FOR ADULTS IN GIRL SCOUTING Th! 1998-1999 Girl Sc!!!!t® C!t!l!!g H!s Arriv!d!
''A World of Choi~··_____ that's what Girl Scouts everywhere are offered regarding their future careers and, this New Catalog! The catalog, recently sent to Girl Scout members, features wonderful new gift items, fun T-shirts, and new adorable, huggable, friends. There are a variety of interesting books for Girl Scouts of all ages; and Gir/Sports® enthusiasts with find new sports related items. This year's catalog also includes a four page uniform survey on future uniform development.
Enjoy the convenience of shopping at Girl Scout council shops and your local Girl Scout department in stores nationwide. Selected items are also available in the JC Penney Fall 1998 Catalog.
Won:t t-o ~uest o ~YAf"olog? The Girl Scout Catalog is also a great gift -giving source for girls and adults, so keep it handy all year long. Call 1-800-221-6707, press 3.
Some of the new items in this year's catalog. Fal11998
FEATURES 28 An Anniversary for the World Ellen Brindle Jeronimo 12 How to Succeed ~ in (Leader) Business GIRL SCOUTS® To Be a World Citizen Libby Marks McDonell 29 President Margarita Magner Elinor Johnstone Ferdon 14 Make It a Family Service to the Blind National Executive Director Affair 30 Pam English Marsha Johnson Evans Karen White Editor 31 Our Promise of Carolyn Caggine 15 Money Matters Community Service Permissions Editor (centerfold) La Verne Bolling Colleen Floyd Wendy DeGiglio Technical Assistant Marie KMy-Gargiulo 23 GirlSports-Making the Difference DEPARTMENTS Girl Scout Leader OSSN 0017-0577) is published Toni Eubanks quarterly by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 420 Fifth 4 President's Message Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018-2798. © 1998 by Girl Scouts of the United States of America. All 24 www.girlscouts.org/ girls By the Way ... rights reserved. This publication may not be re Carolyn L. Kennedy 5 produced in whole or in part in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including 6 Girl Scout Program Q & A photocopying, recording, or by any information 25 Girl Scout Leader 1998 storage and retrieval system now known or here Readership Survey after invented, without the prior written permis 7 From the Editor sion of Girl Scouts of the United States of Amer ica. Girl Scout Leader cannot be responsible for 27 Girl Scouts Get In the News unsolicited manuscripts, photos, or art in its of Tough on Crime 8 fices or in transit. Third-class postage paid at St. Paul, Minn., and additional mailing offices. Debra Hammond and Linda Drumheller Subscriptions $5 yearly (4 issues); $7.50 for all destinations outside U.S.A. and possessions; $2 Senior Girl Scouts. Change of address: Write Girl Scout Leader, 420 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018-2798. Include old and new address, as well as council, troop, and identification num ber where applicable. Allow eight weeks for change. Vol. 75, No.3, Fall1998.
GSUSA's Web site address is http:/ / www.girlscouts.org
A Halloween "sing" by junior Girl Scout Troop 1572 (Tierra del Oro Girl Scout Council Cover Cadette Girl Scouts in a quiet mo ment. See pages 27 and 30 for some un (Sacramento, Calif) cheered usual troop activities that Cadettes and rest-home residents Seniors are involved in. Photographed by Ken Karp "We're old-fashioned," say these ® ~ 1 4 Brownie Girl Scouts from UPPER MID'NEST LOCAL 1M Troop 78 in Crowley's Ridge Girl Scout Council (jonesboro, Ark.) President's Message
ne of the constants in z ~ life is the need for ::::> 0 0 wisely managing the "'a: financial aspects of daily living. But a recent survey, conducted by Bank of America, found that out of the 1,600 women in Cali fornia and Arizona who were asked, two-thirds said they grew up in households where money was not discussed. This result supports the findings of other researchers who tell us that many women wish they had !earned more about money and investing National President Ellie Ferdon was charmed by \,.. lf when they were growing up. Daisy Girl Scout Kayla Mueller during a visit to And yet, it's a fact that 80 to 90 ""i, Educating Great Valley Girl Scout Council (Allentown , Pa.) percent of all women in the girls United States will be solely about responsible for their finances ing divorce or widowhood-all creasingly important. Learning finance will at some point in their lives. need to be prepared to manage about different languages, dif enable them to Bank of America Executive their own financial affairs. ferent currencies, and different Vice President Kathleen Brown Girl Scouting is preparing philosophies about women and benefit fully says there's a lesson to be girls to take advantage of the money can expand our knowl from any of the learned from survey results and growing range of options for edge and increase the possibili choices they facts like these. "Education women. Last year, Girl Scouts ties for employment and serv make. about money management of the U.S.A collaborated with ice. Girl Scouting is leading the needs to begin earlier," says the National Endowment for way in teaching girls the mean Brown, who is also the former Financial Education to produce ing of global interconnected Treasurer of the State of Cali Girl Scouts: Money Smarts- ness. We can do the same for fornia. "We need to teach A Personal Finance Project the concept of global economic young girls that economic inde Resource Guide for Cadette and interdependence. pendence comes with knowing Senior Girl Scouts and Leaders. Just as health and fitness how to both earn and handle Many Girl Scout councils have are keys to happy, successful money throughout their lives." also begun special projects de living, so too is the wise man It's impossible to talk signed to help girls of all ages agement of money. Helping about preparing girls to develop money management girls learn about the world become capable, confident skills. Educating girls-and of money management and women in the 21st century women-about finance will ena finance is just one ·more way without helping them learn ble them to benefit fully from that Girl Scouting is preparing about financial management. any of the choices they make. girls today for leadership to Girls need to learn early how to Those choices may even make morrow. stick to a budget, when to bor possible a growing network of row, and the benefits of wise female philanthropists. financial investments. Young In the future, understand women starting a first job, ing the connection between the older women with many years financial picture of other coun - Elinor Johnstone Ferdon in the ·workforce, or women fac- tries and our own will be in- National President
4 Girl Scout Leader/ Fall1998 By the Way • • •
Barby has worked closely with live in. Reading is not only a vital women in Epworth and Ntaba skill but also an especially enjoya zinduna, Zimbabwe, who are ble one. You can use GSUSA's earning money by selling and Issues for Girl Scouts: Read to teaching about solar cookers in Lead resources, written for each their villages. age level, for related program activities. All are available at your council shop. about the many aspects of Adelboden, Switzerland, is transportation safety, including home to Our Chalet, the world bicycle, school bus, pedestrian, center of the World Association Thanksgiving Day is a truly seatbelt, car seat, and airbag of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts American holiday, and reminds safety. The site even includes (WAGGGS), which opened in us all to be grateful for the areas for parents and leaders to 1932. Over the years, hundreds blessings we have. Zia Girl participate. On the Web at of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides Scout Council (Artesia, N.Mex.) www.nhtsa.dot.gov /kids have participated in summer sponsors an annual Empty and winter programs in this pic Bowls dinner project, as a re turesque spot in the Swiss Alps. minder that many people do not Need help in your work with Since the original building is have enough to eat. If you children with special needs? not wheelchair-accessible, con would like more information on GSUSA's newly revised re struction is to begin this year this project, write or call the source is your answer. Focus on on a new building that will founders, John Hartom and Lisa Ability: Serving Girls with Spe accommodate all visitors, and Blackburn, 2691 Noble Road, cial Needs has information on house seminar and conference Oxford, Mich. 48370, 313-628- disability-related topics, current rooms, a communications and 4842. trends, terminology, and legal technology center, and a m4lti implications. There's an updated purpose recreation and activity resource list and an index. Avail room. Spycher, as the new facil Reminder: Unsolicited manu able at your council shop. ity is to be called, will comple scripts, while welcome, cannot ment the look of Our Chalet's be acknowledged. Please be wooden Oberland style. U.S.A. sure to include your council Solar cooking has been part of Girl Scouts have a very special name and a phone number Girl Scouting for many years. connection with Our Chalet: An should we need to reach you Now solar cookers are making American Girl Scout volunteer, for more information. Most im an incredible difference in coun Helen Storrow, financed its con portant of all, do not staple any Diane Stanley's tries that are running out of struction. thing on photos or write on the poster illustration firewood, have large refugee backs of photos. Identify activity for National Chil problems, and need water puri in photo on a separate sheet; if dren's Book Week, fied. Recently, long-time Girl November 16-22 is National Chil sending more than one photo, sponsored by The Scout Barby Pulliam (Tierra del dren's Book Week, which is cele number photos lightly in pencil Children's Book Oro Girl Scout Council, Sacra brated annually during the week on the back and key your iden Council (www. mento, Calif.), an international before Thanksgiving. This year's tification with the same num cbcbooks. org) trainer for WAGGGS, was theme, "Books Go Everywhere," ber. All photos will be returned named volunteer of the year by reflects the mobile, exciting, and eventually, whether they are Solar Cookers International. varied society today's children used or not. •
Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 5 gram their own. By selecting the older ones helping the which interest projects, events, younger, the adults make sure and activities they want to do as that each age level has its own a troop, girls are more invested special events. Many other lead in it. Being responsible for all ers and parents write of "adopt the necessary research and ing" younger troops from an organization, they learn leader other part of their council. Or, ship and problem-solving skills. they recommend creating The girls are able to lead each "sister" troops in other states. other through projects with Communication was key to Girl Scout minimal guidance from me." many Girl Scout troops' suc Encouraging the girls to cess. Karin Storla, of Marietta, Program make long-range plans was sug Ga., says it best. "It's not gested by a number of readers. enough that the girls do won Alice Sessions of Austin, derful things. You need to let Tex., recommends that the girls the parents know what the girls create their troop's yearly calen are doing and how they are dar: "At the beginning of the benefiting from it." Including fall and spring seasons, we de the parents in some events, Q: How have you maintained vote a meeting to planning. I helping the girls create a news- or increased the number of point out the neighborhood and . letter of their activities, and ask girls in your troop? council events and remind them ing for help from parental "ex A: Everyone who wrote in of past favorites, but the girls perts" on specific topics are all agrees that it takes three things themselves are responsible for ways to build good girl-leader to keep girls involved in Girl setting the calendar." parent communication. While Scouting: girl-planning, flexibil Flexibility in scheduling such organization can be hard ity, and communication. meetings, events, and projects on the leader at first, Karin and Rhonda Eakle, a leader was also suggested. Lauretta others assure us that it pays off from Paulding, Ohio says, "Be Sutton of Woodhaven, Mich., in the end. • fore we break for the summer, reminds us that "attendance at every girl makes a suggestion band practice, sports practice, for a service project, trip, or and religious schools is manda Please send your responses to special interest they want to ex tory. We have to be the ones to the following questions to: Patri plore starting in the fall." offer a flexible schedule to the cia ]. Paddock/ Girl Scouts of Karin Reddecliffe, a leader girls and their families." the U.S.A/ 420 Fifth Avenue/ for 23 years, adds, "Girls know Carol Ambrose of Brook New York, N.Y. 10018-2798/ best what they like to do. This lyn, N.Y., shared a different ap Attn: Q&A. Or e-mail them to might mean that we, as leaders, proach to flexibility. "Multi-aged [email protected]. have to step outside our com groups have been a great suc Include your name, address, fort zone and learn something cess for our Girl Scouts," she and phone number so we can new. Finding others with the says. She and her co-leaders contact you if necessary. necessary expertise can make oversee 15 Daisy, 65 Brownie, Q: How do the girls in your everything from canoeing to 70 Junior, 29 Cadette, and 24 troop/group tnake decisions on computers a successful adven Senior Girl Scouts. 'The par what to do? ture for the girls." ents are encouraged to become Jane Rohr, of La Plata, troop committee members, and Q: How do you encourage girl Md., agrees. "Girls have to be many do." While the girls work planning for Daisy and Brownie able to make the Girl Scout pro- together on some topics, with Girl Scouts?
6 Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 From the Editor
''Alas and alack" as the Bard might say, fold. In "GirlSports-Making the Difference," summer is fading into fall and another her colleague Toni Eubanks tells why Girl • membership year will shortly be upon Sports is thriving. Also expanding day by day us. Our unstructured summer days are a pleas is our own Web site, as Carolyn Kennedy of ant memory and suddenly we are into the re Membership and Program reports in sumption of troop activities. "www.girlscouts.org/ girls." But the quickening pace of autumn also You'll also find a few items of interest in a means marveling at the changes a couple of new department titled "By the Way . . ." months have made in the girls in our troops/ And right about here it's time for you to fill groups. They are more grown up, still full of out the Girl Scout Leader survey and let us enthusiasm and vitality, more anxious to take know your thoughts about the magazine, what on responsibility and set their own pace in Girl you like, what changes might be made, what Swapping was big Scouting. And that's where we come in: to show you'd like to see that's new and different, and during Spring them the way, to make suggestions, to ensure anything else you'd like to tell us. Song Fest '98, a their safety, and to nourish their ambitions. Girl Continuing on, co-leaders Debbie Ham gathering of 3500 Scouts can do anything they set their minds mond and Linda Drumkeller of Troop 6452 in girls and their to- and that always makes for a year we prob Girl Scouts of the South Jersey Pines (New leaders in Brook ably couldn't forecast, but wouldn't want to field, N.J.) relate an unusual badge activity in lyn 's Prospect Park change. "Girl Scouts Get Tough on Crime." (Girl Scout Coun Girl Scout Leader for fall has a potpourri In "Service to the Blind," leader Pam Eng cil of Greater New of ideas and helps for you, starting with "How lish Goshua Tree Girl Scout Council, Bakers York, New York to Succeed in (Leader) Business" by Libby field, Calif.) relates how her girls work with City) Marks McDonell, a leader of Brownie Girl guide dogs. Scout Troop 1389 and co-leader of Junior Girl Ellen Jeronimo, director of National/Inter junior Girl Scout Scout Troop 1584 in Hoosier Capital Girl Scout national Relations, commemorates the Univer Troop 14 and Council (Indianapolis, Ind.). Karen White of sal Declaration of Human Rights in "An Anni Daisy Girl Scout National Educational Services advises "Make versary for the World." Reminding us of the Troop 16, during It a Family Affair." World Association's new initiative is "To Be a the latter's Membership and Program staffer Wendy World Citizen," by Margarita Magner, interna ''spooky" investi DeGiglio tackles "Money Matters," that all-im tional relations consultant. ture (North Coun portant topic, in this issue's extended center- The issue closes with Membership and try Girl Scout Program's LaVerne Bolling reporting on "Our Council, Platts Promise of Community Service," a follow-up on burgh, NY) council projects related to last year's Presi- dent's Summit for America's Youth. · Yes, fall is here again, our uniforms need pressing, our insignia need shining, and our leader's guides must be found. But one thing for sure: We're just as anxious as our girls to be back on Girl Scout time! • -Carolyn Caggine
Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 7 • n the news
Pet Care Project Ten Sports for a Day Preparing for the Future When Senior Girl Scout De Moccasin Bend Girl Scout Appalachian Girl Scout Coun ana Mend! in Girl Scouts of Council (Chattanooga, Tenn.) cil 0 ohnson City, Tenn.) held W estchester*Putnam (Pleas recently hosted a Gir/Sports a symposium last year to ad antville, N.Y.) received her Day at The Baylor School, an dress the challenges facing Girl Scout Gold Award, it was independent co-educational girls growing up today. The the climax of a 12-year com day school. The 670-acre cam event-Today's Girls in To mitment to caring for animals. pus afforded the girls and morrow's World- kicked off Her five-part project culmi their skill instructors opportu on a Friday evening with a nated in an event called "Dog nities in fencing, diving, ten keynote address by Olympic Day Afternoon" in which nis, aerobics, self-defense, and diver Mary Ellen Clark Brownie and Junior Girl much more. Over 500 Girl (shown above, left), who en Scouts learned and experi Scouts participated in ten. couraged the 200 participants enc~d the proper way to care different sports, with "Dancin' to believe in their dreams. for their dogs. through the Decades" and On Saturday, girls and Deana's interactive pro "Jazzy Dancing" the most adults attended workshops on gram included games, activi popular. • issues affecting healthy social, ties, and demonstrations about physical, and mental develop nutrition, grooming, and train ment, including sports, music, ing of a variety of dogs. At health, math, science, and day's end, participants knew a fashion. A daylong book fair lot more about pet care, and featured gender-related liter every dog had had its day. • ary selections for girls and women. Lunch featured an informal chat session with International Flag Clark, who answered ques Ceremony tions about her Olympic train ing and her future career Several troops in San Fran plans. • cisco Bay Girl Scout Council (Oakland, Calif.) participated in the opening flag ceremony for the Family Services World A Dream Trip U.S. S. Yorktown. Conference held in their city It took over two years for last year. The girls entered the girls to earn money for the ballroom carrying historic Junior Girl Scout Troop 662 in their dream trip. Along with international flags to the ap Girl Scout Council of Cumber selling Girl Scout cookies, the plause of representatives from land Valley (Nashville, Tenn.) troop held car washes, set up Europe, India, the Far East, visited Savannah, Ga., to tour a chili supper, and worked and Australia. Three Girl the birthplace of Juliette Gor concessions at local football Scouts performed "America" don Low and other historic sites games. • and "We Change the World." of the city. During their six-day After the ceremony, Mayor stay, the eight girls and four Willie Brown met the troops adults held a Girl Scouts' Own and congratulated them on in the garden and received offi their poise and talents. The cial Birthplace pins. They spent Girl Scout coordinator later time on Tybee Island beach and heard that people all over the took a dolphin-sighting tour on world were requesting photos the ocean. They also traveled to of the ceremony and praising Charleston, S.C., spending a the young participants. • night on the aircraft carrier
8 Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 A Very Busy Year First Aid and Food
