OB-PS at WAGGGS World Conference
OB-PS Board members and National Coordinators were invited to attend WAGGGS’ 33rd World Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa in July 2008.
They were able to enjoy the African culture – dancing, singing, a formal choral group, and a string quartet; - an opening address from Graça Machel, (advocate for women’s rights and wife of Nelson Mandela), an international night of dance and food and fun; and the World Market where wonderful things are bought and sold, and many countries raise money for quota payments. There were tours arranged both during and after the Conference to different parts of South Africa. 
During the Conference an OB-PS Presentation Ceremony was arranged, when Charlotte Christ-Weber, OB-PS President, presented OB-PS certificates and insignia to Heather Brandon (a South African living in the UK since her World Board Chairmanship); Sue Campbell, an Australian who had been on the Constitutions Committee, and was Head Teller at the Conference, and Kimi Yanase who has been an OB-PS member for a while.
About 14 OB-PS members, spent time actively promoting OB-PS through a display, contacts with people, and sitting as a group wearing OB-PS t-shirts! The OB-PS banner was on the wall, and was much admired. For all those involved, this first-hand contact with the Member Organizations and the young girls they help in their work was a most welcome and useful experience.
A quiz was arranged, about OB-PS, and the winner was awarded a full scholarship to a Juliette Low Event for her, or her country – and this was won by Latvia! There was great appreciation from WAGGGS, of the support OB-PS gives. Charlotte made a presentation which reinforced this message asking for Member Organisations to ‘tell us your stories’. She pointed out that OB-PS has more than 700 active ambassadors for WAGGGS, who would tell the stories to a wider audience. This is the key –OB-PS supports WAGGGS, and with its funding and more, WAGGGS can do more with girls. Simple, really!
All the OB-PS Board members and Coordinators felt that the Conference had helped them to grow in their understanding of the work of WAGGGS, which will help them to continue to recruit OB-PS members – and support the even more WAGGGS’ work!