Healthy Organisation
What makes for a healthy organisation? Girl Guides Tasmania have developed these guidelines so that you can determine if we are operating in a healthy manner.
To help you look at this question you first need to understand how Guiding in Tasmania is organised?
Girl Guides Tasmania
We start with the State level where there are several different groups working to keep things running smoothly:-
State Council
This group consists of all adult fully paid financial members of Girl Guides Tasmania. The State Council is the legislative body to which the Board reports and is accountable through the AGM. The responsibility for day to day governing of the Association is vested in the Board. All State Council members have the ability to contribute to the way in which the Association is governed. The State Forum is one avenue through which the Board consults and hears the views and recommendations of State Council members. The Board also includes State Council representatives who particularly represent the State Councils interests.The Constitution accepted in 2007 established a Consultative and Appeals Committee. This is primarily a governance oversight committee responsible for ensuring that Girl Guides Tasmania is based on sound governance principles. The Consultative and Appeals Committee supports and works with the Board of the State Council on this aspect.
The Board of the State Council
Led by the State Commissioner. The Board is comprised of the State Commissioner, the Deputy State Commissioner, the Treasurer, the Advisers, up to 3 State Council representatives and up to 2 Division representatives and governs Guiding in Tasmania. The State Executive Officer also attends all Board meetings to provide input put is not a voting member of the Board. It ensures good financial management, consultation with members about decision making and contributes to the governance and management of Girl Guides Australia.State Guiding Committee
Headed by the State Commissioner, involves the members of Board and the remaining Division Leaders in managing affairs of the State.Divisions
Next are the various Regions in Tasmania:• North
• North West
• South East
• South West
The Region Leaders contribute to managing Girl Guides Tasmania through the State Guiding Committee and also through their representation on the Board and are part of the valuable link between the state and the Districts.
Districts
Within each Division are several Districts. Districts Leaders support the Units in their area and are the first connection for most Unit Leaders with Guiding on the wider level of the State.Units
Last, but most definitely not least, are individual Units – they are comprised of Leaders and girl members aged between 5 and 18 years who are all known as Guides. The Units may have broad or limited age ranges but all operate the Australian Guide Program (AGP).What should we aim for to make our healthy organisation NOW?
• Maintaining and striving to grow the numbers of Guides we have now in Tasmania through both retention and new members. Current aims for growth are 6% for girl members and 3% for adults.• Filling positions – think about how you can help out and spread the load
Things to think about
• Do the girls in your District know about the other Units?
• Do they know who the Leaders are of other Units in your District?
• Do they know girls who have progressed to another Unit in the District?
Why are these elements important?
Knowing the Leaders and girls in other Units helps to nurture the idea of progression through the different stages of the AGP.From experience Leaders say that interaction between Units fosters confidence in Guides to progress to an older age group or to otherwise interact with Girls from different Units.
• Do you know what is occurring at a Division and State level in Guiding and are you letting others know what you are up to?
Why is this important?
• Communication between all the levels of Guiding allows for the sharing of skills and opportunities to occur.• Guiding is about being part of a wider community (right up to an international level) where we are contributing to the future development of women and girls.
There are many different things that make for healthy Guiding in Tasmania
• Satisfied youth and adult members;
• Good communication between different levels of Guiding;
• Operating the AGP;
• Growth in membership spread around the State.
Check out the different areas to see what may make your area (Unit, District, Division, and State) healthy! Remember one size doesn’t fit all and there are sometimes very good reasons why an area may not fit within these guidelines.
Help is there is you need it to ensure you are reaching this model. You can be part of helping others to achieve health in their area also. If you think some way that you operate makes you healthy then share it with us. Send photos or a comment to Guide House.
What makes a healthy Unit in Tasmania?
• At least 10 girls in a Unit. While the number of girls may vary depending on the age range (you should refer to Guidelines for the appropriate number of adults to girl members depending on the age range), 10 girls generally allows for the patrol system to operate and activities to be operated financially.
• A minimum 2 qualified Leaders (or those obtaining qualification) working with a Unit with additional adult help as a desirable feature to help spread the load. Don’t be afraid to ask parents to help out on occasion or to have a parent roster. The number of adults required is of vital importance and you should be aware of the requirements of Guidelines.
• Maintaining steady membership and working towards growth of 6% (if ratio of adults allows).
• Operating the AUSTRALIAN GUIDE PROGRAM - this is what makes Guiding what it is and is a vital element of our health at any level.
• Trained Leaders who are continuing with further development as appropriate.
What makes a healthy District in Tasmania?
• 2-3 healthy Units within a District depending on the geographical area contained.
• A District Leader who is trained as a leader of adults.
• The girls within a District have the opportunity to meet for a joint activity approximately once a term (or more if they wish to).
• The Leaders within a District have the opportunity to meet monthly to discuss State matters or local information and activities.
What makes a healthy Region in Tasmania?
• 4 healthy Districts within a Region are ideal.
• A Region Leader who is trained as a Leader of adults (though this is a not a requirement under Guidelines) – they are your contribution to the running of the State and a voice for all members in their Region.
• The girls within a Region have the opportunity to meet for a joint activity at least once a year (more if there are state events).
• The Leaders within a Region have the opportunity to meet approximately once a term or more if possible.
What makes a healthy State organisation?
• State positions filled – look at our Positions Vacant at the moment. We all have something valuable to contribute to Guiding and having the positions filled is something that can easily make our State healthy. There are many different types and levels of commitment so why not have a look.
• Healthy Regions, Districts & Units!