MIRANDA CUMMINGS

Member Organisation Girl Guides Australia

Nominated by Girl Guides Australia

Age Group 30-40

Languages Spoken

English as mother tongue, basic Italian.

Why would you like to become a member of the World Board, and how do you feel you can contribute to the work of WAGGGS?

I strongly believe that it is important to have a World Board that is strategic,

collaborative and engaged in transparent communication with Member Organisations so that the Movement can work as one towards Compass 2032. I consider that I have the experience, mindsets, skills and vision to make a significant contribution to the work of a World Board that is focused on strategy and collaboration. I have been involved with WAGGGS work and projects since 2017, including as a World Conference delegate, Capacity Building Volunteer, Growth and Retention Strategies Working Group member and Global Girl Research Advisory Group member. I have a thorough understanding of the WAGGGS vision, strategy and ways of working. I know the importance of clear communication and ensuring that all stakeholders have their voices heard. I have a particular interest in governance and legal issues, as well as policy development. I am into my fifth year of involvement with the Girl Guides Australia Board, currently as Assistant Chief Commissioner - International. My focus is on collaborative and strategic decision-making based on data and evidence. I am flexible and innovative, with a proven record of reliability. I am directly connected with girls and young women in Australia as a Unit Leader and appreciate understanding their issues and priorities. I believe each World Board member has a responsibility to look wider than her own experiences in order to provide a voice for all Member Organisations. I seek to become a World Board member to contribute to the ongoing growth and the strengthening of the Movement in order to positively impact the lives of girls and young women.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

LEADERSHIP MODEL

MIRANDA CUMMINGS

When a challenging situation arose during a court trial at work, I focused on making my self-talk positive. I pretended that I was giving advice to a friend in a similar situation and thought about what I would say to them. As a result, I found I was far more encouraging and focused on looking to the future, rather than being critical and dwelling on the past difficulties. I was able to see the

positive impact it had on my team when we emphasised moving forward and learning from challenges, instead of focusing on the negatives.

Treat themselves kindly

When I facilitated a session at the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference about Child Safe Organisations, I made sure that each table in the session had its own facilitator. This meant that the discussions could occur at the right pace and level for the people on

each table. Each group worked quite differently and were able to cover topics that were relevant to the particular participants, and at a speed that was appropriate for them. Because individual voices can get lost in large groups, I think it is important to find a way for everyone to be included and heard.

Work with others to create spaces where everyone can fully participate

Challenge themselves to understand and take into account different perspectives

Adapt their behaviour to the context

Challenge gender expectations

In 2018 I sought an opportunity to spend 3 months working for an Indigenous organisation in the remote north-west of Western Australia. This provided daily insights into the lives of Indigenous youths and families who had very different languages, experiences, perspectives and expectations. I focused on listening and learning, through asking questions and seeking out information, in

order to be able to contribute in a meaningful way. It was a powerful learning experience to be in a situation where I was very much the outsider. It has profoundly shaped my understanding of Indigenous culture and my view of Australian history.

I am committed to collaborative and inclusive communication because I believe that provides the best and

most lasting outcomes. However, my work as a lawyer is primarily in commercial litigation, which means that I have had to learn, when necessary, to adopt an adversarial approach during a dispute or trial. In the course of each day I will fluidly adapt my communication to a range of audiences and in a variety of contexts. Wherever possible, even during litigation, I seek to find common ground and take into account a variety of different perspectives in order to achieve positive outcomes.

In our Girl Guide Unit, we are focused on ensuring that the girls have every opportunity to try any activity that

interests them. We identify when they might feel constrained by traditional expectations of what girls should do, and we make sure that this does not limit their experiences or goals. Part of this ongoing conversation is also about the harm of gender expectations on boys and men, particularly in terms of emotional development. We encourage the girls to critically reflect on what they see in their own lives, at home and at school.

Leaders...

I volunteered with the Humanitarian Group and conducted many interviews with refugees to gather information to support their visa applications. This sometimes involved working through translators,

and I found it important to always check carefully that I had fully understood their story. I know from my exchange in Italy that it is easy for confusion to arise on both sides when working in a language that is new. It also required me to research beforehand about the historical events which caused the individual to seek refuge in Australia so that I could properly communicate their story in the visa application.

