Girls' Brigade: Difference between revisions

The '''Girls' Brigade''' is an international and interdenominational [[Christian]] [[youth organization]]. It was founded in 1893 in [[Dublin]], Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/html/about_gb.html|title=About GB|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref> The modern organization was formed as the result of the [[Consolidation (business)|amalgamation]] of three like-minded and similarly structured organizations in 1964.<ref name=history>{{cite web|url=http://www.gbic.org/History.htm|title=History of GB & info on International Conferences|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref> These organizations were the Girls' Brigade of Ireland (1893), the Girls' Guildry of Scotland (1900), and the Girls' Life Brigade of England (1902). The International Headquarters are currently based in Glasgow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:z7YsO4TMXOYJ:www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/International_Annual_Report.doc+girls+brigade+headquarters+international+glasgow&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=uk|title=Address of HQ|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref> <br />

The organization operates in over 60 countries worldwide and is divided into five Fellowships: African, Asian, Caribbean and Americas, European, and Pacific.<ref name=International>{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/html/international.html|title=International GB|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref> International Conferences are held every four years, this has been happening since 1998 when the conference was in Australia.<ref name=history /> It was in Thailand in 2002 and Northern Ireland in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/International_Newsletter_Dec_2006.pdf|title=Newsletter mentioning where the 2006 ICGB conference was held|format=PDF|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>

*11 to 14 years - '''Senior'''<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/html/brigaders.html|title=Brigader's Section on GBEW|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref>

*14 to 18 years - '''Brigader'''<ref name="autogenerated1" />

As of 31 March 2005, there were 6,109 Explorers, 7,534 Juniors, 4,016 Seniors, 1,913 Brigaders, 405 Warrant Officers, 124 Supernumary Officers, 1,967 Officers in 707 Companies within England & Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk/_7__stats0405.xls|title=Statistics of 2005 Members of GB|accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref> All Officers are now called ''Leaders''.

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

In the centre is a '''Cross''', the symbol of Christ and his Church. Below the cross is a '''Lamp''', which represents the light of the Girls' Brigade shining upon the World. Above it is a '''Crown''', of Christ as King. Behind it all, is a '''Torch''', the flame of [[Christ]]'s living [[spirit]].<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.

''Bridget Leher'' (Zimbabwe) is the Fellowship Chairman.<br /> There are 14 African 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 />

Ghana (6000) <br />

Malawi (184) <br />

Nigeria (14961) <br />

Sierra Leone (338) <br />

Zambia (3090) <br />

Brunei (65) <br />

Cambodia <br />

Thailand (1205) <br />

Dominica (82) <br />

Montserrat (24) <br />

Republic of Ireland (1868) <br /> Irish President Mrs. Joan Darling

American Samoa (98) <br />

Niue (154) <br />

Papua New Guinea (1000) <br />

Tokelau <br />