Truro-area women accept major leadership roles with Girl Guides
A couple of local women recently took on two major leadership roles in the provincial Girl Guide organization.
On June 3, Lorena Fortune, of Truro, became Nova Scotia commissioner for Girl Guides of Canada, and Debbie Mellish became a deputy provincial commissioner, for three-year terms. Both women had some experience with Guides as children, and when their children joined they decided to help out.
“When my daughter was in Pathfinders they needed additional support,” recalled Fortune. “I said I’d do it, and that was 20 years ago.
“It’s all about interacting with the girls. They keep you young at heart.”
As the lead senior volunteer she is in charge of things such as ensuring safety, making sure programs are run correctly and conflicts are managed properly.
“It’s a lot of responsibility but
I have a good team and we all enjoy what we’re doing.”
Mellish began helping out with Guides almost 30 years ago and is very glad she made that decision.
“You hear so much that’s negative about youth, but that’s a very small portion,” she said.
“These girls are very positive and keep us in touch with young people. There are so many opportunities to grow as a person. It’s a great organization to be involved in.”
She said it provides opportunities for girls to get outdoors and learn about stewardship of the environment, and teaches them skills and the value of helping others. They volunteer with local organizations and earn community service badges, and travel to various places to camp and take part in Guide gatherings.
“It empowers them and helps them be multi-faceted,” said Mellish. “There’s a lot of emphasis on teamwork, sharing and being respectful.
“There’s also a connection with others, with a sisterhood of Guiding for both the girls and the adults.”
With so many other activities available for young people, the numbers in Guides dropped several years ago, but have recently been climbing again.
Girls can join at any time of year, although many units don’t meet during the summer. A variety of volunteer roles are available for adults, from leading, to administration, cooking at camps and updating social media.
For more information visit www.girlguides.ca.