INSPIRE!
INSPIRE Newsletter | Spring 2014
Girl Scouts, LeanIn.org Partner to ‘Ban Bossy’ Empowering ALL Girls to Lead When a little boy asserts himself, we call him a leader. When a little girl asserts herself, we call her “bossy.” Starting at a surprisingly young age, cultural gender expectations discourage girls from leadership. When a young girl asserts herself in the manner expected of boys, she risks being branded bossy - a precursor to other offensive and dismissive descriptors such as “aggressive,” “angry,” and “overly ambitious.” For Girl Scouts, there is nothing “too aggressive” or “too ambitious” about girls who take the lead. Research on girls and leadership is devastatingly clear. According to a study the Girl Scouts Research Institute (GSRI) conducted, by middle school girls are less interested in leadership roles than boys because they fear being disliked. Indeed, 53% of Girl Scouts have been called bossy at least once, and teachers are more likely to ask a Girl Scout to lead at school because of her welldeveloped leadership skills.
Girl Scout alumna Condoleezza Rice at the White House at age seven.
“Girls are twice as likely as boys to avoid leadership roles for fear of being deemed ‘bossy’ by their peers,” explains Anna Maria Chávez, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA). “At Girl Scouts, we want to bring adults and girls together to empower them as our next generation of leaders.”
Girl Scout Cadettes from San Jose Troop 60942 were featured in the Parade Magazine photo shoot with Girl Scout alumna and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Lean In author and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, and GSUSA CEO Anna Maria Chávez.
Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, author of Lean In, and founder of LeanIn.org, believes we should encourage girls to “lean in” and let their voices be heard. “We need to recognize the ways we systematically discourage leadership in girls from a young age - and instead, we need to encourage them [to lead],” Sandberg explains. We honored Sheryl with our Forever Green Award last fall in Menlo Park, when she first shared her vision of collaborating with Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts is proud to partner with LeanIn.org to bring you Ban Bossy, a public service campaign dedicated to empowering girls to lead at home, at school, and at work. We want all girls to know they can be anything they want to be. Whether your girl seeks to be the CEO of the world’s largest company or the CEO of her family at home, the time to ban bossy is now - and the campaign should start at home. “So the next time you have the urge to call your little girl ‘bossy,’” Sandberg explains. “Take a deep breath and say, ‘My daughter has executive leadership skills.’“ How can you get involved? Take the Ban Bossy pledge at BanBossy.com, where you can also download tips for troops, parents, and teachers.
Congratulations!
Gold Awardee Varsha Sathappan Earns $10,000 Scholarship from Coca-Cola Foundation
We are proud to recognize the 53 Girl Scouts who recently earned the highest honor in Girl Scouting, the Gold Award. (Since October 1, 2013) Amanda Renee Plummer Calimlim Amita Kumar Amy Komatsu Annaka Green Annie Van Tran Bhavini Pachauri Caitlin Shener Carly Krakauer Caroline Desler Casey Mitchell Catherine Nguyen Cayla Wanderman-Milne Ellen Perfect Emily Chin Emma Hall Jane Fessenden Jessica Bird Kaitlin McKenzie Katelyn O’Keefe Katie Clark Katie Erickson Kelly Bui Lorraine Wong Madeleine Corich Madeline Turner Madelyn Andrews Makenna Hall Mariko Stenstedt Marina Fong Marisa Malone Marissa Mancebo Maya Ganeshan McKenna Brown Mikaila Baskin Natalie Kachur Natalie Cooper Nena Manuel Rachana Narahari Rachel Menendez Sanika Kulkarni Sarah Klieves Savannah Michels Savannah Sanford Serena Kao Shannon Miller Sierra Yeh Teresa Lo Uma Mahajan Urenna Obioma Valerie Hinojoza-Rood Varsha Sathappan Vinitra Swamy Zahra Hajee
Varsha is being honored by Coca-Cola Foundation’s scholarship for her Gold Award project that built a maternity hospital ward in India for new mothers to stay overnight. She also created a mobile medical unit that doctors could use to visit remote villages without access to basic healthcare. Varsha was one of 90,000 students who applied, and only 150 were selected for the honor.
Gold Awardee Jessica Bird will be Honored as a 2014 Prudential Spirit of Community Award State Honoree
Jessica is one of two state representatives selected for a national youth recognition by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals honoring youth volunteers for their accomplishments in improving the life of others. Jessica’s project built a sustainability program for victims of sex trafficking in Costa Rica. Her efforts included building a job training program for girls staying at a local safe house and teaching them leadership and responsibility skills for a life beyond prostitution. Jessica will attend a national recognition event in May in Washington, D.C. along with the other 101 State Honorees.
