Over the years, Olave Baden-Powell Society Members have funded a range of unique, exciting and empowering WAGGGS projects and campaigns for girls and young women.
This is the impact of your support in 2020. In 2020 OB-PS raised an incredible £378,000 - an amazing achievement considering the impact of the global pandemic. Provisional unaudited income for 2021 is £640,000.
A Bright and Thriving Movement
Membership Hardship Fund
The generosity of OB-PS has meant that 13 Member Organisations who were facing financial hardship can remain a part of the global Movement and will continue to receive tailored support to ensure that they can deliver the best possible experience to the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts they serve. By remaining a part of WAGGGS, these Member Organisations will have a voice to contribute to policies that directly impact them. These include Compass 2032, the election of the new WAGGGS World Board and the 2022-2023 WAGGGS Global Strategy – all key issues that affect the future of the organisation.
Our Member Organisations shared their gratitude for your support in their time of need.
“You might know that many girls around the world have been affected by COVID-19. In Rwanda, some of them have not been able to pay their annual membership fees, thus this donation will cover their contribution to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. You have made a huge difference in their Guiding life this year.”
You Have Grown the Movement
Despite the impact of the global pandemic, the dedicated regional teams in Europe and the Western Hemisphere continued supporting the Associate Members in Georgia, Ukraine and Suriname through the membership process. All three were accepted and celebrated as Full Members of WAGGGS at the General Meeting in December 2020. WAGGGS also welcomed its newest member, Les Scouts Musulmans d’Algerie (Algeria), at the 37th World Conference, held virtually for the first time.
Young women in leadership
Female leadership is at the forefront of the agenda for young women of the Movement and, with your help, WAGGGS wants to realise this ambition. In February 2021, the new Leadership Development Framework was published in all four WAGGGS languages, including a set of supporting tools Member Organisations can use to embed the leadership model into their work. The WAGGGS Leadership Framework enables girls to build a foundation of leadership practice, confidence and life skills through a learning journey that they shape themselves and set their own goals.
“This leadership model touches all aspects of leadership; from personal development to creating an impact, with and for a more diverse world. I am humbled to be part of its co-creation and look forward to the change it is going to make.”
Advocacy
OB-PS support has given girls and young women greater global influence and ensured they are able to stand on global platforms to speak out for a more equal and inclusive future. In 2021, WAGGGS have been represented at several global events.
Many of these advocacy events were moved online, but sadly 30% of WAGGGS Members do not have access to the internet. OB-PS worked to make sure this was not a barrier by supporting the Commission on the Status of Women participants with IT resources, grants, and training for the many talented advocacy champions, ensuring accessibility and representation for every girl. As this year’s event was held virtually, an additional 100 young women from around the world were able to attend with delegate status.