Selecting the Young Observers

On November 6, 2007, a memorandum was released across Canada by Gretchen McCurdy, the then International Commissioner, to invite young adults to apply to be observers at the 33rd World Conference in July 2008.

The memorandum read:

The 33rd World Conference is being held in Johannesburg, South Africa – July 6 – 12, 2008. The World Conference of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, consisting of 144 Member National Organizations, meets every three years and is the policy making body of the World Association. At this conference the program offers the opportunity to report on progress on the Strategic Plan to Member Organizations, news of the Centennial celebrations, input from keynote speakers, and opportunities to meet with other Conference participants from all over the world – both formally and informally.

The Canadian Delegation to the World Conference will consist of the Chief Commissioner, International Commissioner, the Chief-Elect or a Deputy Chief Commissioner, the Executive Director Canada and one or two young adult members. We are seeking applications for young adult members, who must be under 30 years of age, at the time of the event.

I am pleased to attach the Fact Sheet and application form for those Young Adults who wish to apply with a deadline of December 31 2007 to be returned to my attention at 50 Merton Street, Toronto, M4S 1A3.

The role of the delegation will be to actively represent Girl Guides of Canada as ambassadors, spokespersons and decision-makers, referable to conference issues.

Skills and characteristics of the applicants required are:

Exceptional leadership and communications skills
Broad Guiding experience and experience other than as a Unit Guider
Knowledge of current issues/trends affecting Guiding in Canada
Knowledge of WAGGGS
Ability to participate and contribute to discussion at the World level
Self-confident; adaptable and can be comfortable in unfamiliar environments
Ability to take an active role in leading discussions
Proficiency in English
Ability to speak French and/or Spanish would be an asset.

A selection committee, which will include the Chief Commissioner, will review the applications.
If necessary, applicants will be short listed, after which telephone interviews will take place. One alternate will be selected. The deadline for receipt by the National Office is December 31, 2007. Please forward to WorldConf@girlguides.ca or by regular mail.

There were almost 50 applicants from all reaches of this great country, and after a difficult selection process, two young adult members were chosen to join the four other Canadian women going to the World Conference on behalf of the GGC.

The young observers will be Bryanna Thiel from British Columbia/Quebec and Susie Hawkins from Nunavut/Newfoundland.