Denise Richards Credits Upbringing, Girl Scouting With Keeping Her Grounded

In Illinois, The Daily Herald reports that actress Denise Richards credits the core Midwestern values that she was raised with for keeping her grounded and focused on what matters most to her: her family.

Denise was in Girl Scouts, took family camping trips, regularly hung out at the Downers Grove library and spent summer nights riding her bike with friends and catching lightning bugs.

“When I first had my daughters, my mom would tell me, ‘Your life is very different, but you can make it what you want it.' Once she put it in that perspective, it was easier for me,” Richards said.

Richards has a new book titled “The Real Girl Next Door”.

Has Girl Scouting been instrumental in shaping your values?

New York Times: "Charities Struggle With Smaller Wall Street Donations"

In today's New York Times, Ben Protess and Kevin Roose report that many nonprofit organizations are struggling while many big banks are retaining their cash or rethinking their giving strategy to maximize their dollars. The article highlights nonprofit powerhouse Operation Hope which built a solid foundation over the last decade, spinning a stockpile of donations from Wall Street.

“Companies don’t realize I’ve got payroll and lease payments just like they do,” said John Hope Bryant, who started Operation Hope after spending six years as a banker.

On the other side of the argument, Curt Ritter, a CIT spokesman, said “although we believe it’s important to support the volunteer work our employees perform and the philanthropic activities they support, it was a prudent decision on behalf of our shareholders to scale back our corporate philanthropy.”

Later the article pinpoints that Operation Hope is relying heavily on its' financial literacy efforts, a pitch which is starting to pay off as the organization is close to closing deals with seven financial institutions, which would emplement greater expansion. The $715 million dollar Girl Scout Cookie Program is far and away the most successful entrepreneurship program for girls—and only girls—in the world. Barbara J. Krumsiek, who serves on the National Board of Directors, GSUSA, is Chair, CEO and President of Calvert Group, Ltd., which manages over $14 billion in assets. In 2010, Krumsiek told the New York Times that her experience in Girl Scouting contributed greatly to her success.

However, Girl Scouts can certainly forge new paths in fundraising. What ideas do you have to ensure a nonprofit organization's financial success during turbulent economic times?

Latina Catches up With Anna Maria Chávez

Latina reports that Girl Scouts of the USA has appointed its first Latina leader. Mexican American Anna Maria Chávez, who is from San Antonio, Texas, has been named the nonprofit organization’s chief executive officer! Chávez, who is the Girl Scouts' 19th national leader, will be transitioning to the organization’s New York headquarters over the next several months.

“I’m ecstatic and overwhelmed by this historic opportunity,” said Chávez. “I truly understand the significance of my appointment.”

Hispanic membership within the Girl Scouts organization increased 55 percent from 2000 to 2010. Jackie Gorman-Johnson, who serves as the board chairwoman of the organization’s Southwest Texas Council, described the newly appointed CEO leader as the “new face of the Girl Scouts."

“She is who we are,” Gorman-Johnson explained. “The demographics of our country are changing, and for the first time, we’ll have a woman of color leading the organization. I’m excited.”

A graduate of Yale University and the University of Arizona College of Law, Chávez was a Girl Scout herself in Arizona, where she grew up. She once worked as deputy chief of staff for urban relations and community development for former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, who is now the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Bridging in Savannah With Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio

The Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Blog reports that when it came time to plan the bridging ceremony to mark their graduation from Cadettes to Seniors this year, Troop 799 knew they wanted to take a trip to Savannah, Georgia, to visit Girl Scouts' First Headquarters and see where Girl Scouting first began. What started as an historic field trip became a once-in-a-lifetime experience that would renew their commitment and change the way they looked at scouting forever.

The troop toured Juliette's birthplace, then took a class on how to be a proper lady in the 1800s. It was a fun and eye-opening experience. They donned hoop skirts and shawls and spent two hours learning basic society rules and etiquette.

The scouts quickly realized just how strict the rules of society had been. Conversation between men and women was often limited so they relied on more subtle ways of communication. If you were a single woman, you would sit with your palms in your lap facing upwards to let a potential suitor know that you were available. If you were married, you kept your palms down to show your jewelry and how well you had married.

On the day of their bridging ceremony, the troop visited the Girl Scout museum at First Headquarters where they learned more interesting facts about their Girl Scout Heritage. The troop gathered in the courtyard where Juliette had made her daily walk from her house to the headquarters. One by one, the girls were invited to come forward. Each was asked "Are you ready to follow in the footsteps of Juliette Gordon Low and step up to the challenges of being a Senior scout?" When they answered yes, they were invited to step up and through the door. There, their leaders pinned them with the special pin only girls who have visited First Headquarters are allowed to wear, gave them the Girl Scout handshake and welcomed them to Senior scouting.

California Girl Scouts Affiliated with the US Soccer Federation

The Californian reports on an inaugural soccer program designed for girls 8 and younger in Salinas.

The recreational program will serve as an introduction to these young players of the fundamentals and rules of the game. It is operated in cooperation with two national programs — the Girls Scouts and the El Camino Real Futbol League, which is part of the United States Soccer Federation.

The affiliation with the Girls Scouts and the United States Soccer Federation makes it a full-fledged program. In addition, all the coaches and referees are licensed and all received age-appropriate training. The El Camino Real league has eight girls' traveling teams, ranging in ages from 9 to 15.

32 girls have signed up for the program so far. The girls were divided into six teams and will take part in 4-on-4 games every Sunday. The teams will also get together for practices two to three times a week.

