Networking - C - Carry Business Cards

Networking is much more than simply talking to people at the event.  You need to be able to share contact details so you can keep in touch.  It's a good idea to have a little business card holder that slips into the palm of your hand.  That way you can easily pass out your cards with out rummaging through your handbag with every conversation.

from Tonic Magazine, Issue 20

Networking - B - Be Prepared

You know people are going to ask about your organisation and your role within it, so make sure you are prepared with some good clear responses.  In about one minuted you need to be able to sum up who you are, what you do and most importantly, why you do it.  Make sure you can share a clear compelling vision of what your organisation wants to achieve.

from Tonic Magazine, Issue 20

Networking - A - Ask Good Questions

There's more to networking than simply telling people about you and your organisation; the real value comes in finding out about others.  Whether it is business networking for potential sponsors or networking with other non-profits, the more you know about others in the room, the more likely you are to find useful connections.  Practice using open-ended questions that give other people a real chance to speak.

from Tonic Magazine, Issue 20

Girls' Brigade Supporters Club

What is one, what do they do, what should they be, and how does this fit in with Girls' Brigade??  Are all questions you might be asking.

"Supporters groups or supporters clubs are independent fan clubs... Supporters' groups in Europe are generally known as Ultras which derives from the Latin word deriving from ultrā, meaning beyond in English, with the implication that their enthusiasm is 'beyond' the normal.... Supporters' groups and ultras are renowned for their fanatical vocal support in large groups, defiance of the authorities and the display of banners at stadiums, which are used to create an atmosphere which intimidates opposing players and supporters, as well as encouraging their own team."

Wikipedia

Hmmm...so supporters clubs do seem to be a bit sports orientated.  Maybe Alumni would suit Girls' Brigade better...

"An alumnus (masculine, plural 'alumni') or alumna (feminine, plural 'alumnae') is a graduate of a school, college, or university.  An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor, or inmate, as well as a former student.  If a group includes both sexes, even if there is only one male, the male plural form alumni is used."

Wikipedia

It does seem not many know much about the GB Supporters Club - so we hope to change this next year!!  If you were going to be a part of any supporters club what would you want in return for your support?

From the GBNZ website:

GB New Zealand is now providing a special opportunity for people to remember and support Girls' Brigade in New Zealand.

Maybe you were once a Girls' Brigader or you had someone close to you who greatly benefited from being involved in Girls' Brigade. For only a small membership fee paid once a year, you can become a part of a growing community of people online who remember and support Girls' Brigade.

GB Supporters members
are kept up-to-date with GB through the GB Supporters magazine.
have a say in how their financial support is used.
can choose from several ways of supporting GB.

The GB Supporters Club provides
funds for tasks which have no other source of funding e.g. fieldwork.
prayer and practical support.
publicity for GB.
a network to keep in touch with other GB Supporters.

The membership fee is only twenty ($20.00) New Zealand dollars paid once a year.
How to become a Member:
Please Contact GB Support Centre to join the GB Supporters.

Random(ish) Acts of Kindness

So I know we only finished GB for the year last night, but I'm already starting to think about next year!  And being on the GB Programme Team means for me that if I'm going to prepare a badge subject for our company I might as well do it properly, test it, and send it out nationally.

I really believe that as a company we do not do enough service in our local community, which is silly really because as well as helping our community it is great publicity.  The thing that always stops me is memories of a girl singing songs at Rest Homes - I think retirement homes can be quite scary as a kid - plus if you know me I don't really like singing!

Trying to think of something to do for up to 6 weeks as a service idea seemed hard to me, and this got me thinking along the lines of random acts of kindness - simple things to brighten someone's day.  And I thought actually I/we could do that!!

• Take cookies or muffins and a signed card to the local police or fire station, to say thank you for the awesome work they do.
• Make cards or craft and take to retirement centre - ask the manager to give them out to people who might like them to brighten their day.
• Collect food items and drop them off at City Mission or foodbank.
• Make cards and/or gifts and drop them off in surrounding neighbours letterboxes.
• Make some muffins and drop them off to the local librarian.
• Clean up at a local park.
• Collect unused toys from the girls and donate them to Starship, doctors, womens refuge etc
• Pray!
• Plant a tree.
• Love your church, make or do something for your church.
• Secret Santa...or secret gb friend?
• Cross a generation - have a grandparents night
• Create a thank you gift for someone, or create a thankyou chart/craft to show everything the girls are thankful for.

