HIGHIMPACT INSIGHT ADVICE FROM DEDICATED HIGH IMPACT VOLUNTEERS
Virginia Thompson is the Vice Coordinator and Tenderheart Unit Leader for MI0711 and the Leadership Development Coordinator for the Detroit Area. She has served AHG in several capacities and especially loves outdoor adventures with girls of all ages.
CHOSEN FOR THE “NEW NORMAL” In a moment, Esther was swept away into an unfamiliar, isolated, luxurious new life. Later, she was surprised to learn that she had, in fact, been chosen by God to serve His purpose for the nation of Israel. We too were swept away this year, and while our “new normal” may not be luxurious, it does feel unfamiliar and isolated. Yet we know that each of us has been chosen to do our part for our girls. Are we up to the task? Besides being resourceful and perseverant, we have many resources to call upon as we serve our girls in the 2020-2021 Program Year. The last two AHG Program Year Themes were “Connections” and “Chrysalis.” Drawing from the past and leaning on these two concepts can help as we plan and prioritize Troop activities this Chosen year! Whether your Troop is able to meet in-person fully, in a limited capacity, or can’t gather together at all, keeping those connections should be a priority. The Jump is available to all Troops to facilitate safe intra- and inter-Troop communications. Be resourceful, be compassionate, and don’t just wait for “someday” when everything is better! AHG can still be a chrysalis where girls and their families feel safe and able to develop! Your Troop can give girls time and guidance to come to terms with all that’s happening in the world right now. You have the ability, flexibility, and resources to create a sense of normalcy that can serve as a steady constant in your girls’ lives. Together you can complete new badge requirements in an online meeting, participate in an outdoor, sociallydistanced event—or even host a “regular,” masked meeting if that’s possible in your area per Charter Organization, local, and state guidelines. Continuing the influential work God has in store for your community through AHG might look different this year, but it’s as important as ever before! Knowing many Troops will not be able to meet in-person for the time being, AHG has developed (and continues to update!) lots of virtual setting-friendly programs and resources to equip volunteers to adjust their plans and lead confidently. Think of these resources as arrows in your quiver as you plan your year. Have all the families in your Troop checked out the special AHG episode of Adventures in Odyssey yet? Still looking for ideas for your Troop’s project for National Day of Service, happening this
September? Don’t feel you have to do everything, but know there is program support being sent your way for this special time. When it comes to the nitty-gritty of planning and executing online Troop or Unit meetings, be sure you’ve looked at the resources being offered by AHG on a national scale. They will aid in creating a plan that’s tailor-made for the girls in your Troop. Girls are still able to earn badges, patches, and awards in a virtual setting. In fact, many of the AHG Program Initiatives launching throughout the Program Year will give girls the opportunity to fulfill badge requirements in all Six Frontiers. Recently, my Troop’s Explorer Unit Leader dropped off the materials for duct tape and gallon bag sit-upons to each of our Troop households for a virtual, hands-on activity. The girls loved taping and chatting away, making the virtual event feel almost as though they were together in the same room! Girls in your Troop may also benefit from earning the new AHG Faith Awards through facilitated online Troop instruction, with the opportunity to dig deeper into their faith tradition with their families at home. You may also have local online resources at your disposal with just a little researching. Our local nature center had short engaging videos that enabled us to take a virtual field trip together. Don’t underestimate the power of keeping things close to home! Engaging with local organizations for activities and service projects as a Troop can have a tremendous impact on AHG recognition and Troop growth in your local community. The new AHG Girl Handbooks will undoubtedly inspire girls to try a new badge either on their own or in a small group. And don’t think traditional examples of girl leadership can’t happen in your new virtual setting! Older girls can flex their leadership muscles by leading songs and games, performing flag ceremonies adjusted for a virtual environment, and even arranging badge requirement activities like an online ballet class for the younger girls in the Troop. Giving girls in your Troop the opportunity to make decisions and take the lead results in higher retention and excitement for this Program Year. Your Troop’s success this difficult year may make all the difference in ministering to families in your area for years to come! For more information on AHG in a Virtual Setting, visit AHG’s online resource library. AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS | 29
