2013-2014
Annual Report
Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Dear Members and Friends: 2013-2014 – just like the first 102 years of Girl Scouting in Connecticut– was filled with many wonderful and memorybuilding experiences for girls and planning for the future. As always, these programs aligned with our timeless core purpose: to help girls thrive. The girl is at the center of our mission, and in FY2014, with the commitment and support of our volunteers, donors, and staff, you enabled us to touch the lives of 38,100 girls throughout the state. As you will read in this report, we had many successes, among them nearly 9,000 girls served in our signature programs STEM, Live Healthy, Lead Healthy, and Girlz R.U.L.E.®, 5,190 happy campers enjoyed our outdoor programs, 1,200 Girl Scouts sang and swapped at the Big Sing and SWAP, and 61 girls earned their Gold Award. The numbers also show the impact of the challenges that face the Council. We are serving a smaller number of girls than in the recent past and this is not part of our plan, although it appears to be part of a worrisome national trend. In 2013-14, Girl Scouts of the USA continued to see a decline in membership. Girl Scouts of Connecticut also realized a 12% decline in registered members. This has had a direct impact on what we are able to do. We continue to focus on building and retaining membership and improving the girl and volunteer experience. Staff and volunteers are working hard to strengthen our programming to respond to the interests and needs of today’s girls. We seek to identify factors we can improve and control to fortify our position and improve outcomes for our girls and adult members. Recognizing the crucial role that volunteers play in our success, yet knowing the sacrifices they make for Girl Scouts, we focused this year on streamlining volunteer processes. For example, we introduced new technology enabling us to conduct webinar trainings that reduce the need for travel. The Volunteer Recognitions Committee worked diligently to identify a greater number of committed volunteers who exemplify the kind of dedication that enrich the girls’ experience. We will continue to thank and acknowledge everyone who gives endless amounts of time to make Girl Scouting happen in Connecticut. Our plan for the future is focused on strengthening our infrastructure and continuing to address the needs of our members, particularly the girls today for whom Girl Scouts exists. The Council Service Fee provided the funds needed to develop and begin the roll-out of the Online Registration system, in addition to funding some of the volunteer management system improvements and service delivery enhancements. The Long Range Property Committee completed their research with a plan for all of our program centers that will enhance the outdoor experience for girls; approved by the Board of Directors and shared at the 2014 Annual Meeting, the plan is now the basis for work that has already begun on our properties. Another highlight of 2014 was the Triennial National Convention. Thirty National Delegates and Alternates were elected and represented Connecticut in Salt Lake City in October. We are looking forward to our continued work with you, providing girls across Connecticut the chance to discover themselves, connect with others, and take action to make the world a better place for all. Thank you for your investment in the girls and in our future.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Mary Barneby CEO
Annual Report 2013-2014
Caroline F. Sloat President BOD
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Gold Awards
Girl Scout’s Gold Award is the nationally recognized pinnacle of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls. It is the highest achievement a girl can earn in Girl Scouting by meeting national standards set by Girl Scouts of the USA. In June of 2014, Girl Scouts of Connecticut presented 61 girls from around the state with this award. Nationally, only 4-6% of all eligible Girl Scouts (Girl Scouts who are Seniors & Ambassadors) earn this prestigious honor. The award represents an individual’s extraordinary leadership through the rigorous process of developing sustainable and measurable Take Action projects. Examples of this year’s Gold Award projects include: • Creating a series of STEM workshops to encourage high school freshmen girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math; • Educating the community about ways to connect to children with autism spectrum disorders, creating a webinar and a website for paraprofessionals, and; • Organizing a Violence Against Women Awareness Campaign, hosting events, and organizing the One Billion Rising flash mob dance at a local high school. At this year’s Gold Award ceremony, girls showcased their projects in an expo at the University of New Haven’s student center. This is a tradition that will continue in future years. In addition:
• 106 Silver Awards and 487 Bronze Awards were earned by younger Girl Scouts completing Take Action projects. • Overall, there were more than 27,000 total points of service in the state by the Program Services team.
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Signature Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s Live Healthy, Lead Healthy signature initiative encompasses a variety of programs that take a holistic approach to health, and help girls feel good about themselves inside and out. • LHLH Program delivery served 2,156 girls through a variety of Pathways: events, series, troops, summer camp, and more. • Free Being Me, a program focused on body confidence and self esteem, served 5,090 girls in troops, camp, flexible delivery, and SU events. There were also 62 adults trained in the program. Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s signature anti-bullying program, Girlz R.U.L.E.®, reached 425 girls through a variety of pathways including events and series.
