Council Highlights

Editor’s NOTE

Corrections to Dec. 2019, Issue II, Vol. 3: Volunteer of Excellence Awardee Kim McKee was incorrectly listed under her nominator’s name Nikki Coburn. This was the case in all the Recognition Luncheon materials, and we deeply regret these errors. Although we work hard to publish an error-free magazine, we do make mistakes and apologize for them. Thank you for your understanding.

COVID-19 As we go to print, our way of life has changed considerably in response to social distancing guidelines issued by the CDC and local and national authorities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our in-person events and programs through the end of May have been canceled or postponed. Our physical office locations are closed to the public and minimally staffed. Our staff has been collaborating with one another, our Girl Scout families, volunteers, and program and other partners through phone, video, email, and other online resources. Thank you all for your calm and measured responses as we adjust to the impact of COVID-19 on our lives at work and at home. We want to support you, your needs, and lift our whole network up during this time. We have done our best to ensure this issue only contains current information. Given the rapidly changing environment, additional decisions and updates may have been made after this issue was published. Please refer to our new web page for the most up-to-date information, girlscoutsaz.org/covid-19.

In our 108 years, we have weathered many challenges and come out stronger as an organization. In that spirit, we send you big hugs and wish you well during this uncertain time.

—Your Editorial Team

Troop 7314 riders take a quick break from pedaling to take a photo.

Troop 7314 Update – More Smiles for Miles on the Rez Roads

Before riding, girls learn from supporters and specialists how to change a bike tire.

Last fall, we featured Indian Wells Troop 7314 and their inspiring 200-mile bike ride on the Navajo Nation, Tour de Sih Hasin, which was founded by their Troop Leader Claudia Jackson.

Today, more girls are being impacted through Claudia’s biking troop thanks to a generous donation from Subway Kids & Sports of Arizona and a matching gift from Subway franchisee Mark Rose in November. Now all the girls in Troop 7314 have a bike to ride – including the six new troop members, some of which hail from Hopi and Sheepsprings, outside of Indian Wells.

Of her troop and their families, Claudia says, “Teaching and learning life skills from a bike has been phenomenal. Especially when girls contact me and want to know when the next rides are. And their moms tell me, ‘They’re ready to ride in the rain, snow or shine because they miss riding with you.’ They inspire me, seeing their smiles, pedaling through life’s terrain. I’m overjoyed to be able to continue this journey because of supporters of Girl Scouts and our troop.”

Girls from Troop 7314 learn about the bikes and get fitted for one.

Mary Mitchell Honored by YWCA

GSACPC Deputy Director Mary Mitchell was recognized with the Arizona YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix's Tribute to Leadership Award in February. This award celebrates the accomplishments of leaders in our community who strive to improve the lives of women, girls, and people of color through leadership, advocacy, and community service. Mary’s tireless efforts to strengthen our communities by improving the lives of all women and girls are truly inspiring, and we’re deeply grateful for her leadership.

GSUSA CEO, Sylvia Acevedo, poses with Liz Archuleta just before the parade!

County Supervisor and GSACPC Board Member Marches in Rose Parade

On New Year’s Day, 100 women, including GSACPC Board Member and Coconino County Supervisor Liz Archuleta, marched in the Pasadena Rose Parade with the float “Years of Hope, Years of Courage.” Liz was selected to represent Arizona on this float alongside many extraordinary women from around the country, including civil rights activist and Girl Scout alum Dolores Huerta, and GSUSA CEO Sylvia Acevedo. The float recognized the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. It featured a replica of the Statue of Liberty wearing a suffragette sash as she held a tablet of the 19th Amendment. The float also featured more than 1,000 yellow roses, the signature flower of the suffrage movement, and large signs with quotes like “Women Win the Vote” and “Lifting as We Climb.” In an interview with the Arizona Daily Sun, Liz expressed the honor she felt to represent the multicultural diversity of Arizona and her gratefulness for all the women who made history before us.

GSACPC Wins Inclusive Workplace Award

On Nov. 15, GSACPC Director of Human Resources, Patricia Davis, accepted the Diversity Leadership Alliance Inclusive Workplace Award on our Council’s behalf. Our Council has been working hard to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is reflected in all we do, and it was an honor to have our efforts recognized. We plan to continue providing more dialogue, learning opportunities, and actions to represent this value throughout our entire council.

Social Shout Out!

The most liked post from our Instagram page Oct. 16, 2019 - Jan. 31, 2020.

