It's the motto instilled in every GirlGuiding New Zealand member from day one, and one that will serve Melissa Hawke well as she prepares for the challenges of her first foray into politics and high-level leadership.
The 15-year-old Taieri College pupil has been selected as a member of the inaugural National Girl Advisory and Participation Group, which will advise GirlGuiding New Zealand's national board, the Guiding development committee and the Developing our Future committee.
‘‘The Girl Guide organisation has gone from being girl-focused to girl-led,'' Melissa said.
‘‘I'm really excited. It's a new opportunity that I'm looking forward to doing for the next two years.''
Melissa is one of nine girls from across the country, selected following a rigorous application process.
Membership is restricted to members of Ranger age (12 and a-half to 17 years old).
She has been a member of GirlGuiding New Zealand since 2007, and a Ranger for the past two years.
She hoped to bring much experience to the regular group meetings, which would discuss members' views on a wide range of topics, including GirlGuiding New Zealand programme content, delivery of events, uniforms, badges and the best way to communicate with members, she said.
Group members would also be responsible for representing and promoting the views of girls within the organisation; seeking feedback and identifying relevant issues from members of all ages; and discussing the views of girls with other members of the National Girl Advisory and Participation Group in a bid to reach consensus.
That consensus would be put forward to GirlGuiding New Zealand governance groups, where each girl in the group has voting rights in the annual national forum.
GirlGuiding New Zealand consists of 22 regions around the country, and has more than 20,000 members.