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Initiatives STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Highlights: • Over 6400 girls served in STEM programming. • GSOFCT hosted its first ever Career Week in STEM in April of 2014 with over 120 girls participating. - The Society of Women Engineers hosted a day of hands-on engineering activities for GS Juniors on the campus of Northeast Utilities. - GE hosted activities and job-shadowing at three locations for Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. - Travelers hosted “It All Adds Up,” a program for Girl Scout Cadettes to learn how insurance companies handle catastrophes and subjecting them to simulated tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, etc. - Merrill Lynch/Bank of America hosted “Money Matter$,” a finance-focused badge workshop led by Woman of Merit honoree Linda Houston and her team. • More than 300 girls served through Techbridge design and engineering activities. • Astronomy programs through Discovery Museum in Bridgeport served more than 300 girls. • In 2013-14, GSOFCT supported 3 FIRST Lego League teams (girls ages 6-9), 7 Junior FIRST Lego League teams (ages 9-14), and one FIRST Tech Challenge team (grades 7-12). • More than 100 adults were trained as STEM Role Models.
Financial Assistance GSOFCT provided $393,562 in financial assistance for camperships, membership, events, dues, books, and uniforms.
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Additional Outstanding Programs • The Big Sing & SWAP, the largest girl event of the year, was held on February 15 at Quinnipiac University. A large crowd of 1,400 Girl Scouts and families joined together for an afternoon of sharing personally created pins and items with others while singing songs. - Musical guests were Teresa of the Brave New Girls and her special guest, astronaut Catherine (Cady) Coleman. - The event also featured the debut of the GSOFCT Girls Chorus! • On February 26, 2014, more than 400 people attended Girl Scout Day at the Capitol. Girl Scouts met with local legislators to increase their awareness of the power of civic engagement, while a press conference highlighted Girl Scouts’ commitment to developing future leaders and building self-confidence in girls.
Governance The Long Range Property Plan was completed and approved by the Board of Directors in May 2014. Actions directed by the plan that have been taken so far include: - Relinquishing the lease of Robertson Outdoor Center. - Merging the services of the Torrington Service Center and the Waterbury Service Center and relocating the staff. - Exploring the relocation of the Bridgeport Service Center and placing the current building on the market. - Camp Francis sale to the Kent Land Trust was completed.
Innovation • The Council Service Fee income funded a variety of initiatives, including the roll-out of webinar trainings and meetings, enhancements to the volunteer management system, laptops for staff to improve mobility, and the development of an online membership registration system, which we began piloting at the end of the fiscal year.
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Special Events • In December, we recognized former Executive Director of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, Board Member, and current President and CEO of the Ms. Foundation for Women, Teresa C. Younger, for her dedication and passion in furthering the lives of women and girls with the 2013 Breakfast Badge. • GSOFCT Speaker Series – Sponsored by First Niagara Foundation - Throughout 2014, Girl Scouts of Connecticut hosted five Speaker Series events throughout the state at no cost to the public. - The panel discussions centered around important research released by the Girl Scout Research Institute, The State of Girls: Unfinished Business. Led by outstanding emcees and expert panelists on girls, girls’ health, and women, the discussions centered on a variety of topics and ways in which communities could come together and continue to help girls thrive and succeed. •
In June of 2014, we honored Linda Houston, Managing Director, New England Market Executive of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, as our Woman of Merit, for her extraordinary achievements in the financial sector as well as acting as an exemplary role model for girls.
Girl and Adult Membership Our girl membership reached 38,160 and our adult membership reached 17,164.
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Some Examples of Impact of Funding in FY14 by County Note: these few highlights primarily represent restricted funding received from organizations and/or individuals. It does not necessarily address the impact of unrestricted donations.
Litchfield County Supported delivery of the Girlz R.U.L.E.ÂŽ empowerment program to 135 girls.
Fairfield County
Introduced Free Being Me program to over 1,400 girls in Fairfield County
New Haven County Supported the construction of a new pool at Camp Katoya in Milford.
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Hartford County
Offered a free tennis program at Camp MerrieWood and acquired new cots and mattresses for Camp Merrie-Wood camporees.
