Girl Scout Commemorative Coin Act is Law

Hello Everyone - Fantastic news!

President Obama on Thursday signed the Girl Scout Commemorative Coin Act into law, authorizing the Untied States Mint to strike up to 350,000 silver dollar coins to honor the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Girl Scouts of the USA.

The coins will be minted and sold in 2013, marking the end of Girl Scouts’ yearlong centennial celebration and kicking off a new century of leadership and service to girls. The bill, H.R. 621, was introduced by Rep. Jack Kingston and easily passed by a voice vote on Oct. 13. Sen. Susan Collins sponsored a companion bill, S. 451. Instead of moving that forward, the Senate simply passed the House version on Oct. 19 by Unanimous Consent. President Obama signed the bill at 3:15 p.m. ET during a ceremony at the White House that included Connie L. Lindsey, GSUSA National Board Chair, Laurie Westley, Senior Vice President, Public Policy, Advocacy & the Research Institute, and girls from the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital.

"This is a wonderful honor for Girl Scouts," said Kathy Cloninger, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. "Congress only allows the minting of two coins a year and this is such a fitting way to honor our Movement and the million of girls and women whose lives Girl Scouting has touched. We are grateful to the President, the House and the Senate for their support."

The act does not contain specific coin design language, which is standard. The coin design will involve collaborative efforts between the United States Mint, the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. The main criteria is that the design must be "emblematic of the centennial of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America." The silver coin will include the inscriptions ‘Liberty’, ‘In God We Trust’, ‘United States of America’, and ‘E Pluribus Unum’). Each will weigh 26.73 grams and have a diameter of 1.5 inches.

The Girl Scouts USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Act includes a provision for a $10 surcharge per coin paid to the GSUSA and made available for Girl Scout program development and delivery.

Update

Good Morning Folks,

Sorry for the shortage of posts - I have been at Maria Shriver's Women's Conference in California and also preparing for the CARE/GSUSA/Seventeen event all week - both of which I will report on later, after I get some rest!

All Apologies,
Josh

Volunteers Make a Difference

USA Today has a brief mention of the Girl Scouts and our involvement with Saturday's Make A Difference Day - the nation's largest day of doing good. Make A Difference Day is the most encompassing national day of helping others - a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Everyone can participate, as millions have already. In 2008, 3 million people cared enough about their communities to volunteer on that day, accomplishing thousands of projects in hundreds of towns.

This year in California, an expected 5,000 Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast will tackle hundreds of projects across six counties. If you are planning on participating, please let us know - and share your stories with us!

NYC - You are Invited to an Event: October 29 - Learning To Lead

Every girl can become a force for change. To unlock her potential, she must have the opportunity to go to school and build the skills and confidence needed to meet life’s challenges head on – whether she lives in Manhattan or Mali. Girl Scouts of the USA and CARE are kicking off a ground-breaking partnership that puts girls at the heart of a conversation about the most important issues of our time. The partnership – called The Power of Girls – will connect girls worldwide and mobilize them around important global issues, including the critical role that girls’ education and leadership plays in addressing poverty everywhere. The event includes Discussion, moderated by MTV News Correspondent SuChin Pak, with Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning actress Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Stoning of Soraya M, House of Sand and Fog, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, ABC hit series Flash Forward), Guest Speaker Ann Shoket (Editor in Chief – Seventeen); girls’ education and leadership experts from CARE, Girl Scouts Research Institute and Population Council; on-the-ground perspective from the director of CARE Afghanistan with support from The Documentary Group. There will be Live conversation via Intel-powered classmate PCs with Girl Scouts in New York and girls in a classroom in a developing country who will discuss solutions to global girls’ issues. It will also stand as the launch of The Power of Girls pledge that urges American girls to learn about issues affecting girls worldwide, share their findings with friends, and take action – supported by Seventeen Magazine.

Are you in NYC on October 29? If so we'd love to see you here, at our offices - at this amazing event! All you have to do is RSVP to jackley@girlscouts.org. Details and Flyer below:

When/Where: Thursday, October 29 at 8:30am – 10am
Girl Scouts of the USA Headquarters; 420 Fifth Avenue, 11th Floor; New York City

What/Who: Breakfast event hosted by Girl Scouts of the USA and CARE and You

Girls-In-Gears

Girl Scouts from Troop 425 of the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council will become, on October 24, the first Troop in the nation to race in Girls-In-Gears, a hands-on engineering and racing program debuting from the American Kart Racing Association (AKRA). The NASCAR Wives Association and several Waltrips, of Daytona International Speedway and Daytona 500 family dynasty legend, are involved in the event.

