7. Type of Member Organisations
The majority of Member Organisations have one Girl Guide or Girl Scout organisation in a country and the membership is entirely female. However, there are several types of Member Organisations within WAGGGS.
WAGGGS respects that all Member Organisations have the right to choose the educational method most suited to their particular culture. The Policy on education of girls and young women in WAGGGS recognises that the educational methods in both single sex and co-educational environments offer different benefits. WAGGGS is committed to supporting all Member Organisations in their work and will seek innovative ways to provide the support relevant to the different settings in which our Members are operating.
7a. WAGGGS-only Organisations
Member Organisations that have one Girl Guide or Girl Scout organisation in a country where the membership is entirely female are known as WAGGGS-only Organisations. These organisations may have a number of male adult volunteers who support the delivery of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting.
7b. WAGGGS-only Admitting Boys (WOABS)
WAGGGS recognises that historical circumstances have resulted in some Member Organisations admitting boys and young men into membership, such as in WAGGGS-Only Admitting Boys organisations (WOABs), and that, whilst remaining a Movement dedicated to the needs of young women, boys benefit from WAGGGS’ programmes and understand the attitudes and values promoted by WAGGGS. WAGGGS recognises that the boys and men who are members of WAGGGS make a valuable contribution to delivering the Mission of WAGGGS.
After 1st October 1998 no new WOABs will be admitted to WAGGGS membership.
7c. Scout and Guide National Organisations (SAGNOs)
SAGNO is a traditional term used to describe National Organisations where females are members of WAGGGS and males are members of WOSM.
Although current policy of the WOSM Committee will not allow the creation of new SAGNOs, the WAGGGS World Board re-affirms its belief that the SAGNO model may suit some organisations. WAGGGS will not promote the creation of any new SAGNOs unless a Potential Member Organisation has been functioning in the same way as a SAGNO for a long period of time when applying for membership.
WAGGGS’ Member Organisations will actively promote the cause of girls and young women within either structure. WAGGGS recognises that the boys and men who are members of a Scouting and Guiding National Organisation (SAGNO) make a valuable contribution to delivering the Mission of WAGGGS. There is no requirement for such Member Organisations to restrict its membership to girls and young women only. It is accepted that Member Organisations may have adult males as members.
WAGGGS will continue to allow boys and men who are members of WAGGGS Member Organisations to participate fully in Conferences and in events as appropriate, but only women may hold positions of elected leadership within WAGGGS.
Within the SAGNO model, there are two distinct structures offering different educational methods; co-educational and single sex. These are known respectively as Merged National Organisations and Joint National Organisations. There are also SAGNOs that practice various combinations of the two approaches. These would simply be referred to as SAGNOs.
7d. Merged National Organisations
Merged National Organisations are SAGNOs that provide a programme in a co-educational setting, where boys and girls usually are in mixed units. The Constitutions sub-Committee and the World Board would need assurance that in the Merged National Organisation girls and young women would play an equal role together with the boys and young men in the administration, promotion and activities of the Organisation.
7e. Joint National Organisations
Joint National Organisations are SAGNOs that provide a programme in a single sex setting. In this type of organisation girls and women are in a separate units from boys and men. The girls and women have girls-only groups with their own programme. The female volunteers hold most posts up to national level. Often there is no common programme or events with boys but there may be occasional joint events.
At the national level, there is usually a council where the female and male sections come together and make decisions on national policies. Often there are rules governing equal opportunities at the national level so that both genders are appropriately represented and have leadership roles.