Annual Meeting 2015 Volunteer Awards Booklet

Building our future together

Award Recipients Annual Meeting • 2015

A note from the CEO Once again, it is time to recognize our volunteers—the amazing women and men dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence and character. This year’s honorees directly and positively touched the lives of hundreds of girls throughout central Indiana.

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana is dedicated to the next generation of girls. We are charged with encouraging girls to take their place as future leaders of the country, business, communities and even our world.

The people recognized tonight are an integral part of this lofty goal. Please join me in saluting these men and women for giving so generously of their talents to the girls of central Indiana.

Let us join together to make sure we are instilling girls with the confidence needed to take on future leadership roles, the courage necessary to make this world a better place, and the character to stand up for their convictions.

Warmest regards,

Deborah Hearn Smith

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Table of Contents Appreciation Pin Honor Pin Thanks Badge Thanks Badge II Leadership of Excellence President’s Award Deborah L. McCloud Administrative Volunteer Award

“Changing the world always needs volunteers.”

- Unknown

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Appreciation Pin The Appreciation Pin recognizes an adult volunteer who has delivered outstanding service to at least one service unit in a way that impacts the council’s goals and objectives.

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” - Hellen Keller

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Mary Avila

Mary is an outstanding community troop organizer. Through fun, enriching activities Mary has recruited nearly 50 girls to join Girl Scouts.

She also recruits and mentors new leaders, supporting them throughout the year. Through her tireless service to our organization, serving as a cookie manager and event coordinator, she has made an impact on many girls and adults in the community.

Holly Bales Hall

Holly’s efforts and passion for encouraging and supporting troop leaders to help girls grow and discover their passions has made her an incredible troop organizer for the past three years. She has helped build strong troops in two schools in Monroe County, has organized the Girl Scout Songfest for Monroe County, and was an integral part of the success (and fun) of the Great Girl Scout Cookie Dunk. She also helped educate the service unit about WAGGS and brought in a woman from Uganda to speak who is starting a girls’ school and a Girl Scout troop at the school. Holly helped facilitate opportunities for the service unit to support both the school and the overseas Girl Scout troop.

Jolene Beneker

Jolene has been a driving force in increasing Girl Scout participation in Franklin County. Through well-planned, fun events, girls have made new friends, explored their community and learned leadership skills by taking part in the planning. Jolene nurtures all leaders and encourages them to venture out with their girls. Besides helping run a service unit day camp, she encourages leaders to explore the other council properties. Through Jolene’s efforts last year, Franklin County Girls Scouts built a butterfly garden by Brookville Reservoir – a wonderful example of making the world a better place while learning about their environment.

Jennifer Black

Jennifer has embraced Girl Scouts as a parent, co-leader, and Service Unit Manager. As Service Unit manager, she has created an environment that enables parents, volunteers and the community to support girls through effective communication, organization and leadership. She has assisted in the formation and facilitation of a Girl Scout Cadette/Senior/ Ambassador program focus group and has chaperoned older girl events.

Utilizing her ties with the business community, she has helped develop exciting local programs for Girl Scouts of all age levels. She welcomes new leaders and volunteers, inspiring them to become more involved and make an impact on the lives of girls.

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Beth Branson

Beth’s attention to detail in planning monthly events for her service unit has provided Girl Scouts in Brown County with projects that allow girls to be creative, to explore new interests, and grow as leaders. These events allow leaders and girls to enjoy activities outside of their usual troop meetings, get to know each other, and develop stronger friendships, while learning and exploring their community. Beth’s work behind the scenes to support her service unit manager and all leaders by helping with whatever is needed reflects what a true asset she is to Girl Scouts in Brown County.

Francine Breckler

Francine’s smile and positive energy attracts girls to want to join Girl Scouts.

Her encouraging and welcoming attitude has enabled her to be successful as a community troop organizer in St. Malachy School. She also recruits new leaders, and is someone they all can count on when they need assistance.

Francine has planned several events and community service opportunities.

She involves girls in the planning and hosting of the events, helping girls develop strong leadership skills. Both adult volunteers and girls experience the joys of being a Girl Scout thanks to Francine.

Larnell Burks-Bagley

Larnell’s presence has positive, lasting effects on not only her troop, but also on her service unit. Larnell became involved in her service unit this year, helping to bring consistency and leadership to the service team. She helped plan a mother-daughter tea, a movie night and cookie rally. Larnell also assisted at Cookie College, preparing girls for a safe, successful and fun Girl Scout Cookie Season. Larnell is helping to increase the strength of Acorn House by increasing membership and girl program opportunities.

Her positive attitude and strong leadership skills are inspirational to both girls and volunteers.

Valerie Clark

Valerie promotes Girl Scouts throughout Clay County in inventive and fun ways. As a school employee, she invites girls she meets on the playground to come to a Girl Scout meeting. She not only runs her own troop, but she also helps nurtures three other troops. She provides girls and leaders the opportunity to plan and develop their leadership skills at Camp Na Wa Kwa. Valerie’s fun and infectious attitude has contributed to new volunteers and girls joining. Due to her dedication, Clay County exceeded their membership goal reaching 108 percent.

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Heather Cleary

Heather is always looking for ways to help girls grow strong. Heather helped recruit, support and mentor a new Girl Scout Daisy leader.

Heather has worked with Girl Scouts of all ages to create imaginative float designs year after year for the Beech Grove parade, creating community awareness about Girl Scouts in the community. This year Heather cochaired her service unit cookie rally and has helped plan and organize other events, creating opportunities for Girl Scouts to experience new things and have fun.

Natalie Coffey

Natalie has guided Decatur Service Unit through a variety of challenges.

Her guidance and support has not only led to solutions, but has also strengthened her service unit by inspiring leaders to set an example for the girls they serve. Last year Natalie coordinated a service unit camporee with the theme of Forensics Detectives. Girls learned about what it is like to be a detective; how to finger print and they even investigated a crime scene. She is a great mentor to experienced and new leaders. She goes the extra mile to help guide volunteers toward the best outcome for all girls.

Erin Cooper

When Erin stepped into the role of Service Unit Manager in the fall of 2013 there was one person on the service team and seven troop leaders. Erin strove grow the Girl Scout program, attending every back to school night, talking to adults and girls about the many doors Girl Scouts opens and hosting fun activities for girls. By the fall of 2014 the service team had grown to four engaged volunteers and the number of troops had doubled for Sullivan County. Erin’s positive, energetic attitude is celebrated and appreciated by all who meet her.

Melissa Cox

Girl Scouts are growing and thriving in Jay County thanks to Melissa’s dedication. Melissa continually seeks out new leaders so that girls have nurturing, positive mentors in their lives. She plans unique events so that girls and leaders will have opportunities to come together, including a countywide bridging ceremony. Melissa is supportive of troop leaders, mentoring and inspiring them to be role models for girls and the community.

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Susan Crisafulli

Sue serves as a community troop organizer in the Redbud service unit.

Sue supports new leaders as the troops are forming and has brought back long held traditions, modeling Girl Scout sisterhood for the girls and new leaders. She helped revamp and organize her service unit bridging ceremony and candlelight service. Her dedication to providing opportunities for girls to learn, lead and grow demonstrates her passion for building girls of courage, confidence and character.

Jennifer Crooks

Jennifer’s commitment to volunteer preparation through serving as a council facilitator is increasing adult participation in her service unit.

Jennifer ensures that all volunteers feel well prepared and equipped to help girls tap into their inner strengths and take action for themselves and the world. Jennifer introduces new ideas as well as traditions in service unit meetings. Her enthusiasm and planning has increased attendance at service unit meetings and helped aid retention.

Tiffany Diefenderfer

Tiffany is continually strengthening the leadership of the Hancock service unit. She has creatively sought out new volunteers by forming relationships with local community college programs. Her innovative approach to programs - hosting a crafting event, a forensic STEM event with Greenfield High School, a Robotics STEM Program and Barbie Career Fair, has led to the many new volunteers eager to make a positive impact on the lives of girls.

Melissa (Missy) Durbin

Missy serves as service unit registrar for the Lawrence service unit. She works tirelessly to maintain records and double check volunteer approval status. After 12 years of being an incredible troop leader, she has stepped into a new role as a council facilitator. By mentoring and supporting new and experienced leaders with Girl Scout learning sessions, volunteers in Lawrence County are prepared and confident in their abilities to lead their troops.

Wendy Elkins

Wendy provides service unit support and creates fun activities for leaders and girls. She is always willing to go the extra mile to help and support anyone in need of a little extra help. Wendy has served as a community troop organizer for several years as well as the fall product and cookie coordinator for her service unit. She runs both sales effortlessly, enabling girls to be successful, which allows them to fund their troop goals, make memories, and learn valuable lessons.

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Sarah Enochs

Sarah believes that fun, enriching programs make for a fantastic Girl Scout experience. Sarah formed a robotics team for older girls this year that competed in robotics competitions. Sarah hosts her service unit day camp, offering fun, enriching days for girls. She is currently working on expanding the day camp for another service unit to participate. Sarah has also planned and volunteered at recruitment events and overnights, allowing girls to create new friendships and expand their circle of Girl Scout sisters.

Kristy Fluhr

For the past two years, Kristy has inspired many women to become Girl Scout leaders through her role as a school organizer. She helps both experienced and new leaders understand how they can make an impact in girls’ lives by hosting Q&A sessions and continually offering support to new leaders. Kristy has strengthened the leadership in the Girl Scout community, which has led to an increase in girls joining Girl Scouts and more volunteers who are equipped to help their Girl Scouts succeed.

Kristy also helped organize the Father/Daughter dance.

Jennifer Gearlds

Jennifer is an outstanding cookie manager, and is also a familiar face, volunteering at many service unit events. She also coordinates the parade in Beech Grove that all Girl Scouts are invited to be a part of. Jennifer gives generously of her time to ensure all girls participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program are prepared for a successful and fun season.

Jennifer fosters a community of support and discovery, helping out and supporting volunteers, which empowers them to help girls truly shine.

Karen Gelb

Karen is a Girl Scout veteran, with 13 years of Girl Scout knowledge, she is a great mentor for new volunteers. She has volunteered at many service unit events each year. As a role model, she leads her troop to take the reins and learn the planning and organizational skills necessary to host an event of their own. She encourages older girls to pursue scholarship opportunities and pair their passion with service to earn their higher awards. This continual support has helped her service unit maintain a high retention rate particularly in the middle and high school grades.

