The Guyana Girl Guides Association (GGGA) on Thursday held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) where the new President and Vice President were revealed along with the presentation of the Chief Commissioner report for the period January 2007 to December 2008

In photo from left to right are Beverly Critchlow, Joan Collins, Gloria Thompson and Yvonne Hinds.

At the association’s headquarters on Brickdam, Chief Commissioner, Sarah Gordon highlighted the work that is being done by the executive committee to expand the area of influence to girls countrywide pointing out that already a number of units were resuscitated while new ones in Matthew’s Ridge and Abraham’s Ville were created. There was also an increase in the numbers of girls and young women from 1,297 to 1,361.

Meanwhile, the financial report which was presented by the Assistant Chief Commissioner, Berle Gordon, pointed out that the Association’s main source of income came from subventions from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, rental of the building and contributions from kind-hearted businesses and individuals. However, it was noted that the Association received support from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and UNICEF to improve the physical appearance of their headquarters.

Before the new president and vice president were announced, outgoing president, Joan Collins, called for the Girl Guides to continue their good work because it helps in the development of the girls and young women. Collins served three two-year terms as president and she remembered the good times she had, in particularly she enjoyed living the Guide Law, a release from the GGGA said.

While the new president, Gloria Thompson, and vice president, Beverly Critchlow, will be installed at a meeting of the National Council. Thompson at the AGM highlighted the plans for the organisation. Currently in process is the registering of the Association as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), while major repairs to the building, collaborating with Girl Guides UK on a project called UK Gold, creation of scholarship fund for brownies, guides and rangers along with a thrift shop and document centre at the headquarters are the future plans of the Association.

Present at the AGM was Yvonne Hinds who lauded the Association on its work and acknowledged the difficulty that the Association faces in keeping the interest of young people. Hinds also acknowledged the accomplishments of the Association.