Tolland County
Made the State of Girls program at Eastern Connecticut State University possible.
Windham County
Sent 37 girls to camp through our Campership Fund.
New London County Middlesex County
Inspired urban girls in our College Pathways program to consider the possibility of post-secondary education.
Provided Girl Scouting to 60 girls in detention centers in New London.
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Cookies
• Our girls sold over 2.5 million boxes of cookies which adds over $2,000,000 back to the communities in which our girls live and serve! In addition, Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s Gift of Caring Program, Cookies for Heroes, continued to grow. Girl Scouts throughout Connecticut participated in the program, sending more than 138,000 boxes of cookies (over 8,000 more than last year) to our service women and men at home and overseas, as well as to our veterans. • In January 2014, GSOFCT held Cookie Rallies in five malls statewide for more than 1,800 attendees to officially kick off the Cookie Program. •
During National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend on February 7-8, 2014, Girl Scouts of Connecticut hosted a “packing party” at South Church in East Hartford. In partnership with a local VFW, girls packed Valentine’s care packages of cookies and cards for overseas distribution to troops and for local veterans. More than 80 Girl Scouts built care packages from 720 boxes of cookies.
Through the Cookie Program, girls learn five important skills: money management, goal setting, people skills, business ethics, and decision making.
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Summer Camp • During the summer 5,190 girls experienced the fun of Girl Scout camps where they made new friends, connected with nature, and took action to make the world a better place. – More than 91% of parents indicated they would recommend the camp to another parent! – Girls enjoyed a wide variety of programs in horseback riding and horse care, canoeing, tennis, as well as other traditional camp activities. • Approximately 75 people celebrated the opening of a new pool and renovated shower house at Camp Katoya in Milford on Saturday, June 14. The ribbon cutting was attended by Milford Mayor Benjamin G. Blake and GSOFCT representatives.
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We extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to each and every donor to Girl Scouts of Connecticut. Your generous contributions have enabled us to provide life-changing programs to over 38,000 girls across the state. The gifts recognized below were received between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014 and represent gifts to our Annual Fund, given directly or through donations at Special Events. Note: Every effort has been made to accurately acknowledge all gifts. We sincerely apologize for any inaccuracies or omissions. Please contact the Fund Development Department at donate@gsofct.org or (860) 522-0163 to bring any errors to our attention.
Institutional Giving $200,000+ United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut $100,000+ The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation $40,000+ Girl Scouts of the USA Travelers $25,000+ Aetna Foundation Bank of America Merrill Lynch Hartford Foundation for Public Giving SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc. $10,000+ Anonymous BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. Camp Burt-Tetlow Foundation, Inc. First Niagara Financial Group Fund for Women and Girls, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Joseloff Trust Fund The Perrin Family Foundation Pitney Bowes Foundation United Way of Greater Waterbury United Way of Milford Webster Bank
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$5,000+ Barnes Group Foundation, Inc. Bruce N. Griffing Trust Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company John Hancock Investments Lone Pine Foundation, Inc. Katharine Matthies Foundation Middlesex United Way Frank Loomis Palmer Fund Herbert J. Reeves Trust Travelers Community Connections UBS United Way of Northwest Connecticut The Valley Community Foundation $1,000+ American Camp Association, New England Bank of America Charitable Foundation Matching Gifts The Barden Foundation, Inc. David and Eunice Bigelow Foundation Bridgeport Ladies Charitable Society Cablevision of Connecticut Ruth Camp Campbell Foundation Cigna Foundation City Missionary Association of New Haven, Inc. Cohen & Steers Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut ConnectiCare, Inc. Connecticut & Western Massachusetts Combined Federal Campaign The Connecticut Piecemakers Quilt Guild Connecticut Society for Women Environmental Professionals
