In light of the changing legal environment in the non-profit sector and best practices, the GSEM Board appointed a task force last fall to examine, review and prepare recommendations on the relationship of the Board of Directors to the Volunteer Management System.

More specifically, the group was asked to examine areas such as:

     - Lines of reporting of identified volunteer positions.

     - Accountability for oversight by the board of directors.

     - Existing policies and procedures supporting the volunteer management system.

Other areas, as deemed appropriate by the task force, if falling under the purpose of their work

As Laurna noted in her memo to the board, “It has recently been brought to the Board Chair’s attention that there are inconsistencies in the appointment and reporting requirements for volunteer positions. For example, the position descriptions for the council cookie manager is appointed by and reports to the Board Chair.”

At the January 2009 board meeting, the task force presented recommendations which were approved, and will be implemented throughout 2009. Members of the task force visited many different council committees (field committee, camp committee, volunteer services committee, meeting of learning facilitators, etc.) to explain these recommendations and the changes to come.

Among those recommendations was the establishment of a Membership Connections Committee (MCC). 

The purpose of the MCC is to provide input into major policy issues of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri.  It will be the entity within the Council governance system that connects Council governance to members throughout the council’s jurisdiction. 

Board member Gaye Rieschel is the founding chair of the committee, as appointed by board chair, Laurna Godwin.  Members of the MCC will be appointed by the Board of Directors via an application process (due August 15) for girl and adult members.

Click here for more information about this new committee, how it will be constituted and the application.

Membership Connections Information & Application.doc (90.00 kb)

At 10 AM on May 15^th, two Girl Scout Daisies, pounded the gavel and brought to order the general meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of St. Louis.  It was a great sight to behold, and no surprise that both of the Daisies had to be helped to reach the gavel!

Prior to the beginning of the meeting, Girl Scouts held a reception for the aldermen/women so they could learn all about what we are doing for girls in the City of St. Louis. Hopefully more of the aldermen/women will partner with us so that even more girls have the opportunity to gain courage, confidence and character.  I am grateful to Alderwoman Donna Barringer, who was our hostess.

Alderwoman Barringer also ensured that a proclamation was presented to us at the meeting in the council chambers.  Following the presentation, Alderwoman Barringer asked any of the alderwomen who had been Girl Scouts to join us at the podium, and asked all the other women in the room who had been Girl Scouts, to stand.  As you can imagine, most of the women in the room were either standing or had joined us at the podium.

It showed exactly what I learned many years ago that 40% of American women were Girl Scouts….that 66% of professional women were Girl Scouts, and….that 79% of women who excel in their profession were Girl Scouts.

Last night the district cookie managers had a wonderful end of cookie sale celebration and paid tribute to Judy Brackman for her nine years of service as council cookie sale manager.  During her time in this position, Judy shared some of the changes she saw including more use of technology, the addition of booth sales and cookie cupboards and many tweaks to girl incentives.  The group presented Judy with a number of gifts including a lovely new fishing rod so that she can enjoy her favorite pastime even more and a cookie puzzle signed by all in attendance.

Thank you Judy, for all you’ve done…for the girls!

For three days every month, a group of dedicated Girl Scout volunteers work on council archives.  What keeps them busy, you may ask?  I think you’d be surprised.   New donations arrive regularly and this group is ALWAYS reminding staff to give them a copy of every publication, flier, etc., so that they can document the history of our council.  All items are then researched, cataloged and logged into a master database.

This month the group is working on two specific projects.  The first is changing the cabinet displays at the St. Louis Service Center.  The new large display by the Emerson Resource Center focuses on “everything 70’s.” The second project is sorting through items from the legacy Becky Thatcher Area Council.  There are lots of uniforms, photos, scrapbooks, etc.  The most interesting item I saw was a copy of the program from the 1940’s, of the very first annual meeting of Girl Scouts of the Becky Thatcher Area.

Below are photos of these dedicated volunteers hard at work.  And, next time you are in the St. Louis Service Center, be sure to see the new displays.

This is the time of year when high school seniors are making their selection of where they are going to college.  Many of these decisions are driven by available scholarships.  Today, I was part of the bestowing of a $12,000/year scholarship, renewable for up to four years, to Eastern Missouri Girl Scout Ambassador, Myisha Jordan, along with Kristen Revis from Lindenwood University.

Myisha was selected by Lindenwood University of St. Charles, Missouri, as the Girl Scout Youth of the Year Award recipient.  Myisha plans to major in computer science.

Many scholarships are available to Girl Scout Gold Awardees, but scholarships are also available at some colleges and universities to girls who continue to be a Girl Scout all the way through 12^th grade!  If you are not familiar with all the scholarship possibilities, be sure to check out the following http://www.studio2b.org/gossipyouneed/scholarship_form.asp