“‘Do a Good Turn Daily’ is the Girl Scout Slogan. Imagine What a Wonderful World We Would Live in if Everyone Did a Good Turn Daily.” These inspiring words were written by Santa Rosa Girl Scout Moriah Plack, age 14, who was recently honored by a local Santa Rosa dentist, Dr. Andrew T. McCormick, in the annual Good Deed contest in fall. “In 2011, a young friend of ours died of cancer,” said Moriah, a student at Santa Rosa Middle School. “When I was six years old, my brothers and I decided to hold a lemonade stand to raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. We decided to hold our annual lemonade stand in honor of him. Even though a cure for childhood cancer was not found in time to save our friend, we hope that our efforts will help to save the life of another child with cancer.” Moriah also volunteers at the Redwood Empire Food Bank, with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night, and as a volunteer swim aide at Ridgway Swim Center.
The Efforts of North Coast Girl Scouts Have Sparked New Life in a Low Income Apartment Complex in Santa Rosa. Deanna, our staff program director, started an outreach troop at the apartment complex. Last spring, she was approached by the apartment manager who wondered if the girls would like to help start a new community garden. Deanna requested $40 from GSNorCal - now, that small amount of funding has bloomed into positive results for a whole community. Her nine girls, whose ages range from kindergarten to eighth grade, jumped at the chance to start the garden – many had never had the opportunity before. They planted seedlings and maintained a plot that had enough space for apartment residents to grow in their own plot. “To keep our costs down we made our seedling pots out of newspaper, from the Girl Scout Green By Nature ‘Climate Change’ curriculum, and used cardboard trays recycled from water bottle purchases to set up our seed pots,” Deanna said. “At the same time, we worked on the requirements for the gardener badge.” “Many other residents became involved, and where there was once wasted/desolate space is a green-growing, well-cared for garden. It was $40 well spent. I see a huge growth with them and pride in the ownership not just of the Girl Scouts’ plot but the other plots as well.”
Happy 95th Birthday to Lifetime Member Dorothy Forsyth! Dorothy Rhodes Forsyth joined Girl Scouts as a girl in Massachusetts and raised her five children in California. Her volunteer capacities included cookie chair, neighborhood chair, day camp coordinator, council registrar, and adult trainer. She was especially fond of her camp experiences at Hidden Falls and Skylark. In 1971, she was hired by GSUSA to work in the regional office in Northern California. When that office closed, she became executive assistant to the executive director with Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County. Dorothy retired from the Girl Scouts in 1990 at the age of 71 and was honored with a lifetime membership. Dorothy is currently living in Vacaville with her daughter, Sandra.
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1. Four Latina troops participated in making altars honoring those who have passed away at a Dia De Los Muertos event in Oakland. 2. Oakland City Councilwoman Libby Schaaf and 25 women mentors coached 50 girls in networking skills at our GS Exec Connect event at the Salesforce office in San Francisco.
July 26 – 75th Jubilee Celebration – all day event with special afternoon dedication. Dinner and traditional campfire option will be available.
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91% raised
39% raised
Campaign for Girls: % Raised to Date
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For more information, visit CampRocks.org
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Sept. 12-14 – Sugar Pine Alumnae camp weekend.
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June 21 – Open House at Camp Sugar Pine, noon-3 p.m.
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May 3 – Special 75th Anniversary booth at Golden Gate Bridging
For 102 years, Girl Scouts has provided girls with more ways to learn and lead than any other organization. To celebrate Girl Scouting’s 100th anniversary, we launched the Campaign for Girls in March 2012. As we enter year three of the campaign, we are proud to announce we have raised $10 million - half of our goal! With your help, we will raise $20 million that will benefit our 50,000 girl members – and thousands more who have yet to experience all Girl Scouting has to offer – around three strategic goals:
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Why We Need the Campaign for Girls
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Join Us for Camp Sugar Pine’s 75th Anniversary!
30% raised Were you a Camp Sugar Pine alumna or staff? Send us your favorite memories, stories, and/or photos of your time at Sugar Pine to camp@girlscoutsnorcal.org.
Cam ps Goal 1 : Inspire leadership through innovative programs providing opportunities in science, technology, ecology, and leadership programs like the Gold Award.
75 Jamba Juice employees came out to volunteer doing trail work, splitting wood, and painting at Camp Bothin in October as part of our corporate volunteer opportunities.