Girl Scouts Gearing up for Fall Activities

South Dakota's Dell Rapids Tribune reports that with the school year underway in Dell Rapids, Girl Scout sign-up has started. Michelle Heiberger is a fourth-year Girl Scout adult volunteer and the president of the Quarry Service Unit in Dell Rapids, which serves scouts from kindergarten to eighth grade.

“I love interacting with the girls,” said Heiberger, who has seen six of the scouts grow from first graders in her time as a leader. “It’s just fun seeing them grow and change.”

Are Girl Scouts on the average meet twice a month. Participants are encouraged to earn badges through experiences in crafts, cooking, finances and behavior, among others.

Scout Erin Larson said that her favorite part of Girl Scouts is “all of it.” She has achieved all 57 badges available to Dells Girl Scouts.

Larson’s favorite badge was the endangered species badge, in which scouts are encouraged to research a particular endangered species to learn more about it. Last year’s community service roster included gathering and donating books, tying blankets for the Children’s Inn in Sioux Falls, gathering food for the Dell Rapids food pantry and raising funds for the Carnegie Library.

What is your Girl Scout Fall schedule looking like?

1953 Fire Rescue Remembered

Vermont's Burlington Free Press reports that sixty years after she received the Bronze Cross Lifesaving Award for rescuing her three siblings from a fire, the Girl Scouts gave Lessie Dunham-Reiman a replacement medal, on learning that she had lost the original.

"It's been a long time since I've worn it," said Dunham-Reiman, after Girl Scouts representative Terri L'Esperance pinned the bronze cross with red ribbon to the Williston resident's blouse.

In 1953, the 11-year-old Girl Scout was babysitting her siblings when a fire broke out in the family's Burlington apartment above Colodny's store. Dunham-Reiman immediately sounded the alarm and rescued each of her siblings. Finding the stairway engulfed in flames, she took them to a second floor window and kicked out the glass so they had air to breath, before handing them one by one to a fireman to carry down to safety.

The Bronze Cross Lifesaving Award is given to Girl Scouts who have saved a human life at risk to their own lives. It is the highest award for valor in Girl Scouting and rarely given. L'Esperance said that in the past four years, none had been awarded in the Green and White Mountain Region.

Anna Maria Chávez is a Hit With National Media

This week, Girl Scouts of the USA announced that Anna Maria Chávez, who grew up in a small town in southern Arizona and rose to become deputy chief of staff to that state’s then-Gov. Janet Napolitano, has been appointed to the top post at the iconic organization. Chávez’s appointment as the 19th chief executive of Girl Scouts has been a hit in national media. First appearing in an article written by Christian Salazar for the Associated Press, the story was picked up by CBS News, Huffington Post, Forbes, Washington Post, Chicago Sun Times and many more. Articles also appeared in USA Today, Wall Street Journal, The Chronicle of Philanthropy with many more expected to appear in the following week, including a segment on CNN, taping pictured. (Special shout out to KLRN in San Antonio, TX, for letting us use their studio)!

Girl Scouts "provides a pipeline to leadership in this country," says Kathy Cloninger in USA Today. Although many know Girl Scouts for its "wonderful cookie program, Girl Scouts has a wonderful story of preparing women for leadership that may not be out there in the public domain," says Chavez, 43, who has been CEO of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas since 2009.

Chávez grew up in a Mexican-American family in the small town of Eloy, Arizona, and later in Phoenix. She holds a law degree from the University of Arizona College of Law and a bachelor’s degree in American history from Yale University. Bar admissions include the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, Arizona Supreme Court, and U.S. Supreme Court. Her husband Robert is a financial industry executive and they have a son, Michael.

Girl Scouts Win 5K Pepsi Refresh Grant!

Last month the Girl Scout Blog posted about a Girl Scout team of finalists for a Pepsi Refresh grant, for their Girl Scout Silver Award project: Cousins Care for Foster Children. Great News—they received the $5000 grant from pepsi! Congrats Cousin's Care for Foster Children!

Jean-Ann McGrane Appointed CEO for Girl Scouts of Rhode Island

In more CEO news, Providence Business News reports that Girl Scouts of Rhode Island has a new CEO, Jean-Ann McGrane, who took the reins on Monday. McGrane succeeds Jan Feyler, who retired from her 17-year post as CEO in March.

McGrane has been president of her consulting organization, J.A. McGrane & Associates, in Gardiner, N.Y., for more than 10 years, specializing in conservation and economic development issues.

She also served as city manager for Newburgh, N.Y., working to revitalize the city’s downtown and waterfront, a news release said, and oversaw environmental regulation, natural resource conservation initiatives and campground management for the Hudson Valley as the regional director of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

“I see this as a chance to influence programs that will prepare the next generation of girls to become leaders capable of ensuring the long-term health of our planet,” said McGrane, who also noted she wants to expand Girl Scouts of Rhode Island initiatives to reach populations that may not traditionally have been a part of the programs, especially in urban areas of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

Girls Scouts of Rhode Island serves 11,900 girls, grade K-12, and 3,400 adults in Rhode Island, Pawcatuck, Conn., and 13 communities in southeastern Massachusetts.

South Hadley Girl Scouts Learn From Tragedy, Improve Community

Having recently moved to the U.S. from Ireland, Phoebe Prince was taunted and bullied for several months by at least two groups of students at South Hadley High School. On January 14, 2010, after a day of harassment and taunting, Prince committed suicide.

In response, local special education teacher Martha Guild, became an Adult Volunteer for Girl Scouts and leads Troop 11253. "Such a tragedy," Guild said. "So hard on our town. And all the things you learn about bullies - you have a lead bully, people who support the bully, and bystanders. I feared for my daughter and other girls. I had to do something; I didn't want to sit around."

The Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that all summer long the Junior Girl Scouts of Troop 11253 have worked in the South Hadley Community Garden, reaping produce they planted and cultivated in the spring. In a recent tally, the troop had harvested 71 pounds of summer squash, cucumbers, green beans, radishes and cherry tomatoes and hauled it to the South Hadley Food Pantry.

The suicide of Phoebe Prince, on January 14, 2010, led to the criminal prosecution of six teenagers, as well as the enactment of stricter anti-bullying legislation by the Massachusetts state legislature.

South Carolina's STEM and Robotics Fun Day, Priceless Experience for $1

South Carolina's Times and Democrat reports that science, technology, engineering and math is on the agenda for kids and adults when Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina, ScienceSouth, Time Warner Cable's Connect a Million Minds initiative and LEGO robotics team Tech Chicz get together.

The STEM and Robotics Fun Day will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology in Florence. Cost is $1 for children ages 3 and up and free for adults.

As part of the FIRST LEGO initiative, the event will feature the award-winning Tech Chicz, a Florence-based all-girl LEGO robotics team that has competed successfully in regional and state competitions for the past two years. The team will discuss this year's robotics challenge - Keeping Food Safe - where teams are asked to prevent food contamination using STEM principles.

For just $1, children ages 3 and up can participate in what will surely be a fantastic day! How many events are ever only $1?

Anna Maria Chávez Named Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of the USA

Girl Scouts of the USA is proud to announce that Anna Maria Chávez, who grew up in a small town in southern Arizona and rose to become deputy chief of staff to that state’s then-Gov. Janet Napolitano, has been appointed to the top post at the iconic organization. Chávez is set to officially assume her new role at the Girl Scouts National Council Session/52nd Convention in November.

Chávez’s appointment as the 19th chief executive of Girl Scouts, among the largest and most widely recognized nonprofits in the country, comes as the organization readies to launch a national celebration as part of its 100th anniversary designed to honor its legacy and create urgency around girls’ issues. She will replace Kathy Cloninger, who is retiring after leading the organization for eight years.

“Girl Scouts is the premier leadership organization for girls with a trailblazing legacy that stretches nearly 100 years,” said Chávez, who currently serves as chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas. “The country has never needed Girl Scouts more than it does today. What girls are accomplishing in Girl Scouting is inspiring. I have seen it firsthand in Texas, and I intend to tell that story far and wide. I’m eager to work with our partners across the country as the organization embarks on a new century of empowering girls to take the lead in their own lives and make a difference in their communities and across the world.”

Connie Lindsey, National President of Girl Scouts of the USA, said: “Anna Maria is the right person at the right time for our organization. She has a tremendous track record, and her visionary leadership is going to be invaluable as we work to fulfill our mission to be the premier leadership experience for girls in ways that are relevant, engaging and meaningful.”

Chávez will take over as chief executive after a dramatic period of change for the organization. Kathy Cloninger has led Girl Scouts through a historic transformation designed to ensure that the organization delivers the best leadership experience for a new generation of girls whose lives—and the opportunities they face—are ever changing. The wide-ranging effort has included consolidating councils from 312 to 112, as well as developing a nationally consistent program portfolio for girls that includes a series of leadership journeys, or coordinated series of activities grouped around a theme, and a revamped system of badges and awards that align with the leadership program.

“What a testament to the kind of leadership we have within the Girl Scout Movement that we were able to select one of our own to lead our organization into its second century,” said Cloninger, who acceded to the top post after nearly three decades of executive roles in Girl Scouting, including as chief executive officer of the Girl Scout Council of Cumberland Valley in Tennessee. “Anna Maria exemplifies the leadership qualities that we strive to teach all of our girls and she is going to be an inspiration to all girls and a strong advocate on their behalf.”

Chávez grew up in a Mexican-American family in the small town of Eloy, Arizona, and later in Phoenix. She holds a law degree from the University of Arizona College of Law and a bachelor’s degree in American history from Yale University. Bar admissions include the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, Arizona Supreme Court, and U.S. Supreme Court. Her husband Robert is a financial industry executive and they have a son, Michael.

Empowering Girls With Financial Literacy

In an article for Forbes, Brooke Elise Axtell writes that "we need to introduce girls to financial literacy programs at an early age, so they are prepared to have healthy, equitable relationships and feel confident they can take care of themselves." With Financial Literacy and Cookie Business Badges being introduced this fall, Girl Scouts continues to offer girls practical hands-on skills that can hold them in good stead their whole lives.

The current economic landscape of the United States, and the world, is tumultuous. Do you think the situation would be different if more women were involved in economics and governance?

Lifelong Girl Scout Shares Experience With Denver Girl Scouts

Colorado's Denver Post reports that Rae Ann Dougherty, of Golden, was one of several women helping 35 Girl Scouts create worm-composting boxes and harvest vegetables at Ekar Farm in Denver for use at a local food bank.

Dougherty joined Girl Scouts when she was 7 and has served as an adult volunteer for 18 years. After moving around the country and working for three Fortune 100 companies, she is still a Girl Scout.

"I wouldn't be who I am without the Girl Scouts," she said, adding that being part of the organization taught her the value of hard work and diversity.

On Sunday morning, she hoped to pass along the Girl Scout ideals to a new generation of girls.

Girl Scouts Reach for the Stars

Rocketry Planet reports that there have been three Girl Scout who have been national winners at the Reach for the Stars National Rocket Competition. Michelle Jorgensen of Colorado was the first Girl Scout to win nationally in the Reach for the Stars National Rocket Competition. She competed in 2009 with Troop #337 at the Challenger Learning Center of Colorado under competition host, Tracey Tomme. She was preceeded in 2010 by Azriel Clary who competed during a camp-in lead by Pathway Collaborations Manager, Patricia Hemenway, with the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. Taylor Goodwin competed with her class at Penrose Elementary School, Penrose, Colorado under teacher, Michael March.

