The organisation took the decision to include young women last year due to a lack of alternative provision for girls in rural areas (YPN, 10-16 November 2004, p4).
The decision to defer their inclusion for another 12 months was suggested by the organisation's trustees, said Martyn Waters, director of programmes at the Boys' Brigade. "The trustees felt that, in order to offer our services to girls, we will need time to adapt our programmes and make sure we have provision and training for leaders," said Waters, who expects the council to accept the deferment.
"It will be a big change for us, so it has to be done right."
The organisation already works with the Girls' Brigade in some areas, but Waters ruled out a merger. However, a name change for the Boys' Brigade could be a possibility.
The national council will meet in Derry, Northern Ireland, in September.
