Who / What is CGI?

The Catholic Guides of Ireland (CGI) is a nationwide uniformed Association open to all women and girls. CGI is one of three Guide Associations on the island of Ireland. The other two are Irish Girl Guides (IGG) and The Guide Association - Province of Ulster. CGI has members both in the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Mission Statement 

"CGI provide challenging, accessible Guiding opportunities within a safe environment to enable girls and women to develop their full potential, instilling leadership skills for the future."

Vision

"A world where all girls and women are valued, safe and treated equally."

Values

Citizenship, Equality and Inclusion, Fun and Friendship, Integrity, Respect.

History

In 2009 our book was published detailing our 81 years of history entitled In The Spirit Of Adventure.

1909 - Lord Baden Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts called a rally at Crystal Palace in London and some girls attended this event saying that they were Girl Scouts. From this he decided that they should have their own name and Movement

1910- Baden Powell started the movement for girls and called it Girl Guides and asked his older sister Agnes to run it

1914- Brownies were started for the younger members

1916- Rangers began and Baden Powell's wife Olave became World Chief Guide

1928- The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts was formed to link Guides all around the world

1928- A Girl Guide Association called Clanna Bride was established in Ireland

1933- The title of our Association (Clanna Bride) was changed to Bantreoraithe Catoilici 
na hEireann - Catholic Guides of Ireland

1935- The Association was reorganised on a Diocesan level, each Diocese having responsibility for its own companies

1972- The federation of the Catholic Girl Guides of Ireland was formed representing initially the Diocese of Cork & Ross, Down & Connor, Dublin, Ferns and Waterford & Lismore. Later they were joined by the Dioceses of Armagh, Clogher and Derry & Raphoe

1977- Our Association was restructured as Banoglaigh Catoilici na hEireann - Catholic Guides of Ireland (CGI) with 10,000 members spread throughout the country

1985/87- Diocese of Dromore, Kerry, Kilmore, Limerick and Meath became involved

1992- In December 1992, it was agreed to establish Comhairle Bantreoraithe na hEireann - Council of Irish Guiding Associations (CIGA) on behalf of the Catholic Guides of Ireland and the Irish Girl Guides

1993- At the 28th World Conference, CIGA was ratified as a full member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), and was recognised as continuing the full membership for Ireland, first gained by The Irish Girl Guides in 1932

1994- Our youngest section - Cygnet Guides - was established

1996- The official launch of our Cygnet section took place

1999- Ireland hosted the 30th World Conference of WAGGGS. The conference was held from July 1st - 9th July in University College Dublin

2003- Catholic Guides of Ireland celebrated their 75th Anniversary with many exciting events

HISTORY OF CGI 2009 – 2020

2009

28^th March – Catherine Lenihan appointed Chief Commissioner

17^th April - Fr Jim O’Sullivan National Chaplain, 1977 – 1989 passed away

25^th April – All Section day was held in Drogheda with a trip to the Circus and a waterpark included in the fun.  Almost 1000 members attended.

12^th – 14th June – Residential Board took place in Dundalk

12^th September – CCA Ceremony was held in Dublin’s Mansion House.  Six girls received their award

9^th – 11th October – National Guide weekend was held in Glencree

17^th October – National Cygnet day was held in Dublin HQ.

26^th October – CGI is awarded the Reality Award for Youth Organisation of the year.

13^th -15^th November – Ranger Weekend was held in Cork.

5^th December – A Brigini Christmas Event was held in Dublin’s HQ.

2010

30^th – 31st January – 16 leaders were awarded their An Dushlan

20^th February – National Thinking Day event was held in Dublin HQ.    

27^th – 28th March – National Council was held in the Carlton Hotel, Dublin Airport.  New Outdoor Award was launched at National Council as was an updated version of the Oisin Award. New uniform brochures were launched.

12^th June – National Ranger day was held in Wexford.

18^th – 20th June – Residential Board was held in Wexford.

17^th – 21st July -  WAGGGS European Conference was held in Brussels and CGI were represented by Catherine Lenihan, Yvonne Browne, Phil McKeever, and Louise Browne.  CGI were awarded WAGGGS accreditation for the Basic Course at this event.

25^th September – CCA Ceremony took place in Dublin’s Mansion House with 11 girls receiving their award.

8^th – 10th October – Guide Weekend was held in Carne, Co. Wexford

15^th – 17th October – CGI hosted the Overture Network meeting

10^th November – Catherine Lenihan was a finalist in the Ireland Involved Volunteer Awards 2010.

12^th -14^th November – Ranger Weekend was held in Knockree, Wicklow.

