It was a hot and sunny afternoon at Empire Hall, when Reigate division gathered for a celebration tea to thank outgoing commissioners Sonia Naughton and Emma Marsh, and welcome Fiona Exley to the role.
Relaxing in the Empire Hall garden in the sunshine
After six incredible years of joint leadership, Sonia and Emma have officially completed their extended term as joint division commissioners for Reigate. We want to share a massive thank you for their outstanding dedication, especially as they steered our division through some of the most challenging times. Both were presented with the county good service award by county commissioner, Beverly Heywood-Jones and flowers.
Former county commissioner, Lesley Bailey said: What drew me to Sonia originally was her organisation juggling her career with BA flying round the world and guiding in her unit. I soon became aware that sometimes things work better in pairs or guiding families, so asked Emma to join the team at division.
Together they brought a strength – with different skills and perspectives which are invaluable to this role and a friendship that grew.
Sonia and Emma were appointed joint division commissioners in early 2020, just weeks before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the fast-changing rules and national lockdowns, their focus never wavered from keeping guiding in Reigate moving forwards. Reigate is the biggest division in Surrey East. Thanks to their steady leadership and our amazing volunteers, numbers have remained stable supporting over 700 young members and 200 volunteers across 5 districts with support from commissioners Sam Blackmore for Merstham, Helen Prosser for Horley, Siobhan Harrison for Redhill.
Sonia and Emma worked out how best to divide the role; Sonia stepped up directly as a county trustee and Emma took on the management of division finances and Empire Hall. Together, they organised an online baking competition and took the opportunity to refresh Empire Hall and its grounds. During that time, focus was on maintaining morale, supporting leaders who were cancelling events, minimising the financial impact and securing grants for our properties, managing new risks associated with virtual events and safe socially distanced guiding. Meetings had to be via zoom.
They setup a facebook ‘air and share’ to encourage volunteers to support each other and helped to coordinate division support at bigger events such as Scoutabout, cinema trips to the Harlequin and a super Rainbow day at Nower Wood. Empire Hall has gone from strength to strength and is now a popular venue for local sleepovers, and county trainings.
Throughout their term, they have been key members of the county team. They have been amazing here and we really hope they will continue to get involved in roles and events at the county level – carrying on with the fun times we have had at leader weekends and building on the friendships we now have, and of course to share more mojitos and wine! Thank you and congratulations to Sonia and Emma for all they achieved.
It was a great opportunity for leaders across Reigate to welcome Fiona who is progressing plans to build her own Division team and wish her success in the role going forwards.We introduced Lucy Heinemann, a former rainbow parent/leader in training who has agreed to become district commissioner for Horley East and Horley West once a handover from Helen Prosser is completed. Fiona has also recruited a new Division treasurer who will take over this role from Emma. Jo Hayward is the division YL coordinator, and Sam Blackmore is DC for Merstham.
Fi Exley receives her commissioner badge
There are some other priority roles that we would like to fill – DC for Redhill and DC for Reigate Park and Division residential adviser. Please do get in touch if you would like to know more about these roles. We know that not having a local commissioner has a major impact on the volunteers in many ways so the sooner we have volunteers in these roles, the better. We know there are some really experienced volunteers all across Reigate who are always willing to lend their support too. We wish Fiona all the best in her role. We are all here to provide support where we can, and to ensure that Guiding in Reigate continues to flourish for many years to come.