Volunteer Role Description
PRESIDENT
Are you passionate about the aims and values of Girlguiding, and would you like to use your excellent
people skills to act as a representative for your local Girlguiding team? Volunteering as a local President
could be for you!
Role title: ...................................................................................................................................
Supported by: ...........................................................................................................................
Suggested time commitment: ..............................................................................................
Length of time in role: ..........................................................................................................
Location: ....................................................................................................................................
If you are interested in this role: .......................................................................................
Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK. Thanks to the dedication and
support of 100,000 amazing volunteers, we are active in every part of the UK, giving girls and young
women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life
skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities.
Our incredible volunteers contribute more than ten million hours to guiding every year. Some give
us a couple of hours here and there – helping out with driving for trips and holidays, fundraising and
events planning, or even doing the annual accounts for local groups. Others give their time as Leaders
or Assistant Leaders for units, providing girls and young women with a space where they can be
themselves. Whatever your skills and interests, and no matter how much time you have to spare,
one of our volunteering roles is bound to suit you.
‘As well as giving the girls amazing opportunities, I feel I’ve also
personally benefited from volunteering. It’s really rewarding for me
and I feel I’ve achieved something great.’
Lisa, Girlguiding volunteer
Caring
Challenging
Inspiring Inclusive
Fun
Empowering
© Girlguiding 2016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Volunteer Role Description
President
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PRESIDENT
Level: District/Division/County/Country/Region
Who can do this role?
Presidents can be any person over 18 years old. They should already be, or be willing to become,
a member of Girlguiding.
Do I need a qualification?
You don’t need a specific qualification to undertake this role.
What is the purpose of this role?
To act as an ambassador for the local area team and for Girlguiding, ensuring that all other
ambassadors have current and correct information. To be a non-executive (non-voting) member of the
area team.
Not all Districts, Divisions, Counties or Countries/Regions will have a President, and their role may vary
in different areas.
What will I do in the role?
The responsibilities below outline the role of a local President, but you will be working within a wider
team at the same level and responsibilities may vary.
General
zz Act as an ambassador with the District/Division/County/Country/Region, at internal and
external events.
zz Present awards and attend other celebration events.
zz Attend area team meetings to keep up to date with guiding developments.
zz Give advice to the area team if needed.
zz Work with the Vice President, keeping each other up to date with local news and events.
Being part of your local guiding area
zz Be part of a local Girlguiding community, by attending local meetings and maintaining a good
relationship with other volunteers.
zz Develop and maintain clear communications with the local Commissioner.
zz Promote local, national and international opportunities available within guiding as well as externally,
and encourage young members to take part.
zz Keep up to date with new resources and programme initiatives, and use them as appropriate.
Being part of Girlguiding
zz Be committed to undertaking relevant training.
zz Learn about the structure of Girlguiding and how your responsibilities and position fit within it.
zz Be willing to learn about Girlguiding’s national and local strategic aims and how these are being
delivered locally.
© Girlguiding 2016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Volunteer Role Description
President
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zz Learn about Girlguiding’s policies and Code of Conduct.
zz Be an ambassador for the values of Girlguiding.
zz Have an understanding of Girlguiding’s key messages.
Promoting Girlguiding
zz Promote a positive image of Girlguiding at public events and while taking part in activities outside
the meeting place.
What will Girlguiding do for me?
zz Provide a thorough and appropriate induction to the role and organisation.
zz Help to develop skills and abilities to perform the role by providing relevant training opportunities
(including e-learning where possible).
zz Provide guidance via The Guiding Manual.
zz Provide support and development from fellow volunteers, including a local Commissioner and
Girlguiding Advisers.
zz Host meetings and events to share information at a local level.
zz Reimburse agreed expenses (agreed locally and may differ around the UK).
zz Provide references.
zz Provide a clear complaints procedure and support to resolve problems or disagreements.
Am I right for the role?
Supporting roles in Girlguiding provide essential help to volunteers who work directly with girls and
young women. While we can offer you training and support we would expect you to possess the
personal qualities outlined below.
Personal qualities
zz An open and approachable manner.
zz Reliable and trustworthy.
zz Ability to respect confidentiality.
zz Creative and enthusiastic.
zz A commitment to ongoing personal development.
Skills and abilities
While these skills and abilities are not essential when starting, they should be developed as part of
the role.
zz Excellent communication skills.
zz Good people skills.
zz Ability to persuade and influence.
zz Confident speaker, able to communicate with different audiences.
Girlguiding welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds, ages, cultures, faiths and abilities. We are flexible,
and volunteering can be arranged to fit around a busy lifestyle.
Please note this is a volunteer role; this role description does not form part of any contract
of employment.
© Girlguiding 2016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Volunteer Role Description
President
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