WINTER 2024
Stories of girls leading with purpose and impact
Girl Reps to the board lend their voices for all girls Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) strives to make sure that the girl drives our decisions and programming. Girls, parents, troops leaders, and community leaders all provide direct insight into what’s impacting girls in our community today. Building girls of courage, confidence, and character takes getting to know girls and understanding the effects of the world around them and how it affects them and their peers. In 2008, the GCNWI board of directors committed to ensuring that the girls’ voices are heard through the Girl Representative of the Board program. This program is for high school Girl Scouts who want to lend their energy, passion, and Girl Scout experience to influence our council’s governance process. Each year, eight girls are chosen to serve for a one-year term, during which time they participate in GCNWI Board of Directors meetings and act as spokespersons at board and council events.
Girl Scout of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
Board of Directors and Girl Representatives Meet Aaliya, a creative and outgoing 10th grader who has been a Girl Scout since she was a Daisy. Her troop meets within her Ismaili Muslim Mosque and they have had the same Girl Scout leader since the start of their Daisy troop. “Girl Scouts has always been a constant for me, even when the world around us was unstable.” This sense of comfort and stability is what inspired Aaliya to apply for the Girl Representative to the board position.
Here’s is what being a Girl Rep means to Aaliya: Why did you want to be a Girl Rep? “It is important to me to give back to this strong group of women who has empowered me to be the person I am today. I also want to see the behind-thescenes of an organization and what makes it work to help increase my awareness of possibilities for my future.” What do you hope to contribute to the council as a Girl Rep? “I want to bring my lived experiences and the lived experiences of the other Girl Reps. Our lived experiences I believe help to bring fresh ideas and different perspectives and advocate for the ideas. I also want to be part of fostering an inclusive environment within Girl Scouts and being part of the change that will support these efforts.” What do you hope to gain from your Girl Rep experience? “I hope this will help me in the future to keep the Girl Scout community close to me. This will also help empower me to find what I’m passionate about for my Gold Award Project.” When asked what her Girl Scout experience meant to her, she shared, “It has been a transformative experience. I have grown as a person, as a girl, as a friend, and [I am] growing as a mentor. I have built lifelong relationships with my leader and my friends in my troop. Being in Girl Scouts has taught me the value of service and helped to build my confidence.”
A Message From Carmen Evans
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s the proud Vice President of Mission Delivery for Girl Scouts GCNWI, I am honored to share the remarkable stories within these pages that exemplify the essence of leadership. The following stories about our Pinnacle Awardees, one of our Board of Directors’ Girl Representatives, and the vibrant discussions at our 2023 National Council Session all showcase the transformative power of Girl Scouts. Together, we are fostering a generation of bold, confident, and visionary leaders. Your support propels us forward, shaping a future where every girl can lead with purpose and impact. Thank you for being an integral part of this empowering journey!
Vice President of Mission Delivery Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
National Delegates gain valuable leadership skills at the 2023 National Council Session Last July, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Girl Scouts from across the country and the world gathered at Walt Disney World for the 2023 National Council Session (NCS) and Girl Scout Convention, Phenom. With excitement and magic palpable in the air, nearly 10,000 Girl Scouts, National Council Delegates, volunteers, and guests eagerly awaited their chance to celebrate our movement. Taking place once every three years, this event is both a business meeting—where important issues and topics that affect the future of our movement are discussed and voted on—and a celebration of our movement with inspiring stories, new friendships, and of course, lots of sing-a-longs. National Council Delegates are elected by local councils and serve in these roles for three years. They represent local
It is such an amazing experience to be able to express your voice and the voice of other girls and volunteers in your area… Girl Scouts is such an inclusive and loving space, and it is really reflected in the people you meet. Being able to help better it is such a joy. —GCNWI National Girl Delegate Annabel
councils in the business meeting portion of the convention known as NCS. The GCNWI National Delegation is made up of adult members and Girl Scouts who are at least 14 years of age at the time of election. During the 56th NCS, which lasted three days, delegates participated in debates and voted on seven proposals that will direct the future of the Girl Scout Movement. First-time GCNWI National Delegate Rebecca reflects that “The most surprising part of NCS may have been the girl delegates. They spoke so passionately and thoughtfully with a perspective I no longer have personally. I’m so impressed and inspired by all of them. The future is bright.” While reflecting on her favorite part of NCS, GCNWI National Girl Delegate Madalyn shared, “I loved the entirety of the democratic process. Seeing such passionate females making their voice heard and being powerful was such an inspiration and an experience I will never forget.” Serving as a National Delegate is just one of the unique leadership opportunities GCNWI offers girls. This leadership role introduces girls to the governing process of an organization, but it most importantly shows them the power of using their voice and how it can be the springboard for change. The application process for new delegates will open in Fall 2024.
