The Girls' Brigade is an international, interdenominational Christian youth organisation founded in 1893 in Dublin, Ireland.[1] The modern Brigade was formed as the result of the consolidation of three organisations: the Girls' Brigade of Ireland (1893), the Girls' Guildry of Scotland (1900), and the Girls' Life Brigade of England (1902). The international headquarters are currently based in Derbyshire, England.[2]

The organisation operates internationally and is divided into five Fellowships: African, Asian, Caribbean and Americas, European, and Pacific.[3] International conferences have been held every four years since 1998.[2] Conferences were held in Australia in 1988, Thailand in 2002, Northern Ireland in 2006, Malaysia in 2010, Australia in 2014, and Zambia in 2018.[4]

The Queen Mother and Princess Alice were Girls' Brigade patrons until their deaths in 2002 and 2004, respectively. From 1983 until her death in 2020, Olive Hilda Miller was Vice-Patron of Brigade International.[5]

Girls' Brigade vision statement, principles, motto, and aim

The international vision statement is "Girls' lives transformed, God's world enriched."

The Girls' Brigade's principles are "Acknowledges Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord according to the Scriptures and seeks to fulfil its aim to the Glory of One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit", "Witnesses to the standard set by Jesus Christ and gives positive teaching on the Christian attitude to life", and "Promotes a just society where all people are equally valued."[6]

The motto of the Girls' Brigade is "Seek, Serve and Follow Christ", and its aim is "to help girls become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and through self-control, reverence and a sense of responsibility to find true enrichment of life."[7] Since 1936, the Girls' Brigade has been a founding member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS).[8]

Girls' Brigade programme

The Girls' Brigade programme in many countries follows four themes: Spiritual, Physical, Educational, and Social.[9] The four themes of the programme are based on a passage from the Bible, Luke 2:52: "And Jesus grew in body and wisdom, gaining favour with God and men." The Physical theme relates to Jesus growing in body, Educational to Jesus growing in wisdom, Spiritual to Him growing closer to God and the Social to the way Jesus developed in His relationships with other people. During their time in the Girls Brigade and throughout their lives thereafter, the girls are encouraged to participate in activities other than just badge work. These include leadership courses for 14 to 21-year-olds, and most companies or districts arrange camps or holidays, usually one per year. Moreover, the Girls' Brigade helps its members with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.[10]

Girls' Brigade Projects

The Girls' Brigade provides weekly activities, social engagement projects, summer camps, residential training events, and mission trips.

Sections in Girls' Brigade

In Ireland, the Girls' Brigade is divided into the following sections:

  • 4 to 8 years - Explorer[11]
  • 7 to 11 years - Junior[12]
  • 10 to 14 years - Senior[13]
  • 13 to 18 years - Brigadier[13]
  • 18+ years - Leader, Lieutenant or Captain

The main leader is called the Captain, and her next-in-charge is the Lieutenant. Girls who have reached 15 years of age can become Young Leaders. A girl can become a Leader after she is 18 years old.

In Scotland, the Girls' Brigade is divided into the following sections:

  • 4 to 7 years (Primary 1 – Primary 3) - Explorer
  • 8 to 11 years (Primary 4 – Primary 7) - Junior
  • 12 to 18 years (1st Year – 6th Year) - Brigadier

Adult leaders in Scotland are called officers.[14]

In England and Wales, the Girls' Brigade is divided into the following groups by age:

  • 4 to 8 years - n:vestigate
  • 8 to 11 years - n:gage
  • 11 to 14 years - n:counta
  • 14 to 18 years - n:spire[15]

Girls aged 14 to 18 years can complete "n:fluence" training in leadership.[16] Adult volunteers complete n:fluence 18+ training.[16]

As of 31 March 2005, there were 6,109 n:vestigate members, 7,534 n:gage members, 4,016 n:counta members, 1,913 n:spire, 405 young Leaders, 124 helpers, and 1,967 Leaders in 707 Companies within England & Wales.[17]

In other countries, the names of the Sections (sometimes called Units) may vary, as may the ages of girls in those units. These age variations are usually based on the local schooling ages.

