Membership resources...

Triple Treat Badge How many scoops has your Unit earned? Fill out the online form to register for your badges. Triple Treat Bookmark Every youth member who joins or renews their membership in 2007 will receive a bookmark to encourage them to bring a friend to Guides, Leaders should keep their eyes open for these. Information sheet for Leaders How to make the most of new enquiries about Guiding. Information sheet for Parents Something solid to give to parents after their daughters first visit. Promotional Items Please click here for more resources to help develop Guiding in your area through marketting.

Resource review

The Resource How to Recruit through Schools, which is available to purchase from the Guide Shop, encourages each District to include local schools in their 2007 membership fix.  Accept the challenge to contact the schools near your hall and ask if you can inform each family that Guiding is available to their girls.  This resource provides the steps you need to follow to use school newsletters, displays and school visits to showcase Guiding to the girls in you local schools.

Success Stories

2 Districts joined together to welcome the community Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga Guide districts joined together to celebrate Cultural Diversity in their community. Read about how this helped to raise the profile of Guiding.... 3rd Beecroft Brownie Guide Unit The 3rd Beecroft Brownie Guide Unit owe much of their triple treat success to effective bring-a-friend nights.  Read about what works for them here.... Dorrigo, North Coast Region The North Coast Region Team agreed to try to begin Guiding in Dorrigo after a break of many years; read about how they did it. Sussex Inlet, Mid South Coast Region Thanks to one willing Leader, Mid South Coast was able to pull Sussex Inlet out of recess; find out how they did it.

Research...

Statistical information Visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics to download information about your local area. Navigate through the map to reach your local government area, and click "Download Basic Community Profile" to get a free report and statistics showing numbers of females by age group and ethnicity as well as a host of other useful information.

From the Membership Development Adviser

Since the last issue of  The Waratah, I've been reading various reports relating to the release of information from last year's Census.  One of these gave the results of a study of the branches of a voluntary organisation that had attracted the highest number of new members.  The successful braches had four factors in common: A community focus that created awareness of the organisations existence locally. Flexible and innovative involvement in their local community. A willingness by members to invite a 'local' - a neighbour, friend, colleague - to an activity run by the organisation. A determination to communicate a 'warmth of welcome' message at every contact point. These are not new or ground breaking conditions.  However, it is worth taking time to remember that: A major component in all membership development is connecting positively with people locally. The above four factors are present in Guide Districts that attract new members. Anne Smith Membership Development Adviser