Girl Guides of Canada

Hi! My name is Catarina and I am a second-year Ranger.

Why are you in Guiding?

I joined Guiding about eleven years ago and my passion and love for Guiding has only grown since then. Within Guiding, I love working with others to collectively help my community, meet new people, and mentor younger individuals in an inclusive space. As a second-year Ranger, I have grown my passion for involvement within GGC and contributing to the amazing world we live in!

Why did you want to join the Youth Council?

I wanted to join the National Youth Council as a way to get more involved with GGC and work on larger-scale projects that will provide valuable insight toGGC’s Board of Directors. As someone who is eager to help others, I also joined the National Youth Council as an opportunity to develop leadership and team-collaboration skills, while connecting with others across Canada to work on important initiatives. I am passionate about learning more about the organization's goals and being a youth ambassador and advocating for girls and women across Canada on issues that matter most to them!

What are your goals for the year?

As this is my second year on the National Youth Council, my main goal for the year is to take on a strong leadership role, while working on group recommendations to the Board; as well as advocating and speaking on behalf of girls and women across Canada on problems that they are facing and important issues that matter most to them. I am excited to meet new people, learn more about what Guiding members want to see from GGC and increase girls’ confidence in the future of GGC overall!

Share a fun fact about yourself.

Back in 2020, I had a goal to sell 1000 boxes of Girl Guide cookies during the 2019-2020 cookie campaign. When traditional cookie sales got sidetracked due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I created an online platform to sell all 1000 boxes of cookies and with the power of technology in a rapidly-advancing society, I was able to complete my goal!

Why are you in Guiding?

Guiding has always been a type of home for me, a place where I feel safe to be myself and not be judged regarding who I choose to be. It’s a given once it’s your 13th year as a Girl Guide. I was extremely lucky in the community I grew up in, the kids that I grew to love extraordinarily in being a Junior Leader, and in the leaders who taught me everything I know. I never wanted to leave. Not only does Guiding continue to aid me in pursuing my aspirations and building better relationships, it teaches me that there’s no limit on what you can be and achieve.

Why did you want to join the Nayional Youth Council?

I enjoyed my time tremendously on the Quebec Youth Forum, and wished to learn more about how I can volunteer more of my time to GGC. As well, I wished that all Guides across Canada can have a very similar experience to me in Girl Guides, where they can learn that to be themselves is all that matters. I believe that the National Youth Council was a beautiful opportunity.

What are your goals for the year?

I hope to develop beautiful flourishing relationships with not only my National Youth Council, but, as well as the Guides that I will be representing across Canada. Hopefully, this time, they won’t be done entirely through a screen.

Share a fun fact about yourself.

Writing comes naturally to me, you can call me the water fountain of words. Whether it be poetry, a diary, a speech. I will always have something to say. It’s likely why I weirdly enjoy my job as a Cashier at my retail job.

Profile:

Hi, I’m Desirae. Guides has been a part of my life for 11 years. GGC has given me a place to express myself and grow as an individual. It gave me opportunities that I couldn’t be more thankful for. I joined the National Youth Council in hopes to help make Guides a great experience for all. To be a voice for the youth and grow the GGC community. I want to expand my knowledge and make a difference in the Girl Guides community. This community gave me a place and now I want to make it a place for all the younger members to experience, and grow.

Why are you in Guiding?

Hi! I’m Katie and I’m a third year Ranger in my eleventh year of Guiding. Guiding has allowed me to form many lasting friendships, take on leadership roles, and give back to my community. Guiding has provided a safe space for me to explore my interests, and I’ve always been encouraged to try new things and learn skills that I wouldn’t be able to get from anywhere else.

Why did you want to join the Youth council?

I wanted to join the Youth Council to work with others to make positive change within Guiding and hear what is important to current youth members. I want to help make Guiding a more inclusive and safe space for everyone, and advocate for the issues youth care about.

What are your goals for the year?

My goals for the year are to make more connections within Guiding, collect feedback from members of different ages from across the country, and work with other members to create concrete recommendations for the Board that take member feedback into account.

Share a fun fact about yourself.

I’m in our school choir and I play the flute in our school band! I also love listening to music and I’m a huge Swiftie

Why are you in Guiding?

