District Reports 2001-2002

Commissioners Report - Pearl Summerfield

Commissioners Report September 2002 / March 2003 - Chris Hale

Commissioners Report - Pearl Summerfield

Things do not happen by chance. With a book, the words do not fly through
the air and happen to land in the right order, someone has to put it all
together to make sense so a book must have an author-someone to write it. A
painting must have an artist-someone to paint it. A builder must have an
architect-someont to plan it.

So too with our world. It did not all happen by chance. Someone planned
it, put it together. This great designer, Architect, Creator we call God.

God has a plan for us all. As GB Officers we are there to give the girls
the best Christian teachings we can, 'To help girls become followers of the
Lord Jesus Christ'.

Not all the girls are going to take up the Christian challenge, but when
those girls who chose to take that magical step and become followers of our
Lord Jesus Christ, what a wonderful achievement that is.

As GB Officers and helpers we actively start the girls off on that path,
from explorers through to Brigaders, from helpers through to officers, the
paths may not always get there, they often change direction,but we started
them off.

GB Officers lead by example, maybe even questioning what we do, are we doing
it right, is this what God wants. God has His plan for each and every one
of us, its up to us to decide if we want to follow it.

I thought I knew what God wanted me to do, I suppose 2 years ago I thought
GB isn't working, the District needs a change, new life, I needed a change.
As you know a couple of times now I have tried to give up the Commissioners
role, but God had other ideas, until the name "Chris Hale" came up.

I have known Chris a good part of my life, we have shared many, many happy
memories and a few sad ones. She is always able to say the right thing, and
when I had this name was suggested to me , I knew she would be an excellent
Commissioner, all I had too do was sell it to her!!

Well Chris decided to take on the role from September 2002 along with Jan
Murray as a Deputy Commissioner, what a team! We have already seen some of
the changes for the better taking place, a new web site, a newsletter, a
District Executive, to name but a few.

I now understand why God got me to hold on for a couple of years, though I
still do not know what he wants me to do next, maybe a local GB Company,
maybe come out of GB altogether, whatever it is I know it is His plan, and I
will give it 110%, and for the immediate future I am still involved in the
training.

I really want to say a big THANK YOU to all those officers who have been
there for me over the last 5/6 years, you know who you are! And I know you
will all support Chris and the District in whatever lies ahead.

Remember God has a plan for us all, in everything we do, GB, home life,
work, you've just got to let Him show you the way, and trust Him. GB is a
big family, and like siblings who flee the nest, they always know where they
can come back to and be welcomed with open arms.

God bless

Pearl Back to top

Commissioners Report September 2002 / March 2003 - Chris Hale

Being invited to succeed Pearl, as District Commissioner was both exciting and daunting. Pearl has given sacrificially, of her time and her talents, for many years. Having been out of Girls Brigade for three years I was fully aware that she would be a hard act to follow!

However, many of the faces and personalities are the same, the commitment and enthusiasm is even greater than before and everyone has been very supportive. For that I am extremely grateful.

District officials met in September and agreed to form a 'District Executive Committee', made up of all Officers holding District office and representatives from other companies not represented at District level. The plan is to meet twice a year to discuss routine matters. Recommendations will then be taken to District Meetings; hopefully enabling us to make informed decisions more quickly.

Having lost Pearl as Commissioner, we have been lucky to retain her services as Deputy Commissioner with responsibility for training. With the able help of Louise, from Kingshurst, they organised both the Officers Training Day in November and the Young Leaders Training Weekend in February. They make a formidable team! Both events were a great success due to their tireless efforts. It was good to know that the numbers of girls wanting to do their Leadership Training has increased since last year.

Jan Murray is Deputy Commissioner with responsibility for Communication and has worked hard to ensure that we not only have a regular District Newsletter, but is also developing a District Website, which is almost up and running now. Good communication is the key to any successful organisation. We can only benefit from Jan's energy and great skills.

Rachel Hainge, as Deputy Commissioner with responsibility for Regional and National matters, has kept us up to date with local and national initiatives. Rachel has continued to give of her time despite planning her wedding, which she celebrates on 5th April 2003. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rachel and Mark and wish them every happiness for their special day and their future together.


We have celebrated 2 long service awards for Monica at Castle Bromwich and Julie at Lakeside. In a world where commitment and community service is undervalued, how wonderful to see colleagues and friends with such staying power!


This AGM will see Jackie retiring as District Secretary, a job she has done brilliantly for many years. Jackie has fulfilled that commitment alongside her company work for Kingshurst and her church. More responsibilities at church have led to her making this decision. We owe Jackie a debt of gratitude and wish her well with all she plans for the future.

I feel very optimistic about the future of Girls Brigade in The Sutton Coldfield District. We have a wonderful group of companies, motivated and committed officers, who have vision and who embrace change. Girls Brigade gives us all the opportunity to shape the lives and futures of hundreds of girls. It's a huge responsibility, but working together and supporting one another, we can rise to the challenge.

Chris Hale Back to top