Thank You Camp Work Party Volunteers! Last year, we had 549 volunteers come to Camp Work Parties at nine properties for a total of 1,932 hours! Thank you! To find out about upcoming work parties, e-mail Priscilla at pmckenney@girlscoutsnorcal.org or David at dpoock@girlscoutsnorcal.org.
Goal 2 : Advance Girl Scouting through multi-cultural outreach helping girls in under-resourced communities and at-risk populations. Goal 3 : Improve camps & outdoor program centers allowing girls to discover themselves, connect with nature, and build courage and confidence.
Learn more at GirlScoutsNorCal.org/campaignforgirls
Camp Improvements Camps Bothin and Arequipa Projected cost: $2.5 million • Raised: $335,000 • Need: $2,165,000 The campaign will enhance Bothin & Arequipa as a year-round program center and camp, increasing daily capacity from 216 to 272 campers. Thank you to our generous, early donors who have invested in our vision: •
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Girl Scout alumna Erika Rottenberg, who has invested $100,000 toward a new Camp Bothin Innovation Center that will house a flexible indoor space for robotics, lab science, and outdoor education Bob Kwong, who donated $30,000 to build the Rachel “Scooter” Kwong Adventure Course in honor of his wife, a longtime Girl Scout Sisters Daisy Kiehn and Denny Gunterman, two Girl Scout alumnae who gave $30,000 to build an interactive educational trail between Camp Bothin and Camp Arequipa in honor of their parents The Bothin Foundation, which contributed $25,000 to build a new shower house in Bush Unit
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The Joseph and Vera Long Foundation, which is funding $60,000 toward renovation of our historic but run-down Art Barn • Girl Scout Alumna Arletta Cortright, who contributed $60,000 toward Art Barn renovation as well as the Bush Unit shower house and Innovation Center • Girl Scout alumna Twila Foster and husband Stephen Pezzola, who have invested $50,000 to build a new Camp Arequipa fire circle with seating and nearby bathroom • Girl Scout troops and donors who gave $40,000 to our Tents & Trails campaign to buy new wooden bunk beds for Manor/Lyman and Stone House which increased capacity by 60 beds and improved the overall appearance and hospitality for these 1920s buildings.
Additional projects and needed funding include: • Upgrade and remodel Manor Lyman Residence Hall • Build a new Museum for our extensive Girl Scout historical collection • Add a West Commons area between the pool and Rachel “Scooter” Kwong Adventure Course to add an amphitheater, storage, and co-ed accessible restrooms and showers • Remodel platform tents and bathroom in Bay Unit
Fall Sale Helps Redwoods Girl Overcome Speech Challenges to Become Top Troop Seller!
We love stories that show how Girl Scouts builds important skills into everything we do – even product sales. Here’s evidence that Girl Scouting works! Morgan, a young Girl Scout from Fortuna in our Redwoods area, knows just how good reaching your goals can be. The third grader has a condition called Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, which is a rare childhood neurological disorder that causes speech issues. Her mother, a former Girl Scout, signed Morgan up for Girl Scouting because she knew that Morgan would have opportunities to set goals and learn skills. When the Fall Nut and Magazine Sale rolled around, Morgan’s mother knew it would be a learning experience for her daughter. “She set a goal, and had to personally call and ask each and everyone that she sold to,” Morgan’s mother said. Morgan’s hard work paid off – she overcame the challenges of speech issues and was named top seller in her troop for the largest number of sales! CBS meteorologist and alumna Roberta Gonzales tags along at a Girl Scout Cookie booth at San Francisco State University.
“This is a wonderful life lesson that hard work and bravery will reward you!” Morgan’s mother said. “She loves her troop family, and I am so proud of the progress she has achieved through this program!”
Remembering our Girl Scout Friends Girl Scouts treasure friendships – both new and old. We recently lost some longtime friends, but we will always remember their profound impact in our Girl Scout community. Jean Underhill Bruce Trinidad, CA Jean joined Girl Scouts as a girl in Berkeley and retired to Trinidad (Humboldt County). She passed Tenderfoot in May 1931 and Second Class in November 1931.
Saralee McClelland Kunde Windsor, CA Saralee was a lifetime member and our 1997 Jewel of a Woman Event Honoree with the Konocti Girl Scout Council.
Johnnie Jean Daniel Marin, CA Long-time leader and tireless volunteer who served Service Unit 342, Richardson Bay, in many capacities. She brought a positive attitude, boundless energy, and a smile to all events she organized.
Walnut Creek, CA After Barbara’s graduation from UC Berkeley in 1950, she spent her career in non-profits and worked for Girl Scouts in San Mateo and San Francisco at two different times in her career.
