The 3 parts of the Guiding Promise

There are 3 parts to the promise in Guiding.  The 3 leaves of the trefoil and the 3 fingers of our salute are reminders of these.

But sometimes it can be confusing about what the 3 parts are.

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) website talks about the promise this way:

The Original Promise and Law were developed at the beginning of the Movement’s history. The Promise and Law continues to evolve as Member Organisations modernise Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in their countries.

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best:
1.  To do my duty to God and the King (Or God and my country);
2.  To help other people at all times;
3.  To obey the Guide Law

Although each member organisation of  WAGGGS has its own version of the Promise, they all include the same three basic parts as laid down by our Founder, Lord Baden-Powell.
The promise in the UK  would break down as

I promise that I will do my best:
1. To be true to myself and develop my beliefs, To serve the Queen and my community,
2. To help other people
3. To keep the (Brownie) Guide Law.

Although, I wonder if serving my community doesn't fall more under helping people to be honest, so perhaps it would also be fair to say it could break down as:

1. be true to myself and develop my beliefs, 
2. serve the Queen and my community, help other people
3. keep the (Brownie) Guide Law.

What is totally fundamental is that keeping the Guide Law is the 3rd part of the 3 part promise and not an add on to the end.  Those Laws are key to living the promise and the original vision.  They also facilitate the aim of Guiding:

"The aim of guiding is to help girls and young women develop emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually, so that they can make a positive contribution to their community and the wider world."

The laws:

The Guide Law (for Guides, The Senior Section and adults) is:

A Guide is honest, reliable and can be trusted.
A Guide is helpful and uses her time and abilities wisely.
A Guide faces challenge and learns from her experiences.
A Guide is a good friend and a sister to all Guides.
A Guide is polite and considerate.
A Guide respects all living things and takes care of the world around her.

The Brownie Guide Law is:

A Brownie Guide thinks of others before herself and does a Good Turn every day.

These are definitely the third part of the 3 part promise, no matter which way you choose to mix the other two.

First published 2nd Feb 2014, republished Feb 2020 - because it's important!