2007 - 2008

Annual Report

• Girl Scouts of Connecticut
• www.gsofct.org

April, 2009

Board of Directors 2007 – 2008

MargaretJerrell, President

Message from the Chief Executive Officer

Dear Friends of Girl Scouts,

Anne I. Hayes, FirstVice President Jacqueline Bennett, Second Vice President Adrienne Farrar-Houël, Third Vice President Carolyn Breen Witt, Secretary

October 1, 2007, marked the beginning of Girl Scouts of Connecticut; one of only a few councils in the country with a statewide jurisdiction – and thus our Journey began. It has been an amazing Journey where each of us had the opportunity to discover our common values and challenges; connect our shared passion for Girl Scouting and take action to ensure we delivered on our mission to build

girls of courage , confidence, and character , who

make the world a better place.

Christopher A. Childs, Treasurer Jennifer Smith Turner, CEO

Members -at-Large

Susan Barrett Sally Berry Kevin Collins Rita Dering Marianne Downie Wilson Faude Barbara Fernandez M. J. Foti

President Margaret Jerrell and CEO Jennifer Smith

I extend a heartfelt and personal Thank You to all our supporters, volunteers, members, and friends of Girl Scouts around the state. You are the force that sustains Girl Scouting for girls; you are the reason over 46,000 girls areabletobenefit fromaGirlScout

Turner submit the Articles of Incorporation to Secretary of the State, Susan Bysiewicz, (center) at the Capitol on October 1, 2007.

Bruce Hamilton Karen Hoffman Diana Ingraham Sherri Killins

experience. It is your passion, commitment and dedication that has successfully steered us through these challenging waters of our first year as one organization.

Catherine Ko Arthur Lathrop Meg Sakellarides Nancy Strini

On these pages you will read about and see the fruit of your efforts. Here you can share in the pride of the 48 girls, their families and troops, who became our first class of Gold Scouts. Here you can see how the power of a large prominent Girl Scout Council results in partnerships that bring new resources to our girls. And here you can enjoy the fun and fulfillment that Girl Scouting brings to the lives of girls across the state.

Rama Sudhakar Marsha Tolliver

Nominating and Development Committee

Barbara DeBaptiste

Enjoy our first Annual Report  and Thank You for all you do.

Wilson Faude

Warmly,

WalterHarrison Arthur Lathrop Patricia Scussel Marsha Tolliver Suzanne Wakeen Robert White

Chief Executive Officer

Special Acknowledgement to Peggy Jerrell

On behalf of all girls, volunteers, members and supporters of Girl Scouting in the state – Thank You Peggy! You demonstrated grace and professionalism at all times; honored the Girl Scout Promise and Law and proved to be an outstanding role model of leadership and courage for our girls.

Leadership to the Power ⁵ was the theme for the Annual Report  published in 2008. That theme spoke to the dedicated and courageous leadership that led to the formation of Girl Scouts of Connecticut. As is often the case when many leaders are involved in a major undertaking, there is usually a first among equals. You, Peggy Jerrell, as immediate past president, were just such a leader. Leading change during turbulent times takes a steady hand, a strong will and assured courage. You personified all of these qualities during our initial year as a statewide council.

True leaders leave an organization in a better and stronger place than when they assumed the leadership role. Girl Scouts of Connecticut is better for your leadership.

Girl Scouts of Connecticut – Our Journey Begins

At the start of any Journey, a plan is made and a direction is chosen. The vision for our inaugural year was to be an empowering force for the personal growth and leadership development of girls. With this vision we developed three strategic objectives which included:

Capacity Building - to build a sound infrastructure that attracts and retains resources available statewide to support the Girl Scout Mission and to provide a positive and consistent experience for all levels of girl and adult volunteers; Membership - to retain, broaden, and increase a diverse girl and adult membership reflective of the statewide population and shifting demographics; and Program - to provide a variety of appealing, quality programs at every level, consistently delivered statewide, that increase personal and leadership opportunities for girls.

Major Accomplishments Over the Year

Board of Directors
2008-2009

• October 1, 2007
• June

•

Teresa Younger, President

•

• GSOFCT Founded
• 48 girls receive their

Gold Award

Meg Sakellarides, First Vice President Vanessa Roberts, Second Vice President Adrienne Farrar-Houël, Third Vice President Rama Sudhakar, Secretary

January
•

Cookie Program begins

February
•

11 day and 3 resident camps open

August

The Lighthouse ribbon cutting

September

Naomi Kleinman, Treasurer

••

Cookie drop

•

Jennifer Smith Turner, CEO

Members-at-Large

Ed Lewis

First Camp Brochure published

Kyle Ballou

• Susan Barrett
• Dr. Elsa Nuñez

Patricia Russo Saba Shahid, Girl Member Mertie Terry

••

Membership drive

March
•

Sally Berry

2.9 million cookie boxes sold!

Pathways Newsletter

released

Gail E.D. Brathwaite Aurora Daly

April
•
•

Program & Training

Book distributed

Marianne Downie Walter Harrison Anne Hayes
Cindy Terzian

New www.gsofct.org

launched

Marsha Tolliver Leonard Vignola Robert White

October 1, 2008
•

•

CookieVote

•••

First year completed!

Diana Ingraham Stephanie Ko, Girl Member

announcement Thin Mints are Connecticut’s favorite!
National Convention Annual Meeting

Board Development Committee

• Robert White, Chair
• Karen Hoffman

Patricia Scussel Marsha Tolliver Suzanne Wakeen

November

Board of Directors elected

Barbara DeBaptiste Walter Harrison Patricia Hendel

•

The Journey Continues ...

We are well into our second year as Girl Scouts of Connecticut and the wonderful Journey is still evolving. We continue to discover how the important values of Girl Scouting improve the lives of girls around the state. We are enhancing how we connect with you, our dedicated and loyal volunteers, donors and supporters. And we are taking action to make certain we fulfill our mission of service to girls and volunteers.

Thank you for all you do and for continuing to be such a vital part of Girl Scouting. Yours in Girl Scouting,

President Teresa Younger and CEO Jennifer Smith Turner

• President
• Chief Executive Officer

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Discover, Connect, Take Action

Discover

As a new council, we discovered we could make a difference in the lives of girls and women throughout the State of Connecticut. Girls discovered themselves by participating in events like uniquely ME! , a self-esteem-building workshop and the Eastern Shore College Tour where 33 Hartford girls were given the opportunity to participate in a week-long college road trip spanning five states.

• Volunteers were able to opt for online training courses where they discovered alternative paths to learning.

•••

Over 32,350 girls in 3,418 troops participated in the annual cookie program

• Our grassroots Alumnae Association was created, promoted and grew to over 1500 members in its first year and women discovered a vast number of sisters in Girl Scouting around the state.
• Staff and volunteers learned to reach out to their counterparts around the state to get the job at hand done.

Individual troops received approximately $2.2 million in troop proceeds

Working together we discovered we can provide for our most important asset, our girls.

80,000 boxes of cookies were purchased through the Gift of

Caring Program and given to our

military and 10,000 were given to other local charities

Connect

We made great strides over the year in building our infrastructure which became the foundation of our daily operations. This allows us to provide programs for Girl Scouts throughout Connecticut by

•

Recognitions Awarded:
Appreciation Pin (12) Honor Pin (2)

connecting our staff, Leaders, volunteers, donors, and partners.

National Delegates with Jennifer Smith Turner at the National Convention in
Indianapolis, Indiana.

Thanks Badge (2) Thanks Badge II (1)

• The foundation of our Governance system was established with eight regions.
• Sixty-one girl and adult council delegates were elected along with five members who were appointed as delegates-at-large; thirty-seven National Delegates were elected and prepared for the National Convention where they voted on policy changes that impact Girl Scouts across the country.
• For the first time, access to all of our 18 statewide camps was available to our entire membership for camping, hiking and troop adventures.
• Our first edition of Pathways was developed to connect membership through stories and exciting happenings throughout the state.
• Our new website www.gsofct.org launched in April, 2008.

Take Action

Forty-eight Gold Awardees receive their recognitions at the Gold Award Ceremony.

As a single force we were able to unite and take action to make Girl Scouting the best experience for all involved. On a variety of fronts, we were able to make the world a better place.

• As stewards of our land and to provide a safe and respectful way to share nature with our members, we repaired pools at Aspetuck, installed heat at Camp Merrie-Wood, and constructed the Lighthouse Foster Family Troop Program Building, where beginning campers can enjoy nature, at Camp Candlewood.
• Girls learned marketing and social skills which helped them build confidence and character through the QSP Magazine and Candy Program in which 13,233 girls in 2,286 troops participated to make it a success.
• More than 4,600 volunteers participated in training across the state. • Several volunteers were honored at the Annual Meeting for their efforts in making the world a better place.

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Membership, Volunteers, and Program

Membership

Membership

•••

Girl Membership 46,049

The core of Girl Scouting is its membership and as we moved into 2008 our numbers remained

70% retention rate Adult Volunteers 20,348

strong. The steadfast commitment of our Leaders and volunteers made Girl Scouting possible in

74% retention rate Alumnae Association 1,500

Connecticut. Our girl membership met our annual goal despite a

Volunteers

•

continuing downward trend in the girl population of Connecticut. This is a strong testament from our girls that they want to be a part of this enriching experience.

Over 1,900 volunteers took online and self-study training Classroom and large training events exceeded 2,600 in attendance

•

Volunteers

Our 20,348 registered volunteers, with a retention rate of more than 74%, are an indication of the importance of Girl Scouts in Connecticut. Without volunteers, Girl Scouting would not be possible. They are the mentors that our girls look up to, in order to guide them in the right direction. Through a variety of trainings they are equipped to handle situations ranging from safety to leading creative projects. This past year, 4,600 volunteers participated in one or more trainings including online and self-study training and more traditional classroom and large event training sessions. Overall, 718 courses were offered throughout the year.

15,631 Participants Attended Program Events including:

••••

American Patriotism Art in Nature Asthma Awareness Bullying Prevention – Staying Safe

••••••••••••••

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage College Pathways Dating Violence

Program

Flirting vs. Hurting Food for the Real You Girl Scouts Against Smoking Girl Scout Safety Award Learn to be a Good Citizen Low Ropes Course Online Safety

Our mission statement comes to life with the successoftheprogramsprovided toourgirls. Through the tireless dedication of our Leaders and volunteers, our girls develop the courage to be themselvesin an ever changing world, the confidence to trust in themselves, and the character to make wise decisions in their daily lives. With these characteristics and the commitment to Girl

Safe Sitter Basic

Scouting, our girls make the world a better place. It is through our programs that girls learn the importance of community service, leadership skills and courage to make a positive change in the world around them. Our camps give girls the opportunity to experience nature where they are free to explore. Throughout the year, 15,631 participants attended

Stress Less Theater Workshop Your Best Defense

Girls Participated in Outdoor Programs including:

•

6,977 camper weeks were hosted at our eleven day and three resident camps

program events including uniquely Me!,

Inside and Out, Engineering Day, and Animal Careers. Kids   on the Block, educational

throughout the state

puppets that teach girls about diversity, reached 3,956participantsthroughperformances, demonstrations, and informational displays.

•

Girls received camperships totaling $120,000 provided by a variety of donors

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Community Service

Troop product sales proceeds and troop money earning supply individuals, troops and groups with the funding needed to carry out vital community service projects. Whether holiday caroling at nursing homes, assembling care packages for our troops overseas, or developing English courses for students in Belize - our girls have done it all. This year, forty-eight girls earned their Gold Award where they committed a minimum of 60 hours of community service to a self-selected and carefully designed community service project.

Kathleen Campbell, Senior Girl Scout

• Aurora Young Woman Philanthropist of the Year 2008 • Gold Scout • Spent over 160 hours on her Gold Award • Created welcome boxes for Somalian, Thai, and Bhutan refugees • Collected over 1000 sweaters for various charities • Accompanied 50 Somalian children on local field trips • Discovered the world in her backyard

Kathleen's story is best told in her own words:
“It was during my project, that I felt I achieved what Girl Scouts are always trying to do, connecting girls around the world. It really does happen. I can also use Girl Scouts to explain the changes that have happened to me. Other girls who have completed their Gold Award project told me that it will change you as a person. I was skeptical. However I was taken by surprise when one day my older sister told me that I did change. I had become more confident, and soon I was taking on responsibilities in my school drama club that I would never think of. I'm now directing Charity Cabaret a multiple school event that raises money for Broadway Cares: Equity Fights Aids.  Something that I would never have had the skills to do before my Gold Award.”

Fund Development

We were awarded several unique grants thisyear. The National Girls Collaborative Project  (funded by the National Science Foundation) awarded a grant to establsh the Connecticut Girls Collaborative, created to bring together organizations, institutions, businesses, and individuals who share an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for girls. With funding from Travelers, 63 girls had the opportunity to participate in the Hartford College   Pathways Program . SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc. provided funding for capital improvements, camperships, transportation and staffing at Camp Merrie-Wood. Additional smaller grants

provided funding for the creation of Introduction to Tennis , Robotics Programs , Nature Investigation   For Inner City Girls,

Antiviolence Education, and cultural Programs in a Box . Through community support more than 3,000 girls were able to participate in these programs who may not have otherwise been able to afford them. We also had the opportunity to partner with Adams & Knight marketing company, to develop the graphic look for Girl Scouts of Connecticut.

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Annual Fund

It is with deep gratitude that we thank each and every donor for supporting our programs and operations to help serve girls throughout the State of Connecticut. Although we are only able to publicly recognize gifts of $100 or greater, over 2,000 additional donors provided essential support in helping us to successfully fulfill our mission. The gifts recognized below were received from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008.

United Way of Tri-State United Way of Westport-Weston Webster Bank, N.A.

$100,000 and above

Adams & Knight* Americorps
Virnette and Bruce Hamilton The Russell G. Hartmann Family Foundation Mabel F. Hoffman Charitable Trust IBM Employee Services Center Jewett City Savings Bank Margaret (Dink) Laudieri Jane I. Milas

• Todd Wingen
• United Way of Central and Northeastern

Connecticut

$2,500 to $4,999

Bristol Eastern High School Girls Varsity Tennis Team City of Hartford

$50,000 to $99,999

Travelers Connecticut Foundation United Way of Western Connecticut Wolf Popper LLP
Carol and Paul O'Connell Margaret Pastel

• PepsiCo Foundation
• City Missionary Association of New Haven, Inc.

Crosswicks Foundation, Ltd. Dominion Foundation
Shelia S. Powers

$25,000 to $49,000

The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation, Inc.
Prospect Hill Foundation Rotary Club of Hamden Foundation, Inc. Lynne Schiller
Catherine and Michael Goff Bruce N. Griffing Trust ING
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc. Jennifer Smith Turner and Eric V. Turner* United Way of Greenwich
Ann E. Sheffer

• Betsy Keefer
• The Sontheimer Foundation

Stackpole Trusts Tides Foundation
Liberty Bank Foundation Henry Lord

• L'Oréal USA, Inc.
• United Way of Southeastern Connecticut
• Lida M. Tingley

Kathryn and David Tohir Eileen Towell
New Haven Register Fresh Air Fund Pepperidge Farm, Inc. Person to Person, Inc.

$10,000 to $24,999

Camp Burt-Tetlow Foundation, Inc. Eastern Mountain Sports
Unilever United States Foundation, Inc. United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg
Mildred and John Richard Cathy and Richard Townsend Travelers Foundation Community Action Awards Unilever United States Foundation, Inc. United Way of Greater New Haven United Way of West Central Connecticut US Department of Justice Wallingford Board of Youth
Frank Loomis Palmer Fund Girl Scouts of Connecticut Greenwich Service Unit
United Way of Meriden and Wallingford USTA New England

• Waterford Town Hall
• J. Walton Bissell Foundation, Inc.

Lincoln Financial Foundation Little Brownie Bakers
John F. Welch, Jr. Foundation Wellpoint Foundation
National Girls Collaborative Project of the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology
Carolyn and H. Bradford Westerfield Westport Rotary Club Foundation Carolyn Breen Witt

$1,000 to $2,499

Advanced Behavioral Health, Inc. Altria Group, Inc.
Pfizer United Way Campaign United eWay
Solomon And Katie Wohl Foundation Frances T. Woody

• Youth Tennis Foundation of New England
• American International Group, Inc.

Barri and Thad Belfanti Sally and John Berry
United Way of Greater Waterbury United Way of Milford United Way of New York City United Way of Northwest Connecticut, Inc. United Way of Norwalk & Wilton Valley United Way