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Amy Gerardot

Amy is an instrument in fostering a community of discovery and support for volunteers and girls to learn, lead and grow. She leads three troops, co –manager of her service unit’s fall product sale, served on the committee for the leader-daughter retreat, and is the school organizer in the Fishers service unit. She gives generously of her time helping leaders grow and helping girls understand the difference they can make in their community through numerous take-action projects.

Gara Goetke

Gara is continually working to strengthen the leadership in her service unit.

As service unit manager she not only serves as an invaluable resource to other volunteers and parents, but also takes initiative and helps in the planning of events. Gara planned her service unit’s International Thinking Day event, in which the proceeds went to the Home of Our Own campaign.

Gara works to ensure that all girls in her community feel welcome and are invited to join Girl Scouts, experience the to the fun that girls have together and the friendships that last a lifetime.

Jennie Greer

Jennie wears many hats as a community troop organizer in her service unit. She creatively recruits girls and adults to join Girl Scouts. Jennie coordinates Q&A meetings to mentor volunteers and help new troops thrive. Jennie helped plan and organize a leader daughter retreat; which rejuvenate volunteers and also provides opportunities for girls to have individual time with their mom/caregiver.

Bella Hall

Bella has been a community troop organizer for the past three years.

Setting up and hosting booths at Kindergarten registration nights, school open houses, local events at the library and throughout the community; she shares the opportunities and fun of Girl Scouts to all she meets. Bella plans many service projects for Girl Scouts to participate in. Due to Bella’s commitment of ensuring all girls have the opportunity to join Girl Scouts and her energetic and outgoing personality, her service unit has met their membership goal the past two years.

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Kelley Hartman

Kelly has served as the fall product and cookie chair of her service unit for the past three years. Through her nurturing spirit she has helped both new and experience leaders and parents understand how to set themselves up for a successful Girl Scout Cookie and fall product sale.

Kelly is currently helping older Girl Scouts plan a trip to Europe. Girls are learning research and organizational skills as well as setting goals to secure funding. Kelley’s commitment to both adults and girls is appreciated and noted in all the hard work she continually gives.

Una Hartzell-Baird

Una has served as a co-service unit manager and community troop organizer of Road Runner. This year Una hosted six events including Dance Your Can Off, an event that combined community service with dancing. The event collected over 800 pounds of food for a local food and clothing pantry, The Sharing Place. She created a website and distributed a YouTube video providing information to volunteers, parents and girls to prepare them for a successful Girl Scout Cookie sale. Una has worked with older girls, helping them explore options for their Girl Scout Silver Award by encouraging girls to explore their passions and to strive for goals they never imagined. Una’s creative and endless energy has helped strengthen the leadership of her service unit.

Jackie Hayden

Jackie serves as cookie manager for her service unit, serves as a service project coordinator, coordinates training opportunities for volunteers and provides assistance at the cookie rally. Through service projects she plans, girls take action for themselves and the world. Jackie also has a passion for working with the older girls and helping them explore leadership opportunities and give back to the community.

Tonya Hemond

Tonya’s commitment to Girl Scouts is seen in her daily work as well as her personal life. As a school district employee, Tonya frequently promotes Girl Scouts to both girls and adults she meets. She invites girls to meetings and shares her enthusiasm with parents who then learn the benefit of their daughters joining Girl Scouts. Her infectious enthusiasm also encourages parents to take the extra step into volunteer roles. Through Tonya’s support, Clay County Girl Scouts exceeded their membership goal reaching 108 percent.

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Jeannice Hight-Shobe

Jeannice never shies away from a challenge, taking on the role of school organizer and cookie manager. Jeannice also agreed to pilot a new volunteer model, sharing responsibilities with two other volunteers.

Through this pilot program, both staff and volunteers are learning new strategies to support volunteer efforts and build girl membership.

Through endless effort, many new troops have been formed.

Denise Hill

Denise not only volunteers as a troop leader, but also volunteers with the P.E.A.R.L.S. program, a council led program for girls who live in lowincome housing. She utilizes her art background by bringing creative, and interactive activities and encouragement to girls, offering them the opportunity to flourish and feel comfortable being themselves during their meetings. She also provides community focused opportunities for girls, including an activity in which girls decorated ornaments to be donated to a local nursing home.

Jamie Hudson

Jamie serves in a leadership role to two troops as well as a community troop organizer. She inspires many women to become Girl Scout leaders and share their talents with girls. She supports new leaders by hosting support meetings and regularly checking on them throughout the year.

The number of troops and adult volunteers has grown and her service unit has been able to meet its goals because of her leadership skills. She also helped organize the Father/Daughter dance. Jamie has touched many girls by helping empower their leaders with the knowledge and support they need to bring the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to their troops for the last five years.

Teri Hunter

Teri has been the fall product manager for the past five years. During this time she has stressed the importance of the fall product sale and how it can benefit new troops. She leads creative and interacting trainings, preparing volunteers to deliver wow-worthy experiences to girls. For several years Teri planned and hosted World Thinking Day events for girls in Tippecanoe County and the surrounding counties. Teri is always willing to help find a troop for girls interested in Girl Scouts and assist leaders grow so they can support girls in their pursuits to explore every dream, discover what they love and learn the skills that will set them up for success.

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Maura Hutchinson

Maura serves as a school organizer, runs a cookie cupboard, and coordinates badge day for the Hancock County service unit. She continually takes on any role that needs filled and has an infectious personality that inspires others. Through her tireless effort and great planning skills, girls participating in badge day were able to earn five badges in one Saturday. Her hands-on, interactive approach keeps girls excited, engaged and allows girls to work towards their personal goals. She mentors new leaders, offering them council trainings and knowledge to ensure girls have positive, safe Girl Scout experiences.

Samantha Hyche

Samantha wants to ensure that all girls who are interested in joining Girl Scouts have that opportunity. She serves as a community troop organizer for several schools in Warren Township. She hosts recruitment events at individual schools as well as for her entire service unit. Because of her hard work and dedication, her service unit was able to meet its membership goal and offer positive Girl Scout experiences for hundreds of girls.

Sharyl Hynes

As her service unit manager, Sharyl has grown the leadership and strength of Carmel East service unit. By modeling leadership and team unity, other volunteers rose to support Sharyl to help build a strong community for girls to grow, dream and explore. Sharyl’s positive attitude and inclusive manner engages other adults, offering enriching meetings, events and goal setting within each school. Sharyl has also chaired several events including a new leader-daughter luncheon, cookie rally and bridging ceremony. These events helped her service unit promote Girl Scouts and achieve their membership goal.

Cynthia Johnson

Cynthia believes that every girl can grow and thrive through outdoor experiences. For the past two years Cynthia has chaired the Mt. Vernon camporee. Because of her organization skills and her determination to provide an event that is safe and fun, attendance increased 25 percent over one year. Through this event her service unit has been able to recruit more girls who want to experience camping opportunities.

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Erica Johnson

Erica serves as a school organizer, fall product chair, and on the cookie rally committee. Erica steps in wherever needed to ensure girls can participate in a leadership experience. She offers guidance to all volunteers, and has stepped in when troops have lost leadership, ensuring that girls continue to have positive Girl Scouts opportunities.

She gives generously of her time, volunteering or chairing each event in her service unit. She recognizes volunteer efforts and strengthens adult commitment by coordinating her service unit recognition dinner. Erica’s passion for Girl Scouts is seen daily throughout her service unit.

Sandra Jones

For the past 8 years Sandra has prepared both girls and adults to ensure they have a safe and fun Girl Scout Cookie Program experience. Her dedication to equipping volunteers and girls with the tools they need to have a successful Girl Scout Cookie season has resulted in her service unit being able to bring in funds needed to aid girls’ experience opportunities throughout the council and travel opportunities abroad.

Sandra’s commitment to financial literacy educates both adults and girls of the possibilities that Girl Scouts can accomplish.

Brianna Keith

Brianna serves as co-service unit manager for Howard County. She increased communication in the area by creating a Facebook page and implementing a texting system to keep all leaders informed. She facilitated training sessions to better consult and mentor new troop leaders. Brianna has been a council cookie team member for three years and works weekly with the county cookie cupboard. She impacts girls and adults throughout her service unit on a daily basis with her commitment and dedication to providing volunteers opportunities for growth and leadership.

Colleen Kenney

Colleen supports each Lourdes service unit by educating troops about the Catholic Awards. She mentors girls and leaders, delivers the program, provides oversight and guidance, and coordinates leadership opportunities for girls within their parish. Additionally, Colleen ensures each girl is recognized for her efforts in an all parish Mass on Girl Scout Sunday. Through her hard work, approximately one in five girls earn a religious award. Colleen continually serves as the Girl Scout liaison with the priest and ensures that each Girl Scout creates strong relationships within the church. Through Colleen’s efforts, girls continue to reregister each year as they strive to earn the awards at the various age levels.

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Robin Kiefer

Robin is dedicated and committed to creating strength in the leadership of her service unit by serving as service unit manager. Through her knowledge and leadership, her service team has blossomed. With Robin’s guidance, membership has increased 51percent in the last three years.

Troops have been created in every grade level and in each school. She provides opportunities for volunteers to participate in council trainings and outdoor education. Her nurturing spirit not only allows girls to grow in Girl Scouts, but volunteers to blossom as well.

Shannon Kimbrell

Shannon utilized girl led programming to create, develop and set up the activities for her service unit cookie rally. Shannon tasked her troop with making the planned activities exciting, financially educational and cookie-wise, while still providing social and leadership experiences for girls. As service unit registrar, Shannon has been instrumental in achieving 101 percent of the 2014 girl membership goal set. She and her troop of Cadette and Ambassador Girl Scouts provided activity support at the large recruitment event for her service unit resulting in more than 35 Girl Scouts registering for Girl Scouts.

Susan Kindig

For more than two years Susan planned and collaborated with council staff and Marion University to develop a camp for older Girl Scouts. In the summer of 2014, 20 girls in grades 8-12 attended Girls Exploring Medical Sciences (G.E.M.S.), the first of its kind in central Indiana. Susan’s program allowed girls to participate in STEM programming on a local level. Her actions and hard work specifically addressed the need for STEM experiences in middle school and early high school - a time when girls tend to lose interest in science and Girl Scouts. Susan arranged for a special field trip to Eli Lilly & Co. where the girls explored pharmaceutical careers. Susan’s dedication and willingness to create a new experience for girls led many to new opportunities they may not have the opportunity to experience otherwise.