Cadette Girl Scout Troop 293 Junior Girl Scout Troop 437 of Holiday Problem of Punxsutawney (Keystone Cheverly, Md., (Girl Scout Solving Tall Tree Girl Scout Council, Council of the Nation's Capi Kittanning, Pa.) really outdid tal, Washington, D.C.) hosted Last fall Brownie Girl Scout themselves last year. The five a first aid seminar last fall. Troop 88 and Junior Girl girls earned their Girl Scout Troops from six counties were Scout Troop 186 helped make Silver Award for their joint on hand to earn the badge. the citizens of Coalgate, Okla., project in cleaning up the pit Their trainers were members proud of Main Street. The area by the Punxsutawney of the Prince George's County girls, from Tiak Girl Scout Memorial Library, weeding Fire Department Rescue Council (McAlester), collected the flower beds, planting per Squad and Emergency Medi old clothes, paper shreddings, ennials, making flower boxes, cal Services. The event also and the rest of the makings to and maintaining the area for included a food drive for local put together 15 friendly scare the entire summer. That food pantries. • crows. Along with hay bales wasn't all. They earned the and other fall harvest reapings Girl Scout Challenge pin, the donated by the townspeople, Leadership pin, the Dreams to the scarecrows were placed Reality patch, and ten interest along Main Street and drew project patches. For their Girl lots of compliments for them Scout Service Bar, the girls selves and for the girls. The planned menus, projects, and troops continued their beauti guest speakers for the fying efforts at Christmas by Brownie Girl Scout day camp designing and making large in Grange, and held an over standing wooden ornaments night for the girls who were for Main Street and the town flying up from Brownies to triangle. Next they cleared a Juniors. Since they had just plot of city property and completed Pennsylvania his planted wildflowers. Needless tory in school, they chose to say, the 1,900 citizens of Gettysburg for their annual Coalgate have been mighty trip. And they can't wait until impressed with their Girl they bridge to Senior Girl Scouts. • Scouts! • Mixing Poetry and Cake A Happy Ending ect would be. They chose an or phanage in Petrovask, where The 21 girls in Mary Becker's one of their mothers was adopt Brownie Girl Scout Troop 718 When Junior Girl Scout Troop ing an eight-year-old girl (be (Great Valley Girl Scout Coun 1428 and its sister Brownie low, in brown dress). cil, Allentown, Pa.) are always Girl Scout Troop 1661 in Girl The girls collected clothes busy doing something fun. Scout Council of St. Croix and stuffed animals, which were To celebrate Girl Scouting's Valley (St. Paul, Minn.) delivered personally by Carla birthday this past March, they learned about the problems Anderson when she arrived in read from juliette Gordon Low: facing the million children in Russia to pick up Marina last America's First Girl Scout, by Russian orphanages, they year. P.S. Marina is now a Kathleen V. Kudlinski. Then knew what their service proj- Brownie Girl Scout. • they each wrote a poem in honor of the day, and capped the afternoon with lemon sponge cake. Fun, and deli cious, too! •
Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 9 • n the news
Bridging in Style
The five members of Cadette Junior Girl Scout Troop 2415 Girl Scout Troop 731 in Hud in Denver's Girl Scouts-Mile son Valley Girl Scout Council Hi Council enjoyed a dramatic (Delmar, N.Y.) each received bridging ceremony last year. their Girl Scout Silver Award The six girls and their leader at the Nassau Neighborhood walked across the Royal parent/ daughter dinner last . Gorge Bridge-the world's year. Their final project, "Pro highest extension bridge-in moting Reading in Our Com ICanon City, Colo. Their par munity," consisted of three ents were waiting on the other programs. In one, actor Jan The grand finale of a side with gifts of blue carna tions, white T-shirts, and blue Turnquist acted out the life rewarding day was a af author Louisa May f\lcott. Cadette Girl Scout uniform celebrity reading In the second, the girls per formed a singing/reading program. read their favorite children's The grand finale was Ce stories to the audience. The lebrity Reading Day, when the girls have continued to promote mayor, the school principal, reading while babysitting at and the local TV news anchor monthly PTA meetings. •
Happy Birthday, Baby
To commemorate Juliette Gor don Low's birthday last year, Junior Girl Scout Troop 2553 in Seal of Ohio Girl Scout Kids and Smoking Council (Columbus) filled a birthday basket with baby gifts. The girls presented their Cadette Girl Scout Troops 648 donations to the first baby and 466 in Girl Scouts of Mil girl born in the local hospital waukee Area (Wis.) partici Fish Tales on October 31. They were pated in the "Girl Scouts excited to meet the new baby Against Smoking" project this and mother-who had been a past year. As part of a national A trip to the New York Aquar Girl Scout herself. • book promotion endorsed by ium, located next to the board the American Lung Associa walk of Brooklyn's famous tion, the girls produced skits Coney Island, made for lots of of scenes from Berenstein fishy memories for Brownie Bear Scouts and the Sit?ister Girl Scout Troop 2194 (Girl Smoke Ring, a children's book Scout Council of Greater New about the hazards of smok York). Their never-to-be ing. They also acted out situa forgotten experience included tions where smoking may be touching sea stars and hermit introduced, conducted anti crabs, feeding the fish, a smoking activities in their behind-the-scenes tour, and community, and distributed making fish prints. • activity packets in the area. •
10 Girl Scout Leader/ Fal/1998 Pumpkin Cheer
The girls in JuniorI Cadette Girl In Pioneer Girl Scout Council Scout Troop 3478 (Michigan (Gastonia, N.C.) girls learned Metro Girl Scout Council, De to crochet with the help of troit) carried out a service proj members of the Draft Yarn ect for senior citizens in a local Council of America. They nursing home last fall. They used their new-found skills carved out pumpkins, added flo in a service project, making ral displays, and made wheel afghans that they presented chair tote bags for their senior to the American Red Cross friends. The recipients were for distribution. • cheered by the gifts and even more by the girls' company. •
Hooray for Camping!
In Mount Magazine Girl Scout , Council (Fort Smith, Ark.) Girl Scout Troop 261 in Mid girls from western Arkansas Continent Council of Girl and eastern Oklahoma look Scouts (Kansas City, Mo.) forward to their annual fall created a display to celebrate campout. The weekend event Girl Scouting's birthday. The includes all levels of Girl girls collected and labeled Scouts and features wide memorabilia and uniforms of games and activities around WAGGGS member countries a central theme. over the years. Their efforts Last year's theme, 'Things were well received when they That Go Bump in the Night," mounted the handsome exhibit drew 800 girls and adults. It at the local elementary school featured a carnival, a campfire library. • sing-along, pumpkin-lit trick or-treating, and a night-eyes hike around Camp Cahinnio's Scout Council, Santa Rosa, lake to observe night crea Helping Their Own Calif.) organized their com tures and the stars. Before munity's holiday food basket lights out, the older girls Asking local businesses and drive last November. Two days donned silly costumes for families for donations of before Thanksgiving, the some Halloween fun at the canned food items and tur three troops gathered at the younger girls' campsite. • keys, Girl Scout Troops 2, 353, school and made up 24 food and 522 from Penngrove Ele baskets for needy families. • mentary School (Konocti Girl How to Succeed in (Leader) Business
''What have I done?" and ''Why have I Getting Organized done it?" were my first thoughts after agreeing to be the leader for my ·first The first brainstorm I came up with was grade daughter's Brownie Girl Scout troop. our troop notebook I bought a three-ring Two years and many meetings, camping out binder and a pack of dividers. The first section ings, and field trips later my answers are the I labeled "meeting notes," and we'll talk about same, although I've often taken a side excur this later. The next section was "individual sion to get there. records." I completed an "Individual Girl's The "what" was the easier question to an Record" form for each girl and put them in swer. I'd agreed to lead a troop of 12lively first alphabetical order. I then started a "Brownie grade girls into the worlds of Girl Scouting. It Try-It Worksheet" for each girl and placed it seemed a simple enough task with her individual record. I updated these But why had I committed to this task? sheets after each meeting or trip. Never mind that at 42 years old I was by far the The next divider was for "Leader Hand oldest of the moms involved. Never mind that books." This is where I keep our copy of the my only contact with Girl Scouting since 1968- Blue Book ofBasic Documents. The next section when my Cadette troop dissolved due to a lack is "Financial Records." The "Detailed Cash Rec of leadership and interest- had been my an ord" is found here and I update it when I spend nual Thin Mint purchase. I was doing this be or receive troop money. This makes the end of cause my . youngest daughter wanted to be a the year report a whole lot simpler than it Girl Scout and I had no good reason to tell could be. her no. Stencilling Christ The last section was labeled "Letters At first, the terminology threw me for a mas cards (Colors Home" and is for one copy of each correspon loop. What was a Try-It and when did Brownies and Shapes Try-It) dence sent home. I bought a zippered pencil start earning them? When did vests become an holder and put it in the front of the notebook alternative to sashes, and where did all those for the loose change and receipts. I typed a list patches on the back come from? What was a of the girls, their addresses and phone num Daisy, a service team, age level training, Safety bers, and their parents' names and put it right Wise? I seemed to be the outsider, the only clue behind the pencil holder. I was off and running. less person in a room full of tuned-in veterans. New leader training cleared the most glar ing discrepancies, but I was still left with a feel Knowing What to Expect ing of impending disaster as our first meeting approached. How would I be able to: The second idea was for a standard meet 1. Effectively run a meeting and teach ing format. My experience as a mom had taught anything without losing my grip on sanity? me my kids do better when they know what to 2. Keep track of all this paperwork? expect. With this in mind I developed a1_1 outline 3. Make sure everything that needed to go for· our meetings that has been in place since home did? meeting number one. All I do is substitute in 4. After much stewing I came up with the story, program activities, and announce three things that have made the mechanics of ments for the month. I print a copy of our meet- being a leader a relative breeze.
