Category Archives: Volunteer News

Girl Scouting at Home, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Virtual Trainings for Leaders

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Girl Scouts of Colorado is offering virtual trainings for leaders! Register now for Daisy, Brownie, Junior, and Cadette leader trainings to prepare for your troop’s next year or just to refresh and get new ideas. Leader training is required for volunteers at each level. Troop leaders will learn skills to support their troop at the next level, get questions answered, and connect with other volunteers.

Join an upcoming webinar:

May 26, 2020: Daisy Leader Training

May 27, 2020: Brownie Leader Training

May 29, 2020:  Junior Leader Training

May 28, 2020: Cadette Leader Training

Can’t make it to a webinar? Log in to gsLearn and complete Leader Training on your schedule.

Questions? Email training@gscolorado.org.

Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Annual Troop Report Made Easy

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The Girl Scouts of Colorado Annual Troop Report is a great way to reflect on your Girl Scout year and make the year ahead the best one yet! But, what do you actually need to complete it? How long does it take to fill out? Why is it even important? Find out the answers to those questions and more with Volunteer Support Specialists Nicole and Lizz in this video! They’ll demystify the ATR and help your troop cinch that $25 Early Bird shop credit. All troops registered by June 30, 2020 and with a completed Annual Troop Report and ACH will receive a $25 credit to the Girl Scouts of Colorado Retail Shop. Once you’re ready to fly, fill out your Annual Troop Report here!

Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Volunteer View: May 2020

2020 Early Bird Renewal

Renew your troop now and be the stability your girls need in these uncertain times. Online membership renewal is open now for troops and families.

Early Bird incentives for Troops

  • Troop Drawings – Troops (at least two Troop Leadership Team members and three girl members) that renew before June 1 will have a chance to win $200 in Program Credits, which can be used in the GSCO Retail Shop, for GSCO events, property reservations or camps. One troop in each region will be selected in a random drawing on June 5.
  • $25 GSCO Shop Credit – All troops registered by June 30 and with a completed Annual Troop Report will receive a $25 credit to the Girl Scouts of Colorado Shop.

Early Bird Prize for Service Units

Service units can earn up to $200 in Early Bird renewal incentives to support their local Girl Scout community.

  • Service units that retain 35% of their 2019-20 members by June 15, 2020, will earn $100 to put toward their service unit activities.
  • Service units that retain 45% of their 2019-20 members by June 30, 2020, will earn an additional $100 to put toward their service unit activities.

Service Unit Grand Prize

2021 Tomahawk Ranch Property Reservation

All Service Units that achieve 45% retention by June 30, 2020 will be entered into a drawing for a free property reservation at Tomahawk Ranch over either May 7-9, 2021, or August 20-22, 2021 (most popular weekends for service unit camping trips). Two service units will be drawn. Service Units will be responsible for paying for food service for their group and providing their own programming.

Complete your Annual Troop Report now.

Early Bird incentives for Girls and Families

  • Girl and Family Drawing – Every girl registered by June 1, 2020 will have an opportunity to win $100 in Program Credits. One girl in each region will be selected in a random drawing on June 5, 2020.
  • Early Bird Patches – Girls renewed by June 30, 2020 will earn an Early Bird patch. Patches will be mailed directly to their home address.

Let’s Celebrate Highest Awards Girl Scouts

Join us for the Statewide Virtual Highest Awards Celebration

Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m.

Families can attend the event live that day or you can watch the recording at your own convenience. The recording will be sent out via email to all Highest Awards troop leaders. We’d love for all Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award Girl Scouts to join us on May 16 – it’ll be a great way to connect while staying apart!

Highest Award Training

Check the events calendar for upcoming Highest Awards online trainings! Questions? Contact Kaitie LoDolce, highest awards manager at highestawards@gscolorado.org

Scholarship Winners

Congratulations to Christine Bolt, from Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Springs High School who was awarded the 2020 Stephanie A. Foote Leadership Prize for Gold Award Excellence! She organized an annual summer camp for children with autism spectrum disorders. Each day focused on an aspect of camping and outdoor skills, including building a fire, setting up a tent, and wildlife awareness.

