Local Girl Guides leader appointed to provincial position

More than 30 years of experience as an adult trainer for Girl Guides at both the provincial and local level has landed Marnie Cumming of Fort Frances the job as deputy provincial commissioner for the Girl Guides of Ontario.
Cumming was appointed to the position by the provincial commissioner a week ago but will receive the designation formally during a special ceremony in Toronto sometime in January.
“It’s a very humbling experience to be asked to serve in that role,” she noted yesterday. “I have years and years of experience, and I hope that I can put it to good use.
“I have gained far more than I’ve given,” she continued. “I have had the opportunity to meet some absolutely amazing women across Ontario and Canada and I would have never had that chance without being involved in the organization.”
Cumming, one of two deputy provincial commissioners in Ontario, will help oversee the structure of Girl Guide adult training programs and girls’ programming.
While her new job will require frequent trips to Toronto for meetings, Cumming plans to maintain her active role as a Sparks leader here.
“I think it’s really important for people in administrative roles to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground,” she reasoned.
While Cumming admitted the role of leadership in Girl Guides had been modified over the years, the basic values taught to young girls and women have remained relatively unchanged.
“The basic values and focus on leadership development have always been there [but] Guiding has worked very hard to be flexible and up to date in order to appeal to the needs of both girls and women,” Cumming noted.