12 Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 A junior jamboree was fun for these girls
ing agenda for each month and use it to keep never have to wonder where the money in my Making musical the meeting running on schedule. Then, after pocket came from or who hasn't paid for what. instruments the meeting, I file it in the "Meeting Notes" sec Over the last two years I've been contacted (Sounds of Music tion of the notebook. This way I can always look by several other leaders who'd heard our meet Try-It) back and see what we've done in previous ings are well organized and wanted to know months. how that has happened. I've always passed Ours is an after-school troop, but I still save along these tips with one very important the snack for the end of the meeting or nothing caveat- stay flexible. Meeting disa.sters hap else would get done. I read the girls a story pen no matter how organized you are. Just from the Brownie Girl Scout Handbook during don't be so set on your meeting goals that your snack. Clean-up and other duties are assigned outline becomes more important than having via a Kaper Chart (an old term I'd forgotten fun. • over the years) . -Libby Marks McDonell
Keeping Proper Files
The last idea was for a troop file box. Be sides all things you'd expect to find, like files Sample Meeting Outline for training, catalogs, and various field trips, each girl has her own file folder. I also have a Pre-Meeting file folder. An emergency information card is • Sign in on attendance board taped inside each girl's folder that gives both • Find job on Kaper Chart Concentrating on mom and dad's work number, whom to contact Opening an oil spill activity in case of an emergency and how to contact • Friendship Circle (Earth Is Our them, .who can pick up the girl, and any other • Girl Scout Promise Home Try-It) relevant information. All items and correspon • Song dences to go home are filed, one copy in each Announcements and Planning for girl's folder. It is each girl's responsibility to Future Meetings check her folder at the end of the meetings for Program Activities stuff to go home. This has worked out remarkably well. I Clean-up don't have to worry about catching the parents Snack to give them information at the end of the meet • Brownie Story Time ings. Also, parents have learned to put any • Snack Clean-up notes or messages for me in my folder so I don't Closing forget what they've told me while I'm talking to • Friendship Circle three people at a time. Checks for field trips • Song also go in my folder and I keep a stash of small • Friendship Squeeze envelopes in the file box for cash payments. • Pick up folder information before The parent paying cash seals the money in the leaving envelope and writes her daughter's name on -L.M.M. the envelope before stuffing it in my folder. I
Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 13 Make It a Family Affair
eing a Girl Scout leader is a great oppor tunity to share your special skills with B girls as you help them to learn and grow into responsible young women. It can be very rewarding and a lot of fun, but not if you try to do it all alone. Successful Girl Scout leaders have found that involving parents and family members in the life of the troop/group not only makes the girls feel special, it gives the leader much needed help. Also, involving families this list at the first meeting of families early in gives parents an, inside look at the informal ed the year. ucational activities Girl Scouting offers that help • Invite parents and family members to their daughters develop their full potential. This special troop/ group occasions, such as award closer view can give parents a greater appreci nights, parades, holiday parties, and bridging ation, not only of the Girl Scout program, but ceremonies. Ask for family volunteers to help also of the work involved in leading a group of with various aspects of the event. girls. • Encourage family members to share There are numerous ways in which to get their special skills with the girls. Additional families more involved. Here are a few ideas. adults are always needed to help girls learn new Antonio, Maria, • Keep parents and family members in skills, especially as the girls earn recognitions. and Paulynn volved in the life of the troop through newslet • Consider a field trip with the girls to visit Cabreros ters that update them on the activities the girls their family members at work. Some parents are planning. Requests for volunteers to work work for organizations or businesses that will with girls on specific topics can be included in give the troop a tour of their facilities. the newsletter. A simple newsletter, designed Angel Figueroa on a computer or one the girls create, about one Accentuate the Positive and jessica page in length, should be enough to get your message across. • Have family nights a few times a year • Plan outdoor family events like picnics where girls can perform skits that demonstrate with other troops/ groups in the neighborhood. the activities they enjoyed throughout the year. Everyone can bring food and the parents can • Get parents involved in specific short serve as additional adult coverage. Each family term jobs, such as chaperones for trips and can share a favorite activity with the group. camping weekends, drivers, or consultants for special projects. Enlist Volunteers • Re-establish a troop/group committee if you don't have one and involve a variety of fam • Create a list of troop/group "jobs" that ily members. Such a committee is a group of parents or other family members can do, such adults affiliated with the troop who help ensure as bookkeeper, service project coordinator, that the leader and the girls have a positive ex cookie sale coordinator, or parent liaison. Have perience. Remember to include more than just the same number of jobs available as you have moms. • girls so that each family can take one. Share -Karen White
(upper right) The Greenberg family: Richard, Teresa, Cadence, Sarah, and Scott
14 Girl Scout Leader/ Fall1998 oday, more than ever, women need to be financial]y independent. By choice and by necessity, they have beenjoining the workforce in increasing numbers. But along with earning their own money comes the responsibility of spending it wise]y, saving for specific and long-term goals, and making sound investments for retirement.
As the premier organization for girls, GSUSA is just the place to teach girls about money. . Read on to find out about some exciting financial education programs. ·
Girl Scout Leader/Fall 1998 15 Girl Scouts Mile-Hi Council (Denver, Colo.)
To inspire troop leaders to teach the often difficult subject of m~ney man Hemlock Girl agement, Mile-Hi designed "Money Matters," a money management pro Scout Council gram for Junior and Cadette Girl (Harrisburg, Pa.) Scouts. "Girls needed more hands-on At this Pennsylvania council, girls experience managing troop funds," learn about money by playing the says program staffer Judy Eiflvester. "The Stock Market Game"-a program sponsored by the Pennsylvania A colorful project kit now includes a Council on Economic Education booklet to help girls learn ~oney in partnership with managing skills through fE======~ Economics America and practical experience in the Securities Industry their troop, along with Foundation for Economic activities, a leader's Education. guide, sample financial forms, a table-top display Some 15 teams of Junior board, and a glossary. A through Senior Girl calculator helps girls Scouts participate in the with troop records and project-which can be budgets. played on paper or on the Internet a bright idea by the council's To kick-off the prqject, executive director and a board the council hosted a member, who just happens to be a "Money Matters" vice president of one of the nation's conference last largest investment firms. Players fall for all also get game and trading manuals. Junior and Cadette Girl Leaders are trained to play the Scout troops, 10-week game (many now have their parents expertise in the stock market!) and leaders where girls have an imaginary with well $:100,000 available for stock known profes purchases. The team with the sionals in the highest portfolio gets an award. field of finance. It was a hit. About 500 people attended the event.
16 Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 Initially tied into rnoney rnanagernent workshops:, the coun cil has: also created a patch program, organized trips: to the state treasury, and invited financial experts: to speak to the girls:. It's: rnos:t definitely worthwhile," says: program director Barbara Miles:. "Leaders: and girls: have said they have learned a lot."
San Jacinto Girl Scout Council (Houston, Tex.)
"Money Talk$- Li$ten!" After attending a workshop at GSUSA's: training center in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., a leadership institute for Senior Girl Scouts: s:eerned like a good idea.
Sporting their best business: attire, 30 girls: attended the weekend institute that was: held at a local hotel. The event was: sponsored, developed, and presented by the Greater Houston Women's: Foundation, one of the council's: collaborative partners:. Tl;te keynote speaker was: Parnela Yip, the financial writer for The Bous:ton Chronicle.
Professionals: held workshops: on a variety of topics:: "How to Get Rich Slowly or Why Do I Have to Think About Retirement if I'rn Only 16?", "How to Run out of Month before Running out of Money," and "Don't Swirn "With the Sharks:," a lesson in how to avoid credit card debt. Exercises: on financial plans: for paying for prorn expenses: and financing college were especially relevant.
There was: role playing with an eye toward future expenses: like rent, furniture, and insurance. And girls: had the chance to participate in tearnbuilding and leadership activities:.
The results: in a word: outstanding. Back horne, girls: developed great projects:. One started an investment club in her school, another did training for graduating seniors:, and several chose to attend a workshop on financing college.
Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 17 "It was wonderful for the girls," says Carolyn Johnson, the council's program director. "And the women were thrilled to do the program. In fact, lots of agencies are willing to work with us. Youjust have to ask. Know who your friends are in your community and go for it!"
The council also gave Brownie through Senior Girl Scouts the opportunity to attend workshops :!?resented by At Ease, a Cincinnati company that offers workshops on topics such as money manage ment for kids, manners, and dating etiquette.
Fair Winds Girl Scout Council (Swartz Creek, Mich.)
At this council, where the phrase wider opportunity is a household term, 30 girls from around the country participate in "Business Smarts," an eight-day project in co:qjunction with Independent Means, Inc., formerly known as "An Income of Her Own." Independent Means is a company that offers products and services for training girls in financial independence and entrepreneurship.
"Basically, the philosophy of the program is that all girls are economically at risk, since they are often not taught to take charge of their economic well-being," says Joanne Downing, the council's director of outdoor programs and properties. "The program empowers girls by taking them seriously, teaching them to dream bigger dreams, ., and introducing them to female role models and the vocabulary of business. Last year's program was fabulous." \
18 Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 Girls are divided into groups, where they research and develop business plans to present to "potential investors" and take field trips to wornen-owned businesses. One group found a piece of property on the Internet in an enterprise zone and carne up with the idea for developing a teen nightclub at that location.
Downing said Independent Means has expertise with girls, good interactive activities, and great connections. The company can also train presenters and offer board garnes that teach financial and marketing strategies. Whenever possible, the prograrn is held in a corporate setting.
Most importantly, this type of financial education prqject fits the Girl Scout purpose of help ing girls reach their potential, relieves volunteers of the burden of becoming experts in the field, and has enormous potential for fund development, Downing says.
Fair "Winds also has several other rnoney projects in the works: weekend workshops for Brownie through Senior Girl Scouts and day-long workshops for nonrnernbers. In addition, the council received a grant to fund an entrepreneurship education specialist position to bring the prograrn to larger nurnbers of girls:
Independent Means can be reached by contacting Barbara Dowd at 978-463-0259.
Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 19 A Match the phrase in column 1with the correct definition in column 2. -rr"~weta~
1. Principal A form of investment in which you lend money to a company or government in return for its promise to repay what you lent, within a specified period of time. 2 . Asset The rate of profit earned in relationship to the amount of money invested (principai). Certificate of Deposit (CD) l£_ A specific investment account where earnings are free from taxes until withdrawn for retirement.
A iype of investment issued ly a bank that pays a fixed amount of interest for a specific period of time.
Something that can produce income or can be bought and sold for a profit, such as a stock, bond, or real estate.
The amount invested, not counting earnings from interest
The mix of investments a person holds, for example, real estate, gold, stocks, bonds, and cash.
Shares of a company. The stock may pay out part of its profits in the form of dividends, or the stockholder may make or lose money ly selling the stock for more· or less than she paid for it.
A mutual fund that invests in short-term investments, such as government securities, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit.
A company that pools money from many investors and invests it on their behalf in stocks, bonds, or other vehicles. 20 Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 For Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts: The Reality Check (From Girl Scouts Money Smarts)
Make a list of the typical expenses a family has Visit the Internet each month, such as rent or mortgage payments, • The Stock Market Game-www. smg2000. org telephone, electricity, car payments, groceries, • www.Washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business taxes, clothing, etc. Next to these items, write • www.MoneyMinded.com down what you think they cost every month. • www.NEFE.org (the National Endowment Then ask your parents or guardians. Were you for Financial Education) close? Discuss with them how much money you might Program links need to make to be Brownie Girl Scout Handbook able to pay all of Leadership and Troop Money your bills and still Brownie Girl Scout Tzy-Its have some leftover Cookies Count for entertainment Junior Girl Scout Handbook and vacations and Chapter 4: Managing Money to save for unex Girl Scout Badges and Signs pected bills, emer Business-"Wise, Money Sense gencies, and retire Plus, the Junior Girl Scout Cookie Badge, ment. ]{es, retire the Cookie Connection ment. Eventually you may wish to retire. "Will you still be able to pay your bills? Cadette Girl Scout Handbook Chapter 5: Earning and Managing Money Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts can also Becoming a Responsible Consumer A Resource Book for Senior Girl Scouts help Brownie and Junior Chapter 4: The World of Work Girl Scouts with this activity: Chapter 5: Money Management Use proceeds from the cookie sale to save for a Interest Prqjects for .Cadette and Senior goal. Help each troop or group identify what it Girl Scouts might like for the future-perhaps go on a trip, ]{our Own Business put on an event, or buy some sports equipment. Cookies and Dough Then figure out how much it will cost, how Dollars and Sense many cookies have to be sold, and whether the girls can meet their own deadlines. Help girls Money-Saving Tips keep written records of the money earned and (from jane Bryant Quinn, syndicated columnist, feature how much progress they are making. writer, and author of the best-selling Making the Most of Your Money and Everybody's Money Book) More Activities • Try balancing a checkbook. • Stop Smoking • Visit a supermarket to learn about unit pricing. Not only does smoking kill, but it costs a ton of • Start a savings accouht to find out about money! A 20-year, pack-a-day habit that began compound interest. at age ·15 can wind up costing a 35-year-old male more than $60,000 (the cost of the cigarettes Selected Resource list and lost investments plus increased rates for life • Girl Scouts Money Smarts and medical insurancel-more for female's. In • Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine addition, smokers have more medical expenses, • Making the Most of Your Money more lost work due to more asthma and other by Jane Bryant Quinn diseases and, most importantly, shorter life • Get a Financial Life spans. by Beth Kobliner • The Wall Street Journal's Guide to Understanding Money and Investing
Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 21 • Give Money Wisely Some gifts are for spending, others for savings, says Quinn. Teens who want spending money will love cash. But if you want to teach a young person how to invest, consider buying shares in Money Talks! a company your child likes or start the child on From a poll by Louis Harris and Associates for Girls a stock-owning mutual fund. Younger children Incorporated during February and March 1998. can learn about savings with a piggy bank. The survey included 1,115 girls and b •Shop Smart During the Holidays • The majority of teens (78 percent), both People tend to overspend at holiday time, espe boys and girls, say that "having a lot of money" is one of their goals. cially at the last minute. Quinn suggests these tricks: Make lists as specific as possible, note • The vast majority of girls and boys say how much you plan to that most financial]y successful people spend on each person, achieve their success through hard work and keep track of what (88 percent), not good luck (12 percent). you buy. Keep to your budget by not buying • One-third of students do not feel positive anything for yourself. when asked to describe how they feel Before you head for the about their financial future. stores, total up your current debts and put • Girls and boys both recognize the the amount at the top importance of education and most plan of your shopping list! to continue their education after high school, but the majority, especially girls, The Retirement Gap: Why Women worry about how they're going to pay for their tuition. Need More Money Than Men Do (By Kerry Hannon, personal finance columnist for • Although girls and boys are equally USA Today and author of Suddenly Single: Money Skills for Divorcees and Widows: www. MoneyMinded. com - interested in money management, girls a Hearst News Media Web site dedicated to personal lag behind in knowledge and confidence. finances for women) • Mothers play a significant role in the lives Women live an average of seven years longer of children, especially girls, as teachers of than men, usually earn less than men, and spend financial issues and how to manage their time away from the workplace to raise a family money. that decreases the number of working years that pay into a retirement plan. In addition, women Since troop leaders are a lot like moms, save too little and invest too conservatively. what better place to continue a girl's financial education? Citing the National Center for Women and - Wendy DeGiglio Retirement Research, a staggering 80 to 90 percent of women will be solely responsible for their finances at some point in their lives. The good news? You can do something about it, but y ou have to start now. Begin by talking to a financial planner. 22 Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 Design: Fiorentino Associates, Inc. GirlSports Making the Difference irl Scouting's GirlSports project is right their shoe, putting it on, and running back to in line with current findings that physical tag the next girl in line. G activity positively influences physical and psychological health at all stages of life. By pro Sports in the Out-of-Doors moting fitness for girls, we help them improve their health, self-esteem, and quality of life. As Physical fitness activities go hand-in-hand a leader, you can work with the girls to incor with outdoor fun. In fact, the Brownie Girl porate sports, health, and fitness into the total Scout Try-It of the same name has an activity Girl Scout program routinely enough to reap called Ecology Hunt that encourages girls to optimal benefits. , explore the environment. And Junior Girl What can you do to channel the energy of Scouts who are already involved in a favorite girls bursting from the confinement of school sport are encouraged to learn two games that desks? Look at sports in a broader way, perhaps are similar to their sport and teach them to including fitness activities whenever possible younger children (an activity from the Sports before the formal meeting begins, as a transi badge in Girl Scout Badges and Signs). For ex tion between activities, or to follow more pas ample: basketball, volleyball-monkey-in-the sive activities. middle, catch, bounce the ball; soccer-kick ball; softball- tee ball; tennis- badminton. Pre-Meeting Activities Backyard games require very little time, skill, or equipment. Consider hopscotch, jump Games can easily fit into a 15-minute time rope, Frisbee, or that old-time favorite Hula frame before your meeting begins, and as girls Hoops. arrive, they can join the game in progress. The Brownie Girl Scout Try-It, Supermar If you consider sports in terms of fitness ket Plant Hunt, directs girls to the supermarket rather than organized teams, you increase the to find five different plant products that they possibilities. For example, you can invite girls normally do riot eat. They are instructed to find to bring their favorite music and create an aer out how to prepare an all-plant meal. obic routine. They can experiment with many Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts can use types of music: pop, rap, country /western, ball their knowledge about minimal impact camp Time out during room, jazz, or rock 'n' roll and make up routines ing, and their skills with the Internet to plan an Suffolk County for each. The girls will be using their muscles outdoor adventure trip. These more experi Girl Scouts (Com and their creativity, and elevating their heart enced campers can take a high-elements mack, N. YJ Fit rate. Developing leadership skills happens nat course that offers personal challenge and im for Fun Sports Day urally as they take turns taking the lead. portant teamwork. (The Catwalk, The Perch, Relay games are terrific fun for girls of all and The Giant's Ladder are suggested in the ages. The book, Games for Girl Scouts, has High Adventure interest project.) plenty of examples for you to try. The shoe re Keep the GirlSports initiative going lay on page 58 is good for plenty oflaughs. Each strong throughout the year by helping girls se girl takes off her left shoe and places it in a pile lect enjoyable skill-building sports and fitness at the turnaround point-in the run. In teams, the activities every chance they get. • girls take turns running to this point, finding -Toni Eubanks Girl Scout Leader/ Fall1998 23 www.girlscouts.org/ girls hat's hot in Girl Scouting? The Web! "Excellent Web page! I have recom Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. opened its Just mended it to my troop and to the classroom W for Girls Web site one year ago. teachers at my daughter's school. The science Thousands of girls, troop leaders, and parents and technology pages are full of great science visit it each week for the latest scoop about Girl projects suitable for troops of all ages and abil Scout program. ities. Thank you for this resource." Leaders have located computer access in Girls on the Go provides information on libraries, schools, colleges, businesses, and sports, health and fitness, wider opportunities, computer stores with training facilities. The and outdoor activities. girls are thrilled with the opportunity, and par Girls Ask Why includes brain games, sim ents are eager to volunteer as consultants. ple science experiments, careers in science, Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts will find math and engineering, and environmental con everything from crafts to sports and science ex cerns. periments. Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts can Girls Ask How provides instructions for find information on wider opportunities, college crafts, leadership skills, and preparation for life scholarships, and careers. Group poems and art beyond high school. work from these meetings can be found in the Girl Talk highlights a popular column, Girl Space section of the Web site. Dear Dr. M, which answers girls' questions. Parents have also worked with their Girl Space displays poetry, stories, and daughters at home to explore the site and its art-work by girls and their ideas captured in links to the Internet and recognized it for its Thoughtcatchers. See what they have to say! safety and excitement. Girl Scout leaders and Girl Scouting provides girls with infor trainers find tips for upcoming meetings, too. mation about the history of Girl Scouting and And they send us e-mail messages, too! the requirements for recognitions, such as the "I have just completed the Technology Point, Click, and Go Try-It for Brownies and the badge. I really liked it a lot! My favorite activity Technology badge for Juniors. was Creating Animation. I made a flip book of Special sections highlight events and cel a Dalmatian doing a flip. I also surfed the Web ebrations that are of interest to girls. In Octo (back row) Alex- for over an hour. My favorite Web site is the ber, look for activities to celebrate Juliette andra Cotoulas, International Museum of the Horse." (Junior Low's birthday. In November, girls can watch Temira Bolton, Girl Scout from Idaho) Senator John Glenn's flight into space with spe (front row) Emily "I love the colors! It brightens my day cial interest, knowing that thousands of their Gatti, and Sherri when I log on. Keep up the good work supply signatures collected on Space Day poster~ are Park went online ing such valuable information." traveling with him on Space Shuttle Dis during an outing ''Yesterday we had our council's leader covery. • sponsored by Wash- fair. When I got home, my daughter (a Junior -Carolyn L. Kennedy ington Rock Girl Girl Scout) and I started looking for Girl Scout Scout Council sites on the Web. This is a great site and it is, (Westfield, N.j.) at of course, bookmarked into her favorites. We the Watchung are always impressed with safe sites that link Library within their own circle." 24 Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 Girl Scout Leader 1998 Readership Survey II Girl Scout Leader is a quarterly publication of GSUSA that is sent to all adult Girl Scout members. To II help us ensure that this publication best meets the needs of the adults in Girl Scouting, please complete and return this questionnaire by September 30, 1998. Use a black pen (preferably felt-tipped) to completely fill each box. To return, fold the page in thirds, put in an envelope, and mail to: Girl Scout Leader Readership Survey PO Box 168 Penfield, NY 14526 Background 1. Indicate your primary position/major area of responsibility in Girl Scouting (mark one). D Troop/Group Leader or Assistant Leader D Council Executive Staff 0 Troop Committee/Support Team Member D Council Office Staff 0 Geographic/Service Unit Team Member D Campus Girl Scout D Trainer q National Board Member D Special Service Adult D Other Volunteer Position D Council Board/Nominating Committee Member D Other Employed Staff Position 2. What is your age? (Darken one box in each row.) D 10 D 20 D 30 D 40 0 50 D 60 D 70 D 80 D 90 DO D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 06 D7 D8 D9 3. How many years have you been an adult member of Girl Scouts? (Darken one box in each row.) D 0 0 10 D 20 D 30 0 40 D 50 D 60 D 70 D 80 DO 01 02 D3 04 D5 D6 07 08 09 Gtrl Scout Leader Reading Behaviors and Opinions 4. Do you regularly read.Girl Scout Leader? DYes D No (If "No", skip to item number 9.) 5. On the average, about how much time do you spend reading each issue? D A few minutes D 15 minutes D 30 minutes D 45 minutes D One hour D More than an hour 6. Which sections in Girl Scout Leader do you regularly read? (Mark all that apply.) 