As I write this, I am visiting Pax Lodge and Our Chalet with my Unit of teenage Australian Girl Guides. From our very first

discussion about this adventure, I have ensured the focus has been on the Girl Guides developing and leading their own preparation and decision-making in order to truly own their journey. Leadership has looked different for each girl based on her abilities and past experiences, but each girl has moved out of her comfort zone to turn the dream into a reality.

Empower any and every girl to practise leadership Learn from their

own feelings and experiences

Make choices rooted in their values Innovate to create positive impact

My choice to nominate for a position on the World Board has

been shaped by the strength of the values I have gained from Girl Guiding. For me, it is about seeking out new challenges, identifying where I can make a positive difference and having the courage to reach for goals that stretch me and allow me to grow. I have always valued commitment and dedication, as well as striving to contribute to the best of my ability.

The issue: after each Girl Guides Australia Board meeting, Board members had

different interpretations about what they could communicate back to their State organisations. It wasn’t clear to them what was confidential, and what could be shared. The innovative solution: I took responsibility for producing a short slide pack at the end of each Board meeting outlining the key decisions made, so that Board members could take it back to their State organisations. This provided consistent messaging across Australia and clarity for Board members. It also provided greater transparency and understanding of the work of the Girl Guides Australia Board.

My three months as a volunteer at Our Chalet in 2009 opened my eyes

to what WAGGGS could offer by way of personal development in a way that was much more than simply being a leader with a Girl Guide Unit. I used that experience to connect with young women in Australia through my roles as Assistant Chief Commissioner and National Olave Program Manager to encourage them to ‘look wider’ in terms of their future in Girl Guiding. I had learned there was so much more to Girl Guiding and worked to encourage others to experience that for themselves.

Seek the information they need to understand the full picture

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I have the skills and experience required for the World Board as a result of my roles and responsibilities in Guiding and my professional work as a lawyer. But equally important are the attitudes and mindsets which I have developed through my experiences – I am inquisitive, collaborative, solutions-focused and strategic. Board experience I am in my fifth year of involvement with the Board of Girl Guides Australia, which has developed my strong skills in collaboration and strategic planning. As the various States of Australia are each separate members of Girl Guides Australia, this role has provided experience of managing the interests of different member organisations in a governance capacity. I have focused on policy development on a range of topics from advocacy to child safety. As Guiding within Australia includes six State organisations with different legislation and requirements, I am experienced in tailoring policies to be applicable in different contexts. I have a high level of understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities involved in being a member of a Board, and have developed my comprehension of financial management and budgeting. I have a proven track record in diligently attending to board business and engaging collaboratively and creatively in order to achieve strategic outcomes. WAGGGS experience My involvement with the work of WAGGGS since 2017, including as a World Conference delegate, Capacity Building Volunteer (Governance), member of Growth and Retention Working Group and member of Global Girl Research Advisory Group, means I have deep familiarity with the WAGGGS leadership model, educational methodology and Capacity Building Framework.

I have experience of different ways of working with staff and volunteers in WAGGGS and understand the vital importance of transparent communication and engagement with Member Organisations and other key stakeholders. Legal experience My nine years’ legal experience as a lawyer in Australia is directly relevant to the UK context. My practice has also involved work related to other jurisdictions including the USA and India, as well as pro bono work with refugees and not-for-profit organisations in Australia. As a litigation lawyer, a key aspect of my professional work is critically and strategically analysing information and arguments. I work very well under pressure, and am competent in managing diverse interests and communicating in a clear and concise manner. I am experienced in constructively challenging different approaches and considering matters from different points of view. My professional role also requires significant project management skills as well as risk management. Governance and constitutions experience As Chair of the Girl Guides Australia Governance Committee, I gained practical experience of management of governance and constitutional issues at national level, involving an organisation where the members are separate State organisations with different legal requirements and different priorities. This developed my understanding of the importance and impact of organisational structure. I also led a review of the Constitution and achieved various amendments to improve the efficiency and relevance of Girl Guides Australia. In my current role as WAGGGS Capacity Building Volunteer (Governance), I expect to deepen my understanding of governance and constitutional issues relevant to a variety of Member Organisations.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

MIRANDA CUMMINGS

Research, data analysis and evaluation experience I spent several months in 2018 working in the remote north-west of Western Australian with an Indigenous organisation, Nyamba Buru Yawuru. This role involved designing and testing a process of data collection and analysis to evaluate project impact. This experience enabled me to further develop skills from leading the review in 2014-2015 of the Olave Program (Guiding for young women aged 18-30), which had involved working with an experienced external consultant and provided me with practical experience in data collection, analysis and evaluation in a Girl Guiding / Girl Scouting context. I am a strong believer in the importance of policies and strategy being informed by collaboration and research and subject to ongoing evaluation. I have completed two research-based honours theses in Law and Political Science, achieving first class honours in each. I understand WAGGGS’ approach to research and development through the Global Girl Research Advisory Group.

