The Training Job WHAT THE JOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN THOSE CONCERNED with training have always had the task of making intelligent training plans that insure the training of each volunteer leader, council, and committee member-training that is designed to help her do her Girl Scout job. This training is given before and after going on the job in various ways: through training courses, round tables, informal education groups, in regional and national conferences, through supervision, self-training, apprenticeship, and publications. Those who plan local training are usually members of training committee. The actual training is done by especially trained volunteers and by professional workers. Qualifications. These persons should be able to do one or more of the following: analyze the training needs, analyze the resources in the community that can be used for training, analyze what the community is already offering in the way of adult education, promote training among Girl Scout volunteers, and find places in which the training may be given. A knowledge of educational methods and their possibilities for use in Girl Scouting is desirable. Help on the Job. As part of the local administrative set up, these persons receive special training before and after they undertake the job. Since they are usually members of the training committee, they receive help from their chairman and fellow committee members. From local trainers, volunteers and professionals, they receive help in planning courses and informal training. From the Personnel Division at national headquarters, they obtain specific help in the following ways: suggested training devices, courses and teaching materials, national trainers, and basic reference material. WHAT MAKES THE JOB MORE IMPORTANT TODAY There have been few times in the history of our country when the volunteer has been needed more, and when the trained volunteer has been a greater asset. Training makes of the person who is willing to serve, a person able to serve. Thirty years of experience in training volunteers makes the Girl Scout organization a training force of value to the community. The federal government, in their call for volunteers for civilian defense to act in such capacities as air raid wardens, auxiliary police, bomb squads, auxiliary firemen, drivers, messengers, and road repair crews have found it necessary to establish training centers for those willing to serve. Only 20 Recently, the director of civilian defense urged more people to “enroll for training” in every one of these services. Furthermore, training volunteers already on the job gives them added conviction concerning the worth of the job and an inner compulsion to go ahead with it. Training today also helps the volunteer to keep her sense of direction at a time when the confusion due to world conditions puts one in danger of losing it. NEW OPPORTUNITIES THE JOB OFFERS FOR DEFENSE SERVICE The training job offers many new opportunities for service today. These include: 1. Opportunities to build morale: a. By stimulating experienced volunteers to new enthusiasm and respect for their jobs through increasing their understanding of the significance of the role they are playing in the world today. b. By bringing unity of purpose to the community through setting up groups in which people may discuss their problems and increase their understanding of one another and of the world conditions that face them. 2. Opportunities to meet the demands of the military and industrial victory program: a. By cooperating with the Office of Civilian Defense in their training program for volunteers. (See pages 33 and 35). b. By increasing the number of trainers in the community, thereby increasing the potential service to that community. The trainer not only serves as a person, but multiplies her service by teaching others how to serve. c. By saving the time and energies of volunteers for defense through increasing the effectiveness of Girl Scout volunteers on their jobs. d. By turning out additional expert workers for defense for such jobs as leading groups, training adults, being members of committees, being chairmen of committees, speaking in public, launching publicity, raising money, selecting and placing personnel. e. By utilizing opportunities outside the Girl Scout Organization for training, thus relieving undue pressure on Girl Scout trainers. 3. Opportunities to prepare for war emergencies: a. By including in the training plans instructions in emergency skills, such as first aid, health and nutrition, home safety, taking care of older persons, taking care of children, entertaining those who are afraid, feeding large groups moving large groups in an orderly fashion. b. By including in the training plans instruction in emergency methods and organization, such as disciplined teamwork, efficient movements of groups, cooking in quantity, and democratic leadership. c. By including in the training plans instruction in emergency attitudes, such as patience, cooperativeness, calmness, fearlessness, sharing responsibilities according to ability. 21