Associate Member - A national organisation working towards Full Membership.
Census - Each year Member Organisations report the total number of their members to WAGGGS
Co-educational setting - In this type of setting, the Guiding/Scouting programme is delivered in mixed-sex units comprising both males and females.
Component Association (CA) - WAGGGS only recognises one Member Organisation per country/territory. Where there are multiple recognised Girl Guiding / Girl Scouting entities in one country they are known as Component Associations (CAs) and, together, they form a Federation.
Country - A 'country' is recognised as a sovereign state if it has a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter relations with other states.
Educational Programme – WAGGGS’ non-formal educational framework that supports the development of girls and young women through the Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting experience. It promotes active youth participation, meaningful contributions to programme development, and engagement in the global Movement. The programme is designed to enhance personal growth, leadership skills, and active citizenship.
Federation – Some Member Organisations consist of a Federation of Component Associations.
Full Member - A national organisation that has achieved Full Membership of WAGGGS in accordance with sub-clause 10.9.1 of the WAGGGS’ Constitution and this policy.
Joint National Organisation – Within a Scouts and Guides National Organisation (SAGNO) structure, Joint National Organisations provide a programme in a single-sex setting. In this type of organisation girls and women are usually in a separate unit from boys and men. There may be girls-only groups with their own programme.
Member Organisation (MO) - A National Organisation that has achieved membership of WAGGGS. It is this entity that is a Member of WAGGGS.
Membership - Membership as a Member of WAGGGS, referring to a National Organisation.
Method of the Girl Guide/Girl Scout Movement – As set out in the WAGGGS Constitution and Bye-Laws, the method of the Girl Guide/Girl Scout Movement includes commitment through the Original Promise and Original Law; progressive self-development; learning by doing; teamwork through the patrol system and training for responsible leadership; active co-operation between young people and adults; service in the community; outdoor activities; symbolism.
National Organisation - A Girl Guide/Girl Scout Organisation in a country/territory, which is composed of one or more associations (known as Component Associations) forming a Federation. A National Organisation may differ from a Member Organisation in that the latter has achieved WAGGGS membership whereas the former has not necessarily done so.
Potential Member Organisation - An organisation that has been formally recognised as seeking membership of WAGGGS
Regional Committee - The committee elected by WAGGGS Full Members at a Regional Conference in accordance with the WAGGGS Constitution and Bye-Laws.
Safeguarding - Safeguarding at WAGGGS means the actions we take to prevent harm and promote the welfare of the children and young people we work with and for. Of particular importance is the need to create safe and supportive spaces for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts to participate in our work, to reduce risks and for any (safety and welfare) concerns to be raised and responded to. (WAGGGS Safeguarding Policy 1.5 2025)
Safeguarding Policy - A policy that makes it clear what an organisation believes about the importance of safety and well-being of its members, as well as the actions that it will take to keep everyone safe, especially children and vulnerable adults, and respond to incidents of harm or potential harm, if and when they arise.
Scout and Guide National Organisation (SAGNO) – A Member Organisation of WAGGGS that is also a member of World Scouting (WOSM).
Sectarian Name - A sectarian name refers to the name of a Member Organisation that is explicitly linked to a specific religion, denomination, or political group. This can sometimes imply exclusivity or alignment with particular beliefs, not aligning with WAGGGS' values of inclusivity and diversity.
Self-government – Where a Girl Guide/Girl Scout National Organisation has the ‘freedom to formulate its policy and put it into practice’, and, in addition, ‘is independent of any political organisation and any political party’. Self-government with respect to a Joint National Organisation or a Component Association should include the freedom for members of Girl Guiding or Girl Scouting to:
- have an equal share in formulating the policies of the Joint Organisation or Component Association;
- accept all the responsibilities of membership in WAGGGS;
- be autonomous in respect of:
- the programme and training for girls and young women, including leadership development initiatives.
- the practical implementation of the policies of the Joint Organisation or Component Association with regard to girls and young women, including ensuring compliance with WAGGGS’ safeguarding and child protection standards;
- control over the finances allotted to the Girl Guide/Girl Scout section.
Territory - A 'territory' is a geographical area subject to the sovereignty, control, or jurisdiction of a state or other entity.
WAGGGS Global Team - The WAGGGS Global Team includes all staff and volunteers (both governance and operational) at Regional and Global levels who are carrying out a role on behalf of WAGGGS.
WAGGS-only Organisation Admitting Boys – National Organisations that are only members of WAGGGS in which all males are members of WAGGGS.
World Board - the charity trustees of WAGGGS.
WOSM – World Scouting, previously known as the World Organisation of the Scout Movement.
1The use of the terms ‘country’ and ‘territory’ within this Policy is for the purposes of defining eligibility for membership consideration only and does not imply political recognition or a position on sovereignty status.