From GSUSA
Have you ordered your Girl Scout Cookies?
January 2010 | Issue 5
From GSUSA | ||||
| Have you ordered your Girl Scout Cookies? | |||
January 2010 | Issue 5 | ||||
|
|
Girl Scout Commemorative Coin Act Passed
National Board Chair Connie Lindsey at US Senate Roundtable
|
Good Intentions: The Beliefs and Values of Teens and Tweens Today
Good Intentions: The Beliefs and Values of Teens and Tweens Today (2009), a national study conducted by the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI) in partnership with Harris Interactive explores what youth today value and how they go about making decisions, based on research conducted with 3,263 3rd to 12th-graders from around the country. This work builds on the Girl Scout Survey on the Beliefs and Moral Values of America’s Children (1989) (PDF), a national study published in 1989 by Girl Scouts of the USA, and paints an encouraging picture about a generation of youth responsible to themselves and to others, and who value diversity, acceptance, and community involvement. It also highlights the important role that adults play in helping girls to actualize their good intentions. Click here to learn about the beliefs and values of youth today. GSUSA Leadership Listed in Ebony's Power 150
Girl Scouts Forever Green
During the first year of the pilot program, more than 17,000 Girl Scouts implemented environmental projects in their schools and other sites within their communities. This success resulted in significant expansion of the pilot from 10 councils to 36 in year two (2009–2010). This year, projects will continue to focus on waste management, air quality, water, energy, and green space, primarily in schools and at council properties. Sample projects include planting vegetable gardens, recycling tennis shoes, stream bank restoration, reducing use of disposable water bottles, and eliminating junk mail. The collective environmental impact will be recorded, reported, and celebrated. The Girl Scouts Forever Green community action project will ideally become a nationwide initiative by the time the 100th anniversary rolls around, and will continue annually thereafter. Flying High: Golden Eaglets Are Honored
In October 2009, eleven Golden Eaglet awardees, all in their late eighties and early nineties, were honored at the unveiling of an exhibit and a reception hosted by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA). There was a flurry of activity at national headquarters as excited staffers mingled with the honored guests and their families. All of the honorees, members of The Golden Eaglet Order of the Hendrik Hudson Region, wore their Golden Eaglet pins and one svelte 89-year-old wore her original uniform adorned with the 21 badges required to earn the Golden Eaglet award. The Golden Eaglet Award was a forerunner to the Girl Scout Gold Award, the top award in Girl Scouting. The Golden Eaglet Order of the Hendrik Hudson Region was formed in 1922 with the objective of perpetuating the highest ideals and standards of Girl Scouting. While many of its members are deceased, those who remain continue to meet bi-annually, often at Camp Andre Clark, a property in Briarcliff Manor, New York operated by GSUSA. In 2007, the order made a generous legacy gift to GSUSA to honor the life of one of its members, Teddy Brodek. This gift brought to the fore the many contributions as well as the historical importance of these extraordinary women. While all are retired, among their members are teachers, mothers, chemists, authors, and secretaries. They have contributed their time, talents, and treasures to Girl Scouting for more than 75 years as volunteers with councils and internationally with the Olave Baden Powell Society. To honor them, GSUSA created a permanent exhibit recognizing the historical importance of the organization’s earliest top awardees. The exhibit, located on the 11th floor of Girl Scout national headquarters in New York City, highlights the collective history of the Golden Eaglets. In addition, a rotating exhibit will highlight the individual stories and achievements of each member. GSUSA Chief of Staff Jaclyn Libowitz provided a very warm welcome, followed by a rededication ceremony led by Susan Brooks, CEO, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, and Donna Ceravolo, CEO, Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc. Dolores Swirin, CEO, Girl Scout Council of Greater New York, Inc. provided remarks. In addition, Sarah Mackay, third-generation Girl Scout and granddaughter of Golden Eaglet awardee Dagmar Yabsley, made a heartfelt speech. During the reception, each Golden Eaglet was individually recognized and presented with a framed copy of her original registration card. The ceremony culminated with the unveiling of the Golden Eaglet Exhibit. This very special event highlighted the importance of Girl Scouting’s earliest top awardees, giving those who attended a deeper appreciation for the women on whose achievements today’s Girl Scouting is built. It connected our past with our present as we head toward our 100th anniversary and beyond.
