I have actually been an Adult in Guiding for 33 years, but I started in the organisation 44 years ago as a Brownie at the age of 7 – no such thing as Rainbows way back then!    And have never left!

The mathematicians amongst you will now have been able to work out my age!

Some Leaders start in their Leadership role when their daughter(s) start Rainbows or Brownies – not so for me – I’ve only got boys!!!

So – from Brownies, I went on to Guides and Rangers, as well as Venture Scouts – but I’m not sure if I’m allowed to mention them!

I started my Leadership as a Young Leader with my Brownie Pack at the age of 16, taking over as Brown Owl on my 18th Birthday.  The previous Brown Owl became District Commissioner and dual roles weren’t encouraged at that time.

For many years I was quite happy to run my Brownie Pack and occasionally get involved with District/Division events.  However, County seemed miles away and completely unapproachable for a young Guider.  The only time I ventured to County was for County Day – or County Conference as it was called then!, All those important people were a bit scary!

Now I’m one of those scary people!!!!!  Who would have imagined??

I then took on the role of District Commissioner for 5 years.  At the end of that I then became Division Commissioner for another 6!  It was at that time that I realised that the County Team got paid exactly the same as me!  Division Commissioners become part of the County Team – so, there I was up with the people who had always scared me!  At the end of my term as Division Commissioner, I thought my time with County would end.  Quite a sad prospect because I had enjoyed the doors that it had opened for me and the new friends that I had made.

But I need not have worried because Linda Taylor (County Commissioner at that time) phoned to ask if I would become Senior Section Advisor for the County.  By that time, I was thoroughly enjoying county life and agreed to continue.

In addition, Linda phoned to ask me if I would consider taking on the role of Centenary Champion and to organise ‘Guiding Star’ as a warm up exercise.  After much deliberation, I decided to admit to Linda that I felt I couldn’t dedicate as much time to being Centenary Champion as it deserved and needed, therefore, sadly I stepped down from that role, although I was happy to get involved in events for it.  I’m really glad I did pass on this as, I am sure you will agree, Margaret Henderson and Linda Harris certainly did us proud!  Thank you Margaret and Linda.

So, whilst the Centenary was in full swing and we were all having fun, I was approached by Jan Knight.  Jan asked me if I would consider becoming her Assistant as she took the County into the next Century.

An invitation I was thrilled to receive and couldn’t possibly refuse!

So here I am!

There are lots of you here today who run or assist with Units, but have you ever considered taking on the role of Commissioner – within District or Division?  We have plenty of ‘vacancies’ within the County just desperate for people like you.

Girlguiding offers our girls an exciting and varied programme – but the same is true for the adults.  Let’s face it – we wouldn’t do it, if we didn’t enjoy it.

But, in order to keep Guiding flowing efficiently, Districts and Divisions need their Commissioners.  It’s not only our Girls who need support, but our Adults too.

So, if you don’t think you can do the job – think again – you will get plenty of support from those scary people at County.  If I can do it – you can do it!

Your Division, District, County NEEDS You!

Chris Skinner - Assistant County Commissioner.