GSSI's Girl Scout Gold Award Committee Guides Girls Towards Girl Scouts' Highest Award

by Nicolle Patton, GSSI Intern

(L-R) GSSI Program Manager Courtney Schaefer, Anne Haltenhof,
Elizabeth Burr, Mary Ann Hopper, Cheryl Heimerman

The iconic Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. Its prestige is built upon the considerable commitment, foresight and hard work it takes to achieve. A girl must complete a service project of a suggested minimum of 80 hours, and her efforts must be sustainable and valuable to her community. 

Of course, doing the project and getting the hours isn’t all a Girl Scout has to do to earn her Gold Award. She has to give a presentation detailing her project in front of the Gold Award Committee - a group of equally hard working, time-giving women who review girls’ projects as they present them, making suggestions and helping them towards success.

I personally earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in 2012. Presenting my project in front of the committee was a bit unnerving since public speaking wasn't really a forte of mine, but it was empowering to talk about the hard work I put into my project. Even though I was one of those girls presenting years ago, sitting there as a spectator got me thinking about the Gold Award Committee's perspective on everything.

GSSI’s Girl Scout Gold Award Committee is made up of Cheryl Heimerman, Penny Pejka, Anne Haltenhof, Marry Anne Hopper, Betsy Murphy, Chelsey Banaskavich and Carla Nilson. These women volunteer their time and talents to ensure that each girl gets individual attention to help make her Gold Award project the best it can be. 

Seeing these women go over paperwork describing girls’ projects, asking question after question to each girl that filed into the room and making sure that the girl got the most out of her Gold Award project, got me thinking about how they saw this whole process and how exactly they got involved in such a huge task in the first place.

It was enlightening to see the different range of experiences and reasons why they joined the Gold Award Committee.

When asked how she got involved with Girl Scouts and then later joined the Gold Award committee, Mary Anne Hopper said, “I was a Girl Scout for 8 years as a girl. When my daughters were in first grade, I registered them in Girl Scouts. My older two daughters’ troops met right after school. Since I worked out of town, I couldn’t help at their meetings. When my youngest daughter registered, I was asked to be a leader. Since another woman had volunteered to assist with an evening troop, I accepted the leadership of her troop.”

“My oldest daughter, Michelle, earned her Gold Award in 1996,” Hopper continued. “As my youngest daughter, Amy, approached her Cadette years, I decided I wanted to know as much as I could about the Gold Award. So I became a Gold Award trainer as well as part of the Gold Award Committee around 2000 and have continued for 16 years or so.”

Anne Haltenhof said, “I was a Girl Scout in grade school and now that I am retired I wanted to give back to the organization that helped me be who I am today.”

“My background is in project management and one of the staff members suggested that I get involved with the Gold Award since what the girls do are projects.”

Now, I know these ladies do more than sit in a room and review Gold Award projects all day and I wanted to know exactly what all their responsibilities entailed, because I know it’s more than going over a few files.

Carla Nilson explained, “I do Gold Award training. I participated in designing the Gold Award requirement paper work in the Shagbark legacy council. I read and evaluate proposed Gold Award projects with phone interviews. I offer suggestions and ask questions. I participate in interviews of final Gold Award projects. I help facilitate the awards at All That Glitters.”

Mary Anne Hopper added, “As part of the Gold Award Committee, I review Project Proposals about projects girls wish to do to earn their Gold Awards. With the committee, I help to interview the girls via phone conference calls to determine if their projects are acceptable Gold Award projects, not just a good service project. We make suggestions, and often requirements, which we feel will make the projects better.”

Seeing all of these responsibilities that the committee does really says something about their character and how much time and effort they put in for these girls. I’m sure over the years, they’ve had some memorable projects.

“All projects are memorable,” said Nilson. “I have even made special trips to see the finished product of some Girl Scout Gold Awards.”

Hopper said, “Two projects come to mind immediately. One project was done by two girls, assisting Habitat for Humanity in building a home for a family. The girls spent one Saturday for each of six months providing the volunteers and equipment as well as feeding the volunteers. The second project provided a free spay and neuter clinic for dogs and cats to eliminate overpopulation by unwanted dogs and cats. The young lady was very passionate about this project!”

When the women on the Girl Scout Gold Award Committee discuss their roles, their passion and excitement is obvious. With passion comes wisdom, so I asked these ladies to share advice for any Girl Scout who is about to present a Gold Award project in the near future. 

