Originally published in Guidepost, March 26, 2024
Trefoil Guild: Keeping the Spirit Alive!
While World Thinking Day 2024 is now a memory, the theme Our World! Our Thriving Future! will continue as a guiding light for the Guiding year. We are reminded many times that our Guiding community is more than one person, one unit, or one council; it is all of us, worldwide, united in a sisterhood that aims to empower girls to take action for a better world. This past World Thinking Day, I felt a strong communal awareness of the power of girls and women. I rejoiced in the strong Girl Guides of Canada messages in social media and the public visibility of Guiding in my community; and, I felt a new and re-energized connection to our organization, that has been my life anchor for so many years. I hope you had some of these same feelings and experience a revitalization in your own Guiding journey.
Remember to check out the Girl Guide Store's New for 2024 section for Trefoil Guild merchandise, including the Keep the Spirit Alive tri-colour 100% heavy cotton canvas Trefoil Guild tote bag!
For more information on Trefoil Guild Guiding, check out the Trefoil Guild page on Member Zone, the Girl Guides of Canada website or connect with your Provincial Liaison who can help with any questions you might have or connect you to a guild if you are interested in registration.
Until next time, see below for a snapshot of what is happening with Trefoil Guild Guiding across the country.
~ Sharron Callahan, National Trefoil Guild Liaison
Alberta, Northwest Territories and the Yukon
Jan McCaghren, ANY Trefoil Guild Liaison
Several guilds throughout ANY Council celebrated World Thinking Day. Calgary Area presented a Trefoil Guild World Thinking Day tea with refreshments and goodies. They had an excellent turnout. There were 56 attendees and represented 12 different guilds. There were also some Unit Guiders, other guests and members from the Area Commissioner team present. The tea was hosted by the WestRockers Trefoil Guild. Over $400 was collected for CWFF.
Northern Flickers Trefoil Guild met after the district meeting to work on crafts.
The Crazy Campers Trefoil Guild were busy volunteering for several area events for girls.
Sunrise Girls Trefoil Guild held a games night.
Edmonton Area hosted a World Thinking Day event at the Telus World of Science where 1,500 members attended. The Wild Tumbleweeds Trefoil Guild were there to volunteer.
The Frayed Knots Trefoil Guild participated in their district World Thinking Day event and the Calgary Area fireworks. They enjoyed hot chocolate from the YYC Hot Chocolate Fest.
Several landmarks around ANY Council were lit with blue lights for World Thinking Day. Some of the guilds visited their local sites and took pictures of the blue lights.
BOGGS Trefoil Guild had a sister go home. On February 22, the remaining members met for lunch and remembered their sister as well as Lord and Lady Baden-Powell.
Mary from Heartlanders Trefoil Guild took part in 2 x Zoom “Zoomalong” singing events which included Girl Guides and Girl Scout members from across North America and the UK.
The Purple Martin Trefoil Guild hosted a Mental Health Awareness Zoom presentation for all guilds within ANY Council. The speaker was a former Guiding member who discussed mental illness and coping strategies.
British Columbia
Brenda Fraser, BC Trefoil Guild Liaison
Many World Thinking Day greetings were exchanged by BC Trefoil Guild members. Our private Facebook page had many lovely exchanges between sisters in Guiding. Many Trefoil Guild members participated in Guiding Lights across BC, where public buildings as well as windows in private homes are lit with blue lights to celebrate World Thinking Day.
How Did We Get Here Trefoil Guild celebrated World Thinking Day by going out for a meal at an Afghan restaurant.
Dogwood Trefoil Guild spent World Thinking Day with Chemanius Sparks, Embers, Guides and Pathfinders. They led 46 girls in games and crafts that focused on India’s culture as well as a slideshow and display of Sangam World Centre.
Grapevine Trefoil Guild gathered clothing and food for the Tiny Bundles program at Surrey Food Bank for a service project this month.
BC Trefoil Guilds will be making scent cloths for the NICU department at the BC Women’s Hospital in April. How Did We Get Here Trefoil Guild has a head start by holding two sewing bees and producing over 200 cloths so far!
Manitoba
Sharon Romanow, MB Trefoil Guild Liaison
As we near the end of winter, our guilds are starting to become more active and planning for spring activities.
World Thinking Day was celebrated and members no longer with us were remembered. One guild held their annual World Thinking Day luncheon that was well attended. Plans are being made for outings, lunches, coffee get togethers and puzzle competitions - we are a competitive bunch!
Planning for the National Trefoil Guild Gathering is well underway and almost complete. The excitement is building as the date grows nearer. The final details are falling into place. We have some surprises planned for the attendees.