So the challenge is on, I would like to see if we can do as many GB subjects for 2014 as possible with the idea of serving our local community - lets get out there!

Girls' Brigade Prayer Wave 2013 - What Now?

After the Prayer Wave 2013, what now? 
“Pray without ceasing” is what we are told in 1 Thessalonians 5 : 17. Just because our GB International World Day of Prayer is over, that is no reason for us to stop praying. There are so many opportunities for us to use the Prayer Wave booklet and to continue to keep our worldwide GB family in our prayers along after the 10th June 2013.
Have you joined the Girls’ Brigade Prayer Wave on Facebook? Remember you can share stories of answered prayer on there at any time.

Please continue to pray for:

• The Gathering 2013, in Cape Town, South Africa from the 7 – 14 December 2013. 
• International Conference of Girls’ Brigade (ICGB), Perth, Australia 9-16 July 2014. 
• For God’s faithfulness, for all that He has already done through GB, and pray that He continues to bless and direct our paths. 
• Using this prayer resource, continue to pray for specific prayer requests in each Fellowship. 
• The “ Plan Organisation” works to provide girls with an opportunity to shape their own lives.  Their campaign aims to remove the barriers that prevent girls from getting a quality education. With an education, a girl can transform her world and the world around her.  They want to ensure that girls have choices – about school, careers and who and when they marry etc. 

Other ideas:

• Have an international night focusing on a country in one of the Fellowships. Dress up, sing songs, learn a dance, hear about the country’s customs and culture. Have a time of prayer focusing on the prayer requests in the resource, and conclude the evening in the sharing of food relevant to that country. 
• Create prayer stations around the Church on a company night using the ideas in the resource. Maybe you could invite Church members to join in also and spread the word about the GB International family. 
• Create a prayer calendar where weekly you pray for the work of Plan or for GB work in specific countries or Fellowships. 

SPLASH ONLINE
Justice ACTS Statistics: 

• There are 27 million victims of modern day slavery. 
• Two to four million people are victims of trafficking at any given time. 
• There are 1.2 million children trafficked every year, with most victims being girls between 5-15 years of age (UNICEF) 
• Trafficking in persons is a global business that makes US$7-10 billion each year. 
• Human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world. 
• There are 12.3 million adults and children in forced labour, bonded labour, and forced prostitution around the world. 
• The prevalence of trafficking victims in the world is 1.8 : 1000 people. In Asia and Pacific region that figure is 3 : 1000. 

Write a prayer or post a comment on Justice ACTS Facebook encouraging them in the work they are doing http://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-ACTs-International/242371565820062

The power of Prayer:

Justice ACTS Prayer Initiative – a touching story:
Acknowledgement: http://www.justiceacts.org/initiatives/justicedoll

The Story of the Justice Doll…
It all began in 2007, when I watched a video called ‘To You with Love.’ This was a story of three women, bravely exposing their HIV+ status and the effects it had on them as individuals, on their families and communities.

The youngest woman, Nomonde , a twenty-six year-old, griped my heart. She spoke of her life of poverty, shame, hopelessness and wanting to literally die. I was moved with compassion knowing the facts about living well with HIV.   I saw strength, courage, and above all a life God valued. I also, just “happened” to be headed to South Africa to minister in the exact township Nomonde lived in, Masiphumelele. Of course, I knew this was no coincidence; this was my personal mandate from the Lord to find Nomonde.

My journey began as I made contact with Media Village, who helped me locate Nomande living in a dilapidated shack. Although, there was great joy in finding her, my joy soon turned into sorrow. Within two weeks, Nomande was forced out of her shack, unable to pay the rent. She was truly without shelter, food, family, and was very sick, not having the ARV medication necessary for living with HIV. Nomonde was hopelessness and without a friend to turn to.

