Hello everyone. I have been in post for eight months now and thought it was about time I updated this page of our website!
First, I would like to say a big thank you to Linda Taylor for all that she has done for our County. She has achieved so much for Essex West and laid down very good foundations upon which I trust I can do justice and carry on her good work.
No doubt some of you are wondering what a County Commissioner does? Well, as I mentioned above, I am still in my first year but I thought I would enlighten you on my activities to date. I have covered over 2,600 miles for the County so far. Doing what I hear you say! Well, there are obviously lots of meetings that I attend: -
- First there are of course our very own County Executive meetings where the Trustees and other members of the County Team come together to discuss County matters.
- The three Girlguiding Essex County Commissioners (North East, South East and of course Essex West) and the Scouts Essex County Commissioner meet regularly. Some of our responsibilities involve monitoring the progress of the organising for the forthcoming Essex International Jamboree in 2012. With the amount of hard work that goes into this fun event for 10,000 Scouts and Guides I really hope that you will either come along and camp with us or come as a day visitor.
- As our County also incorporates the London Borough of Havering, I attend meetings with the other London County Commissioners at CHQ. In addition to this meetings are held with all uniformed organisations in Havering and the London Borough of Havering Youth Services.
- Anglia Region Executive meetings are mostly of one day’s duration but sometimes are for the weekend. Added to this we have less formal meetings where the County Commissioners of the Region get-together, which is extremely useful.
- AGM’s have also been attended for Girlguiding Anglia Region, National Trefoil Guild, ECVYS (Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Organisations), and Corringham Scout & Guide Group where my Assistant, Chris Skinner, is a Brownie and Senior Section Leader as well as Secretary for the group.
Just like any other role in guiding, training is available to help me settle into my new role. I have attended two team building County trainings – one for our members and another for our new County Team, a County Commissioner Induction residential weekend, completed the County Commissioner Induction Programme, and also attended the Anglia Region Trustee training weekend.
As well as training, I have the support of so many in guiding that help is never very far away. We have a great team of Commissioners, Advisers and Co-ordinators in our County and assistance is also available at Region level. So hopefully I will be able to rise to whatever challenges come my way.
Being responsible for our County Office adds another dimension to the role. My first challenge was when the County PC kept shutting down. I didn’t realise that when Linda stood down the PC was also going to stand down! Suddenly I needed to be a computer expert and resolve this issue as soon as possible in the most cost effective way – whilst still holding down my own paid job ( thank goodness for a supportive manager and flexible working hours). It was a frustrating time for both Linda and Sylvia in the office and me, but we came through with the help of nta:ltd and Kate Walsham, our Website Administrator, who I have found is a bit of a whiz kid in computing and extremely useful to County in so many ways.
Communication is very important to me and I do what I can to keep this flowing. In Essex West we have a great quarterly GGEW Newsletter and this website. I trust in addition to this you are receiving your copy of the E-Bulletin that goes out electronically each month. If you have any ideas of how any of these communications can be improved, then suggestions are very welcome. We aim to please!
Sadly part of my role is to represent County by attending funerals. Thankfully there have not been many. Another part of my role is to handle problems and complaints. Again these have not been the major part of my role to date and I really hope it stays that way.
I do have fun too! I manage to get along to most of the Guide meetings where I’m an Assistant Leader. I also get invited to all sorts of events that are an absolute pleasure. There are presentation evenings for both Guides and Leaders, Christmas Carol singing, tree planting, judging of competitions, Gang Shows, Guide shows, and Royal Wedding celebrations. I really enjoy visiting units to see what fun things our girls are doing and to meet the invaluable Leaders, and Recognised Volunteers in our County. I also get to meet other people too like Denise King, Chief Executive of Girlguiding UK, Liz Burnley, the previous Chief Guide, Gill Slocombe, our new Chief Guide, various Mayors/Mayoress’s, very interesting guest speakers from both inside and outside of Girlguiding and Members of Parliament.
So if you are having a fun event or would like something presented, please contact me. I’d love to come along and give my support, wherever you are in the County. If I’m not available then my Assistant, Chris Skinner, may be able to come along in my place. My contact details are as per our County Directory that’s on this website, under the “Extras” tab.
With all this going on I am very grateful for our Essex West Diary, which keeps me on track and ensures I don’t miss anything or double book myself. So far so good, but it is incredibly busy at times. Hence I’m looking forward to a peaceful August to recharge my batteries before it all kicks off again in September.
Don’t forget County Day this 5th November. I’ll try and keep my report of what’s gone on in my first year short so that you can fully enjoy the training and activities that will be on offer in the afternoon. In the meantime I trust you will continue to enjoy the adventure, fun and friendship of guiding.
With best wishes.
Jan