4^th December – Cygnet and Brigini Christmas day held in Dublin’s HQ

CGI raised €13,900 for Childline through fundraising efforts over the year.  Cheque was presented in November.

2011

22^nd – 30th January – CGI held a National Recruitment Week.

4^th – 6th February – Leaders trip to Pax Lodge

2^nd April – National Council was held in the Carlton Airport Hotel, Dublin.  Our new website was launched and went live.  New PR Pack was launched.  New Branding for CGI was launched.

10^th April – CGI celebrated WAGGGS Centenary in Larch Hill with over 1300 in attendance.  A tree was planted in Larch Hill to commemorate the occasion.

10^th – 12th June – Residential Board was held in Belfast.

24^th – 26th June – Over 300 attended Camp back to the future which took place in Larch Hill, Dublin.

11^th – 15th July – WAGGGS World Conference was held in Edinburgh, Scotland and CGI were represented by Catherine Lenihan, Chief Commissioner and Yvonne Browne, International Commissioner.

10^th September – CCA was held in the Gresham Hotel Dublin and 15 Guides received the Award.

7^th-9^th October – National Guide weekend was held in Tanagh, Co. Monaghan

22^nd October  - Joint Cygnet and Brigini Day was held in three venues, Belfast, Dublin, and Wexford.

11^th – 13th November – National Ranger weekend was held in Rostrevor, Co Down.

Cork celebrated 80 years of Guiding in the Diocese this year.

 

2012

31^st March – 1st April – National Council was held in the Carlton Airport Hotel in Dublin.  Age requirement for training was raised to 18. The four Dioceses in Northern Ireland or part there of merged as the Northern Region for funding purposes. The NEB was reduced by 3 when the Northern Region agreed to 1 member as opposed to 1 per Diocese now that their merge as a Region has been completed.

26^th May – National All Section Day was held in Dublin Zoo.  Over 1,200 members attended the event.

8^th – 10^th June – Residential Board was held in Dublin.

13^th June – over 100 members of CGI took part in the Chorpus Christi parade in Dublin for the World Eucharistic Conference.

17^th June – Members of CGI attended the closing Mass for the Eucharistic Congress in Croke Park.  While more members helped with the stewarding.

29^th June – 4th July – Catherine Lenihan and Maeve Kiely attended the ICCG conference in Amman, Jordan.

3^rd July – five members from  CGI attended a garden party at Aras an Uachtarain.  The theme being “young and Irish”.

19^th -29^th July - Members of CGI attended Roverway in Finland

August - 3 Development Officers were appointed.

18^th August – Catherine Lenihan, Mairead Quinn, Suzanne Stewart, Freda Mulhern and Emily McCann attended the opening of Scouting Ireland’s new campsite Castle Saunderson in Cavan.

September – Unit numbers were introduced to help streamline our registration process.

15^th September – CCA was held in Maynooth University with 21 girls receiving the award.

12^th – 14th October – Guide weekend was held in Tanagh, Co. Monaghan.

3^rd November – Cygnet and Brigini day held in Belfast, Cork and Dublin.

16^th – 18th November – National Ranger Weekend was held in Newgrange, Co. Meath.

24^th – 25th of November – 11 Guiders start their Training the Trainer Course.

This year CGI were chosen as one of the first group of national youth work organisations to take part in the National Quality Standards Framework.

 

2013

26^th January - 11 members of CGI completed the second weekend of Fetac Level 6 Training the Training

16^th – 23rd February – Recruitment week.  New posters and leaflets were launched.  New recruitment and retention book and mugs also launched.

23^rd February – National All Section Thinking Day event held in Dublin

22^nd March – Leaders trip to Our Cabana, Mexico.

13^th- 14^th April - National Council was held in Howth, Co. Dublin.  All Dioceses changed to Regions. 

• Dublin – Eastern,
• Kilmore – North Eastern,
• Kerry and Cork – South West
• Waterford & Lismore and Ferns – South East.

11 Guiders are awarded their Training the Trainer Qualification.  New Guider Handbook was launched by Mrs Sabina Higgins (wife of President Higgins).  Cygnet  start age changed to 4 as long as they have started school. 

Cecilia Browne elected Chief Commissioner.

17^th – 19th May – BFG Camp for Guiders was held in Carne, Co. Wexford.

June - Le Cheile launched.

7^th – 9th June – Residential NEB was held in Belfast.

28^th – 30th June – Camp Hollywood takes place in Larch Hill, Dublin for Guides and Rangers. €800 was raised for Autism Ireland at the market on the Sunday. 

16^th – 21st August – WAGGGS European Conference was held in Berlin and CGI were represented by Cecilia Browne, Yvonne Browne, Louise Browne and Maria Denham.

