Volunteer Recognition Celebration
May 6, 2022 Camp Cedar Hill, Waltham
Thank you for your tireless dedication. You really make a difference in girls’ lives.
Appreciation Pin The Girl Scouts of the USA Appreciation Pin recognizes volunteers actively providing outstanding service in support of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in at least one geographic area or program delivery audience. Recipients must be registered Girl Scout volunteers who actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior, and they must have contributed to meeting one or more council goals in membership growth and retention, fund development, and increased community visibility.
Katherine Allen Sniffen Somerville Kathleen Allen Everett* Maureen Alterio Sudbury Deborah Burkhart Brookline Kameela Coleman Dorchester Amy Cosimelli Sudbury/Peabody Heather Coughlin Lincoln Danielle Frappier Millis Christine Garner Sudbury Ali Haas Marlborough Carol Herre Malden 4
2022 Volunteer Recognition Celebration
Appreciation Pin Jennifer Jagolinzer Wayland Tiffany Kudravetz Sudbury Calista Maharaj Marblehead Jessica Mangan Everett* Jennifer McAveeney Billerica Erik Meyer-Curley Dedham Amy Mulrooney South Boston Evelyn Pasquarello Middleborough Amy Percoskie Burlington Nicole Piche-Nicholas Waltham Erin Price Somerville* Carol Rohall Weston Ali Schmelzle Boston Kendra Thyne Concord/Carlisle * also receiving an award in another category
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Sustained Service Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Five, Ten, and Fifteen Year Sustained Service Awards recognize volunteers actively giving service to Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts for five or more years since receiving a GSEMA/GSUSA Award. The Sustained Service Award was developed to ensure our most dedicated, long-term volunteers are regularly thanked and recognized.
Lauren Cooke, Wayland 5 Year Sustained Service on Appreciation Pin A Girl Scout for 19 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Lauren currently serves as Service Unit Membership Promoter. Despite significant setbacks during the pandemic, Lauren’s efforts as membership promoter for Wayland have been extremely successful. Working within GSEMA safety protocols, she planned, publicized, and executed the “Girl Scouts Rock!” fall recruiting event which drew new members into Girl Scouts with a nature hike, scavenger hunt, rock painting, and more. The event was responsible for forming three new Daisy troops. Furthermore, she continues to plan community events to keep Girl Scouts engaged, including running a town-wide letter boxing program for the past three years, engaging more than a hundred girls a year. With extremely community-minded focus, Lauren continues to create new and stronger spaces for Girl Scouts in Wayland.
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Sustained Service Hannah Fingerle, Concord/Carlisle 5 Year Sustained Service on Appreciation Pin A Girl Scout for 10 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Hannah currently serves as Service Unit Cookie Mentor, Scout House Board Member, and Troop Leader. In her role as Scout House Board Member, Hannah creates and maintains space for the Scouting community in Concord and Carlisle, managing reservations and town knowledge to support troops and troop leaders. As the Cookie Mentor for the service unit with Heidi Webster, Hannah supported troops in the sale of 15,637 cookie packages this year, a significant increase from 10,369 the previous year, with 61.1% of Girl Scouts in Concord/Carlisle participating in the cookie program, up from 43% the year before. Hannah leads her troop and community in outdoor activities. Furthermore, she is not only a resource for teaching archery, but also for teaching slingshot skills. Hannah continues to be a valuable Girl Scout volunteer and resource and stands as a pillar in her community.
Lisa Lynch, Concord/Carlisle 5 Year Sustained Service on Appreciation Pin A Girl Scout for 14 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Lisa currently serves as a Troop Leader. Only recently stepping down from the role of Service Unit Membership Promoter, Lisa has served the Concord/Carlisle community for many years, running town-wide recruitment events to welcome new Girl Scouts into the community. She has helped support Girl Scout traditions such as coordinating bridging ceremonies and organizing a day encampment for troops. Lisa is not only leading her Juniors through badge work and Journeys, but she is also working with them to mentor younger troops and running activities for Brownie troops. Lisa continues to be a valuable voice in the service unit and a mentor to other leaders in her community.
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Sustained Service Elisa Scola, Wayland 5 Year Sustained Service on Appreciation Pin A Girl Scout for 15 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Elisa currently serves as a Service Unit Team Member and Troop Leader. An active member of the Wayland Service Unit, Elisa organizes and runs several annual town-wide events, including the fall “Scarecrows, S’Mores, and More” event that welcomes more than a hundred Girl Scouts each year. She is the liaison for the Wayland Historical Society and the Sudbury Valley Trustees, maintaining community ties through events like “Remembering the Past” hosted for Girl Scout Juniors, archiving photos, and organizing a drive to collect feminine hygiene products for Dignity Matters. Additionally, she has supported her troop through achievement of the Silver and Gold Awards, supporting Girl Scouts as they progress along their own leadership journey.
Heidi Webster, Concord/Carlisle 5 Year Sustained Service on Appreciation Pin A Girl Scout for 20 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Heidi currently serves as Service Unit Cookie Mentor and Troop Leader. Heidi is extremely focused on sharing her knowledge and mentoring others; this is true for volunteers, service unit members, and troops alike. She helps other troops and leaders create more equitable and accessible spaces for neurodivergent Girl Scouts. As the Cookie Mentor for the service unit with Hannah Fingerle, Heidi supported troops in the sale of 15,637 cookie packages this year, a significant increase from 10,369 the year previous, with 61.1% of Girl Scouts in Concord/Carlisle participating in the cookie program, up from 43% the year before. Heidi is a valuable resource to her troop, service unit, and community.
