TREFOIL GUILD IS A PART OF GIRL GUIDES OF CANADA AND VERY ACTIVE IN BC!

WHO CAN JOIN? Women over the age of 30 who have previously been enrolled in Guiding, or who are willing to be enrolled.  Many who hold other positions in Guiding also belong to the Trefoil Guild.

WHERE DID TREFOIL GUILD START? It actually originated in Britain in 1943; however, the first Guild to be registered in Canada was in 1961 right here in BC, in Victoria.  Soon after that, it quickly spread to other parts of BC and right across the country.

WHEN DO TREFOIL GUILDS MEET? The Guilds meet as frequently as it suits their membership.  Some meet once a month and others every alternate month.  Some have daytime meetings and others meet in the evening.

WHAT DO TREFOIL GUILDS DO? They meet together for friendship and fun. They also like to support Guiding and give service to the community.

HOW DO THEY DO THIS? They help with local Guiding and community events. They are often invited to talk to the girls about their Guiding history. Many Guild members are active with other aspects of Guiding including Provincial Committees, Area and District councils and sometimes units. Members do fundraising for the girls and CWFF.  Some make lap rugs for those in seniors homes and knit teddy bears for children in hospital or women’s shelters. The many things that they do are too numerous to mention here.

HOW MANY GUILDS ARE THERE IN B.C.? According to the last census, there are 72 Guilds and over 800 members, including 1 Lone.

IS THERE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE GUILDS? Local Guilds will get together for social events such as lunches, etc. or maybe go hiking or camping.  A Provincial Trefoil Rendezvous is held in the Spring each year at a different city. An AGM is held during this Rendezvous.  In 2006 this was held in Nanaimo, in 2007 it will be held in Cranbrook.  Every three years a National Gathering is held.  In 2004 this event was held in Ottawa, ON; in 2007 it will be held in Fredericton, NB.

IS THERE A TREFOIL GUILD UNIFORM? The Trefoil Guild does not have an official uniform (although every member may wear the adult Guiding uniform).  At the present time in BC we have a sweatshirt, polo t-shirt and vest. Some Guilds have their own sweatshirt or vest.  BC also has a scarf, crest and ribbon which may be purchased from the Provincial Trefoil Guild Treasurer; again this is optional. The colour Purple was designated to the Trefoil Guild by National Council and they have made available a mauve fleece jacket. They are also looking into a blouse or shirt for the Guilds. The BC Emblem is pictured on this page top right; the National logo for the Canadian Trefoil Guild ("Keeping the Spirit Alive) is pictured on this page second from top right.

THERE IS A NEW TREFOIL GUILD HANDBOOK
Revised version August, 2006: Trefoil Guild Handbook (pdf). Guilds can reproduce this handbook for each member.

LONG TERM MEMBERS AND PRC SCREENING
See information on long term members and the PRC screening.