0 Feature articles 0 Program Centerfold D President's Message D Girl Scout Program Q & A 0 From the Editor D In the News 7. If Girl Scout Leader was available on the Internet, to save resources, would you consider accessing it there instead of receiving a hard copy? DYes DNo D No access to Internet 0 Unsure 8. Using a scale of 1 to 5, where "1"="Not at all helpful" and "5"="Extremely helpful", rate the following categories of Girl Scout Leader articles on how helpful they are to you in working with girls. (If you do not regularly work with girls, skip to item# 9.) Not at all Somewhat Extremely No helpful helpful helpful Opinion 1 2 3 4 5 Activity ideas for troops/groups D D D D o · D Activity ideas for field trips, travel, and special events D D D D D D Profiles on troop or group leaders D D D D 0 0 Resource listings, books, films, etc. D 0 D D ·0 0 Ideas on use of troop committees D D D D 0 0 News of Girl Scout activities D D D D 0 0 Career development for girls D D D D D D News of worldwide Girl Scout opportunities/activities D D D D 0 0 Articles about famous former Girl Scouts D D D D 0 0 Other topic (specify) 0 D D D 0 Other topic (specify) D D D D D 39038 II ~ II II Girl Scout Leader 1998 Readership Survey II 9. On average, what is the ideal length for typical articles in the magazine for you? D Less than 1 page 0 1 page D 2 pages 0 3 pages D 4 or more pages 10. Rate your level of interest in articles on each of the following topics. Not Somewhat Very Interested Interested Interested Adult education/training in Girl Scouting D D D General issues faced by girls today 0 D D Women's issues D D D Council projects on issues for Girl Scouts D D D Program/troop activities D D D Citizenship D D D Role of adults in Girl Scouting locally and nationally D D D International opportunities and activities for girls D D D Retention of members D D D Girl Scouting at the national level D D D Information regarding national officers and board members D D D General Gi_rl Scout history and structure D D D World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts D D D 11 . Does th~ name of the magazine reflect its content? DYes D No D No opinion 12. Three-fourths of Girl Scout Leader's readers work directly with girls. Does the content of the magazine meet their needs? DYes D No D No opinion 13. Should the focus of the magazine be primarily directed toward this majority? DYes D No D No opinion 14. Which of the following suggestions do you think would be worthwhile for Girl Scout Leader? (Mark all that apply.) D More hands-on, practical activity guides for adults who work directly with girls D More general articles on Girl Scouting (e.g., the democratic process, history, plans for the future, general direction/policy of the movement, etc.) D More articles about issues for young girls and adolescents D More information about professional and/or personal development for women D More articles about cultural diversity D Generally keep "as is" 15. Which one change could most improve Girl Scout Leader? (Please comment) 39038 II Thank you for your time and thoughts. ~II Girl Scouts Get Tough on Crime tory One. Twelve seventh graders from on video film. The result will be a public service Cadette Girl Scout Troop 6452 in Delran, video portraying the stark realities and dire SN.] ., have completed the Law and Order consequences of engaging in crime. interest project. In order to earn this patch, the In addition to enacting their fictional roles girls researched careers in law enforcement, in at each venue, the girls conducted "up close terviewed police officers and other profession and personal" interviews live on camera with als, attended live court sessions, and carried out the professionals they encountered: Kmart's other related activities. Good for the Girl store manager, the police officers, members of Scouts. the Juvenile Conference Committee, and the Story Two. The Delran Kmart experienced prosecutor. a mini-crime wave on February 22. Six shoplift Portraying the six criminals were Heather ers- four juveniles and two adults- were ap Bensel, Lauren Casale, Tina Deal, Kelley Har prehended and prosecuted. All were convicted. rison, Tessa Wengerd, and Jacky Wizmerski. Good for Kmart. Jessica Fickes and Marisa McGarvey played Two stories you would never think were the defense attorney and witness. Interviewers one and the same? Think again. Following the included Jessie Hammond, Marisa McGarvey, principle that you can't understand another's and Michal Quinto. The film crew consisted of Tessa Wengerd ad perspective until you walked in his shoes for a Shelly Drumheller, Becky Lambert, and Marisa ministers the oath day, the girls of Troop 6452 decided to set McGarvey. to ]aclyn Wizmer themselves up as fictionalized shoplifters. ski as Shelly In an 18-hour workshop, the girls staged Why Crime Doesn't Pay Drumheller, Kelly several incidents of shoplifting, with the full co Harrison, and operation of Kmart's management and gracious After a full day and evening of filming, the jessica Fickes support of Delran's police department and court girls held a debate on whether children or their watch system. The "criminals" were caught by Kmart parents should bear the punishment for juve store personnel, arrested by the Delran police, nile crime. This was followed by a sleepover and processed at the police station. They sub held on the floor of the courtroom, where they (upper right) sequently had their cases heard in mock trials viewed films portraying youth-and-crime Troop 6452 and conducted by Delran's Juvenile Conference themes. their leaders Committee and the Municipal Court. The mock When asked how she felt about the expe trial at Municipal Court was held during a re rience, Jacky Wizmerski said, "It's hard to cess of the live court attended by the girls, with imagine what the consequences of committing Shelly Drumheller Delran's real Municipal Judge Andronici, Pros a crime are. But now that I've tried it and been videotapes Officer ecutor Robert Cuva, and police officers playing convicted, I know that I would never want to go Mongo handcuffing themselves and troop members playing roles as through the process for real." Jessica Fickes, faclyn Wizmerski the fictional defendants, defense attorney, and whose interest in becoming a lawyer sparked and Lauren witnesses. the idea of working on this interest project, Casale The entire series of events was captured said, "Acting the part of the defense attorney helped me understand what it is like to be a real lawyer in a real courtroom." • -Debra Hammond and Linda Drumheller Girl Scout Leader/ Fal/1998 27 An Anniversary for the World e all know about anniversaries, th~se Think Globally, Act Locally special days that remind us of an tm W portant event. This year, our country The coalition was convened by the Frank and the world can share in the anniversary of lin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. launched by First Lady Hillary Clinton on De The date, December 10, 1998, commemorates cember 10, 1997, at a special ceremony at the the day fifty years ago when many nations United Nations. Mrs. Clinton saluted the group agreed that all people should have certain basic for marking the Declaration's 50th anniversary liberties. Some of these are expressed as free by "r~aching deep into communities" to make doms: for example, freedom of religion, free the words of the Declaration live "here at home dom of expression, freedom to assemble, and and around the world. Certainly, governments freedom from slavery. Some are known as can play a critical role in promoting human rights: the right to vote, the right to be edu rights, but the real battle that must be waged is cated, and the right to fair trial. carried out in human hearts and minds, and every one of us must be vigilant," she said. Joining a National Coalition "In Your Hands," the theme adopted by the coalition, was inspired by Eleanor Roose The Universal Declaration of Human velt's statement that "the destiny of human Rights was the first broad agreement among rights is in the hands of all our citizens in all nations that spoke about the specific rights and our communities." Girl Scouts will see many freedoms of all human beings. It was inspired parallels between this theme and WAGGGS' by many who had experienced the devastation six-year Building World Citizenship initiative. of World War II, including U.S. President Girl Scout leaders and members can ex Franklin D. Roosevelt, in office from 1932 until plore many ideas related to their current proj his death in 1945, and First Lady Eleanor ects, as well as interesting contemporary and Roosevelt. She was the first chair of the United historical information about human rights and Nations Commission on Human Rights, which women's rights, by contacting the Franklin and drafted the Declaration signed on December Eleanor Roosevelt Institute. 10, 1948. The concept that each person can "think Girl Scouts of the is proud to be one u:s.A. globally and act locally" is essential to the Uni of nearly 100 organizations- together repre versal Declaration of Human Rights, just as it senting over 90 million Americans- that has is to our worldwide sisterhood of Girl Scouting. joined a national coalition for the 50th anniver For more information . . . If you have sary of the Universal Declaration of Human access to the Web, check out the award Rights. The coalition includes U.S.