Julia Trujillo, from Arvada, Arvada West High School, lobbied the Colorado state legislature to end period poverty and stigma by providing access to menstrual products to students in Colorado Title One schools. Julia was named 2020 Stephanie Foote Leadership Prize Honorable Mention

Congratulations to Emerald Doyle, from Colorado Springs, William J. Palmer High School, who was awarded the Debbie Haskins Spirit of Girl Scouting Award for demonstrating courage and character throughout her Gold Award project.

Read more about these Gold Award Girl Scouts and their Gold Award projects on our blog.

Deadline Extended

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Award Girl Scouts are the youth leaders their communities need to create solutions to the new and ever-changing challenges that arise from our global pandemic. To support these efforts, we’re offering a deadline extension to December 31, 2020 for bridging Girl Scouts.

Update on GSCO Closures

The safety and well-being of our members and their families are of paramount importance as we all navigate through the COVID-19 situation together. Because of the continued uncertainty and risks associated with group gatherings, Girl Scouts of Colorado will prohibit all in-person Girl Scout events through June 15.

We will evaluate cancellation plans every two weeks. All GSCO property reservations have already been canceled through June 30, and all GSCO summer camp programs are canceled through July 31. GSCO staff will continue working remotely this summer. Troops or groups with events planned for more than 50 people this summer, should work on contingency plans.

We know it’s a bummer that we can’t get together in person yet, but check out the Girl Scouts at Home section below for fun and innovative ways to stay engaged.

In addition, GSCO retail shop is working on alternative shopping experiences to bring the best service to our members and continue to comply with stringent social distancing requirements. We are hoping to be able to announce more options in the coming weeks.

Girl Scout Voices Count Survey

At Girl Scouts, we care about your experience, good or bad, and we want to hear from you!

During the month of May, we’ll be conducting a national survey with girls, parents/caregivers, and troop leaders called Girl Scout Voices Count. (Service unit volunteers will be surveyed in June.) We will use your feedback to find out what’s working and not and to improve our services and programs.

Surveys were delivered via email on May 6. Be sure to check your email for the invitation to participate. As a thank you, everyone who completes the survey will have a chance to win one of 20 $50 gift cards! We can’t wait for you to make your voice count!

Got questions? Email GSVoicesCount@girlscouts.org.

Girl Scouting at Home

Badge Series

Girl Scouts of Colorado is excited to unveil a new way for your girl to connect with Girl Scouts and for leaders to support their girls’ engagement. Starting in June 2020, we will offer monthly badge series for Daisies through Ambassadors, in a virtual setting.  Read more about it on our blog.

Letter Writing Service Project

We are proud to be a part of the larger Girl Scout Movement, which is serving our country and our world. Join us on a Movement-wide letter writing campaign to support those in our community who need us most.

The idea is simple: Girls write letters to people in nursing homes, senior residences, and assisted living facilities, including the dedicated staff and caregivers. This long-distance hug is a way to share your good thoughts with these vulnerable and loved community members.

Learn more on the GSCO blog.

Volunteer Appreciation Awards

Thank you to everyone that nominated or endorsed a volunteer for an award! Especially during this time, it is important to recognize the incredible contributions our volunteers make to Girl Scouts.  Award nominations are being reviewed by a volunteer committee. Nominators will be notified of the committee’s decision after May 15. Nominators will have the opportunity to work with their local volunteer support specialist to notify the award winners and celebrate their accomplishments!

Volunteer Training

Live Sessions on gsLearn

We know times are different, but we are still here to support you! Log into gsLearn to stay engaged in your volunteer role and responsibilities! Take courses at your leisure and check the library for new content that interests you.

We are launching a new feature in gsLearn, Live Sessions! A live session is a webinar you can register for through your gsLearn profile. These will hosted live on the date specified in the course.
We have created a video outlining the steps to sign up for these sessions in your gsLearn account.