Maryann Krutsick

Through Maryann’s hard work and dedication as service unit manager, she has helped her service unit retain more than 60 percent of girls and 65 percent of volunteers. Maryann ensures all leaders are knowledgeable in Girl Scout programming and opportunities, offering fun and enriching trainings as well as essential information. She also helps with events and older girl programs. Her actions have resulted in a strong community of leaders in Fishers who are helping to build girls of courage, confidence and character.

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Jessie Laguna

For two years Jessie has served as a community troop organizer and has helped organize monthly event for her service unit, including the camporee, canned food drive, and literacy coalition book drive. Because of these events, girls are inspired to take action, resulting in an average of one new girl joining Girl Scouts at each event. She has assisted with many community events including organizing a painting day for her service unit at TC Steele, organizing a bake sale and staffing a recruitment table in downtown Nashville. Her efforts have developed strong leadership in the community and have helped girls explore their every dream.

Samantha Lenox

Samantha serves as a community school organizer supporting troops by assisting with paper work so leaders can focus on providing an encouraging environment for girls to flourish. She is actively involved at her school allowing her to build a strong relationship with staff and parents, and as a result growing girl and adult membership. Samantha helps with various events in her service unit and promotes Girl Scout opportunities to all girls who are interested.

Kelly McDaniel

Serving as her service unit registrar, Kelly has helped form new troops and place more girls than in years past. Her attention to detail and mentorship of new leaders allows volunteers to understand the impact they can have on a girls lives. Kelly also oversaw the Girl Scout Cookie Program for participating Girl Scout Juliettes. Because of Kelly’s hard work and commitment to Girl Scouts, her service unit is very close to reaching its membership goals.

Carol Meyer

Under Carol’s outstanding leadership, her service team has grown and thrived. Carol has recruited many volunteers to serve in various roles. By hosting creative recruitment events, her service unit has surpassed its membership goals for the past two years. Her energy and passion for Girl Scouts is inspiring to girls and adults.

Connie Miller

Connie has been crucial in keeping the older girls involved in Girl Scouts by offering exciting programs that inspire them and provide them new opportunities to explore future goals and dreams. She works with older girls to achieve Silver and Gold Awards, become Program Aides, and encourage them to aspire to become future Girl Scout volunteers as alumna. She also offers service opportunities for younger Girl Scout troops. For the past 29 years, Connie has ensured that all girls are provided a day camp experience.

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Suzan Miller

Suzan has volunteered in her service unit for more than 40 years. She currently serves as the treasurer, ensuring all events have comprehensive budgets and all financial needs are met. Suzan also serves as the cookie manager, training and supporting all cookie moms. As a facilitator, Suzan ensures leaders and volunteers have a deep understanding of Girl Scout traditions and the impact girls can make in their community. Through Suzan’s dedication, there has been much growth in leadership and in girl membership in her service unit.

Belinda Moistner

Belinda’s hard work and dedication to Girl Scouts has helped increase membership at the two schools she serves, as well as her service unit.

When the local school would not permit information about Girl Scouts to be distributed, Belinda met with local representatives and helped create a positive atmosphere between volunteers and school staff. Because of Belinda’s relentless efforts, there is a troop at every grade level allowing more girls to thrive and develop their leadership skills through Girl Scouts.

Kevin Moore

Kevin leads a Girl Scout Cadette troop and is actively involved in his service unit. Kevin gives generously of his time to support his service team and unit. Whenever someone needs additional help or guidance, Kevin is the first to step forward. Kevin’s most popular activity was adopting a bus stop. The girls keep the space clean and decorate the shelter with positive messages and Girl Scout flyers. Kevin’s willingness to lead has set a great example for others, and encouraged another dad to take over a troop.

Becky Mundy

Becky works tirelessly to make sure volunteers have the necessary resources to support and nurture girls in her community. Becky supports volunteers by assisting with membership registrations and statistical data and has in turn, grown her service unit team. Because of her efforts, her service unit has the volunteers necessary to put on monthly activities.

This strategy allows girls of all grade levels to have meaningful Girl Scout experiences and leadership opportunities.

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Keri Murray

Keri works diligently to ensure that girls and adults know about opportunities older girls have through Girl Scouts. She mentors and supports leaders, encouraging them to continue their Girl Scout experience as the girls enter middle and high school. Through Keri’s hard work, each year, her service unit has girls who earn their Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards. Keri has helped girls explore community service and travel opportunities, strengthening their leadership and planning skills.

Keri’s commitment to Girl Scouts is an inspiration to both volunteers and girls, as they become active participants Girl Scouts.

Mendy Neel

For the past twelve years Mendy has supported Girl Scouts in Fishers.

She has given generously of her time recruiting girls and adults. She is dedicated to helping them have a positive Girl Scout experience. Mendy promotes older girl opportunities and events, which helps retain girls and volunteers. Through Mendy’s tireless effort, girls have come to discover the life changing experiences that Girl Scouts has to offer.

Jennifer (Jen) Newton

Jen serves as a community troop organizer. She works tirelessly to recruit volunteers to lead troops. This year, she found troop leaders and volunteers to support three new troops. Jen is patient and supportive, and a resource volunteers trust when they need assistance. The time and energy Jen gives towards Girl Scouts has allowed dozens of girls the opportunity to live out the Girl Scout mission, explore the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, participate in the country’s preeminent financial literacy program, and enjoy fun events with sister Girl Scouts.

Janis Norris

While Janis has served in many Girl Scout leadership positions over the years, she currently is the registrar and delegate for her service unit. She is a role model for Girl Scouts, and her leadership skills help support her service unit and inspire leaders to follow her lead. Janis is willing to lend a hand to resolve issues and sees every challenge as an opportunity.

Stuart Norris

Stuart has helped his service unit for many years in various ways. He has coordinated the camporee, been the fall product chair and is always first in line to step in needed. His commitment to the Girl Scout movement has allowed girls to grow and explore the world in a safe, enriching environment.

Stuart’s actions not only help build girls of courage, confidence and character, but he in turn helps make the world a better place.

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Myrna Ozaeta

Myrna has helped with Latinas Taking the Lead by facilitating the financial literacy workshop. She also helped forge a relationship between her service unit and a local banker to help Latina leaders open bank accounts for their troops. By overcoming the language barriers, new volunteers better understand the process of opening a new account. Myrna is an advocate for Girl Scouts and as a result, has enabled more girls to experience the fun and opportunities of Girl Scouts.

Rachel Page

Rachel is a tech savvy registrar for her service unit with strong organization skills. As her service unit underwent major transitions and reorganization, Rachel provided supported for troops and girls. Rachel spends countless hours analyzing data and ensuring all girls were offered fun pathways for Girl Scouts.

Jack Pain

Jack runs the boy unit for the Monroe County day camp program. This unit allows mothers with sons to volunteer at camp, since childcare is provided. Many leaders return to camp as volunteers, simply because their sons want to again participate in Jack’s fun Girl Scout unit. Jack’s enthusiasm has inspired fathers to volunteer and older boys to serve as role models. Jack’s boy unit continues to see growth over the course of the past four years. Through Jack’s commitment to Girl Scouts, volunteerism and parental support has grown each summer.

Susan Parsons

While Susan has served in a variety of roles, for the past year she has supported local volunteers and mentored the new service unit manager.

She spent countless hours assisting her service unit with recruitment.

Under her leadership, her troop has chaired her service unit Thinking Day event, helping younger girls realize they are part of a world organization.

Susan’s commitment to the Girl Scout movement and her willingness to step up has helped her service unit reach their membership goals.

Rachelle Phifer

Besides being a leader for 23 girls of a multi-grade troop, Rachelle also serves as the liaison between her school and Girl Scout council. Her help has allowed her service unit to utilize the school as a meeting place and for events. Rachelle also helped plan many events including a movie night, mother-daughter tea, and cookie rally this year. Rachelle is a strong mentor to new and experienced leaders her service unit.

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Allison Price

Allison planned and coordinated a weeklong day camp last summer for girls of all ages. Girls worked on grade level badges and also enjoyed archery, canoeing, STEM activities, and campfire cooking. This event resulted in an increase in girl membership. Allison also updates and maintains her service unit website with upcoming activities and pictures of past events. Allison’s dedication to her service unit allows leaders to focus on growing in their leadership abilities and nurturing the girls.

Carrie Rainey

Carrie shares her dedication to Girl Scouts through her troop and community. While she strives to give each girl in her troop a positive experience, she also works to create opportunities for families to spend time together through Girl Scouts. Her hope is that these positive experiences will turn into life long memories. She has coordinated parades for troops to participate in, increasing community awareness of Girl Scouts, along with food drives, pop can/tab collections, and countless other activities. Carrie is a true asset to her service unit, offering support and bringing fun, enriching activities to the girls in North Lawrence.

Heather Roberts

Serving as co-service unit manager, Heather works with each team member to foster their growth and development. Heather offers enriching learning sessions for all new leaders and mentors so they feel comfortable and confident to lead their Girl Scout troop. Last fall when a leader unexpectedly passed away, Heather made herself available by taking time off work to complete a ceremony for the troop that the leader had planned, and helped find new leadership so the troop could continue.

She is an invaluable asset and an inspiration to both girls and volunteers.

Wendy Robinson

Wendy is a leader whose Girl Scout spirit is infectious. She has seen growth in her troop, while mentoring two other troops. Through her efforts, her service unit has gained many involved parent volunteers. Wendy has also been her service unit cookie chair for the past two years. She has given generously of her time to help leaders prepare their troops for a fun and successful Girl Scout Cookie season. Wendy is willing to go above and beyond, sharing her positive attitude wherever she goes.

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Beth Rosales

Beth is a community troop organizer for three different schools in Monroe County. Her commitment to spreading information about Girl Scouts at these schools has helped bolster membership in underserved areas. Beth coordinates several service unit events including a Fourth of July event, which includes the troops marching in the city’s parade. Beth has established a relationship as a liaison to the city and in schools. Her hard work and enthusiastic attitude has led to an increase in girl membership.