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Sustained Service Susan Walker, Concord/Carlisle 10 Year Sustained Service on Appreciation Pin A Girl Scout for 30 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin and the Five Year Sustained Service Pin, Susan currently serves as a service unit volunteer. An enthusiastic proponent of outdoor Scouting activities, Susan holds canoe and camping training certifications to help take Girl Scouts outdoors as often as she can, including excursions to the Concord/Carlisle Scout Island. She volunteers with the service unit by mentoring new leaders, coordinating supply donations and organizing them for troop use, and assisting in the town’s encampments and other camping endeavors. She supports other volunteers and troops in progressing up to canoeing, camping, and other outdoor activities, and provides pathways for Girl Scouts to get outside. A long-term volunteer, Susan is a pillar of community knowledge and experience for Girl Scouts in Concord/Carlisle.
It’s incredibly important to show girls that they can do anything. – Susan Walker
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Honor Pin The Girl Scouts of the USA Honor Pin recognizes volunteers actively providing outstanding service in support of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in two or more geographic areas or program delivery audiences. Recipients must be registered Girl Scout volunteers who actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior. They must have significantly contributed to meeting one or more council goals in membership growth and retention, fund development, and increased community visibility.
Samantha Hurley, Everett A Girl Scout for 13 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Samantha currently serves as a Volunteer Recognition Committee Member, Service Unit Membership Promoter, and Troop Leader for three troops. A valued member of the recognition committee, Sam reads between 150-400 nominations annually before discussing volunteer contributions at length with the committee to award between 50-100 volunteers, committees, service units and groups. This service not only recognizes the work that volunteers provide to the council but serves as a significant retention tactic. Additionally, Sam plays a vital role as Membership Promoter for her service unit, supporting product program sales, and mentoring new leaders in Everett and Chelsea to help them start troops successfully, all while acting as troop leader for an Ambassador troop, a Daisy/Brownie troop, and a Daisy troop, providing more opportunities for Girl Scouts to access and stay in Girl Scouting.
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Honor Pin Xhazzie Kindle, Marblehead A Girl Scout for nine years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Xhazzie currently serves as Council Cupboard Manager, Troop Leader, Troop Cookie Coordinator, and Troop Fall Product Program Coordinator. In her role as the Marblehead Cookie Cupboard Manager, Xhazzie volunteers her home as an in-community cookie cupboard, expanding access to cookies for eleven communities in her area including a significant population of individually registered Girl Scouts who sell cookies without the support of a troop. Her cupboard alone moved 3,600 cases, or 43,200 packages, of cookies this year which has dramatically increased access to the cookie program for her Girl Scouting community, providing the opportunity for more Girl Scouts to learn entrepreneurial skills and fund their troop and leadership experiences.
Elissa Lee, Salem A Girl Scout for 11 years, Elissa currently serves as a member of the Board Strategy Task Force, the Long Range Property Planning Committee, a Troop Leader, and Troop Fall Product Program Coordinator. In her roles serving council, Elissa contributes to the long-term planning for GSEMA property development and conservation to ensure the most efficient and responsible use of our council lands. Elissa is currently working to develop a council-wide strategy to recover from the impact of the pandemic. Elissa works broadly at the council level while never losing sight of the needs of her troop as they explore new badges and Journeys, and pursue the Bronze Award for eight of the troop’s Girl Scouts to raise awareness for children’s literacy and combating puppy mills. Additionally, she supports the troop through their fall product program and cookie program, celebrating with the girls in the 500 Club after each girl sold 526 boxes. Her troop continues to learn and emulate the entrepreneurial and leadership skills that Elissa exemplifies every day.
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Honor Pin Diane McLoughlin, Norfolk A Girl Scout for 4 years, Diane currently serves as a Board Member-atLarge, a member of the Board Nominating and Development Committee, Board Fund Development Committee, and Board Finance Committee. Originally working with GSEMA through BNY Mellon’s STEM funding partnership, Diane gained first-hand experience with Girl Scout programming that led to her being elected to the Board of Directors in 2019. She immediately stepped up to serve on several committees where she knew her voice and expertise would be of value. Diane was the committee chair and the inspiration behind the first annual Golf for Girl Scouts that raised over $100,000 for the council. She acts as an outstanding role model and mentor for girl board members as well as her fellow board members.
Gerrilyn Ryan, Waltham A Girl Scout for 18 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Gerrilyn currently serves as Service Unit Cookie Mentor, Service Unit Fall Product Program Mentor, Troop Cookie Coordinator, Troop Fall Product Program Coordinator, and Troop Leader. A previous member of the Volunteer Conference Committee, Gerri helped welcome more than 400 volunteers annually to the GSEMA council-wide event. After starting a troop in the Watertown Service Unit, Gerri continued on to lend her cookie and fall product program expertise to the Watertown Service Unit and support the Girl Scouting community. Furthermore, Gerri has gone above and beyond to help multiple troops and service units shuttle cookies and cover shortages when council faced unprecedented delays and stock reductions beyond control. She leads a flourishing troop that hit 100% participation in the cookie program this year while supporting community efforts like a coat drive at the Waltham Day of Service. She continually exemplifies what it means to be a sister to every Girl Scout.