Meet the 2023 Class of Pinnacle Awardees! The Pinnacle Award is a GCNWIspecific award that honors Ambassador Level (11-12th grade) Girl Scouts who have demonstrated outstanding leadership through their Girl Scout experience. To qualify, Girl Scouts must document at least seven leadership points across a variety of Girl Scout and extracurricular experiences (such as, earning their Highest Awards, or serving as a National Delegate). We are excited to recognize and celebrate ten outstanding Girl Scouts and young alums as the 2023 Pinnacle Awardees.
Ainsley G., Lansing, IL
Ainsley earned the Pinnacle Award by earning her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, providing leadership in a service unit and in capacities outside of Girl Scouting.
Annabel H., Chicago, IL
Annabel earned the Pinnacle Award by earning her Silver Award, serving as a volunteer-in-training (VIT), being a district delegate and national delegate, providing leadership in a girl-led interest group and in a service unit, and in capacities outside Girl Scouting.
Calla S., Chicago, IL
Calla earned the Pinnacle by earning her Bronze and Silver Awards, serving as a counselor in training (CIT), traveling with Girl Scouts, and providing leadership to a service unit and in a capacity outside of Girl Scouting.
Dorothy L., Munster, IN
Dorothy earned the Pinnacle by earning her Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, serving as a volunteer-intraining (VIT) and girl rep to the board, traveling with Girl Scouts, and providing leadership to a service unit and in a capacity outside of Girl Scouting.
Lia R., Chicago, IL
Lia earned her Pinnacle Award by earning her Bronze and Silver Awards, serving as a volunteer-in-training (VIT), and providing leadership to a girl-led interest group and service unit, and in a capacity outside of Girl Scouts.
Madi P., Flossmoor, IL
Madi earned her Pinnacle Award by earning her Bronze and Silver Awards, serving as a counselor-intraining (CIT) and district delegate, traveling with Girl Scouts, and providing leadership to a service unit.
Applications are open now through April 30, 2024. Approved Awardees will be honored at our Recognition Events in the Fall. To learn more, visit https://www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org
Megan R., Chicago, IL
Megan earned her Pinnacle Award by earning her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, serving as a program aid, counselor-in-training (CIT), and girl rep to the board, attending Camp CEO, traveling with Girl Scouts, and providing leadership to a girl-led interest group and in capacities outside of Girl Scouts.
Kate L., Glen Ellyn, IL
Kate earned her Pinnacle Award by earning her Bronze and Gold Awards, serving as a national delegate, providing leadership in a service unit and capacities outside of Girl Scouting.
Keelin K., Hammond, IN
Keelin earned the pinnacle by earning her Silver and Gold Awards, providing leadership in a service unit and a capacity outside of Girl Scouting.
Sydney K., Lake Forest, IL
Sydney earned her Pinnacle Award by earning her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, serving as a girl rep to the board, attending Camp CEO, and serving in leadership capacities outside of Girl Scouting.
Invest in the next genration of leaders! “Being in Girl Scouts has allowed me to learn how to be a leader.” —Lia R, Girl Scout
Imagine a world where girls: Ȉ Lead with confidence and clarity Ȉ Breakdown barriers and build bridges Ȉ Advocate for themselves and their communities Ȉ Become the changemakers they dream of being This world is within reach for girls in Girl Scouts GCNWI, but it requires our investment in programs that nurture and develop their leadership potential. Programs and opportunities offered by Girl Scouts GCNWI equip girls with the skills, knowledge, and support they need to thrive and bring us closer to a future where girls lead the way. Your gift today helps empower the next generation of female leaders.
Here’s how you can help!
I want to invest in girl leaders! Here’s My Gift! YES, Carmen! Please use my gift so more girls can build leadership skills and have opportunities. My gift will also support all the good work of Girl Scouts GCNWI!
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