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