Deborah Taft, Provincetown*
Receiving Honor Pin and Red Rose Award
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Lifetime of Service The Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Lifetime of Service Award recognizes adult volunteers who have championed the mission of Girl Scouting through longterm commitment and exemplary work at the troop, service unit, or council level for fifteen or more years. Recipients must be a registered and active Girl Scout adult member who makes consistent contributions to meeting one or more council goals in membership growth and retention, fund development, or increased community visibility. They must recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior as they deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Zona Butler, Nantucket A Girl Scout for 20 years and previous recipient of the Honor Pin, Zona recently stepped down from roles as Service Unit Cookie Mentor, Service Unit Membership Promoter, Troop Leader, and Troop Treasurer. In addition to these roles, Zona has also served as the Service Unit Fall Product Program Mentor, Council Delegate, and in many other capacities within Girl Scouts. A beacon of support, light, and the Girl Scout way in her community for more than a decade, Zona has shared her love of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience through mentoring and supporting other troop leaders and service unit volunteers, encouraging and supporting troops to get outdoors by acting as a camp trained adult for any group that needed it, and removing barriers to Girl Scouting like funding the cost of uniforms, snacks, badges, and more. As Membership Promoter and Mentor for the fall product and cookie programs, Zona not only helped bring new Girl Scouts into the community but continually
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Lifetime of Service supported and enriched their experience while they were members, ensuring they had the tools they needed to succeed in the money-earning programs to fund adventures and activities. She created a space where all are welcome within the Girl Scouting community, and as she stepped away from her roles this year, her contribution cannot be overstated, nor ever fully replaced. Lynn Cutter, Atkinson (NH) A Girl Scout for 36 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Honor Pin, Sustained Service Pin, Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge II, Lynn currently serves as First Vice Chair of the GSEMA Board of Directors, member of the Executive Committee, Fund Development Committee, Long Range Property Planning Committee, CEO Performance Review, and museum volunteer. Previously, Lynn also served as chair of the Board Nominating and Development Committee, a member of the CEO Search Committee, and twice served on the Strategy Committee. The depth of Lynn’s impact on council and membership is virtually impossible to capture in a few short paragraphs; she has been a leader in governance for years, organizing council strategy, fund allocation, leadership, and representation. She works tirelessly at the museum to preserve, catalog, and share GSEMA history with the Museum at Cedar Hill team. She has been a thoughtful and considerate leader as GSEMA faced the pandemic, one of the most significant challenges to fund development, management, and sustainability ever encountered. She continually focuses on positive donor relationships; consistently plans opportunities to recognize staff, volunteers, and board members; and her comprehensive institutional knowledge continues to be a gift to the GSEMA community.
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Lifetime of Service Kerin Deely, Medway A Girl Scout for 18 years and previous recipient of the Honor Pin, Kerin currently serves as a Gold Award Advisor, Safety Consultant, and Troop Leader. Kerin has served and built the Medway Girl Scouting community for decades. In 2021, Kerin fought for Girl Scouts to have equal footing in the community as other scouting organizations by hosting a COVIDsafe service unit event focused on wooden car racing, bringing together troops that had been meeting largely online and in isolation from the larger community. Kerin worked with council and created new solutions, including a hybrid race event, to ensure Medway could safely host the event within guidelines and still accommodate those who were more and less restrictive. Her innovation paved the way for both GSEMA and GSUSA to create new models for service unit and troop gatherings. As a Gold Award advisor since 2019, Kerin has worked with 4 Gold Award Girl Scouts individually in addition to supporting the larger Gold Award process. Kerin is once again a troop leader for a Daisy troop after her previous troop graduated, keeping bright the torch of leadership in the Medway community. Debra Fox, Billerica A Girl Scout for 30 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Deb currently serves as Service Unit Coordinator and Troop Volunteer. A strong advocate for Girl Scout recruitment in Billerica, Deb works closely with council recruitment staff to support local efforts, hosted a booth at the community farmer’s market, spearheaded an outdoor recruitment event, manned a table at the Yankee Doodle Day, and coordinated a recruitment event as part of the local church and faith community. Her tireless efforts mean that anyone who wants to be a Girl Scout can find their home in the organization. Beyond recruitment, she supports yearlong engagement efforts with the town girls, including a town-wide encampment, World Thinking Day events, roller skating, wooden car races, Brownie and Junior badge days, Daisy teas, and so much more. Furthermore, she makes a special point to support and mentor adult volunteers and service unit members, ensuring that everyone has the resources they need to create a space for Girl Scouts to be leaders. Deb’s vision and commitment have left an indelible and beloved mark on the Billerica community.
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Lifetime of Service Lois Howry, Lexington A Girl Scout for 38 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Lois currently serves as-needed as an Encampment Nurse and Troop First Aider. After serving many years as a leader for a Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador troop, Lois now primarily serves to cover any first aid and medical needs to ensure that Girl Scouts are able to access the outdoors and take full advantage of their chosen adventures. She serves annually as the beloved “Nurse Lois” for town encampments, including acting as first aider so that Lexington could host a recent “Night Hike” with a campfire and s’mores. She pays special attention to dietary needs and safe food practices during outdoor activities so that all Girl Scouts are welcome regardless of allergies or restrictions. Always the first to teach and share a Girl Scout song, Nurse Lois is ready with a cold pack, a band aid, and most importantly, an enduring love for Girl Scouting that continues to build up her community and create space for Girl Scouts to flourish as leaders.
