Volunteer Role Description
SUPPORTING MEMBER
Are you passionate about the aims of Girlguiding and would you like to remain a member to support
your local unit or area? Volunteering as a Supporting Member 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
Supporting Member
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SUPPORTING MEMBER
Who can do this role?
Supporting Members can be any adult over 18 years old. They are members of Girlguiding.
Do I need a qualification?
You don’t need any specific qualification to undertake this role.
What is the purpose of this role?
To support the aims of Girlguiding and to keep in contact with your local unit or area. A Supporting
Member is a member who does not hold any other role within the charity, but wishes to remain a
member and be involved with the charity on an ad-hoc basis.
What will I do in the role?
Whilst the list below outlines the responsibilities of a Supporting Member, this is a flexible role which
has varied levels of involvement, therefore responsibilities may vary.
General
zz Support the aims and activities of Girlguiding at a local or national level.
zz Get involved with guiding activities on an ad-hoc basis.
Being part of your local guiding area
zz Be part of a local Girlguiding community.
zz Develop and maintain clear communications with the local Commissioner, if required.
zz Keep up to date with new resources and programme initiatives, and use them as appropriate.
Being part of Girlguiding
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.
zz Learn about Girlguiding’s policies and Code of Conduct.
zz Be an ambassador for the values of Girlguiding.
Promoting Girlguiding
zz Promote a positive image of Girlguiding at public events and while taking part in activities outside
the meeting place.
© Girlguiding 2016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Volunteer Role Description
Supporting Member
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What will Girlguiding do for me?
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 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 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
Supporting Member
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