Top 5 Reasons why YOU should become a Girlguiding Edinburgh Volunteer

On the fence about becoming a Girlguiding Edinburgh volunteer? In this blog post one of our fabby Brownie Leaders, Kara Wipperfeld, gives us her top five reasons that just might convince you to get involved!

1. You get to experience new things.
   My first visit to Dynamic Earth? A Brownie Sleepover. First time sleeping in a tent? On a pack holiday.

   One of my favourite things about being a volunteer is experiencing things or going places I might not otherwise visit in not only Edinburgh, but Scotland in general (and come October, I’ll be able to add abroad to that list when my unit goes to Disneyland Paris to celebrate our 100 years as a unit!).

2. You get to develop new (and enhance old) skills.
   Fundraising, budgeting, marketing, communicating effectively, working as a team, leading a team, assessing risk, event planning. These are just a few of the skills that I have developed and used throughout my time as a volunteer. Girlguiding is the supportive environment you’ve been looking for to challenge yourself to learn new things (and may be the boost your CV needs).
3. You get to share the skills and passions you already have.
   Love the outdoors? There’s a badge for that. Love arts and crafts? There’s a badge for that. Love politics? There’s a badge for that.

   Being a volunteer means you get the chance to incorporate the things you love into your programme. As a feminist and political enthusiast, I loved leading and completing the Citizen Girl Action Pack with my unit. Think of all of the ways you could impart your knowledge and passion to the next generation of awesome women.

4. You get to meet other incredible women who are committed to providing girls in your local community with a great experience.
   I joined Girlguiding Edinburgh only a few weeks after I had moved to the city. I am happy to say that some of my best friends now are my fellow leaders. They are not only great role models for the Brownies, but also for me! I get to learn every week from women who have a diverse set of skills, interests and backgrounds
5. It’s flexible.
   We all lead busy lives and recognize that there are only so many hours in each day. If attending weekly meetings is too much for you, that’s ok! Find a guiding schedule that works for you and communicate that to your unit team or commissioners. There is also more than one way to be a volunteer. Try becoming a member of the Marketing/Communications team or admin support. You can find a full list of volunteering roles available with Girlguiding here and discover the best fit for you
6. It’s fun.
   Okay, so I said five but how could I not include this last point? Being a Girlguiding volunteer is FUN. No ifs, ands, or buts.

This list stops at six but I could definitely go on – see for yourself and give it a try!