Resulting from these victories, Girls Scouts across the country have turned out to compete in the fifth annual Reach for the Stars National Rocket Competition. Thanks to Girl Scouts of Connecticut Program Initiatives Coordinator, Ellyn Savard, and a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Institute education grant, over 100 Girl Scouts from Connecticut were involved in this year's competition. Read more here.

Do you know any girls interested in building rockets?

Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways Features Alumnae

New York's Star Gazette reports that leading up to the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts in 2012, Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways will feature area alumnae on their website.

This week's profile is on Laurette Hinkson, one of the first African-American girls to earn the Golden Eaglet. One of the highlights of her 80 years of Girl Scouting was the program's 90th anniversary, when she met former Secretary of State Colin Powell and his wife.

Today, she supports the Girl Scout troops at her church.

"I am close to many of the girls there," Laurette said. "It brings back many good memories."

If you are one of the 50 million women who were Girl Scouts as a girl, or if you were a volunteer or a staff member who worked at the national or local level to help Girl Scouts become leaders at home and in their communities, you are forever connected to a rich and vibrant movement. Girl Scouts of the USA has an Alumnae Online Community. A fantastic resource for all Girl Scout Alumnae - it serves as a site for Alumnae to reconnect with and to rediscover Girl Scouting.

Preserving Long Island's Rich History Through the Girl Scout Gold Award

The Long Island Herald reports that Kiera Grassi and Hannah Mutum, of the West Hempstead-Franklin Square Girl Scout Association’s Troop 1422, set out to do a yearlong photographic survey of New York's Franklin Square in 2010. The girls, who have been friends and Girl Scouts since Kindergarten and will be entering grade 11 at Carey High School in the fall, wanted to both preserve the present-day history of Franklin Square for future generations and earn a Girl Scout Gold Award.

Franklin Square was first settled in the 1600s, and developed as a German-speaking farming community in the late 1800s. George Washington visited the community in 1790, and poet Walt Whitman taught at a local school in 1840. The community has a rich history, which was recently documented by two local Girl Scouts, in “Images of America: Franklin Square,” a book that will be published on Oct. 3.

The girls took more than 5,000 photographs of around the community, of people, parades, street fairs, houses of worship, architecture, businesses and civic organizations. On Jan. 10, 2010—which represents the town’s zip code, 11010—they spent nearly 12 hours, taking more than 2,000 photos throughout the day. They also collected several artifacts, including menus, newspapers and church bulletins on that day. The girls organized all of their photos, and presented them to the Historical Society. While working on their photo project, the girls discovered that Arcadia Publishing had published books about the history of several Long Island communities — as part of its “Images of America” series — but not about Franklin Square. And since they were already learning about the community’s history through their photo project, they decided to work toward publishing a historic book of Franklin Square, as well.

Do you know any remarkable Girl Scouts aiming for the Girl Scout Gold Award?

Girl Scouts Provide Badges for Police Dogs!

Florida's WPLG TV 10 has another great story of Girl Scouts watching out for animals! Five police dogs in Pembroke Pines have shiny new police badges thanks to Girl Scout Troop 10470.

The troop made a pledge to sell as many cookies as they could and raise money to buy badges for the police dogs. More than 1,000 boxes later, their goal was met. On Wednesday night at Pembroke Pines City Hall, the girls presented the badges to each of the officers and their canine partners. For video, look here!

How has Girl Scouting Led You to New Heights?

Women's E-News reports that Kilimanjaro was a mountain that Jurate Kazickas had already climbed, many years ago. But this summer, at 68, she found herself once again scaling Africa's highest peak and feeling pretty great.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro at age 22 in tennis shoes and again at 68—this time in hiking boots—gave her a sense of what she was truly capable of. How has Girl Scouting inspired you and your girls to take pursuits to new heights?

Deborah Taylor Tate is Calling on Everyone to Join Dialogue on Healthy Images for Women, Girls

In an op-ed penned for The Tennessean, Deborah Taylor Tate recalls one day last fall, when everyone in Washington was in agreement. "The Girl Scouts of the USA, the National Association of Broadcasters, the National Telecommunications and Cable Association, and The Creative Coalition hosted everyone from competing media companies to Democrats and Republicans to spend a day focusing on the incredible impact that media has on all of us, especially our children," she states. "And we all agreed: We must take action."

Recognizing the need for gender balance and positive portrayals of women and girls in the media, in 2010 the Girl Scouts of the USA along with the National Association of Broadcasters, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, and The Creative Coalition hosted the Healthy Media for Youth Summit featuring Geena Davis, Founder, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.

According to the Girl Scout Research Institute, girls compare themselves to fashion models, with 55 percent of girls admitting they diet to lose weight, and 31 percent admitting to starving themselves or refusing to eat.

Girl Scouts in Europe Attend Laughing Woods Summer Camp

This year, USA Girl Scouts Overseas – North Atlantic, held their annual Laughing Woods Summer Camp, for Girl Scouts living in military and civilian communities throughout Europe.

USAG Livorno reports that in collaboration with a local sailing club, this year’s camp offered ‘Smooth Sailing’. During a five day sailing class, the girls learned the ins and outs of sailing smart from local sailing instructors; plus the Girl Scout Cadets worked toward earning the Smooth Sailing Interest Project Patch while learning safe boating and water safety.

The Italian sailing instructors also used this as a great opportunity to learn the English language while having fun, teaching about the sea, the wind and how to sail.

