A Quarterly Newsletter from Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania
SPRING 2015 EDITION
Connections • Leadership Update • Father's Day Thank You
PG. 4-5 • Vital Vision - Moving Forward the Next 3 Years
PG. 6-7 • A Little Bit of Me through
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CARING COLLEGE Preps GirlS for
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PG. 2-3
s e i c n e g r e m E
Juliette Gordon Low • Cookies, Cider, and Craft • Circle of Friends
Did
you know?
Lambda Kappa Sigma connected with the Girl Scouts for their day of service, Hygeia Day, which celebrates the advancement of the pharmacy profession with a special focus on encouraging girls and women to explore the medical field.
15 Wilkes University Volunteers led six stations for 88 Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts during a First Aid community event organized by Lambda Kappa Sigma (LKS).
88 Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts from 14 different troops got the 411 on 911 situations from Wilkes University’s best and brightest on Sunday, March 22nd during a First Aid community event organized by Lambda Kappa Sigma (LKS). Knowledge was gained and badges were earned as the Girl Scouts worked their way through six stations learning directly from up and coming doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and first responders. Girl Scouts did more
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than “play doctor” as the Wilkes University students showed them how to use an EpiPen, bandage ankles and wrists, and administer immediate First Aid. “First Aid is something you learn year to year. You can form a baseline of knowledge that will continue to grow allowing you to take care of so much more,” said LKS’ Amanda Gerberich who helped coordinate the event. “If something happens and girls are out with their friends or families, they can take care of
it and make sure that nothing else happens,” she said. “Hopefully, in just a few short years, most of our Scouts will be attending college,” said Girl Scout volunteer Kathy Lockman. “One day, they might perhaps put on an educational, yet fun event for the Girl Scouts, or other youth organizations,” she said. In the meantime, LKS and our Girl Scout troops are excited to learn from each other for years to come.
Leadership Update Dear Friends, As end-of-school and summer approaches, another Girl Scout troop year winds down. That means bridging ceremonies and awards symbolizing a whole year of growth for the girls that we serve. As troops wrap up year-end plans, Veronica Longenecker begins her first term as Board Chair. She is excited about the new investments our council will be making to connect more girls to Girl Scouts and give them a top-notch, oneof-a-kind experience. These initiatives include further investments in camp facilities, outdoor programs and signature programs, as well as in marketing and technology—all included in our new strategic plan, which is our roadmap for the future-you can read more about it in this edition. But even as we look 2-3 years ahead in our planning, there is plenty of fun and adventures to be had now! Let’s make sure that all of our Girl Scouts take advantage of the Early Bird Registration for 2016. A few minutes today will help set your Girl Scout(s) up for a year’s worth of fun adventures with unforgettable friends. Even though Jane Ransom will not be with our 20,000+ Girl Scouts as they gear up for another year of explorations, she knows that they will have outstanding and supportive volunteers guiding them through these vital years. She thanks you for your service, and will look back on these last six years as her most adventurous years in Girl Scouting. Yours in Girl Scouting,
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Veronica Longenecker Susan Kreidler Board Chair Acting CEO
We want to see you at the starting line!
Sunday, October 4, 2015 nsylvania Military Museum n e P t a , a l o s b B u r n g i , PA Fun for all ages and abilities. It doesn’t matter if you sprint, dash or trot! Register today at www.gshpa.org, call 1.800.692.7816 or email development@gshpa.org
Dear Girl
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Scout
Dads,
You’re the funny guy, the cool dude, the handy man, the doting dad and a super Girl Scout! While you might make up a small percentage of our volunteers (rounding out at 4%), you’re mighty and supportive to thousands of Girl Scouts.
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Let’s shine the spotlight on one of our Super Dads-Frank Little Bear Burke from Windsor in York County. He is adoringly called ‘Mister Frank’ by his troop of Brownies who laugh at his jokes and proudly show him their accomplishments. While he has two daughters of his own, it is apparent that when he says “my girls” he means the whole troop. “At the end of the day, I am just a guy trying to connect with my daughter and the other girls in the troop,” said Frank.