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It’s Cookie Super Delivery weekend - girls and volunteers moving over two million packages of deliciousness! Shout out to all the #cookiebosses working hard to get ready for Monday! BIG HUGS to all our delivery locations and movers #gsinaction #gscookies #cookieboss #werk #girlscoutproud

On Feb. 17, GSACPC hosted over 75 girls and adults in celebration of Black History Month at The Parsons Leadership Center.

GSACPC Celebrates Black History Month at Mahogany in Motion Event

Patricia Davis, GSACPC’s human resources director wraps a scarf around a Girl

Scout prior to joining the drumming circle.

Girls gather for a traditional African drumming lesson.

This highly participatory event included a traveling “Did You Know?” STEM history museum highlighting African American inventors and a Sister’s Circle for adults discussing the history of black girls in Girl Scouting and what today’s girls need to feel supported. The morning ended with traditional African drumming.

Poetry Contest!

April is National Poetry Month! To celebrate, we invite you to participate in our girl poetry contest! Please review the contest guidelines; all girls are encouraged to submit an entry. Entries will be shared in the Fall issue of Connections.

HOW TO ENTER: Girls must be current members and submit their entry by May 22 at 12:00 am. All entries must be submitted to marcom@girlscoutsaz.org with the contest name in the subject line. When submitting your entry, include your name, troop number, Girl Scouting level, and parent email. Grand prize winner from each age category will win a $25 gift card to a Girl Scout Dessert Challenge restaurant and Girl Scout swag bag. Runner up from each age category will win Girl Scout swag bag filled with goodies!

Girl Scout Daisies – Juniors

In the style of an acrostic poem, a poem in which the first letter of each line spells out a word or message, write a poem in which the first letter of each line spells the word GSACPC.

Girl Scout Cadettes – Ambassadors

In the style of an acrostic poem, a poem in which the first letter of each line spells out a word or message, write a poem in which the first letter of each line spells the name GIRL SCOUTS.

VOTE

Guidelines During Election Year

While Girl Scouts encourages civic engagement, please remember that when in uniform, girls and adult volunteers may not participate in political campaigns of those running for public office. It is a violation of the law governing tax-exempt organizations, which we fall under. See 501(c)3 Advocacy Practices and Guidelines for more detailed information here: bit.ly/electioneeringpractices.

Girl Scouts gather with Rep. Bob Thorpe, sponsor of HB 2654, at the State Capitol's Rose Garden.

School Access Bill HB 2654 Update

Before the Arizona legislature adjourned until April 13 or later due to COVID-19, our renewed efforts to pass school access legislation - now HB 2654 - were seeing results, and we were nearing the finish line. This bill would allow Girl Scouts and several other youth-serving organizations access to students at the beginning of the school year for recruitment. As of now, it’s unknown whether the legislators will reconvene this year.

We are thankful to the Girl Scouts, their parents, and Troop Leaders for participating and getting a behind-thescenes look at how a bill becomes law.

In January, a group of Girl Scouts and their parents had a productive meeting with Rep. Anthony Kern, who chairs the House Rules Committee, to talk about the bill and tell him more about Girl Scouts. Hearing from members of his district made an impact, and he agreed to support our bill.

More than 100 Girl Scouts, volunteers and parents participated in Girl Scout Day at the Capitol in February. They were greeted by Rep. Bob Thorpe, from District 6 in Flagstaff, who is sponsoring this year’s school access bill, HB 2654. Afterwards, girls went either to the House or Senate Visitors’ Gallery and were welcomed by name by their legislator. Senator Tyler Pace read a proclamation naming the date Girl Scout Leadership Day. The afternoon concluded with tours of the Arizona State Treasurer’s office and the Capitol Museum.

When the bill was heard in the House Technology committee, Gina Ferroni, Ella Hammer and Brianna Iannone each addressed the members of the committee, sharing their personal stories about the power of Girl Scouting in their lives. The bill was passed by the committee and later by the full House of Representatives. Thank you to everyone who emailed their representative to ask for their support. It made a difference.

HB 2654 was scheduled to be heard by the Senate Education Committee, but committee meetings were canceled due to the threat of the coronavirus. If and when the Senate reconvenes, we are optimistic about our bill being passed.

Last year, we worked to pass a similar bill and were disappointed when it was defeated in the House during the marathon legislative session over Labor Day weekend. Learn more about the process of how a bill becomes law at bit.ly/BillToLawLearn.

Rep. Anthony Kern met with Girl Scouts and learned about how a bill is reviewed before it's voted on.