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Girl Scouts of Western Rivers Council - OregonWAGGGS & WORLD FRIENDSHIP W.A.G.G.G.S. |
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WORLD ASSOCIATION OF GIRL GUIDES AND GIRL SCOUTS The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is a non-formal educational organization based on spiritual values, and open to all girls and young women, without distinction of creed, race, nationality or any other circumstance. National Organizations belonging to WAGGGS must adhere to the Fundamental Principles of the original Promise and Law laid down by the Founder, Lord Baden-Powell, although they may adapt the wording. The objective of WAGGGS is:
The World Conference is the policy-making body of WAGGGS. It meets every three years to conduct business and elect members of the World Board. Each member country may send only two delegates. Each country has one vote regardless of size and membership. The World Board is composed of 12 members. Members do not represent their own National Organizations or Region, but consider the interests of the Movement as a whole. Members serve a term of six years. The World Bureau is the headquarters for WAGGGS. It is located at Olave Center, London, England. It has a multi-national staff of about 100 professionals across the world. The work of the World Association is conducted in WAGGGS’ three official languages: English, French and Spanish. WAGGGS has 144 Girl Guide/Girl Scout Member Organizations, serving nearly 10 million members. Of the 144 Member Organizations, 118 are Full Members and 26 are Associate Members. Girl Scouts USA has nearly 4 million members. Because of Juliette Low’s vision and great efforts to help bring about a worldwide Scouting movement, in 1928 GSUSA was one of WAGGGS’ founding members. The 144 countries are grouped into regions where close relationships, conferences and training can be developed. GSUSA is part of the Western Hemisphere Region. Applications for Full and Associate Membership are considered at World Conferences. Associate Membership enables National Organizations to be accepted into WAGGGS while working towards Full Membership. Each National Organization must:
WORLD ASSOCIATION OF GIRL GUIDES AND GIRL SCOUTS WORLD ASSOCIATION CENTERS
The World Centers give Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from around the world the chance to meet together in friendship. Each center offers activities designed to give members of the Movement the opportunity to learn more about other people, other cultures and their countries. Visitors can participate in activities that are special to the center, work with local communities, share their culture and experience their lifestyle. Registered Girl Scouts, girls and adults, may stay at any center with advanced reservations. WORLD THINKING DAY the joint birthday of Robert and Olave Baden-Powell is February 22nd. In 1932 this day became known as Thinking Day in their honor. In 1999 at the World Conference it was changed to World Thinking Day. World Thinking Day has become not only a day to honor the joint birthday of the founders of the Girl Guide/Girl Scout movement, but a giving day when girls and women remember to extend their support to help the World Association grow stronger and healthier. When Girl Scouts give to the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund and reaffirm their Promise they make possible an annual contribution to the World Thinking Day Fund of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, which serves to extend the movement in several ways:
It was agreed at the 92nd World Board Meeting (October, 1998) that WAGGGS should focus on a sensitive or critical issue concerning girls and young women every triennium. One of the chosen sensitive issues for 2002-2005 is the prevention of adolescent pregnancy (focusing on those under the age of 15). At the World Conference in the Philippines in 2001, a new Triennial Theme for 2002-2005 "Our Rights, Our Responsibilities" WAGGGS Call to Action, was adopted. This theme will continue through 2005-2008. This packet is available on the WAGGGS website. |
