Is anyone involved in girlguiding/rainbows/brownies etc?

mrbrightside842

Hi!

Not sure if this should be in the charity section, but suppose I'm wanting to be a volunteer at something so....

I'm looking into starting a Rainbows group in my area. I'm looking online and reading through the course I'd have to go through etc and thought I'd ask if anyone else had started one. I'm wondering about the costs, I wouldn't want to be out of pocket for hiring the hall, equipment, activities etc but not sure what happens with the accounts side of it all.

I work in a school as a teaching assistant, so know lots of girls who would benefit from Rainbows and think we'd have a good amount of children wanting to be in the group, but just not sure if I'm taking on more than I can handle.

Thanks in advance for any replies or advice

Savvy_Sue

I would strongly recommend that you contact your local guide district, who will probably bite your hand off! :rotfl: However your best start might be helping with an existing group while you 'train'.

You shouldn't be out of pocket: subs are charged for that reason, and sometimes fundraising activities, but I don't know how new groups manage. Another good reason for helping out with another group and learning how they do it.

I've never started a group, but many years ago I did help out, Mum was a Guide Captain and I took Brownies when someone was unwell for a long while. You have to keep basic accounts of money in and money out, with receipts for money out.

mrbrightside842

Thanks for the advice! I'll try and find a group who'll let me come and see what they do. The reason I've been looking into it, is because I can't find any local groups, and I wanted my twins to go along, but I've found a contact part on the GG site so will try that.

Will have a look at subs too (if anyone's reading this who has a little one who goes to rainbows, how much are your subs? Am wondering if it's the same set amount for everywhere or if it changes depending on the area). My husband is an accountant, so hopefully I'd be alright keeping tabs on the cash!

Savvy_Sue

mrbrightside842 wrote: »

Will have a look at subs too (if anyone's reading this who has a little one who goes to rainbows, how much are your subs? Am wondering if it's the same set amount for everywhere or if it changes depending on the area). My husband is an accountant, so hopefully I'd be alright keeping tabs on the cash!

I think subs can vary from one area to another, depending on your families. There probably has to be a minimum because there's a 'capitation fee' which has to be paid to HQ each year for each girl on the roll, that covers insurance and the like.

But subs is only the start, there's uniform, handbooks, badges ...

msgnomey

I started a Rainbow unit from scratch...ask away

bookseller1980

Hi
You need to contact girlguidinguk who will put you in contact with your local area. There is a website.
If you want to run your own unit you would need to be criminal record bureau checked and take part in our adult leadership qualification. This is not at all intimidatingand you would have a mentor to help you.
It is tremendous fun - I have been involved for a long time and am a commissioner at County level.
PM me if you require more info and thanks for thinking of us.
Chris x

laurel7172

Scouts locally is £25/term plus the odd £5-£10 for expensive activities. Plus £125-£150 for annual camp (optional and not really applicable to Rainbows!)

mrbrightside842

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I think subs can vary from one area to another, depending on your families. There probably has to be a minimum because there's a 'capitation fee' which has to be paid to HQ each year for each girl on the roll, that covers insurance and the like.

But subs is only the start, there's uniform, handbooks, badges ...

Thanks! I was wondering about insurance and the likes. Was wondering about the books etc too, as it appears each girl gets a starter pack so I don't know if they have to pay a joining fee to cover that or what happens...

msgnomey wrote: »

I started a Rainbow unit from scratch...ask away

Ooh fab thanks, I'm sure I have loads but my mind's gone blank. What happens with the starter pack as I've just mentioned to SavvySue? How did you get started and get girls going? Did you find out if there was interest before starting or did you know there was a need for it and let people know once you were up and ready to run?

bookseller1980 wrote: »

Hi
You need to contact girlguidinguk who will put you in contact with your local area. There is a website.
If you want to run your own unit you would need to be criminal record bureau checked and take part in our adult leadership qualification. This is not at all intimidating and you would have a mentor to help you.
It is tremendous fun - I have been involved for a long time and am a commissioner at County level.
PM me if you require more info and thanks for thinking of us.
Chris x

Thanks very much. What does the adult leadership qualification entail? Is ot at a certain place over a certain amount of days? The mentoring system sounds good, and I'd have plenty of CRB checks with my jobs and previous volunteering so know that wuold be fine.

laurel7172 wrote: »

Scouts locally is £25/term plus the odd £5-£10 for expensive activities. Plus £125-£150 for annual camp (optional and not really applicable to Rainbows!)

Thanks for that, is good to know what people are paying.

mrbrightside842

I've also found some information on the site about getting a grant to help start up, that's good to know!