Elaine Sanchez

Elaine’s dedication to Girl Scouts is seen in everything she does. Her leadership over the past eight years and her commitment to making a difference in the girls’ lives is something parents and girls treasure. Elaine helps with recruitment at a local school, and is able to translate pertinent information to Spanish speaking girls and adults. Through Elaine’s hard work, her service unit is able to serve a larger population of girls throughout the community.

Geraldine Sherrell

Geraldine is helping build strong troops throughout her service unit. By hosting a movie night, cookie rally, and mother-daughter tea, girls had fun and membership and adult participation in her service unit increased.

Geraldine serves as a liaison to the church, where her service unit meets.

Because of Geraldine, more troops have formed and her service unit has a consistent location secured for meetings and events.

Vicky Silhavy

Over the past four years Vicky has worked diligently to help leaders feel comfortable and prepared to lead in her service unit. She has spent many weekends with girls at the council properties. Vicky has served as service unit manager for over two years. She coordinates community troop organizers to recruit and place new girls in troops. She ensures trainings are available for her service unit and strongly encourages leaders and volunteers to attend training events. Vicky is instrumental in assisting volunteer services and entering data into E-Council.

Nikki Slinger

Nikki is an outstanding service unit manager. Through her positive attitude and energy, Nikki has created a service unit that enjoys working together.

Nikki mentors service team members and leaders, ensuring they feel prepared and ready to lead. Nikki works with leaders and older girls, helping them understand and utilize Girl Scout Journeys, working towards Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Last summer she worked with membership to offer a series to girls who could not participate in traditional troop programming.

Through Nikki’s help her service unit surpassed its membership goals.

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Deb Smith

Deb has worked tirelessly to ensure that all leaders and adults are knowledgeable of camping programs offered through Girl Scouts.

She believes that through outdoor experiences girls can thrive. Deb’s presentation helped new leaders comprehend the importance of camping and share options available to girls of all ages. Deb also guided her troop in hosting two events for her service unit – motherdaughter bingo and a cookie rally. Deb enlists her girls in the planning and implementation of these events, helping the girls learn invaluable leadership skills.

Lisa Smith

In her role as product sales manager, Lisa planned and coordinated her service unit’s fall product sale rally featuring product samples and providing girls with selling tips. She also led her service unit’s cookie rally, where girls enjoyed activities involving crafts, games, and snacks to help them learn more about Girl Scout Cookies and financial literacy. Because of Lisa’s creativity and hard work, product sales have increased over the last two years.

Rhonda Smith

Rhonda helps recruit, register and prepare new leaders to provide girls the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. She has also developed programs to help with retention of current troops. She engages older girls in her service unit to help plan events and camporees, allowing them to strengthen their leadership skills. In turn, these girls serve as role models to younger girls.

Huma Soomro

Huma has been a leader for four years, recruiting and organizing troops from the Islamic school where she works. This relationship she has forged has helped girls who had not previously heard about Girl Scouts participate in various programs. Last year the school split in two and girls were no longer in the same classes. Through Girl Scouts, the girls could maintain their friendships and had the opportunity to not only discover and connect with one another, but also take action in their troop and community.

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Eleanor Sowder

For almost 50 years, Eleanor has shared her passion for Girl Scouts. Eleanor is dedicated to supporting volunteers, offering mini trainings during her service unit meetings and helping leaders understand the value of camping and outdoor opportunities for girls. Eleanor volunteers each year at day camp, teaching swaps and crafts to girls of all ages. Her dedication to Girl Scouts in her service unit is not only measured in years, but in the fundamental belief that all girls can grow and thrive through the Girl Scout mission.

Denise Sproles

Denise has served in multiple positions to support the North Lawrence service unit. She is a school organizer and fall product chair. Denise is her service unit manager’s “right hand gal.” She handles administrative tasks, mentors girls and adults, and has educated many on the importance of earning Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Denise’s countless hours allow girls to tap into their inner strength and discover their passions.

Karen Stumpf

Karen serves as event coordinator for her service unit. Because of her creative opportunities, girls who are not in traditional troops are able to participate through the event pathway. Karen hosted an early bird ice cream social, which resulted in 25 percent of troops completing early bird registration. Karen also serves as a community troop organizer and doubled girl membership at her school over the last two years. Karen’s dedication to Girl Scouts is not only seen by her monthly events, but also in the time and energy she gives to her troop and the leaders she mentors.

Charissa Syvinski

Charissa has been a troop leader for two years, and recently stepped into an additional leadership role, serving as a community troop organizer.

Her creative recruitment efforts helped form multiple troops in her community. Charissa utilized older girls to help with the event, which not only helped them gain leadership skills, but also allowed them to serve as role models to younger girls. Charissa’s energy and dedication to Girl Scouts is helping her service unit grow and thrive.

Debbie Thompson

Debbie is an energetic, positive volunteer who has served Pike Township in a variety of roles strengthening the Girl Scout community. She has served as the service unit registrar and spends countless hours helping new leaders find locations to meet. Debbie is a strong and supportive leader, and is helping build strong volunteers who are prepared to lead girls to do great things.

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Sarah Tieman-Seivers

Sarah co-chairs her service unit. By taking on this position, Sarah has coordinated many the events including, Leader Daughter U Paint fun night, World Thinking Day Bazaar, and organized troops and volunteers for the Gleaners Food Bank service project. Her mentorship and support of new leaders has helped with retention of girls and adult volunteers. Sarah is known for her hard work and organizational skills. Her girls volunteer at many events, following her lead, becoming young women who give of their time to help others.

Mary Alice Vondrak

Mary Alice’s Girl Scout journey in Glenns Valley started in 1971, and continues today. She serves as the registrar for her service unit. Her detail and accuracy help ensure accurate record keeping, allowing volunteers to focus on the growth of girls. Mary Alice is continually willing to step up and assist whenever a girl, volunteer, troop or service unit needs help. Her contribution has made a lasting impact for more than 40 years.

Gina Wall

Gina focuses on building a cohesive, inclusive service unit. By welcoming all opinions and seeking out different ideas, her service unit has strong participation and commitment from girls and volunteers. Gina’s enthusiasm and dedication to setting high expectations for adults has resulted in new community troop organizers in underserved areas. Her service unit surpasses its membership goal by 121 percent. Gina supports her leaders with time, compassion, and commitment.

Carolyn Watson

Besides serving as the service unit manager, Carolyn takes a personal role in the cookie sale each year. Carolyn works with each volunteer, supporting them when they have questions and stepping in when problems arise. In the winter of 2014, Carolyn assisted two troops who had major medical emergencies. She worked with the girls and adults in both troops, helping them continue to have a successful Girl Scout Cookie season. Carolyn’s kindness and commitment is unmatched, and the troops were able to continue and achieved their camp goals in 2014.

Carolyn has shown that being a sister to every Girl Scout continues from girls to adult leadership.

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Ginger Webb

Ginger strives to create Girl Scout opportunities for all girls in Decatur County. As service unit manager she helps organize events, creates a strong team structure, and supports both new and experienced leaders. Ginger also serves as her service unit’s cookie manager, helping volunteers understand the importance of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, and girls learn financial literacy skills. Ginger is a strong component of the service unit that adults and girls rely upon.

Jennifer Webe

Jennifer was instrumental in supporting her service unit and helped plan successful recruitment events, coming very close to their 2014 membership goal. When Jennifer noticed a Girl Scout Daisy troop was struggling, she stepped in to mentor both girls and their leaders.

Jennifer gives generously of her time and energy to support volunteers, empowering them to encourage their girls to realize they can do anything they set their minds to.

Kate Weidner

Kate has served on the Carmel East service unity for more than eight years, brining a smile with her wherever she goes. She provided product sales support to troops before becoming a troop leader. She serves as a community troop organizer for a school and consistently provides positive energy to her service unit. This energy has helped Carmel East retain a large number of girls and adults on an annual basis. Girl retention percentage was 73 percent and adult retention was 67 percent.

Cathy Wells

Cathy serves as the service unit registrar and treasurer. When the service unit manager had surgery during fall recruitment, Cathy stepped in to ensure recruitment and registration events took place. She assisted organizers with forming new troops and entered registrations in a timely manner. She provided support to new leaders, so they felt prepared to lead girls to try new things and be themselves.

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Kim West

Kim serves as a service unit manager, and whenever a girl or volunteer needs help, Kim is there to support them. She has rebuilt the service team, inspiring others to help grow Girl Scouts in Warren Township. In 2013 the service unit exceeded its membership goal by 106 percent and 101 percent of its membership goal in 2014. When many community troop organizers positions went unfilled, Kim stepped up to ensure all girls knew of Girl Scout opportunities. The energy and commitment Kim has helps girls and leaders have memorable Girl Scout experiences.

Debbie Wheat

For three years Debbie has served as an outstanding cookie manager for Mt. Vernon service unit. She trains, supports and assists all volunteers, so they feel prepared to have a successful Girl Scout Cookie season. She works with girls to grow their understanding of financial literacy through her fun, widely attended cookie rallies. Debbie’s positive energy to Girl Scouts not only helps volunteers grow in their abilities, but also helps girls truly shine and have a fun Girl Scout experience.

Melanie Wise

Melanie supports her service unit by serving as a council facilitator. She offers mini learning sessions at monthly meetings and helps leaders stay informed and prepared to lead girls. Through positive learning sessions, volunteers take hands-on activities back to their troops. Melanie helps the service team and all leaders understand the importance of being prepared and knowledgeable, and have fun at the same time.

Brenda Woods

Brenda is the leader of a wonderful group of girls with special needs through Damar Academy. She built the partnership with the school and helped them understand that Girl Scouts welcomes all girls. Brenda has also started a new troop in a neighboring service unit. When no other adult would agree to lead this troop, Brenda stepped forward and offered to take on this leadership role. Brenda’s dedication to these troops has provided girls in underserved areas positive Girl Scout experiences.

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Honor Pin The Honor Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, which has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, allowing the council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.

“Do small things with great love” -Mother Teressa

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Teri Anderson

Teri served on the 2014 service team conference committee. Her creative ideas helped make it a positive experience for almost 200 participants. Teri worked with committee members to create a Girl Scout planning calendar, which enhanced participants’ experiences and facilitated the sharing of ideas. Because of Teri’s commitment to the project, participants left with the tools and materials enabling them to lead girls to discover, learn and grow.

