Lynette Melton-Wolfe Named GSSI's Pearl of the Month for September

 

GSSI is pleased to announce Lynette Melton-Wolfe of Granite City is the September Pearl of the Month.

 The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

Lynette planned and carried out the first ever twilight Day Camp for Service Unit 102 this year. It was attended by 70 campers and 11 PA/CITs. The girls learned cake decorating, kitchen chemistry and dinner party basics as well as games including life-size Candyland and Cracker Jack Jenga. Lynette was careful to plan activities that tied to badges and she even created a book for each camper including pictures so they would have a keepsake. The week ended with an overnight of 25 girls. She also recruited volunteers to help, made a patch, and stayed for cleanup! The real measure of success was the hugs she received from girls and both girls and adults asking to come back next year.

Heather Grotecke from Granite City is GSSI's August Pearl of the Month

 

 

GSSI is pleased to announce Heather Groetecke of Granite City is the August Pearl of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

Heather leads a troop of Junior girls as well as a Senior/Ambassador group. She has involved them both in the Challenge and Change project which is a Girl Scout grant program funded through the USDA. The girls put the garden plot together and meet weekly to weed, water, mow, and tend to their portion of the garden as needed. Heather has even brought chickens out so that the girls can learn about animals. She utilizes the different age levels of her troops to allow the older girls the opportunity to teach and supervise the younger girls. It is a great learning experience for all involved.

To nominate a volunteer from your area for a Pearl of the Month award, please fill out the form on the following page and e-mail it to volunteer@gsofsi.org.

Sheila Jolly Scrivner of Bluford is GSSI's July Pearl of the Month

 

GSSI is pleased to announce Sheila Jolly Scrivner of Bluford as the July Pearl of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefi t from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

 

Sheila serves as Service Unit Manager as well as leading a troop. She is a great cheerleader for Girl Scouts in the community and attends all local events. She also attends council functions and meetings to make sure all leaders are informed. Following the 2014 GSSI Annual Meeting, Sheila challenged her Service Unit to earn the President’s Award and through her guidance they earned it in 2015. This year, she also organized a World Thinking Day event for the Service Unit with troops representing different countries through snacks and crafts. The event was completely free and a great learning experience for the girls. Sheila’s troop does a community service project every month. She always leads by example!

Shelly Lemons of Lebanon is GSSI's June Pearl of the Month

 

 

GSSI is pleased to announce Shelly Lemons of Lebanon is the June Pearl of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

Shelly became a co-leader this year after previously serving as an active parent volunteer. In her first year she has stepped up to take trainings, became the Troop Cookie Manager, attends monthly meetings, and helped with the Thinking Day event. She makes sure activities are girl-led which keeps the girls excited and interested in the troop and helps to draw in new girls. She gets her entire family involved in events and is always willing to help plan, set-up, run, and clean-up! Shelly is a positive person and a great influence on the young ladies in her troop and the whole Service Unit.

Mandy Bizaillion of Scheller Named May Pearl of the Month

 

 

GSSI is pleased to announce Mandy Bizaillion of Scheller is the May Pearl of the Month.The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

While balancing career and family, Mandy finds time to create energetic, creative, and educational activities for her troop of 25 girls in multiple grade levels. The troop is active in the community through events and community service projects. Perhaps one of her most successful initiatives, was the recruitment of High School girls to serve as "Intern Assistant Leaders" to work with her troop. The younger girls adore the older role models and the extra hands help Mandy to deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience effectively and efficiently.

To nominate a volunteer from your area for a Pearl of the Month award, please fill out the form on the following page and e-mail it to volunteer@gsofsi.org.

Kila Lindstrom of O'Fallon and Dena Davis of Highland Names Pearls of the Month

GSSI is pleased to announce that Kila Lindstrom of O’Fallon and Dena Davis of Highland are the April Pearls of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes Girl Scout volunteers who have delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefi t from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council. 

