Protocols and Courtesies

In all invitations please include the type of event and other pertinent information, time and place, other invited guests especially those not in Guiding and who will the audience be (i.e. girls, adults, and members of the public). Invited guest will need to know the role they are expected to play whether it be to just attend; bring greetings or make a presentation (and the allotted time).

It would be courteous to assign someone to greet guests as they arrive, to help make them comfortable and give them information and shown them to their seats.

If you are inviting the Mayor of a large community, you should contact the Mayor's office well in advance of the date of the event. In a smaller community you can contact the Mayor and then send a written confirmation. Your Division or Area Commissioners should be notified.

If you are extending an invitation to the Premier or the Lieutenant Governor of the province the Provincial Commissioner should issue the invitation.

If you are issuing an invitation to an Area, Provincial Commissioner to a special event within your Council, your invitation should go through the appropriate channels.

When issuing an invitation to the Chief Commissioner, Deputy Chief Commissioners or other members of the National Council, it is done by the Provincial Commissioner.

How to Address a Dignitary

Governor General: "Your Excellency", thereafter 'Sir" or "Madam"

Prime Minister: "Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms. Prime Minister", thereafter "Sir" or "Madam"

Lieutenant Governor: "Your Honour", thereafter "Sir" or "Madam"
(When making reference: " His Honour", or to both "Their Honours")

Wife of the Lieutenant Governor: "Your Honour", thereafter "Madam"
(When making reference: " Her Honour")

Premier: "Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms. Premier (name)", thereafter "Sir" or "Madam"

Judge: "Your Honour"

Mayor: "Your Worship"

Government Ministers: "Minister (name)"

Clergy and others not listed should be asked before the event what form of address they prefer.

Toast to the Queen

The acceptable wording for proposing a toast to the Queen is: "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Queen". Glasses are raised to eye level when making this toast and glasses are not clinked. Water may be used to toast the Queen.