the governance and strategic direction of Girlguiding North West England. 

Anya attended the Region Open Day, where we welcomed women from local Muslim communities to learn more about Girlguiding and the many ways to get involved. Supported by the Mayor of Preston, the event created valuable new connections and opened important conversations about how we can make guiding accessible and relevant to even more communities across the region. 

Frankie and the ever-adventurous Priscilla the Pigeon travelled to Chester to test some of the exciting activities and challenges that members will experience at this year’s Adventures… in the City, helping to ensure another fantastic event is on the way. 

Rona, Anya and Frankie also attended the Region Finance Meeting, helping to ensure that our resources continue to support the priorities that matter most to girls, young women and volunteers across North West England. 

One particular highlight this month was Anya and Frankie spending a day at the Region Office with the staff team. It was a fantastic opportunity to gain a behind-the-scenes look at the wide range of projects, initiatives and support being delivered every day to strengthen guiding, grow membership and create more opportunities for girls across the region. 

We rounded off September with Rona joining the latest Country and Region Chiefs Call, sharing ideas, insights and learning from across the UK. 

As always, September has showcased the incredible power of volunteers, staff and members working together. From celebrating achievements and recognising outstanding contributions to shaping the future of our organisation and creating life-changing experiences for girls, there is so much to be proud of. 

We’re now looking forward to seeing many of you at Adventures… in the City this weekend. If you spot one of us, please come and say hello. We’d love to hear about your Girlguiding adventures and the difference you’re making in your local area. 

Thank you for everything you do. Together, we’re continuing to inspire, empower and create unforgettable opportunities for girls and young women across North West England.