Girl Scouts Across the Country Helping Improve the Lives of Animals

North Carolina's Statesville Record and Landmark reports that on Sunday, the effort to earn the Bronze Award will begin with a dog training session at First Baptist Church. Jason Purgason, owner of Highland Canine Training in Harmony, will conduct the training session.

Girl Scout Troop 10697 knew exactly what they wanted to do as part of a program to earn the Girl Scout Bronze Award. The 15 girls voted individually, and in a secret ballot, about what program they wanted to undertake.

The main requirement, Falter said, is that the project has to make the world a better place. When the vote was tallied, all decided helping animals was a way to do just that. The girls began collecting food and treats for a feline rescue group, and connected with a dog rescue enthusiast who recommended asking Purgason to come and give advice on a wide range of topics, from general pet care to training.

In California, Madison Shubert, 17, wants to improve the odds of survival for abandoned pets, an estimated 4 million of which are euthanized every year in America. The Acorn reports that the High School senior recently completed a documentary called “One Paw At A Time” to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award. The project culminates her 14 years with the Scouts.

The eight-minute film features Sun Valley-based Friends for Pets, a nonprofit animal rescue group that operates a private dog shelter. The organization is dedicated to rehabilitating and finding good homes for sporting breed dogs that have been abandoned, mistreated or neglected. Pediatrician Helen Lederer, who introduced Madison to the Friends for Pets foundation, said the young filmmaker did a great job distilling a large amount of information to produce a video that delivers a clear message about problems and solutions related to animal rescue.

Do you have any examples to share of Girl Scouts contributing to improve the lives of animals?

Meet Colorado's Generation Wow!

Girl Scouts of Colorado is kicking off their 100th anniversary celebrations by naming 100 Colorado Girl Scouts as the leaders of tomorrow – the Generation Wow! Generation Wow! recognizes outstanding girls whose individual achievements in Girl Scouts, their schools and communities set them apart as leaders.

The Girl Scouts of Colorado Blog reports that girls who earned this honor exhibit a high level of volunteer achievement and make significant contributions to their community. They demonstrate strong leadership skills; participate in service and learning projects. A committee of outside civic and community leaders from throughout Colorado helped select these recipients.

What are some great initiatives in your community surrounding the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting?

Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient Continues to do Good for the Community

The Deaily Herald reports that Gold Award recipient Anastasia Broadus set up a program to help low-income families receive school supplies for their children and spent time this summer with the Girl Scouts in a week-long youth camp. Broadus, 18, has been a Girl Scout since second grade. As an Adult Girl Scout, she remains active by leading community service events and inspiring young girls to be leaders in the community.

The Girl Scout Gold Award, according to Nancy Wood, director of public relations at the Nation’s Capital Girl Scout Council, “is the highest and most prestigious award that a Girl Scout can earn.”

Read the entire article here. Do you have any outstanding Girl Scout Gold Award stories to share?

STEM Advocacy Champion Councils Celebrated in the Media

The News Journal in Delaware reports that The Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay was one of 17 Girl Scout councils nationwide selected last month as a STEM advocacy champion.

STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) teaches Girl Scouts to help bridge gender inequalities that may be perceived, said Liz Farrell, communications and advocacy manager of the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council. A goal of the Girl Scouts is to help girls become the leaders of tomorrow, she said.

In 2010, a science and technology lodge was built in Hockessin and named for Lynn W. Williams, a former council board president and environmental advocate. The center is the first commercial building in Delaware to have earned Platinum Certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a "green" award from the United States Green Building Council.

The Daily Auburn reports that Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) has also been selected as a STEM Advocacy Champion. This new national initiative equips and empowers both Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts and Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts to lead efforts at the local and state level to increase girls' involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by addressing and ultimately changing an issue that impacts the lives of girls in our area.

According to Pattie Hallberg, GSCWM CEO, "Science, technology, mathematics and engineering are so important to the future of this country. Girls are eager for opportunities to explore these areas and to participate in meaningful education in STEM. Girl Scouts is committed to ensuring that girls have these opportunities, both within the Girl Scout experience and throughout their communities. Across the state we will be addressing the needs of girls and their future in STEM."

Wendy Marsh is a Woman of Distinction

Amarillo philanthropist Wendy Marsh received the Lifetime Achievement Award Thursday from the Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains. The Amarillo Globe-News reports that Marsh was one of four female leaders recognized at the Girl Scouts’ Women of Distinction luncheon in the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza.

“These women are role models for our girls,” said Alason Moorhead, regional development director. “This is what we are pushing them to aspire to be.”

Since 1995, the Women of Distinction luncheon has honored 93 area women.

Cynthia Harnisch Steps Up as CEO for Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio

After a nationwide search, Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio, which serves 10,000 girls in Riverside and San Bernardino counties in California, chose Cynthia Harnisch Breunig as its new chief executive officer.

The Press Enterprise reports that for the past 13 years, Harnisch Breunig has been president and CEO of Inner-City Arts, a nonprofit center providing art instruction to 10,000 children in the heart of Skid Row. During her administration, Harnisch Breunig guided Inner-City Arts through a period of rapid growth and national recognition, including completion of its award-winning campus.

An artist herself, Harnisch Breunig has dedicated her life to making the arts accessible to all children across all cultural and economic divides. Growing up, Harnisch Breunig was a Girl Scout for 10 years. She said she is proud to be joining the ranks of Girl Scout CEOs, a position that has interested her since her early college days.

"Girl Scouts is considered to be the gold standard in business management," she said. "I find it interesting how many of my women friends can trace the roots of their career success back to their scouting experience. It's had such a profound impact on our lives. In fact, I list my Girl Scout background on my résumé and encourage other women to do the same."