Karla Armenta

After Karla graduated from the Latinas Taking the Lead program, she formed a troop in Lafayette for Spanish speaking girls. By her inclusive nature and dedication to the Girl Scout mission, girls from throughout Tippecanoe County have joined her troop. Karla also helped organize and coordinate Fiesta Camp. This week long event serves not only girls, but also families. Through Karla’s hard work and support, participation has increased in this program.

Alison Bacon

In June of 2014, sixty girls from three different counties experience a unique travel opportunity, visiting the Girl Scout birthplace in Savannah, Ga. Alison planned, organized and coordinated this trip. She worked with adults and girls to create troop itineraries and research tours and activities for all nine troops to enjoy while in Savannah. Her tireless effort provided girls opportunities to explore the Girl Scout movement and history and make new friends along the way.

Lucy Bartley

After serving her service unit as manager, organizer and event planner, Lucy chose to share her Girl Scout knowledge by becoming a council facilitator.

Through this role she has mentored and supported volunteers in the council. Lucy works diligently to help volunteers understand the fun and responsibility that go hand-in-hand when becoming a troop leader. She helps with paperwork, banking and understanding the best practices when working with girls of all ages. Lucy continues to share her passion for Girl Scouts by offering online webinars focusing on older girl opportunities.

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Marti Bissell

Marti is well versed in the opportunities Girl Scouts offers; from outdoor experiences to event planning. She is a mentor to volunteers focusing on troop management, parent involvement, and building girl led troops.

As a facilitator, Marti lens her time and talents to facilitating sessions each month, and has led sessions at the Service Team Conference, Kaleidoscope and Super Saturdays. Marti helped implement a new component to Kaleidoscope this year, offering outdoor skills trainings.

Because of Marti’s dedication to the Girl Scout experience, Marti has mentored and supported over 100 adult volunteers in 2014.

Karen Bucholtz

Karen shares her knowledge and passion of outdoor skills with volunteers and girls throughout the council assisted troops, service units and council developed outdoor programming. Karen was integral in developing an additional component to Kaleidoscope, offering an outdoor skills sessions.

Through this, participants learned packing and planning skills along with cooking techniques to later share with their troops. Karen’s calm and supportive demeanor helps the most fearful of the outdoors learn how to overcome these fears and have fun, successful campouts. Karen served on the curriculum committee helping rewrite the outdoor learning sessions.

Her commitment and dedication to having leaders and girls be properly prepared has led to safe, memorable outdoor experiences for hundreds of Girl Scouts.

Linda Dillon

Linda has helped support the Southport service unit for many years by serving as service unit manager, registrar, organizer and whatever else has been needed. She works with new leaders and pushes experienced volunteers to have meaningful, enriching experiences for the girls in her area. Linda also serves as a council facilitator offering outdoor learning sessions throughout the council. By teaching basic safety as well as traditions, both girls and adults learn how to explore and lead through camping experiences. For the past two years, Linda has been invaluable to volunteer services by helping with data entry and technical support.

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Teresita Duran

After completing our leadership program, Latinas Taking the Lead, Teresita decided to put into practice her new leadership skills by forming her own troop. During the past year, Teresita has overcome language and transportation barriers to make her troop self-sufficient. Teresita has gone the extra mile to help other parents in her troop learn and participate in Girl Scouts activities. Last summer, Teresita served as a volunteer leader at Fiesta Camp. She worked with girls and adults in the council, helping them understand the importance of camping opportunities and the Girl Scout mission. Teresita’s hard work and commitment to keeping everyone involved helped increase participation in this annual camp in which 193 people attended.

Bernadette Ewen

Bernadette has been involved in Girl Scouts for the past three years, and already has left a lasting impact. After leaving a leader meeting focusing on older girl programming, she began laying out activities for girls in grades 6-12 to learn about STEM programs. Bernadette organized an astronomy program in collaboration with Rose Hulman College. Girls utilized the Rose Hulman Oakley Observatory to learn about light pollution, air traffic controllers, constellations, and sky art. She then began working closely with the council program department and Rose Hulman to create and offer council wide STEM opportunities. Bernadette also organized My Promise My Faith awards for students at St. Patrick Church, planning activities and working with volunteers to execute a program for girls throughout the Wabash Valley. She invited girls of all faiths to attend, and they all earned pin through this experience. Bernadette’s dedication to these programs has provided girls a deep understanding of careers in STEM and an opportunity for girls explore their personal faith.

Grace George

Grace shares her time and passion for Girl Scouts by serving as a leader and council facilitator. As a leader, she models a girl led philosophy, allowing girls to experience various roles in leadership and learning by doing. As a council facilitator she nurtures new leaders and provides examples of how to guide a troop towards great experiences. Grace spends a much of her time supporting her service unit by offering short, informational trainings as well as council sessions, which in turn helps leaders to have the confidence and understanding of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

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Barbara Gunselman

Barb is a council facilitator who coordinates learning sessions for new and experienced volunteers in the southeastern quadrant of the council. She works hand-in-hand with her service unit and membership representative to ensure that all volunteers in her area are trained and ready to lead girls to grow strong. Recognizing that we all serve the greater purpose of girl leadership, Barb strives to include other counties, and she is willing to drive great distances to offer learning sessions. Because of Barb’s deep dedication to ensuring all leaders are prepared, both volunteers and girls have positive, long lasting Girl Scout experiences.

Natasha Harris

Natasha works diligently with the volunteer services department leading adult learning sessions focusing on the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

She has improved learning sessions by rewriting curriculum so that new and returning leaders have a stronger understanding of the Girl Scout Learning Experience and Journey books. Natasha has reached out to service units in Tippecanoe County and offered interactive learning sessions. Natasha mentors leaders on a one-on-one basis and developed presentations for adult learning sessions adapted for webinars. Natasha worked with council to develop the mentor volunteer position and its learning session. She assists at events including Kaleidoscope, service team trainings, Cookie College and also served on the recognition committee. Her knowledge and belief in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and Journeys within the national program has been invaluable in helping other facilitators and leaders better comprehend and gain new skills to use with their troops.

Jennifer Honaker

For the past few years, Jennifer has served as the service unit cookie manager for not only her service unit, but also for a nearby service unit in need of additional support. Jennifer is knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, and consistently goes out of her way to help troops participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. When a troop ordered too many cookies, Jennifer helped find other troops seeking additional cookies and facilitated transferring cookies between troops. Additionally, Jennifer volunteers in the council cookie office. Because of her extensive knowledge and positive attitude, she was asked to become a trainer at the cookie conference.

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Danielle Huff

Danielle serves multiple roles to support volunteer services throughout the year. She served on the Kaleidoscope committee, and her outstanding communication and organization skills helped the day run smoothly for trainers and volunteers. Danielle also volunteered at the service team conference. Her unique ideas allowed the membership and volunteer services department to offer learning opportunities to nearly 200 team members. Danielle also is a council facilitator, mentoring new and experienced leaders. Her outstanding attention to detail and organizational skills provide positive learning experiences to volunteers throughout the council.

Cindy Krieger

By serving on the cookie team, Cindy helps coordinate delivery locations and cookie cupboards, enabling girls to have a successful Girl Scout Cookie season. Cindy also has helped plan and organize a trip for Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors to Savannah, Ga. Cindy’s commitment to the Girl Scout Mission helps girls develop leadership skills through the financial literacy program and new travel experiences.

Carrie McCammon

Two years ago Carrie sought to increase older girl retention and provide positive Girl Scout experiences for girls in grades 6-12. Through Carrie’s leadership, an older girl group for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador troops throughout the Wabash Valley was formed. Carrie coordinated monthly activities that were engaging and enriching for girls. Carrie also helped the Wabash Valley girls plan and organize a recent trip to Savannah, Ga. Through Carrie’s commitment, older girl retention has increased and girls are exploring career opportunities, developing leadership skills and forming lasting Girl Scout memories.

Meredith McWilliams

Meredith serves as a service unit manager, troop leader, and supports volunteers as a council facilitator. She travels throughout the council to ensure volunteers are trained and prepared to lead girls. Through her leadership style, experience in Girl Scouting and professional background in engineering, she created and led a Kaleidoscope session focused on STEM resources and activities for girls’ session. Meredith has been an integral part of facilitating adult learning by sharing her expertise as a leader and service unit manager.

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Janet Miller

Janet serves on her regional product sales team. Her enthusiastic commitment to the Girl Scout mission is shared with both adults and girls by keeping everyone abreast of new product sales information and offering support to volunteers throughout the council. She also supports her region by offering events, recruiting troops and mentoring new leaders. Janet also mentored a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, teaching the planning and organization skills that she models in all of her roles on the service unit.

Janet’s optimistic attitude and ideals of Girl Scouts are treasured.

Michele Morris

Michele brings girls and adults together by hosting a Thinking Day program for two Johnson County service units. By coordinating logistics and planning activities, girls learn of numerous countries throughout the world.

Michele energetically shares her passion for Girl Scouts encouraging all troops to participate in this educational event. Her strong communication and organizational skills help plan a smooth, enriching activity for girls of all ages. Michele also serves as a strong volunteer for day camp where girls and volunteers come from multiple service units. Being a sister to every Girl Scout is modeled by Michele in everything she does.

Cindy Music

Cindy has worked on the Kaleidoscope planning committee for the past two years. A volunteer in Tippecanoe County she often came to Indianapolis for meetings and site visits to the school. Her organizational and crafty skills lead to clear and clean logistical coordination for the day.

Cindy stresses the importance of recognizing all volunteers and prepared the thank you gifts for Kaleidoscope facilitators. Her input and guidance created a positive experience for all attendees.

Norma Ramos

Norma has volunteered as a unit leader for Fiesta Camp the last two years. She actively recruits volunteers to help with this summer program.

Norma’s passion for girls to have camping experiences is seen through the number of girls she brings to camp each year. Norma has overcome language barriers to ensure all girls and adults receive the benefits of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Norma also recruits women to participate in the council program Latinas Taking the Lead, a year-long adult leadership program.

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Mary Ray

Mary volunteers on the regional product sales team, helping with the Girl Scout Cookie programs by offering regional product sales training to cookie managers. She helps all volunteers understand the importance of their roles and gives them the confidence to step into leadership positions. She assists with cookie delivery in Terre Haute. Mary’s optimistic attitude and gentle smiles not only nurtures volunteers, but also helps girls reach their potentials goals, learn financial literacy, make informed decisions and practice good business ethics.

