Service Auxiliary Volunteers for Emergency and Relief

INTRODUCTION:

Upon their investiture, Girl Scouts commit themselves through the Girl Scout Promise “to serve God, Country and Mankind.” They start to learn to live this Promise in their troop by “doing a good turn daily”. Beyond the troop, this Promise is carried through special projects such as Girl Scout SAVER where they could “Be prepared” to serve other people at all times”. Service to others is service to God for as the biblical admonition goes:

“Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, this you do unto me.”

What is the Girl Scout SAVER?

It is a special service program undertaken by a team of Girl Scouts and Non-Girl Scout volunteers organized to assist in Fact Finding, Communication, Referrals and Relief Operations in times of emergency. It stands for Service Auxiliary Volunteers for Emergency and Relief.

Who can be a member of Girl Scout SAVER team?

Members of the Girl Scout SAVER Team are:

• Senior, Cadet and Adult Girl Scouts
• Adult GSP Members
• Non-Girl Scouts (male and female) who are invited for their capabilities and commitment
• Physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy
• Aged 12 years and above
• Residents of the same community

How many compose a team?

A minimum of 12 members and a maximum of 45 at any given time.  There should be two Adult Girl Scouts as Team Advisers accredited by the Council. The proportion of Girl Scout to non-Girl Scout members is 2 to 1.

(Example: 8 Girl Scouts to 4 non-Girl Scouts for a minimum of 12 members)

How is a Girl Scout SAVER TEAM organized?

• A group of Girl Scouts may organize themselves as a core group or a council recruits and organizes a core group.
• The core group invites additional members like medical aides.
• The group chooses or the council designates two Team Advisers who are preferably residents of the same community.
• The team elects its officers and registers as a group with the council.

What does the Girl Scout Saver Team Do?

1. PRE-EMERGENCY ACTION
Prepare themselves to assist in emergencies by:
1.1   Earning badges in the 8-Point Challenge particularly on Preparedness
1.2  Undergoing SAVER training which includes:

• first aid
• life saving
• survival skills
• toolcraft
• evacuation services
• nutritious food (preparation
• and  distribution)
• search and rescue
• swimming
• driving
• safety
• emergency preparedness
• emergency welfare service
• communication service
• health service
• self-defense

1.3  Practicum/Demonstration of skills learned
1.4  Conducting surveys to know the facilities and resources in the community
1.5  Establishing contacts with the government Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(DRRMC) and welfare agencies
1.6  Practicing mobilization of manpower and material resources
1.7  Securing necessary emergency equipment and supplies
1.8  Keeping themselves physically fit at all times
1.9  Identifying safety hazards and learning how to prevent disasters
1.10 Developing Action plans for different emergency situations

2. ACTUAL EMERGENCY ACTION
These activities may be done simultaneously or in any order according to the needs of the situation.
2.1   Communication
2.2   Mobilization
2.3   Assembly
2.4   Assessment of situation
2.5   Setting up of center of operations
2.6   Deployment
2.7   Action

3. POST-EMERGENCY ACTION
3.1   Acknowledge
3.2   Review (analyze, re-plan)/modify plans
3.3   Replenish, re-tool, restore, repair
3.4   Re-train
3.5   Re-organize/retain/comfort victims/make referrals
3.6   Record/monitor/report
3.7   Collect, pack and distribute relief goods
3.8   Handle communication services

What are the Council’s Responsibilities?

• Ensures that SAVER Teams are registered as soon as organized.
• Accredits the individual team members after they pass the Practicum.
• Designates the team advisers.
• Conducts a continuing training program.
• Monitors implementation of GSP Program Standards.
• Collects and consolidates reports.
• Coordinates linkages among teams and agencies.
• Ensures all safety precautions (insurance, parents’ consent, health clearance, etc.).
• Encourages participation of Senior/Cadet Girl Scouts.

What are the steps toward Accreditation?

1. The team is organized.
2. The team registers with the Council Office.
3. The members undergo training.
4. The members undergo and pass the Practicum.
5. Each member who passes the practicum is accredited

(Pays the registration fee and receives the membership card)

Glossary of Terms

• Accreditation – the process certifies that standards are met.
• Assembly – getting together for roll call, briefing and deployment based on assessment of situation.
• Assembly Point – a place where members gather when called to action; meeting place.
• Auxiliary – supplemental; back-up; reserve.
• Communication – the transmission and reception of messages/information.
• Disaster – great or sudden misfortune, catastrophe; great destruction; calamity.
• Emergency – sudden state of danger or disaster that requires immediate attention.
• Mobilization – the step involved in getting people and things ready for action.
• Operations Center – a place near the disaster area where activities are directed.
• Practicum – a demonstration of skills learned.
• Volunteer – a person who offers service of his own free will.

Conclusion

Nothing can surpass the Girl Scout’s joy for having served others in time of need. The essence of service permeating the Girl Scout SAVER is best reflected in the lines of the song, SERVICE.

SERVICE

We are made for service to care for all men
We are made for love both time and again
A love that will lead through sorrow and pain
A love that will never die with strain
God sent His Son to show us the way
One who shares His love every minute of the day
And who gave His life that we may live
And the spirit to help us through the years
Life can be so lonely when nobody cares;
Life can be so empty when nobody shares
But if man gives himself to help other men
The happiness of Christ will live within.