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He does more than just try to connect, he embodies our mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character when he leads by example, even when it pains him. On March 30, 2015 Brownie Troop 20566 organized a blood drive with the American Red Cross. Despite his fear of needles, Mister Frank, put on a brave front for his Girl Scouts who cheered in support and helped him stave off fainting spells with juice and cookies. A pinch and pints of blood all so the girls would hit their goal of 30 donors. We call that taking one for the troop! Why does he do it? “I’m proud to serve and be a part of their lives,” said Frank. “Some might think that Girl Scouts is strictly supposed to be a mom and daughter thing, but when you look at the program it is about inspiring girls to try new things. There is nothing more you can ask for.”
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And we couldn’t ask for a more amazing group of guys. So thank you Girl Scout Dads! There aren’t enough high fives, fist bumps, bear hugs or SWAPs in the world to tell you how much you mean to us!
ns, Your biggest fa ounting c & s t u o c S l ir 20,000 G 3
Vital Vision
-Moving Forward the Next 3 Years Girls have momentum. GSHPA is energized by their ability to change, grow and keep moving forward. That’s why we developed a three year, strategic plan (2016-2018) established to keep pace with our Girl Scouts by being resourceful and using teamwork to tackle the tough challenges we face. Even though the strategic plan will not officially begin until 2016, we are already making strides. Here are just a few snapshots of our team’s success!
OVERALL G
OAL:
By Septem ber 30, 20 18 8% of the girls within the GSHPA fo otprint wi ll be members of our cou ncil for at least tw o to three yea and will ha ve particip rs at in Girl Sco ut program ed s of consisten tly high qu ality.
Strategic Goal 1: Offer
consistent, high-quality Girl Scout experience for the girls we serve.
M “They are learning about topics that schools don’t cover like selfesteem and bullying. These are things that girls need to talk about”
- Abby Cooke, 20, Kings College
Strategic Goal 2:
Increase the market share of girls in our members.
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Girl Scouts are reaching out to their communities to share their stories about the amazing things they do through Girl Scouts.
Defy the Odds Outreach Program at Dana Street Elementary School in Forty Fort (Luzerne County) for girls in K-5. Troop 30497 from Danville (Montour County) held a book drive to provide books for children with the Bloomsburg Women’s Center and the Danville Area United Way. Why? This Brownie troop has been working on the "Tell Your Story" Journey and was inspired to share their love of reading with those in need.
Strategic Goal 3:
Strengthen teamwork between volunteers and staff in order to improve the quality of program delivery to girls. GSHPA’s Membership Associates hosted 12 Troop Leader Enrichment Webinars allowing volunteers to receive resources in the comfort of their homes.
Membership Associate
First time leader for Troop 80579 in ty Hanover-York Coun
Strategic Goal 4:
Align resources with membership goals and invest strategically to reach them. • PSECU and WGAL in Lancaster County has committed an estimated $25,000 worth of PSA promotions during 2015.
W Projected to launch in the upcoming year the online volunteer toolkit will give K-5 Troop Leaders 24/7 resources right at their fingertips. This is made possible in part by the generosity of Lou Hepschmidt whose passion for Girl Scouts goes beyond the digital scope and straight to our mission. Over the next three years, we will continue to work hard to provide the best experiences we possibly can for our Girl Scouts. Thank you for joining us in this next adventure. To read more about our Strategic Plan, visit our website at www.gshpa.org.
A LITTLE BIT OF ME
through Juliette Gordon Low No matter if we have a lifetime of Girl Scouting experience or just a couple years, we all have that box we hold onto filled with treasured photographs, pins, badges, and little keepsakes symbolizing momentous adventures. What that box cannot possibly contain are the thousands of endearing memories and lifelong friendships that were made through Girl Scouting. Marilyn Derr Kauffman and her daughter Kyle Kauffman, from Dornsife, PA (Northumberland), know this feeling. “We have been going through the photos and it has brought back so many memories,” said Marilyn. “The memories just flow and flow and flow.” While there are plenty to pick from, it is impossible for Marilyn to pin-point her favorite moment. “I have too many. Girl Scout camp, taking my troop on train trips to New York City. Going to Mexico. Visiting World Centers. Taking them to Shamokin for ice cream,” she lists off.