Angela Smith

Angela supports girls in both service units in Vermillion County. She serves as the cookie and fall product coordinator for both service units. Her dedication and boundless energy provides support to leaders and girls throughout the county. Angela is focused on increasing girl involvement in Girl Scouts, girls participating in programs, and communicating with leaders in both North and South Vermillion of program opportunities.

Deb Thomas

Deb has supported both the program and volunteer service department by offering fun, enriching outdoor learning opportunities to girls and adults throughout the council. She also served on the curriculum committee offering insight on the rewriting of council’s outdoor learning sessions. She has developed and led creative sessions at Kaleidoscope for the past three years. Deb also delivers outdoor programming and trainings to fellow Girl Scouts volunteers. All the while, she continues to nurture her own troop, educate her service unit and support learning needs throughout the council. Deb’s generosity of time and ideas has helped increase the number of well-prepared volunteers providing girls positive outdoor experiences.

Annice Willard

Annice served on the service team conference committee offering organization skills and support. Through strong organization planning, she helped create an interactive day where service team members from throughout the council were able to network and share resources with each other. When Annice saw a need for volunteers to have knowledge of all council opportunities and programs, she helped create a master calendar providing service teams long-range planning and recruitment strategies. Her creative ideas and positive energy helped make the event enriching and successful.

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“VOLUNTEERS DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE THE TIME, THEY HAVE THE HEART.” - Elizabeth Andrew

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Thanks Badge Honoring an individual whose ongoing commitment, leadership, and service has had an exceptional, measurable impact on meeting the mission-delivery goals and priorities of the entire council or the entire Girl Scout Movement.

“As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness.�

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf

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Gail Barrett

Gail has shared her financial expertise throughout the council for more than 20 years. As treasurer for Carmel, she worked with the council to help divide the area into three separate service units. Gail mentored more than 100 troop leaders through the process of managing troop accounts.

Her patience and mentorship to the volunteers was vital in providing stable footing for all three new service units.

Last year Gail worked with the council staff to develop a treasurer’s training session. This learning session met the needs of both council and volunteers who wanted concrete methods and best practices of service unit funds. Gail led the first treasurer’s learning session at the service team conference. Her thorough understanding of council policies and service unit financial responsibilities provided all attendees a comprehensive understanding.

While much of Gail’s service focuses on treasuries, she is working to provide better financial literacy to adults and girls. She ensures that service units are investing money in opportunities for all Girl Scouts and following Girl Scout standards, providing financial reports, and assisting in planning and budgeting. Gail’s leadership in these financial matters allows leaders more time to focus on enhancing Girl Scouts’ experiences.

Gail also supports the council by serving as a cookie captain. She spends countless hours auditing the council, cupboard, and troop inventory numbers. When Gail is not helping with cookies and finances, she is helping volunteer services by serving as a facilitator, mentoring new and experienced leaders in core learning sessions.

Gail’s involvement has given countless leaders greater confidence to lead, knowing that a friendly, dedicated volunteer is available to consult if needed. Her positive attitude, endless support and firm belief in the Girl Scout way undoubtedly helped all live out our mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character.

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Heather Bass

Heather has served throughout the council for the past eleven years.

In whatever role Heather has served, she has strengthened and improved the leadership and girl participation. As service unit manager she reengaged troops and volunteers by offering creative, interactive programs. For several years Heather served as organizer, event planner, registrar and lead her service unit. Overtime, Heather encouraged and nurtured volunteers to take on leadership roles. Where once there were only seven troops, there are now twenty.

Heather’s support of educating adults in outdoor experiences has been an integral part of Dellwood Day Camp for many years. As a result, volunteers are more comfortable in their roles, strengthening attendance and reinforcing safety standards.

Heather reached out to surrounding service units to share resources so that all have positive Girl Scout experiences. Heather brought together three service units by planning a Thinking Day event, which has now become a Johnson County tradition. By organizing this county event, girls learned about more countries, made new friends and volunteers were able to share ideas.

Heather sees no boundaries when it comes to Girl Scouts. Her focus and mission is providing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to all girls throughout the council. Her nurturing, attentive spirit creates a positive atmosphere encouraging all girls and adults to say, “I can do this!” Heather and her family will be moving to Florida at the end of this year. Her support and commitment to Girl Scouts will be greatly missed; although we are certain Florida’s Girl Scout council will soon learn of Heather and her belief in the Girl Scout sisterhood.

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Jennifer Burke

Jennifer’s long-standing belief in the Girl Scout mission is prevalent throughout central Indiana. As a council facilitator, Jennifer offers essential and enriching activities for leaders. She works directly with council staff and service units to ensure that all volunteers have proper education and support.

Jennifer has served on the Kaleidoscope committee for the past two years. By utilizing strong organization skills she was an integral part of the event’s success in coordinating lunch for all attendees. She also secured in-kind gifts for all Kaleidoscope participants helping offset costs for the event.

Jennifer also supports the Girl Scout outdoor programming by working at the council day camp each year. Her attention to detail and passion for camping is contagious, promoting an outstanding opportunity for all who attend.

Jennifer is dedicated to promoting the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to everyone she meets. Her tireless energy and strong communication skills help recruit both girls and adults to be a part of the Girl Scout mission.

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Pam Grohman

Pam has been an integral part of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana since the councils merged seven years ago. She helped with the transition by serving as the registrar and service unit manager. Since then, she has served in multiple volunteer roles for Howard County as well as the council. Pam became a council facilitator four years ago, sharing her knowledge and passion for Girl Scouts to areas where there are few trainers and helped support volunteers. Last year she developed curriculum for Kaleidoscope showing volunteers how to have a Journey weekend that is fun and engaging for adults and girls.

If Pam isn’t commuting to a learning session, then she is leading one via webinar. She has developed training for volunteers with multi-grade level troops. Her experience and passion has helped her create fun and enriching programs that girls of all grade levels can enjoy. Pam shares her knowledge with other council facilitators and at her local service unit meetings.

Pam volunteers where girls need her most by leading a troop of 48 girls in low-income housing. She has recruited and trained eight adults, and also assists membership staff in supporting girls in other underserved areas.

Pam has not only a love for Girl Scouts, but also a passion for empowering girls and adults to explore their every dream. Her commitment to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and developing girls of courage, confidence and character, strengthens girls and adults in Howard County and throughout the council.

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Deana Harter

The first thing one notices about Deana is her bright smile and infectious laughter. She shares her positive attitude and passion for Girl Scouts with girls and adults throughout the council. She serves as a council facilitator, offering knowledge and expertise to new leaders. Her sessions are engaging and interactive. Deana gives generously of her time and energy, traveling wherever she is needed throughout the council to support volunteer development.

Deana has served on the Kaleidoscope committee for more than five years. She comfortably sits in the hot seat, staffing the trouble-shooting table to help resolve challenges. Deana ensures that relationships between schools and Girl Scouts is strong, by ensuring that each classroom looks as good as it was when she arrives, if not better, when she leaves.

Deana serves on the cookie committee every year, checking out more than 4,500 cases of Girl Scout Cookies. Deana answers phones and helps volunteers with Girl Scout Cookies and troop challenges. She is also the Lafayette regional cookie team chair and runs Lebanon’s Girl Scout Cookie delivery. She is a marvelous cook, and feeds the entire delivery crew: they love her personal touch!

She also leads a Daisy troop and helps membership staff with programs.

She volunteers with a group at the Boys and Girls Club, too, donating supplies to the program. The girls thrive in the weekly program because of her creativity and fun activities. If a girl was sad, it was Deana’s mission to put a 100 watt smile on her face before she left for the day.

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Susan Herbert Hayes

Susan has been impacting the lives of girls in her community for more than twenty years and always keeps in mind the best interest of girls and volunteers at heart. Susan has served on the regional cookie team for more than eight years. Through tireless effort, she has ensured that volunteers are well trained in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, communities have cookie cupboards and council is connected to the northeast quadrant’s volunteers.

Susan has served as a county constituent, representing Delaware County volunteers and girls. As a service unit manager, Susan has worked diligently to offer outstanding programming for girls that are fun and develop leadership skills. She works hand-in-hand with each team member, respecting differences in leadership styles. Her inclusive nature allows team members to grow and provide positive experiences for girls.

Susan has empowered her troops to plan and organize various trips.

These travel opportunities have created deep, lasting memories as well as taught the girls successful planning skills. These troops have developed confidence to work toward goals they never thought were possible.

Susan recognizes the needs for all volunteers to connect with each other while developing new skills. She welcomes volunteers from surrounding service units to adult learning sessions she has coordinated with council trainers. Susan mentors volunteers and girls to be the best they can be.

Susan’s consistent and positive message has helped girls, volunteers and council members embrace every opportunity to learn, lead and grow.

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Abbie Wehr

Abbie has been a valuable part of the council cookie committee since the council went through realignment. Abbie continues to make a deep, lasting impact on girls and adults in Rush County. For the past three years she has served as the service unit manager, cookie and fall product chair person.

She recruits, organizes and nurtures new and experienced leaders. Abbie leads engaging service unit events, and because of Abby’s dedication, Rush County has reached their membership goal.

Abbie also serves as the co-chair for the Richmond/Daleville product sales regional team. As a part of that team she spreads the Girl Scout message to local volunteers and brings those volunteers’ messages back to the council cookie committee. Abbie has served on the recognitions sub-committee, setting the recognitions structure for the Girl Scout Cookie Program after soliciting girl input for recognition options. Abbie has helped to survey more than 600 girls in June 2014; this input formed the basis of the 2015 cookie recognition structure.

Abbie also serves as a council facilitator. Besides guiding and mentoring volunteers in Rush County, she has provided learning opportunities to volunteers throughout the eastern quadrant of our council. Abbie also assisted in Cookie College learning sessions. From these sessions volunteers left with a deeper understanding of the financial literacy and the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Abbie has assisted with other service units’ retreats, offering fun, enriching and innovative activities with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

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“WE MAKE A LIVING BY WHAT WE GET. WE MAKE A LIFE BY WHAT WE GIVE.” - Winston S. Churchill

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Thanks Badge II Honoring an individual, who has already received the Thanks Badge, whose ongoing commitment, leadership, and service have had an exceptional, measurable impact on meeting the mission-delivery goals and priorities of the entire council or the entire Girl Scout Movement.