She attended Stanford University's Graduate School of Business Executive Education Program and the Getty's Museum Leadership Institute. She holds advanced degrees in Museum Studies and Education Administration and an undergraduate degree in Art History.

Navigating Challenges and Learning Leadership at Camp Conowingo

Maryland's ABC News 2 reports that Girl Scouts descended on 600 acres of land at Camp Conowingo for eight weeks during this summer.

The camp allows girls to sharpen their horseback riding skills, enjoy canoeing/kayaking and learning how to cook outdoors. The girls learn to navigate the challenges, adventures and surprises that come with outdoor camping. It's not all about fun and games. The camp experience allows the girls to develop new skills, build courage, confidence and character.

"I would like for them to walk away with more confidence. Most of these girls have never been in the woods or outside like this. It's building a lot of character for them. They are feeling so good about themselves," said Gail Edwards, Camp Director.

To India and Back With Las Vegas Girl Scouts

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that local Girl Scouts spent 19 days in India last month helping women and children learn about health, hygiene and nutrition while participating in other community projects.

The group traveled through Mumbai, New Delhi, Jaipur and Pune and toured the Taj Mahal, built as a monument of love from emperor Shah Jahan in the 1600s to his wife, who died during childbirth.

"There are marble and stone etchings all over the building," one Girl Scout said. "You miss that in pictures. It's different than what you see on the Internet and in movies. We got to touch it and walk in it."

The scouts spent time at a safe place home for women and children and helped paint a common room inside the building. The group discussed literacy awareness, building beautification and worked on self-esteem projects.

Have you traveled abroad with Girl Scouts?

Marina Park Details Her Experience at Camp CEO

Marina Park - CEO, Girl Scouts of Northern California, lawyer and mom pens a column in The San Francisco Chronicle's City Brights about Girl Scouting. This week's column details her experience at Girl Scout Camp CEO. "I love Camp CEO," says Park. "Wonderful things can happen when girls and amazing women connect in a strange new place - united by their belief that great things are possible for every girl. I served as a mentor at the first Camp CEO in 2004, and it was through Camp CEO that I ended up leaving a law firm partnership to become the CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern California."

Since 2004 over 300 area girls have attended Camp CEO, the cost of which has been fully funded by the mentors and generous camp sponsors.

Deborah Taft Appointed Senior Vice President for Fund Development

Girl Scouts of the USA announced today that Deborah Taft has been appointed senior vice president for fund development. Taft, who has more than 25 years of fund-raising and marketing experience, will join the organization on August 19.

“Deborah comes to us with a wealth of experience and know-how,” said Kathy Cloninger, Chief Executive Officer of GSUSA. “She knows how to grow a dynamic fund-raising operation and is poised to have an impact and lead our fund development initiatives at one of the most exciting moments in our Movement’s history: our 100th anniversary and our effort to make girls a philanthropic priority for the nation.”

Her professional accomplishments have run the gamut. As vice president at Simmons, Taft oversaw major, planned, corporate and foundation philanthropy programs, as well as donor relations, advancement marketing, trusteeship and governance, and the Simmons Leadership Conference. As vice president for development at Floating Hospital, she rebuilt the philanthropy operation. And in her role as senior director of development marketing for Dana-Farber, she developed an integrated fund-raising marketing and donor relations function for one of the world’s leading cancer centers, helping to lay the groundwork for the institute’s $1 billion campaign.

“There is no question Deborah Taft is a leader in the field and her tremendous track record of success bears this out,” said Timothy Higdon, Chief of External Affairs for GSUSA. “Her breadth of experience both at the strategic level and at the tactical, operational level, as well as her skill in building strong and high-performing development teams, makes her ideally suited to lead our fund-raising operation.”

Girl Scouts, will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas and Justin Bieber Featured in ABC Special Celebrating STEM

Tune into ABC on Sunday, August 14, 2011, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET to catch Girl Scouts robotics team "the Space Cookies" appear alongside renowned inventor/FIRST founder Dean Kamen and The Black Eyed Peas front-man will.i.am on “i.am.FIRST- Science is Rock and Roll,” a groundbreaking science and technology entertainment celebration that highlights the 20th annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Championship!

The star-studded special features performances by The Black Eyed Peas and Willow Smith, along with Girl Scouts and celebrities including Justin Bieber, Steven Tyler, Bono, Jack Black, Miley Cyrus and Josh Duhamel speaking out in support of Science, Technology, Engineering and education. Student teams are profiled as their robots compete to win coveted FIRST Championship awards

Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama: STEM Advocacy Champion

Alabama's Birmingham News reports that Girl Scouts of the USA has announced that Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama has been selected as a STEM Advocacy Champion. The new national initiative encourages Girl Scout councils to lead efforts at the local and state level to increase girls' involvement in science, technology, engineering and math.

The new national initiative encourages Girl Scout councils to lead efforts at the local and state level to increase girls' involvement in science, technology, engineering and math.

Girl Scouts Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

Navy.mil reports that on July 28, 2011, Command Master Chief Susan Whitman, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, spoke with Girl Scout Troop 1111 about the ship's aircrafts during a tour. Abraham Lincoln was participating in Los Angeles Navy Week 2011. Navy Weeks are intended to show the investment Americans have made in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence.

Learning About Leadership at Camp Crawfish

Nola.com reports that “Camp Crawfish goes to Hollywood” was the theme for this year’s weeklong day camp event. Camp director and leader of Algiers Junior Troop 40803 Sunny Shannon said Camp Crawfish is important because it helps the girls build leadership skills.

“They need to participate in activities and events like these in the summer and Girl Scout troop meetings and activities during the school year because this is the foundation for them to learn leadership skills,” Shannon said. “That’s what we’re all about. In school, they learn academic skills, but in Girl Scouts, my focus with my girls is all about leadership. It’s all about learning how to conduct yourself, learning how to take the lead, helping them achieve their goals and helping them to become empowered.”

