World Board
Encyclopedia
Established in 1927, the World Board, originally World Committee, is a governing board for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
(WAGGGS). Today, it is made up of seventeen active members of WAGGGS, all of whom are elected democratically by all member organizations at the World Conference. Of the seventeen, five are representatives of each of the five regions of WAGGGS - the Arab Region
, the Western Hemisphere Region
, the European Region
, the Africa Region
, and the Asia Pacific Region
. These regional representatives are elected at the Regional Conferences.
The World Committee of nine was increased to twelve in 1963 and the period of service nine years. World Board members may serve for as many as two three-year terms. There is also a World Board Chairman, who is elected by the World Board members. The Chairman is assisted in that capacity by the Deputy Chairman and WAGGGS's Chief Executive, all three of whom may sit on any committee of the World Board.
The purpose of the World Board is to oversee the execution of WAGGGS's goals and make sure the organization is fulfilling its mission statement
: "To enable girls to girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world." Each member of the World Board sits on a committee (or group). The regular committees include the Chairman's Coordinating Group, the Development of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (which includes the five regional committees and the World Centers Committee), the Communications and Coordinating Committee, and the Finance and Management Committee.
, and some fund-raising.
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is a global association supporting the female-oriented and female-only Scouting organizations in 145 countries. It was established in 1928 and has its headquarters in London, England. It is the counterpart of the World Organization of the Scout...
(WAGGGS). Today, it is made up of seventeen active members of WAGGGS, all of whom are elected democratically by all member organizations at the World Conference. Of the seventeen, five are representatives of each of the five regions of WAGGGS - the Arab Region
WAGGGS-Arab Region
The WAGGGS-Arab Region is the divisional office of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. The WAGGGS-Arab Region comprises 17 members of Guiding in Western Asia and North Africa, including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya,...
, the Western Hemisphere Region
WAGGGS-Western Hemisphere Region
The WAGGGS-Western Hemisphere Region is the divisional office of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, which services Guiding and Scouting in North and South America....
, the European Region
WAGGGS-Europe Region
The WAGGGS Europe Region is the regional office of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, which supports Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in Europe, including the former Soviet Republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine, but inclusive of Cyprus,...
, the Africa Region
WAGGGS-Africa Region
The WAGGGS-Africa Region is the divisional office of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, which services Guiding in Sub-Saharan Africa and neighboring islands that are recognized members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Guides .This region is the counterpart of the...
, and the Asia Pacific Region
WAGGGS-Asia Pacific Region
The WAGGGS-Asia Pacific Region is the divisional office of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, headquartered in Makati City, Philippines; Australia; and Japan...
. These regional representatives are elected at the Regional Conferences.
The World Committee of nine was increased to twelve in 1963 and the period of service nine years. World Board members may serve for as many as two three-year terms. There is also a World Board Chairman, who is elected by the World Board members. The Chairman is assisted in that capacity by the Deputy Chairman and WAGGGS's Chief Executive, all three of whom may sit on any committee of the World Board.
The purpose of the World Board is to oversee the execution of WAGGGS's goals and make sure the organization is fulfilling its mission statement
Mission statement
A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...
: "To enable girls to girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world." Each member of the World Board sits on a committee (or group). The regular committees include the Chairman's Coordinating Group, the Development of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (which includes the five regional committees and the World Centers Committee), the Communications and Coordinating Committee, and the Finance and Management Committee.
Chairman's Coordinating Group
This group is typically made up of the chairman, the deputy chairman, the WAGGGS Chief Executive, and representatives from several regions. They monitor the activities of all committees, task forces, and members of the World Board, and give help or report successes as they are needed.Development of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
Although there is an overall coordinator for this committee, it is really made up of several smaller subcommittees, each committed to the five regions and the four World Centres. It works with the organizations in each member country to create and offer programs for the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts internationally. They also address the development of organizations, recruitment of girl members and adult volunteers, and retention of all members. Primarily, this committee gathers, uses, and shares information from each of the chairmen of the five regions and the directors of the four World Centres.Communications and Coordinating Committee
This committee includes a chairman and three to four members. Their responsibilities include coordinating the annual World Conference, following the messages about WAGGGS in marketing and media, directing the re-positioning of the organization, creating the triennial theme (2005-2008 is Adolescent Health), maintaining the relationship created between WAGGGS and the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, and some fund-raising.
Finance and Business Management
A chairman and one or two members oversee all the responsibilities of this committee. Not only do they monitor the finances of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, they also oversee WAGGGS's governance and constitution, as well as all the constitutions of WAGGGS's member organizations. The committee also addresses facilities and operations, risk assessment and management, and human resources.List of chairwomen
- Helen StorrowHelen StorrowHelen Osborne Storrow was a prominent American philanthropist, early Girl Scout leader, and chair of the World Committee of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts for eight years...
(1930?1934?) - Mme. de Kerraoul (?1946?)
- Nadine Corbett - Canada
- Mary Nesbitt - Canada
- Barbara Hayes - Canada
- Doris Riehm (1993–1996) - USA
- Heather Brandon (1996–1999) - South Africa
- Ginny Radford (1999–2002) - New Zealand
- Kirsty GrayKirsty GrayKirsty Gray was the chairman of the World Board of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from 2003 to 2005. Gray is a qualified chartered accountant...
(2002–2005) - United Kingdom - Elspeth HendersonElspeth HendersonElspeth Henderson is former World Board Chairman of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and an educational consultant. She is Irish.-Educational career:...
(2005–2008) - Ireland - Margaret TreloarMargaret TreloarMargaret Treloar is a Canadian food scientist and product development expert, and is World Board Chairman of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. In 1984 she founded Treloar Product Development International Inc., a consulting firm specializing in improved methods for product...
(2008–) - Canada