Welcome

The Girls’ Friendly Society is the oldest Church of Ireland organisation for girls and women, founded in 1877 by a small group of people whose conscience and Christian faith formulated a vision and aim to help young girls coming from the rural areas of the country to the cities in search of employment, little dreaming of the difficulities and loneliness that might beset them.

Almost one hundred and thirty years later after it’s inception, the Girls Friendly Society has broadened it’s scope and offers an even wider appeal.

Today the Girls Friendly Society is active in eighty branches throughout Ireland, a wide spectrum of interest is covered in the badge syllabus, which includes a study of the natural world, the community and the church, handcrafts and skills, information technology, sports and outdoor pursuits, as well as participating in fund raising to demonstrate our will to help others, both locally and globally.

Membership is open to women of all ages

Friendship knows no bounds

Letter from Emila re world Council 2011

12^th August, 2011

Dear

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every member of your Diocese for all the support and encouragement that they gave towards the successful Council held recently.

As you are all aware the Opening Service in St. Patricks Cathedral, Armagh and the Closing Service in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin were both very well attended by members past and present.  The Diocesan and World Banners being paraded up the knave of the cathedral was surely a spectacular view for everyone there to see.  A special word of thanks must go to all those who helped with entertaining the delegates in branches within Armagh Diocese before the service.  The pieces that the GFS Choir sang in Armagh enriched the service beautifully.

One of the tours provided took members to Glendalough and Powerscourt.  There was a  stopover in Donoughmore Parish Hall for refreshments  and entertainment which was talked about for days afterwards!!

We were honoured to have Mrs. Rosemary Kempsell M.U. World President, Mrs Ruth Mercer All Ireland President, Mrs. Marjory McElhinney G.B. National President and Mr Philip Daley, BB Director who all addressed the meeting during the conference.

The highlight of the Council must surely have been the interaction between the delegates/observers from the 14 countries represented and members of GFS Ireland.  This was not only when they met members in their branches but on International Day when a thousand members travelled from all over Ireland.  Members got to witness how important and varied GFS is around the world and to bring home a little keepsake of the day when they visited each country stand.

None of this would have been possible without the tremendous fundraising that took place in every branch and parish over the last 6 years.  In total over €80,000 was raised (and spent!!) to help offset expenses.  Grants were also received from the Church of Ireland Priorities Fund, Failte Ireland and various Church of Ireland Diocesan Councils and we thank them for their generous support.

We were delighted to be told that it was the most successful World Council held in many years and this was surely portrayed through the standing ovation the committee received at the closing meeting.

At the Closing Service Mrs Glenys Payne from Wales was commissioned as World President and we wish her and her team every success as she starts the planning for World Council 2014.

___________________

Emila Corrigan

Syllabus 2011-12

The Girls Friendly Society in Ireland

Craft Syllabus 2011-2012

Aim:

• Promote the value of creative activities
• Promote environmental awareness by using non-toxic waste materials

• Increase members self esteem, confidence, creative and intellectual ability
• Assist members in developing their creative skills

Objectives:

• Organise programmes for children and young people
• Provide art and craft training and advice on creative skills

Guidelines when working with children:

Come to the craft area prepared. Look over the instructions and materials needed and plan ahead. A child will quickly grow restless if you don’t.

Crafting doesn’t have to be expensive. Recycle! Your creativity can add new life to old objects. Costume jewellery, lace, fabric scraps, buttons, and toilet tissue rolls are recycled staples for the young crafter.

Protect clothing.

Allow ample space for each child and materials.

Always provide close supervision, especially when sharp objects, such as scissors or messy paints are present.

Don’t rush. Plan ample time for preparation, activity, and clean up.

Keep wet wipes on hand for picking up spills and clean up after.

Q-tips come in handy as paintbrushes and glue applicators.

Glue sticks are safe, clean and easy to handle by small fingers.

Never squelch their creativity. Let the child be creative without interfering. This will allow fun together while still allowing creativity to flourish.

When working with children, flexibility is the key! Don’t suppress their creativity when they want to try something other than the original directions given for a project. And, above all, don’t tell them that they did it wrong. Praise and encourage.

Don’t take over your children’s work and do it for them. There is nothing that can deflate their confidence and creativity faster!  

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE THE WORK OF THE CHILD.

Most importantly, PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE and keep it FUN!

All Ireland Handcraft Syllabus 2011-2012

Junior Candidates (3-5 years):

Draw a butterfly and decorate, any medium.  A template may be used.  No larger than A4 size.

Candidates (5-7 years):

Make a bug using pipe cleaners and any other medium.  No larger than A4 size.

Junior Members (7-9 years):

Using a recycled container, make a pencil pot and decorate as desired using any medium.

Junior Members (9-11 years):

Decorate a hair band, any medium.

Members (11-13 years):

Tie die and decorate a bandana suitable for wearing.

Members (13-15 years)

Make and decorate a trinket/jewellery box and decorate as desired.  No larger than 15cm square.

Senior Members (15-18 years):

Make a story board using a pizza box and give it your own title.

Senior Members (18-21 years):

Make an item of jewellery, any medium.

Townsend Members:

Make a cushion cover for a 16” infill, any medium.