Do you have any 2011 camp stories to share?

Savvy Fundraising From Girl Scouts of Greater LA

According to Benzinga, The Girls Scouts of Greater Los Angeles has signed on with Donate My Card to provide an opportunity for Girl Scouts' supporters to give to an organization that has been developing girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place for 99 years.

Donate My Card allows the remnant values on gift and pre-paid debit cards to be donated to its partner charities, like The Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles. Americans purchase more than $130 billion in gift and pre-paid debit cards every year, and it is estimated that 5-10% of the purchased value remains unused on these cards.

“Every dollar makes a difference in providing life-changing experiences to girls, whether it goes toward enabling a Girl Scout to ride on the 100th Anniversary Girl Scout Float in the 2012 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, helping provide girls their first time away from home at summer camp, or being a programmer on an award-winning Girl Scouts robotics team,” said Lise L. Luttgens, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles.

Girl Scout mother-daughter duo Renée Hoss-Johnson and daughter Brianne Johnson have designed the Girl Scouts float for the 2012 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. The float will celebrate 100 years of Girl Scouting upon the organization’s centennial next year.

Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles has a way for you to honor someone in your life with float flower dedications. For just a $5 donation, the name of a loved one will ride on the Girl Scouts float. Dedicate a dozen flowers to celebrate a special occasion: graduations, birthdays and anniversaries, to name a few! You can also help by sponsoring one of the many Girl Scouts riding and walking with the float.

Spotlight on the Girl Scout Gold Award

Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council's Blog reports that when it came time to select a Girl Scout Gold Award project, Alexis Bush and Danielle Tasake of Troop 686 in Grand Terrace knew exactly what they wanted to do. Moved by the plight of women and children in Uganda, they decided to join forces to raise awareness and support literacy and education in that troubled part of the world. The girls are joining forces to raise awareness of these issues within their community through a Book Drive/Awareness Day.

In Austin, TX, The Statesman reports that six area Girl Scouts earned The Girl Scout Gold Award for a documentary film project. The students created and taught a two-week film camp for younger Girl Scouts, during which they produced a short documentary, "Beyond Pink and Blue," about gender roles in contemporary society. The camp taught participants film skills and helped raise awareness in the community about gender differences. The film was screened for family, friends and other scouts and will be shown on ChannelAustin and featured in upcoming film festivals.

In Illinois, The Courier-Times reports that Bartlett residents Elizabeth Gorski and Diana Lewis were among 27 Girl Scouts in northern Illinois who earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in 2011. The projects ranged from restoring historical garden to promoting the importance of good nutrition.

New York's Long Island Herald reports that Malvernite Brieonna Ramsey spent time teaching children about the classical American one-room schoolhouse to earn her Girl Scout Award, while her neighbor, Sarah St. John, worked to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease to earn hers. Ramsey’s work preserving the history of a local one-room schoolhouse began after she discovered the fascinating historical structure had stood quite recently in Hempstead. St. John’s service centered on the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and her “For the Memories Forgotten” project derived from her family members’ personal experience with the disease.

Taking a Stand Against Bullying in Mississippi

The Desoto Times Tribune, MS, reports that "Bullying is Wrong" was the theme recently at the area's first anti-bullying rally at Horn Lake Middle School. Troop 10475 organized the day, promoting the message that bullying causes emotional and sometimes physical scars.

"We hope to learn and teach others that bullying is wrong and how hurtful it is," Girl Scout Volunteer Kelly Roberts said. "We just watched a video about cyberbullying. With Facebook and other types of social media, there is a chance that bullying will take place."

The rally was also attended by Horn Lake Fire and Police Departments and was held in conjunction with Girl Scouts recruiting efforts. Outside of the rally, a Facebook Page about bullying and suicide prevention has been set up, already drawing more than 1,061 people.

Last year, Girl Scout Dominique Napolitano testified at a Congressional Hearing on cyberbullying, alongside Dr. Phil and Others. In testimony to the U.S. House Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee, Napolitano, 15, from Long Island, New York, discussed cyberbulling from a teenager’s perspective.

How does your community take action against bullying?

Texas Girl Scouts Utilize Social Media to Stay Healthy

Alabama's CBS News 42 reports that Girl Scouts are testing out a new fitness program that even lets them text and spend time on Facebook to get them more physically active.

Researchers created the "Be Fit With Friends", or BFF program, teaming up with the Girl Scouts. The girls earn points and win prizes for taking part in community fitness events.

Social media is a big part of the program. The girls get motivational text messages and even have a Facebook fan page to upload pictures. 35 girls took part in the fitness study and the data is currently being analyzed. Another organization picked it up as part of a summer program for another 100 girls.

Girl Scouts Lip Smackers Coming Soon!

Drug Store News reports that Aspire Brands’ Lip Smacker has inked a licensing deal with Girl Scouts of USA to develop the new Girl Scout Lip Smackers inspired by the flavors of Girl Scout Cookies.

“Girl Scout Cookie-flavored Lip Smackers was a natural fit for us. The flavors are deliciously iconic and the mission of Girl Scouts of the USA is something we have a real interest in supporting,” stated Leslie Gibbs, brand marketing director at Aspire Brands.

The new lip glosses are available in five flavors: Thin Mints, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Trefoils, Peanut Butter and Coconut Caramel Stripes.

They will be available in two holiday collections that will be shipping to Walmart in October. Claire’s also will be carrying the Girl Scout Cookie flavors in a Lip Smacker party pack.