We began to pray for God to open doors. Quickly, Nomande found temporary housing, which led us to a small 10x10 area where she could put a shack. In two weeks we raised the money to build her a shack. Her daughter, seven, was reunited with her and all the glory was given to the Lord, Jesus Christ. This was the beginning of a friendship that would continue. God had greater plans than we knew or understood.

Nomonde began to sew and earn a little extra money, but not enough to meet her basic needs. Yet, she had a strong will and believed God would provide for her. During this time Justice ACTs was just in its beginnings. During prayer, I received a vision of a beaded doll representing and bringing awareness to Human Trafficking. Although the doll seemed a simple project, it became increasingly hard. Trying to find materials, quality workmanship, and trust worthy workers in South Africa seemed impossible.

Then, the Lord gave me a strategy. The Justice doll would become a job creation program for woman with HIV+ in the township. Nomonde would become the master craftsman for the Justice doll. It was God. It was perfect. She had a love for design and fabrics, was trust worthy, and wanted to provide the basic needs of her family.

Nomonde has been making the Justice doll for one year, and even has brought on two other women to work with her. The Justice Doll is a simple, but powerful tool that reflects the heart of God for Human Trafficking and gives hope to the hopeless living with HIV. Thousands of dolls have been sold across the globe. A simple prayer time and simple project in the hands of God can became more than I could have asked or imagined.

The tag on The Justice Doll reminds us Human Trafficking is modern day slavery. It’s not just statistics but someone’s wife, daughter, sister or mother. Together we can set Justice Free.

Girls' Brigade Prayer Wave 2013 - 7 & 8pm Caribbean-Americas

Mission: Divided by Seas, but United in Christ in the mission of encouraging regional cooperation and advancement of Brigade for the transformation of the lives of Girls and enrichment of the world around us, by being deliberate BEES for Christ in Building, Equipping, Extending and Serving in Christ’s kingdom.

Bible Verses:
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Psalms 61:1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. 

FOCUS ON BAHAMAS

• Healing for Sis Ivy Curry (10th Nassau company president) had a stroke 
• Rev. Dr. Hervis Bain Jr., Senior minister of St. John Baptist Church is not doing well 
• Strength and encouragement for officers and God will impart wisdom and knowledge needed to lead the girls 
• Lorraine is campaigning for treasurer for Bahamas Union of Teachers on June 11th 2013 
• Success for girls in their school work and at the same time be excited to attend GB 
• Peace and love among all people 
• Congregation at Remnant Tabernacle of Praise and Helen Roll on death of pastor and husband 

FOCUS ON BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

• Family members 
• Success in exams 
• Continued economic stability in the Virgin Islands 
• Continued growth in GB internationally 

FOCUS ON CAYMAN ISLANDS

• Caribbean Americas Fellowship (CAF) camp in July 
• Girls across CAF to attend camp and seek to spread Christ love throughout the world 
• GB Cayman to be further strengthened so they can reach out to serve more persons with the commitment and encourage more girls to join. 

FOCUS ON JAMAICA

• For officers to remain committed and encouraged to our aim of helping Girls to become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
• For the physical and emotional safety of our boys and girls. 
• The many girls’ lives past and present who have changed through the work of Girls’ Brigade. 
• Those companies who are struggling for leadership. 
• For a headquarters for GB Jamaica 
• For our country as we go through difficult times. 

FOCUS ON SAINT VINCENT

• Kindly pray for ten (10) recruits, who will become full members of the 7th St. Vincent Company at Calliaqua on Sunday, 21st April, 2013. 
• Students who will be writing examinations. 

FOCUS ON SAINT MAARTEN

• Continued revival of dormant companies especially the work of 1st Saint Martin 
• Encouragement and strength for the leaders as they continue to serve and reach out to new girls 
• Girls will be drawn to GB understanding that the program provides a safe environment. 
• Pray for a great revival in Girls’ Brigade because the fields are white and the labourers are few. 
• Committed leaders. 