Haltenhof said, “Details, details, details. Make sure you are providing as much information about your project as you can. Often times, we get very sketchy reports and it’s hard to determine if they qualify for the award.”

Nilson added, “Allow plenty of time and be flexible. Before you speak to a group about your project, go over the points, have notes, take notes on suggestions and be prepared. Don't forget to write thank you notes to those who helped you with your project.”

“I would tell girls to find an issue about which you are passionate,” recommended Hopper. “Give yourself plenty of time. Choose people you can count on to help you. Ask for help when you need it. Set a timeline to achieve small goals in order to achieve the ultimate goal. Admit when something isn’t working and try doing it a different way.”

With the wonderful women of GSSI’s Girl Scout Gold Award Committee helping guide girls, there's so much knowledge and ideas to go around if any girl feels as though she's stuck at any point in her Gold Award. They want to help in any way they can to make these young women succeed in any way they can.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Presents Angie Worthey with Honor Pin

GSSI CEO Sarah Durbin, Angie Worthey, Kayli Worthey, GSSI Board Chair Linda Manley

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois has awarded Angie Worthey from Neoga with the Honor Pin, which recognizes an individual's exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE), which has had measureable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, allowing the council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals. The award was presented during GSSI's Annual Meeting on April 1 at Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon. 

“I believe Girl Scouting is so important and vital to girls today because it allows them to experience such a wide variety of things they might have never encountered without Girl Scouts. Like camping, robotics, and so much more. It gives them leadership skills along with self-confidence.”

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Presents Angie Zahn with Heart of Gold Award

GSSI CEO Sarah Durbin, Angie Zahn, GSSI Board Chair Linda Manley

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois has honored Angie Zahn from Trenton with the Heart of Gold Award, which recognizes the long-term impact a volunteer has had on girls and adults in his/her community through involvement in Girl Scouting. The service of this volunteer has been an integral part of maintaining and recruiting new girls and/or adults in one or more areas of the council. The award was presented during GSSI's Annual Meeting on April 1 at Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon. 

Angie is the owner of Zahn Appraisal Service and a Broker with Strano & Associates Real Estate. Currently she serves on Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois  (GSSI) Board of Directors as Secretary.  Angie served as a Past President of Girl Scouts of River Bluffs Council for six years and on the Board of Directors for 12 years.   She has been Girl Scout Mentor and Girl Scout Leader for the past 30 years and under her leadership, seven of her girls have earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award.   Angie is a Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts and a founding member of GSSI’s Juliette Gordon Low Society.  

“Girl Scouting is a very important part of my life," said Zahn.  "I always wanted to write a book entitled ‘Everything I Need to Know, I Learned in Girl Scouting.’  I started it...My experiences with Girl Scouting have been lasting.  While all of my experiences have been as an adult, they have made a lasting impression on me and the best thing I can do is to volunteer to help others -- girls and adults.  

"I believe that we get more by giving back," she continued.  "Volunteering for Girl Scouts has put more meaning into my life than many things.  I try to live the Promise and the Law every day. What could be a more powerful reason to get involved, than working and playing as a volunteer with an organization who has such a strong purpose and message!”

Mary Ann Hopper: Girl Scout Gold Award Trainer Since 2000

Since 1916, Girl Scouts have been making meaningful, sustainable change in their communities and around the world through their Girl Scout Gold Award projects. The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn, acknowledges the power behind each recipient’s dedication to not only empowering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. As the Girl Scout Gold Award celebrates 100 years of girls changing the world, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is highlighting some of our shining stars who exemplify the greatness of this award.

Girl Scout Gold Award recipients make great impacts on their communities. A girl puts in a tremendous amount of work to make her project successful, thus earning her Girl Scout Gold Award. But how does a girl get started on her journey? That’s where a group of select Girl Scout volunteers come in – volunteers like Mary Anne Hopper.

Mary Anne Hopper from Waterloo, IL first became a Girl Scout volunteer in 1993. While registering her youngest daughter for Girl Scouts, she learned there was a need for more troop leaders in her area. With the help of another parent as a co-leader, Mary Anne started her Girl Scout volunteer experience as a troop leader for her daughter Amy’s troop.