I love going to our town-wide encampment every year and catching up with the girls and watching them grow and change every year. -Lois Howry
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Lifetime of Service Sandra Libby, Billerica A Girl Scout for 34 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Sandra currently serves as Travel Consultant and Troop Leader. Throughout her decades of service to Girl Scouting, Sandra has cherished her role as a Troop Leader, including her current Cadette troop that she has led for the past six years, another troop of Cadettes she supported for two years, and a Daisy troop she helped get off the ground as they searched for leadership. She has positively impacted the community by organizing the Billerica Clean Up/Green Up days, creating service opportunities at the food pantry, and stepping up whenever necessary to provide short-term or permanent troop leadership to help ensure every Girl Scout has a troop placement. She is passionate about guiding Girl Scouts through their highest award projects, and has supported Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award candidates during her tenure including fostering positive relationships with the town to help Girl Scouts pursue projects that will create needed and meaningful change. Furthermore, she works with parents, troop leaders, and service unit members to ensure everyone has the resources and confidence to provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to their troops. With a deeply inclusive mindset and generous spirit, Sandra is a treasured part of the Billerica Girl Scout community.
Diane Longtin, Lowell A Girl Scout for 28 years and previous recipient of the Honor Pin, Diane currently serves as Secretary of the GSEMA Board of Directors, member of the Board Executive Committee, and Long Range Property Planning Committee Member. A previous chair and member of the Fund Development Board Committee, member of the CEO Search Committee, Chair of the Membership Committee, and Chair of the Long Range Property Planning Committee, Diane started her Girl Scout career as a troop leader and has since served as a guiding force in council governance for years, occupying multiple positions across board-based committees and impacting the organization on a far-reaching scale. With a background as an engineer, she has championed science, technology, engineering and math endeavors as a council priority and secured partnerships with Raytheon Technologies 2022 Volunteer Recognition Celebration
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Lifetime of Service to positively benefit Girl Scouts. This partnership helped kickstart the MathMovesU® initiative, creating an exciting event to both bring Girl Scouts to college campuses while also practicing hands-on and highlevel STEM activities like building a roller coaster and designing a solar array for a space shuttle. Raytheon has since, as a direct result of Diane’s work, become a significant donor to the council. Diane’s leadership and innovation have led to long-lasting leadership development experiences for Girl Scouts throughout the council and created a space where Girl Scouts see themselves in STEM careers.
Julie Regan, Easton A Girl Scout for 20 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Julie currently serves as Service Unit Coordinator, Service Unit Encampment Director, Troop Fall Product Program Coordinator, and Troop Leader. With more than twenty years in the Easton Girl Scout community, Julie led her service unit through the council merger and reorganization, providing guidance, continuity, and leadership. Julie keeps the service unit engaged and supported through maintaining open communication including through the service unit Facebook page, running cookie and fall product trainings for leaders while offering support, and organizing town events like the Easton Holiday Parade, which in 2021 welcomed forty girls and ten adults in a COVID-safe environment, bridging ceremonies, World Thinking Day, and Girl Scout Sunday. She’s been a troop leader to a since-graduated troop, and still runs an Ambassador troop in their final year of scouting. Additionally, she runs the Easton encampment, welcoming Girl Scouts to outdoor spaces to learn new leadership skills and experiences. She continually raises the profile of Girl Scouting in Easton, supports her service unit and troop, and is well known and beloved within her community as a sister to every Girl Scout.
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Red Rose Award The Red Rose Award recognizes a volunteer who actively demonstrates exemplary commitment to the Girl Scout values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in support of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in one or more geographic areas. The Red Rose Award invokes the memory of the Red Rose Troop, the first Girl Scout troop in eastern Massachusetts and the third in the nation. This troop was started by Emma Hall and, in 1913, was the first nationally to welcome Black girls. This troop demonstrates that from the beginning of the Movement, eastern Massachusetts has been deeply committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity for all girls; this award recognizes the volunteers who carry that commitment forward.
Kathleen Allen, Everett* A Girl Scout for six years and concurrent recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Kathleen currently serves as Troop Leader. Six years ago, Kathleen started the first troop in the council specifically tailored to Girl Scouts with special needs, adjusting the curriculum so that all Daisies in the troop could be successful within the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. The Daisy troop made sure that all members were included and supported while participating in petals, badges, Journeys, and fall product and cookie programs. Kathleen has continued this troop for the past six years and has gone on to start a Brownie troop in 2019 so that the Daisies
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Red Rose Award could continue in a supportive troop environment while still maintaining inclusive space for new Daisies to enter the troop. Kathleen creates an inclusive space where all Girl Scouts in Everett have a place to feel welcomed, recognized, and successful.
Jessica Mangan, Everett* A Girl Scout for ten years and concurrent recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Jessica currently serves as Troop Leader and Assistant Troop Leader for two troops. Jessica works with the special needs troops started in Everett to deliver one-on-one support, and also provides the resources that leaders and Girl Scouts need to be successful in the troop environment. When COVID devastated both troop activities and also the daily routine and opportunities on which many of the troop members relied, Jessica found a way to work individually with a member of the troop throughout the pandemic to provide support and a continuing space for leadership development and community. She has grown the Brownie troop significantly and adapted troop meetings to a virtual environment while still thoughtfully serving the special needs of the troop. Jessica is a vital part of the inclusive Girl Scouting community in Everett.
Erin Price, Somerville* A Girl Scout for 31 years and concurrent recipient of the Appreciation Pin, Erin currently serves as Travel Consultant, Service Unit Cookie Mentor, Service Unit Fall Product Program Mentor, Troop Cookie Coordinator, Troop Fall Product Program Mentor, and Troop Leader. Working to support Cambridge and Somerville as one growing service unit, Erin thoughtfully and creatively supports product programs at both the troop and service unit level. She adapted to the rise in online sales by helping troops create QR codes, shortened links, and social media materials that contributed to a significant rise in product sales during the pandemic. Erin strives to address several different needs within her service unit,
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Red Rose Award creating pathways and adaptations to access for families without vehicles to participate in booth sales and camp programming, tailors programming to support Girl Scouts with a wide range of neurodivergent diagnoses including ADHD and anxiety. Finally, when Girl Scouts in the troop didn’t feel represented by the gender-specific avatars for product program, she provided feedback to council to push for more inclusive representation. Erin is a thoughtful advocate for her community and provides a space where all Girl Scouts are welcome.