The sessions following are available:

Community Service in the Time of COVID —  We all know that Girl Scouts are powered up to give back to their communities through Highest Awards, and Take Action Projects, but let’s get together in this short 30 minute live session to talk about and learn more about how community service looks in this virtual age!

  • Tuesday May 19, 12:30-1 p.m.
  • Thursday May 21, 6:30-7 p.m.

Parent/Guardian/Family Involvement — Looking for ways to keep troop parents, guardians, and families engaged during this time of Zoom calls, webinars, and virtual events? Join us for a quick 30 minute live session for some tips & tricks and discussion with volunteer peers!

  • Tuesday May 26, 12:30-1 p.m.
  • Thursday May 28, 6:30-7 p.m.

Support in a Time of Grief — Join us in this 30-minute live session and connect with peers who are open and willing to speak about their struggles and how they have been affected by COVID-19.

  • Tuesday June 2, 12:30-1 p.m.
  • Thursday June 4, 6:30-7 p.m.

Log into gsLearn through the MY GS tab on the GSCO website.

Need help? Reach out to your volunteer support specialist or to Kendy Doolen, instructional design manager, for support.

Virtual Leader Training

Girl Scouts of Colorado is offering Virtual Leader Training. Register now for Daisy, Brownie, Junior and Cadette leader trainings to prepare for your troop’s next year or just to refresh and get new ideas. Leader training is required for volunteers at each level. Troop leaders will learn skills to support their troop at the next level, get questions answered and connect with other volunteers.
Visit the events calendar on the GSCO website to register.

  • Daisy Leader Training, May 26
  • Brownie Leader Training, May 27
  • Cadette Leader Training, May 28
  • Junior Leader Training, May 29

Can’t make it to a webinar? Log in to gsLearn and complete Leader Training on your schedule.

For any questions, please contact us at training@gscolorado.org.

Older Girl Advisory Board

Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors, have you been looking for a way to grow your leadership skills while helping local Girl Scouts? Join the Older Girl Advisory Board! Mark your calendars. The application window will be open July 20-August 7.

Stand and Be Counted Patch Program- Patches are in!

Girl Scouts of Colorado is thrilled to launch our “Stand and Be Counted” patch in honor of the 2020 Census! Patches are now in stock and ready to ship from the shop. Emailretail@gscolorado.org to order yours.

Learn More

Community Partnerships/Upcoming Events

Following the advice of the CDC, Girl Scouts of Colorado has canceled all in-person events and activities through June 15 and all staff are working remotely. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all work together to ensure the health and safety of our communities.

“Meet an Expert” webinar series

Girl Scouts of all ages are invited to webinars to meet professional women in different career paths. Many webinars will connect directly with an official Girl Scout badge. Each webinar will start with an introduction to our “co-host” followed by a lesson or activity and a moderated question-and-answer session. All webinars will be listed on the GSCO Events Calendar. Advance registration is required.

Celebrate World Environment Day – May 31-June 5

Girl Scouts of all ages are invited to register now to celebrate World Environment Day (June 5). You’ll receive an email on May 31 with a welcome video from the Global Action Team, instructions for activities based on your Girl Scout level, and a link to join a webinar on Friday, June 5, to share information about your activities and learn from other Girl Scouts your age. Anyone is welcome to complete the World Environment Day activities, but only registered attendees will be able to join the June 5 webinar.

NEW Crocs Come As You Are Patch™

Girl Scouts of Colorado is proud to partner with Crocs to teach girls to Come As You Are™! Based in Niwot, Crocs’ proclamation to the world is to be comfortable in your own shoes. Everyone is unique in their own way and Crocs  celebrates one-of-a-kinds and stand together with all kinds. This patch program teaches Girl Scouts to embrace who they are and accept others for who they are. The first 200 girls who earn the patch and notify us will receive their patch for free. Fill out this form online to let us know you have earned it!

