SU ADULT CEREMONIES

A LEADER’S REDEDICATION
PATCHWORK
PEARLS LIKE OUR LEADER’S CEREMONY (Investiture/Rededication)

This can be used at a troop meeting for your girls to see, or this can be used at a service unit meeting to rededicate or even for investing new leaders.

We, the leaders of (Level) Troop (Number), members of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, untied by a belief in god and by acceptance of the Girl Scout Promise and Law;

And inspired by the aims of the founder of the Scout movement, Lord Baden-Powell and the founder of the Girl Scout movement in the United States, Juliette Gordon Low;

Do dedicate ourselves to the purpose of inspiring girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service, that they may become happy and resourceful citizen.

If you are doing this at the SU level change the first sentence to read, We, the leaders of (Service Unit),

After doing the investiture/rededication at the SU level you can read the following poem:

There are little eyes upon you and they’re watching night and day;

There are little ears that quickly take in every word you say;

There are little hands all eager to do anything you do;

And a little girl who’s dreaming of the day she’ll be like you.

You’re the little girl’s idol; You’re the wisest of the wise;

In her little mind about you no suspicions ever rise;

She believes in you devoutly, holds that all you say and do,

she’ll say and do, in you way, when she’s a grown-up like you.

There’s a wide-eyed little girl who believes you’re always right.

And her ears are always open; and she watches day and night.

Your are setting an example every day in all you do,

for a little girl who’s waiting to grow up to be just like you.

PATCHWORK
(Investiture & Rededication Ceremony--For Leaders)
(may be adapted for a troop)

Being a Girl Scout leader is like making a quilt.

First, we gather together our scraps -- our girls --from different origins and cuts of material.

some are shy, unimposing--like pale pastels. Others are dizzy patterns of vibrant color.

We must bind them together, matching their sameness, blending their differences.

The thread of Scouting is strong. our own hands must be steady and sure, patiently making each stitch small and even.

Until--finally--the quilt is finished, with a background of the Promise and Law and a thick padding of love and understanding. And though each patch is different, together they are strong, beautiful, and warm;

and the seamstress can be proud.

This, then is Girl Scouting. It is the Girl Scouting of returning leaders and the Girl Scouting of leaders to come. Would the new leaders please step forward to make their promise and a commitment toward building such a patchwork piece?

New leaders come forward and make their Promise, receiving their pins and giving the Girl Scout handshake.

Now, would the continuing leaders rise and commit themselves to continuing their pieces of patchwork by making the Promise together?

"Let us all join in singing 'Whenever You Make a Promise."'

Props may be used and the ceremony extended by their use.

Put a patchwork quilt in a small circular or oval hoop on a stand. Speaker could even be seated in a rocker quilting.

An oil lamp or candle could be used and the lights turned out overhead. if desired, each leader could choose from a pile of scraps, as she comes forward, one that she feels expresses her own personality. These could be pinned, one by one, to a board in a patchwork pattern. Or, each could be given a tiny piece of patchwork in memory of the occasion--such a piece could contain sachet or be used later as a Christmas decoration--or a tiny pincushion. Leaders might be encouraged to keep their Girl Scout pins pinned to it for safekeeping, when they are not wearing them.

Written by Cathron Deutsch
San Jacinto Girl Scout Council

PEARLS LIKE OUR LEADER’S CEREMONY

(Investiture/Rededication)

What you need:

4 Adults as Leaders
10 Adults as Pearls
Treasure Chest
2 Candles
10 large plastic pearls

Leader #1: Tonight we are gathered to share in the dedication of our new
and old leaders to the ideas of Girl Scouting.

Leader #2: At this time, the members of Service Unit will share with each
other the "Lesson Of The Pearls", found in our discovered
treasure chest of Girl Scouting.

Pearl #1:   The first pearl stands for WISDOM. You have shown your joy in
                    exploring wisdom through Girl Scouting. (Place pearl in treasure
                    chest)

Pearl #2:   The second pearl shall symbolize BEAUTY. You are beautiful to
                    your sister Girl Scouts for you give of yourself. (Place pearl in
                    treasure chest)

Pearl #3: The third pearl is STRENGTH. You are the strength of the future of
Girl Scouting. (Place pearl in treasure chest)

Pearl #4:    The fourth pearl will be the symbol of TRUTH. You are the
                     example of the truth of the ideas of Girl Scouting. Place pearl in
                     treasure chest)

Pearl #5: The fifth pearl will be FIDELITY. You have kept your promise and
have affirmed it for life. (Place pearl in treasure chest)

Pearl #6:    The sixth pearl is our symbol for FELLOWSHIP. You have
                     extended the hand of friendship and you have gained the
                     rewards.(Place pearl in treasure chest)

Pearl #7:    The seventh pearl is COOPERATION. You are an example of total
                     cooperation and your many accomplishments reflect your
                     willingness to work in harmony with others. (Place pearl in
                      treasure chest)

Pearl #8:    The eighth pearl will be a symbol for LOYALTY. You are
                     committed to the law of Girl Scouting and strive to live by it.
                     (Place pearl in treasure chest)

Pearl #9:   The ninth pearl will be for VISION. You can see the future of Girl
                     Scouts and will do your part to ensure its continued
                      success. (Place pearl in treasure chest)

Pearl #10: The tenth pearl shall stand for SERVICE. You continue to give of
yourself to others in need. (Place pearl in treasure chest)

Leader #3: You stand here, a golden link in our chain of green and gold. A
                      chain of friendship that encircles the globe. Our chain is made
                      strong by your caring, your sharing and a desire to be the best
                      that you can be.

Leader #4: Our wish is for you to explore the many treasures to be found in
                      our chest of pearls. Remember to always be a golden link in our
                      chain of friendship and let nothing break this chain of green and
                      gold.

Please join me in reciting the Girl Scout Promise.

Everyone: Recite the Girl Scout Promise.