“Those who can, do.

Those who can do more, volunteer.�

- Unknown

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Jane Pfaffenberger

For decades Jane has supported the Girl Scout mission, and as a result, she has strengthened programming opportunities throughout central Indiana.

Jane serves on the Gold Award committee, providing support for older girls as they work towards the earning the higher award. Jane offers trainings to girls, mentors and volunteers ensuring that all feel confident in undertaking these projects. Her countless hours of assistance have helped more than 40 girls earn the Gold Award each year for the last two years.

Jane also serves as an archivist for the council. Keeping in the spirit of history and tradition, she helps collect, catalogue, preserve, and maintain historical artifacts, working alongside Noraleen Young. The time and dedication she gives to protect the history of Girl Scouts throughout Indiana is remarkable.

While Jane helps in numerous ways at the council level, she continues to impact girls as a troop leader. By embracing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience with her troop, girls are developing exceptional leadership skills through girl-led planning, cooperative learning and learning by doing. Jane is a strong advocate that girls should participate in outdoor experiences, encouraging both camping and travel opportunities.

Jane’s deep impact to all girls and adults is seen in each area where she lends her time. Her positive smile and reassuring presence helps girls in the midst of difficult Gold Award tasks. Her attention to detail and profound knowledge of Girl Scout history is helping central Indiana preserve our rich tradition. While leading a group of girls, Jane continually exemplifies her giving spirit by helping girls develop leadership and philanthropy skills that they will utilize throughout their lives.

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Janet Royer

Janet takes the Girl Scout program to underserved schools in Vigo County. When funds were limited she helped girls raise money by organizing a scrapbooking event. Janet also works with a Cadette troop in another county helping them earn the Silver Award.

Janet serves as a facilitator for the council. She mentors and supports volunteers by nurturing them to become great leaders. Janet also leads cookie college sessions, helping adults understand the importance of the Girl Scout Cookie Program and financial literacy program.

Janet has served on the Terre Haute product sales regional team since its beginning, and she has been instrumental in securing hot spot booths for the area. Her efforts provide cookie managers and girls more accessibility to obtain Girl Scout Cookies throughout cookie season.

Through her work, membership numbers have increased and countless adults have been trained. Janet sets the standard for leadership and giving back to girls in our council. Janet is a valuable resource for program ideas and enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with girls and adults alike.

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Leadership of Excellence The Leadership of Excellence Award is one that is unique to Girl Scouts of Central Indiana and recognizes an adult volunteer who demonstrates a profound direct impact on the lives of girls and serves as a positive role model. The impact must benefit the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and is open to all leadership roles in all pathways. The award represents the leadership of Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts’ founder.

“We rise by lifting others.”

- Robert Ingersoll

Miriam Altop

Miriam exemplifies the spirit of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in numerous ways. From serving in a leadership role for more than 40 years, she has fostered the development of troops, revitalized a father daughter-dance, created opportunities for girls to visit with residents at a local nursing home, and ensures that Girl Scouts is flourishing in her community.

Miriam helps girls develop positive values and a commitment to giving back to their community. Through take action projects, girls in Miriam’s troops help others and learn the values of service. Girls who graduate under her leadership frequently return to Girl Scouts to become leaders, and volunteer in other capacities. Miriam has instilled in girls the value of connecting with those in need. It is this habit of giving back to one’s community that inspires in them the power they have to make the world a better place. Through many different service experiences, girls learn to value others’ work, to diminish intolerance of those different from themselves, and discover pride in themselves and their community.

Georgia Clark

Dr. Georgia Clark has empowered each of the girls in her troop to recognize their leadership abilities. For eleven years, girls have explored their community and discovered resources available to guide them through their middle and high school years.

Georgia has taught them how to be courageous and honest when doing the right thing isn’t popular. She has helped build girls’ confidence by providing them opportunities to practice their public speaking skills, and has taught them to use one’s talents for the betterment of the world.

Through various travel opportunities girls have developed connections to their city, country and other Girl Scouts. The troop traveled to Washington D.C. three years ago to celebrate the Girl Scouts 100th birthday. The planning, preparation and goal setting each girl was required gave them the confidence to see more of the world. Money management, etiquette, public transportation are a few of the concepts girls have learned through Dr. Clark’s time and dedication to girls. The troop is currently planning a trip to Atlanta, Ga. where fun, as well as history lessons await.

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Tina Gilliland

From organizing countless service unit events, assisting with council programs, and leading two Girl Scout troops for Monroe County Edgewood Service Unit, Tina models the exemplary leadership.

Girls in Tina’s two troops meet at the Ellettsville Boys & Girls Club (EBGC).

When the girls noticed that the facility needed some refurbishing , Tina challenged the girls to think what they could do to help. Over the years the girls have adopted the EBGC helping make it a place that members take pride in.

Tina helps each of her girls gain practical life skills. Every girl practiced interpersonal communication skills while earning the Girl Scout Bronze Award. As a result of their new-found confidence, they volunteered to record the PSA for radio stations in Monroe County to promote the 2015 Girl Scout cookie sales. Tina helps the girls see how they are connected to their community.

Through Tina’s leadership skills, desire to help girls become the best that they can be, and countless service projects, Girl Scouts is benefiting Monroe County citizens and teaching the girls that everyone can make a positive difference.

Heidi Hetue

For 30 years Heidi has helped build girls of courage, confidence and character. She strives to makes each interaction with her girls meaningful by aligning the Girl Scout Promise and Law to each activity. As a member of the Road Runner service unit team, Heidi makes all volunteers feel welcome and connected to a network of adult leaders.

Heidi has transformed the way her service unit interacts by offering meetings that are informative, engaging and educational. As a result, her service has grown the number of registered girls and quality of adult volunteers.

Heidi has led the organization and presentation of her service unit’s Thinking Day Celebration. Heidi involves her troop and other grade appropriate troops in all aspects of planning and presentation. She brings awareness to all girls and adults the worldwide impact of Girl Scouting.

Girls learn planning, budgeting and accounting skills, as well as the flexibility to think on their feet during the event.

Heidi focuses on developing girls who are leaders, who have opportunities to try new things, take risks, and develop into young women of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

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Michelle Higgins

Michelle currently serves as a leader for three troops. She is currently nurturing new leadership for the troop inspiring both adults and girls. Michelle works diligently with girls she mentors teaching them empowerment and the vision that any goal is achievable if they set their mind to it.

Michelle’s innovative approach to early bird registration and regular registration were crucial to her service unit’s success. She outlined each registration event and created visuals to assist people in completing checks and basic paperwork, making the process more efficient.

Michelle’s willingness to help, her for leaders and overall demeanor exemplifies team building and cooperation. Michelle can identify any issue and quickly work to resolve it. Whether it is finding a troop for girls, volunteer issues or taking on yet another troop when no one else will, she is a problem solver.

Michelle has made a lasting impact on her troops teaching them perseverance and courage to solve problems. Her nurturing spirit has helped them grow into committed stewards of their community. The Manuka service unit team and girls in her troops continually benefit from Michelle’s dedication to the Girl Scout mission.

Cheryl Lewis

For multiple years Cheryl has maintained a troop in an after school program for IPS school 58, holding weekly meetings for girls of various grade levels. Cheryl provides girls a consistent, nurturing Girl Scout experience stressing that each and every girl is unique and valued.

Cheryl puts countless hours of planning to insure girls have the opportunities to participate. Cheryl teaches girls planning and organizational skills when preparing for the service unit camporee.

Additionally, Cheryl keeps families connected with the Girl Scout troop encouraging their participation in troop, service unit and council events.

Cheryl also served as the service unit manager. She encourages volunteers to think outside the box to find better solutions. Additionally, she takes measures to ensure leaders felt valued by always being readily available for assistance.

Cheryl’s dedication has created long, lasting memories for girls and their families. By modeling an inclusive spirit, the girls are learning to welcome all who want to join Girl Scouts and help make the world a better place.

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Cathy Meyer

Cathy is a wonderful outdoors woman willingly to share her time and expertise with Girl Scouts of all ages. She focuses her efforts on helping all respect nature and take care of our earth. Her quiet smile, fun sense of humor and boundless energy spur others to join her efforts.

Cathy volunteers at day camp offering enriching, memorable activities.

Over the past year Cathy has partnered with the council program department offering girls from across the council the opportunity to explore their surroundings and learn how to make the world a better place.

While Cathy does not lead a Girl Scout troop, she makes a profound impact on all girls. She provides superb training for the out-of-doors.

Her teaching has even encouraged leaders to venture out and connect their troops with their nature. She also offers outdoor events such as a Daisy Hike, Animal Habitats and Gardening badge workshops, and hikes to familiarize girls and leaders with the various parks in Monroe County.

Cathy is a golden resource to all Girl Scouts and adults who meet her.

Cecelia Poynter

Parents and girls find Cecelia’s impact on Girl Scouts truly remarkable.

Cecelia nurtured and supported girls earning the Girl Scout Silver Award who are now individually working on their Girl Scout Gold Awards. Through the challenges of middle school, every Girl Scout had the consistency of weekly meetings and Cecelia’s unconditional support. By setting high expectations and exemplifying persistence girls learned to overcome obstacles and make positive changes.

The troop discovered how to plan and organize a trip when recently going to the Girl Scout birthplace. They connected with each other and sister Girl Scouts through this opportunity. Girls in Cecelia’s troop have also learned that they are the voice of Girl Scouts and should share their positive message with everyone they meet.

Cecelia’s consistent and nurturing spirit has helped each and every girl value her uniqueness. They have learned self-respect and an appreciation for those who are different. Girls have learned to never give up on dreams, but to strive for what is right and fair. Cecelia’s dedication to her troop has formed life lasting friendships and a true spirit of community and service in each girl.

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Donna Rinckel

Donna models the Girl Scout mission by working tirelessly to provide terrific activities for girls attending day camp. Donna organizes materials as well as the master schedule. Her hard work allows all units to participate in enriching and fun activities. Each year, Donna creates unique activities which provide girls opportunities to discover new skills.

For the past 10 years Donna has offered STEM training for leaders during the Math and Science day. This day alone has given volunteers the tools and activities to share with their troops.