* We are excited to provide the first 200 Come As You Are™ patches to Colorado Girl Scouts only at no cost. Please fill out this online form to request patches. After the first 200 patches are accounted for you can order patches from the GSCO shop. Girl Scouts outside of Colorado are welcome to order patches from the shop anytime. Contact the shop about ordering patches at retail@gscolorado.org .

Girl Scout News, Volunteer News

Badge Series: For Girls and Leaders!

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Update as of May 15: Registration for June 2020 events is now live. Each program level has a different registration link. You can find them all here: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events/event-list.html?q=badge+series

Girl Scouts of Colorado is excited to unveil a brand-new way for your girl to connect with Girl Scouts and for leaders to support their girls’ engagement. Starting in June 2020, we will be offering monthly badge series to engage girls in a virtual setting. This program opportunity is only available for Girl Scouts of Colorado members.

Who is this for? We will have two experiences. One will be for girls, Daisy to Ambassador, who want to engage as an individual.  They will be guided through the badge requirements by Girl Scouts of Colorado staff. The other experience is for leaders to guide their troop through the virtual badge programming. We will provide them with the resources to start engaging with their troop in a virtual setting.

My girl is in a troop, can she do this? Yes, the program is open to all girls who are current Girl Scouts of Colorado members. We do suggest that if a girl participates in a troop that she checks with her troop leader before signing up.

What does the experience look like for girls? To kick off each month’s badge series, we will have a live welcome webinar that will introduce the badge, explain the requirements, and get her engaged with other Girl Scouts from across the state. She will have access to gsRocks, a brand-new online Girl Scout program site that is designed just for girls. In here we will have courses that will guide her completion of the requirements, as well as track her completion of the badges. She will have one month to complete her requirements. We will wrap up the badge series with a live reflection webinar that will give her space to reflect with other girls about the badge.

What does the experience look for leaders? We know that translating our amazing Girl Scout program into a virtual format is not an easy task, so we have done it for you! Once you register for a badge series, you will have access to a leader course in gsLearn. In this course you will find scripts, PowerPoints, and resources to bring the badge series to your girls in a virtual setting. We will host a webinar at the beginning of the month to explain badge and requirements. We will also be available to answer any questions you might have about the badge series.

What badges will be offered in the badge series? Check out our calendar of offerings for 2020-2021. We will post registration on our events calendar two weeks before the beginning of each month.

Questions? Contact us at GirlExperience@gscolorado.org

Badge Series Calendar 

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Girl Scout Voices Count surveys open May 6

At Girl Scouts, we care about your experience, good or bad, and we want to hear from you!

In May, Girl Scouts of the USA will be conducting a national survey with girls, parents/caregivers, and troop leaders called Girl Scout Voices Count. (Service unit volunteers will be surveyed in June.) They will use your feedback to find out what’s working and not and to improve our services and programs.

The surveys open May 6, 2020. Be sure to check your email for the invitation to participate. As a thank you, everyone who completes the survey will have a chance to win one of 20 $50 gift cards! We can’t wait for you to make your voice count!

Got questions? Email GSVoicesCount@girlscouts.org.

Volunteer News

Live Sessions in gsLearn

Girl Scouts of Colorado is excited to launch a new feature in gsLearn, live sessions! A live session is a webinar you can register for through your gsLearn profile. These will be hosted live on the date specified in the course.

Watch this video to walk you through the steps for how to sign up for these sessions in your gsLearn account.

The sessions you will find available are:

Virtual Troop Programming: Learn more and connect with peers about Virtual Troop Programming. Come if you’ve had virtual success, come if you are seeking guidance on how to, or you just need ideas!

  • Tuesday, May 12, 2020 12:30 – 1 p.m. 
  • Thursday, May 14, 2020 6:30 – 7 p.m.

Community Service in the Time of COVID: Girl Scouts give back to their communities through Highest Awards and Take Action Projects, but let’s talk and learn more about how community service looks in this virtual age!

