Widening the horizons

Do you end up saying something horribly awful or embarrising.

2010-08-30T04:47:00.000-07:00

Fed up with opening the mouth [and definitely putting foot in it!] - which leaves you ending up saying something horribly awful or embarrassing. Then wishing the floor will open up and swallow you. No trace seen?

In a social situation and before your errant tongue runs away with you think about these ploys.

Learn to relax in a social situation.

It's because you are not relaxed that you allow yourself to feel uncomfortable.

Hence you see an empty space in the conversation and strive to "help" by filling it.

Better to leave the open space where it is.

Just leave the space there.
Let the other person feel uncomfortable.

Why worry about making anyone else feel uncomfortable?

Realise that other people in society thrive on your feeling uncomfortable.

These people think they earn points for causing discomfort to someone else.

Second get in the habit of taking a sip of tea before you you speak. Allow a thoughtful pause.
Now - do not rush in to fill the gap.

Don't say anything about your hobbies, politics or work. Or nearly anything you can think of.

This is a form of restraint. Think of this pause and reflection time as a testing of the players before revealing your hand.

Are you interested in being part of the 'social intrigue' set?

If your not then there is no need to worry about the pauses is there.
Put forth a social facade for the times when you have to face those that make you feel uncomfortable.

Your not being dishonest in times like this.

Getting to know you is not part of their agenda.

Those caught up in 'social intrege' do not deserve the real you!

After watching there are things you will learn to recognize.

You will be able to identify the people that you might like to befriend.
Take things slowly

Comment on neutral issues.

The weather for instance - as in inane stupid things.
Th crush of the people in attendance.
The refreshments.
The place of the meeting.

As you are preparing to entering the event take note of

the building, the facade, entrance, a particular piece of craft work, decoration, table setting or painting.
Even things that will be occurring further in the program.

Phrase a question about one of thee things. If you really need to fill that gaping hole in the conversation slip this in.
Divert the conversation forward to another time or away from the voiced comment that caused the pause to occur!.

If a 'friend' or acquaintance is having that 'must rush to fill things in' challenge' then either

gently redivert the conversation.

Bring up one of these neutral conversation moving on phrases that every one can reestablish the conversing with.

Yes -Throw in a life line.

Ask the person about to rush in how their refreshment is, or have you tried the...

Yes - oh good I think I will just..
No.. There is still some left why not try it before it disappears?

Remember the social intercourse thing is like a dance.

The silence comes first.
First you watch the other person move.
You make small moves together.
Watch them so that you make small moves together.
Watch them so that you don't step on each feet.

Or jump on each others toes.

If things are going well

you start whirling around.

After a bit of 'social whirl' maybe you pull the other person in closer than you normally would.

Just to see how that person reacts.
You get a feeling for the other person or people.

What they think, who they may be.
If they have passed the muster the real 'dancing' may begin

ownership is a powerful thing.

2010-08-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

Review of discussion and minutes plus my suggestions added in.

What I want is for people to be able to make comments via net if the can. Then these comments [dot points] also to be included into further discussion/ agenda points. That way if people are unable to make any meetings things can progress. still plus they feel they have further input and part ownership. Both these points are very relevant. Case in point yourself.

Second case in point the ownership of the flags meant a shift in horseshoe position!, a desire to see their flag [local friendly competition ... chalk tally on entrance thing again... along with the union reps bit in has got a down under change occurring (change in position).] And a commitment to see to come on Thursday.

Third case in point whose going to tell each one of those girls last night that this District event is not theirs. To go they must drag their parent or another carer along with them. Once the adult becomes involved so to do their friends. Slow process of building up from below and amalgamating both our collective and individual strengths.

Watch what happens at the family BBQ. Next week there will be given out the family BBQ poster [A4] On this will be the family BBQ site address. Those who have computer access I am hoping will tap into this site address. The further invite to two other activities [yes Morning tea is one of them] will be there. Also these will be forwarded / posted to all the people not currently attending.

My job as District Leader is to bring together people from the community to support those in the local Guides. Then to channel these Guides into Region and above events and activities. Friday at 10 am is a review. Which you have said you cannot make. Comments will be appreciated. Written comments emailed or dot pointed and attached will be great.