Donna strives to make sure all volunteers are well prepared and aware of their commitment to their girls. She offers mini-trainings, meets with newer leaders who need support and provides training to adult volunteers individuals and in Kaleidoscope. Her suggestions and tools support both experienced and new volunteers.

Donna’s impact on girls across the council has been profound. From her fun structured activities at day camp, to comprehensive learning sessions, Donna continues to help girls grow.

Fonya Scott

Fonya has had a profound impact on girls in her troop for the past eight years, teaching them to give their all in everything they do. Girls have participated in numerous service projects. Fonya specifically encourages her girls to look beyond themselves and their circumstances. She stresses the importance of connecting to the world around them; to tackle experiences and struggles and look for ways to help others.

Fonya encourages girls to discover their community and look for needs they can help solve. She connects with people from outside organizations to help girls learn to collaborate for the good of a goal. Girls have been awarded their Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Awards under Fonya’s leadership.

Last year, when Fonya’s family needed her, she chose to move to Mississippi to help. Her commitment to her Girl Scout troop did not waiver. Instead, the troop has remained intact under Fonya’s leadership.

Girls meet with Fonya virtually, and have their meetings over a webinar or conference call. Fonya is committed to each girl having the opportunity to pursue the Girl Scout Gold Award. This action reinforces the commitment that Fonya has towards girls in her troop and teaches girls that with creative, dedicated thinking there is always a way to remain true to one’s goal.

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“HOW BEAUTIFUL A DAY CAN BE, WHEN KINDNESS TOUCHES IT.” - George Elliston

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President’s Award The President’s Award recognizes the efforts of a service-delivery team or committee whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals. Accomplishments reflect the 2013 membership year.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

- Ghandi

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Clay

Clay County exceeded their membership goal by 10 percent providing fun, nurturing activities to girls from all grade levels and schools. As the local school system does not allow the information to be distributed, the service unit worked with community providers to promote various Girl Scout opportunities. They hosted a summer camp, which increased membership further by providing a camp pathway for girls not in traditional troops. Girls of all socio economic levels are able to participate in Girl Scouts because the service team diligently works to keep fun event and program costs low.

East Vigo

As East Vigo looked at strategies to increase members they also discovered a need to retain older Girl Scouts. A parent group was created focusing events and retention strategies. The service unit reached out to other service units and counties creating a tri-county older girl group.

This committee has created events and offered the travel pathway by traveling to the Girl Scout Birthplace. Girls have remained in Girl Scouts because of these new enriching opportunities. Membership surpassed its goal reaching 118 percent as younger girls see older girls in positive leadership roles at a “Cupcake Wars� recruitment event. The service unit also identified the need for more inclusive opportunities for both fathers and mothers to share in the Girl Scout mission. Scholarships, troop support and sleeping arrangements for men allowed more to participate in the fun weekend at Camp NaWaKwa.

Fountain/Warren

The Fountain/Warren service unit focused on the complete picture of Girl Scouting and all who are involved. The service unit offered fun, enriching events attended not just by girls, but also by their families. This inclusive concept helped Adult Early Bird with a 56 percent retention rate. The service unit works diligently to ensure girls remain in Girl Scouts throughout their middle and high school years. This effort has helped older girls model leadership to younger troops. There are more Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops than in previous years. These girls have earned council scholarships, Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards and helped younger girls complete their Girl Scout Journeys. This overall philosophy involving girls and their families in our mission has helped the service unit reach its membership goal and promoted the Girl Scout program throughout both counties.

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Hancock

Hancock worked to exceed its membership goal by offering pathways for girls not able to participate in traditional troops. Through unique series and partnering with the parks department at a summer feeding program, girls were able to learn about Girl Scouts and its many opportunities. The service unit also supports volunteer retention by offering trainings and retreats. This intentional support led to a 65 percent Early Bird adult participation.

Hunter

Hunter service unit increased their Daisy and Brownie troops by working closely with all school systems and offering exciting recruitment events. Thirty-three new, young Girl Scouts joined through new troops.

Information regarding outdoor opportunities and the joys of camping helped increase summer camp experiences with fifteen new girls participating in this pathway. The service unit combined girl programming with adult learning resulting in strong retention rates for both. The service unit hosted a leader appreciation banquet, which additionally helped adult retention, increasing by 11.5 percent. The service team also supports new Daisy troops with a small start-up stipend and offering three annual scholarships to graduating Girl Scout Ambassadors.

Irvington

Irvington goes above and beyond providing Girl Scouts to girls in public, charter and private schools. By collaborating together the service unit hosted its first area wide registration night. Over 120 girls were recruited with each one joining a new troop or being placed in an existing troop. The service unit offers creative events that are not only fun but educational as well. The 2014 World Thinking Day focused on ten women with non-traditional careers. This event provided girls a chance to interact with these women, learning about goal setting, success stories and overcoming obstacles. The strategic actions and continual dedication helped the service unit exceed its membership goal with 78 more girls joining Girl Scouts.

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Lafayette

Lafayette service unit set high goals to nurture both girls and adults through a Girl Scout year. They worked diligently to attain girl membership, ending by reaching their goal at 101 percent. By offering fun, interactive activities, older girls developed planning skills and younger girls saw connections between troops, schools and the community. The service unit focused on adult education offering discussions and mini learning sessions at monthly meetings. Topics included Girl Scout properties, personal finances, Kaleidoscope, local gang activity, games, songs and Girl Scout traditions. Volunteer retention was further increased when the service unit hosted a white elephant party and a recognition dinner in the spring. With committed representation the service unit achieved all six goals they set the summer before.

Manuka

Manuka took strong steps to ensure success and retention for all troops.

By creating a new process for Early Bird registration, volunteers received additional support to complete all paper work. A computer lab at the local library was utilized for leaders to bring paperwork and team members to enter the information. These steps provided additional support to leaders whose focus is girls, not paper work, and allowed volunteers to focus fall recruitment on new membership. All new leaders had mentors offering strong support as they began their new commitment. The service unit revised its financial support of girls in need. The service unit helped pay for the costs of Girl Scout vests for girls in need. Finally, by including members of the Noblesville community, the service unit revamped their Girl Scout scholarship for graduating seniors. This program not only helps retain outstanding girl leadership, but also provides further exposure of Girl Scout possibilities in the area.

Shelby County

Shelby County focused on ensuring all girls were provided fun, enriching program opportunities. Recognizing that girls came from four different rural areas, events were centrally located and events were kept at reasonable costs by seeking donations and using resources wisely. Semiannual mailings to all girls and their parents helped increase participation in events. Shelby County exceeded their membership goals with 72 percent of adults reregistering during Early Bird. By offering multiple recruitment events the goal for girl membership was exceeded.

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Southport

Southport set high goals of sharing the Girl Scout mesage through schools and other outlets. By working with the local newspaper many new audiences were exposed to the fun opportunities Girl Scouts offers.

As a result of their efforts, the service unit increased its membership by 29 percent and exceed its goal by 12 percent. Because of the strong leadership of council facilitators, new leaders were equipped to lead girls. The service unit offered community service projects in partnership with local churches and Hunger, Inc. through local food drives. Troops partnered with assisted living facilities and “adopted grandparents.”

These activities not only benefited local agencies, but also reinforced the values of Girl Scouting to girls, volunteers and the community. Volunteer retention has increased as the service team created social media support for volunteers and parents to be more connected with each other.

Sullivan

By actively planning and securing a strong service team, Sullivan exceeded their girl and adult membership goals. Leaders worked to coordinate a network that would support and mentor new leaders. These efforts helped retain new leaders and girls. They also strove to make events more affordable by keeping them centrally located. These strategies led to a greater participation in local events.

Warren Township

The service unit has seen both girl and adult membership increases three years in a row. Their fall began with a recruitment/reregistration event called A Taste of Girl Scouting. Girls participated in a Journey, camp, SWAP, and fall product sales stations to get an idea of the various possibilities.

The service team worked with Hoosier Academy focusing on charter and home school youth to form new troops. The service unit partnered with the Indianapolis Downtown Optimist Club and provided ten families Thanksgiving meals and food for their pantries.

West Vigo

West Vigo served girls through three different pathways, traditional troop, series and summer day activities, helping provide Girl Scout opportunities to every interested girl. By offering a diverse way for girls to participate, the service unit exceeded its membership goal. Troops participated in the fall product program with an increase in sales by 35 percent. The service unit was inclusive in their events inviting girls from all pathways to participate. By partnering with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, middle school students participated in the Girl Scout Anti Bullying program “Be a Friend First” (BFF).

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Deborah L. McCloud Administrative Volunteer Award This award is represents an individual who exemplifies Deborah L. McCloud’s dedication to the development of girls in central Indiana and to the financial stability of our council.

“One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.”

- Lewis Carroll

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Ginger Naylor

Ginger supports and assists every department of our council. Her continual work behind the scenes allows membership to recruit more girls and adults, volunteer services to host dynamic learning events and product sales to efficiently process and provide strong support to product sales coordinators.

Last summer Ginger answered a request for office support. During the height of recruitment season, she copied thousands of informational flyers and training packets. This information helped promote recruitment and training events throughout the council. Ginger’s help in preparing materials allowed staff to focus on the mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character.

Ginger further supports membership by entering new members into E-Council. Her data entry skills allow girls and adults to fully participate in Girl Scout activities quickly.

Ginger joined the service team conference planning committee two years ago. Her countless phone calls to volunteers helped build service unit rosters and increase attendance at this annual event.

During fall product and cookie seasons, Ginger serves on both committees supporting volunteers and staff. She coordinates the cookie office volunteers, assists with events and prepares training materials for cookie college and fall product sales trainings. She also helps with informational mailings, distribution of concert tickets and data entry.

While quiet by nature, her dedication and actions to Girl Scouts speaks louder than words. If there’s an event or a department goal, Ginger is most likely helping somewhere behind the scenes. Her countless hours of copying, data entry, volunteer encouragement during the product sale seasons, and assisting with events have supported all facets of our Girl Scout council.

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“THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE I KNOW ARE THOSE WHO LOSE THEMSELVES IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS .”

- Gordon B. Hinckley

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Girl Scouts of Central Indiana

Suite 100 2611 Waterfront Parkway East Drive Indianapolis, IN 46224 317.924.6800 855.GSCIN.4U girlscoutsindiana.org 72