The following comes in from Jonathan Crouch, Executive Administrative Assistant:

Community Advisory Network is invitede to Amanda Steinke’s Gold award ceremony in Lancaster on Saturday, May 17^th.  

Click here for Amanda Steinke’s Gold Award Invitation

If you would like to attend, please let Jonathan know and he will call in an RSVP.

Thanks,

Jonathan Crouch, jcrouch@gshpa.org

Executive Administrative Assistant

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania

350 Hale Avenue

Harrisburg, PA 17105

(717) 233-1656 Phone

(717) 234-5097 Fax

the following comes from Anne M. Reitzes, M.Ed., areitzes@gshpa.org:

Hello,

I know you have expressed interest in the Gold Award Recognition process.  I would like to invite you to serve as a member of the Gold Award Scholarship Review Committee.  It involves reviewing applications and selecting the Gold Award Scholarship winners.  

Committee members should plan to review copies of the applications then attend one Gold Award Scholarship Review Committee Meeting.  Copies of each application will be available to you prior to the Gold Award Scholarship Review Committee Meeting so that you may become familiar with this year’s applications, then we will come together as a group to select this year’s scholarship winners.  It is necessary that we have our final selections decided by the end of May, so that the girls may be recognized at the June 8^th Gold Award Celebration.  Invitations to the June 8^th Gold Award Celebration will be sent to you.  

I would like to gather a bit of info from each of you to ensure that the process meets your needs.  Please get back in touch with me as soon as you are able to, but no later than May 9^th with this information:

1)      Would you still be interested in participating this year in the Gold Award Scholarship Review process?

2)      Would you prefer that our group meets in the evening on May 28^th or May 29^th?

3)      Would you prefer that we meet in the Harrisburg area or Pine Grove area (around exit 100 on 81)?  These locations seem to be the most centrally located for those interested in this process.  

We have received quite a few applications for this year’s scholarships.  Are you prepared to be extremely impressed by the caliber of the applications?  Each time I participate in this process, I am more amazed than the last time!  I look forward to serving on this committee with you.  

Sincerely,

Anne

Anne M. Reitzes, M.Ed.

Chief Operating Officer

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania

York Service Center, GSHPA

1600 Mt. Zion Rd

York, PA  17402

717-757-3561 x1236

800-692-7816 x1236

areitzes@gshpa.org

 The following has come in from Anne at council.  If you are interested in helping out with this Girl Scout scholarship precess please let me know and I will pass it back to Anne.

It is that great time of year when we get together to discuss and review the Girl Scout scholarship applications.  Your contact information was provided to me because you indicated an interest in participating in the GSHPA Scholarship process.  I hope that you are still interested in being a part of this process.

Those that are interested in being involved should plan to review copies of the applications then attend one Scholarship Review Committee Meeting.  Copies of each application will be available to you prior to the Scholarship Review Committee Meeting so that you may become familiar with this year’s application, then we will come together as a group to select this year’s scholarship winners.  It is necessary that we have our final selections decided by the end of May, so that the girls may be recognized at the June 8^th Gold Award Celebration.  Invitations to the June 8^th event will be sent to you.

I would like to gather a bit info from each of you to ensure that the process meets your needs.  Please get back in touch with me as soon as you are able to, but no later than May 9^th with this information:

1)      Would you still be interested in participating this year in the Scholarship Review process?

2)      Would you prefer that our group meets in the evening on May 28^th or May 29^th?

3)      Would you prefer that we meet in the Harrisburg area or Pine Grove area (around exit 100 on 81)?  These locations seem to be the most centrally located for those receiving this information.

We have received quite a few applications for this year’s scholarships.  Are you prepared to be extremely impressed by the caliber of the applications?  Each time I participate in this process, I am more amazed than the last time!  I look forward to serving on this committee with you.

Greetings All,

 I’m probably going to knock a hornets nest off a tree with this post.
I hope GSCM (Girl Scouts of Central MD) is monitoring the e-mails of this
group,  because I am about to unload. I just returned from a Venturing
event this weekend  with my daughter’s Venturing crew. The success of
that event, just reaffirms what I have been observing over the past 7
years of leading a girl scout troop. (the past 4 of which has been at
the Cadette/Senior level).

 I think GSCM is failing our girls (and families– particularly when
it comes to including Dads) miserably when it comes to providing
periodic adventure and outdoor events for girls 14-18 which includes
male (as well as female) role models.

 My daughter is a 1st year Senior Girl Scout and a Venturer (she joined
a Venturing crew 1 year ago). I just tuned over the leadership of my
Cadette/Senior troop to a Co-leader and the GS troop is in good shape.
My daughter has decided to continue as a Juliette (for some personal
and medical reasons). The interesting thing that I’ve noticed and am
grateful for is, that Venturing really encourages the girls to not
quit Girl Scouts and helps them work toward completing their Gold
Award. My daughter was about ready to quit GS because she wants to
teach younger girls outdoor skills, but her male Venturing Advisor
encouraged her to stay with GS. In fact VENTURING provided her with a
way to earn more leadership hours toward her Gold Award, through a
program at a local elementary school called “ACCESS” which is a
program to introduce scouting underprivileged kids at area schools.
She in essence was a den
 chief for Cub Scouts at an under performing school (normally an adult
position).

 She would have done the same to introduce girls to girl scouting, had
there been an ACCESS program for GS and I know that ACCESS must exist
for young girls. When a little girl saw Krista in her Venturing shirt
doing ACCESS with the 14 kindergarten- 1st grade age boys she asked
her, “Isn’t there a meeting for little girls too?”

We just returned from a weekend just north of Pittsburgh from a
Venturing Quest. The event was well run, well organized, and provided
adventure and co-ed fellowship for the kids involved. (Archery, Trap
shooting, pistol, hatchet throwing and climbing and rappelling)– The
Girls loved the hatchet throwing the best!.

I would estimate that of the 200 youth attending (there were nearly 350
total participants, with over 125 being adult advisors), about 70 percent were
girls and 30 percent boys. Of that 70 percent girls attending about 50
percent were former girl scouts and the female Venturing Advisors were
former or “soon to be” former girl scout leaders who were just
frustrated with Girl Scouts and the feeling that Girl scouts actually
makes Girls more dependent because the organization is so risk averse.

 After seeing this event as compared to GS council events; I am
convinced that Venturing is the Gold Standard for girl run/boy run
programs. There are a lot or things that the GSCM can learn from the
Baltimore Council or National Capital region of Boy Scouts. There are
many things that the Boy scouts (especially Venturers) do right and
Girl Scouts do wrong. The biggest thing, and most positive thing, I saw was the
involvement of FATHERS at this Venturing Quest!
 Girl Scouts needs to involve fathers more and GET OVER its aversion
to anything Boy Scout organized and pick up a few pointers. Either
that or I predict will lose (its older girls) to Venturing in droves.

 This event was well balanced. What impressed me most was the girl/boy
run Area wide elections to determine the girl/boy leadership of the
area (MD, Delaware and PA). The girls learned to work with the guys
(which is what life is about anyway) and in many cases (especially the
climbing wall and repelling) the girls out-did the guys. You can’t
flirt when you are climbing a 150 ft tower. In short, I think the
Venturing serves to dispel a lot of gender
 stereotypes for both the boys and girls. Most importantly, there was
a mix of good male and female role models to teach the Venturers. (75
percent male advisors — fathers; 25 percent female advisors)

 This summer, my daughter and her crew are going kayaking/camping down
the Delaware River, stopping at the various scout camps. The girls and
guys of the crews are doing most of the organizing and planning and
the Adult advisors are there to do just that advise, counsel and
consent.

 My point in this lengthy e-mail is that a representative needs to
actually participate in one of these Venturing events to learn how to
keep older girls in Girl Scouting. The Venturing business model works
and works well. It only has been around for 10 years, and I think it
will overtake Girl Scouts for older girls unless GS USA recognizes
it’s competition and learns from it.

 Take Care,
 Donna

Adult learning:

Pat Hogg,

Alumni Engagement:

Karen Shustack,

Annual Meeting planning

Artistic:

Maureen McGuigan, Rod Gereda, Marty Brown,

Communications/Marketing:

Laura Muia, Connie Pheiff, Jeanne Lowing, Laurie Tomsho, Joyce Avila, Karen Shustack,

Community contacts and networking:

Liz Dellinger, Ellie Beaver, Laura Muia, DrueAnne Schreyer, Rod Gereda, Marilyn Morgan, Connie Pheiff, Jeanne Lowing, Pat Hogg, Marty Brown, Karen Shustack,

Conflict Resolution:

Rod Gereda, Laura Muia, Flora Poulos, Connie Pheiff, Laurie Tomsho, Joyce Avila, Karen Shustack,

Environment:

Marty Brown,

Finance management:

Liz Dellinger,

Flexible schedule:

Flora Poulos, DrueAnne Schreyer, Marilyn Morgan, Connie Pheiff,

Fund raising:

Liz Dellinger, Ellie Beaver, Connie Pheiff, Laurie Tomsho,

Girl development:

Pat Hogg,

Goal setting:

Rod Gereda, Flora Poulos, Connie Pheiff, Marty Brown,

Gold Award recognition:

Pat Hogg, Laurie Ann, Marilyn Morgan, Joy Dougherty, DrueAnne, Flora H. Poulos, Mary Beth Fisher, Jo DeMarco, Rod Gereda, Connie Pheiff, MaryAnne B. Heeter, Karen Shustack,

Human Resources experience:

Laura Muia, Pat Hogg, Karen Shustack,

Innovative:

Karen Shustack, Rod Gereda, Connie Pheiff,

Interpersonal:

Karen Shustack, Rod Gereda, Laura Muia, Flora Poulos, Connie Pheiff, Pat Hogg, Joyce Avila,  

Leadership development:

Karen Shustack, Rod Gereda, Laura Muia, Flora Poulos, Connie Pheiff, Pat Hogg,

Listening:

Flora Poulos, Marilyn Morgan, Rod Gereda, Connie Pheiff, Pat Hogg, Karen Shustack,

Lobbying:

Rod Gereda,

Long range vision:

Rod Gereda, Flora Poulos, Laura Muia, DrueAnne Schreyer, Connie Pheiff, Marty Brown, Laurie Tomsho,

Management:

Laura Muia, Connie Pheiff, Marty Brown, , Karen Shustack,

Nonprofit governance:

Laura Muia, Connie Pheiff, Pat Hogg,

Personnel Policies:

Laura Muia, Connie Pheiff, Pat Hogg,

Pluralism:

Flora Poulos, Laura Muia, Connie Pheiff, Joyce Avila, Marty Brown, Karen Shustack,  

Presentation:

Ellie Beaver, Laura Muia, Connie Pheiff, Pat Hogg, Marty Brown, Laurie Tomsho, Joyce Avila,

Problem Solving:

Rod Gereda, Laura Muia, Flora Poulos, Connie Pheiff, Jeanne Lowing, Jeanne Lowing, Pat Hogg, Marty Brown, Laurie Tomsho,

Program:

Flora Poulos, DrueAnne Schreyer, Pat Hogg, Marty Brown, Laurie Tomsho,

Property:

DrueAnne Schreyer, Laurie Tomsho,

Public Relations:

Laura Muia, Connie Pheiff, Karen Shustack,

Public Speaking:

Laura Muia, Rod Gereda, Connie Pheiff, Pat Hogg, Laurie Tomsho, Joyce Avila, Karen Shustack,

Publications:

Robert’s Rules of Order:

Pat Hogg,

Singing:

Flora Poulos, Marty Brown, Laurie Tomsho,

Strategic planning:

Laura Muia, DrueAnne Schreyer, Rod Gereda, Marilyn Morgan, Connie Pheiff, Pat Hogg, Marty Brown, Laurie Tomsho,

Technology:

DrueAnne Schreyer,

Travel: Girl Scout related,

Flora Poulos, Connie Pheiff, Marty Brown,

United Way experience:

Ellie Beaver, Laura Muia, DrueAnne Schreyer, Marilyn Morgan, Mary Malone, Mary Jane Saras, Jo DeMarco, Cindy Lombard, Connie Pheiff, Pat Hogg, Laurie Tomsho, Karen Shustack,

Volunteer Management:

Ellie Beaver, Flora Poulos, Rod Gereda, Connie Pheiff, Pat Hogg, Marty Brown, Laurie Tomsho,

other:

   Oak Ridge — After spending the last six years watching her brothers create wonderful handmade cars with their dad, and race them with everyone cheering on, Allison Borrelii finally asked her mother why the Girl Scouts didn’t have their own pinewood derby. This was the inspiration for a Daddy Daughter Pinewood Derby that the girls hope to make an annual event. Allison’s mother, Andrea Borrelli, leader of Troop 185, including Allison and 18 other fourth-grade girls at Paradise Knoll School in Oak Ridge, immediately began planning the event.Awards winners were:

Every troop with children from their elementary school was invited. Enthusiasm for this new event was great, and the registrations poured in. It was decided that the refreshments stand at the event would benefit the Paradise Knoll School Playground, which is in need of replacement. Troop 294 volunteered to bring baked goods, and other parents offered to bring supplies. Shop Rite donated a voucher to purchase hot dogs, buns and more. Lakeland bank sent a donation as well. Indianapolis 500 race car driver and Girl Scout patron Sarah Fisher sent autographed posters for each girl.

For speed, 1st place went to Amanda Seugling; 2nd Place to Kaitlyn Klosz, and 3rd place to Grace Lemanowicz.

For style, the winners were: Fastest Looking, Dakota Vigh; Most Original, Rachel Lyons; Most Colorful, Lindsey VanNortwick; Sportiest, Lauren Peterson; Spirit of Girl Scouts: Allison Borrelli; and the crowd’s favorite, which looked like a pinball machine, was created by Katie Villalobos.

One of the highlights of the event, which was held on March 30 at the Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church Parish Hall, was when Sam Burlum and his teammate Tommy Vigh Jr. of Tommy Vigh Jr. Racing arrived with their 1981 Ump Dirt Car Street Stock Camaro, which races at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y. The girls climbed in and the cameras came out.

In all, 41 racers attended the derby and had a very exciting time.

Adult learning:

Alumni Engagement:

Artistic:

Communications/ Marketing:

Community contacts & networking:

Conflict Resolution:

Environment:

Finance management:

Flexible schedule:

Fund raising:

Girl development:

Goal setting:

Gold Award recognition:

Human Resources experience:

Innovative:

Interpersonal:

Leadership development:

Legislation/Legal Issues:

Listening:

Lobbying:

Long range vision:

Management:

Nonprofit governance:

Personnel Policies:

Pluralism:

Presentation:

Problem Solving:

Program:

Property:

Public Relations:

Public Speaking:

Publications:

Robert’s Rules of Order:

Singing:

Strategic planning:

Technology:

Travel: Girl Scout related,

United Way experience:

Volunteer management:

       other: 

 Katelyn Confer, daughter of Michael and Patricia Confer, Shavertown, was recognized by state Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston, with a citation in recognition of her Girl Scout Gold Award achievement, the highest honor a Girl Scout can receive.

Confer is a member of Troop 2654 and previously received the Girl Scout Silver Award, the second highest award in the organization. She is a junior at Dallas High School and is active in various school activities such as SADD, student government, field hockey and Teacher for Tomorrow.

——————————————————————————————

Less Control, More Change

Only about 10 percent of American girls are involved with Girl Scouts — a number that’s held steady for decades. But the organization plans to start targeting the other 90 percent with their most aggressive public relations strategy to date. This week CEO Cathy Kloninger hired the organization’s first-ever marketing director to revitalize its brand and has charged its in-house Research Institute with studying how girls feel about the organization’s core mission to train future women leaders.

“What we heard from thousands of girls is that they’re really turned off by the command and control top-down type of leadership they see so much around them,” says research director Judy Schoenberg. “They really aspire to a type of leadership that’s about making a difference in the world and social change.”

Please follow the link-lead to the rest of this article:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89126533

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With 2.6 million members, Girl Scouts of the USA is the nation’s largest organization for girls. The group’s executives were pleased that four-fifths of both sexes said that women and men are equally qualified to lead. This was not the case in the mid-1980s, said chief executive Kathy Cloninger.

What concerned Cloninger and others was not only that girls did not desire to be future leaders but also that many feared they would not be capable enough to assume leadership roles. Twenty-one percent of girls said they had most of the qualities of a leader, such as being outgoing, hardworking and responsible.

They also said they lack the ability to command people and, if they tried to do so, they would be laughed at by their peers or seen as bossy and make people mad.

Please follow the link-lead to the rest of this article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/26/AR2008032603036.html

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