In 1996, Mary Anne’s oldest daughter, Michelle, earned her Girl Scout Gold Award. Soon after, daughter Amy was approaching the age when many Girl Scouts start thinking about the Gold Award themselves. As Amy’s troop leader and parent, Mary Anne wanted to know as much as she could about the award. Mary Anne was herself a Girl Scout for 8 years but never knew about the Girl Scout Gold Award (then known as First Class). She wanted to make sure Amy and other Girl Scouts knew about the award and had the necessary resources to achieve it. In 2000, Mary Anne became a Girl Scout Gold Award Trainer and Gold Award Committee member – positions she still holds today.

Mary Anne is a very busy individual; she is a full time paraprofessional at Waterloo High School and also works as an usher for the St. Louis Cardinals during baseball season. In addition, Mary Anne also volunteers at her church as well as the Cub Scout Day Camp and Camp Vandeventer. People like her usually get asked why they do so much or if they ever think about “cutting back” on their commitments. When Mary Anne is asked this regarding her Girl Scout volunteering, she replies, “If there had not been volunteers for my daughters’ troops, they would have missed out on a lot of new experiences. I have something to share with the girls as well as the adults with whom I interact, and it is important to me that I share it.”

As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scout Gold Award, Mary Anne encourages other adults to consider becoming a Girl Scout Gold Award volunteer. She states, “You get to watch girls grow into young women who can do anything they choose to do. If you help a girl with her Gold Award project, you may be that one resource that helps her project go from good to great!”

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a girl can earn in Girl Scouting. To earn this award, a Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador must design and carry out a project that fulfills a need within her community, creates change and is sustainable. The project must be completed with a suggested minimum of 80 hours of work, and only about 5 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.

Thirteen Volunteers Receive the Appreciation Pin From Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois

Thirteen adult volunteers were recognized with the Appreciation Pin by Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois during its Annual Meeting on April 9 at Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon.  

The Appreciation Pin recognizes an individual's exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE).  This service, which has had measurable impact on at least one geographic area of service, helps the council reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals for the area. 

Kudos to the following volunteers for 

receiving the Appreciation Pin:

Christine Bennett, Scott Air Force Base / SU 202 - ClinClair

Jason Dothager, Staunton / SU 107 - South Macoupin

Sarah Drury-Dothager, Staunton / SU 107 South Macoupin

Joanna Espique, Lebanon / SU 202 ClinClair

Emily Myers, Newton / SU 544 - Crawford/Jasper

Marsha Nichols, Centralia / SU 9 - Centralia

Tina Rabe, Ava / SU 60 - Randolph South 

Darcy Rowland, Godfrey / SU 101 Alton/Godfrey/Wood River/Roxana

Amy Taylor, Herrin / SU 90 - West Williamson

Vicki Thompson, Red Bud / SU 57 - Randolph North

Honorees Not Pictured: 

Stacey Gerdes, Bartelso / SU 15 - Clinton

Jamie Gross, Glen Carbon / SU 108 Edwardsville/Glen Carbon

Rita Rhodabarger, Effingham / SU 511 - Effingham

Beverly Vanover from Campbell Hill Receives Honor Pin From Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois

Beverly Vanover from Campbell Hill has received the Honor Pin for her volunteer service with Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. The Honor Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE), which has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, allowing the council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.

“Bev’s enthusiasm for Girl Scouting, her years of scouting knowledge and ability to train other leaders is what makes her an irreplaceable piece of our Girl Scout family," said fellow volunteer Becky Hohgrefe

Elizabeth Frisbie from Dorsey Receives Honor Pin from Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois

Elizabeth Frisbie from Dorsey has received the Honor Pin for her volunteer service with Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. The Honor Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE), which has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, allowing the council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.

“Elizabeth is always available – whether it be to answer questions, to provide physical support or to simply listen. Her knowledge has touched hundreds of Girl Scouts young and old, ” said fellow volunteer Denise Coad

Mary Lou McDermott Receives Heart of Gold Award from Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois

Mary Lou McDermott from Edwardsville received the Heart of Gold Award from Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI).

The Heart of Gold Award recognizes the long-term impact a volunteer has had on girls and adults in his or her community through involvement with Girl Scouting.  The service of this volunteer has been an integral part of maintaining and recruiting new girls and/or adults in one or more areas of the council.

"Mary Lou is the keeper of traditions, mentor to many and a trusted advisor," said Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Service Unit Manager Elizabeth Frisbie. "She continues to inspire us through her ongoing dedication, friendship and the wisdom about both life and Girl Scouts she imparts to us all."

