When the county Growth Team were discussing the growth strategy we came across many stories from volunteers who had spoken to people who had either never heard of Girlguiding or thought the organisation no longer existed!
So, we decided that promoting Girlguiding needed to be at the core of our recruitment initiatives – after all, who is going to volunteer for an organisation they don’t know exists…?!
Promoting Girlguiding doesn’t need to be difficult and it’s easy for everyone to do a little bit. For more ideas, please read on:
Get Out and About
Firstly, we want our volunteers to have fun doing what they do best, so we have challenged all our units to get out and about during a unit meeting, or go for a day trip further afield, at least once per term. Just by having our units out and about in public we will be seen by others – and we know of at least one person who has volunteered after seeing a unit outside enjoying themselves!
For more ideas about what to do outside during unit meetings, go to our ‘Things to do – outside‘ page, or for ideas for trips, go to our ‘Things to do – places to visit‘ page.
And, if you haven’t already done it, our Chip Shop Chomp Challenge is a really great way to get outside and be seen having lots of fun!
Share a Story
If you have any story that you think might be newsworthy, please share it! We love to hear what our units are doing and it is these good news stories, with girls and volunteers enjoying themselves, making friends and learning new skills, that helps to promote Girlguiding in a really positive way.
Photos are fantastic, but we realise this isn’t always easy. Keep your photo consent information up-to-date for your unit and if you can take photos you can share, we’d love to see them! If you’re unsure, take photos so girls’ faces can’t be seen, as we can still use them to add to a story.
Girlguiding Leeds has the support of a Press Officer who will help you tell your story to the press in the most appropriate way. But please remember that it is important to act quickly, we can’t sell old news!
If you want to write an article for the local press, please contact social@girlguidingleeds.org.uk for help.
If you’ve done something with your unit that you think would be great to share on social media, please drop us a line to yournews@girlguidingleeds.org.uk
Post to Social Media
Social media is an important part of today’s world and it can be a powerful tool for Girlguiding. By using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, you can reach out to potential members, keep current members informed and engaged, and promote your local events and activities. It also forms part of the ‘be seen‘ element of our county growth strategy.
Each division has a Facebook page, in addition we use the following platforms as a county (if you are on any of these and aren’t already following us, please do follow us and share our posts):
Facebook (externally facing) – https://www.facebook.com/GGLeeds
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/78253038/
We do have an Instagram page, but currently no volunteers to manage it. If you are interested in helping us develop our Instagram page, please contact the county office on admin@girlguidingleeds.org.uk
To help you make the most out of your social media presence and engage with your community online, the social team has created a social media toolkit. Download the toolkit here.
Recruit an Ambassador
An ambassador is someone who doesn’t actively volunteer for Girlguiding, but who will speak positively about what we do and promote us to others on our behalf. This may be a local MP, school teacher, business person, religious leader, a parent/carer, or anyone else who is familiar with your unit and is passionate about what we do.
Each unit was sent an ambassador brooch as part of our growth initiative. So, you haven’t given yours out yet, think about who you could give it to. If you know of more than one person who could act as an ambassador for your unit and would like another brooch, please contact the county office team on resources@girlguidingleeds.org.uk
Put up a Poster
To help with adult volunteer recruit across all sections we have our specially designed recruitment poster, which you can add your local details to. Pop these up at your local shop, doctor’s surgery, community hall, library, supermarket, or wherever else you can think of that a potential new volunteer will see it.
You can download the poster here to print out – Volunteer with us poster
Or, contact the county office team on resources@girlguidingleeds.org.uk for a FREE copy.
