NOVEMBER 2016
Welcome to the Leadership and Learning Center! Construction of the Leadership and Learning Center is complete and our doors are open to welcome you to our new home. Over Labor Day weekend we invited our generous partners who supported the development of the Leadership and Learning Center to take a tour, explore the building and walk the property. Thank you to all who joined us in making the Leadership and Learning Center a reality. Please come visit us at our new home. Sincerely,
Deborah A. Hearn Smith Chief Executive Officer
Top left: Take a look inside our Showcase filled with Girl Scout essentials. Right top: Our lobby features a desk for us to greet you, a fireplace, and is lined with Trefoils displaying the names of high-level donors. Bottom right: Through the generosity of the Glick Foundation and the vision of artist Joani Rothenberg, we are creating a mural that will be hung at of the Leadership and Learning Center. Many girls used their creativity to add tiles to the artwork at summer camp.
CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE: AUGUST 2015-SEPTEMBER 2016
Gathering soles for souls Eight Girl Scouts from around the country, including Kamna Gupta from our council, were given the opportunity to exhibit their Gold Award projects and talk to leaders on Capitol Hill about important issues impacting the world at a celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of the highest award in Girl Scouts.
Maria Chávez and National Board President Kathy Hopinkah Hannan. Speakers included Brigadier General Diana Holland, commandant of cadets at the United States Military Academy, and Patricia McGuire, President of Trinity Washington University, which awards Girl Scout Gold Award recipient scholarships.
Throughout the country, Girl Scouts are “Celebrating 100 Years of Changing the World” through the Gold Award. Girl Scouts is recognizing a century of girls who have created meaningful, sustainable change in their communities and around the globe.
Kamna Gupta’s presentation during the centennial event on Capitol Hill focused on her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Soles for Souls. Gupta’s project provided more than 2,250 pounds of shoes to underprivileged people living in 20 different countries. Gupta’s project combats the poverty she witnessed during a visit to India. She realized many Indians lacked proper footwear resulting in a multitude of health risks. Meanwhile, many first world countries toss out perfectly usable footwear without giving it a second thought. Gupta was determined to take action to increase awareness about proper
During the Capitol Hill celebration, more than 200 leaders from government, the military and academia came together to recognize and honor the amazing girls and women who have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award over the past century. They were joined by Girl Scouts’ former national CEO Anna
(Top) Kamna proudly displaying her presentation, “Soles for Souls.” (Bottom) Girl Scouts gather to celebrate the Centennial of the highest award in Girl Scouts with cake during the Capitol Hill celebration reception.
resource management and poverty in third world countries. Thirteen additional community organizations now participate in Soles for Souls and continue to help Gupta with her mission.
Racing around the track and sleeping under the stars On Saturday, October 22, nearly 4,500 girls and adults unpacked their cars and set up camp on the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Girls had the opportunity to participate in nearly 60 STEM learning opportunities, healthy living activities and fun experiences, including: learning the science of roller skating, experiencing a water rocket live demonstration, taking a selfie with Juliette Gordon Low,
creating salt scrubs and pampering products, practicing life-saving fire escape techniques and more. In the afternoon, girls took their bikes to the new Grand Prix track and pedaled their way around it. After a full day of activities, girls returned to their campsites to eat dinner, but they soon returned to the pavilion for a night of fun, exchanging SWAPS and dancing to music. As the evening came to a close, they retired to their tents and slept under the stars. 2
(Bottom) Girls ride their bikes around the Grand Prix track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
NOVEMBER 2016
Lt. Governor’s Leadership Luncheon Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb is not only man enough to be a Girl Scout, but he also leads by an example, encouraging community members to take an active role in helping girls find their spark. We were honored by his commitment to host our annual luncheon, and this is an example of his support of girls and women in central Indiana. This luncheon helps us share our message and extend our reach throughout our 45-county area. More than 800 people attended this year’s Lt. Governor’s Leadership Luncheon and raised $257,413! The day was highlighted by honoring three Hoosier women who epitomize our mission of courage, confidence, and character. Girl Scouts of Central Indiana is grateful for the support of table sponsors, elected officials, countless volunteers and the dedication of our community partners. The luncheon showcased the best and brightest women now and in the future with the spirit of Girl Scout sisterhood shining through. Thank you to everyone that made this amazing day possible!
Top: (Left to right) Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb; Anne Shane, Lt. Governor’s Leadership Luncheon chair and consultant of BioCrossroads; Karen Jung, president of Nextech Foundation; Dr. Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College; The Honorable Maggie Lewis, president of Indianapolis City-County Council; Diana Sullivan, board chair Deborah Hearn Smith, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. Right: Girl Scout take the stage for a group photo. Girls greeted guests, escorted honorees to the stage and helped collect gifts at the conclusion of the luncheon. Left: Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb poses with Deborah Hearn Smith, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.
Meet the volunteer toolkit Girls love Girl Scouts for the friends, the fun and all the new things they gets to try. Staying connected and up to date with Girl Scout activities just got a whole lot easier with the volunteer toolkit. This new web app has everything troop leaders need for a whole year of Girl Scout fun in one convenient place—their phone or tablet. 3
Parents are also able to see what their child needs for each meeting, making it easy to ensure she is always prepared and ready to participate in troop activities.
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Leadership and Learning Center Girl Scouts of Central Indiana 7201 Girl Scout Lane Indianapolis, IN 46214
Save the date
#GI INGTUESDAY November 29
At Girl Scouts, we know that when girls succeed, so does society. We encourage you to participate in #GivingTuesday, a one-day global philanthropic effort that gives you the opportunity to give back and make a positive impact on the lives of girls. Honda Manufacturing of Indiana has pledged to match the first $1,500 in donations raised on #GivingTuesday. We encourage you to join us by making a contribution to help us achieve this goal.
When you make a donation, you help us bring the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to more girls—enabling them to unleash their potential, build their future, and transform their world. Your gift directly impacts the lives of girls in your community. Give online: www.girlscoutsindiana/givingtuesday Want more information? Contact Karen Schuman at 317.924.6852 or kschuman@girlscoutsindiana.org
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