Before a leader is warranted she works through an orientation programme with a "guiding partner" (another leader who is familiar with guiding, and has been trained in the use of the "New Leader Orientation Kit").
Just an aside here, men can be appointed leaders but not warranted. Appointed leaders do not make the promise but must agree to abide by the aims and principles of guiding (of course, females may wish to make or renew the promise). They can also attend trainings and work on the LTP and wear uniform, but cannot take sole charge of a unit. All commissioners, advisers and unit leaders are warranted, unit assistant are appointed. (But I digress!)
New Leader Orientation consists of ...
Meet Commissioner who goes over ...
Terminology
Guiding Overview
Commitment
and gets her personal details (registration or appointed)
Meet Guiding Partner who, with the help of the "New Leader Orientation Kit" covers ...
History of Guiding
Structure of GGANZ
Guiding Jargon
Job Descriptions
Uniform
Visit a Unit (observe guiding in action)
Acquire skills to for guiding role - 6-8wks of on-job-training
in a unit
The leader is then enrolled (makes or renews her promise) and warranted by the commissioner and is encouraged to begin on Level 1 of LTP.
When a leader agrees to be warranted (which is renewed after 5yrs), she undertakes the obligation to do at least one training every year. As the Training Adviser I keep a register of everyone who attends trainings so we can encourage those who are not going to trainings to do so.
Some of the things in the LTP (severely edited!)
Level 1 (which should be completed in the leader's first six months) covers things like ...
Long Term Programme/Meeting Planning - using
unit team, variety and fun, evaluation, cultural and religious needs
Learning Styles - use of different styles
of learning
Branch Resources - branch handbooks and resource
manuals and publications Safety Requirements - first aid, safety "guidelines",
activity forms
Knowledge of GGANZ - NZ Guiding family structure
and links, uniform
Record Keeping - progress & achievements,
access to info, keeping up to date
Level 2 covers things like ...
Long Term Programme/Meeting Planning - individual
needs, involve family/community, adapting
Guiding Skills - handcrafts (low cost), musical
activities, ceremonial, use of games, camping/indoor holiday, etc.
Girl Leadership - encourage girl leadership,
patrol system, planning with girls
Safe Environment - GGANZ policies, outdoor
activity, coping with emergency situations
Learning Environment - growth and development
of girls, modern technology
Relationships - spiritual dimension of guiding,
other cultures and religious differences, WAGGGS IEKit "World Around Us"
activity, team leadership
Guiding Culture - history of Guiding in NZ,
traditions of Guiding, WAGGGS
Administration - time management, GGANZ operational
plan, managing finances
Communication - delegating tasks, effective
listening skills, positive image of guiding, service or community project
Level 3 covers things like ...
Advanced Programme/Meeting Planning - adapt
programmes for special interest groups, complex technological skills, computerized
records, unit residential
Guiding Skills - assist in training role,
first aid, musical activities, advanced outdoor skills, original game/resource,
camping/indoor holiday
Girl Leadership - for girl self esteem and
confidence, leadership in the outdoors, youth contribution to team decision
making, social issues affecting young people
Safe Environment - conflict resolution techniques,
GGANZ qualification
Positive Communication - modern technology
for learning and communication
Relationships - workshop on Treaty of Waitangi/bi-culturalism,
team building, self evaluation techniques, WAGGGS IEKit Badge, explore
own spirituality
Public Relations - confident delegation,
international event, promote guiding in community, introduce a new leader
to Guiding
All of this is self assessed, and a badge and certificate is issued at the completion of each level.
As a training team, we try to cover the topics in the LTP so leaders do get the required training, but they are free to attend training courses run by other organizations such as (Boy) Scouts, work, school, other service groups, etc.
Contributed by:
Cheryl Watson
Ranger Leader, Certificated Trainer & Provincial Training Adviser,
Wellington, New Zealand
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