1. #MakeARainbow in Chislehurst Division – The Direct Approach Helen Beecher Bryant Growing Guiding Co-ordinator, Chislehurst Division

2. We do not have enough Rainbow units in the Division
Situation
We do not have enough Rainbow units in the Division
We made a plan
We executed the plan
We opened 3 new Rainbow units, making more than 60 places available and welcoming in 2 Leaders who are doing the Leadership Qualification, plus approximately 8 regular helpers

3. How did we do it?
We contacted a load of venues in the Division to find out their availability for potential units, what they would cost and whether they would welcome a weekly booking.
We came up with six options:

4. How did we do it?
The Division Commissioner wrote a letter to all the parents of those ‘waiting-to-join’ to explain our campaign:
Which potential units would be convenient to you?
Come to one of our Growing Guiding Coffee Mornings
Could you help with the unit? (Help on a regular basis, help out with admin / finance, communications etc.)
We mailmerged this letter and sent it out to all those
waiting-to-join.

5. How did we do it?
We set-up a Growing Guiding Chislehurst Division address and followed up on the letter with a link to a google form.

6. How did we do it?
Twitter
Facebook

7. How did we do it?
Blog
Articles

8. How did we do it?
Flyers and posters
Events

9. What happened next?
Based on the responses we got from the letter, the events (particularly the Coffee Mornings), the google form and the Facebook interaction, we worked out which units could feasibly open.
We put together leadership teams.
We wrote to everyone who was waiting-to-join to confirm which units were going to open and when.
We had the units set up on GO.
We applied for start-up funding from CHQ, Trefoil Guild and from our County (which gives £50 to new units)

10. What happened next?
Monday 1st June 2015 – 3rd Chislehurst Rainbows opened
This unit is run by existing Leaders (who are doing module 1 for Rainbows), 2 Unit Helpers, 1 Young Leader and 3 Rainbow Helpers (Guides) and takes place in the hour before an existing Brownie unit. It has 24 members now.
Friday 5th June 2015 – 9th Petts Wood Rainbows opened
This unit is run by existing Leaders (who are doing module 1 for Rainbows), 3 Unit Helpers, 2 Young Leaders and 3 Rainbow Helpers (Guides) and takes place in the hour before an existing Senior Section unit. It has 37 members now.
Wednesday 9th September 2015 – 2nd Chislehurst Rainbows opened
This unit is run by someone who used to be involved with Girlguiding in the area, who had recently moved back to the area after university. She saw our Facebook page and responded. She is now finishing her LQ, has a parent rota and 1 Young Leader. She has 12 Rainbows.

11. Questions?