Guidelines and Rules for Face-to-Face Events,
including Hopeless Guiders' Camps.

GUIDELINES:

It is recognised that

  • We are an Internet group.
  • The group was set up for the Guiders and YLs of Girlguiding UK who, presumably, have the welfare of GGUK's members as their first concern.
  • Adults in GGUK are used to working to the rules and guidelines of GGUK in order to safeguard the welfare of its members, particularly its non-adult members.
  • Organising a face-to-face event via an Internet mailing list is different from organising an adult weekend training event through the usual channels of GGUK.
  • The county system more or less assures organisers of such GGUK events that the people who turn up are who they say they are.
  • We have no county system on the GUK mailing list.
  • We have no means of checking whether or not the members of GuidingUK are exactly who they purport to be.
  • In order to maintain credibility between GUK and GGUK, bearing in mind that there have been problems in the past, and to safeguard the welfare of minors, we should ensure that nothing that is done via the GUK mailing list contravenes the rules and guidelines of GGUK.

It is therefore imperative that:
All residential events, face-to-face meetings etc. advertised using the GUK mailing list should be arranged according the GGUK rules and guidelines.

With reference to Hopeless Guiders' Camps (HGCs), please note that

  • HGCs are not official Girlguiding UK events.
  • HGCs are covered by Girlguiding UK insurance as long as Girlguiding UK rules are followed.
  • All instructors must be suitably qualified to standards acceptable to Girlguiding UK .
  • A licence holder is not required provided that all participants are over 18, but it is polite to send an A/S form to the relevant CA, and to any other advisers where appropriate.
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in order to be covered by Girlguiding UK insurance.
  • It is inappropriate for under-18s to be sharing accommodation with mature women to whom they are not related.
  • Health Forms are not compulsory, provided that all participants are over 18, but it is advisable to carry a "Personal Details for Emergency Use" card and inform the designated First Aider of anything serious.
  • Under 18s require the usual Permission and Health Forms.

RULES FOR HGCs

  1. All HGCs must be open to all female list members over the age of 18.
  2. Under 18s may only attend if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and providing suitable accommodation is available.
  3. Men may attend if there is suitable accommodation available.
  4. HGCs should aim to be accessible - geographically and financially - to all members.
  5. It is a good idea to have some HGCs in places off the mainland, but a balance must be achieved.
  6. The purpose of an HGC may be for training, activities or sightseeing.
  7. An HGC should also be an opportunity to share ideas and foster links.
  8. The training at an HGC should be of a general nature, and should not overlap with trainings in which Girlguiding UK specialises.
  9. The anniversary HGC should be very accessible, which probably means on the mainland of the United Kingdom. It should also be to some extent a training camp.
  10. The anniversary HGC does not have to take place on the exact anniversary weekend.
  11. The organiser of any HGC may select her staff before opening the HGC to the whole list.
  12. HGCs must be financed via the Boguk bank account.
  13. Detailed accounts must be kept for all HGCs which should be made available for auditing after the event.
  14. Only general information regarding the location of an HGC should be given on the main list. An event-specific email list should then be set up so that the exact location and details of payment and so forth only go to those Guiders who have shown an interest in the camp.
  15. If any under 18s are to attend, the relevant A/S or A/A form must be used, all under 18s must send in a fully completed parental consent form and they must also bring a completed and signed health form to the event in order to ensure that Girlguiding UK Insurance is valid.


DISCLAIMER :

GuidingUK and all its members disassociate themselves from any HGC which contravenes these guidelines or breaks any of the above rules or those of Girlguiding UK and will not be held responsible for any aspect of such an event. Organisers should be reminded that this would also invalidate cover by Girlguiding UK's insurance.