|
Troop 2 Reunites After 55 Years
“In the 1950's, girls were still being groomed to be wives and mothers, rather than to believe that all doors were open to them. Our leaders gave us the confidence to try anything that interested us. They had an immeasurable influence on our lives and we are so grateful to have the opportunity to see and thank them in person,” said Florence. What began as a reunion of former Girl Scouts from Bellingham, Washington became a labor of love as Florence painstakingly gathered photos, bios and newspaper clippings from as many of the original 46 girls as she could find. This treasure trove of Girl Scout stories, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia was published in a 169 page spiral bound book and given to each member of Troop 2. Florence compiled the book because she believes that Girl Scout stories need to be told and that it is important to thank those who have been influential in our lives. Her belief was confirmed by the sheer joy and happiness in the voices of the leaders and the former Girl Scouts she contacted. This is just the beginning for former members of Girl Scout Troop 2 since they plan to stay connected! Several members have already committed to a mini-reunion this May when they plan to visit Our Chalet in Adelboden, Switzerland. 37 Years Later: Troop 68 Meets Again
Former Girl Scouts traveled from as far as California to take part in the singing of old Girl Scout songs and the retelling of tales from many years ago. Photographs detailing adventures of the past, including primitive camping and hayrides, were shared. At the core of all the excitement was Claire Smith “almost 90,” who along with Mildred “MayPop” Wilson and seven other adults, led these girls into maturity from age eight. Serving the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Inc. for more than 65 years, Claire is currently a board member emeritus. Of the original 22 troop members, three are deceased. Seventeen of the remaining 19, all now 71 years old, were located and eight attended the event. Each of the 17 former Girl Scouts wrote a letter to Claire reminding her of the traits she established in them as young girls which continue to serve them well. The letters were included in a book given to Claire. Claire commented, “In the role of troop leader and Girl Scout volunteer, we have no idea of the impact we are making on the lives of girls. I wish every volunteer in our council could read this book. It would help them to understand we really are building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who even at age 71, are making the world a better place.” In addition to troop leader, Claire Thompson Smith, the following troop members attended: Ginny Chase Bartels, Cornelia, GA Troop 1301: Where are They Now? Sue Cunnold, the historian for her church in Atlanta, Georgia, recently, discovered a Methodist hymnal copyrighted in 1964. The front of the book was signed by Girl Scout Brownie Troop 1301. Sue is now on a treasure hunt to identify the troop’s members and learn all about their Girl Scout stories. No one in her church or her Girl Scout community can recall any of the girls. If you are one of these former Girl Scouts or know any of them, please contact Sue Cunnold, co-chair of Friends of Our Chalet and country coordinator of the Olave Baden-Powell Society, at scunnold@bellsouth.net |
SPOTLIGHT ON: |
© 2008, Girl Scouts of the United States of America. All Rights Reserved If you do not want to receive further communications from GSUSA, please use this link to unsubscribe. |
Just days before founder Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday, President Obama signed H.R. 621, the Girl Scouts of the USA Commemorative Coin Act, marking 100 years of Girl Scouts as Connie Lindsey, National Board Chair, and Girl Scouts from the Nation’s Capital Council looked on. Sponsors of the bill from the House and Senate, and members of Girl Scouts Honorary Congressional Girl Scout Troop were also present. Senator Susan Collins, the Senate sponsor of the bill and former Girl Scout, recognized the value of scouting not only to the girls served, but the country by saying, “The Girl Scouts have a tremendous history which should be celebrated and remembered. The character, volunteerism, and leadership skills that Girl Scouts build contribute greatly to our society.”
The Senate Democratic Outreach and Steering Committee invited Girl Scouts and other nonprofit leaders to a Roundtable on Social Innovation and National Service on Capitol Hill. Connie promoted the work of the Girl Scouts including our historic focus on community service. The assembled group also discussed challenges faced by nonprofits. Following the Roundtable, Connie met with a few Representatives, including noted Civil Rights leader and organizer, Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), to build relationships with congressional offices and discuss opportunities for collaboration.
Beliefs and values, and their influence on decision making, have commanded significant media and public attention in the new millennium. In particular, it has been argued that youth today are bombarded with media images of less than exemplary role models from professional athletes to politicians. But what life choices will youth make when confronted with real-life dilemmas? How different or similar are youth on ethics and moral judgment compared to youth 20 years ago?
Please join us in congratulating our National Board President, Connie L. Lindsey, on her recognition in Ebony magazine's "Power 150"— an annual list of "The Most Influential Black Americans." Since 1963, the section has been one of Ebony's most talked-about features, highlighting talented individuals whose influence shapes America. Our National Honorary President Michelle Obama and GSUSA board member Susan Taylor received recognition as well.
Girl Scouts, volunteers, and Girl Scout alumnae in 36 pilot councils are engaging in a nationwide, signature community action project focused on improving the environment, aptly named "Girl Scouts Forever Green." The collective vision is that Girl Scouts will be at the forefront of environmental sustainability, leading schools and communities in using resources wisely. This community action project has been designed to help achieve all four goals of the 100th anniversary: showcase the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, advance the brand, raise a significant amount of money, and increase membership numbers and diversity. 
Girl Scout Golden Eaglet Honorees:
“When we are young and growing and developing, we do not realize the importance that our parents, teachers, leaders, and other adults have in shaping the rest of our lives,” states Girl Scout alumna Florence Winsor Helliesen. It is this belief that led her to organize a weekend reunion of Girl Scout Troop 2 of Bellingham, Washington after 55 years. Held in October 2009, the reunion brought together 15 of the original 46 troop members who traveled to Bellingham from as far away as California, Michigan, and Canada. They came to share fond Girl Scout memories and to catch up on each other's lives. They also came to honor their former troop leaders, Joan Crummey Firra (“Casey”) who traveled from Dallas, Texas and Kathy Wood Lange who still resides in Bellingham. A third co-leader, Carolyn Griffith, passed away eight years ago. All of the returning troop members felt that Casey, Kathy, and Carolyn left indelible imprints that helped to shape their adult lives. Many went on to attend college, marry, and have professional careers.
Atlanta’s Girl Scout Troop 68 met on November 14, 2009 for their first meeting in more than 37 years. The group, led by long time Girl Scout volunteer, Claire Thompson Smith held a reunion to honor the leader who shaped their lives and forged friendships that have withstood time and distance. The original troop was formed in 1946.
Pat Perdue "Petie" Roush gives countless hours yearly to promoting Girl Scouting at every level -- local, national, and international. Indeed, Pat’s roughly 30 years of adult Girl Scout service range from organizing community service projects, to working with girls and adults throughout the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians, to serving and promoting Girl Scouts on the international level.