Top volunteers were recognized during GSSI's Annual Meeting on April 9 at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.  GSSI’s 4,500 Girl Scout volunteers play an instrumental role in providing leadership programming and opportunities for more than 13,000 girls in southern Illinois. The theme for this year’s Annual Meeting was Golden Jubilee, which celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Girl Scout Gold Award.

More news and photos from the day's events are coming soon! 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Spotlight Awardees: February/March 2016

GSSI’s Spotlight Award honors GSSI Volunteers who are recognized by their peers for outstanding effort. Without the commitment of passionate volunteers, Girl Scouts would not be the amazing organization it is today! 

Multiple volunteers can be honored through the Spotlight Award each month and there is no form required. To make a nomination, you can just e-mail or tell your local Membership Development Manager or Service Unit Manager. Please include the volunteer’s name, Service Unit number and one or two sentences that express why you would like that volunteer to be recognized. Help us put the Spotlight on our awesome volunteers!

See GSSI's recent Spotlight Award recipients and praise from their peers below. 

March Spotlight Awardees:

Diane Baker, Service Unit 66 - Shawnee: “Diane has stepped up to help the service unit plan and run events. She also helped with the Nut/Candy and Cookie Programs. She is a valuable asset to our service unit. She went above and beyond the duties of a leader, and has really helped our Gift of Caring campaign by going out daily to promote this program.” 

Tara Brooks, Service Unit 106 - Bethalto: “Tara’s hard work and dedication during our 2016 Cookie Program has not gone unnoticed. She has done a fantastic job of supporting her team when needed. Her willingness to become the Cookie Manager is an example of a remarkable volunteer.” 

Jamie Burrow, Service Unit 12 - Clay County: “Jamie’s troop sold over 3,000 boxes of cookies. Her troop started with 8 girls and she increased her troop this year to 36 girls. She has lots of parent help and support. The girls are very excited to attend meetings and girls are continuing to join every month.” 

Heather McFarland, Service Unit 521 - Western Coles County: “Heather is the Service Unit Manager for SU 521. She recently held a STEM robotics service unit event, where she invited the neighboring service units to come as well. She taught all the girls how to make bristle bots and had many other great activities. She has even had a request to come do the exact same program for another service unit. She has also planned an event for the entire council called GirlCon, which will be held in April. This is a similar event to ComiCon. Girls will have the opportunity to talk to authors, learn more STEM activities, learn how to create art - and she has done all of this keeping the cost affordable to all girls.”

Dawn Quicksall, Service Unit 511 - Effingham: “Dawn goes above and beyond the call of duty as a Girl Scout volunteer. We are so excited that she will once again be the director for two day camps this summer. Her day camps are always so exciting and the girls look forward to them. She has also taken it on herself to organize a camp clean up day at Camp Wassatoga where the entire camp will be cleaned - the docks, the trails, the archery range. We are going to plant flowers and of course, clean the kitchen, bathrooms and all the other things inside the mess hall. GSSI is so fortunate to have her as a volunteer.” 

Jonni Turner, Service Unit 533 -Clark/Cumberland Counties: “Jonni is the Product Program manager for the service unit. This is her first year in this position and she is doing an awesome job. She is doing a great job communicating with all the leaders and juggling cookies in the cookie cupboard. Great job, Jonni! Way to keep the cookies running smoothly in Clark and Cumberland counties!”

February Spotlight Awardees:

Jane Cornelius, Service Unit 7 Bond County: “Jane previously served as a Service Unit Manager, Registrar, Cookie Manager, Treasurer and Troop Leader in Bond County. After being gone a few years from Girl Scouts, she returned last year as a Daisy Troop leader. This year she has a combined troop of Daisies and Brownies making more Girl Scout opportunities available for girls in the Greenville area.”

Hayley Davis, SU 60 - South Randolph County: “Haley began as an area Daisy leader for Kindergarten age girls and has continued as a Brownie leader. She welcomes girls into her troop and is an excellent role model for the girls. She also has coordinated two area events and is always cheerful and pleasant. 

Kelli Ellis, Service Unit: 72 Union/Pulaski/Alexander Counties (UPAC): “Kelli serves as an area Co-Product Program Manager for both Fall Product and Cookies and also is a Troop Leader. Kelli graciously shares and offers her knowledge and advice to leaders for both managing their troops or product sales. She is always cheerful and thoughtful.” 

