Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Aug 23/00) - If you're a women who likes to share your knowledge, experience and skill, the local Girl Guides want to hear from you.

The Rankin Inlet chapter of the Girl Guides of Canada is facing a high turnover within their leadership ranks this year and have launched a recruiting campaign to fill the vacancies.

Keewatin area commissioner Carla Kolysher says in addition to sharing culture and tradition with young girls, volunteers gain skills and experience which help boost resumes and with job searches.

"We're revising our leadership program in hopes of enticing more women to join," says Kolysher.

"We'd like to spread our responsibilities among more women, but in order to accomplish that we need more ladies willing to help.

"We're hoping this approach may help us to better retain our leaders."

Kolysher says the demands of family, children and outside jobs prevent many women from committing to full-time Guiding.

She says the benefits of the job-sharing approach may entice some women to join a part-time basis.

Many Guiding activities allow women to invest time and energy in their community, while discovering outlets for creative expression and experiencing a sense of accomplishment.

"Anyone who can't commit full time, but would still like to help out, could organize a Christmas craft sale or help with our bookkeeping, something along those lines.

"There are many area ladies who may not want to work directly with the kids can still help out in."

Getting Inuit women actively involved with Guiding remains a top priority for the Rankin Guides.

Kolysher is also looking for translation help and would like to see the Guiding newsletter done in Inuktitut as well as English.

"We want our movement to be very localized, very cultural," says Kolysher.

"We need strong Inuit women to be role models for the girls coming along.

"Guiding builds confidence and self-esteem in these girls, but we need local women to help them build and improve their traditional skills."

Guide registration in Rankin is tentatively set for late August and Kolysher says there is strong interest in a Guiding program being started in Arviat.

"We're also hoping to hear from some of the other Kivalliq hamlets.

"Any person needing information can phone me at 645-2171 during the day, fax me at 645-3745 or e-mail me at ckolysher@gov.nu.ca.

"I look forward to hearing from them."