FOCUS ON REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

• Growth in companies 
• Addition of committed officers and workers 
• Strength and wisdom for captain & officers 
• Success for girls sitting exams 
• Revival of dormant companies and addition of new companies 
• Peace in our land 
• New ideas to be birthed from companies 

FOCUS ON UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

• Leaders will receive renewed vision and zeal 
• Aim to be fulfilled in the lives of more of our girls 
• God will open up doors as we seek to spread GB throughout the USA 
• Minister and parents will understand and willingly support the program of GB 

FOCUS ON G BEES IN CARIBBEAN AMERICAS

• Building – stronger inter country bridges in greater exchange and fellowship and renewed connections 
• Equipping – girls, young leaders, officers and member countries through Camps & Regional Conferences, Youth Empowerment Programs and resources. 
• Extending – our reach within existing member countries and regionally by outreach to un-chartered paths. 
• Serving – our member countries in continued community service and adopting families on the edge. 

SPLASH CREATIVELY
Hand around a bag of jelly beans. Ask the girls to hold their sweet and reflect on all the people of the world—different colours, different creeds and different needs. Identify some of the current needs of the world such as famine, earthquake, war etc. Ask the girls to close their eyes and eat their sweets as you commit these people to God.

SPLASH ONLINE
Send my Sister to School. Share this You Tube clip with your girls 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y4OXIdnQOc

Class of 2015 was launched at the UN in September 2008. The class brings together celebrities, world leaders and activists to ensure that Education for All becomes a reality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jieco-43WNI

Girls' Brigade Prayer Wave 2013 - 6pm Europe Fellowship

Info. Bubbles: 

• Pray for GB in Kosova and Romania. 
• GB Europe has 1,175 companies and is encouraging, discipling and showing God’s love to over 54,000 girls and young women on a weekly basis. 

FOCUS ON KOSOVA

• Praise God for the incredible commitment of ten girls from 1st Gjakova Company who have asked to receive Jesus this year. Please pray that they stay strong and dedicated to Jesus, really follow Him and be good examples to others girls, so others choose to accept Him too. 
• Pray for us as leaders that we keep seeking God’s will as to how to lead GB here in Kosova. 
• Also, that God will continue to bring new girls in to GB, so that they can hear about the love of Jesus in this place. 

FOCUS ON PROJECT FIZZ

• In July and August 2013, over 30 ladies from across the UK will serve on mission teams in Kosova. They will be networked together as gurgling springs in dry places, restoring hope for life. Pray for safe travel, good health and that they would feel transformed by their experiences. 
• Pray that they will feel the love of their Heavenly Father and know that He is with them in every eventuality as they share their faith, skills and gifts during their trip. 
• Please pray for Diana and Mike who will lead the teams and thank God for their love of Kosova and of the Lord. Bless them as they spend their summer sharing with the teams and caring for those around them. 
• And also pray that the widows will feel blessed by the gifts which the FIZZ teams distribute and will realise that God has not forgotten them, even in their sadness. 

SPLASH ONLINE
For more up-to-date info, photos and stories on the FIZZ Project check out the GB Europe Connected Blog and the FIZZ updates Facebook page.

Girl Facts........
I will be expected to shoulder the burden of household labour compared to my brothers. Across the world, girls spend between 33 and 85 per cent more time on unpaid care work than boys (Plan).

Girls' Brigade Prayer Wave 2013 - 5pm Europe Fellowship

Bible Verse: 
Isaiah 58 : 9 MSG
I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places- firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community liveable again.

Info Bubbles:

• Pray for GB in England & Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. 
• GB Europe has an annual fellowship weekend and it is being held in June in Northern Ireland.  Pray for safe travel for the ladies who are travelling from across the U.K. to the venue. Pray that their passion for Him will shine brightly this weekend and that they will know they have been ‘Made to Make a Difference’ by Him. 

FOCUS ON NORTHERN IRELAND

• Please pray for the leadership of GBNI as they seek God’s guidance in leading the organisation. 
• Thank God for our many volunteers who work tirelessly on the ground with our girls being Godly role models and enabling them to Seek, Serve and Follow Christ in their everyday lives. 
• Thank God for the many girls who attend Girls’ Brigade weekly throughout Northern Ireland and how God is using the organisation to speak into thousands of girls’ lives. Pray the Lord would increase our territory and give us opportunities to open new companies and increase our membership so that His Kingdom may be extended. 

