Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri received a $70,000 donation from the Anheuser-Busch Foundation, to benefit our 2009 Urban Girl Scout program. 

If you are not familiar with this program, it is a membership outreach that provides girls who live in un-served and under-served parts of the council jurisdiction with an opportunity to participate in Girl Scouting. The Urban Girl Scout program reaches 1-in-2 girls in the City of St. Louis. Girl members participate in traditional and untraditional Girl Scout activities and learn valuable lessons on leadership, self-esteem, and how to make an impact in their community.

On behalf of all the girls benefiting from this grant, I thank the Anheuser-Busch Foundation for their continuing support.  Over the past 20 years, the Anheuser - Busch Foundation has donated more than $1.5 million to Girl Scouts in Eastern Missouri.

When meeting with Laura Reeves, senior director, Foundation and Corporate Giving at Anheuser-Busch, here’s what she said to me, “The Girl Scouts have a long history of helping girls and young women develop leadership skills and self-esteem through volunteerism, educational projects and social activities.  It’s important that every girl – no matter her economic background – has the chance to participate in these initiatives and contribute to her community.  Anheuser-Busch is pleased to help fund these opportunities for the Girls Scouts of Eastern Missouri.”

Do you know what today is?  It’s 1,000 days before the 100^th anniversary of Girl Scouts, and our national organization, Girl Scouts of the USA, is planning to celebrate in a big way!  The planning of 100^th anniversary initiatives is already underway with the goal to:

• Showcase the Girl Scout Leadership Experience
• Advance the brand
• Raise a significant amount of money
• Increase membership numbers and diversity

Some of the specific initiatives are a fundraising campaign, a community action project, a 100^th anniversary commemorative coin (needs congressional approval), a 100^th anniversary cookie, a young women’s world forum, a national gala, etc.

For Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, the 100^th anniversary coincides with GSEM’s “Shades of Green” event slated for 2012.   If you’ve never been to “Shades,” you won’t want to miss this one!  In 2007, about 15,000 participants enjoyed this event, which in a nutshell is like a Girl Scout-A-Palooza, showcasing everything that’s great about Girl Scouting.  Hard to imagine 15,000 people at one event?  Well, you just have to be there to believe it!  The Shades event committee is already starting their planning, which no doubt will include 100^th anniversary themes/activities.

In addition to Shades, other activities will be planned by a council-wide 100^th anniversary committee.  This committee will begin their planning this fall.

I know that wonderful things will continue to happen from now through our 100^th anniversary and well into the next 100 years of Girl Scouting.  And it happens because all 17,000 adult volunteers here in Eastern Missouri who work tirelessly … day after day and year after year … building girls of courage confidence and character.

Thank you

Need a shot of inspiration?  Attend a Girl Scout Reflections Ceremony. 

I did, and am delighted to say that at this year’s Reflections Ceremony on June 7, hundreds of Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors were honored with various awards.  It was an afternoon full of inspiration.

Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop, kicked things off by sharing with over 900 audience members how her dream - Build-A-Bear - got its start, and encouraged the girls to reach for their own dreams.

Then, it was on to the awards presentation.

Seventy-seven Girl Scouts graduated from high school this year.  Fifty-four of them have been a Girl Scout for 13 years, which means they started as Girl Scout Daisies while in kindergarten.  Another 128 Girl Scouts celebrated having been a member for 10 years.

This year, over 325 young ladies completed all of the requirements for the Silver Award, the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn.

Finally, 76 Girl Scout Ambassadors were honored for earning the highest award a girl may earn – the Girl Scout Gold Award.  Each girl came up on stage with her parent(s), who in turn, presented the award to their daughter.  Each honoree also received a personalized resolution from the Missouri State Senate honoring their individual accomplishments; recognition from the White House, the Missouri Governor and Attorney General; the United States Army; the Military Order of the World Wars; and Girl Scouts of the USA among others.

But what I loved most was hearing what some of the girls had to say about being a Girl Scout:  

“… developed my leadership potential, to expand my horizons, and to help others.”

“… increased my imagination and ability to solve problems.”

“… let me try things I would not have attempted otherwise, has made me a leader at school and in my youth group.”

“… allowed me to explore many areas I may not have been able to otherwise.”

“… has given me the opportunity to meet a diverse group of girls who have all had an impact on my life.”

“… made me confident, outgoing, well-rounded, and prepared me to face challenges with a positive attitude.” 

The Gold Award is quite an accomplishment.  A number of requirements must be met, all culminating in a “Project.” And that “Project” is something that a girl can be passionate about – in thought, deed and action. It should fulfill a need within a girl’s community, create change, and hopefully, is something that is sustainable.

Thanks to all the Girl Scout volunteers, parents and other family members who have helped all these girls grow into successful young women.

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

Did you contribute one of the over 1 million personal care items as part of the April Showers collection this year?  If not, you can still drop something off at a Dierbergs grocery store through May 8th.

Saturday was the door-to-door collection day.  I visited five different collection sites in Florissant, Flint Hill, South City, and St. Charles.  For a short period of time at a couple of my stops, I helped count, sort and pack up the donated items.  Below are photos taken with troops 774 and 1099. 

The need is even greater this year for these items as more people are using food pantries and food stamps.  It is interesting that food stamps can be used to buy ice cream but not diapers, toothpaste or soap.  So thanks to all of you who donated, distributed or collected bags, packed, sorted or helped in any way.  You took action and made a difference in your community.

What a marvelous day at our Second Annual Girls and Women of Distinction Event.  It is a wonderful experience to share in my first blog entry. 

About 245 people came together to celebrate the accomplishments of 10 young women and 10 professional women.  Being a current/former Girl Scout was not a requirement to be selected for this honor, but 18 of the 20 honorees are/were Girl Scouts.  What a testament to the leadership skills Girl Scouts learn via activities that help them discover, connect and take action.

Hearing about all the accomplishments of the honorees was inspiring.   But, the closing original song, written and performed by Thomasina and David, especially to honor these girls and women, was spectacular.  Words cannot describe it….you had to be there.

To learn more about all the honorees, please read about their accomplishments at

http://www.girlscoutsem.org/content/288/2009_girls_of_distinction.aspx

http://www.girlscoutsem.org/content/289/2009_women_of_distinction.aspx

I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the awards ceremony, but my personal best part of the day was being at FOX 2 TV news at noon, watching 5 of the honorees doing a live interview.  Here’s a photo taken at the station, with the camera man.

I’m sure you know a remarkable girl or woman who should be nominated next year.  Watch the website in September, for the nomination form.