Joan Foltz, Service Unit 30, Jefferson County:  “Joan is one of those vital, behind the scenes gals, that doesn’t look for nor expect glory or recognition. She is always in the background making sure what needs to get done, gets done. She is a constant, she is consistent and she is the one that you can count on. She is an overflowing fountain of ideas: asking girl scouts to make an ornament for the Little House Tree, being the impromptu activity director for a newly registering group of Daisy girl scouts, having endless crafting ideas for the troops. She is a dependable extra set of hands: from ramrodding the kitchen detail at leader meetings, to cleaning the Little House or hosting two countries at the county world thinking day event and to volunteering to help any troop with a craft, task or activity. She is GIRL SCOUT personified: honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, responsible for what she says and does, she respects herself and others, respects authority, uses resources wisely, makes the world a better place and IS DEFINITELY a sister to every Girl Scout.” 

Kim Galt, Service Unit 42 - East Williamson County: “Kim has been the Service Unit Cookie Manager for several years and she always does an amazing job. She is very organized and is a huge help to all of the volunteers in her service unit during cookie season. Kim is one of the most patient and polite individuals I have had the pleasure of working with. East Williamson is very lucky to have such a caring volunteer!” 

Emily Heinzman, Service Unit 9 - Centralia: “Emily has been volunteering as the Service Unit Cookie Manager for several years. She is very organized and always has great advice for both new and returning volunteers. She is very much appreciated in Centralia and is a big part of what helps make them successful.” 

Amy Hesch, Service Unit 57 - North Randolph County:  “Amy continued to lead a Brownie Troop after the co-leader passed away last year and continued to lead the troop this fall. Amy has been an inspiration to the girls and the parents.” 

Nancy Matis, Service Unit 101 - Alton/Godfrey/Wood River/Roxana: “Nancy serves in an invaluable role for many troops throughout the Cookie Program because she has allowed her home to be the Cookie Cupboard for many years. Her dedication to seeing a project through is second to none. Nancy has a winning attitude and the service that she provides to Girl Scouts is outstanding.” 

Jennifer Melton, Service Unit 101 Alton/Godfrey/Wood River/Roxana: Jennifer is the Co-Service Unit Manager of SU 101. Jennifer is also a Troop Leader and does an excellent job in giving our girls an awesome Girl Scout experience. Her dependability and diligence when involved Service Unit projects and events has made her an outstanding volunteer.”

Christina Pennington, Service Unit 24 - Fayette County: “Christina is an adult lifetime member that grew up in Girl Scouts in Fayette County. She now helps her mother co-lead a Daisy Troop in Vandalia even though neither have a girl family member in the troop.” 

Ashley Thompson, Service Unit 45, Massac County: “Ashley handles herself professionally and speaks passionately of Girl Scouts. She wants only the best for girls in Massac County. She has served as the area Fall Product Manager and now co-leads an older girl troop.” 

Elisha Zlotnicki, Service Unit 27 - Jackson County: “Elisha wears many hats for the Jackson County Service Unit; she is the Service Unit Manager, Fall Product Sales Manager, Cookie Sales Manager, and Registrar. During this cookie season she has been very helpful to all of the volunteers in the service unit. For many of them this was their fi rst time selling cookies and she always makes time to ensure they are trained and ready for this busy time with their troops.” 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Spotlight Awardees: Fall 2015/Winter 2016

GSSI’s Spotlight Award honors GSSI Volunteers who are being recognized by their peers for outstanding effort.  Without the commitment of passionate volunteers, Girl Scouts would not be the amazing organization it is today! 

Multiple volunteers can be honored through the Spotlight Award each month and there is no form required. To make a nomination, you can just e-mail or tell your local Membership Development Manager or Service Unit Manager. Please include the volunteer’s name, Service Unit number and one or two sentences that express why you would like that volunteer to be recognized. Help us put the Spotlight on our awesome volunteers!

January Spotlight Award Recipients:

Sherry Sutton, SU 7 - Bond County: “Although her daughter graduated this past year, Sherry continues to be a major asset to the area and began serving this year as the Area Product Sales Manager for both Product Programs. She is an excellent team player, enthusiastic, and a great volunteer.” 

Linda Sargent, SU 12 – Clay County: “Linda is a new leader who has a Girl Scout troop AND a Boy Scout troop. She went to a new school in Flora and had a breakfast rally for all the girls in attendance. Due to her efforts, many girls were recruited for the area.” 