21^st September – CCA ceremony was held in the Law Society and 15 girls received their Award.

18^th – 20th October – Guide PL Training Weekend was held in Mount Mellary in Waterford..

15^th – 17th November – National Ranger Weekend was held in Knockree, Co.  Wicklow.  New Guide to Ranger link badge was launched.

Member Council launched Nationwide

 

2014

 12^th April – National Council was held in Carlton Airport, Dublin   Strategic Plan 2014 – 2018 was launched.  International Handbook was relaunched

26^th April – Medieval Myths and Legends All Section Day was held in Larch Hill.

6^th – 8th June – Residential Board is held in Roganstown, Co. Dublin.

July – WAGGGS World Conference is held in Hong Kong and CGI are represented by Cecilia Browne and Yvonne Browne.

5^th – 7th September – Ranger Leader training took place in Larch Hill

27^th September – CCA Award ceremony was held in Farmleigh House in Dublin and 28 girls received their award.

1^st – 5th October – Leader trip to Our Chalet in Switzerland.

4^th October – Brigini PL training day was held in All Hallows.

10^th -12^th October – Members of CGI and IGG are trained in the WAGGGS Free Being Me programme.

18^th October – Cygnet day

14^th – 16th November – National Ranger weekend was held in the Share Centre in Co. Fermanagh.

21^st – 23rd November – National Guide weekend was held in Larch Hill

22^nd November – Brigini Badge Day was held in Dublin.

December – CIGA celebrates 21 years

 

2015

6^th – 8th February – Members Council weekend was held in Newgrange, Co. Meath.

12^th April – National All Sections Outdoor day was held in the Regions.

25^th April – National Council was held in Carlton Hotel, Dublin .  OGM was launched and went live in September.  All training courses were renamed

• Basic: Guider Training – Step 1
• Intermediate: Guider Training – Step 2
• An Dushlan: Guider Training – Step 3

26^th – 28th June -Camp Funtastic was held in Castle Saunderson in co. Cavan

26^th September – CCA Award ceremony was held in Croke Park, Dublin.  37 girls received their award.

6^th – 8th November – Guide weekend was held in Mount Melleray in Co. Waterford.

13^th – 15th November – Ranger weekend was held in Carne, Co. Wexford.

November - Registration changed from paying to Region to paying direct to National.

5^th December – Cygnet and Brigini Day was held in Dublin

Dublin Diocese (Eastern Region) celebrates 80 years of Guiding.

 

2016

16^th April – National Council was held in Carlton Dublin Airport Hotel.  Relaunch of Outdoor Award.

15^th – 17th April - Guider Conference was held in Carlton Dublin Airport Hotel.

7^th May – All Section Day in Dublin Zoo

11^th – 12th June – Residential Board was held Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Co. Dublin.

20^th – 22nd May – Brigin Guider Weekend was held in Dublin.

18^th June – Ranger Skills Day was held in Larch Hill

3^rd – 14th August – Members of CGI attended Roverway in Paris, France.

17^th-21^st June – WAGGGS European Conference was held in Norway.  CGI were represented by Louise Browne, Marie Denham, Sarah Browne and Yvonne Browne.  Yvonne Browne stood for election to the European Board but was unsuccessful.

24^th September – CCA Award ceremony was held in Aviva Stadium in Dublin and 31 girls received their award.  Bronze level was introduced this year.

14^th – 16th – CGI hosted the Overture Network meeting in Larch Hill.

14^th – 16th October – Members Council weekend was held in Castle Saunderson, Co. Cavan.

4^th – 6th November – National Guide Weekend was held in Mount Melleray, Co. Waterford.

11^th – 13th November – National Ranger Weekend was held in Larch Hill.

11^th November – CGI at 11.11 was held – photos of what you were doing at that time.

1916 badge was launched to celebrate 100 years since the Easter Rising.

Safeguarding cards and bookmarks were launched.

 

2017

3^rd – 5th February – Cygnet Leader weekend

18^th February – All Section Thinking Day event was held in Gormanstown, Co. Meath.

23^rd March – Chief Commissioner Cecilia Browne passed away while in office.

22^nd April – National Council was held in the Carlton Dublin Airport.  Emily McCann was elected Chief Commissioner.  Approval was given for Cygnets to do an overnight with certain conditions.

23^rd – 25th June – National Guide and Ranger Camp “Flower Power” was held in Kilcully Co. Cork.

16^th September – CGI trail trousers were no longer part of the official uniform

17^th – 22nd September – WAGGGS world Conference is held in Delhi, India and CGI are represented by Louise Browne and Barbara Ryan.