Lisa Bloom and How to Talk to Little Girls

ABC News recently reported that nearly half of all three- to six-year-old girls worry about being fat. According to the Girl Scout Research Institute, Girls attribute media and fashion to the pressure to be thin. Nine in ten girls say the fashion industry (89%) and/or the media (88%) place a lot of pressure on teenage girls to be thin (Girls and Body Image, Girl Scouts of the USA/Girl Scout Research Institute, 2010).

Media isn't the only factor placing the pressure of beauty standards onto young girls. In an article titled, How to Talk to Little Girls, author Lisa Bloom explains that solely complementing little girls on their appearance often leads to an unbalanced perception. "Teaching girls that their appearance is the first thing you notice tells them that looks are more important than anything. It sets them up for dieting at age 5 and foundation at age 11 and boob jobs at 17 and Botox at 23," states bloom. "As our cultural imperative for girls to be hot 24/7 has become the new normal, American women have become increasingly unhappy.”

Do you ever catch yourself building girls up based on appearance instead of accomplishment?

Shaping Future Executives at Girl Scout Camp CEO

At Camp CEO, Girl Scouts from the Greater Washington D.C. region are getting the inside scoop on what life after high school could be like. Girl Scout Camp CEO is a unique mentorship program, which matches teen girls with powerful women executives. The women represent a variety of careers from banking and law to real estate, academia and government. All campers participate in traditional camp activities—cooking over campfires, kayaking and swimming, but with a twist. The women share their life’s experiences, education, careers and leadership with the girls each morning. At the end of the week the girls receive business cards from the women with the intention of building lifetime mentors.

In June, sixty miles from the urban sprawl of Chicago, women from various professions spent 24 hours at Camp CEO this past June, mentoring Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, by showing them the leadership skills necessary to build a successful career.

Celebrating its 5-year anniversary in the Chicago area, Camp CEO is a special six-day camp that pairs 25 girls with one of the 25 CEOs over a three-day span, so they can fully connect and learn from one another. Today's Chicago Woman reports that the idea came to Camp CEO Chairman Mary Lee Montague from a similar camp in Washington, D.C.

In 2010, women held 14.4 percent of executive officer positions at Fortune 500 companies, according to Catalyst Research. At the current rate, it will take about 40 years for the number of female corporate officers to match the number of male officers. This statistic illustrates the need for Camp CEO.

“It allows us to have one-on-one time with the girls, to hear their stories,” says Connie Lindsey, executive vice president and head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Northern Trust, and National Board of Directors President of Girl Scouts of the USA . “It allows us to reconnect, to reinforce what we believe is so important—that girls do matter. A girl can change the world if given the correct skills.”

Celebrate Sisterhood in Light of National Sister's Day

Did you know that yesterday was National Sister's Day? Sister’s Day is an annual holiday celebrated on the first Sunday in August, celebrating the bond shared between sisters.

Sisterhood is a common theme in Girl Scouting, most recently explored in Mission: Sisterhood, from the leadership journey It's Your Story—Tell It! In Mission: Sisterhood, Seniors harness the magic of stories to widen their networks and ignite the energy of sisterhood to create real change in the world. As Seniors expand their friendship borders, they boost their confidence and make the most of their leadership skills.

Take a moment to reflect on the powerful bond between sisters!

Making Graphene Out of Girl Scout Cookies

Rice University graduate students working in chemist James Tour’s lab proved that graphene can be made out of almost anything, including Girl Scout Cookies. And if you make it out of a box of Girl Scout Cookies, they could be worth $15 billion. TG Daily reports that the lab reached out to a troop of Houston Girl Scouts to show them how it can be done.

Graphene is a material discovered by a team out of the University of Manchester in 2004. It is a sheet of carbon atoms bound together with double electron bonds (called a sp2 bond) in a thin film only one atom thick. Atoms in graphene are arranged in a honeycomb-style lattice pattern. Graphene has many uses. The Chinese Academy of Sciences has found that sheets of graphene oxide are highly effective at killing bacteria such as E-coli. This means graphene could be useful in applications such as hygiene products or packaging that will help keep food fresh for longer.

Rice scientists detailed how graphene - a single-atom-thick sheet of the same material in pencil lead - can be created from almost any carbon source, including food, insects and waste. Graduate students Gedeng Ruan, lead author of the paper, and Zhengzong Sun calculated that at the then-commercial rate for pristine graphene -- $250 for a two-inch square -- a box of traditional Girl Scout shortbread cookies could turn a $15 billion profit.

Tour thinks that the cost of graphene will drop quickly as commercial interests come up with ways to make it in bulk. "They learned that carbon - or any element --in one form can be inexpensive and in another form can be very expensive," Tour said. "You could probably get a very large diamond out of a box of Girl Scout Cookies."

Postal Service to Salute Girl Scouts in 2012

The Postal Service recently announced that it will salute the Girl Scouts in 2012 by commemorating the 100th anniversary of an organization credited with helping girls build character and leadership skills. The Celebrate Scouting Forever Stamp can be seen on social media and will be issued next year as part of the centennial celebration.

Using social media to reach broader, more diverse audiences is an initiative that began this month to engage more interest in stamp collecting. Select stamps from the 2012 commemorative program will be previewed one at a time throughout the summer.

"Celebrate Scouting, the 'sister' stamp to the 2010 Scouting stamp, pays tribute to scouting organizations for the opportunities and pleasures they have provided millions of youths worldwide," said Stephen Kearney, manager, Stamp Services.

The stamp art was created by Craig Frazier of Mill Valley, CA, under the guidance of art director Derry Noyes of Washington, D.C. Customers may preview the stamps on Facebook, through Twitter @USPSstamps or on the website Beyond the Perf.