By the end of the year we'll will see how this we are going with relation to how things were last year.

Our Major push is to:

Get these girl all registered.
Second is to get in new girls.
Third is to bring back into new levels the other guides who have moved onto other things.

As you have gone on the ups and downs of being there and there is no one else there you know how Debbie and myself have felt. How the Guides felt when there was something they had organised and down they went when only their family members turned up. When the girls turn up on Thursday and your first session is completed [fully completed] you will be telling me you feel you have begun your own ownership of that session. That the downs are worth the ups. In fact that they were little hitches along the way. You have seen the growth factors in action. The leaders, guides and the parents.

Next on the agenda is the uniforms fundraising. Watch while poarticipating... this will be interesting. My time table ... by the end of November the Guides will be registered and in uniform.

Basket ball in the park

2009-12-10T05:03:00.000-08:00

At the end of first term 2009 when the Guides were planning out their program a few wanted ball activities. Others wanted to have a BBQ, while others wanted just to be outside later than normal.

We ended up going to the Glendonald park ion Churchill. Here there is a net ball and basket ball court. Well half the court is net ball, the other half is basket ball.

After all the glass was swept away we were able to go on with trying to get a leader to throw the basket ball into the hoop. After a while she actually did it. Much to her surprise. But the Guides won the count. Even Debbies 2 year old grandchild helped. We put her on our shoulders then helped her throw the ball into the hoop. We stood under the hoop. She did better than the leaders.

The leaders might need practice gettintg the ball into the hoop but they can still pass the ball with force behind it!

Learning to march

2009-12-08T20:58:00.000-08:00

Learning to march sounds boring. Done the right way is fun. We had fun. Even when you are asked to go back and do it again. And again.

First you start with remembering what one is your left foot! Once it is pointed out that Guide Salute with their Right and shake with their left things are easier. The left foot is the lead foot. we often mucked up.

To correct that there's the skip step. The one where you do a half step and repeat it a few steps later. That way the marching is all back in rhythm again.

Then when your finally moving when do you know when to stop. besides the person in front running stopping and you running right into them. That's where listening to the commands come into it. And doing the commands helps too.

Marching involves swinging the arms. The other arm to the foot that is moving. Or you may end up out of balance and falling into someone else.....the ground hurt's when there is no one to stop you falling.

The hand does not go further than the knee. If you swing the hand too far the steps get out of rhythm.

It took us a really fun time to get this marching stuff under control. then we got new people and we had to show them how it was done. That was really funny cause we realized how funny we looked when we begun to 'March'.

We learned to March so that we could be on parade and escort the colors when the Second World War Board of Honor was brought back to the Hazelwood South Hall. Then we did Australia Days, and Anzac Days. Everytime there was something that we wanted to march in there was new things to learn too.

We were working on our Explore: guiding, Our World and Friendship badges, others doing sections of our Create: Feet, hands, Ears badges. Some of us were doing more to their Junior BP and BP badges,

STAND EASY

2009-12-08T04:15:00.000-08:00

STAND EASY:

Command - Unit, stand EASY

The feet remain in the same position as stand-at-ease, but the hands and body may be moved. This position is used when a group are in position and waiting for the arrival of a VIP as in a guard of honour. To bring the group to attention, give the command: Unit, atten-SHUN. On the word 'unit' the group will come to the stand-at-ease position and on the final order come smartly to attention.

Practiced using the Ceremonial made Easy pamphlet.

STAND AT EASE

2009-12-08T04:13:00.000-08:00

STAND AT EASE: Command - Unit, stand at EASE

The left foot is moved about 30cm from the right, weight is placed evenly on both feet; hands are held behind the back and the right hand clasped in the left. This is a more relaxed position and can be maintained for a longer time.

Practiced from Ceremonial Made Easy pamphlet

ATTENTION:

2009-12-08T04:10:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION:
Command - Unit (or camp,
patrol etc), atten-SHUN

This position should not be maintained too long. The body is held erect, head and eyes facing front, hands by the side, fingers lightly clenched at the rear of the skirt or slack seam, knees and feet together.