Kila Lindstrom has taken the leadership skills she built as a girl member and put them to use, first as a co-leader and now a leader of a Brownie troop. She keeps girls’ interests in mind when planning fun and educational outings. She is also serving as a Service Unit Delegate and has trained volunteers in CPR/FA/AED through her job at the YMCA. In fact, while at work, she saved the life of a local volunteer’s husband and he has since made a full recovery. Kila continues to demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities and is a great mentor to girls.

Dena Davis is in her first year as Service Unit Manager, a role she was voted into by her fellow volunteers. In this time, she has made a huge impact by building camaraderie among the leaders. She encourages all leaders through training, mentorship and supporting other Service Unit positions. She also makes sure all leaders have their required training and camp training completed. Dena also organizes the annual outdoor swim event as a bring-a-friend recruiting opportunity. 

To learn more about GSSI's Pearl of the Month Award, please contact Volunteer Services Manager Amanda Kaemmerer at 800.345.6858, ext. 1142 or e-mail akaemmerer@gsofsi.org. 

Amanda Bridewell of Harrisburg is March Pearl of the Month

GSSI is pleased to announce that Amanda Bridewell of Harrisburg is the March Pearl of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

Amanda has earned the Pearl award for her excellent event coordination.  She stepped up to coordinate the fall event for the Service Unit.  The well-planned and organized event was a dance including a book exchange, meal, photo opportunity, and costumed parade of favorite book characters. Approximately 75 girls and 30 adults attended, had a great time and look forward to the next event Amanda plans.

Norma Dyer from Mt. Vernon Named February Pearl of the Month

 

 

GSSI is pleased to announce that Norma Dyer of Mt. Vernon is the February Pearl of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefi t from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

 Norma is a very seasoned Girl Scout volunteer who currently leads three troops and has recently taken the responsibility of Service Unit Treasurer. She also volunteers to clean the Girl Scout “Little House” that many troops use for meetings.


In addition to her Girl Scout roles, Norma serves her community through many programs and exhibits all aspects of the Girl Scout Law on a daily basis. To her peers, Norma is known as a Girl Scout phenomenon and is always the first volunteer to come to help and the last to leave.

For more information about GSSI’s Pearl of the Month Award, please contact Volunteer Services Manager Amanda Kaemmerer at 800.345.6858, ext. 1142 or e-mail akaemmerer@gsofsi.org.

 

Laura Estes of Carterville Named January 2015 Pearl of the Month

 

 

Laura Estes of Carterville has been named GSSI’s January Pearl of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

In addition to her regular duties as a troop leader, Laura is an advocate for hunger and homelessness and has managed the adoption of The Promise Food Pantry in Marion for her Service Unit. She has motivated each troop to donate canned goods, coats, gloves, hats and money. She has organized this initiative into monthly projects for the entire Girl Scout year. Her troop is very active and Laura is an inspiration to all who work with her.

 

Nichole Williams of Mt. Vernon Named GSSI's December Pearl of the Month

 

 

Nichole Williams of Mt. Vernon has been named GSSI’s December Pearl of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

 

Nichole is a supportive and energetic leader to more than 70 girls ranging from Daisy to Cadette grade levels. While that alone is quite a feat, she also serves as the Service Unit Registrar for Jefferson County. Nichole also coordinates many spectacular events including as parade floats, Halloween Bash, Father/Daughter dance, and a self-defense class. She always makes sure she is an enthusiastic cheerleader for the girls. In her "spare" time, Nichole also volunteers at GSSI’s Regional Service Center.

Danielle Hurley From Hardin Named Novemeber Pearl of the Month

 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Danielle Hurley from Hardin has been named GSSI’s November Pearl of the Month. GSSI’s Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

Danielle is a troop leader for 28 girls from Daisy through Junior Girl Scouts. Even though the girls are different levels, Danielle provides fun and challenging activities for each girl. In addition to working with her own troop, she coordinated a movie night at the community park to recruit more girls and planned a community food drive. Even while living in a rural area, she takes advantage of the opportunities around her and makes sure that each girl gets a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience and has opportunities they may not otherwise have.