30^th September – CCA Award ceremony was held in All Hallows and 41 girls received their award.

13^th – 15th October – Members Council weekend was held in Co. Louth.

21^st October – Cygnet and Brigini day

3^rd – 5^th November – National Guide weekend is held in Mount Mellery.

10^th – 12th November – National Ranger Weekend was held in Newgrange Co. Meath.

25^th November – Extraordinary National Council was held in the Talbot Hotel in Dublin to discuss changes to the constitution needed for the charities act.

 

2018

23^rd March – STEM weekend was held for Leaders in Larch Hill.

21^st April – National Council was held in Dublin.  CCA timeframe to be looked at.

12^th May -  All Section Outdoor Day was held in the Regions

21^st June – Members of CGI took part in the Pride Parade in Dublin for the first time.

Summer Challenge was launched for all sections.

11^th-18^th July – ICCG World Conference was attended by Eilish Smyth.

21^st July – CGI launched a partnership with Gaisce.

21^st July – 2^nd of August – Members of CGI attended Roverway in the Netherlands.

21^st – 26th August – CGI attended the World Meeting of Families which was being held in the RDS in Dublin.

26^th August – Members of CGI helped with stewarding at the Popes Mass in the Phoenix Park.

29^th September – CCA Award ceremony was held in Trinity College with   girls receiving their awards.

20^th October – Cygnet and Brigini Day was held in Gormanstown, Co. Meath

2^nd – 4th November – Ranger weekend was held in Carne, Co. Wexford.

9^th – 11th November – Guide PL Weekend was held in Glendalough.

10^th November – CGI partnership with An Oige was launched.

CGI celebrated 90 years of Guiding

23^rd November - CGI received the Quality Health Mark – Silver Standard

 

2019

10^th March – First Youth Forum was held in Maynooth University.

6^th April – National Council was held in Naas, Co. Kildare.  First Guide Oscars were held.  CGI was awarded the Quality Health Mark – Gold Standard.  A new programme was launched – the Storrows for 18 – 30 years.

10^th – 12th May – Guider Bush Craft Weekend was held in Lough Dan.

25^th May – All Section Day was held in Dublin Zoo.

4^th – 6^th June – CGI took part in the World Anti Bullying Forum in Dublin and launched the Guides against Bullying (GAB) campaign.

28^th – 30th June – National Guide and Ranger camp was held in IOAC in Wexford.

24^th – 29th August – WAGGGS European Conference was held in Split, Croatia and CGI were represented by Emily McCann, Suzanne Lenihan, Michelle Coffey and Patricia Derwin.

14^th – 15th September – Residential Board was held in Lucan, Co. Dublin

1^st – 3rd November – National Ranger weekend was held in Castle Saunderson.

November – New website was launched.

New additional service awards for 30, 35 and 45 years were launched and a new membership award for 60 years.

CCA Award was timing was altered to January to September with ceremony in January of following year.

 

2020

1^st January – Former Chief Commissioner Betty O’Donovan passed away.

12^th January – Health Promotion Day was held in Dublin and Healthy Unit Programme was launched.

25^th January – CCA Awards Ceremony was held in Trinity College, Dublin and 39 girls received their award.

22^nd – 23^rd February –  Thinking Day events were held in the Eastern and South Eastern Region.

8^th March  - Youth forum was held in Dublin.  Tide Turners badge was launched.

13^th March  - All face to face meetings are cancelled due to COVID 19 pandemic and lockdown of country.  Many Units moved to online Guiding

CGI launched new initiatives to help with this new world such as;

• Boredom Buster
• 4-week exercise challenge
• Time Capsule

2^nd – 3rd May – CGI held an online virtual camp – “May we Camp here”.

 

 Association Logo

• The Compass: is suggestive of the outdoors and adventure, as well as stressing the aspects of precision and direction. This is an international symbol.
• The Internal Loop and Arrow: gives the feeling of looking to the future, speed and inspiration. This also represents the internationally recognised symbol for recycling - a worthy trait of any organisation.
• The Triangle: a symbol of strength, tradition and a sense of hearaldry. It can also be interpreted as representing the Trinity, entirely appropriate to the origins of CGI. In addition, the shape suggests protection and comfort.
   

Association Badge

• The badge consists of a Celtic Cross with a shamrock superimposed. The tree of life is engraved on the shamrock. The Guide Motto 'Bi Ullamh' is engraved on the base of the Cross.
   
• The Badge of the Association is a very special part of our Guide uniform. You wear it only after you have made your Promise. Before you receive it, your badge will be blessed. It is worn in a central position on your neckerchief, directly under the woggle.

