The Girl Scouts of the Philippines’ (GSP) National Gathering of Girl Representatives (NGGR) is the flagship event participated by the Girl Representatives and alternate Girl Representatives of the 96 GSP councils from all over the country. These Council-level Girl Representatives are young girls elected by their fellow girl scouts to represent them and occupy decision-making roles, sitting as members of their Council Board. These girl leaders also spearhead programs and projects that benefit their fellow girls in green and their communities.
Below, 4 Girl Representatives will share their story and their love for the National Gathering of Girl Representatives event!
By, with, and for girls and young women– the event screams girl-led. This is what the NGGR grounds and prides itself on. Started in 2013, the event aims to help participants know their roles and responsibilities as Girl Representatives, get an overview of different GSP and WAGGGS programs, expand their knowledge on different cross-cutting advocacy areas, and encourage them to take action on issues that concern them by implementing community advocacy projects when they return to their respective local councils.
The planning team of the event is also girl-powered, ensuring that the program delivers activities that appeal to their fellow girl scouts, with sessions centering on peer education regarding different advocacy areas and issues that affect girls and young women. From women empowerment to the SDGs to the WAGGGS mindsets, topics are chosen based on areas that the girls care about. Each NGGR, the planning team is composed of national-level Girl Representatives from the 6 GSP regions.
This national gathering is on its 5th run this year and each year offers a unique theme that the event focuses on. Here are the themes in the last 4 years as explained by the chairpersons:
The first NGGR's theme was “Timek. Tingog. Tinig. Hundred Voices of Girls in Action.” Timek, Tingog, and Tinig which means voice and is translated in three dialects/languages of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao that signify the main Philippine island groups where our girl representatives come from. Using the local language highlights the distinctiveness of each particular culture while also highlighting its unity and ability to blend in. The theme aims to emphasize that girls can make a difference and have their voices heard. By encouraging the girls to speak up and speak out, share what is on their minds and hearts, can help result in a meaningful change in themselves and their communities.
For the 2nd NGGR, the theme "GROW: Girl Scouts Recreating Our World" focused on how girls can grow as agents of positive change to create the world they want. It aimed to help girls SOW the seed of consciousness on different advocacy areas, SPROUT ideas on how to address issues that concern them, CULTIVATE knowledge and skills to reach their full potential, help themselves and the world around them FLOURISH by taking action, and allow them see how the impact of their actions BRANCH OUT when they encourage those around them to take action as well.
The theme for the 3rd NGGR, “Tayo Tayo! (Unified Action Amidst Diversity)” weaves together the SBU -PRIVACY OR PII journeys in the movement of the participating Girl Scouts, their skill sets and attributes, and their commitment to unite in recreating their world, despite their diversity.
Through the 4th National Gathering of Girl Representatives, entitled "She Sparks: Reigniting Connections and Embracing Sustainability", this gathering served as a crucial platform for Girl Scouts to reconnect with the rich history and diverse programs of Girl Scouting. Through engaging interactive sessions, workshops, and thought-provoking discussions centered on the Sustainable Development Goals, participants were able to not only deepen their understanding of Girl Scouting but also develop essential skills for community development, effective project management, and impactful advocacy.
Years after it was launched, the National Gathering of Girl Representatives continues to equip and empower hundreds of girl leaders who have implemented various community projects in different advocacy areas. Years later, NGGR still holds true to its mission of being an event crafted BY girls, implemented WITH girls, and FOR girls in mind.
Jade, Kyla, Justine and Francine