Carol Dunne County Commissioner

I had thought this would be my easiest Oxlip to write but as I try and fit in five years of memories and “thank yous”, it has become one of the hardest due to the mixed emotions it generates.

When I was asked to become County Commissioner just over five years ago I knew it would be a busy time but it has also been an incredible privilege. I have met many amazing and inspirational women and girls here in Oxfordshire as well as meeting people from a range of other organisations. I have visited different places, close to home and further afield and tried new activities including gliding and more recently, being a backing singer at the FOG event! But then isn‟t that what Guiding is about – new opportunities for our girls in a safe girl only space?
As a Brownie in Sheffield, it never occurred to me that nearly 40 years later I would be a County Commissioner. As a Guide I certainly never expected that I would be running through Buckingham Palace grounds in bare feet to escape the torrential rain at a garden party, or would sit and eat lunch with the Chief Guide. As a ranger I never thought I would visit Sangam and participate in an incredible and humbling community project supporting girls in the slums of Pune. I do remember celebrating the 75th anniversary as a young unit leader but again, never anticipated that 25 years later I would be part of the fantastic memorable celebrations that took place during 2010. As I drive around the county and pass the various places such as Dorchester or Woodstock, Bicester or Witney, Henley or Banbury, Didcot or Kidlington, Culham and many more I am constantly reminded of the events that took place thanks to the hard work of the volunteers responsible.

In one of our Rainbow, Brownie, Guide or Ranger units there is a girl who one day could be a commissioner or even Chief Guide and that will be mainly due to the inspiration of leaders and volunteers like yourselves who week after week provide the opportunities to keep girls wanting to be in Guiding here in Oxfordshire. I read some tremendous news recently; our membership figures rose by 1.8% in the space of one month – this was much greater than any other county in the region.

I wish to thank the wonderful current and past Division Commissioners and Trustees, advisers, trainers and members of our various committees who form such a strong team and who have worked hard to provide me and our County with assistance and encouragement. I also wish to thank Denise and Andrea for being the most dedicated and supportive assistant commissioners I could have wished for; not only providing me with personal support at times of need but of making sure Guiding in Oxfordshire has continued to be championed, particularly in the area of training and experiences for girls. I am delighted that they will continue to do and know Andrea will work hard to continue to grow great guiding as your new County Commissioner.

Like many of you I couldn‟t do the role I do without the support of my family and I wish to publicly record my thanks to my lovely daughter Hannah who was only 13 years old when I was asked to be County Commissioner and also her father, both of whom have done so much to help me and been incredibly patient - including checking if I should be out when I‟m at home as it became a rare occurrence during 2010!

Five years ago I set out to keep my promise to „do my best.... to keep the Guide Laws” just as I did when I was 7 and 10 years old. There have been challenges and times when things haven‟t gone to plan, but these are outweighed by the successes we‟ve achieved together. So my final thanks are to all of you for all that you do every week giving your time and energy to the girls in our care and for making Guiding in Oxfordshire the best it can be .

My very best wishes to you all for a wonderful summer, especially if you have camps and holidays planned

Carol