Linda Pennington, SU 24: “Linda was a troop leader for several years when her daughter was young. She has served as Area Product Sales Manager and always offers to assist at any area event or recruitment. Linda came back this year to serve as a Daisy Troop Leader for a troop that otherwise did not have a leader. You always see Linda with a smile and an attitude of cheerfulness and gratitude.” 

Julia Merriman, SU 30 Jefferson: “At the leaders meeting in October, she had the most publicity in the papers for her troop. The girls have done so many wonderful activities and it’s all newsworthy.” 

Jennifer Larrison, SU 45: “Jennifer has served as the area’s Day Camp Director in the past and currently serves as an assistant leader and also is the area Treasurer. Jennifer always has a positive attitude and makes Girl Scouting fun for girls and adults alike!” 

Robin Jarvis, SU 54 - Perry County: “Robin has only been a leader for four months but in that short time she has portrayed the real reason to be a Girl Scout many times. She puts her heart and soul into her troop and other Girl Scout functions. She sacrifi ces any spare time she has to make sure her meetings are perfect.” 

Deb Evans and Kristy Neff, SU 57 - Randolph North “Deb and Kelsey are still somewhat new troop leaders, however, they recently held an event for an area Halloween celebration. Girls and adults are still talking about the fun they had and how well organized the event went. Everyone in the area is looking forward to more events led by Deb and Kristy in the future!” 

Becky Hohgrefe, SU 60 - South Randolph: “Although her daughters are now adults, Becky continues to be an older girl troop leader and is an excellent role model for girls and adults alike. She has mentored and encouraged girls to take Girl Scout Destinations across the world. She has also been the primary chaperone taking troops of girls on extended troop trips to locations such as the Historic Birthplace of Girl Scouts in Savannah, Georgia. She inspires girl to set goals and reach them!”

Marci Malnar, SU 72 - UPAC: “Marci has continued to be involved in Girl Scouts although her daughters are now adults. She serves as the Area Service Unit Manager. Marci is an excellent role model to girls and adults. Marci is a positive force and has made a difference in the area.” 

Karen Miller, SU 108 - Edwardsville/Glen Carbon: “She stepped up and became the Fall Product Sales Manager for SU 108 without hesitation and she did a great job. Karen has shown exemplary leadership.”

December Spotlight Award Recipients:

Diana Doll, SU 7 - Bond County “Diana is an inspiration and true leader of volunteers and girls.” 

Alicia Dixon, SU 51 - North Franklin County “Alicia is the Service Unit Manager and Registrar. She plays a huge part in the recruitment of girls and leaders in the Service Unit. She makes sure everything runs smoothly at Service Unit meetings, events, and troop meetings. If the troop doesn’t have a leader she will start them out until a leader is found. She always has food and drinks at all of the Service Unit Meetings. She is a huge reason North Franklin is as successful as they are.” 

Tracey Cheeesman, SU 78 - Wabash/Edwards Counties “Tracey is the Service Unit Manager. She plays a huge part in the recruitment of girls and leaders in the Service Unit. Wabash/Edwards has met their girl goal and Tracey has done a great job making sure everything runs smoothly in the Service Unit. 

Mary Armes, SU 87 - West Frankfort “Mary is the Service Unit Manager, Registrar, and Fall Product Sale Manager. She plays a huge part in the recruitment of girls and leaders in the Service Unit. West Frankfort has met girl and adult goal this year. Mary is also a trainer and makes sure the leaders receive the training that they need. 

Michelle Myatt, SU 102 Granite City/Madison/Venice “She is the Leader for our Special Needs Troop in Granite City. Her outstanding leadership and continued dedication should be recognized.” 

Joanna Espique, SU 202 - ClinClair “Joanna is an asset to her local troops, her Service Unit, and to GSSI! She is a troop leader, Service Unit team member, cookie cupboard host and fall product manager. She has three daughters, all of which have been enrolled with Girl Scouts. She is active in her daughters’ troop, she also participates in Service Unit events and campouts. She has been a previous Service Unit Manager and Fall Product Manager for Service Unit 202. She holds the Cookie Cupboard at her house for the past several years. She is my go-to person when I need help or an idea to make something happen! She is one of the main reasons I am as active in Girl Scouts as I am today. For this, I have much appreciation.” 