FOCUS ON SCOTLAND

• Thank God for everyone who gives their time to GBS and that God will empower the young leaders in the organisation. 
• As GBS makes changes to modernise the organisation, pray that we will be firmly routed in Christ and guided by God’s hand. 

FOCUS ON ENGLAND & WALES

• As GB celebrates 120 years, GBEW groups are being challenged to connect with more children and young people as well as celebrating. Pray for those organising outreach events, bring a friend parties, reunions etc. and for the children, young people and parents who will hear about GB for the first time. 

FOCUS ON IRELAND

• Pray for all our new leaders who were commissioned during this session. 
• We have just started the new Government Quality Standards Framework for Youth Work in January, may God guide us as we work through all the paperwork that they require. 
• Pray for the Girls’ Brigade in Ireland during these difficult times in our country.

SPLASH CREATIVELY
Find a photo of someone in your life whose faith has really inspired you. Perhaps it could be someone you know from Girls’ Brigade. Put the photo somewhere where you will see it often. Every time you look at the photo, stop and thank God for who that person is, what that person means to you, and who God is constantly forming that person to become. Pray that God, who started this great work in them, will keep their passion and energy alive for Him and that their faith will continue to inspire you and be the blessing that it has been so far in your life.

Girls' Brigade Prayer Wave 2013 - 4pm Your Company

Bible Verse: 
1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 

FOCUS ON YOUR LEADERS
What better time than in this our 120th year of GB mission is there to focus on our Leaders. Give thanks to God for past and present leaders who have given so much of their time and energy as they work with the girls in your company. Pray that God will continue to bless them as they further His work.  Pray for empowerment, training and nurturing of younger leaders that they will be given opportunities to grow in faith, wisdom and knowledge as they step up to leadership roles within GB.

FOCUS ON YOUR GIRLS
Pray for the girls in your company that they may come to know our Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour and friend. Pray for the families of your girls, especially those who do not attend church.  Pray that they would see how God is working through their child’s involvement in GB.

FOCUS ON YOUR CHURCH
Pray that the link between your GB family and the Church will be strengthened. Pray that leaders in your church feel a greater sense of the potential of GB as a mission field to families in the local community. Pray for encouragement and a strengthened support network from your church to allow your company to grow.

SLASH CREATIVELY
Birthday cakes are usually part of a celebration, and in this our 120th year of GB Mission, there could be hundreds of cakes being cut all around the world as we celebrate our 120th birthday. While praying for your GB Company, the Chaplain, leaders, girls, parents and the Church, spend some time focusing also on the needs of children around the world. Sadly many children die before their fifth birthday and nearly all these children’s lives could have been saved with some simple measures i.e. regular health checks, mosquito nets that can stop malaria, good food to stop malnutrition, vaccination programmes etc.

Prepare a 120th celebration birthday cake. (You may like to do this previous to the prayer day and let the girls’ ice and decorate it).
Put four candles on the cake (or as many as you want) and as you light each candle, pray for something specific e.g.

• For children born today that they will grow up healthy and cared for and have someone to love them. 
• Thank God for parents and other adults who care for children? Pray that they would have love, wisdom and resources to be good carers. 
• Pray that children around the world will have the opportunity to grow as Jesus did – Luke 2 : 52. 
• Pray for your company and all of its members, your Church, and your community for transformation and lives enriched through Christ Jesus. 

You can add other prayer points.

SPLASH ONLINE
Write a thank you on the Prayer Wave Facebook page for someone who has touched your life and made a difference.
OR Share a few words on the Prayer Wave Facebook page stating how God has transformed you through Girls’ Brigade.

Girl Facts:

• When girls reach puberty, many will face an increased threat of abuse and violence, including sexual harassment, incest and female genital mutilation. This can result in both physical and mental trauma, loss of self-esteem and leave them vulnerable to HIV and death in pregnancy and childbirth. 
• 150 million girls under 18 have experienced rape or other forms of sexual violence 
• 140 million women and girls are living with the consequences of Female Genital Mutilation 
• Pregnancy and childbirth are the leading causes of death for girls aged 15-19 in the world’s poorest countries