September 18, 2006

GIRL SCOUTS OF GLOWING EMBERS COUNCIL
JOINS GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA
IN HISTORIC TRANSFORMATION

As the 95th anniversary of Girl Scouting approaches in 2007, Girl Scouts of Glowing  Embers Council joins Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) in a historic transformation to modernize the organization and focus on leadership development for girls in the 21st century.
 
On Aug. 26, 2006, Girl Scouts of the USA’s (GSUSA) National Board of Directors voted to endorse a plan to realign 312 councils into 109 high-performance, community-based councils. The new structure will make the most effective use of resources to better serve the local community and create more opportunities in Girl Scouting for even more girls. As part of this national realignment, Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers will join with; Girl Scouts of Michigan Capital (Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties), Girl Scouts of Irish Hills (Jackson, Hillsdale, Lenawee Counties) Girl Scouts of Singing Sands (St. Joseph and a portion of Branch and VanBuren Counties), Girl Scouts of Huron Valley (Livingston, Washtenaw and a portion of Wayne County), Girl Scouts of Mitten Bay (Iosco, Ogemaw, Roscommon, Clare, Gladwin, Arenac, Isabella, Midland, Bay, Huron, Tuscola, Saginaw and Gratiot Counties), and Girl Scouts of Fair Winds (Shiawassee County) to form one Girl Scout council.

“This transformation is important to the future of Girl Scouting, and Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers Council looks forward to reaching out to our partners in the local community throughout this process to deliver the Girl Scout experience to even more girls,” says Jan Barker CEO, Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers. “While the national organization is sheparding these changes, Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers Council is planning ways to move to a high-performance system, where we strengthen our ability to serve the local community.

“In a country as culturally diverse as America, Girl Scouting, and our philosophy of leadership, must be inclusive and respond to the needs of girls from all communities, cultures and walks of life,” commented Patricia Diaz Dennis, Chair, GSUSA National Board of Directors. “Thanks to the collective vision and support of the entire Girl Scout Movement, Girl Scouting has demonstrated what it means to truly listen to girls and react in a way that will most positively meet their individual needs.”

Under the leadership of GSUSA CEO Kathy Cloninger, who took office in 2004, the transformation began by asking girls and adults from throughout the Girl Scout community what they want and need from Girl Scouting today.
“From the very beginning, this process has been a partnership between the national organization and our local councils. Our first step was to reach out to as many people as possible – girls, volunteers, staff members from throughout the organization – to hear their ideas on the future direction of the organization,” says Cloninger. “For the past two years, we have taken those ideas and shaped a strategy that is transforming every aspect of Girl Scouting while refocusing on what, historically, has always been our biggest strength: developing leadership skills in girls.

THE RENEWED GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The National Board of Directors also endorsed a more contemporary leadership philosophy, and renewed an organizational commitment to develop leadership skills based on the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Jan Barker, CEO Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers Council played an active role in the development of the new philosophy by serving as one of six CEOs on the program taskforce. This leadership philosophy is captured by the new Girl Scout mission statement to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

Girl Scouting has identified some core tenets of its leadership philosophy – discover, connect and take action – which will form the basis of all Girl Scout activities beginning in October 2008.  “The ideas of discovery, connection and action reflect the Girl Scout view that leadership extends beyond holding a position of authority,” says Cloninger.  “In Girl Scouting, leadership is about self, others, community service and philanthropy.  You can’t lead well unless you really understand yourself and have your set of values very well in place.”

“Girls in Southwestern Michigan tell us they need Girl Scouting to personalize their leadership experience in a way that’s fun and relevant to their lives,” says Jan Barker, CEO, Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers. “As a national Movement, we’ve defined the framework for such an experience, and the Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers Council looks forward to engaging with girls to bring this new and exciting leadership to girls across Central Michigan.”

Research, conducted from June 2005-2006 by the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI), shows most girls see the value of developing leadership skills and that girls define leadership in terms of the qualities a leader possesses and the actions she takes.  As part of the organization’s focus on leadership, GSRI will commence a research review in late 2006 to explore how girls and youth define and experience leadership today.  This research review is scheduled for release in March 2007, coinciding with the 95th anniversary of Girl Scouting.

About Girl Scouts:

Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.7 million girl and adult members worldwide.  Founded in 1912, Girl Scouting is the leading authority on girls’ healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.  The organization serves girls in every corner of the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, as well as destinations abroad.  For more information on how to join, volunteer, or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U [(800) 478-7248] or visit www.girlscouts.org.