Elaine Brandenburg, SU 533 - Clark/Crawford “She has volunteered for many Service Unit positions, leader for two troops as well as co-Neoga coordinator. She a great addition to Girl Scouts since she joined.”

November Spotlight Award recipients: 

Chris Scarbrough, SU 102: Chris was recognized for her continued dedication to volunteer in the Council Office, be the SU Registrar, Troop Organizer, Fall/Spring Product Manager and Trainer. 

Jason Dothager, SU 107: Jason was recognized for his support at the Service Unit Day and his Outstanding support at the Service Unit Registration night. Krysti Connelly, SU 109: Krysti was recognized for her taking over a Daisy TOC for the Service Unit and also for her continued support to parents to keep a Daisy troop from disbanding. 

Ronnie Winterich, SU 111, - for her taking on a Daisy troop because the need was there and also making sure that every troop turned in their fi nancials, she developed a Service unit Newsletter which has helped the Service Unit improve communications and information to leaders. Stephanie Hylin, SU 42: Stephanie has been a huge help in getting new leaders for troops. She has talked with them when they were unsure about volunteering and even invited people to attend her meetings so she could “show them the ropes.” 

Dusty Copple, SU 27: Dusty was very helpful with recruitments this year. She attended several school events and worked at our large recruitment event. She has also been mentoring a new Daisy leader to help her get her troop started. 

Amy Taylor, SU 90: Amy is both the NCM and Cookie Program Manager. This fall, Amy worked very hard to make sure that all of her troop leaders were trained and pumped up for the sale. She always goes above and beyond to be accommodating and available to volunteers in her service unit. West Williamson exceeded their product program goal by $14,000 and Amy was instrumental in making that happen. 

Samantha McCann, SU 72: Samantha has only been on board for a year. She did quite well managing the SU Day Camp this past summer and is already making plans for a Disney themed Day Camp for this coming summer. She is enthusiastic, has great communication, is very organized and has been a huge asset to the SU.

Happy National Volunteer Appreciation Week!

National Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 12-18 and Girl Scout Leader Day is April 22. GSSI appreciates the hard work, commitment, time and talent that our amazing volunteers give to Girl Scouting. 

“Our dedicated volunteers are an invaluable resource in providing a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience.  Their dedication to the mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place helps guide and encourage future leaders for our communities,” said Villie M. Appoo, GSSI CEO. 

We want to see your "We ♥ Volunteers" selfies!  Share with us on social media: 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GirlScoutsofSouthernIllinois

Twitter: www.twitter.com/GSofSI

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/GSofSI

Instagram: www.instagram.com/GirlScoutsofSouthernIllinois 

Also, GSSI Council Shops will offer refreshments and take 15% off adult apparel on Girl Scout Leader Day (April 22)

GSSI Is Celebrating Volunteers in April!

National Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 12-18 and Girl Scout Leader Day is April 22.   GSSI appreciates the hard work, commitment, time and talent that our amazing volunteers give to Girl Scouting. 

“Our dedicated volunteers are an invaluable resource in providing a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience.  Their dedication to the mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place helps guide and encourage future leaders for our communities,” said Villie M. Appoo, GSSI CEO. 

We are going to be having some fun activities on our social media platforms during this time!  Be sure to connect to us if you haven’t already!  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GirlScoutsofSouthernIllinois

Twitter: www.twitter.com/GSofSI

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/GSofSI

Instagram: www.instagram.com/GirlScoutsofSouthernIllinois 

Also, GSSI Council Shops will offer refreshments and take 15% off adult apparel on Girl Scout Leader Day (April 22)

Students Today Leaders Forever Volunteer at Camp Whispering Oaks Girl Scout Camp

A group from Students Today, Leaders Forever volunteered at GSSI's Camp Whispering Oaks in Salem on February 15.  Students cleared out brush and repaired benches and picnic tables as part of their "Pay It Forward Tour" through the Midwest. The mission of STLF is "revealing leadership through service, relationships, and action."  GSSI is grateful to STLF for their time, talents and enthusiasm.

For more information about volunteering with Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, please contact Volunteer Services Manager Jodi Dormire at 800.345.6858, ext. 1117 or e-mail jdormire@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.

 

Giving Tuesday Celebrates Generosity Worldwide!