Kart racing or karting is a variant of open wheel motorsport with simple, small four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. They are usually raced on scaled-down circuits. Karting is commonly perceived as the stepping stone to the higher and more expensive ranks of motorsports.

“We dream big,” said Troop 425 Leader JoAnn Bruch, whose 11-year-old daughter, Taylor Michael, is in her Troop, which is part of the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay. “Some of these girls are very gifted in math and science and could end up being engineers for NASA or anywhere.”

Read two articles about the event here and here! Also check out my previous post on Ali Owens - race car star and Girl Scout enthusiast!

Ghouls and Girl Scouts of the Garden State

Halloween is a time honored seasonal favorite of kids and adults across the country. Halloween is also an opportunity for Girl Scouts to have some fun and bond, in costume of course.

In New Jersey, The Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Spooktacular took place this past weekend. Every year participants enjoy all the family-fun activities that make the Spooktacular awesome. Hayrides, Halloween-themed skits, Sing-A-Longs , S'mores and more.

After rattling around camp, attendees headed into the Program Activity Center for a Monster Mash DJ Dance Party and boogied the night away with friends and family. Sounds like a fantastic time to me! Please send in Halloween events going on in your area, I'd love to share more with everyone...

Girl Scout Trailblazer Leaves Behind Lasting Legacy

Alice R. Calloway, an activist for racial justice, and one of the founding members of the first African-American Girl Scout Troops south of the Mason-Dixon Line, died recently at her Westminster-Canterbury, Virginia residence - She was 90.

Mrs. Calloway once told a reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “I wanted to be a Girl Scout in the worst way.” Her dreams were realized in the summer of 1932 when, at the age of 14, in the midst of the Great Depression, she helped establish Troop No. 34. Richmond, Virginia, at the time, became the first city in the South to offer a Girl Scouting program to African-American girls.

Mrs. Calloway was a trailblazer in her own right as she helped desegregate Richmond during the civil-rights movement. Her efforts for integration began during the summer of 1932 as a 14-year-old, in the midst of the Great Depression.

Weekend Run-Down

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to this week's installment of Weekend Run-Down. From a Clue inspired fundraiser to a group of girls racing wooden derby cars, there is much to report...

• In Amarillo, TX, Girl Scouts are learning about breast health. Watch the video here.
• The Girl Scouts of Orange County, CA, held a jamboree in the form of a giant, living game of Clue. I, for one, am upset that I wasn't invited! Read about the event in The Orange County Register.
• The Gloucester Daily Times, in Massachusetts, reports that the local chapter of the American Red Cross has received 70 care bags from Rockport Girl Scouts as part of their community service work — with emergency blankets and other elements literally made from scratch.
• In Indiana, Girl Scouts and the American Association of University Women partnered to offer Girl Scout Science Day at Ball State University this past Sunday - with more dates pending. The science workshop falls in line with Girl Scouts' goal to create leaders by developing problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Read all about it in The Star Press.
• In Iowa City, Iowa, Brooke Miller, 7, wanted to build and race her own derby car since her brother got to do it in Boy Scouts. Read about her trophy (!) and the event in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
• In California, The Daily Democrat is reporting how Girl Scouts assist the City of Woodland by installing new storm drain markers in the central part of the city to raise awareness about storm water pollution.

Enjoy!

What is Congregation B'nai Jeshurun?

In Staten Island, Congregation B'nai Jeshurun is planning a Jewish Girl Scout program. The program will consist of Daisies (kindergarten to grade 1) through Ambassadors (grades 9 to 10). Read the full article in The Staten Island Advance and for more information contact Michael Horowitz at MichaelMHH6 @ verizon.net.

Also check out www.jewishscouting.org for more information on Jewish Scouting in general and Be sure to let us know if there are similar programs in your communities.

Jamboree On The Air

What do scouting and amateur radio have in common?

According to Bob Walker - N4CU, North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club - both are worldwide activities, both have public service and good will as important basic principles, both emphasize continued learning of new skills and both are really about having fun, doing things you enjoy.

"What better way to expose young people to the joys of amateur radio than to give them the opportunity to contact other youth who are also involved in the scouting program?" Walker asked. "I especially enjoy watching a Cub Scout, Boy Scout or Girl Scout timidly taking the microphone and start to talk with the operator on the other end of the radio waves. When it is another scout at the other end, the thrill seems even greater."