My name is Meghan and I am in my second year of Rangers. Having been a part of Girl Guides for the last 12 years has helped shape who I am today. Through Guiding I have been able to take part in activities, international travel and interprovincial camps. I have also learned new skills, and even been able to meet and connect with many amazing people, leaving me with long lasting friendships. It is because of this and so much more that I am in Guiding, as Girl Guides has become a part of my identity and will always be part of who I am.

Why did you want to join the Youth Council?

I wanted to join the National Youth Council this year, because after serving for the last year on the ANY Youth Forum I was able to experience firsthand the important role that the Youth Forum plays in helping to be the voice for the girls of Girl Guides. I felt that it was important for me to use my experience with the ANY Youth Forum to make a difference in Guiding, and I look forward to making even more of a difference and having an even larger, positive effect on Guiding. I wanted to join the National Council to achieve my goal and to be an advocate and a voice for all of the members of GGC

What are your goals for the year?

My goals for this year are to gain a deeper understanding of the role that the Board of Directors has on all members of Girl Guides, and to further my knowledge and understanding of GGC’s core beliefs and values. I hope to be able to be part of the decision-making process and to give a youth’s point of view to enhance the experiences of all members of GGC

Share a fun fact about yourself.

I have been in Spanish immersion since kindergarten. Being able to speak and understand 2 languages has opened many doors for me and has allowed me to meet and connect with some amazing people and create friendships that will last a lifetime.

Why are you in Guiding?

I have been Guiding for more than 10 years and I love it! I am a part of it because it has provided me with several unique opportunities to foster my passions. Guiding has allowed me to begin traveling the world and be a leader within my community and for that I am forever grateful.

Why did you want to join the Youth council?

I wanted to join the Youth Council because last year I was a member of the Provincial Youth Council and I wanted to create even more change within the Guiding community nationally. I also thought it was an amazing opportunity to voice my opinions and reform Girl Guides in a way that reflects our values and current times.

What are your goals for the year?

My goals this year are to grow the international travel opportunities within Girl Guides. I believe it's important to show girls the opportunities outside of typical unit or camp activities, especially because we lost travel during the pandemic.

Share a fun fact about yourself.

I enjoy collecting records of my favourite music albums.

Why are you in Guiding?

Hi everyone! My name is Neha and I've been apart of guiding for 10 years. It's crazy to think about all the friendships I've made, all the cool stuff I've done at camp, and finally how much my experiences have helped me grow as a person. Guiding has allowed me to explore new things, work with like minded individualists, and bring about change in the guiding community. The cookies are also definitely an added bonus!

Why did you want to join the Nayional Youth Council?

I wanted to join the youth council to initiate new changes and create a positive guiding environment. I want to make everyone feel included and safe. I think it's so important to be able to listen the needs of the youth today and advocate for them. To bring about the change we want to see, I wish to collaborate with other independent thinkers.

What are your goals for the year?

My goals for the year is to be able to meet and work with new people that share different ideas and perspectives. I want to be able to ensure that girls are staying in guiding and find many new ways to restore international travel and camping to the way it was.

Share a fun fact about yourself.

Aside from guiding, you can find me binging greys anatomy, listening to Taylor Swift and 1D on loop, and eating anything potato! I hope to become a surgeon one day, so I'm definitely already 1 step ahead of the game with all the medical dramas I've been watching! Suture kits are also a huge bonus!

Why are you in Guiding?

Hi! I’m Pooji, and I’m in my last year of Rangers. Ever since I joined Sparks, Guiding has allowed me to discover more about myself through various experiences! Through Guiding, I have been learning important skills, developing meaningful friendships, and exploring what the world has to offer.

Why did you want to join the Nayional Youth Council?

I wanted to join the National Youth Council because I am passionate about making a difference! Guiding has had a positive impact on my life. I’m always looking for new ways to give back to the community by supporting members on their journeys of discovering both themselves and the world! I strive to help make Girl Guides of Canada an even more welcoming and inclusive space. The National Youth Council will help me gain a broader, national perspective when considering different social issues which will shape my future.

What are your goals for the year?

This year I want to focus on promoting the opportunities Guiding offers to members. Whether that’s international travel, networking events, camping, or fun challenges, Girl Guides of Canada allows members of all ages to engage in Guiding in many ways. I want to help members learn more about how to personalize and make the most out of their Guiding experience!

