Girl Scouts Highlight Girls’ Financial Empowerment With NYSE Closing Bell

Timothy Higdon, Chief of External Affairs of the Girl Scouts of the USA and Patricia Stensrud, Board President of the Girl Scouts of Greater New York, along with Judy Vredenburgh, President and CEO of Girls Inc. will ring The Closing Bell® at the New York Stock Exchange in honor of Financial Literacy Month, underscoring the importance of financial empowerment and financial capability for girls. They will be joined on the bell podium by several Girl Scouts and girls participating in the ING-Girls Inc. Investment Challenge.

Tune in today to CNBC for the Closing Bell between 3pm and 5pm, Eastern Time. The program is dual-anchored by Maria Bartiromo and Bill Griffeth at the New York Stock Exchange between 3-4pm.

Girl Scouts of the USA is the premier leadership organization for girls. 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. Many female business leaders got their start selling cookies. In fact, some 80 percent of American, female executives and business owners are former Girl Scouts. Girls set cookie goals to support their chosen activities for the year, to fund community service and leadership projects, to attend summer camp, to travel to destinations near and far and to provide events for girls in their community. Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program girls develop five essential skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, business ethics.

Girl Scouts of the USA Adds to National Board of Directors

Girl Scouts of the USA took action on March 29, 2011, to appoint Barbara Krumsiek, CEO of the Calvert Group, and Linda Descano, President and CEO of Citi’s Women’s group, to the National Board of Directors. This change comes as Girl Scouts of the USA prepares for the organizations 100th anniversary, its’ most aggressive fund development campaign ever, and in the midst of an executive search for the next CEO, who will take over after Kathy Cloninger retirees later this year.

Barbara J. Krumsiek is Chair, CEO and President of Calvert Group, Ltd., a leading investment management firm headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Calvert 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.

Linda Descano is President & CEO of Women & Co., a division of Citi that provides women with financial resources and a community for building their financial knowledge, exchanging financial insights, and accessing tips and tools for creating financial strategies based on the realities of women’s financial lives. Linda joined Women & Co. in 2003 as Chief Operating Officer and was appointed as President in 2007 and CEO in 2010.

New CEO for California's Central Coast

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast announced yesterday that Sherry Norman Sybesma of Arlington, Texas, has been selected as Chief Executive Officer of the council effective immediately. Ms. Sybesma has been serving as interim CEO since January 1, of this year, and will provide the continued vision and leadership for the council three-years post realignment – a core business strategy which joined two legacy councils encompassing six counties along the central coast.

Ms. Sybesma, a former Girl Scout volunteer and past Executive Director of Girl Scouts Lone Star Council, recently held consultant, and Senior Vice President positions at Interbake Foods, an industry-leading baked goods manufacturer. Ms. Sybesma was responsible for managing the Girl Scout cookie business held by Interbake, as well as other segments in retail/private label and contract manufacturing.

Girl Scouts of the USA has initiated its search for a new Chief Executive Officer to replace Kathy Cloninger, who announced her retirement in September, 2010, and plans to transition from her position in November of 2011.

Girl Scouts Make Significant Brand Equity Gains in 2011

According to the 2011 Harris Poll EquiTrend Study, the non-profit sector shows improvement in brand equity, despite some high profile missteps. Overall, the non-profit sector has continued to show improvement in brand equity among consumers since 2007. Girl Scouts of the USA is among several non-profit organizations that have demonstrated strong brand equity gains this year, a list which also includes American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, March of Dimes and Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Brand equity refers to the marketing effects and outcomes that accrue to a product with its brand name compared with those that would accrue if the same product did not have the brand name. Because of the well known brand name the company some time charges premium prices from the consumer. At the root of these marketing effects is consumers' knowledge. The study of brand equity is increasingly popular as some marketing researchers have concluded that brands are one of the most valuable assets that a company has. Brand equity is one of the factors which can increase the financial value of a brand to the brand owner, although not the only one.

Earlier this year, Rick Thompson at Customer Think placed the new Girl Scout brand identity at number two in his Top Five Brand Identity and Logo Changes in 2010. At Brand New - one of my personal favorites - the Girl Scout refresh came out with high marks as well.

Weekend Run-Down

Let's take a look at Girl Scout stories popping up all across the country:

• The Washington Examiner reports on Lidia Soto-Harmon, Chief executive officer, Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital. The article runs down her favorite spots in and around Washington, DC.
• Indiana’s IndyStar reports that more than $42,000 was raised for Girl Scouts in Hamilton County at the Hamilton County Leadership Luncheon on March 25. Co-organizer Mary Sue Rowland said more than $24,000 was collected from donations the day of the event. About 600 Girl Scouts and supporters attended. She estimated, taking into account sponsors, in-kind donations, door prizes plus donors, the event brought in $42,419.
• The Garden City News, NY, reports that the first ever Eco-Fest at the Garden City Bird Sanctuary was professionally presented by four girls in Cadette Troop 1241 for their Silver project. The idea was a product of brainstorming by the girls themselves last August as they began planning their Silver project together.
• In Canada, Global BC reports that Jasmine Merali is a very successful, clever, shrewd and determined businesswoman - trapped in the body of a 10-year-old Scout. The North Vancouver girl has quickly made a name for herself inside the organization for her aggressive techniques that have crowned her the top seller of popcorn. But Jasmine isn't raking in chump change - in just one month, she sold enough bags of popcorn to make $17,185.
• Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley Live reports that About 90 Girl Scouts and other members of Daisy Troop 90694 took part in a Mommy and Me Zumba class Friday at Greenwich Elementary School. The class was a fundraiser, with proceeds going to the Red Cross to benefit Japan, which is recovering from an earthquake and tsunami and battling a nuclear disaster. Zumba is a fitness program in which participants dance to Latin music to get in shape.

Enjoy!

Ruth Bramson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, Honored

The Boston Business Journal reports that as a single mother of three daughters for a good chunk of her professional career, Ruth Bramson knew firsthand the challenges facing working women. In fact, she wrote her master’s thesis at Boston University on the topic: How companies can provide a better work/life balance for women. “It’s really disheartening, with all the focus on women’s issues, that there is still such an imbalance of women in top management positions,” she said. Bramson’s own success in the workplace and managing that difficult work/life balance made her an ideal choice to lead the newly resurgent Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts.

Ruth Bramson was recently honored alongside June Rokoff, of the Commonwealth Institute and Linda Whitlock, head of The Whitlock Group and former president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston at The Boston Business Journal's Advancing Women breakfast.

Keep Going Alison Mansfield

Congrats to Hall of Famer Alison Mansfield!

Energizer's Keep Going Hall of Fame reports that at age 10, Alison Mansfield had an experience that literally changed her life perspective; she met Sergeant Paul Statzer, a soldier severely injured while serving in Iraq. Inspired by Sergeant Statzer’s strength and positive attitude, Alison knew she wanted to do something to honor those who make our freedoms possible, so she started a Girl Scout cookie drive and collection of troop support letters. But in 2007, her project went national when she added the collection of warm, wool socks for soldiers serving in the cold, mountainous regions of Afghanistan. Today, Alison has collected more than 60,000 socks, snacks, toiletries, letters of support and small toys for the soldiers to give to the Afghan and Iraqi children as gestures of goodwill. Through her extraordinary spirit, enthusiasm and determination, Alison has inspired others across the United States to get involved in their communities.

Kudos Alison! Do you have similar stories of Girl Scouts contributing to the greater good?

Three Generations of Girl Scouts in Sacramento

In California, Sacramento's ABC News 10 meets with three generations of Girl Scouts who share their experiences growing up with the Girl Scout organization and why it's been a tradition in their family. Check it out!

Do you have experience with multi-generational Girl Scout families? Have you stayed in touch with Girl Scouts from your past? Register with the Girl Scouts Alumnae Association to reconnect!

Girl Scouts Forever Green Sweeps the USA With Earth Hour

The Earth Hour Blog reports that Girl Scouts across the United States of America - from Louisiana to Missouri to Utah and Indiana - led the action for Earth Hour. In Los Angeles, local troops gathered for a candlelit vigil while 500 Colorado Girl Scouts created a giant glowing ‘GS” on the steps of the State Capital Building in Denver. All 96 UN buildings in New York including its main headquarters flicked off for the occasion. Simultaneously, the lights of Broadway theatres dimmed their marquees and roof signs in honor of Earth Hour. Iconic sites including the Empire State Building and numerous buildings in Times Square also rose to the occasion by switching off.

This year, Girl Scouts of the USA has partnered with Earth Hour, which meshes well with the ongoing Girl Scouts Forever Green project. Girl Scouts Forever Green, the Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary Take Action Project, is a national effort of girls leading their families, schools, and communities in improving the environment and protecting natural resources. Girl Scouts Forever Green invites girls to Take Action on three major projects. Participants are also encouraged to take an Online Pledge stating their yearlong commitment to Girl Scouts Forever Green efforts.

“Our organizations have a common purpose — to create a better environment for future generations,” Andy Ridley, Earth Hour co-founder and executive director told the Colorado Springs Gazette. More than 350 Girl Scouts and their families gathered at the Capitol in Colorado Springs, hosting an evening of environmental learning for the community.

California’s Camarillo Acorn reports that Camarillo Girl Scouts have a bright future when it comes to turning off lights and turning on candles in the name of energy conservation.

The troops and their communities across the country replaced incandescent bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs, and turned off non-emergency lights during Earth Hour 2011. The Scouts in Camarillo installed 40 energy- efficient light bulbs in member’s homes and saved 15,538 kilowatts of energy and 23,929 pounds of CO2 to raise awareness for the environment.

To date, Girl Scouts have installed 7,419 energy-efficient light bulbs and 8,868 Scouts participated in Earth Hour. The Girl Scout organization estimates these two events have saved 2.8 million kilowatts of energy and 4.4 pounds of CO2. That is equivalent to planting 431 acres of trees per year or the CO2 emissions from about 387 cars per year. These numbers are expected to expand greatly as Girl Scouts Forever Green gains even more traction nationwide in 2012.

NYC Culture Adopts Girl Scouts as Meme

This week, Girl Scouts occupy space in both high-brow and pop-culture circles. New York Magazine's Approval Matrix, a deliberately oversimplified guide to who falls where on taste hierarchies - features Girl Scout Pop Up Stores in NYC this week.

Over at The New York Times, it is revealed that William Lauder, executive chairman of Estée Lauder, greets reporters with Girl Scout Cookies of the Peanut Butter Sandwich variety.

Do you have any fun Girl Scout stories popping up in your favorite publications?

It's Your Spirit, Nebraska!

Somali Bantu refugee girls, grades K-12, attended a Girl Scout Spirit of Nebraska cultural event at Yates Early Childhood Center in Omaha on Friday, March 25. The program, based upon a Girl Scouts of the USA curriculum, It’s Your Story –Tell It!, covered a series of topics about mass media and its influence on today’s girls. The girls were given the opportunity to work with a successful professional from the media field who was able to give them a behind the scenes look at how television studios really work. They also celebrated sisterhood and diversity by sharing stories and customs from around the world.

Girl Scouts of the USA and Dove®, the leading personal care brand, partner to deliver Girl Scout leadership and self-esteem programming to millions of girls nationwide and abroad with the latest Girl Scout leadership journey It's Your Story-Tell It!. Do you have any favorite Journey activities?

What Nonprofits Can Learn from a Girl Scout Manual

The Philanthropic Family has a fantastic piece titled What Nonprofits Can Learn from a Girl Scout Manual. "Don’t laugh, but I’m the cookie mom for my daughter’s Daisy troop" says author Sharon Schneider. "There are still boxes of Thin Mints and Samoas in the corner of my living room..." Certainly a sentiment many folks out there can currently relate to. She continues, "We have to get rid of those extra boxes, and so I read some of the material provided by the Girl Scouts about site sales. What caught my eye was an admonition for the adults not to take over the activity."

What she is referring to is the 2010-2011 Girl Scout Product Activities Guide. It states: “Adults act as coaches who help girls develop leadership skills by using these three processes: Girl-led: Girls play an active part in figuring out the what, where, when, how, and why of their activities. They lead the planning and decision-making as much as possible. Learning by doing: Girls engage in continuous cycles of action and reflection that result in deeper understanding of concepts and mastery of practical skills. Cooperative learning: Girls work together toward shared goals in an atmosphere of respect and collaboration that encourages the sharing of skills, knowledge and learning.”

After reviewing the product guide, Schneider concluded that "as the Girl Scouts manual so delicately points out, the larger goal isn’t to sell a bunch of cookies. The larger goal is to teach the girls critical leadership and entrepreneurial skills that they can apply elsewhere. And to accomplish that goal, there is no more important step than putting the girls in charge of cookie sales with adults coaching them." Definitely read the entire post here.

I've certainly gained skills by watching some of our girls in action! What have you learned from The Girl Scout Cookie Program?

Express Your Story Through Music

Self expression is a large thread throughout the latest Girl Scout leadership journey It's Your Story-Tell It! Music has always been one of the most popular forms of self expression. On Saturday, March 19, Roland Corporation U.S. and Girl Scouts of the USA launched the national Girl Scouts Rock! Powered by Roland initiative at the Los Angeles Theatre Centre. Many Girl Scouts and their parents attended and participated in the fun, interactive music workshop co-developed by Roland and Girl Scouts, designed to get girls pumped up about making music. Check out this video of Girl Scouts beginning their journey into the world of music!

Charlotte Caffey, of the Go-Go's, the original groundbreaking all-female rock band, was at the event to offer her support and said, "This year will mark the 30th anniversary of Beauty and the Beat. As a female musician and songwriter and mother of a 16-year-old daughter myself, I love that the Girl Scouts and Roland have partnered to bring girls across the country access to making music." Former Girl Scout and Disney star Shelby Spalione, previous lead singer of the all-girl teen rock band KSM, inspired by the Go-Go's, sang "We Got the Beat" with the Rockin' Roland Girls Band, and participated alongside girls, inspiring them to learn to make their own music and follow their dreams.

The latest Girl Scout leadership journey It's Your Story-Tell It! has its' very own comprehensive website that allows you to get involved in a number of awesome activities! Girl Scouts of the USA and Dove®, the leading personal care brand, partner to deliver Girl Scout leadership and self-esteem programming to millions of girls nationwide and abroad with the latest Girl Scout leadership journey It's Your Story-Tell It!.

Paper Cranes and Cookie Cash to Japan

The Press Enterprise, CA, reports that from now until April 23, $1 from every box of Girl Scout Cookies sold by the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council will be donated to the Girl Scouts of Japan Relief Fund. This fund will be used for families affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

"I challenge our troops to join me in raising $10,000 by April 23. It's so easy for all of us to get caught up in our own day-to-day troubles. Yet none of them are as significant as the troubles disaster victims are facing right now in Japan," Elizabeth Locke-Thomas, vice president of retail and product sales, said in a statement to the council's troops.

In the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the Girl Scouts of Japan mailed thousands of paper cranes to their Girl Scout sisters across the United States in an expression of peace and friendship. American Girl Scouts now invite their friends and neighbors to buy cookies or make a paper heart or crane to bring hope to families in Japan who may have none.

Similarly, when five Girl Scouts in Troop 76 from Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways heard about the March 11 earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, they were concerned.

Binghamton's News 34 reports that the girls recently represented Japan at a World Thinking Day celebration. As part of their study of traditional Japanese culture, they learned to fold paper cranes. Like the California Girl Scouts, the girls learned that Japanese Girl Scouts folded and sent thousands of paper cranes to New York to show their goodwill and sympathy after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

The policy by Girl Scouts of the USA that prohibits Girl Scouts from raising money for other organizations has been temporarily suspended in order for Girl Scouts to support the relief efforts. This is why the girls decided that instead of trying to mail 1,000 paper cranes to Japan, they would fold a thousand cranes and sell them for $1 each and send a check, along with a picture of them with the cranes, to Japan.

Do you have any examples to share about how Girl Scouts are contributing to relief efforts in Japan?

Girls Experience Religion in Life

New Jersey's Mercer Space reports that ten local girls recently completed the Religion in Life program at the Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing. Religion in Life, the Unitarian Universalist Association’s religious award program designed for Girl Scouts but open to all girls, has more than 40 requirements involving religious study, service, and self-exploration. The girls’ activities included learning about religious diversity by visiting Masjidut-Taqwa, a mosque in Trenton; conducting an accessibility survey of the Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing building; and hearing of the Depression-era Girl Scout experiences of Newtown resident Ruth Samsel.

Laurel Richie in the Top 25

Laurel J. Richie, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Girl Scouts of the USA has been honored as one of The Network Journal’s 25 Influential Black Women in Business for 2011. Richie, recognized for her key role in rolling out the Girl Scouts’ brand-repositioning initiatives in 2010, credits her Girl Scout experience of selling cookies for instructing her on the fundamentals of marketing. Under Richie's leadership, the multi-cultural and Hispanic campaign roll-out continues. Print executions recently appeared in Oprah and Time magazines, and the campaigns have expanded into airport, mall, highway and transit out-of-home locations across the country. Media impressions to date have topped 1 billion, with donated media valued at $23 million.

On Thursday, March 24, Richie was celebrated and presented with The Network Journal's 25 Influential Black Women in Business award during the awards luncheon at the Marriott New York Marquis in New York, New York. The Network Journal is a monthly print and online business publication for black professionals and small business owners. In March 1999, The Network Journal launched the 25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards honoring women whose professional achievements have significantly impacted an industry, a profession or community.

Girl Scout Cookie Empire Evolves, Continues

Business Insider has a brilliant article titled 'How The Girl Scouts Built Their Cookie Empire'. There is a timeline slideshow, detailing the evolution of The Girl Scout Cookie Program. The story begins with an Oregon Girl Scout troop that organized a bake sale. Nearly a century later, Girl Scouts of the USA commands a $715 million cookie empire, selling 200 million boxes a year. The article details how Girl Scouts built their booming business thanks to decades of smart organizational choices, good products and an unbeatable brand image. This incredible growth story is a model for non-profit and for-profit companies.

The next step in The girl Scout Cookie Program's evolution, reported by an abundance of outlets over the past few days, is being played out in the digital arena. The Baltimore Sun reports that Girl Scouts nationwide are increasingly selling their famous cookies with a technological assistance. "We're shifting the way we do business in a big way, and this is one small indicator of that movement," says Jamie Joyce, vice president of interactive marketing for Girl Scouts of the USA — the first in the organization to hold such a title. "The general perception of Scouts is that they're an iconic brand that's been around forever, but not particularly a Web-savvy or connected one. We think this change will resonate really well with the public to let them know we are where they are." The Cookie Finder for iPhone is an extension of a Web tool the Scouts have found to be wildly popular. People searching for cookies go online to girlscoutcookies.org, type in their ZIP code and up pops a list, sorted by distance, showing how far to the nearest cookies. In January alone, that site topped 1 million visits — leading to countless sales for Scouts nationwide.

The story has been picked up by ABC News, Yahoo News (video below), redOrbit, Seattle Weekly and countless more. A quote from an article in The Washington Post resonates the most with me. “When it comes to technology, I think the best way to sum up Girl Scouts is: We are where the girls are,” said Michelle Tompkins, spokeswoman for Girl Scouts of the USA. “We listen to what they say. And when they tell us that they are on Facebook, then we go on Facebook.”

Download the Official Girl Scouts of the USA Cookie Finder today!

Weekend Run-Down

Let's spotlight some Girl Scout media stories from the weekend:

• In New Jersey, The Cranford Chronicle's Dinah Dunn relates her family's love of Girl Scout Cookies by saying, "I am powerless against Girl Scout cookies. Powerless, so it seems, is my family. When the cookies arrived on Sunday, it was like chum in the water. The feeding frenzy was so vicious I had to wrestle the boxes out of their hands and hide them in an old suitcase in the basement." I can relate!


• The Herald-Mail reports that a group of Girl Scouts transformed a library into a 'heavenly' space.


• In Virginia, The Vienna Patch's column 'Whiz Kid' features a great read through of local Girl Scout Gold Award recipients.


• Ohio's Chronicle-Telegram has a column devoted to interviewing a fifteen year old Girl Scout. Regarding a sleepover at the All Pro Freight Stadium, she states, "We’re going to sleep on the field in a box to see what it’s like to be homeless and we brought donations to the homeless shelter. We’re trying to find out what it’s like to be homeless for a night."


• West Virginia's News and Sentinel reports that a group of women recently gathered in Parkersburg to reminisce about a special time in their lives. More than 30 years ago, the women were members of Cadet Troop 1256 and Senior Troop 1091 of the Girl Scouts who were based at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Parkersburg.


• In Massachusetts, The Burlington Patch reports that Burlington’s fourth and fifth grade Girl Scout troops competed in the town's first Rope Runner competition on Sunday. Rope Runners are simple wooden figures that balance on a single wheel and race along 1/8 inch nylon ropes. The participants construct their Rope Runners from a kit and then decorate them according to their own design. Rope runners can be as simple as a wooden box with weights, wheel and axel, or they can be as elaborate as their creators’ dreams.

Enjoy!

Girl Scouts Rock Powered By Roland Hits Times Square and Las Vegas Strip

On Saturday, March 19, Roland Corporation U.S. and Girl Scouts of the USA launched the national Girl Scouts Rock! Powered by Roland initiative at the Los Angeles Theatre Centre. Many Girl Scouts and their parents attended and participated in the fun, interactive music workshop co-developed by Roland and Girl Scouts, designed to get girls pumped up about making music.

Charlotte Caffey, of the Go-Go's, the original groundbreaking all-female rock band, was at the event to offer her support and said, "This year will mark the 30th anniversary of Beauty and the Beat. As a female musician and songwriter and mother of a 16-year-old daughter myself, I love that the Girl Scouts and Roland have partnered to bring girls across the country access to making music." Former Girl Scout and Disney star Shelby Spalione, previous lead singer of the all-girl teen rock band KSM, inspired by the Go-Go's, sang "We Got the Beat" with the Rockin' Roland Girls Band, and participated alongside girls, inspiring them to learn to make their own music and follow their dreams.

After the event, photographs of Charlotte Caffey, Shelby Spalione and Girl Scouts have been appearing on the jumbotron screens in both New York's Times Square and the Las Vegas Strip.

Run an aMUSE Camp This Summer!!

In the Junior journey, aMUSE, from It’s Your Story – Tell It! girls read inspiring stories of real women who have taken on many different roles. The women they meet took the lead in their own lives and then became leaders in the office, in the kitchen, and in government! Girls also think about the roles they currently play in life and the roles of the women and girls around them. Girls find out about the roles women play in real life and in media, they find out about the limitless possibilities available to them, and also learn about stereotypes. Juniors learn to bust stereotypes and try on even more roles! Juniors will delight as they find out how fun sharing stories through different methods like dance, music or drama can be. There is also a world of possibilities when considering the link this theme has to theater. Girls will have their choice of many acting-themed activities and games, like Take the Stage, a charades-like game that has them jump into the “spotlight” to act out a role while their sister Girl Scouts guess what role she is playing!

The theme of the third leadership journey series, It’s Your Story – Tell It! is storytelling. Stories teach girls about themselves and the world in a fun, interactive way. As you know, Girl Scouts of the USA and Dove®, the leading personal care brand, partner to deliver Girl Scout leadership and self-esteem programming to millions of girls nationwide and abroad with the latest Girl Scout leadership journey It's Your Story-Tell It!. It's Your Story-Tell It! uses a storytelling theme in a fun and relevant way for girls to better understand themselves and their potential.
It's Your Story-Tell It! also has a very comprehensive website that allows you to get involved in a number of awesome activities! It has quizzes and games, video examples and templates plus a whole lot more! I've actually taken some of the quizzes and learned quite a bit.

Make sure you get a set of the latest Girl Scout leadership journey It's Your Story-Tell It! and ask your girls how they want to be creative this summer!