Jason Dothager from Staunton is GSSI's October Pearl of the Month

 

 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Jason Dothager from Staunton have been named GSSI’s October Pearl of the Month. GSSI’s Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.     

Jason is the father of four Girl Scouts.  He takes an active Girl Scout role, serving as co-leader of a troop and has also stepped up to help with other activities for the Service Unit.  He initiated the “He & Me” campout last year which attracted over 20 girls and their “He’s” for a day of fun outdoor activities.  Following the success of this event, he recruited other dads to help plan for this year.  Jason has also become the leader of a STEM group which resulted in the recruitment of three new Girl Scouts!  The Staunton area day camp also benefitted from Jason’s certifications in archery and canoeing, which allows girls the opportunity to enjoy these activities while at camp.  He is known as an example to other who always says “What can I do to help?”

Karlene Hoefener of O'Fallon Named September Pearl of the Month

 

Karlene Hoefener of O’Fallon is the September Pearl of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

Even though her own daughters are grown, Karlene continues to mentor Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts and has helped numerous girls earn their Gold Award. She has also coordinated Product Sale Programs for her Service Unit for many years and provides great communication for volunteers and girls to make sure the program is a success. More recently, she has also moved into the Day Camp Director position and secured volunteers for programs, crafts, and every detail while continuing to recruit future volunteers. Karlene is always willing to help and she demonstrated that quality earlier this year when she agreed to help with an outreach program at Fulton Junior High and volunteered to help process registrations at the council office during an employee’s unexpected medical leave. Like many other volunteers, she devotes much of her personal life to Girl Scouting.

Lisa Ordorizzi and Deborah McAuliffe Named August Pearls of the Month

 

 

Lisa Odorizzi of Mt. Olive and Deborah McAuliffe of O’Fallon are GSSI’s August Pearls of the Month. The Pearl of the Month award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.
 

In additional to serving as a Troop Leader, Lisa is the SU Registrar, town organizer and event coordinator. She has guided her Junior troop through their Girl Scout Bronze Award and they earned the Journey Summit Award. Her enthusiasm paired with the quality program she provides has been successful in recruiting new girl and adult members. In her role as SU Registrar, she keeps excellent records and is very timely with paperwork. Annually, she coordinates the Powder Puff Derby and Bridging Ceremony. Both were well attended and flawlessly executed.
 

Deborah serves as a Troop Leader, Troop Organizer/Consultant (TOC) and Day Camp Unit Leader. While relatively new to the area, Deborah jumped right in and volunteered at Day Camp and recruited a new troop. Her Junior troop just completed their Bronze Award with her guidance. She has also volunteered as a Series Facilitator providing Girl Scout programs to girls in schools. She served over 90 girls in her first series, both helping plan the programs and serving as an excellent role model.

Paula Burrows and Kindra Smith Named July Pearls of the Month

 

Paula Burrows of Flora and Kindra Smith of Percy are the July Pearls of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

Paula serves as both the Service Unit Manager and Registrar for Clay County and has also served as Product Sales Manager previously. Her commitment to girls has helped to retain girl members and maintain troops in the area so that girls can continue to take advantage of what Girl Scouts has to offer. She makes sure that girls know the importance of community service and she organizes events throughout the year to for girls and their families.

Kindra is a Girl Scout Gold recipient who now serves as a Girl Scout leader and also was a lifeguard through the OAR program. On one occasion, she attended a troop campout and served as the lifeguard. She went above and beyond to make sure the girls were comfortable in the water and planned activities for them. She also stayed for the rest of the day on her own. She shared fire building and camping tips and then offered to take everyone on a night hike and showed the leaders other paths they could use in the future.