Jane Puffer, Acton* Receiving the Thanks Badge II and Red Rose Award; more information about this awardee can be found with the Thanks Badge II.
Deborah Taft, Provincetown* A Girl Scout for 55 years and concurrent recipient of the Honor Pin; Deb currently serves as a GSEMA Board Member-at-Large; Chair of the Fund Development Committee; and member of the Finance, Long Range Property Planning, and Executive Committees. In 2019, GSEMA honored Deb as a Leading Woman. Deb has made a huge impact with her energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm for the Girl Scout mission. Deb was a Girl Scout growing up and credits the Vineyard Sailing Camp as a pivotal experience in her life; she went on to serve GSUSA as Chief Development Officer and interim Chief Strategy Officer and brings her knowledge back to GSEMA. With a long history as a national advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, Deb has brought invaluable experience and perspective to the board. She has advocated passionately for funding to serve council’s community engagement initiatives, fought for the use of the term “belonging” to be included in GSEMA initiatives and focus, and brought a thoughtful depth to the work of the board.
* Also receiving an award in another category. 2022 Volunteer Recognition Celebration
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Thanks Badge The Girl Scouts of the USA Thanks Badge is awarded to volunteers whose ongoing commitment, leadership, and service have an exceptional, measurable impact on meeting the mission-delivery goals and priorities of the entire Girl Scout Movement. Recipients must be registered Girl Scout volunteers who have taken a leadership role at the council level in one or more of the following areas during the previous four years: increasing membership growth and retention; increasing the percentage of adult-generated council funding; increasing innovative program opportunities council-wide; developing a broad participation in policy influencing decisions through the democratic process; and ensuring that inclusive behavior is recognized, understood, and practiced at all levels of the council.
Heather DeProfio, Lowell A Girl Scout for 25 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin and Honor Pin, Heather currently serves as a Safety Consultant, Travel Consultant, Highest Award Facilitator, Troop Fall Product Program Coordinator for four troops, Troop Cookie Coordinator for five troops, Troop Leader for four troops, and Assistant Troop Leader. Heather previously served as a Regional Delegate. Leader to an incredible 43% of all Girl Scouts in Lowell, all but one of her troops are multilevel and several are council-wide, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate no matter their age, geographic location or program level. Her Daisy, Brownie, and Junior troop has 28 members, her Junior and Cadette troop has 19 members, her Cadette troop has 16 members, and her two Senior and Ambassador troops have three and thirty-two
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Thanks Badge members respectively. Despite the scale of her troop commitments, Heather is directly involved in creating troop activities and plans and strongly encourages her troops to try new adventures. They have organized an annual encampment at Camp Runels, earned their Bronze and Silver Awards, built Buddy Benches, planted trees, and built a Little Free Library for the Lowell community, among countless other acts of service and leadership. Furthermore, Heather is a MEDIC Instructor, enabling volunteers to safely get outside; she contributes to the safety policy and decision-making of the council as a safety consultant; she has consulted at a national level to assist on matters of safety and travel; and she was the first to hold a COVID-safe large person gathering, creating a model for the council and national safety standards. Heather pioneered the “Round-Up” program to welcome Girl Scouts to a community, levelbased virtual experience during the pandemic, and her successful development of Junior and Cadette council-wide troop opportunities mean that Girl Scouts who would often get left behind when the majority of their troop members retired continue to have a place in Girl Scouting. Time and time again, she has created and innovated new ways for Girl Scouts to participate and succeed in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, fighting for a space for young people to become leaders.
Andrea Falcone, Lexington A Girl Scout for 25 years and previous recipient of the Honor Pin, Andrea currently serves as Outdoor Facilitator, Service Unit Cookie Mentor, Troop Cookie Coordinator, Troop Treasurer, and Troop Leader. A troop leader for twenty years, Andrea started her service as a volunteer in a Campus Girl Scouts chapter to provide near-peer mentorship to Girl Scouts as a college troop leader. Since then, she has been a successful leader in Bedford-Hanscom before moving to Lexington where she currently serves. No matter her location, Andrea approaches Girl Scouts with the same passion and excitement. She provides extensive opportunities to youth and adults to get outside by serving on the Great Escape committee to allow more than 100 adult volunteers to enjoy camp every year and as an outdoor skills facilitator to support leaders as
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Thanks Badge they take their Girl Scouts outdoors. She has stepped up to be the cookie mentor for the Lexington service unit to create new opportunities for Girl Scouts to develop their money-earning skills while she supports her fellow leaders. With decades of experience, Andrea’s focus on mentorship and support of other volunteers to successfully guide Girl Scouts on their leadership journeys is a deeply valued part of the Lexington Girl Scouting community.
