IGG seeks to involve suitable adult volunteers who share the ethos and values of our organisation and have an interest in the development of girls and young women. IGG welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds, ages, cultures, faiths, and abilities to be Leaders. All our volunteers complete a screening process when they begin volunteering with us. They also receive training and must complete several requirements to gain a licence, called a warrant, after which there are many different opportunities available to them.
Women who take on leadership roles have the opportunity to increase their organisational, youth work and outdoor knowledge, and improve their skills by working in teams with other like-minded people.
TYPES OF VOLUNTEERING
Leaders
A Leader is an adult aged 18 or over. They set the tone, generate the atmosphere, plan and run the activities and demonstrate the Guiding principles so that they become intrinsic for the girls in the Unit. There is a support network of volunteers and staff available to help each volunteer on her leadership journey.
All adults wishing to become Leaders with Irish Girl Guides must successfully complete the screening process which includes Garda Vetting. All adults attending overnight IGG events in any capacity also need to have completed the screening process. All our Leaders receive Safeguarding and Child Protection training which incorporates information on child protection. IGG has a Safeguarding Officer in place to support our Leaders in all matters relating to screening and Garda Vetting.
Irish Girl Guides is a uniformed organisation and we expect all of our members to wear the correct uniform for weekly meetings, events and trainings. Leaders have a number of different uniform options as described here.
Non-Unit Volunteer (NUV)
Leaders who are no longer able to commit to running their own Unit may be willing to support Units in their District or Area and occasionally help to run a Unit meeting when the regular Leaders are not available, for example because of illness or holidays. They may also be able to volunteer for a committee role depending on their availability, administration or specific skill teaching. Leaders who want to stay involved as full members, but are not attached to a Unit, can register as a Non-Unit Volunteer.
Unit Helper
A Unit Helper is an adult aged 18 or over who helps out with a Unit occasionally i.e. ‘now and then’, ‘from time to time’, ‘irregularly’, ‘once in a while’ when additional help is needed e.g. at Unit meetings, holidays or camps. This includes someone who is on a parents’ rota and includes both males and females. Unit Helpers who attend regularly (for example to help a member with special needs) or those who attend residential events must successfully complete the full Unit Helper screening process including Garda Vetting.
Unit Helpers are not obliged to attend Unit meetings every week or take part in programme planning and other extra activities. Unit Helpers are there as a support to Leaders and girls within the Unit. They do not take on the responsibility of running meetings on their own or being left on their own with the girls. Unit Helpers may wear an orange neckerchief but do not wear a uniform or make their Promise as they are not members of IGG. They do, however, need to be in agreement with the fundamental principles of Guiding and enjoy working in partnership with girls and adults.
Promise and Law for the Leader
When you become a Leader you will learn about the significance of the Promise and Law in our programme. Leaders are expected to set a high standard and act as positive role models for the girls in the way they work together as a team, the way they wear their uniform and the pride they take in being a member of Irish Girl Guides.
When being enrolled as Leaders, the Promise made is the Guide Promise:
