HOW TO JOIN

The best time to join is at the start of the season in September.  Most branches meet once a week from September to April/May each year. Joining GFS is a great way to meet new friends and take part in exciting activities. You will make a special promise at an Enrolment Service; you will then become a member of a parochial and global family, receiving your GFS membership badge to wear on your tie.

The branch is divided into sections:
(Sections determined by age on 1st July each year)

Junior Candidates (3-5 years)

Candidates (5-7 years)

Junior Members  ( 7-11 years)

Members  ( 11-15 years)

Senior Members (15-21 years)

Townsend Members  (over 21 years)

Please contact the Administrator at Central Office, 36 Upper Leeson Street, Dublin 4, email office@girlsfriendlysociety.ie and we will give you contact details for your local branch or contact your local branch directly.

All Ireland Office Holders 2015 – 2018

Diocesan Office Holders 2015 – 2018

Below is a list of those who took up Diocesan Office in May 2015. Congratulations to all.

Cashel, Ferns & Ossory:

Diocesan President
Mrs Deidre Alexander

Diocesan Secretary
Mrs Pauline Lawrence

Diocesan Treasurer
Mrs Mavis Thompson

Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh:

Diocesan President
Mrs Violet Morton

Diocesan Secretary
Mrs Jackie Pierce

Diocesan Treasurer
Mrs Rosemary Keith

Limerick & Killaloe:

Diocesan President
Mrs Norma Jean Carney

Diocesan Secretary
Ms Michelle Armitage

Diocesan Treasurer
Mrs Linda Gill

Tuam, Killala & Achonry:

Diocesan President
Mrs Betty Price

Diocesan Secretary
Mrs Laura McGreal

Diocesan Treasurer
Mrs Miriam Carnegie

Clogher:

Diocesan President
Mrs Pearl Smyton

Diocesan Secretary
Mrs Barbara Clarke

Diocesan Treasurer
Mrs Kathryn Carrothers

Derry & Raphoe:

Diocesan President
Mrs Georgina Armstrong

Diocesan Secretary
Mrs Phyllis Young

Diocesan Treasurer
Miss Jane Cunningham

Armagh:

Diocesan President
Mrs Jennifer Norris

Diocesan Secretary
Miss Leanne Wright

Diocesan Treasurer
Mrs Caroline Smyth

Dublin & Glendalough:

Diocesan President
Mrs Myra Moody(Acting)

Diocesan Secretary
To be advised

Diocesan Treasurer
Mrs Deidre O’Callaghan

Meath & Kildare:

Diocesan President
Mrs Violet Beattie

Diocesan Secretary
Mrs Allison Finegan

Diocesan Treasurer
Mrs Florence Higgins

Connor, Down & Dromore:

Diocesan President
Miss Beryl Thompson

Diocesan Secretary
To be advised

Diocesan Treasurer
To be advised

GFS World Day of Prayer

Gfs World Day of Prayer Service-2017

Bible Syllabus 2012/13 Part 1 Age 15 – 21+

Bible Syllabus Part 1 Age 15-21+ – Bible Base 2012-13

Kiwoko Hospital

Kiwoko Newsletter May 2012

Floral Art

The aim of this badge is to teach simple basis steps in Flower Arranging and to encourage an appreciation in Floral Art.

Junior Candidates

1.         Make a posy.

2.         Create a small garden on a plate/flat container.

Candidates

Complete question 1 plus 3 others

1.         What does the term “Floral Art mean?

2.         Make a posy.

3.         Create a small landscape/garden on a plate/flat container.

4.         Make a simple arrangement suitable for your Birthday Party.

5.         Arrange a small basket of flowers suitable for an occasion i.e. Mothering Sunday, Easter, Harvest, Christmas etc.

Junior Members

7-9 years – Complete questions 1 & 2 plus 4 others

9-11 years – Complete questions 1 & 2 plus 5 others

1.         What does the term “Floral Art” mean?

2.         Know a little about the need to condition cut flowers.

3.         Make a simple arrangement suitable for your Birthday Party.

4.         Using flowers, make a napkin tie.

5.         Arrange a small basket of flowers suitable for an occasion i.e. Mothering Sunday, Easter, Harvest, Christmas etc.

6.         Make a table decoration suitable for Summer Party.

7.         Make a small arrangement: use a novel container i.e. old cup and saucer, old boot, gift bags etc.

8.         Learn how to press flowers.

Members

11-13 years – Complete questions 1, 2, & 3 plus 3 others

13-15 years – Complete questions 1, 2, & 3 plus 4 others

1.         What does the term “Floral Art” mean?

2.         Know how to condition cut flowers.

3.         What is plant design?

4.         Make a table decoration suitable for Summer Party.

5.         Arrange basket of flowers suitable for a festival in the Church, i.e.  Easter, Harvest, Christmas etc.

6.         Make a small arrangement suitable for St. Valentine’s Day.

7.         Decorate a single flower for presentation as a gift.

8.         With your branch, make small posies suitable to distribute on Mothering Sunday during the Church Service.

9.         Make a card/book-mark using flowers you have pressed.

Senior Members (15-18 years)

Complete questions 1, 2, & 3 plus 5 others

1.         What does the term “Floral Art” mean?

2.         Know why it’s important and how to condition cut flowers.

3.         Name three styles/shapes of design.

4.         Make a small arrangement suitable for St. Valentine’s Day.

5.         Make a table arrangement suitable for a party, include a candle.

6.         Arrange a basket of cut flowers.

7.         With your branch, make small posies suitable to distribute on Mothering Sunday during the Church Service.

8.         Make a Christmas Decoration, suitable to hang on a door i.e. Wreath/Swag

9.         Make an item using flowers you have pressed.

Senior Members (18 years and upwards)

Complete all.

1.         What does the term “Floral Art” mean?

2.         Know why it’s important and how to condition cut flowers.

3.         Name five styles/shapes of design.

4.         Arrange a basket of cut flowers.

5.         Make a table arrangement suitable for a party/special occasion, include candles.

6.         Make a Christmas Decoration, suitable to hang on a door i.e. Wreath/Swag.

7.         Within your branch organise the making of small posies suitable to distribute on

Mothering Sunday during the Church Service.

8.         Create an arrangement suitable for a festival in the Church, Easter/Harvest/Christmas

9.         Demonstrate how to press flowers to a group of children.

Beautician Badge

Beautician’s Badge Syllabus

• Nail Worksheet
• Nail Worksheet Answer Sheet
• Structure of the skin Worksheet
• Structure of the skin Worksheet Answer Sheet

GFS World Council Jane Cairns

I had never been to a GFS World Council before this year, so when I got news about having been chosen to be Junior Delegate for Ireland I was overjoyed and couldn’t wait to get to Dublin. Having been a member of GFS since I was four, I had always heard so much about the exciting trips fellow diocesan members had made to previous World Councils and I had always hoped I could attend one sometime too. What better opportunity to start attending World Councils than in my own country!? And what a great time was had by all!

I was so surprised how much I felt at home when I settled in at World Council. I soon realised that GFS is such a close knit ‘family’ even with members thousands of miles away from each other, and the challenges of culture and language differences. We are all joined together by and worship the same God which is something so precious to share with friends all around the world.

One of the most interesting parts of World Council was when we all met to discuss various matters in GFS. It was great to see how women and girls from all over the world could make good decisions that will further enhance the futures of world GFS. On many occasions we felt ‘challenged’ to make a ‘change’, which proved our themed very appropriate.

Aside from all the important meetings we had many opportunities to have lots of fun doing other activities such as visiting the beautiful Powerscourt and Glendalough, a sightseeing tour of Dublin, a visit to the Zoo, a spot of shopping, and of course you can’t come to Ireland without a good old bit of Irish Dancing! I felt these were great opportunities just to relax and get to know everyone a little bit more.

Another highlight of mine has to be the International day. It was so great to see so many girls from all across Ireland coming to meet together and having lots of fun!

I will never forget my experiences at World Council, Ireland 2011. It was such a privilege to attend as Junior Delegate and to be part of such an amazing event and to have met so many wonderful people. Many memories have been made and great friendships gained. I can’t wait to see everyone again in Wales in 2014!

Handcraft 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.