In Australia, the Sections are:

  • 5 to 8 years (Prep – Year 2) - Cadet
  • 8–11 years (Year 3 – Year 5) - Junior
  • 11–14 years (Year 6 – Year 8) - Senior
  • 14–21 years (Years 9+) - Pioneer

In New Zealand, the Sections are:

  • 5 to 8 years old (New Entrant/Year 1 – Year 4) - Junior
  • 9 to 12 years old (Year 5 – Year 8) - Senior
  • 13 to 17 years old (Year 9 – Year 13) - Pioneer

In Malaysia, the Sections are:

  • 5 to 8 years old - Cadet
  • 9 to 11 years old - Junior
  • 12 to 14 years old - Senior
  • 15 to 18 years old - Pioneer

Crest

The crest is a registered trademark of Girls' Brigade England & Wales. However, all Girls' Brigade fellowships around the world have the right to use it.

In the centre is a cross, the symbol of Christianity. Below the cross is a lamp, which represents the Girls' Brigade. Above it is a crown, symbolising monarchy in general and Christ the King in particular. Behind it all is a torch; fire is a typical sign in Christianity of God's presence.

In 1965, when the Girls' Brigade, the Girls' Guildry and the Girls' Life Brigade combined into the modern Girls' Brigade, a competition was held to design the crest for the amalgamated organisation. Constance Fasham, the winner of the competition, incorporated symbols from each partner organisation: the cross from the Ireland Girls' Brigade, the lamp from the Girls' Guildry, and the crown from the Girls' Life Brigade.

Fasham intended the crest to incorporate symbols from the three original organisations. The crest was intended therefore as a symbol of Unity and Christian faith.[18]

International

The International President of the Girls' Brigade is Priscilla Penny (Africa). The International Treasurer is Joyce Evans (England and Wales). The International Vice-presidents are the Chairholders from each Fellowship.[3]

African Fellowship

Bridget Leher (Zimbabwe) is the Fellowship Chairholder.
There are 14 African countries that have Girls' Brigade companies:[19]

Asian Fellowship

Tay Poh Imm (Singapore) is the Fellowship Chairholder.
There are 12 Asian countries that have Girls' Brigade companies:[20]

Caribbean and Americas Fellowship

Andrea Stevens (Cayman Islands) is the Fellowship Chairholder.
There are 21 countries in the Americas that have Girls' Brigade companies:[21]

Europe Fellowship

Claire Rush (Northern Ireland) is the Fellowship Chairholder.

There are six countries within the Europe fellowship that have Girls' Brigade companies:[22]

Currently, England & Wales run as one country for Girls' Brigade even though they are distinct countries.

Pacific Fellowship

Renelle Neale (Australia) is the International Vice President for the Pacific.
There are 13 countries within the Pacific Fellowship that have Girls' Brigade companies:[23]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "About GB". Archived from the original on 17 May 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  2. 1 2 "History of GB & info on International Conferences". Archived from the original on 7 February 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  3. 1 2 "International GB". Archived from the original on 17 May 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  4. ↑ "Newsletter mentioning where the 2006 ICGB conference was held" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  5. ↑ Ragoonath, Reshma (20 May 2020). "Cayman mourns Olive Miller". Cayman Compass. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  6. ↑ "Aim, Motto & Principles – The Girls' Brigade Malaysia". Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  7. ↑ "Information on the motto and aim". Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  8. ↑ "NCVYS - Unofficial Website of the Organization". www.ncvys.org.uk. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  9. ↑ SPES files - GB Award Handbook
  10. ↑ "Further part of the GB programme". Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  11. ↑ "Explorer's Section on GBEW". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  12. ↑ "Junior's Section on GBEW". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  13. 1 2 "Brigader's Section on GBEW". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  14. ↑ "Information on becoming a Leader of GB". Archived from the original on 26 September 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  15. ↑ "Groups". Girls’ Brigade Ministries. Retrieved 27 December 2023. 4-8 n:vestigate ... 7-11 n:gage ... 10-14 n:counta ... 13-18 n:spire
  16. 1 2 "Training". Girls’ Brigade Ministries. Retrieved 27 December 2023. n:fluence 14-18s ... n:fluence 18+
  17. ↑ "Statistics of 2005 Members of GB". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  18. ↑ Leadership Training booklet 2001 (contains all information about the crest)
  19. ↑ "Information on African Fellowship". Archived from the original on 25 May 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  20. ↑ "Information on Asian Fellowship". Archived from the original on 25 May 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  21. ↑ "Information on Caribbean & Americas Fellowship". Archived from the original on 25 May 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  22. ↑ "Information on Europe Fellowship". Archived from the original on 24 May 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  23. ↑ "Information on Pacific Fellowship". Archived from the original on 25 May 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
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