Congratulations to assistant county commissioner, Kate Fowles, who received her Region chief award at a campfire with Dorking Guides and Rangers at Faurefold.
The nominations highlight how respected she is – not just for the sheer amount of time she gives to guiding but for her ability to build teams, support individuals and to tackle the most challenging situations. She is passionate about guiding and the benefit it brings to us all.
In addition to being Guide leader, Kate supports volunteers across the county. Kate is always the first to step up and support individuals and is an asset to the county team.
As a first response trainer, she has supported hundreds of leaders since 2018:
Most are good, but Kate is exceptional. She has superb inter-personal skills…..It was by far the best first aid training session I had ever attended and also the most friendly and enjoyable. I found Kate to be inspirational and a superb role model.
From one of her former guides:
Kate is not only exceptionally empathetic, compassionate and organised, she is also, quite simply, unapologetically cool. She makes kindness, responsibility and care something to aspire to. She embodies the very best of Guiding, and she makes me a better person every time I see her.
As a division commissioner for Leith Hill, she led team events encouraging volunteers to unite and socialise together. Since being assistant county commissioner, she has organised 2 very successful leader weekends open to volunteers across the county with the next one planned later this years.
From former county commissioner Jennifer Sibley:
She helps others to shine and is a huge encouragement to others including myself, when I stepped up to the County Commissioner role…….She is exactly the sort of person you want on your team – a hard worker, a team player, she brings fantastic humour and makes everyone feels valued.
From assistant county commissioner, Mary Zoeller:
Kate’s enthusiasm and “can do” attitude is infectious. She is a loyal and longstanding ambassador for Girlguiding and I would love to see her commitment recognised and celebrated nationally.
Kate is an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and inspiring leader who has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, inclusivity, organisation and care. Young people describe her as funny, supportive, approachable and endlessly encouraging—someone who makes them feel seen, valued and confident. She helps them access opportunities, solves problems creatively, and brings energy and enthusiasm to every meeting and event.
Congratulations on receiving this award and thank you for all that you do. You are always the first to step up and support whatever is needed including individuals in the most challenging situations. You are a real asset to the county team and we are delighted that you have been recognised with this award.