  • Tuesday, May 19, 2020 12:30 – 1 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 21, 2020 6:30 – 7 p.m.

Parent/Guardian/Family Involvement: Looking for ways to keep troop parents, guardians, and families engaged during this time of Zoom calls, webinars, and virtual events? Learn tips and tricks and discuss with volunteer peers!

  • Tuesday, May 26, 2020 12:30 – 1 p.m. 
  • Thursday, May 28, 2020 6:30 – 7 p.m.

Support in a Time of Grief: Connect with peers who are willing to talk about their struggles and how they have been affected by COVID-19.

  • Tuesday, June 2, 2020 12:30 – 1 p.m. 
  • Thursday, June 4, 2020 6:30 – 7 p.m.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Kendy Doolen, instructional design manger, at Kendy.Doolen@gscolorado.org.

Volunteer News

The hidden talent of a faithful Girl Scout leader

Submitted by Debbie Swanson

Pikes Peak

Colorado Springs

Noreen Landis-Tyson is President and CEO of CPCD…giving children a head start since 2002, one of the largest and most complex nonprofits in GSCO’s Pikes Peak region. She is nationally recognized by her peers for her leadership, knowledge, and expertise, serving as a mentor through UCLA’s New Director Mentor Program, supporting the development of new Head Start directors, and is regularly asked for advice and support to other programs throughout the country. She brings her expertise and innovation to managing El Paso County’s Head Start program, and is an expert in building partnerships, having nurtured collaborations with six school districts to blend Head Start services with the state-funded Colorado Preschool Program to serve almost 1,800 of the county’s most vulnerable young children and their families. Noreen has created partnerships with three early care and education programs to offer Head Start services in their centers, supporting increased quality for all children in those centers.

As if that wasn’t enough, Noreen is also an internationally-ranked bicycle race official, one of only 50 women in the world to hold that rank, and frequently officiates bike races around the world. She was the first female president of the commissaire’s panel at the UCI Track World Championship this year in Berlin, and was to be the first woman to hold that same position at the Tokyo Olympics this year before they were cancelled.

Noreen has participated as a leader of a Conversation Stations at Secrets to Success for the past two years. In this role, Noreen talks to more than 100 girls about her work, why she loves it, and how she is changing the world with it. She does this with more than 20 other professional women who network with girls to have them learn the myriad options open to them for their own future work. She also serves as a board member to the Girl Scouts of Colorado Board of Directors. Noreen truly appreciates how Girl Scouts are preparing girls to be our future leaders and innovators, and leads the way by her own example.

Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. 

The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards is April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award. Nominators are responsible for ensuring enough endorsements are submitted to support their nomination of a volunteer for an award. Your volunteer support specialist can check nomination and endorsement submissions for you. Learn more.

Volunteer News

Volunteer Spotlight: Danielle Malott

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Danielle Malott of Fruita in the Western Colorado region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.

GSCO asked Danielle to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did.

Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?

I became a leader because there was not space in a troop for my daughter to join. I have fond memories of Girl Scouts from my youth and I wanted my daughter to have those as well 

Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.

I have been a troop leader and volunteered on the service unit leadership team. As a troop leader, I have worked with Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors. Having a multi-level troop is amazing. You get to see the older girls help the younger girls. When this happens, the girls gain confidence and leadership skills by leaps and bounds. My favorite troop event has been all of the camping trips! On the service unit leadership team, I focused on events. Living on the Western Slope, we don’t get many council events. My goal was to bring similar events to the Western Slope, but on a smaller scale. My favorite event was an art day with a local pottery shop. I am most looking forward to a astronomy lock in once COVID-19 is over.

What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?

The biggest skill I have learned is how to teach things I have no clue about.  My girls always pick a few badges that are way out of my wheelhouse. Figuring out how to teach those has been an adventure.

What do you hope girls have learned from you?

How to be inclusive and determined. We have a wide range of abilities and challenges in my troop. I hope that the girls have learned how to accept others and over come the challenge that come along while having FUN!!