Helen Hauser Day Chico, CA Helen joined Girl Scouts in 1921 at age 10, worked summers as a camp counselor, attended courses at Camp Edith Macy, and later joined the Girl Scout staff in Tulsa, Okla. Her 101st birthday wish was to celebrate with local Girl Scout Troops in Chico. She also attended our 100th Anniversary celebration in March 2012 at the plaza downtown (in the rain!). Helen passed away at the age of 102.
Joanne Grundhofer Fortuna, CA Joanne was involved in Girl Scouts for over 20 years as a troop leader, trainer, council member, and delegate to the National Convention. She was a lifelong resident of Humboldt County. Phyllis “Skipper” Jones San Jose, CA Phyllis joined Girl Scouts in 1927 and earned her Golden Eaglet in 1934. She served at every level: a local and council-level volunteer, Camp Friendship director, an executive director, and board vice president. Phyllis received the Thanks Badge I and II and the Ruth Robertson Award. The Phyllis Jones Amistad Award, developed and named in her honor, recognizes those who demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion by significantly increasing the number of diverse Girl Scouts in a troop, service unit, outreach program, or camp over a sustained period of time. Mercedes Pearl Schrader Koehly Chico, CA Mercie was a Brownie Girl Scout leader in the Chico/Durham area. She had three daughters and was a Brownie troop leader for all of them.
Thank you to Marjorie and Beverly for their legacy gifts!
Barbara June Lawrence McConnell
Joantha “Toyon” Meehan Santa Rosa, CA Jody was a lifelong Girl Scout devoted to outdoor programs. She was a camp counselor at Molly Lawman Camp in Ohio, her hometown council. In Northern California, she was camp director for Girl Scout Camps Bothin and Sugar Pine. In Southern California, she directed Camp Osito and Camp Scherman. Marvin Pinard Sunnyvale, CA Marvin attended the National Girl Scout Convention in Seattle in 1969, and served on the Sustaining Membership Enrollment committee through 1975, chairing it in 1970 and 1971. He also developed a workshop for Senior Girl Scouts looking to earn their Senior Aide Bar in science and technology logistics. Thelma Pinard Sunnyvale, CA Thelma was a troop leader and volunteer on the service unit team from 1966-1970s. She also served at the council level as a trainer, on the Council Nominating Committee, Personnel Committee, Board of Directors, and Camping and Property Committee. She and Marv attended National Convention as both delegates and visitors in 1969, 1972, and 1975. Thelma received the Thanks Badge in 1975 and was a member of the Skylark Ranch Hall of Fame for 10+ years of service to the camp. Michael Quinn Santa Cruz, CA Referred to as “Poppy” by campers and staff, Michael served as camp ranger at Skylark Ranch Girl Scout camp from 2001-2008.
Marjorie Balazs Los Altos, CA Special thanks to Marjorie for her generous bequest of $163,000! Marjorie served many years on the board for our Santa Clara County Council and ultimately served as board president from 1988-1991.
Beverly DeLisle Saratoga, CA A lifelong Girl Scout, she received numerous honors and awards for her tireless and outstanding work spanning 30 years and as one of the most successful Santa Clara County cookie chairs ever. Beverly loved the outdoors and made an estate gift of $6,450 to Girl Scouts of Northern California. If you are making your estate plans and would like to join our Forever Green Circle, please visit our website or contact Stephanie Chew, senior director of gifts at (800) 447-4475, ext. 1502 or schew@girlscoutsnorcal.org.
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With offices and service centers in Alameda Chico Eureka Redding Red Bluff San Jose Santa Rosa Ukiah Girl Scouts of Northern California GirlScoutsNorCal.org/support
Inspire! Newsletter
The Inspire! Newsletter is a publication mailed to donors, Lifetime Members, and alumnae. The e-version is sent to all registered Girl Scout families and is archived on our website: girlscoutsnorcal.org/support
Thank You for Investing in Girls! Invest in girls. Change the world.
Your support made a difference for over 50,000 girls in 2013. We invite you to enjoy Girl Scouts of Northern California’s online 2013 Annual Report and learn how your investment is helping girls change the world.
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2013 Annual Report
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Our Mission
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
Our Vision
We create opportunities girls want and experiences that change lives.
Diversity & Inclusion
Girl Scouts of the USA and our council, Girl Scouts of Northern California, value diversity and inclusiveness; our staff and volunteers are representative of the diverse communities that we serve. Girl Scouts does not discriminate on any basis, including age, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
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