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While they flash back in time to reflect on their best Girl Scouting moments, they also look forward in hopes of providing future Girl Scouts with the same opportunities. “It became apparent how important it was to us when we were girls and how it helped mold us into the people we are today,” said Kyle. Both Marilyn and Kyle have been involved nearly their entire lives from Girl Scouts to volunteer and from committee members to board members. “I’ve touched so many lives and lives have touched me,” said Marilyn who wants to keep passing on Girl Scout traditions to strengthen and empower girls. As the saying goes: like mother, like daughter. “It was important to us to pass that legacy on financially and to think long-term,” said Kyle about their decision to make planned gifts to support future Girl Scouts through the Juliette Gordon Low Society. “I feel blessed, lucky, and thankful to know that even after I am gone a little bit of my life will help future girls.”
ABOVE: Marilyn Derr Kauffman, at right, and her daughter Kyle Kauffman, at left, attend Girl Scout event Still Singing in Washington, D.C.
For more information about how you can make a difference through GSHPA’s Planned Giving opportunities, please contact Deb Hess at dhess@gshpa.org or call 800.692.7816.
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ookies, Cider & Craft: Fork it Over Moves to Wyndridge Farm Supporting the Girl Scouts never tasted so sweet...and savory! Join us for our 3rd Annual Fork It Over event on Tuesday, Sept. 15th from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at the beautiful Wyndridge Farm Cidery and Craft Brewery in Dallastown (York County). Local chefs will deconstruct our favorite Girl Scouts Cookies to whip up unique, once-in-a-lifetime culinary masterpieces that satisfies all of our cookie cravings. Guests will enjoy flavorful bites, sip crisp cider, bid on amazing auction items, and enjoy a memorable night that will help GSHPA continue to make a powerful impact on girls’ lives. Satiate your cravings in September. Look for your Save the Date in June.
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Circle of Friends Members
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By joining the Circle of Friends, individuals who make annual gifts totaling $1,000 or more become a part of a select group of leadership donors who are deeply committed to helping today’s girls become tomorrow’s leaders. We thank the following members of the Circle of Friends for their generosity.
Bridge to the Future Society: Individuals who contribute an annual gift of $2,500 or more. Ms. Amy DeShong *Mr. and Mrs. William Hoffmann *Mrs. Jane Ransom *Mrs. Natalie Smith Golden Friends: Individuals who pledge to contribute $1,000 - $2,499 per year for 3 years. *Mrs. Marion C. Alexander *Mrs. Nancy Besch *Ms. Mimi Barash Coppersmith William E.C. and Mary Dearden *Mrs. Linda Gall *Ms. Betsy Keefer *Mrs. Barbara Palmer Mr. and Mrs. Neal Rhoads *Mrs. Dianne Steimling Silver Sponsors: Individuals who contribute an annual gift of $1,000 - $2,499. *Mrs. Joanne Bankos *Ms. Karen Best Ms. Katherine Bishop Mr. Michael Breslin Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brown *Mrs. Catherine Bush Mrs. Sara Hannigan *Mrs. E. Louise Hepschmidt Mrs. Debra Hess Mrs. Melinda Inners *Ms. Susan Kreidler Mrs. Dolly Lalvani Mrs. Veronica Longenecker Mrs. Joan Mummert *Ms. Heidi Nicholas Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pullo Mr. and Mrs. Donald Roseth *Mr. Paul Witt Ms. Coni Wolf * Denotes charter member of Circle of Friends
Non-Proft Org. U.S. Postage
PAID
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania 350 Hale Avenue Harrisburg, PA 17104 800.692.7816 www.gshpa.org | general@gshpa.org
Sign up during Early Bird Registration (April 15June 30) to get this FREE patch!
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www.gshpa.org *Fun patches will be sent out in July via USPS mail to all girl members who re-register for the 2015-2016 Girl Scout year from April 15 - June 30, 2015.
Harrisburg, PA Permit No. 64