WAGGGS

Since 1993 CGI (on behalf of it's members resident in the Republic of Ireland) has been a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) through the Council of Irish Guiding Associations. The World Association is an educational organisation based on spiritual values, and open to all girls and young women, without distinction of creed, race, nationality or any other circumstance. National Organisations belonging to WAGGGS must adhere to the Fundamental Principles of the original Promise and Law laid down by the Founder, Lord Baden- Powell, although they may adapt the wording.

Mission Statement

WAGGGS mission statement is "to enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world".

WAGGGS Objective

The objective of WAGGGS is:

(a) to promote, throughout the world, unity of purpose and common understanding based on the Fundamental Principles
(b) to further the aim of the Girl Guide/Girl Scout Movement, which is to provide girls and young women with opportunities for self training in the development of
character, responsible citizenship and service in their own and world communities
(c) to encourage friendship amongst girls and young women of all nations within countries and world wide.

World Conference

The World Conference is the policy-making body of WAGGGS. It determines the policy and standards of Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting throughout the world, and approves National Organisations as Associate and Full Members of WAGGGS. It elects the World Board, which acts on its behalf between meetings.
• The World Conference meets every three years in a different area of the world.
• The Conference is composed of not more than two delegates from each Member Organisation.
• The delegates may be supported by appointed observers from their organisations, the number of observers being in proportion to the size of the organisation.
• Visitors and guests may be invited to attend sessions of the Conference as observers at the discretion of the World Board, and in cooperation with the hosting Member Organisation.

World Board

The World Board - previously known as World Committee - is composed of 12 elected members and acts on behalf of the World Conference between its meetings. Members do not represent their own National Organisation or Regions, but consider the interests of the Movement as a whole.

World Centres

WAGGGS has five World Centres which welcome Girl Guides/Girl Scouts from around the world. Each offers very different activities which reflect the characteristics of the countries in which they are located. The Centres offer special opportunities for international friendship and education and the chance to learn about WAGGGS. All members of WAGGGS are welcome to stay at the World Centre - assuming they satisfy the age requirements - either to attend an event, or just for a few days to experience the international dimension of Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting.

• Our Chalet is set amongst the Alpine peaks in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland.
• Our Cabana is in Mexico.
• Sangam is in Pune, India.
• Pax Lodge is an international gathering place for WAGGGS in Hampstead, North London.
• Kusafiri changes locations around the Africa Region for each of its events.

World Thinking Day

World Thinking Day is observed on 22nd February each year, the joint birthdays of the World Chief Guide, Olave Baden-Powell and Founder, Lord Robert Baden-Powell. On World Thinking Day, Girl Guides/Girl Scouts around the world remember each other and the World Movement. Members of WAGGGS give as much as they can to the World Thinking Day Fund to support the development of Guiding in less well developed countries.

CIGA

In the 1970s CGI expressed a wish to become members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. At that time membership of WAGGGS for Ireland was held by the Irish Girl Guides. So, with assistance from the World Board, The Irish Girl Guides and the Catholic Guides of Ireland, began working towards coming together. In December 1992 it was agreed to establish Comhairle Bantreoraithe na hEireann or Council of Irish Guiding Associations.

In July 1993 at the 28th World Conference held in Denmark, the Council of Irish Guiding Associations was ratified as a full member of WAGGGS and was recognised as continuing the Full Membership first gained by the Irish Girl Guides in 1932. The Council consists of the Catholic Guides of Ireland on behalf of their members who reside in the Republic of Ireland and the Irish Girl Guides.

The aims and objectives of CIGA are to:

Enable membership of WAGGGS to be held by the Irish Girl Guides and the Catholic Guides of Ireland on behalf of their members resident in the Republic of Ireland
Promote and further the objects of the World Association as expressed in Article 111 of the Constitution and Bye-Laws of WAGGGS
Encourage strong dialogue and close cooperation amongst the family of Guiding in the whole of Ireland
Facilitate participation at international events and activities
Work towards a single movement

The CIGA logo represents the interlinking of the two Guiding Associations and the sharing and cooperation that is taking place.

The CIGA Committee consists of four members of CGI and four members of IGG, with two members of CGI resident in Northern Ireland as observers and two members of Girlguiding Ulster as visitors. The Chairmanship of the Committee rotates biennially between the two Associations, each of which nominates either the Secretary or the Treasurer. The Committee meets on a regular basis. It promotes joint activities and work between the two Associations and encourages strong dialogue amongst the family of Guiding in the whole of Ireland.

In 1999 CIGA hosted the WAGGGS World Conference illustrating the close ties between the two Associations.