– more countries to start/grow their Member Organisations
– more girls and young women participate in world-class leadership opportunities
– more young women to advocate for what they believe important and raise their voice in global forums
– WAGGGS be sustainable well into the future

Did you know that you could achieve all of that from the comfort of your own home?! And that at the same time, you could become part of a network of incredible, supportive women and men who share your passion for Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting.

I’m going to let you in on one of WAGGGS’ best kept secrets – The Olave Baden Powell Society (OB-PS).

Perhaps like me, you had heard about this group but thought it was out of reach for you. Gee, was I wrong! In my twenties all I knew about OB-PS was: that members bought their way in; that it was a place for some of the most prominent people in Guiding; and that in return they wore a large, fancy badge on their lapels. As a budget-conscious uni student, such a society seemed out of reach to me.

It wasn’t until I was invited to speak at a Victorian OB-PS lunch that I realised how wrong I was. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the room and found that many of the women who had been the biggest supporters of young women and advocacy during my Olave days were all in the one place. Even better – the rest of the room were women and men with just the same generous spirit and wisdom to share!

These days there are more opportunities than ever before to get involved with OB-PS. With the new Associate Membership category, you can give as little as $45 a month (or a total of $550 in a 12 month period) and receive all the same benefits as full members. That’s just $1.50 a day to give priceless opportunities to girls and women worldwide!

Let’s face it, it’s probably less than your last Uber Eats order or your weekly take away coffee budget!

Becoming a Member of OB-PS gives you the chance to support the Movement, ensure its sustainability, and also keep in touch with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts through special events like the annual OB-PS Event (held in a different country each year); State and National based OB-PS gatherings; and the WAGGGS World Conference. You also get access to the insider info direct from the staff and volunteers at WAGGGS through fantastic webinars, newsletters and WAGGGS’s emerging digital platforms.

There are three different membership categories, each tied to a different overall donation to WAGGGS- Full Membership, Associate Membership and Young Supporter (restricted to those under 35 years of age when joining). Each year OB-PS Australia even gifts one Young Supporter membership to a deserving young woman – perhaps this could be YOU next?!

If you want to learn more about getting involved with OB-PS including the new Associate Member category and the gifted Young Supporter memberships reach out to Marg Devlin via marg.devlin@guidesvic.org.au or 0407 312 454, or Erin Wicking via erin.wicking@guidesvic.org.au