The Dayton Trust Deloitte The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Inc. Disney Volunteers EARS to You Fund Emerson Charitable Trust Energizer Personal Care Eversource First Congregational Church & Ecclesiastical Society Frey-Hershey Foundation Fund Lily Palmer Fry Memorial Trust General Electric United Way Campaign R.S. Gernon Trust GSOFCT Darien Service Unit GSOFCT Greenwich Service Unit GSOFCT New Milford Service Unit GSOFCT Norwalk Service Unit GSOFCT Stamford Service Unit GSOFCT Weston Service Unit The Maurice Goodman Foundation, Inc. H&T Waterbury, Inc. Hartford Hospital IBM Employee Services Center Simon Hollander Fund International Women’s Forum CT The Cyrus W. & Amy F. Jones & Bessie D. Phelps Foundation Kaman Corporation Karlson Family Foundation Elilsah Leavenworth Foundation Liberty Bank Foundation Lockton Companies, LLC Main Street Community Foundation MassMutual Financial Group The Albert & Helen Meserve Memorial Fund Mohegan Sun Casino Mutual of America Charles Nelson Robinson Fund New York Life/MainStay Investments NewAlliance Foundation, Inc. People’s United Community Foundation People’s United Insurance Agency Permanent Commission on the Status of Women Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts and Volunteer Program Pfizer United Way Campaign
RFD Improvement Ridgefield Woman’s Club Robinson & Cole, LLP Rockville Bank Foundation Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC Siracusa Moving & Storage Stanley Black & Decker Thomson Reuters Truist Twin River Casino United Technologies Matching Gift Program United Way of Central Maryland United Way of Coastal Fairfield County United Way of Western Connecticut Valley United Way Weir Farm National Historic Site Windham Area Women & Girls Fund Women and Girls Fund, Main Street Community Foundation
The Rotary Club of Hamden Scott Swimming Pools, Inc. Shoppes at Buckland Hills Sunshine Society of New Britain Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, Inc. United Illuminating Employee Giving Campaign United Way of Greater New Haven United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley United Way of Rhode Island United Way of Southeastern Connecticut Voya Foundation Walmart Neighborhood Market West Hartford Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Woodbridge Rotary Club
$250+ AT&T Employee Giving Campaign Bank of America United Way Dominion Employee Giving Program Durham Manufacturing Company Eastern Connecticut State University Fusco Corporation GSOFCT Green Pines Sevice Unit GSOFCT Guilford Service Unit The Goldstone Family Foundation Key Hyundai Kongsberg Maritime Simulation, Inc. Legg Mason Mansfield Lions Club Middlesex United Way Women’s Initiative Mule Family Foundation New London Telephone Employees Community Service Fund PepsiCo Foundation Phoenix Life Insurance Company Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation RBS Citizens Financial Group, Inc. Recol, LLC
$45,000+ Robert B. Dodds Estate Fund
Individual Giving
$10,000+ Mary and Kirk Barneby Barbara and Kenneth Sumner $5,000+ The Judith and William Bassett Family Fund William J. and Julia K. Czapor Trust Julia Denise Jackson Estate of Ruth I. Krauss John Steffens $2,500+ Leslie and James Chapman Margaret Hansen-Kaplan and Steve Kaplan Denise Hebner Shannon and Jeffrey Klenk Valorie Rykowski Sheryl Sleeva
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$1,000+ Anonymous Roisin and Thomas Black Patricia Bowen Linda and Theodore Bresky Kimberly† and Christopher Brown Carol C. Buchanan and Thomas A. Reimer Mary and Edward Budd Gregory Butler Estate of Kathryn J. Cooke Deborah Demetrius Doon and John Foster Joseph Grano Karen and Craig Hoffman Simon Hollander Fund Catharina and Russell Hunter Teresa Gagliano Jacobsen Kari and Jere Kaplan Mary Mattson Kenworthy and Albert Thorne Kenworthy Naomi and Joel Kleinman Marta Jo Lawrence Jo-Ann Little Elaine Lowengard Cynthia Priest Carmen Richtarich Janet Ridenour Lynne Schiller Lida Tingley Frances and Charles Woody Judeen Wrinn Paula Zuraw $500+ Daniel Anderson Sharon and Brett Bellinger Jane Bielefield Kimberly and William Brasser Susan and Joseph Brosseau William Caswell Lisa Cerbone-Montalto Aurora and Matthew Daly Elizabeth DePaolo Kathleen and Neil Doran Elizabeth and Robert Ellis Virginia Evitts Linda Fields Patrice Franco † Deceased