 

Patti Bardle of Pinckneyville and Christina Rheaume of Highland Named June Pearls of the Month

Patti Bardle of Pinckneyville and Christina Rheaume of Highland are GSSI’s June Pearls of the Month.  The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

Patti is an exceptional leader and event planner.  The most recent event she coordinated was “Girl Scout Princess Day,” which attracted over 60 girls.  Stations included making a homemade wand and crown, princess etiquette, spa treatment, hair styling and games.  With the help of her husband, she built a princess castle that the girls could walk through.  She made sure everyone had a wonderful experience. Knowing it would be popular, the SU team also used the event as a for recruitment!

Christina is a very involved leader and event planner.  Recently, she organized a new event called “Movie Morning.”  It was a family event and included one movie for younger girls and another option for older girls to make it enjoyable for all ages.  Donations of food were also collected and donated to a local pantry.  Christina plans to continue this event annually and look into new ideas to make the event even better.

Fleta Junge of Red Bud Named May Pearl of the Month

Fleta Junge of Red Bud has been named the May Pearl of the Month.  The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

Fleta has been a Troop Leader for over 15 years and Product Program Chair for 5 years.  She is a key volunteer in the North Randolph County Service Unit, which has been operating as two areas due to travel distances.  She helps bring the volunteers across the Service Unit together and to make sure that information is passed on to all volunteers even if they are unable to attend meetings.  Fleta is always available to help other leaders and share information and ideas.

Heather Barclay of Thompsonville Honored as GSSI's April Pearl of the Month

 

 

 

Heather Barclay of Thompsonville has been named GSSI’s April Pearl of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

 Heather has been a volunteer for seven years since her daughter started as a Daisy. She has continued to take on more responsibility becoming a co-leader. Heather is always working to come up with new ideas to help the girls earn badges.

She is also the Cookie Chair and Fall Product Manager for the troop. Despite personal and family commitments, she never misses a meeting and already has plans to keep the girls engaged over the summer.

 

 

 

Rose Detmer Named Pearl of the Month for March 2014

GSSI is pleased to announce that Rose Detmer from Germantown has been named the March Pearl of the Month. GSSI’s Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

Since January, Rose has volunteered her time on weekly basis to assist GSSI with the implementation of E-Biz. This commitment involves weekly meetings, homework and hands-on training, as well as knowledge in working on existing computer systems and entering data. She has provided valuable input to ensure this vital process goes smoothly. Rose’s biggest accomplishment within the Service Unit is excelling as the Service Unit Director for SU 15 - Clinton County. Since Rose has taken this role, Service Unit membership has grown exponentially. There are now 25-30 volunteer leaders participating at each monthly meeting. She is committed to making sure new volunteers are not only placed as troop leaders, she goes the extra mile and trains all of them and makes sure they’re comfortable with troop finances. She provides continuing education to newer leaders and always sees to it that they are successful. She’s also an excellent treasurer and keeps Service Unit funds in order. Rose is a true asset to Clinton County and GSSI.

Debbie Workman from Highland Named Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois' February Pearl of the Month

 

 

GSSI is pleased to announce that Debbie Workman from Highland has been named the February Pearl of the Month. GSSI’s Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

Debbie is a troop leader, event planner, assistant to the Day Camp Director, and serves as the "Financial Manager" for her SU 111 - Highland. One of her biggest events is the annual Decades Dance that draws hundreds of girls and is one of the most popular events in the area. Debbie is always one of the first to step up and help with an event and follows through with her tasks to ensure that all girls have a wonderful Girl Scout experience.

The mission of Girl Scouting states:  Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.   Girl Scouts is the world's pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls - all girls - where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.  In partnership with committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives - like strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

Today’s Girl Scouts not only enjoy camping and crafts, but they also explore math and science and learn about diversity, good citizenship, leadership and teamwork.  Girl Scouting is the place where girls experience the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912. 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit organization supported by various United Ways throughout the region.  Girl Scouts is a Proud Partner of United Way.