Elli Goeke, Winchester A Girl Scout for 38 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin and Honor Pin, Elli currently serves as National Delegate, Service Unit Coordinator, Service Unit Encampment Director, Troop Cookie Coordinator for two troops, Troop Fall Product Program Coordinator for two troops, and Troop Leader for three troops. An excellent and skilled facilitator, Elli leads a service unit with a strong focus on training. This includes offering first aid training, product program training, leader support and wilderness first aid training long before council had the resources to offer it to our members; this training is essential to safely taking Girl Scouts outside of a 30-minute emergency response time. Elli actively recruits adult volunteers to keep the service unit strong and well-supported by many, especially around the cookie and fall product programs. With her experience in the outdoors, Elli also started a council-wide Trailblazer group for girls that want to take on more challenging outdoor adventures they have designed and planned themselves, including a recent hike to the AMC Lonesome Lake Hut before camping there. They are in the midst of planning several more adventures for the future including encampment and whitewater rafting. Elli amplifies her local service onto a national level as a national delegate, impacting nation-wide policy and governance through the voting protocols at the National Council Session. Finally, Elli is a great supporter of girls in pursuit of Highest Awards; Winchester has celebrated many projects including addressing food waste and education around endangered bees. Elli’s experience, perspective, and love for Girl Scouts have created a strong and passionate community in Winchester.
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Thanks Badge Jane Lundquist, West Falmouth A Girl Scout for 7 years and previous recipient of the Honor Pin, Jane currently serves as Treasurer of the GSEMA Board of Directors, member of the Executive Committee, Chair of the GSEMA Finance Committee, and Chair of the GSEMA Investment Committee. Jane previously served as a member of the CEO Search Committee and 2017 Strategic Alignment Committee. Jane brings extensive knowledge and experience from her more than 28 years in marketing and general management of banking to the board. Extremely logical, pragmatic, and forward-thinking, Jane’s perspective has been key to the financial underpinning of the council’s success throughout the pandemic. Jane sets the standard for fiduciary leadership on the board. Her insight, leadership, and knowledge are valuable resources to GSEMA.
Monique O’Connell, Medford A Girl Scout for 14 years and previous recipient of the Appreciation Pin and Honor Pin, Monique currently serves as Alternate National Delegate, Safety Consultant, Travel Consultant, Service Unit Treasurer, Service Unit Cookie Mentor, Service Unit Fall Product Program Mentor, Troop Cookie Coordinator, Troop Fall Product Program Coordinator, and Troop Leader. With a keen eye for finance and paperwork, Monique not only frequently trains her service unit on necessary paperwork like the Annual Troop Financial Report and accounting for cookies and fall product; these skills also mean she can deeply support her troop as they travel and navigate the pitfalls of trying to plan and advocate for safe travel amidst changing rules during the pandemic. Her communications with outside vendors have set the standard for GSUSA travel partnerships in addition to ensuring her girls can go on the adventures they plan. Monique has led Medford’s thirty-three troops through the fall product and cookie programs for more than a decade, including adapting to virtual and creative selling during the pandemic to keep Medford Girl Scouts safe. Additionally, her roles on the service unit contributed to Medford earning the President’s Award in 2016 and 2021. Monique is a successful and thoughtful oldergirl troop leader, communicating frequently 2022 Volunteer Recognition Celebration
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Thanks Badge with her girls and supporting them on their travels, experiences and leadership journey. Monique is a beloved member of the Girl Scouting community and a credit to the council.
Watching girls try new things, overcome their reservations, and explore all the world can offer them is inspiring. I love having a front row seat to watch the leaders of tomorrow, build their confidence and skills. – Monique O’Connell
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Thanks Badge II The Girl Scouts of the USA Thanks Badge II is awarded to a prior Thanks Badge recipient who has since provided distinguished service by taking a leadership role resulting in an exceptional, measurable impact on meeting the mission-delivery goals and priorities of the entire Girl Scout Movement. Recipients must be registered Girl Scout volunteers who have taken a leadership role at the council or national level in one or more of the following areas during the previous three years: increasing membership growth and retention; increasing the percentage of adult-generated council funding; increasing innovative program opportunities council-wide; developing a broad participation in policyinfluencing decisions through the democratic process; and ensuring that inclusive behavior is recognized, understood, and practiced at all levels of the council.
Jane Puffer, Acton* A Girl Scout for 23 years; concurrent recipient of the Red Rose Award and previous recipient of the Thanks Badge; Jane currently serves as Second Vice Chair of the GSEMA Board of Directors; member of the Executive, Finance and Investment Committees; and Chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. Her previous roles include Chair of the Board Nominating and Development Committee, member of the Fund Development Committee, and member of the CEO Search Committee. Jane’s extremely high-level service to the council started as a valued board member and leader in the Girl Scout Council of Southeastern Massachusetts, where she transitioned her institutional
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Thanks Badge II knowledge and experience to her new role on the recently-formed GSEMA Board of Directors beginning in 2010. Furthermore, Jane has been a deeply valued member of the GSEMA officer team since 2016. A lifelong advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, Jane has been a guiding and defining leader for what it means for GSEMA to be a sister to every Girl Scout and provide a space where all are welcome. Her keen insight and thoughtful compassion became a powerful resource for the council as Chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. Jane’s knowledge and leadership have been a treasured and valued resource of this council for decades and she stands as the embodiment of the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Seeing my daughters take on leadership roles and then seeing my other girls also learn and grow and gain confidence is the best part. – Sandra Libby
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Helen Storrow Heritage Award The Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Helen Storrow Heritage Award recognizes registered Girl Scout individuals or committees who have contributed to the growth and strength of Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts through their philanthropy and efforts to preserve our vast Girl Scout history. Recipients must be registered Girl Scouts who have demonstrated significant philanthropy to help maintain the financial stability and growth of the council; are committed to preserving our vast history and legacy of Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts; support and seek to further the delivery of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience; and actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of the Girl Scout mission.
