All about Girls Brigade
What it is
The Aim
The Motto
The History of GB
How GB works
A Vision for the future
Youth Forum
National GB
International GB
National Website
What it is
The Girls' Brigade (GB) is a Christian, international charity working alongside girls and young women of every background, ability and culture.Since our foundation in 1893, Girls' Brigade has become known world-wide as a fun, interesting, challenging and relevant provider of activities, skills, care and Christian love for hundreds of thousands of young people. Back to top
The Aim
AimTo help girls to become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and through reverence, self control and a sense of responsibility to find true enrichment of life. Back to top
The History of GB
The Girls' Brigade was formed in July 1965 by the coming together of the following three organisations.The Girls' Brigade (Ireland) was formed in Dublin in 1893 on twin pillars, Bible Class and Physical Training, and had as its aim "The extension of Christ's Kingdom among girls". Membership at the time of union was 8,000.
The Girls' Guildry was a church-centred organisation, founded in Scotland in 1900, providing programmes for four age groups. Its varied activities were aimed at helping girls to become mature Christian women. The movement was interdenominational and international, with a strong emphasis on service to others. Membership at the time of union was 35,000.
The Girls' Life Brigade which was founded in England in 1902 by the National Sunday School Union (now known as the National Christian Education Council) was a church-based international movement, with a varied programme for four age groups. Its aim was "To help and encourage girls to become responsible, self-reliant, useful Christian women". International membership at the time of union was 120,000.
All these movements were designed to provide week-day activities for members of Sunday Schools and Churches and an opportunity to develop mind, body and spirit in preparation for a life of useful Christian service and witness. Methods have been adapted over the years, and the union of three organisations in The Girls' Brigade can be seen as a strengthening of purpose in the face of the challenge of the present day.
Overseas, the wide membership of the Brigade includes many races, with a variety of language and dialect. In 1923, the first overseas Company had been registered in Jamaica. Today, the Brigade is operating in over fifty countries and islands throughout the world. It also has affiliation with church youth work in Europe. Programmes of work have to be modified and in some cases extensively amended to suit differing environments. The varying climatic conditions have led to the adaptation of the official uniform in different countries. Nevertheless, the supreme aim, adhered to throughout the wholemovement, is to help girls to find true enrichment of life.
The steps towards Union. As early as 1928 The Girls' Life Brigade had approached The Girls' Brigade of Ireland asking if representatives of their governing body would be willing to meet representatives of The Girls' Life Brigade to consider the possibility of a union of the two organisations. Back to top
How GB works
GB is lead by Christian women from local churches. These leaders are trained volunteers who are committed to providing a regular meeting time of activities and skills for girls and young women. GB groups (companies) usually meet on a weekday evening based in a local church, centre or school.World-wide (GB operates in around 60 countries at present) the charity seeks to enable girls and young women to develop in confidence, ability, friendship and citizenship, and is committed to nurturing the unique value of every girl in our care.
Company
A GB company is based in or near a local church. It has trained leaders (commissioned officers) who are responsible for planning and overseeing the company, a chaplain (often the church minister) who supports the leaders and offers spiritual direction. Auxiliary and other helpers (often parents and friends) and lots of girls!
District
In a local area several companies (3+) join together to form a district. This is led by a District Commissioner and 1 or more Deputies. Districts form a community where girls and leaders meet, compete, and share friendship, attend activities and often attend camps together.
Each district elects 2 (minimum) commissioned officers to represent local GB on the National Council.
Region
There are 10 Regions in GB England and Wales, and districts join together within a geographical region to provide a network of communication and support.
Each Region elects 1, 2 or sometimes 3 (1 aged 26-30) commissioned officers to act as trustees of the national charity. (Executive Committee Representatives)
National Council (BNC)
This is a representative body of GB officers which acts as national leadership within GB England and Wales. Within the terms of the charity's constitution members of BNC are responsible to support the growth and development of the charity, ensure effective communication within the membership and represent the views and voting instruction of the district.
BNC meets 3 times each year.
Executive Committee
Commissioned GB officers and other elected members (special representatives) are elected via the Region to serve as trustees of GB England and Wales. This trustee group is responsible to ensure the legal continuance of the charity and to act in the best interest of the charity as a whole. To work effectively members of the Executive Committee work within sub-committees which oversee all apects of the organisation eg training, pastoral care, business administration.
The Executive Committee is led by an elected Chairman who is supported by a Deputy and other office bearers. (President, Vice-presidents, National Chaplain and treasurer).
National headquarters
Girls' Brigade House in Didcot Oxfordshire is the national headquarters for GB England and Wales. This is the venue for most of the national GB meetings, is home to the GB shop, and is the main workplace for the employed staff of Girls' Brigade. Headquarters is overseen by the National Director.
Girls' Brigade House is primarily the place to direct enquiries about the work of GB. Back to top
A Vision for the future
A Vision for the futureIn 1998 the charity's trustees in England and Wales published a set of statements that indicate our commitment to continue as a leading and relevant movement that is committed to reaching out in Christian love to children and young people.