-based hu winning site for the Universal Declaration at man rights groups, labor unions, religious www.udhr50.org. Or, contact the Franklin and groups, and organizations such as the Ameri Eleanor Roosevelt Institute at 801 Second Ave can Association of Retired Persons, YWCA, nue, New York, N.Y. 10017. Telephone: 212- United Nations Association of the USA, and Na 907-1332/Fax 212-682-9185/ e-mail udhr50@ tional Council of La Raza. unausa.org. • - Ellen Brindle Jeronimo 28 Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 To Be a World Citizen he World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) launched its lat T est project, Building World Citizenship, on March 8, 1997, International Women's Day. This exciting and challenging theme is de signed to move WAGGGS and its 136 member achievements of girls and women can be heard. organizations into a new and even more dy The successes of Building World Citizenship namic sphere that illustrates WAGGGS' mis projects and programs throughout the world, sion, vision, and impact in building responsible with girls and women uniting their efforts in world citizenship through its work. their respective communities, will demonstrate Here is how it will develop. For six years what is possible and will no doubt influence (1997 -2003), WAGGGS' member organizations those who have the power to change the con will create a story that tells how Girl Guides and dition of women. Girl Scouts at the local, national, and interna For copies of the Girl Scout program links tional level are working to ensure that a better, to Building World Citizenship, call GSUSA's more viable, and healthier world is passed on National and International Relations at 212-852- to the next generation. junior Girl Scouts 8605 . • Building World Citizenship is about work from Troop 140 -Margarita Magner ing in the community and developing projects (Girl Scouts of that revitalize, replenish, and recycle, and that Gulfcoast Florida focus on the following six areas: culture and (Sarasota) with Girl Scout Resources heritage, education, health, environment, food, their map locating and nutrition. all the countries in Environment-Earth Matters, Exploring WAGGGS, which Wildlife Communities with Children, Fun The U.S. Focus they donated to the and Easy Nature and Science Investiga council office tions, Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting How can American Girl Scouts participate? Education-Read to Lead series, Na Girl Scout councils across the United tional Science Partnership activity kits States are already doing extensive work on all (upper right) six areas of this initiative. Rather than select a Peace-Caring and Coping, Focus on Fourteen Girl single area of work for all Girl Scouts in the Ability, Talking with T.f.: Team Work and Scout troops in United States, it is proposed that Girl Scout Conflict Resolution Pine Valley Girl councils focus on an area for which they have Food and Nutrition-Developing Health Scout Council related projects underway. A summary of Girl and Fitness (Griffin, Ga.) Scout program links to Building World Citizen Heaith-GirJSports initiative, Decisions joined in the devel ship was distributed to Girl Scout councils with for Your Life, Games/or Girl Scouts, Girls opment of a nature the original announcement in May 1997. This Are Great! series, Girl Scouts Against preserve in a col chart has ideas for service projects and useful Smoking, Tune In to Well-Being, Say No laboration with resources for each topic area (see sidebar). to Drugs, Staying Safe Nickelodeon Tele Local action affects what happens globally. Culture and Heritage-Connections se vision and its Big The collective voice of WAGGGS' ten million ries, Trefoil Round the World Help Day members can make sure that the needs and Girl Scout Leader/ Fall1998 29 Service to the Blind Monica Mar learning to use a hen agreeing to become a host for Guide guide dog with instructor Trina Dogs of America, volunteers must con W sider many things: Will the dog adjust to public exposure? Will the businesses and other now going through his paces. Mostly, the troop establishments we visit welcome in a guide dog must familiarize the community and business puppy? Will we be able to give him up when our establishments with a guide dog. Says English, time is done? "People are curious about the dog and what we Girl Scouts in Cadette and Senior Troop 54 do. We soon learned to go everywhere 15 in Saugus, Calif. (Girl Scouts Joshua Tree minutes early because we'll be stopped and Council, Bakersfield) have been raising pup asked questions." pies for Guide- Dogs of America since 1987 when they were Brownies. Up to now, nine pup Learning the Ropes pies have been part of the service project with Merrill meets a Troop 54: Trooper, Yama, Tenya, Schnapps, Merrill will be taken to harness training new puppy at Idit Scout, Cherokee, Amity, Mystique, and Merrill. within the next few weeks, and will spend five arod headquarters Throughout the course of their dedication months there learning how to lead a blind per in Alaska to Guide Dogs of America, Troop 54 has had a son through daily life. The time he has spent positive impact on their communities. It has with Troop 54 has given him experience in been a mutual learning experience. For exam crowded settings and travel situations, such as ple, these 20 Junior Girl Scouts were told they the airport, various restaurants, and even the Njambi Purdy with could not take Trooper, their first dog, to Her Southern California 85th birthday party in Po Cherokee at Girl mosa Beach, which has local ordinances disal mona. Scout Council of lowing all dogs from the sand. These next few months are strenuous for Orange County The girls researched California law and the dogs and, even for the talented handler, this (Costa Mesa, found that guide dogs for the blind are allowed process can be difficult. Many dogs may not Calif) Cadette in all state establishments and property. They graduate to guide dog status, but that does not O'Rama wrote letters to the city council and, as a result, mean that Troop 54 has failed. They have had Hermosa Beach revised its ordinance. three of their nine trainees graduate. "It teaches giving. We've had our joys, "Many people have asked how many of our tears, frustrations, and embarrassing mo dogs graduated and try to judge us on that sta ments," said troop leader Pam English. 'The tistic. It doesn't really matter if the puppy we girls have learned problem solving. This pro raise successfully graduates," said English. "It cess shows them that things in life that are is the process that counts, and we try our worthwhile are sometimes not easy." best- that's where Girl Scouting comes in. Our Pizza and tissues became the only way to trail is not ended yet, and we await what's console the girls when it was time for Trooper around the bend." to go to school for formal harness training. Troop 54 has performed a generous serv Girls and parents, 26 in all, attended Trooper's ice to people with disabilities in the Los,Angeles goodbye. The girls have come to understand area. With their dedication and determination they must part with animals in their care, but to make every puppy successful, they truly em tissues are still needed as they bid farewell. body the Girl Scout spirit. • Their current dog-in-training Merrill is - Pam English 30 Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 Our Promise-of Community Service he President's Summit for America's Kennebec Girl Scout Council in South Youth, which took place in April1997, fo Portland, Maine, is involved on the state level T cused on the role of volunteers in ad in the Governor's Institutes, addressing each of dressing some of the nation's greatest chal- the five summit goals. lenges. Since that time, many states have Prairie Girl Scout Council in Tupelo, Miss., conducted local summits and many communi is involved in ongoing plans that include a ties have begun initiatives to support the sum youth leadership week, a volunteer hotline, an mit's five goals. The summit targeted the follow article on volunteerism that will be featured ing topics. weekly in local newspapers, and an organized Mentoring-a continuing relationship with effort to establish an extended school day pro a caring adult. gram in Mississippi. Prairie's Executive Direc Protecting-a safe place and constructive tor Rebecca Cook served as convener and activities to learn and grow outside of school. spokesperson for this group. Nurturing- access to health care and the Girl Scouts of Genessee Valley in West incorporation of healthy habits and attitudes. Henrietta, N.Y., used new strategies to recruit Teaching- effective education toward a adult volunteers and demonstrated an increase marketable skill. of 4.4 percent in their adult volunteer pool Serving- the opportunity to give back to within this past year. Executive Director De the community. vorah Long is a member of The Rochester Con Brownie Girl The Girl Scouts made a commitment to nection, the local steering committee for Amer Scouts from Troop dedicate 8.5 million hours of community serv ica's Promise. 1284 (Great ice toward one or more of the five goals of the Girl Scouts of Chicago in Chicago, Ill., ac Rivers Girl Scout summit beginning in 1997 and continuing cumulated 1,254 girl hours and 4,953 adult Council (Cincin through the year 2000. Those 8.5 million hours hours toward the summit's goals by giving back nati, Ohio), part commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Girl to the community. Some of their community of 51 troops that Scout movement and translate into at least 2.5 service involvement has included sewing labels planted 85 decidu- hours of service by each Girl Scout adult and on March of Dimes hats for infants; packing ous trees in the girl member toward any of the summit's goals. baggies of holiday candy for the local food pan Montfort Heights/ try; making mittens and hats for the local troops White Oak service Fulfilling the Pledge in homeless shelters; assisting a food pantry by area distributing food ; conducting a toiletry drive for Following are some examples of how the local shelter; working at a benefit charity's A puppet play for adults and girl members from councils are help walkathon for people with disabilities; packing patients in the ing to fulfill the Girl Scout pledge. gift boxes for homeless children in Guatemala; local children's Morris Area Girl Scout Council in Ran collecting greeting cards for St. Jude's Chil hospital was a dolph, N.J., has developed a marketing and dren's Hospital; collecting aluminum cans for rewarding service publicity plan to introduce Keeping America's recycling; and holding charity book sales. project for Brownie Promise for service unit involvement, and will Councils are also actively encouraging in Girl Scout Troop present the hours of service to GSUSA's Na dividuals to get involved in improving the lives 1010 (Spanish tional Executive Director in January 2000. of millions of America's children. So please con Trails Girl Scout Mid-Continent Council of Girl Scouts in tinue to log your hours and let your council Kansas City, Mo., has pledged to recruit and know about your progress. • train adults to work with girls. -LaVerne Bolling Girl Scout Leader/Fall1998 31 For their Girl Scout Silver Award project, members of Cadette Girl Scout Troop 2330 (San Francisco Bay Girl Scout Council, Oakland, Calif) put on a Daisy/Brownie Fun Day, with crafts songs, a puppet show, carnival games, and, of course, refreshments Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. 420 Fifth Avenue NON-PROFIT New York, N.Y. 10018-2798 ORG. ~ U.S. POSTAGE GIRL SCOUTS® PAID ST. PAUL, MN PERMIT NO. 890