Jasper youth program seeks support

The Jasper Girl Guides need a couple of helping hands to keep their program running in the fall.

Ann Thomas, current district commissioner for Jasper, said the program is looking for both a new district commissioner and a leader.

Because the five-year commitment limit on her post is coming to an end this year, it’s time to start looking for someone to take over. “The ideal person is somebody, first of all, who enjoys working with girls, with kids, and believes in the program,” Thomas said. 

District commissioner is a fancy title for co-ordinator, Thomas said, and the person in that role supports the leaders in Jasper and Hinton of all the divisions, which are Sparks, Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders, and Rangers.

About 50 girls are with the Jasper Girl Guides, and 40 are enrolled in Hinton, where the program is relatively young. 

Taking on the role requires a considerable commitment, especially at the start of each year. “The main thing is to make sure the registration of the members runs smoothly in the fall,” she said. The ideal candidate for this volunteer position works part-time or has a flexible working schedule. 

Though it requires a lot of effort, the results are countless, according to Thomas. “It’s such a pure thing because there’s no politics involved,” she said. 

“You are working for the benefit of any number of girls, and for their lifetime you have helped give them the guiding experience, which is something that stays with a young person most of their life.”

Those interested shouldn’t shy away or feel overwhelmed, said Thomas, because she will personally prepare the new district commissioner for the work ahead. “And this would be on-the-job training, all the support you can get,” she said, adding that three former district commissioners are still involved with the Jasper Girl Guides.

The program is also looking for someone to fill a leader role, which would involve attending a 90-minute meeting one evening a week from October through the end of May. It’s a great opportunity for those seeking experience with children.

“It gives them more experience communicating with that young age, and it really does look good on your résumé,” Thomas said. 

The aim of the Girl Guides organization is to empower young women to become responsible citizens. “We say ‘Hey, we don’t need guys to put up our tents’, and we don’t sit home and knit,” she said. “We like to give them a different experience, for instance, last year we took the Brownies and Guides dog sledding.”

Those interested in either position should contact Thomas at 780-852-4321. The leader is needed immediately and the district commissioner would begin by September.