Tricia Tilford, Weston A Girl Scout for 42 years and previous recipient of the Outstanding Volunteer Award, Thanks Badge, and Thanks Badge II, Tricia currently serves as Board Chair and President for the GSEMA Board of Directors. Tricia previously served as a GSEMA Board Member-at-Large, Board Nominating and Development Committee Member, Audit Committee Chair, Fund Development Committee Member, CEO Search Committee Member, Scholarship Committee Member, Regional Delegate, Girl Scout Museum Docent, Cookie Creations Committee Co-Chair, and Service Unit 2022 Volunteer Recognition Celebration
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Helen Storrow Heritage Award Cookie Manager. Tricia has faithfully served as GSEMA Board Chair and President for the past six years; through a global pandemic impacting every aspect of our organization, membership, and governance, Tricia has been a fearless, thoughtful leader as she brings her passion and knowledge of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and governance to the council. Tricia has a keen eye for detail and brings her experience as a certified public accountant to GSEMA to ensure a healthy relationship between policy and operations as managed by council governance. In addition to the gift of her time and service, Tricia has been a major philanthropic force for the council, not only significantly contributing to the council’s financial health, but leveraging her gifts to lead by example and encourage others to give similarly to a cause so dear to her. Tricia uses every means at her disposal to encourage diversity of thought, create a culture of trust, maintain and foster an unselfish mindset, and foster leadership in others. She points to these traits frequently in Juliette Gordon Low’s leadership, and the same can be said of Helen Storrow; GSEMA is humbled to present her with this award to recognize her continuation of Helen Storrow’s immense legacy.
I wish more people knew about the hard work, dedication and leadership skills that are required to be a Gold Award Girl Scout. – Tricia Tilford 30
2022 Volunteer Recognition Celebration
President’s Award The President’s Award recognizes a geographic area, service unit, 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. The team must practice the values of inclusive behavior and reflect the diversity of the geographic area it serves.
Concord/Carlisle Service Unit GSEMA is proud to present the President’s Award to the Concord/Carlisle Service Unit, led by Service Unit Coordinator Emily Smith, Service Unit Coordinator Meredith Keybl, Service Unit Treasurer and Service Unit Fall Product Program Mentor Holly Legault, Service Unit Treasurer KC Camp, Service Unit Cookie Mentor Heidi Webster, Service Unit Cookie Mentor Hannah Fingerle, Service Unit Secretary Michelle Coleman, Service Unit Encampment Director Kacy Hurley, and Service Unit New Leader Mentor Jane Torpie. Currently at more than 103% of their previous years’ total membership, Concord/Carlisle retained 72% of last year’s members, in line with the GSEMA average, while recruiting more than 30% new members. They saw the most significant growth in their youth membership, with an 11% increase in the service unit. They have above average retention of Daisy and Senior Girl Scouts, and exceptional retention at the Brownie level, retaining 93% of all Brownie members while council-wide, GSEMA retains 76% of Brownie members, positioning
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President’s Award them for very strong growth in the coming years. Furthermore, Concord/ Carlisle has done tremendously well empowering their community to run events; for example, the Brownies handle an event like the Line Dance while Juniors another event, serving to share responsibility, keep new ideas flowing, and giving Girl Scouts a chance to participate in the planning process in a supported and cooperative way. Additionally, Girl Scouts can present their Highest Award project to the service unit to apply for funds in support of their project, including travel and service, which develops keen business and presentation skills in addition to supporting the community financially. This year, in response to a struggle to retain older Girl Scouts, they adapted their troop model to allow for multiple troop signup, meaning Girl Scouts can have more troop experiences while still having a place to go if one troop disbands or doesn’t have enough members to continue. Finally, Concord/Carlisle has a strong love of the outdoors and strives to run an annual encampment so their community can continue to grow, thrive, and have new adventures together. Thank you for all you do to keep Girl Scouting strong in both Concord and Carlisle!
Easton Service Unit GSEMA is proud to present the President’s Award to the Easton Service Unit, led by Service Unit Coordinator and Encampment Director Julie Regan, Service Unit Coordinator and Encampment Director Melissa Mathers, Service Unit Coordinator Melissa Cady, Service Unit Membership Promoter, Fall Product Program Manager, and Cookie Mentor Maria Ristuccia, Service Unit Membership Promoter Lynne Stewart, and Service Unit Membership Promoter Jennifer Williams. Easton is currently at more than 112% of their previous year’s total membership, retaining 84.1% of last year’s members, which is higher than the council average. They have 25% new members joining the organization this year, and their youth membership has increased 30% year-over-year. Furthermore, they have markedly high retention levels for Juniors, a notorious membership cliff council wide; they have an 84% retention as compared to the council’s 65% retention, retain 12% more of their Cadettes than the council average, and they retained 100% of their Seniors when the council retention average is 76%. Easton has grown an incredibly strong Highest Award pipeline; in the past two years they have seen 12 Bronze Award Girl Scouts, nine Silver Award Girl Scouts,
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President’s Award and five Gold Award Girl Scouts. Finally, Easton not only creates a strong Girl Scouting community within their town, but they also embody being a sister to every Girl Scout by constantly supporting and mentoring the nearby Stoughton Service Unit to have greater success. Thank you for all you do to keep Girl Scouting strong in Easton!