New Brunswick/PEI
Carmel Hambrook, New Brunswick/PEI Trefoil Guild Liaison
NB/PEI guilds have been busy with World Thinking Day activities, service projects and fun outings. Our small guilds share the joy of Guiding to everyone they meet. Keep up the great work!
Coastal Shore Area:
Miramichi Trefoil Guild:
Carmel Hambrook and Ann Rendall hosted a World Thinking Day event for Sparks, Embers, Guides and Pathfinders. The theme was the five World Centers. They served fresh scones with strawberry jam and lemonade.
Mawiw Area:
2nd Fredericton Trefoil Guild:
Our guild held a meeting in January of '24.
We shared our traditions, travel news and more.
A community service project ranked first on our list.
We found a downtown organization we were able to
assist.
It operates a "Pantry" for the homeless and poor.
In February we took groceries and were given a tour.
The dynamics of our group were put to the test
With a survey to determine what each of us likes best.
We bid a final farewell to sister Guider, Marie.
We'll all miss her, but from her illness, she's free.
On February 22, we reached out to dear friends.
In the sisterhood of Guiding.
Our spirit never ends.
poem by: Ivy Bujold
Victoria Carleton Trefoil Guild:
The Victoria Carleton Trefoil Guild enjoyed a lovely lunch hosted by Avis Golding. Special guest, Dawn Lockwood, talked about starting Guiding in Woodstock in the 1950's. She wore her original enrollment pin and thanks pin. On February 24, Fiddlehead District held a World Thinking Day Rally which ended with a great campfire. Our Trefoil Guild looked after setting up and serving the lunch to girls and Guiders.
1st York Sunbury Trefoil Guild:
Our guild gathered in January for a Purple Trefoil Guild Party. We all wore a variety of purple items, played a purple Kim’s game and had purple food including purple cream cheese and cherry sandwiches! Barb read the book, The World Needs More Purple People.
Prince Edward Island
Lady Slipper Trefoil Guild:
Trefoil Guild member Lorna Bulpitt recently gave a presentation to camp participants at a winter camp for Sparks, Embers, Guides, Pathfinders and Rangers celebrating 100 years of Guiding on PEI.
She shared her photograph albums and souvenirs collected during her time at Pax Lodge and Our Chalet. She and Carolyn Cockram ran the craft station. Participants made a hat craft, cards for seniors and a large cardboard birthday cake – each member decorated a candle with designs that represents what Guiding means to them. It was great to have Trefoil Guilds represented!
Tidewater Area
Moncton Trefoil Guild:
Our dear friend, Flossie Reid, went home in February. Our members are aging so we do not get to meet very often, especially throughout the winter. We hope to meet again mid-March.
Sackville Purple Violet Trefoil Guild:
Sackville Purple Violet Trefoil Guild donated to the food bank in December as well as some cooking utensils to the Culinary Class at Tantramar high school. We also celebrated the arrival of 2024 by sharing time together and having a potluck supper with games.
Sackville Purple Violet Guild raised the World Thinking Day flag proudly in Sackville, NB.
Westmorland Trefoil Guild:
Two members of our Westmorland Trefoil Guild raised the World Thinking Day flag high over the city of Moncton. Mayor Dawn Arnold assisted the guild.
Shine our Guiding Lights: Members of both the Westmorland Trefoil Guild and Sackville Purple Violet Trefoil Guild showed their support of girl empowerment during World Thinking Day.
Whisong Trefoil Guild:
We celebrated one of our members, Ann Connolly's, 91st birthday and went to a celebration tea at Lutz Mountain in Moncton.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Pat Burton, Newfoundland and Labrador Trefoil Guild Liaison
On February 25, Killick Trefoil Guild held a high tea at Worsley Park, and invited Caribou Trefoil Guild and the Golden Girls Trefoil Guild. It was a lovely afternoon with everyone dressed in their finery enjoying delicious food. We had some entertainment provided by Charmaine, Helen and Jackie. Judi organized a World Thinking Day ceremony and had help to present from six of our guild members. We were grateful to be able to share the Guiding fellowship with our friends.
Fireside Friends held a Mad Hatter themed tea party. Postponed from the week before due to a snow and ice storm, to celebrate World Thinking Day 2024. At the invitation of Fireside Friends, five other guilds joined in our celebration: Purple Pearls Trefoil Guild, Caribou Trefoil Guild, Killick Trefoil Guild, Soiree Trefoil Guild and Coasters Trefoil Guild. 48 guild members attended in total. Our program started with a welcome by Donna, our guild lead, followed by two games: tipsy tea game and the Mad Hatters’ riddle scavenger hunt. Next came our tea service, complete with teacups, teapots, tea cozies and three-tiered plate arrangements of delicious sandwiches and cookies.
