These are some of the qualities the Guide movement instills in its members -- qualities Island Guide Commissioner Mrs. Florenz Maxwell says equip them for life.

Founded by Lord Baden-Powell's sister Agnes in 1910, the Guide movement has spread throughout the world. Its ranks include young people of all religions, creeds, cultures, and races.

And therein lies its appeal.

"Everyone can be a Guide,'' Mrs. Maxwell said. "What Guides have in common is that they have made a Promise. It is against the Guide Law and Promise to have barriers. There is nothing I can think of that will exclude anyone the Guide movement who doesn't want to be there. It is a very friendly organisation.'' It is that philosophy, in fact, which Bermuda's first black Commissioner finds so appealing. Even though she has risen through through the ranks to her present position as Commissioner, Mrs. Maxwell does not forget the interruption to her progress in then-segregated Bermuda.

"I was first a Brownie and then a Girl Guide,'' she recalled. "The next step was Rangers, but there were no black Rangers then so I left to become Bermuda Girl in Training, a girls' group affiliated with the Methodist church.'' In fact, Mrs. Maxwell said that the local Guide movement was not open to black girls until 1932 when the 1st Excelsior Company was registered. "When Lord and Lady Baden-Powell visited Bermuda in 1930, Mrs. Millie Neverson brought the matter to their attention, and two years later her dream was realised,'' she recounted.

In fact, so many black girls became interested in Guiding, that the 2nd Excelsior Company was formed with Miss Winona Robinson as Captain.

"Some of those first Guides were Miss Enith King, who is still active as a council member and my mentor, Miss Dorothy Hughes, Mrs. Cecile Musson Smith, Mrs. Doris Corbin, who was my first Brown Owl when I became a Brownie at age seven, and Mrs. Gaynelle Paynter,'' the Island Commissioner recalled. "Miss Elizabeth Hawaley was one of the first Brownies attached to the company.'' Today, the local Guide movement, like its counterparts overseas, is not only fully integrated in all spheres but also so politically correct that the word `Girl' has been dropped from the long-standing title.

(Similarly, Scouts are no longer Boy Scouts).

Although Bermuda's first Guide Company, the 1st Hamilton Company, was registered in June 1919 by Elinor Bluck and Virginia Outerbridge, it was actually a visitor, Mary Swan, who first introduced the movement to the Island some years before.

"Miss Swan was a Girl Scout in America and she introduced Miss Effie Seon to the movement. Miss Seon was a cousin of Mrs. Elizabeth Tucker, and in no time ten to 12 girls from Paget and Pembroke met at her home, Park House, to try their hand at signalling, tracking and so forth,'' Island Commmissioner Mrs.

Florenz Maxwell related. "The girls continued until Miss Seon married, and at her wedding, when she became Mrs. Williams, the "Scouts'' formed a guard of honour.

When the 1st Hamilton Company was formed, Mrs. Tucker's daughter, Mrs. Frances Tucker Zuill, became an interested helper -- as did most of the other young women who had been part of the original scout troop.

From early beginnings, the local Guide movement has thrived and gone from strength to strength. Today, according to Mrs. Maxwell, there are over 200 Guides and 300 Brownies in companies around the Island, as well as Rangers and Rainbows -- the newest Association members, which were founded in 1993, with Mrs. Debbie Smith as leader.

As always, the current Governor's wife, is the President of the Guide Association -- a tradition begun by Lady Asser, after whom the Guide headquarters is named -- in 1924.

"I have been fortunate that all of the Presidents during my term of office -- Lady Waddington, Lady Langley and Lady Dunrossil -- have been most supportive,'' Commissioner Maxwell noted.

Mrs. Henry Lockward was the first Bermudian Commissioner in 1930. Those who followed included Mrs. Mary Tucker, Dr. Marjorie Hallett, Mrs. Dudley Butterfield, Mrs. Joan Wilkie, Mrs. Freda Olivey, and Mrs. Felicity Lunn.

The ranks of local Guides include those who have have gained the movement's highest honours; those who have participated in international camps, and those who have been presented to royalty.

The Guiding movement offers opportunities for all ages, beginning with Rainbows (ages five to seven), and on up through Brownies (ages seven to ten), Guides (ages ten-14), Rangers (14-16), and Young Leaders (16 and over).

Special provisions mean that the disabled can participate in all Guiding activities, and Bermuda has a special advisor in Mrs. Judith Ingham to assist with this aspect.

In the course of their Guiding experiences, young people are exposed to a wide variety of challenges, activities and learning experiences, all of which can earn them badges. In the process they learn to be resourceful, responsible individuals as well as team players.

Community work, camping, and travel are just some of the aspects involved.

"We work on an eight-point programme, which means you have to complete eight activities before you can officially become a Brownie, Guide or Ranger,'' the Commissioner explained. "These involve teamwork and individual thinking, and there are tests at the end of each before they can wear their Promise pin.'' Recalling her long association with the Guide movement, Mrs. Maxwell said important milestones included being a Brown Owl Brownie Guide (leader) for the first integrated Brownie pack at St. Michael's church in Paget.

Others were assistant Guide Leader, assistant District Commissioner, assitant Island Commissioner and deputy Island Commissioner.

"I have asked myself many times why I have stayed with the movement because I am not a joiner,'' Mrs. Maxwell said. "I think it was because I had the right role models and I liked the idea of developing my personality. It strengthened me in a lot of responsibilities. For example, if I make a promise, come hell or high water I won't break it. I didn't realise how much I had imbibed Guiding's values until I became a woman.'' ON PARADE -- Members of the local Guide movement proudly parade their banners during a special ceremony. The girls are part of a worldwide organisation where friendship, leadership skills and character-building are emphasised.