Tag Archives: 202 Volunteer Appreciation Month

Archive

Volunteer Spotlight: Barbara Light

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Barbara Light in the Metro Denver region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.

GSCO asked Barbara 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 am the mother of five, with only one daughter. I have very fond memories of being a Girl Scout when I was a girl and wanted those opportunities for her. When my very shy girl became interested, I knew she was going to have a great time. We searched for a Girl Scout troop and had luck getting enrolled. At first I wanted to let her do this on her own, to explore without me, to find some independence. With having so many brothers, I wanted her to have a space where she could grow, find her voice, and have “girl time.” When one of the very nice starting troop leaders needed to move on, after only a few months of our joining, I couldn’t let that be the end. I decided to step up and fill the leader spot. It is one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made. It is a huge bonding experience for my daughter and me, as well as, all the friends we have gathered on the way.

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

I am a troop leader and service unit fall product manager. I believe in Girl Scouts and will help where I can. I have volunteered for cookie distribution day and helped at day camp programs.

What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?

I have loved watching not only my daughter, but all the girls in my troop build confidence and grit. I know I have also grown in my leadership skills and I probably learn as much as the girls. It is quite a difference to know how to do something yourself and teach someone else to do it. It also takes quite a bit of courage to step back and let them do it for themselves.

What do you hope girls have learned from you?

I hope my girls learn that they are never done learning; that they have a voice and are capable of great things; that if they have a goal and work out the steps, they can achieve their passion. I hope they keep the attitude that they don’t have to be the expert, but are still willing to try. I hope they learn they are allowed to be silly sometimes. I hope they lift others with encouragement and always remember they have a whole sisterhood that has their back.

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

Archive

Volunteer Spotlight: Sarah Johnson

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Sarah Johnson of the GSCO Global Action Team is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.

GSCO asked Sarah 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 believe in the power of young women and girls to change the world both today and into their future. As a volunteer, I get to help propel this movement forward with my contributions of time, expertise, and energy. Volunteering with Girl Scouts expands my circle of strong amazing women to become friends with while sharing a common bond and goal to make the world a better place. 

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

Currently, I serve on the Girl Scouts of Colorado Global Action Team, the Gold Award Committee, and am a Gold Award Mentor. I am also a Lifetime Member, Gold Award Girl Scout, and member of Daisy’s Circle.

What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?

As a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado, I am being reminded of how a diverse team of committed women can not only work together to advance the movement, but also inspire and support each other to live out the Promise and Law while growing in leadership and sisterhood. Serving on statewide committees, I am learning how Girl Scouts of Colorado operates at a council level and seeing opportunities for meaningful program advancement and engagement for girls across the state.

What do you hope girls have learned from you?

While I only volunteer at the committee level and am a new Gold Award mentor (awaiting a mentee), I have not yet worked closely with the girls. I hope the movement (the committee work I serve in) has benefitted from my curious mind, constructively productive approach, critical thinking, preparedness, and readiness to see new ways to move forward together. I will be sharing experiences from my citizen science field work in the mountains and rivers with our girls through statewide programming in May and August. My hope for these programs is for girls to be inspired and confident to stay curious, full of wonder, and realize they can investigate anything they can observe, and that they share and celebrate their excitement and astonishment with the world. 

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