How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?

My girls pick new and exciting activities that constantly push me and them. By helping them grow, I get to grow with them.

Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. 

The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards is April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award. Nominators are responsible for ensuring enough endorsements are submitted to support their nomination of a volunteer for an award. Your volunteer support specialist can check nomination and endorsement submissions for you. Learn more.

 

 

Volunteer News

Volunteer Spotlight: Shana Barbera

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Shana Barbera of Colorado Springs in the Pikes Peak region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.

GSCO asked Shana to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did.

Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?

I became a Girl Scout volunteer when I signed my daughter up when she was entering Kindergarten. There was a table set up at her ice cream social at her school with a volunteer talking about all the opportunities in Girl Scouts. My daughter is now in sixth grade and about to finish up her seventh year in Girl Scouts.

Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.

I started out as a assistant leader. Then, I quickly took over the group of Daisy girls as the other leader moved away. At year three, I housed Girl Scout Cookies for our troop cookie mom and learned about the process of being the TCM. The following year I took over as our troop TCM and I just completed my fourth year being the TCM for our troop. Then, two years ago I took over as the fall product manager for my troop. I recently took on another role this past year as service unit fall product manager and service unit cookie manager for two different service units in the Pikes Peak region, as well as continuing in all my other roles. I think I’m going to do it again next year.

What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?

I have learned so much by being a Girl Scout volunteer. I was only a Girl Scout for one year when I was in fifth grade. So, I have learned about all the badges, songs, and traditions. Now, that my daughter is competing in Reach for the Peak, I have been learning all the same skills we are teaching them for the competition, such as fire building, nature identification, proper ways to set up camp, etc.– thanks to some wonderful knowledgeable volunteers in my troop. I am now CPR and First Aid certified. I have always loved giving back. But, I have a newfound hobby. I love mentoring these young ladies and providing them with once in a lifetime opportunities, liking sleeping under the shark tank at the Denver Aquarium, and so much more! I will probably continue to volunteer even after my daughter graduates high school.

What do you hope girls have learned from you?

I hope that the girls I lead are learning some value life skills. I hope they have fun and make life long friends. Hopefully they will continue Girl Scouts through high school and one day become a volunteer or find other ways to give back to their community.

How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?

Thank you to Girl Scouts of Colorado, all your volunteers,  and all the wonderful leaders I have worked with over the years. You have shaped me into the volunteer I am today. I have gained more confidence in myself and I have the courage to try things I wouldn’t normally do.

Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. 

The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards is April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award. Nominators are responsible for ensuring enough endorsements are submitted to support their nomination of a volunteer for an award. Your volunteer support specialist can check nomination and endorsement submissions for you. Learn more.

Alumnae News, Volunteer News

Volunteer Spotlight: Jo Anne Busch

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Jo Anne Busch of Fort Collins in the Northern & Northeastern CO region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.

GSCO asked Jo Anne to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did.

Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?

It became apparent at an organizational meeting for Brownies at my daughter’s school, there needed to be a group of mothers to come forward to be leaders. I offered to help.  I wanted to share with the girls the values, life skills and unique experiences I had as a Girl Scout.

Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.

My first role as a volunteer was when I was in college.  As a requirement for an Outdoor Ed. class I chose to contact the local Girl Scout council to help with a troop hoping to share with them my earlier Girl Scout Camping experiences. My time with them ended with a camp out. I still remember.  We cooked chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions as a foil dinner ad then sat on logs around the fire eating.

Most people have heard me say “I am a Jack of all trades, but a master of none”  as I have been a volunteer for many years and held a variety of positions in both Mountain Prairie Council, but now in Girl Scouts of Colorado.

I have been fortunate to have been a volunteer at several levels of the Girl Scout organization- local, national, and international.

Having had three daughters, I have been a troop leaders for Brownie, Junior, and Cadette levels. My longest leader experience was at the Cadette level. 