 

 

 

This year on Tuesday, December 2, we are part of a call to action that will change the calendar and help make history.  We're celebrating a day when nonprofits, families, businesses and communities join together to celebrate the spirit of generosity and kick off the holiday season.   Last year, more than 10,000 organizations in 46 countries came together to celebrate #GivingTuesday.  We invite you to join the movement and help spread the giving spirit. 

 

Five Ways to Get Involved: 

1. Perform a random act of kindness.  Pay it forward.  Do a good deed.
2. Volunteer.  Your talents and time are valuable! 
3. Give it your all!  Make a commitment to positive words and thoughts.  Smile! 
4. Make a donation to a non-profit making a difference in the world.
5. Spread the word about #GivingTuesday on social media.  Help make good go viral with the #unselfie campaign (see below).

 

 

 

Show Us Your #Unselfie!

 

Help good go viral by joining a global #unselfie campaign! 

 

Here's how it works: take a "selfie" that shows why you are giving this year.   Post it to Instagram, Facebook and/or Twitter.  Don't forget the hashtags #GivingTuesday and #unselfie! 

Some templates to help you get started:

I Give Because (with Girl Scout Trefoil)
Troop Unselfie (with Girl Scout Trefoil)
Our Troop Gives To (with Girl Scout Trefoil)  

 

 

 

Give the Gift of Girl Scouting, Help Her Change the World!

Donate Now to GSSI

 

$25 $50 $75 $100 $500

Can pay for a life vest for water safety at GSSI's camps Can provide a sash/vest, badges and journey resource book for two girls. Can provide volunteer training materials, First Aid kits, or arts and crafts supplies Can pay for Girl Scout Membership for 8 girls for one year Become a Juliette Gordon Low Society member and help fund girl program development, assist in camp maintenance and improvements and provide financial assistance. *multi-year commitment

 

 

New Camp Training Opportunities - Course Schedule Online Now

 

 

 

Exciting news! The former Troop Camp Training will now be offered in a two-part format for more flexibility. We hope this encourages more leaders to try camping with their girls without having to attend a full day training.

Camping IN: This can be held at any location by a trained member of the Service Unit Team and certifies the volunteer to take girls camping and stay in a lodge (no fire). This is a one-time certification. The course will not have scheduled dates council-wide, it will be organized by each Service Unit.

Camping OUT: This follow-up course is focused on skills and will be held at a camp property. The course will generally run from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. and will cost $10. The certification is valid for three years and can be renewed via test. These courses will have scheduled dates and can also be requested. The fall 2014 course schedule is available on our website, www.gsofsi.org on the Adult Training Page under the Volunteer tab.

Go to Volunteer Training schedule

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Turns Five!

 

 

 

I would like to invite all our members to join me in celebrating our five year anniversary! Just five short years ago our two legacy councils merged to form the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois.  Five years in the lifetime of a dynamic, 112 year old movement like the Girl Scouts does not sound like much - but what an extraordinary five years it has been!

Thanks to our amazing members, we are now one seamless, united council serving 14,000 girls and 4,500 adult volunteers. Thanks to our volunteers, we can provide challenging programs that meet the needs of all our girls - from Robotics and other STEM programs to leadership opportunities that challenge our girls to push boundaries and excel - while still having fun.

It is always gratifying to look back and reflect on what we have achieved, and so exciting to look forward to what is yet to come. Over the next year, together with our dedicated volunteers, we will expand our Outdoor Experiences programs with a goal of putting "outing" back into Girl Scouting!

Our council's commitment to you - we will continue to listen to what our girls and volunteers want and strive to be responsive and relevant, strive to be a resource and a support, strive to be the best we can be, so TOGETHER, we can build girls of courage, confidence and character!

On behalf of our staff and Board, I would like to thank you for a wonderful five years and we look forward to celebrating more milestones with you!

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Villie

Volunteers Needed for Robotics Tournaments

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois needs volunteers that are interested in helping at high energy, exciting robotics tournaments -  no robotics experience is necessary.

At the Southern Illinois First Lego League Qualifying Tournaments, volunteers are needed as robot game field resetters, referees, judges and to help with team check in and guiding them to the judging locations. This is your opportunity to see first-hand why there is so much excitement about First Lego League Robotics. The tournaments will be held on Saturday, November 22 at Amelia Carriel Junior High in O’Fallon and Saturday, December 6 at Carriel Junior High in O’Fallon and Albert Cassen Elementary school in Glen Carbon.

Please contact Mary Buchanan at mbuchanan@gsofsi.org for more information.