Girlguiding Cambridgeshire West has an administrative and communications structure which is similar to that of most other Counties throughout the UK:
The Unit
The Unit is the heart of Guiding. It is led by a team of leaders which can include Guiders, Unit Helpers, Young Leaders, and occasional helpers (such a parents on a parent’s rota).
The Unit is a group of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides or Senior Section members, and their leaders, who meet regularly in a designated meeting place, and who follow the Girlguiding UK programme for that age group. Further information about the Section programmes can be found here. Most Units belong to a District.
The District
The District is a geographical area which might cover part of a town, a large village, or a cluster of villages. Districts vary in size, but most will contact Rainbow, Brownie and Guide Units, and some will have a Senior Section Unit. The leaders of all the Units in a District meet together several times a year to exchange information, help each other, socialise, and organise and attend local events together. They are usually supported by a District Commissioner who is responsible for the management of the District. Each District belongs to a Division.
The Division
The Division is a larger geographical area containing several Districts. Occasionally a Unit might belong to a Division rather than to a District. The role of the Division is to meet the needs of Guiding in that area. Each Division is managed by a team of adults including the District Commissioners and specialist Advisers, and is usually led and supported by a Division Commissioner. Each Division belongs to the County.
The County
Girlguiding UK is divided into 10 Countries and Regions, which in turn cover a number of Counties. Anglia Region comprises 12 Counties, of which Cambridgeshire West is the smallest in terms of membership.
The County is led by a team called the County Executive which comprises the County Commissioner, the Assistant County Commissioner, the County President, the Division Commissioners, the County Financial Adviser, the County Outdoor Adviser, the County PR Adviser, the County Programme Co-Ordinator, and the County Senior Section Chairman. The Executive meets 4/5 times a year and is responsible for strategic decisions relating to the delivery and development of Guiding in Cambridgeshire West. The Executive is chaired by the County Commissioner. There are also sub-Committees for Finance, Ripton Lodge, and other specialist areas.