Local level positions positions have included trainer, service unit manager, service unit product program coordinator, day camp committee, special events (Guys and Dolls) committee, as well as area delegate to council annual meeting. Most long lasting has been a member of the International Festival  Committee and a member of the Holiday Gift Wrap committee both for more than 40 years.

Council level volunteer positions have given me the opportunity to serve on the training operating unit as a trainer and presenter at several training conferences, leader summits, and enrichment trainings.  In addition, I have served on council task forces, product program team, recognition committee, outdoor education team and a delegate to Girl Scout National Conventions. Some of the highlights have been as a member of the program operating team where we developed opportunities for girls to travel not only in the United States, but the world. Council-sponsored trips to Our Chalet, Pax Lodge, and  Our Cabana,  and Wider Opportunities –now Destinations for girls to come to Colorado and explore the wonders of the state. More recently, I spend a good deal of my time with activities of the Girl Scouts of Colorado  (GSCO) Global Action Team and with the various opportunities  the GSCO History Center in Loveland have on their schedule.

It is always an honor to be involved on the national level.  My first experience as a volunteer at the national level was to be chosen as a co-leader for a group of girls from all across the United States to travel to Sangam the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) World Center in India, and then to the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur). Since then, opportunities have led to being a Liaison for GSUSA for participants attending International events. Becoming a member of the World Foundation of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts- Friends of Sangam – USA Committee has given me the opportunity to attend Girl Scout National Conventions in various Cities to promote the World Center.   At present, my volunteer positions include being a GSUSA National Volunteer Partner with the responsibility of working with national on specific projects that have included trainings, review of Young Women of Distinction Scholarship, the Forever Green Initiative, as well as being a Teller at National Conventions.  I am also the GSUSA-GSCO’s Global Action Volunteer.

Several of my activities have led me to participate as a volunteer on the International level. I have been able to be a representative from the Friends of Sangam committee – USA to an International Friends of Sangam Triennial meeting at Sangam in India a few years ago. I am currently a member of the WAGGGS volunteer pool and available for opportunities that arise.  I enjoy getting the almost daily emails from the World Bureau with invitations for initiatives for young women.

What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?

All of my experiences have enhanced my life and made me appreciative of what the organization offers the girls and young women of today.

I learned there was a challenge in every position I had as a volunteer. The best part of the challenge was that I learned a new skill, had the satisfaction of accomplishment of creating something new and exciting, helping to fulfill a council need, as well as helping girls to make the world a better place.

I have learned there are three qualities that are essential in being a volunteer. They are flexibility and patience and to have fun. I am a reflective person. I need to gather as much information as I can before going forth with a project. I my not have all the answers but hope I have the ability to do research when necessary.  

What do you hope girls have learned from you?

I hope girls have learned that Girl Scouts can offer new and exciting experiences throughout their life. As I have shared with them my unique and memorable times as a girl, leader, council committee member and even as Girl Scouts of the USA representative.

The world is out there for them to explore, where they can have new adventures, challenges, travel, meeting new friends, and fun. I have had all these in my many years and levels of Girl Scouting.

How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?

My experience as a volunteer has truly helped me to become a G.I.R.L..  As a girl I was a shy, soft-spoken person tending to my own tasks to produce a quality end product. Once I became a troop leader, I learned and perfected my skills

—-   as a Listener

—-   showing my Enthusiasm for the girls’ ideas and plans,

—-   being Adaptable and flexible,

 —-   being Dependable,

—-   being Energetic, creative, with a positive attitude

and   —-   Responsible for what I say and do

I learned there was no challenge “too big.”   Each opportunity I has given me the chance to be that to be that   go-getter, innovator, risk taker, and leader.  It has been a joy to be able to have these experiences.

Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. 

The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards is April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award. Nominators are responsible for ensuring enough endorsements are submitted to support their nomination of a volunteer for an award. Your volunteer support specialist can check nomination and endorsement submissions for you. Learn more.