From Ceremonial made easy pamphlet.

Giving orders

2009-12-08T04:08:00.000-08:00

If the leader moves smartly and well, her example will be followed. The leader is the pivital point of any 'command center'. What people see and hear is how they too will react.

If orders are given smartly - they will be carried out smartly. This is really important when dealing with many people in a crowded area. In order to get the commands over to others the leader should have practiced using her voice so that when calling commands it is done clearly and therefore well. Before the actual comands are given the voice box should have had a 'warm' up practice session.

During the commands the accent is always to be on the end of the word eg 'Atten-SHUN' or on the last word in the command, 'Quick MARCH'. Girls should be taught that they do not move until the whole command has been given.

Promise Ceremonies are Different too

2009-12-08T03:56:00.000-08:00

The Promise Ceremony may be different for every Guide who makes her Promise.

Making your 'own' Promise is different from the iniatial listening to others make their Promise. When you choose for it to actually be your turn the time is special. There after every time you renew, or someone renews or makes their Promise your memory may transport you back to when and where you initially made yours. Even years later your memory will flash this on your mind.

So the Promise Ceremony is a special time. The creative setting made, the people invited, as well as those who stand up their with you are specially remembered too.

The Value of Ceremonies

2009-12-08T03:44:00.000-08:00

Ceremonies give a sense of belonging and of achievement. Be the traditional or ceremonies that the Guides have created and carried out themselves.

In order to create a ceremony the Guides first witness and learn about different ceremonies. The Promise, Flag Protacol involving unfurling of the Flag, Flag Flying, protecting the Flag, receiving awards are a few repeatitive ceremonies that are carried out within Guiding.

A little about ceremonies?

2009-12-07T19:34:00.000-08:00

Throughout the world Ceremonies and ceremonial form part of every heritiage. Guiding is world wide. As such the Ceremonies practiced in Australia is similar to these through out the world. As a nation Australia is making her way to being multi-cultural whilst developing an Australian Culture, it's own Ceremonies and Traditions that are able to be shared and celebrated by all.

Special occasions and a combined heritage are marked by the Nationally recognised Ceremonies.Australia Day, the Opening of Parliament House and Anzac Day are among ceremonies carried out each year by individual Guide Units or the comming together of many Guiding people. Right down to the Guides within a Patrol celebrating the Promise Ceremony of a new Guide..

All the cereminies are important. Having a regognised methodology as to how things are run, commands called, and actions expected or taken makes the running of such an easier job. When a Guide moves on within her Guiding, from one age range to another, more depth to the commpands is given and expected in return.

Any interest in radio communication?

2009-12-01T19:36:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Thanks to Susan for the invitation to join the blog - my first blogging effort!

The Eastern Zone Amateur Radio Club meets at the Hazelwood South Hall on the first Thursday of each month, except January.

We can run training courses leading to people gaining their Foundation amateur radio licence. We will be running a course on Saturday 12 December, with the assessment being done on Sunday morning 13 December. This is probably too close for anyone that is interested but has not yet started studying.

You can find out more about the Foundation licence from the WIA website:
Discover amateur radio
Foundation licence

If any of the Guides are interested, let me or Susan know. We can arrange a talk about what is amateur radio as a starting point. If there is interest, we can start some training sessions if needed.

If you have your own licence, you can communicate via amateur radio with others at any time. At a JOTA event, you can use the radio without supervision (within the terms of your licence).

Some may have some experience with CB radio - amateur radio has some similarities but is very different.

Cheers,

Peter

Butterly

2009-11-30T14:42:00.000-08:00

We know what we are calling Rebecca ...it is Butterfly.

Choosing governace

2009-11-30T14:41:00.000-08:00

Governance is about having the choice to choose, then knowing what to do with this choice. All levels of Guiding are shown different processes for the same thing.

The 7 to 9's are called Dolphin Patrol. We already have the Koala Patrol for the 10 to 13's.

We played Hop-Scotch. And we did some more of the Columbia badge.