Share a fun fact about yourself.

You can always find me either listening to Taylor Swift or reading a fantasy book!

Why are you in Guiding?

I am in Guiding because I believe deeply in the mission to create a better world, by girls. Guiding has made an immeasurable impact on the trajectory of my life by showing me that I could be anything and do anything I wanted. I learned what I loved and what I hated to do, what accommodations I needed and how I could accommodate others, and have made life-long friendships I never would have otherwise. I think there is a genuine need for organizations like GGC in our modern, unequal world so we can be the change that makes it better.

Why did you want to join the Youth Council?

I wanted to join the Council because I have a passion and a love for improvement and change. I want to see how GGC plans and executes what it does on a daily basis and how I can help it run smoother. I'm always full of ideas and I can't wait to pitch them to the other members!

What are your goals for the year?

This year I really want to focus on improving membership and retaining girls all throughout the program. I want to ensure that as many girls as possible can have the same amazing experience I did growing and learning as a Girl Guide! I also want to help GGC reach a wider audience and suggest ways to improve long-standing traditions such as cookie sales and camps!

Share a fun fact about yourself.

I'm in possession of a life-long love for anything creative. From theatre and music to graphic design and watercolours, I've done and loved it all! My favourite activity, though, will always be embroidery :)

Why are you in Guiding?

I started Guiding as a way to make friends, but over the years, I stayed in Guiding because of the lovely people, safe environment and overall acceptance in the Guiding community.

Why did you want to join the Nayional Youth Council?

Guiding is such a big part of my life, and now that I am in the last few years as a Ranger, I thought it would be good to take a step forward and join the National Youth Council.

What are your goals for the year?

For the next year I hope that I can bring happiness to others as Guiding has given to me. My goal for the next year is to ensure that the youth in Guiding are as excited about Guiding as I am.

Share a fun fact about yourself.

I have been in Guiding for nearly 12 years and an interesting fact about me is that I have been in Guides in two provinces in Canada and I have lived overseas in Dubai for three years of my life.

Why are you in Guiding?

I joined in the beginning because a lot of my family is very involved in guiding, but over the 12 years I’ve stayed because I love the community that guiding provides, and how it makes such a safe space. Not to mention camping and all the other fun events we do. I’m also in Girl Guides because of how many different opportunities it provides. In other activities there’s often one maybe two different strains you can be a part of, but guiding you can do anything from being just a member to lifeguarding at the summer camp, or even being on the National Youth Council. You can even do all three if your heart desires! There’s just so many options and opportunities available.

Why did you want to join the Nayional Youth Council?

I’ve always been a very motivated guiding member, always wanting to do more and be a part of everything that I can, so the Youth Council is the best way to get involved on such a large scale as a Youth member. I loved being able to represent the youth while on my provincial forum, and the ability to make a difference and provide my opinion on the National level is incredible. The Youth Council is a perfect representation of Girls first, and having our voices heard, and I really wanted to be a part of something like that.

What are your goals for the year?

My goals for the year are to be involved, organized and make something happen. Whether that be planning an event, a service project or simply giving feedback. Something that will make a difference beyond myself. I’m already planning a Ranger service project for my area, and hope to help with the planning of several events and camps as well to make my last year as a youth member a motivated one. I’m also very excited to travel and meet other youth members like myself and work with them!

Share a fun fact about yourself.

I have been writing a book for the better part of five years, and I hope to one day be able to publish it! :)

Why are you in Guiding?

I was introduced to Guiding when I was six years old. My mom was a Girl Guide in Bangladesh and she wanted her daughters to have the same memorable experiences she had. As I got older, I decided to stay in Guiding because of the opportunities and confidence it gave me. Not only did I learn about a wide variety of topics, but I was encouraged to authentically be myself and I was shown the impact I could have as an individual in my community and this world.

Why did you want to join the Youth council?

I wanted to join the Youth Council because I thought it would be a great opportunity to have my voice heard in the organization and make an impact on the thousands of girls across Canada.

What are your goals for the year?

My goals for this year are to encourage more connections between the Youth Forums and the National Youth Council and to continue to drive the girl voice in decisions that are made in the organization.

Share a fun fact about yourself.

I am a polyglot and can speak 5 different languages and am currently attempting to learn two more!