The room was filled with laughter and fun and it was wonderful to see so many guild members enjoying an evening of memories and friendship. After the tea party, we had another game, the Queen of Hearts card tower, followed by a wonderful campfire. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening and look forward to future guild events and, as true Guiding members, we left no footprint of having ever been in the building!
Nova Scotia
Darlene Duggan , Nova Scotia Trefoil Guild Liaison
Nova Scotia was lit up in Guiding blue for World Thinking Day. Many businesses, office buildings and, of course, candles in the windows of Guiders and Trefoil Guild members remembered our Guiding friends all over the world. Some of our Trefoil Guild members participated in World Thinking Day campfires that were held all over the province. The campfires were facilitated by youth members (from Guides to Rangers) and we all were impressed by the great job they did. Trefoil Guild members were certainly included in everything. Our Guiders are doing a great job with their units.
Since we have experienced many storms, some of our activities have been postponed but we manage to still have fun. Zoom meetings are great and you do not have to trudge through the snow and/or rain to get there; jammies are accepted. When we do venture out it is for exciting things like live theatre, escape rooms, helping units, working on many of the GGC challenges, bowling or going out for dinner. Always being aware of those less fortunate than we are, we contribute to local food banks and clothing drives and any way we can.
We are optimistic that spring is coming, and we are in the planning stages for our spring social. This will be a day to focus on ourselves and we will leave feeling rejuvenated, refreshed and ready for summer.
Ontario and Nunavut
Meg Stock, Ontario and Nunavut Trefoil Guild Liaison
Trefoil Guilds in Ontario were very busy celebrating World Thinking Day across the province.
The 1st Etobicoke Trefoil Guild lead their annual campfire at the mall, with a great turnout of youth members.
Several guilds across Ottawa got together for a World Thinking Day potluck. They learned about the Friends of Our Cabana from Barb Cook and were inspired by Guider Invictus who competed at the most recent Invictus Games. Well done!
The 1st Woodland Trefoil Guild got together to participate in the Sisterhood Challenge, and enjoyed some singing, stomping and clapping to some live music. As they say, hats off to our sisters in Guiding!
The 1st Brampton Trefoil Guild got together to sing and learn some new songs from around the world!
Québec
Angie Kruller and Ellen Gauthier, Québec Trefoil Guild co-Liaisons
Our two new Trefoil Guilds in Quebec are off to a great start and have doubled our membership in the province. Activities are swirling around in many different Trefoil Guilds. Some guilds are meeting up for lunches, while others are doing the cake and cupcake decorating challenges and recharging themselves at an overnight getaway at a Guider’s cottage. Many guild members are also in units as Unit Guiders or Treasurers, helping our youth members grow into amazing adults. We look forward to more adventures to come.
Saskatchewan
Lorraine Thibeault, Saskatchewan Trefoil Guild Liaison
Regina Trefoil Adventure Guild - 23 Trefoil Guild members from the three guilds and two guests were represented and enjoyed themselves at the World Thinking Day tea –Our World, Our Thriving Future. The tea was held at the Guide building Michele Fisher, special guest speaker and Spark leader from Southern Lights District spoke on her Guiding experience in South Africa. Megan Clake, Provincial Commissioner, brought greetings from the Saskatchewan Council. The eldest member from the three Trefoil Guilds in Regina were presented with a purple corsage made by Alice Gaveronski; Shirley Blythe- Regina Guild, Arlene Berbenchuk - R & R Guild and Joyce Hodder.
Cup cakes, ice cream, tea and coffee was served. Six members visited the Saskatchewan Guiding Museum.
Taiga Adventure Trefoil Guild – Prince Albert: The Taiga Adventure Trefoil Guild held a gathering to make soap and a variety of balms (balsam balm, old man beard balm and lip balm) out of beef, buffalo and wild fat and enjoyed a pizza lunch. They gathered to enjoy a spa day at the Watrous Mineral Spa with lunch at the Water’s Edge restaurant. They continue to gather weekly to make jean quilts for the homeless. The members joined members from other Trefoil Guilds for a spring camp March 7 – 10.
1st Canadian Internet Trefoil Guild
Dana Weatherell, 1st Canadian Internet Trefoil Guild Lead
In this edition of Guidepost, we offer a sincere thank you to Dana Weatherell as she completes her term as the Internet Trefoil Guild Lead. Dana, under your guidance and leadership, the Internet Trefoil Guild has grown and is recognized as a place to be for women who are not always available to meet in-person or who want a different Guiding experience. Best of wishes, Dana, on the continuation of your Guiding journey.