7. “education of the on-coming generation to international goodwill”
“Let us…keep the higher aims in the forefront, not let ourselves get
too absorbed in the steps... Field efficiency, backwoodsmanship,
camping, hiking, good turns, jamboree comradeship are all means,
not the end.”
(Scouting) “encourages self-development on the part of the individual from within.”
“get each pupil to learn for himself instead
of instructing him by driving knowledge
into him in a stereotyped system”
“by encouraging the child in its
natural desires, instead of instructing
it in what you think it ought to do”
“the end is character with a purpose.”
8. To enable girls and young women to
develop their fullest potential as
responsible citizens of the world
All girls and young women are valued
and take action to change the world
12. ENDS
Our purpose and the outcomes our method creates for young
people, are as relevant today as 100 years ago. But we must
articulate them clearly in modern context and make them heart of
our strategy.
Our purpose is not to change the world.
MEANS
Method is everything – do your Leaders understand the outcomes it
creates? Do they use it effectively?
Our activities can, and must change, to best meet the ends in a
modern world, for today’s girls
If young people don’t want the experience,
we won’t grow.
13. “The craft and ceremonial and paraphernalia…has its appeal for
every lad…It is by using these attractions as the gilt that the pill
of education can be administered.”
“Motion pictures have an enormous attraction for boys…the point is
how to utilise films to the best advantage for our ends…we should
endeavour to see what there is of value in motion pictures and
should then utilise them for the purpose of training the boy”
“A fisherman does not bait his hook with food he likes.
He uses food the fish likes.”
14. Innovating on the “means”
In small groups: (15 mins)
1) Choose an “end”; a learning outcome
that contributes to achieving our
purpose.
2) Brainstorm ways you currently meet
that end in your Association
15. Move to another group’s “end” (15 mins)
Innovate on the “means” suggested by the
previous group…
- Is it effective?
- How could we do it differently to better meet the
end?
- Is it fun? Do girls today want to do it?
Hi I’m Andii Verhoeven and I’m programme and training manager at WAGGGS. I develop global programmes, develop ideas around non-formal education, and work with Mos to strengthen and modernise the GG/GS experience they offer YP. When we’re talking about experience, not just national programmes, curriculums and handbooks, but the total experience you offer young people; what they do, how they do it, and why they do it.
So, we want growth
We know we need change
We know we need to innovate…to do things differently to get different results.
So I want to explore with you the fundamentals, and innovating around the GG/GS experience to encourage growth, and the relationship between these things.
And what do we mean by innovation? Innovation is change that unlocks new value. Do something differently to get different results.
Our fundamentals have an essential relationship with innovation. Because they tie us together, they define who we are and give us our identity and purpose. If innovation is change that unlocks new value, and we try to innovate without being crystal clear about who we are and what our core purpose is, how can we innovate in ways that will really add value? We need to know where we are, we need to be able to read the map, to set a new destination.
And the fundamentals are part of our tradition, of where we come from. Some people can perceive is a tension between the fundamentals and innovation, because they are afraid in change we might lose who we are. I think there can be an opportunity here. And both are part of an ongoing creative change process, as innovation grows from traditions, and innovations become traditions over time. And when you look at how Baden Powell developed his thinking around the fundamentals of Scouting, you can see that they were very innovative ideas – and some of them still are, when applied in a modern context.
So we need to focus in on the fundamentals. Because the GG/GS experience is pretty intuitive; that is, we kind of know deep down it works, it makes a difference, we see it in the YP we work with. But try to explain that difference articulately to someone whose never heard of us? It becomes very easy to explain us by describing the activities, the “means”, not the outcomes, or “ends”. So we sell short our impact story.
So how do they fit in? They are the heart of the GG/GS experience
What YP do, experienced through our unique method
Results in development of the values, behaviours, attitudes, skills and knowledge
That YP need to contribute to greater purpose
So how can we be true to the fundamentals and fit for the future at the same time? I think we can. The fundamentals are still essential and should be the beating heart of what we do, but we need to check, are we expressing them in a way that makes sense today? That YP today can connect with?
So how does WAGGGS define fundamentals? Not that differently from BP…..because BP was an innovator and his ideas still work today.
So what are these? Going right back, use some BP quotes to express what he thought…
Mission and vision is promise in action, values in action. And they are educational.
Empower them to put the values into action and fulfil their potential with skills that really matter today
How do we develop these things? We updated how we describe the method to put the focus on why each element matters and to make it flexible and understandable. You can apply the method in different ways but as long as you’re true to the core elements, that’s great!
If we had to emphasise any points it would be these
We have backup with change -quotes from BP
Ends to put on flipcharts:
I care about global issues and want to make a difference
I’m interested in my spiritual development
I love connecting with others from different backgrounds
I can take the lead in my own life
I love thinking creatively and problem solving
I take responsibility for my actions and reactions
I am a life long learner
I’ll confidently speak out about what’s important to me
I take risks and enjoy challenges
I’m active in my local community
If you’re reviewing your experience right now I’d love to hear more do find me today. You can always reach programme and training team at this email:
