Starting from the Beginning

"The distance is nothing;
it's only the first step that is difficult."
         - Marquise du Deffand, (1697 - 1780) 
           French hostess and patron of the arts

And for our girls, sometimes it's that first step that is the most difficult!  As one troop leader shared, "I wanted to light a fire under her, to make a decision on what to do, then go DO it!"  Another shared that her daughter had soooo many good ideas and pieces of ideas, that she just felt overwhelmed and dispirited. 


What can we do to get the girl started?  Besides the proverbial lighting of the fire? Waving a magic wand?   Sorry, no easy answer here, though wand waving is quite in vogue, now.


We truly want the Gold Award Project to be girl driven, and we want her to put her passion for one idea or one issue into play.  But we project advisors, parents and troop advisors also need to provide the prod or nudge to move our girls forward.  

Maybe it's time to switch off?  If you've been the prodder, maybe hand her off to your co-leader? or ask the right parent to step up and work with one/all the girls on their Gold Award Projects.  Sometimes, hearing it from a different person can make all the difference.  Or have her stop by our quarterly Sunday drop-in sessions at council.  She can bring her ideas and talk them through with a member of the Gold Award Interviewers. Maybe hearing something from one of us would be helpful?

Or maybe ask the girl to provide an itinerary for a field trip?  Set up appointments at different interesting (to her) locations, and have the girl see first hand what she could do and/or who she might work with.  Not only could this be great for the girl, but an eye opener for the venue/staff she meets with.  Our girls are asking to do something bigger and more meaningful than a mere collection project.  She is looking to TAKE ACTION to make a change in her community.


Then help her to process all that info!  Perhaps a SWOT analysis would help?  Or perhaps she'll have an "ah-ha" moment and really focus down to what she wants to do.  


We can all hope!  And encourage!  And support!! Any other ideas?  Please post!