Lincoln Service Unit GSEMA is proud to present the President’s Award to the Lincoln Service Unit, led by Service Unit Coordinator Heather Coughlin. One of the council’s smaller service units, this mighty community lost nearly 50% of their membership two years ago, and yet this year alone they recruited 17 new members accounting for 40% of their total youth membership. Lincoln Girl Scouts have participated in a town-wide diversity and inclusion program that showed Lincoln leadership that 25% of their town participated in METCO programs. With this in mind, they connected with the METCO school coordinator to envision new ways that Girl Scouts can be a welcoming place for students. While this certainly contributes to Lincoln’s 124% membership growth year-over-year, more importantly, it creates a positive culture of inclusion and understanding, truly endeavoring to make sure that Lincoln Girl Scouts is a place where all are welcome. As a service unit, Lincoln has supported several Highest Award projects including one creating connections through the local library to make virtual reading buddies, and another working with a local synagogue to develop more gender-inclusive spaces and services. The service unit has worked with the Council on Aging, making holiday crafts, cards, and distributing Girl Scout cookie donations to seniors, many of whom were homebound due to COVID. Lincoln constantly innovates to redefine what an inclusive society looks like and lives up to that standard. Thank you for all you do to keep Girl Scouting strong in Lincoln!
Littleton Service Unit GSEMA is proud to present the President’s Award to the Littleton Service Unit, led by Service Unit Coordinator Diane McDonald, Service Unit Treasurer Christine Brown, Service Unit Fall Product Program Mentor Rachael Fusco, Service Unit Cookie Mentor Rebecca Myers, and Service 2022 Volunteer Recognition Celebration
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President’s Award Unit Encampment Director Julie Kulchuk. Littleton has a strong Highest Awards pipeline with 18 Girl Scouts achieving the Silver Award, and one Girl Scout achieving the Gold Award this year; their projects touch on textile waste, animal care, invisible illness, pollination, and vernal pools. Littleton has a strong pathway for the retention of older Girl Scouts with averages across the board, retaining 71% of Juniors, 82% of Cadettes and 100% of their Seniors. This dramatically impacts the ability of Girl Scouts to stay within the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, creating a culture of celebrated female ambition in Littleton. Furthermore, they have an overall youth retention of 79%, renewing 131 Girl Scouts and recruiting 26 new ones this year, with 60% adult retention and recruitment of 23 new adult members this year alone—including an increase in lifetime members by 14%, creating a more stable, long-term environment for Girl Scouts in Littleton. Finally, the Littleton Service Unit provides mentoring opportunities like “sister troops” to create peer mentoring, has organized a survivor camping trip, created an opportunity to go trick or treating for food pantry donations, decorated holiday trees to donate to the library, held a snow sculpture contest, and a Peeps diorama contest. This engaged, thoughtful community creates a space for Girl Scouts to become leaders. Thank you for all you do to keep Girl Scouting strong in Littleton!
Marlborough Service Unit GSEMA is proud to present the President’s Award to the Marlborough Service Unit, led by Service Unit Coordinator Bonny Goldberg, Service Unit Treasurer Amber Prince, Service Unit Fall Product Program Mentor, and Service Unit Cookie Mentor Sherri Himle, and Service Unit Membership Promoter Kyla Leconti. This year, Marlborough has retained higher than the council average of members with 74.9% overall retention and 24% newly recruited members and 102.4% of their adults compared to last year. Marlborough also has very strong older girl retention, retaining 92% of Cadettes and 88% of Seniors. Marlborough has a strong focus on inclusion and creating a positive, supportive environment for Girl Scouts and troop leaders alike. As new Daisy troops are created, Bonny and Kyla step in as leaders as they train and support the new volunteers to take over as troop leaders. This means that the troops can start meeting immediately while the new leaders complete paperwork and training, and get full support in their own leadership
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President’s Award journey. Marlborough has a girl leadership team that meets monthly with roughly ten Girl Scouts on average to contribute to governance and leadership and help plan the next two months of events. Furthermore, Marlborough has had great success thoughtfully supporting troops with special needs whether they are physical disabilities, food concerns, or cultural differences—Marlborough Girl Scouts is a place where everyone feels safe, represented, and heard. Thank you for all you do to keep Girl Scouting strong in Marlborough!
Quincy Service Unit GSEMA is proud to present the President’s Award to the Quincy Service Unit, led by Service Unit Coordinator Lisa Patacchiola, Service Unit Coordinator Donna Yang, Service Unit Cookie Mentor and Fall Product Program Mentor Courtney Joyce, Service Unit Treasure Cindy Trillcott, Service Unit Membership Promoter Elizabeth Ryan, Service Unit New Leader Mentor Gail Spring, and Service Unit Campership Coordinator Michelle Theberge. Quincy is currently at more than 92% of their previous year’s membership, retaining more than 83% of last year’s membership, which is higher than the GSEMA average, and they are currently at 101% of adult volunteer membership as compared to last year. They have particularly high retention levels for older Girl Scouts, with 79% of Juniors, 80% of Cadettes, and 87% of Seniors continuing on year-over-year in Girl Scouts. Furthermore, they are one of the top three service units for numbers of Highest Awards earned. Quincy Girl Scouts are exceptionally successful and deeply value providing Girl Scouts with strong community role models. They have forged lasting relationships with elected officials and local nonprofits, working together to make their community stronger. They have an extremely strong cookie program, with Courtney leading frequent trainings to support leaders and Girl Scouts setting high goals and fighting to achieve them. In 2020, Quincy had the top cookie seller, and this past year 19 Girl Scouts achieved the 500 Club. During the pandemic, Quincy still kept their support for Highest Awards strong with seven Bronze Award Girl Scouts, 12 Silver Award Girl Scouts, and one Gold Award Girl Scout; most of these projects specifically answered community needs raised by the pandemic. Quincy Girl Scouts currently boast three National Delegates and members of several council committees and boards; they have participated in the Leading Women Awards, GSEMA’s signature event, and they continue to advocate for the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in their community. Thank you for all you do to keep Girl Scouting strong in Quincy! 2022 Volunteer Recognition Celebration
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We could not do our work without you. You are very appreciated.
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