Empowering girls to unleash their potential

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This article was published 07/10/2019 (2473 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Susan Kotello enjoys staying active and learning new things, which make volunteering with the Girl Guides of Canada a great fit.

Founded more than 100 years ago, Girl Guides provides a safe environment where girls between the ages of five and 17 can learn a variety of skills and challenge themselves while developing friendships and self-confidence.

Kotello signed her daughter up for Girl Guides in September 2011. When organizers were looking for more leaders, called unit guiders, Kotello stepped forward.

“I saw that Girl Guides enjoy the outdoors, that they meet new people, that they do crafts, sing songs and do sleepovers,” says the 45-year-old, who lives near Oakbank.

“It was an extracurricular activity that I thought would enhance my daughter’s time as a child.”

Kotello has worked with a variety of different age groups. She is currently one of the unit guiders for a group of five- and six-year-olds that meets every week in the Oakbank United Church.

Being a unit guider requires Kotello to help plan and lead the weekly meetings, as well as assist with occasional weekend activities.

“When I first joined, I thought it was for my daughter, and then I thought it was (to help) other girls,” Kotello says. “Then I realized I gain a lot from it as well. All the benefits the girls get, I get. I meet new friends, I learn new skills like camping, crafting, geocaching, there are travel opportunities and Girl Guides provides excellent training.”

“It’s hard to make friends as an adult, so it’s nice to have this group of women that are constantly building each other up, and trying to be kind and do good things.”– Stephanie Fox

Stephanie Fox agrees, saying the camaraderie she shares with fellow volunteers is meaningful.

“It’s hard to make friends as an adult, so it’s nice to have this group of women that are constantly building each other up, and trying to be kind and do good things,” says the 27-year-old, who lives in Brandon.

Fox started volunteering with Girl Guides a year ago after her friend told her the organization is amazing.

“These girls constantly surprise me and amaze me,” she says.

One of her favourite moments from the past year took place at an event that happened shortly after she began volunteering.

Fox agreed to help organize a weekend camp-out. After the weekend was over, one of the girls gave her a hug.

“More girls ran over, and then I got dogpiled,” Fox recalls, laughing. “There’s this photo of 30 kids pinning me against the wall.”

The Manitoba Council of the Girl Guides of Canada is looking for energetic women to volunteer as unit guiders. They should be committed to creating safe environments for girls, both emotionally and physically. A willingness to plan and facilitate programs, strong communication and organizational skills, and team-building skills are required. Anyone interested can apply at girlguides.ca.

“Guiding is amazing,” Fox says. “It’s an organization that helps women build each other up, which I think we need more of in the world.”

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.