Golden Link Ceremony

I got this from the WAGGGS-L list, I think, from Lisa Varner. This is the version she sent me, but I added to it because I was doing a school wide Thinking Day event and we were expecting up to 60 girls, so I added more countries and parts of their Promise or Law by using the "Trefoil Around the World" book as a guideline.

Each girl stands in a circle with a strip of yellow construction paper with a small piece of tape on the end. On each strip is written the name of a country where there are Girl Scouts or Girl Guides, and possibly what one of the different age levels is called in that country, or a portion of the Promise or Law from that country.  (Some countries are listed below, you can make even more links by looking in the "Trefoil Around the World" book).

        Leader: As Girl Scouts we are not only members of our own troop, and Girl Scouts of the United States, but we have 'Sister' Girl Scouts or Girl Guides in 136 countries around the world. Each of our Sister Scouts has accepted a Promise and Law much like our own. In the Netherlands, a Girl Guide is called a Padvindster. As Padvindster's close their meetings with a friendship circle, each girl says in turn. "I am a link in the golden chain of world friendship, and I will keep my link strong and bright." As each of us adds a link to build our Golden Chain of Friendship, lets think about our Sister Scouts in other countries. About how things may be different for them but also about how much we are the same and about how each of us is an important link in the Golden Chain of Friendship. (This section can be separated into 3 parts for older girls to read.)

        All together: Say Promise or Promise and Law.

Each girl in turn, reads her country and information (see list below) and adds her strip to the growing chain.  The last link added should close the chain. Optionally, each girl could also add a link with her own name on it.

        Leader: Repeat after me the saying from Padvinsters in the Netherlands.

        All Together: 'I am a Link in the Golden Chain of World Friendship, and I will keep my link strong and bright.'

You can end the ceremony with a song such as 'Girl Scouts Together', 'On My Honor', 'Change the World' or 'Circle of Friends'.

A NOTE OF CAUTION: This ceremony can take a long time if you do it the way I did it, and the girls get restless. I had the sentences printed on their construction paper links and gave each girl a link. They read their link and then added it to the chain. This sometimes took a while. I handed out pieces of tape beforehand, but by the time some girls got to their link they had messed with the tape so much that there was no sticky left. Luckily we leaders hit upon a plan to be standing behind the girl who was reading, and hand her a piece of tape when she was done. We also helped the Brownies get their links on a little faster.

Also, unless you use really BIG links, the chain must be passed down the line rather than the girls holding on to their link. This was also different from what I had envisioned. (Can't you just see it--a circle of sweet, quiet little girls reverently holding on to their links as they are joined in a big circle of world friendship--this was not how it turned out. <<VBG>>)

EXAMPLE LIST OF COUNTRIES AND INFORMATION
1. In the Bahamas, Brownie Scouts promise to have courage and be cheerful in difficult situations.
2. In Ghana,  an Ananse Guide  promises to make good use of her time.
3. In Guatemala, Little Riding Hoods promise to smile and sing under all difficulties.
4. In Italy, a Ladybird promises to love and respect nature.
5. In Madagascar, a Little Wing promises to do all she can to create peace around her.
6. In Nigeria, a Ranger Guide promises to be useful and help others.
7. In Papua New Guinea, a Sunbird promises to take care of her own possessions and those of others.
8. In Spain, a Pioneer promises to get to know the place she is living and be involved in its improvement.
9. In Turkey, a Venture Guide promises to be a friend to animals and plants.
10. In Greece, a Star promises to be conscientious in her work and reliable.
11. In Korea, a Cadet promises to be thrifty.
12. In Liechtenstein, a Little Bee  promises to seek and convey joy.
13. In Malta, a Dolphin promises to be self-controlled in all she thinks, says and does.
14. In Jordan, a Ranger promises to be frank and make it a point of honor to deserve trust.
15. In Grenada, a Guide promises to be obedient.
16. In Germany,  a Caravelle  promises to share and be grateful.
17. In Austria,  a Brownie promises to pay attention to all human beings and seek to understand them.
18. In Australia, a Gumnut Guide promises to be friendly and a sister to all Girl Guides.
19. In Switzerland, a Ranger promises to rejoice in all that is beautiful.
20. In Sudan, a Bluebird promises to be a sister to every other guide, no matter to what country, class or creed, the other may belong.
21. In Israel, an Ofer (or Brownie) promises to live life correctly and do her duty.
22. In England, a Rainbow promises to love her God and be kind and helpful.
23. In Canada, a Pathfinder promises to be true to herself.
24. In Argentina, Little Wings promise to obey the law of the pack.
25. In Bangladesh, a Yellowbird promises to help other people every day especially those at home.
26. In Botswana, a Sunbeam promises to do her best.
27. In Columbia, a Fairy promises to generous and always tells the truth.
28. In Cyprus, a Butterfly promises to bring happiness at home.
29. In the Philippines, a Star Scout promises to lend a hand.
30. In Rwanda, a Wagtail promises to do a Good Turn every day.
31. In Sri Lanka, a Little Friend promises to give in to older folk.
32. In Argentina, a Sun Guide promises to be thrifty and respect other people’s property.
33. In Belgium, a Beaver Guide promises to be cheerful with others.
34. In Bolivia, an Intermediate Guide promises to be kind to animals.
35. In Brazil, a Brownie promises to participate actively and responsibly in her community.
36. In China, a Ranger promises to smile and sing under difficulties.
37. In Costa Rica, a Brownie promises to listen to and obey her leader.
38. In Denmark, a Mini-Guide promises to listen to the opinion of others and to form her own.
39. In Egypt, a Guide promises to be useful and help others.
40. In Estonia, a Guide promises to be pure in thought in word and in deed.
41. In Finland, a Flickscout promises to develop herself as a human being.
42. In France, a Girl Scout promises to enjoy work and endeavor to to nothing by halves.
43. In India, a Bulbul promises to keep the law of the Bulbul Flock.
44. In Ireland, a Ladybird promises to be a friend to all, and a sister to every other Guide.
45. In the Ivory Coast, a Jeanette promises to be always active.
46. In Japan, a Junior promises to be courteous.
47. In Kenya, a Guide promises to be courageous and cheerful under all circumstances.
48. In Latvia, a Little Fire promises to be active and thrifty.
49. In Lebanon, a Faradole promises to obey and have team spirit.
50. In Luxembourg, an Aventure Guide promises to be ready to help her neighbors.
51. In Malaysia, a Pandu Guide promises to be loyal.
52. In Mexico, a Fairy Guide promises to help everybody every day.
53. In the Netherlands, a Beaver promises to play together with others in her troop.
54. In New Zealand, a Pippin promises to care for herself, her home and her community.
55. In Oman, a Zahra promises to fulfill her duty towards God, her country and the Sultan.
56. In Paraguay, a Dawn Guide promises to admire and respect nature.
57. In Portugal, a Little Bird promises to always tell the truth.
58. In Romania, a Flower promises to listen well.
59. In Sudan, a Bluebird promises to always do her best.
60. In Thailand, a Bluebird promises to speak the truth.
61. In Tuvalu, a Sunbeam promises to make good use of her time.
62. In Uruguay, a Bee Guide promises to think first of others.

Originally from Lisa Varner

Contributed by:
Margo Mead
Portland, Oregon

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