Worldly mindset and non-formal education Engaging with individuals from around the world in various WAGGGS roles, at World and Asia Pacific Regional Conferences, and during events at Sangam and Our Chalet, has provided experience in cross-cultural communication, and also an understanding of challenges and opportunities faced by girls and young women around the world. However, I am eagerly looking forward to many more opportunities to further develop my worldly mindset. As Unit Leader for a dynamic and growing Unit of Girl Guides aged 14-17, I am connected to the young women of today. As I write this, our Unit is visiting Our Chalet as part of an international adventure, planned by the girls. I can see the ongoing benefits of non-formal education and the value of Girl Guiding / Girl Scouting every day.

MIRANDA CUMMINGS

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)

VOLUNTARY AND PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS Positions held within a Member Organisation, WAGGGS, and professional, NGO or business appointments within the last ten years.

MIRANDA CUMMINGS

World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

Capacity Building Volunteer - Governance 2019-current Global Girl Research Advisory Group member 2019-current Olave Baden-Powell Society member 2019-current Growth and Retention Strategies Working Group member 2018-current

Member Organisation

Girl Guides Australia Assistant Chief Commissioner – International 2020-current Girl Guides Australia Board non-voting attendee 2020-current; also 2014-2017

Girl Guides Australia Legal Panel 2019-current Mentor for Olave Program (Guiding program for young women aged 18-30 in Australia)

2016-current Unit Leader in Girl Guides Western Australia 2004-current Girl Guides Australia Assistant Chief Commissioner 2014-2017

Girl Guides Australia Governance Committee (member, then Chair) 2015-2017

Girl Guides Australia Guiding Operations Committee 2014-2016

Girl Guides Australia National Olave Program Manager (Guiding for young women aged 18-30) and Chair of National Olave Program Committee 2013-2015

Girl Guides Australia National Management Advisory Committee 2013-2015

Girl Guides Western Australian Olave Program Manager 2011-2013

Girl Guides Western Australia Executive Committee member 2011-2013

Other voluntary positions

Friends of Asia Pacific WAGGGS 2017-current Humanitarian Group volunteer, providing pro bono legal assistance for refugees 2015-2016

Aboriginal Legal Service volunteer, providing pro bono legal assistance 2014-2015

Western Australian Youth Volunteer of the Year 2014

Professional/ NGO/business appointments

Senior Associate, Allens Linklaters 2016-current Rio Tinto Corporate Counsel secondment 2019

Jawun secondment to Nyamba Buru Yawuru 2018

Lawyer, Allens Linklaters 2012-2016

World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

WAGGGS Global Team Conference, Pax Lodge 2018

Girl Guides Australia delegate to WAGGGS World Conference (India) and facilitator for Forum 2017 - Getting Into Governance 2017

Member Organisation

Girl Guides Australia National Strategic Planning event 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019

Mentor, Getting Into Governance – national program to encourage young women into governance positions 2018

Coordinator, Australian Olave Baden-Powell Society gathering 2018

Facilitator, In The Lead – youth leadership and advocacy weekend 2015, 2016

National Volunteer Team Conferences 2014, 2015, 2016

Guiding at the House – national event at Parliament House, Canberra 2015

Great Bunya Gathering – Australian Jamboree 2015

Spark! Reigniting the Olave Program – national launch 2015

Olave Program Conference 2014

Other relevant national, regional or global events

Leader, Girl Guides international adventure to Pax Lodge and Our Chalet 2020

Girl Guides Australia delegate to WAGGGS Asia Pacific Regional Conference (Taiwan) and facilitator for Forum 2019 – Being a Child Safe Organisation 2019

Participant, Young Women Changing Tomorrow at Sangam 2016

Anything Is Possible, Asia Pacific Leader of Youth event 2014

PARTICIPATION IN EVENTS Participation in relevant events within the last six years.