This 'mandate' now forms the basis for development plans within GB England and Wales
This is what it says:
To extend the present work of reaching girls for Christ where they are, with local Churches supporting groups that meet in schools and other appropriate places. To ensure that leaders are emerging amongst the girls and young women in our companies, trained in evangelism and in Christian leadership and supported by more experienced leaders. To provide activities which meet girls' current interests and needs, forming a setting in which girls can encounter Jesus Christ. To encourage a sense of identification which carries 'street cred'.
To promote an image which reflects a dynamic movement with a passion for Jesus Christ and for reaching out to girls and young women. To provide committees that cover relevant areas of the work. To nurture a governing body with a place for young officers and for all leaders to work in fellowship as representatives of their local area. To develop new paths ofcommunication. To attract and steward finance to fund the work. Back to top
Youth Forum
Youth ForumHow it all began?
In 1998 a youth gathering of GB members from all around the world held the first ever Youth International Council of Girls? Brigade. At this meeting they agreed a vision statement, and set a challenge for every country with Girls? Brigade - to have a Youth council by 2002. England and Wales took on this challenge and in January 1999, under the leadership of Jo Lambert, a steering group was set up consisting of young officers & leaders to pursue the idea of forming a Youth Council.
This group met regularly over the following 18 months to formulate a structure of regulations and conditions to be a basis on which to build. After much prayer and seeking the Lord?s guidance, it was decided that the Youth Forum would consist of 3 representatives (aged 16-25 years) per Region who would serve for 2 years, with a core group of 5 members including the Chair and Vice-Chair.
GBYF is a voice for young officers and leaders at local, regional and national level. One of the main objectives, is to form a link between GBYF and the National Executive, therefore, the Chair and Vice-Chair are on the Executive Committee to share the views, concerns and desires of young officers throughout England and Wales.
The Youth Forum was launched at the Annual Fellowship Weekend in September 2000. The first meeting was held on the Saturday morning and consisted of 23 regional representatives, 5 core group members and various Girls? Brigade national personnel.
Purpose
To be a part of GB England and Wales
To communicate national issues to local areas and vice-versa
To be a national ?voice?, representing the under 26s in GB
To increase the profile of GB
Areas of Work
Spiritual development and support - to be a network for the under 26s
General development - to facilitate the development of young leaders and young officers
Prayer - to be a passionate and prayerful group
Communication - to enhance communication to/from under 26s in the Companies and to represent regional opinions of GBYF meetings
Representation - to provide GB youth representation to other organisations e.g. FURY, NCVYS
How to get involved
If you think you might like to get involved with the Youth forum, contact Jo Lambert who will send an application form and advise you what to do next. Back to top
National GB
National GBAddress
Girls? Brigade House
62 Foxhall Road
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 7BQ
Telephone - 01235 510425
Fax - 01235 510429
National President
The Rev Baroness Kathleen Richardson of Calow
Vice-Presidents
Mrs J Colchester
Mrs M Delf
Miss E Wright
Chairman
Miss V Aitchison
Deputy Chairman
Mrs J Osmond
Chaplain
Rev Dennis Pethers
Treasurer
Mrs B Darby
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Director
Ruth Gilson
ruthegilson@girlsbrigadeew.org.uk
PA
Hilary Franks
hilary.franks@girlsbrigadeew.org.uk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operation Co-ordinator
Gill Richards
gill.richards@girlsbrigadeew.org.uk
Senior Operations Assistant
Jan Boik
Operations Assistant
Yvonne Dallaway
Operations Assistant
Lynn Mitchell
Development Officer
Sarah Beck
House Cleaner
Janet Corr
House Cleaner
Shirley Jackson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business Co-ordinator
Sue Cutting
sue.cutting@girlsbrigadeew.org.uk
Senior Business Assistant
Caroline Knowlden
Business Assistant
Fiona Miller
Business Assistant
Susan Denton
Business Assistant
Pauline Goodenough
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission Co-ordinator
Jo Lambert
jo.lambert@girlsbrigadeew.org.uk Back to top
International GB
International GBThe Girls' Brigade world is organised into 5 areas (Fellowships)
Africa
Asia
Caribbean Americas
Europe
Pacific
Currently GB is active in 60 countries around the world. GB England and Wales belongs to the European Fellowship of Girls' Brigade.
The International President is Jill Clarke - New Zealand
European Fellowship
In Europe, there are currently 6 countries where GB is working.
England & Wales - over 900 companies and more than 30,000 members
Northern Ireland - 300 companies and 23,000 members
Scotland - 300 companies and 15,000 members
Ireland - 35 companies and 1,500 members
Romania - 5 companies and over 100 members
Palestine - 1 company with 30 members Back to top
National Website
This information has been taken from the Official Girls' Brigade website Click here for national website Back to top |