Some more Guide revieved their sashes and some badges.

There were
Special Badges - 100 year celebration, Jota/Joti, 2 round badges called Build a better World, Discover your Potential.

Some Guides got their Explore: Freiendship badges.

We are nearly finished some others too. They are

Explore: Our World, Life Skills,Guiding, Outdoors, Arts

Some have started their Explore: Faith Awareness and their Explore: Health and Fitness and Science and technology badges.

And we have also begun the :
Challenge Badges: Girls, Rope, Food, Fire, Hands, The Arts.

Theres one called the Bridges over to Argetina and we have started that too.

Unit Scarves near door.

2009-11-30T14:29:00.000-08:00

From now on when we go into Guides we get the bag of scarves and put them near the door. Then we put one on for the night. After the meeting we leave them behind near the door...but not in the bag. That way the ones worn will be washed and made ready for nest week.

Our next job is to get the Unit flag stand ready to erect the flag. The Flag pole goes in the North side of the Building. That is where the roof is highest near the office door. A compass can be used to check this out.

After Guide and before the Color Party people put their scarves away they must put the Flag and its pole and the stand away.

Recieving that first badge.

2009-11-30T14:26:00.000-08:00

When Youth members receive their first Sash it is important to them. Then when they receive the first badges there is a positve wow factor. Everyone present feels like they too are getting their first badges all over again.

In Novemebr 2009 two members received their sashes. Also the badges that had been achieved to that date. Besides the Patrol Badge some were special badges, while others were Explore and Challenge badges.

These badges were awarded today:
Patrol Badge: Koala

Special Badges: 100 years of Guiding badge.

Explore: Friendship, Guiding, Outdoors, Science and Technology, The Arts, Guiding. There are skill more to come by the end of the year.

Challenge: Food.

These youth members are so close to finishing other badges that they will be surprised early next year when they realise how close they were to receiving them.

For now though the challenge is to have these ones sewn on before we return next year[ January 20th 2010]. Now they are learning how to sew them on. Then they have finished the challenges towards their Create Hands Badge!! I am sure that they will share and commiserate with learning to hand sew with other people. Glad the badges are safety pinned in place.

Groundsheet

2009-11-30T14:15:00.000-08:00

Next you will need a ground sheet made of any sort of waterproof material. You can buy ground sheets from a camping store, use heavy weight plastic or builder's plastic or an old shower curtain. Your ground sheet will need to be about 2 metres x 1 metre, a little longer and wider than your sleeping bag when it is rolled out.

I found that having the builders plastic really makes crinkles and russling sounds at night. Also the builders plastic is 'slippery'. The ground sheets that appear to be made of the matted plastic wear down slowly but you do not slip down wards so many times. As things should have at least two uses on camp have you considered how the ground sheet itself would be protected from ripping if you had to use it for an emergency shelter?

When you are sleeping, your ground sheet protects your sleeping bag and sleeping mat or air mattress from moisture and protect you from the cold. The warmth of your body draws the dampness up out of the ground and the underneath of the ground sheet will be quite wet in the morning even if the ground appeared dry when you laid the ground sheet down.

During the day your ground sheet will form the waterproof outer layer of your bedroll.

Sleeping bags inner bag

2009-11-30T14:13:00.001-08:00

My mum used to use these in the sixties when we went camping. You got it . She learned this trick from her mum. And relearned it when she was a Girl Guide just after the second world war. How did you guess. Yes her mum was a Girl Guide Leader too.

Linen inner sheet
A sheet inside your sleeping bag will add to your warmth and keep the inside of your sleeping bag clean. Sew an old flannelette sheet into a rectangular bag shape - leave the sides open near the top. A warmer, lighter sheet bag can be made from pure silk lining material. Buy double your length and stitch the sides.

Sleeping bag

2009-11-30T14:13:00.000-08:00

Firstly you will need a sleeping bag. There are basically two types of sleeping bags -ones filled with down or feathers and ones filled with synthetic material.
Down-filled ones are generally lighter, less bulky and warmer but they are mere expensive and harder to dry if they get wet.

