On February 7, 1883, a small preliminary meeting was held in the Library of the North London Collegiate School, of which Miss Buss writes on January 26—
“I saw Miss Ward of the Training College on Wednesday, and find that she is very anxious about a Provident Scheme. She also thinks well of the Teachers’ Guild Movement. She suggests that we should hold a very small meeting of a few earnest persons. Will you be able to come, and suggest some names of those whom you think we might ask?”
The ladies present at this meeting were Miss Buss, Miss Metcalfe, Miss Agnes J. Ward, Miss Dunlop, Miss Hodge, Miss Rouquette, Miss Townsend, the Misses Ridley. Some others were invited who were unable to be present.
From the minutes taken on this occasion, I find that Miss Buss read a report which had been presented to the Head-mistresses’ Association, and discussion followed on each point of this report. It was finally agreed that the Provident and the Aid Societies must be kept apart.
The name was changed to that of “Teachers’ Provident Guild.” A committee was formed of the persons then present, and Miss Jenny Rundell was proposed by Miss Ward as honorary secretary, with the address of the Training College, then in Skinner Street.
On March 12, 1883, Miss Buss writes—
“At a committee meeting of the Head-mistresses’ Association held last Thursday it was resolved to establish a Teachers’ Guild, the objects of which were to be—
(1) To provide mutual help and sympathy.
(2) To maintain a high standard of moral and mental education.
(3) To encourage provision for sickness and old age, and to found Homes of Rest and Associated Homes.