Sounds pretty rad to me. Read the entire article here! Be sure to share with us examples from your communities of outstanding local business entrepreneurs who volunteer their time to Girl Scouting.

Connie Perry, West Virginia Woman of Distinction

West Virginia businesswoman Connie Perry of Perry Realty was recognized as a 2009 Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital.




Perry was honored as an outstanding woman of the Eastern Panhandle and role model for girls at a September 29 Girl Scouts luncheon in Martinsburg, WV. Gina M. Miller and Joanne Wadsworth were also recognized as Eastern Panhandle Women of Distinction. Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito was the luncheon’s keynote speaker. Sally Marshall spoke of Perry’s many community involvements.

Read the entire article in The Morgan Messenger. Congrats to Connie Perry!

Weekend Run-Down

Hello Everyone,

Welcome back from what hopefully was for you, a long weekend! Here's the run-down:

• Girl Scouts from Brookfield, IL, are headed to Switzerland next summer. They are hoping a fundraiser on Saturday, October 17, will help them get there. Read more in Brookfield Suburban Life.
• Yesterday, The Girl Scouts of Western New York announced big plans to keep people warm this winter. The Girl Scouts made the first official donation for the PJ Round - Up. Read about it here!
• The Wall Street Journal has a fantastic story about about an Indian family juggling cultural identity and modern life. Girl Scouting is mentioned in the first sentence!
• Marina Park, CEO - Girl Scouts of Northern California, has an op-ed in The San Francisco Chronicle about the benefits of realignment and how, through partnering, they are able to serve more girls through programs such as "Girls Go Tech". It's fantastic, check it out!
• In Bainbridge, NY, when a the community was faced with graffiti on buildings, The Girl Scouts in town volunteered to clean it up. Find the video and story here!
• In Charleston SC, Girl Scout Julia Lewis is only 13 , but she says one is never too young to spread the news about avoiding breast cancer. Watch her video at Charleston News 2.

Enjoy.

Michelle Obama, National Honorary President of Girl Scouts of the USA

Today brings news that I am extremely pleased to share with everyone: Girl Scouts of the USA is pleased to announce that First Lady Michelle Obama has agreed to serve as its Honorary National President.

“It is my great pleasure to serve as Honorary National President of Girl Scouts,” said Mrs. Obama. “With their innovative new programming, ground-breaking research, and emphasis on service and leadership, Girl Scouts is preparing the women of tomorrow to be a positive force for change – in their own lives, their communities, and across the globe.”

In accepting the position, Mrs. Obama takes her place in a tradition stretching back to 1929, when Lou Henry Hoover became the first Honorary National President of the Girl Scouting movement. Since then, each successive First Lady has served in this post.

Girl Scouts plan to work with the First Lady on areas of mutual concern, such as healthy living, public service and leadership.

“From bullying to obesity to concern over the economy, our nation’s girls are facing significant challenges,” said Kathy Cloninger, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of the USA. “Girl Scouts is excited to work with the First Lady’s office to ensure that all girls can overcome the challenges they face, and that they have the skills, resources and opportunities they need to become strong, independent young leaders.”

“Girl Scouts can help girls from every background develop their self-confidence and leadership ability, and encourage them to make a difference in the world,” said Connie L. Lindsey, Girl Scouts of the USA National Board Chair. “The First Lady is a passionate, brilliant and inspirational woman – a fantastic role model for girls across the country. We look forward to an active and mutually rewarding partnership on issues important to girls’ lives.”

Horse Expo!

Here's one for the animal lovers out there. More than 125 guests attended the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore's 2nd Annual Horse Expo this past weekend, enjoying pony rides, demonstrations and local vendor displays.

To continue equine education for girls, the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore has a horse club. The horse club is open to girls of all ages and experience levels. The club meets monthly and covers a different equine topic each month, including trips, guest speakers and hands-on demonstrations.

Read all about it here!

64 Hours of Summer Service

The Salt Lake Tribune has a story about Amber Barron, a 13-year-old Girl Scout who recently logged the highest number of service hours in her age-gender category this summer, according to the LT. Governor. A truly positive example of the community benefits of Girl Scouting, Amber's mother says:

"She's the most amazing person... I wish you could see the difference from when she started Girl Scouts and now."

Read the entire article here! Also, are you the parent of a Girl Scout? If so, please share your stories with us.