OLAVE BADEN-POWELL SOCIETY (OB-PS) NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS
OB-PS relies on volunteers in countries where there are OB-PS members to maintain and strengthen the worldwide network of people who support the work of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) through OB-PS. In some cases, these volunteers work in support of a Region rather than only one country. The term “National Volunteers” refers to both Country and Regional leaders in OB-PS.
Overall, national volunteers are significant contributors to fulfilling OB-PS’ Mission “to inspire generosity and sustained financial support for the advancement of girls and young women through the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.” National volunteers work in different ways in different countries, seeking to meet the needs of members (see Appendix for examples). Leadership of the work may be provided by one or two individuals or by a larger team. These volunteers may be known as Ambassadors, Coordinators or Team Leaders/Chairs, referred to in OB-PS as ACTs. OB-PS seeks to identify and support these leaders in each country. Where there is a Team in a country or Region, there will be additional Team members supporting the work. These volunteers are recruited by the ACTs in the country. A letter of appointment from OB-PS can be requested for additional team members, where applicable.
National volunteers fulfill important roles, including
- Communicating with members who want to know about OB-PS initiatives, events and opportunities.
- Maintaining accurate lists and contact details of current members, in partnership with staff.
- Regularly checking and utilising Basecamp, or the approved communication platform.
- Highlighting the impact resulting from members’ donations.
- Encouraging members to continue to support our cause through WAGGGS and OB-PS fundraisers.
- Engaging and connecting members by organizing in person and/or virtual Country or Region meetings, activities and events.
- Facilitating Country Meetings taking place during Global Events.
- Recruiting new OB-PS members.
- Promoting OB-PS and WAGGGS whenever and wherever possible, and, if possible, in cooperation with the WAGGGS Member Organization in their country.
- Organizing the participation of representatives of the Country or Region in meetings of the ACTs.
- Organizing special Presentation Ceremonies for members, in consultation with the OB-PS President and staff.
In most cases, countries will have a National Coordinator who is responsible for the communication link between OB-PS and the members in the country. Where there is a Team, the National Coordinator will be a member of the team.
National Coordinators are OB-PS members who are appointed for 3-year terms to be a link between OB-PS members in their country, the OB-PS Board and WAGGGS staff working with OB-PS (refer to the Process for Appointment of National Volunteers, below). Their responsibilities include:
- Maintaining accurate lists and contact details for current members in their country, in partnership with staff.
- Ensuring there is ongoing regular communication with members (may be carried out by a team).
- Communicating regularly with the appropriate WAGGGS staff member and sharing information about country meetings, events, activities and members.
- Prepare reports as requested by the OB-PS Board or appropriate WAGGGS staff member.
- Supporting a smooth changeover with the next National Coordinator. Refer to the Process for Appointment of National Volunteers, below.
In countries where there is no National Coordinator, OB-PS seeks to identify a Contact Person who will fulfill the above responsibilities.
National Ambassadors are OB-PS members appointed for 3-year terms to work with the National Coordinator(s) or as Team members in their country, the OB-PS Board and WAGGGS staff working with OB-PS. They also work with other OB-PS members in their country, Girl Guiding or Girl Scouting members and wider networks.
The focus of their role is the recruitment of new Members, Young Members and Associate Members for OB-PS and supporting fundraising for WAGGGS. In addition, National Ambassadors:
- Communicate regularly and frequently with the National Coordinator(s) to ensure a coordinated approach and to engage, motivate, and inspire current and future Members, Young Members, and Associate Members.
- Promote OB-PS and WAGGGS whenever and wherever possible.
- Ensure a smooth changeover with the next National Ambassador.
- Work closely with the OB-PS staff member at WAGGGS to have an understanding of the annual calendar of fundraising activities and how they can best support this.
National Team Leaders/Chairs are OB-PS members appointed for 3-year terms to work with other national volunteers in their country, the OB-PS Board and WAGGGS staff working with OB-PS. They also work with other OB-PS members in their country, Girl Guiding or Girl Scouting members, and wider networks. These leaders coordinate the efforts of team members to fulfill the roles outlined above
National Team Members are OB-PS members recruited by the Team Leaders to support the activities that fulfill the roles outlined above, ensuring members are informed, inspired and appreciated, and working to grow the support of WAGGGS through OB-PS.
PROCESS FOR APPOINTMENT OF NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS
The process for the appointment of ACTs depends on the situation of each country, e.g., cultural traditions, availability of interested, qualified individuals, etc. A tailored approach is used which takes these factors into account. Any of the ACT positions (Ambassador, Coordinator, Team Leader/Chair) may be shared by two persons.
In some countries, the current ACTs, or a group of interested OB-PS members in the country, will recruit successors. In other cases, OB-PS Board, ACTs Working Group of the Board (ACTs WG) or Staff members will initiate and/or support the transition, as needed. Key steps include:
- At least 3 months in advance, a Staff or ACTs WG member will notify the current National Volunteer regarding when their term is due to conclude.
- Relevant personnel, e.g., Team members and OB-PS Board and/or Staff members, will review the options for extension. An extension of up to 3 years is permitted after an initial 3 years of service.
- When a successor needs to be recruited, relevant OB-PS members in the country, with support from the ACTs WG and Staff, will identify a candidate(s) with relevant skills, experience and interest in the work. After discussion with the proposed appointee, and consultation with OB-PS, the individual(s) will be invited to take up the role (Ambassador, Coordinator or Team Leader).
- Once it has been agreed who a new Ambassador, Coordinator or Team Leader is to be, whose term is to be renewed, or whose term is ending, an official appointment, renewal or thank you letter will be sent from the OB-PS President.
- The appointment will be announced to the ACTs and to the general membership of OB-PS.
- An induction process will be arranged, supported by OB-PS Board and staff members and the retiring and current ACTs, as appropriate. The induction will help new volunteers to use tools and resources available to ACTs, e.g., Basecamp, OB-PS website, etc., as needed.
APPENDIX
Some examples of the types of National Volunteer/Team Approaches in different countries:
In a country with a small number of members: One Coordinator fills all roles, asking for assistance with particular jobs, activities or events, as needed.
In a country with a larger number of members: A small group of members is working with the Coordinator. They may have particular roles, e.g., recruiting, donor care and internal communication with members, organizing activities within the country. They may have one or more appointed Ambassadors or a less formal structure. These groups may change with a particular need.
In a country with a large number of members: A Team with particular roles may be built, similar to that in the USA, or based on geographical areas, language groups or on something else. In this case, the Country teams have regular meetings for keeping in touch and for planning.
Where examples like those listed above don’t work, a Region Team, covering a number of countries may be organized or they may be connected by way of an external “Contact Person.”
Updated 2025-04-25