Girls' Brigade: Difference between revisions

The [[Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon|Queen Mother]] and [[Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester|Princess Alice]] were Girls' Brigade's patrons until their deaths in 2002 and 2004 respectively. There are, at the moment, no living patrons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/html/office_bearers.html|title=Patrons of GB|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref>

The Girls' Brigade's principles are as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hants.gov.uk/youth/girlsbrigade-solent/principl.html|title=Information on principles|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref>

*1) The Brigade acknowledges Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord according to the Scriptures and seeks to fulfil its aim to the glory of one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit

The motto of the Girls' Brigade is "Seek, Serve and Follow Christ" and its Aim is "To help girls become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and through [[self control]], reverence and a sense of responsibility to find true enrichment of life"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hants.gov.uk/youth/girlsbrigade-solent/aim.html|title=Information on motto and aim|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref>. Because of the youth development aspect of its work, the Girls' Brigade is a member of [[NCVYS|The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS)]]<ref name="NCVYS members">[http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=392 Full list of NCVYS members]</ref> and has been since 1936, when it was one of NCVYS's founding organisations.

The GB programme follows four themes: ''Spiritual'', ''Physical'', ''Educational'' and ''Service''. These words spell '''SPES''' which is Latin for '''Hope'''. It was said that each girl in Girls' Brigade was a ''hope'' for the future.<ref>SPES files - GB Award Handbook</ref>

Also the girls are encouraged to participate in activities other than just badge work. These include leadership courses for 14–21 year olds, and most companies or districts arrange camps or holidays, usually one per year. Moreover, GB helps its members with the [[The Duke of Edinburgh's Award|Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hants.gov.uk/youth/girlsbrigade-solent/program.html|title=Further part of the GB proramme|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref>

The most recent project that Girls' Brigade England & Wales has undertaken is "Arise". This project involves many different events such as roadshows etc. Arise is often quoted as standing for: '''A'''ctivities, '''R'''esources, '''I'''deas, '''S'''upport and '''E'''quipping. These mean that the children will be able to attend ''activity'' days to learn about [[Jesus]] and meet up with other GB members, they will also have ''resources'' adapted to meet the specific child's needs. Moreover, the ''ideas'' for activities will be new and made in a better way to encourage children, as well as ''supporting'' children with their work and helping to set up further youth groups. And the final idea of Arise is to train people to work with children so they are ''equipped'' for anything the children may do.<ref name=Arise>{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/html/arise.html|title=All information about Arise|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref> [[Premier Radio]] helped to promote Arise on their [[Radio programming|radio shows]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premier.org.uk/engine.cfm?i=674&bhcp=1|title=Premier Radio and Arise|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref> Arise is a joint project with Viz-A-Viz Ministries.<ref name=viz>{{cite web|url=http://www.vizaviz.org/arisepartnership.htm|title= Viz-A-Viz Ministries partnership page|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref>

In England and Wales, the Girls' Brigade is divided into the following Sections:

*4 to 8 years - '''Explorer'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/html/explorers.html|title=Explorer's Section on GBEW|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref>

*Pioneers - approximately 14-21 years

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The crest is a [[Trademark|registered trade mark]] of Girls' Brigade England & Wales. However, all Girls' Brigade companies around the world have the right to use it. <br />

The badge incorporates symbols from the three original organizations and is, therefore, in itself a symbol of union, as well as faith and allegiance to the Lord [[Jesus]] [[Christ]].<ref>Leadership Training booklet 2001 (contains all information about the crest)</ref> The Girls Brigade which formed in Ireland in 1893, brought in the Cross. The Girls' Guildry which formed in 1900 in Scotland, brought in the Lamp. Lastly, the Girls' Life Brigade, which formed in 1902 in England, brought in the Crown. They amalgamated in 1964. A competition was held to design the crest for the amalgamated organisation, it was won by Constance Fasham.

[[Image:Ruthchikasa.jpg|60px|left|Ruth Chikasa, International President]]The International President of the Girls' Brigade is Mrs. Ruth Chikasa from Zambia. The International Treasurer is Ms. Joyce Evans of England and Wales. The International Vice-Presidents are the Chairmen from each Fellowship.<ref name=International />

<small>All figures next to country names are of the number of Girls' Brigade members within the country, they are accurate as of 2004:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:z7YsO4TMXOYJ:www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/International_Annual_Report.doc+girls+brigade+doc&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=uk|title=Anuual Report 2004|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref></small>

''Bridget Leher'' ([[Zimbabwe]]) is the Fellowship Chairman.<br /> There are 14 [[Africa]]n countries that have Girls' Brigade companies:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/html/int_africa.html|title=Information on African Fellowship|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref> <br />

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''Sally Chew'' ([[Singapore]]) is the Fellowship Chairman. <br /> There are 12 [[Asia]]n countries that have Girls' Brigade companies:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/html/int_asia.html|title=Information on Asian Fellowship|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref> <br />

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''Andrea Stevens'' ([[Cayman Islands]]) is the Fellowship Chairman. <br /> There are 22 countries in the [[Americas]] that have Girls' Brigade companies:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/html/int_americas.html|title=Information on Caribbean & Americas Fellowship|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref> <br />

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[[Saint Vincent (island)|Saint Vincent]] (64) <br />

[[Trinidad & Tobago]] (86) <br />

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[[Image:Caribbean06.jpg|200px|centre|African Fellowship 2006]]

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''Vivienne Aitchison'' ([[England and Wales]]) is the Fellowship Chairman. <br /> There are 7 countries within the [[Europe]] fellowship that have Girls' Brigade companies:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/html/int_europe.html|title=Information on Europe Fellowship|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref> <br />

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''Note: Currently England & Wales run as one country for Girls' Brigade even though they are distinct countries.''

''Jennifer Box'' ([[New Zealand]]) is the Fellowship Chairman. <br /> There are 13 countries within the Pacific Fellowship that have Girls' Brigade companies:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/html/int_pacific.html|title=Information on Pacific Fellowship|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref> <br />

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*[[Boys' Brigade]]

{{reflist|2}}

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/g1htl.johnfoster/daybrookbaptistchurch/GirlsB.html

* [http://girlsbrigadeaustralia.org/ The Girls' Brigade Australia]

* [http://www.gbmalaysia.org/ The Girls' Brigade Malaysia]