Bags come in all sorts of shapes and thicknesses. Bags with a hood and drawstring around the neck will keep you warmer than those without. The warmest shape is called a "mummy" bag.
Choose a bag that has an insulated flap along the zip so that you don't get cold along the zip line and one that can be unzipped from the inside and outside of the bag.

Most sleeping bags come with a cover or stuff bag. Down sleeping bags are simply 'stuffed', feet end first into this bag. Synthetic sleeping bags are generally rolled up and slipped into their cover. If you don't have a cover for your sleeping bag you could make one or make a couple of strong bands of elastic to hold it together.

Australia Day in Melbourne

2009-11-30T13:52:00.000-08:00

Australia Day celebrated as a State Event in Melbourne. This event has the Guides carrying a large Australian Flag. For this the day is primarily aimed at the BP's, Queens Guide's and OBPs presented the previous year. The years that I took Guides down who had achieved these Peak Achievement we had a ball. At the end of the march there we were in Government gardens joining in the festivities.

Full Uniform is worn. Take drink bottles full of water and sun hats. Make sure you are well fed before the ceremonies begin.

Australia Day Jan 26th in Hazelood and Churchill shopping Centre.

2009-11-30T13:50:00.000-08:00

Starting usually a 7am this local event is now being held at the Hazelwood and Churchill shopping Center. (theory of this is great) As a Hazelwood and Churchill Event it is open to all aged Guiding personal and members. Event permission forms should be handed to the Guide Leader in Charge of the Guides on the day... signed by parent or carrer.

Previous years we have been asked to face paint as an activity while people eat and catch up with friends. Other times there have been odd jobs like the handing out of flags, song sheets, readings, hoisting the flag / color party [with Scouts].

One draw back here is that we usally do not get finalisation of anything until the week before. When we do it will be posted here. So keep an eye out and email us when if you think you are coming.

Jewelery making

2009-11-21T13:31:00.000-08:00

A combined effort. I'll hunt out my tools too.

in reference to: The Gipps Guides (view on Google Sidewiki)

Creating Training Aids

2009-11-18T16:20:00.000-08:00

When you go to teach anything to anyone, yourself included, training aids are used. You may be so familiar with these 'aids' that you do not realise you are actually using them. So just to prompt your memory here is a list of possible aids that you have used.

Discussion,Evaluation, Time lines, mind maps, lists, art work, painting ,songs, creating /reading stories, artices, Word finds, the alphabet, computer programs, traditions, customs, unifrorms, other people, a chain of progressive knowledge, letter, radio or TV broadcasts, dvd, cd, activites, events, jobs, mentoring, parents, group action/ reactions .....

The more we get together

2009-11-18T16:14:00.000-08:00

The more we get together is a song that was sung in 2005 at a camp fire. very soon after wards as part of the Achieve : Leadership part 2 this song was one of a few taught over a a month at Guides in preparation for a short campfire.

The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.
For your friends are my friends,
And my friends are your friends,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.

The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.
For you know that I know,
And I know that you know,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.

Campfire
6th August 2005,
Baw Baw Region sleeping under the Stars.

And another version of make new friends.

2009-11-18T11:55:00.000-08:00

A terrific Song with regards to friendship.

Make New Friends Round
(You may want to use one verse per group)
Make new friends but keep the old,
One is silver and the other gold.

A circle's round, it has no end,
That's how long I’ll be your friend.

I have a hand, and you have another,
Put them together and we have each other.

Sew good friends wherever you may roam,
You'll be welcome in my heart and home.

You help me and I'll help you,
And together we will make it through.

A fire burns bright, it warms the heart,
We've been friends right from the very start.

New made friends like new made wine
Grow and mature to the end of the time!

Friends like you are one of a kind,
Very special, but hard to find.

Friends are real and friends are true,
If you love them they will love you too.

Cherish friendship in your breast
New is good, but old is best;

Across the miles, across the sea
Friends forever we will always be.

Make new friends, but keep the old:
Those are silver, these are gold

Friends like you are one of a kind,
Very special but hard to find.

So good friend wherever you may roam,
You'll be welcome in my heart and home