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Susan Freimuth Paula and William Fromm Wendy and Michael Gentile Virginia and Joel Giuffré Kristine Granetz Leslie Karen Hammond Linda Houston Shirley Jackson Carol James Jennifer and Robert Jasminski Margaret Jerrell Pamela Kiernan Evelyn and Arthur Lawhorn Allan Linke Carol McNerney Monica and Charles Merrill Beverly and Roy Newman Carles Pryor and Suzanne Collins Theresa Roddy Elizabeth Schmitt Caroline F. Sloat Douglas K. Spracklin and Debra Carson Barbara Stauder and Fred Eggers Pamela and Jon Stenman Catherine and Richard Townsend Joan Woodroof $250+ Judith Bankowski Sally Berry Louise and Thomas Brundage Maureen and Paul Butler Bella and Ken Casanova Virginia and Richard Case Geoffrey Cleare Margaret and Arthur Clegg Carol and Paul Coughlin Linda Dahlmeyer Elizabeth Davis Emily Dawkins Jennifer and Joseph DelVecchio Carolyn and Mark Dewing- Hommes Deborah Disbrow and Carl J. Miller Gina Douvas Louise England Peggy Erlenkotter Janet Bailey Faude and Wilson Faude
Beth and Phil Ferrari M.J. and Samuel Foti Mary Georgette Marie Gervasini Maureen Gorman Sherrilyn Granberg Bavet and Roy Heget Irene Hendricks and Steven Eno Aaron Hollander Fund Martie and Chuck Kaczmarek Linda and Mark Kalish Michael Keohane Eileen and Harold Kraus Mercedese Large Donna and Robert Lellis Agustin Lopez Linda and Peter Lubinsky Kathleen Lynch Janice and John MacKesson Geraldine Makower Evelyn and Babette Mantilla Jeanne B. Merola Marilyn Miller Melissa and James Murphy Barbara Myers Kathleen Nemicas Vivian O’Meara Joan Piercey Susan and James Pratt Mildred C. Richard Sali Riege Rita T. Rohr Jeanne Rozel Deborah Sabia Patricia and Tod Schaefer Laura and Robert Sheldon Shannon and Bryan Smith Marianne Smythe Matthew and Cristina Southward Monica and Ajay Teredesai Mary Tesla Louise and Pierre Theriault Dorothy Trefts Sarah Van Leeuwen Michele Velez Kari Williams Laura and Greg Young Jill Zamparo Linda and John Zembron
REVENUES Contributions and Grants United Way Product Sales Program Fees Investment Income Miscellaneous Income/ Fund Development Events TOTAL REVENUES EXPENSES Membership/Program Outdoor Program TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENSES Management/General Fund Development TOTAL MANAGEMENT/FUND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES TOTAL EXPENSES*
Total $ Activity Total % Activity 773,642 7% 266,625 3% 6,614,700 64% 2,118,899 20% 218,034 2% 401,989 10,393,889
4% 100%
7,409,210 2,386,894 9,796,104
67% 22% 89%
794,088 456,842
7% 4%
1,250,930 11,047,034
11% 100%
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS Net Income from Operations Depreciation Investment Income (Loss) Sale of Property Uncollectable Accounts CHANGE IN NET ASSETS
(653,145) (726,053) 71,008 1,398,668 (44,271) 46,207
NET ASSETS Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted Permanently Restricted
10,769,429 562,842 963,080
TOTAL ALL FUNDS
12,295,351
*Of which $700,000 is for pension liability.
Revenues
Expenses
l 64% Product Sales l 20% Program Fees l 14% Fund Development and Miscellaneous Income l 2% Investment Income
l 67% Membership Program l 22% Outdoor Program l 7% Management/General l 4% Fund Development
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2013 – 2014 Officers Teresa C. Younger, President term ended May 2013 Caroline Sloat, President term began May 2013 Caroline Sloat, First Vice President term ended May 2013 Edward Lewis, First Vice President Karen Hoffman, Second Vice President Aurora Daly, Third Vice President term ended May 2013 Saba Shahid, Third Vice President Naomi Kleinman, Treasurer Aurora Daly, Secretary term began May 2013 Mary J. Barneby, CEO
Members-at-Large Sarah Angel-Johnson Amanda Ambrosio, Girl Member Kiernan Black, Girl Member Patricia Bowen Gail E.D. Brathwaite Susan M. Brosseau Michelle Cook Linda Dahlmeyer Elizabeth Davis Wendy Elberth Wilson Faude Ann Glover Jessie Halstrom, Girl Member Leslie Karen Hammond Anthony Harris Denise Hebner Diana Ingraham Shirley A. Jackson Edna M. Karanian Andrea Kovacs Edward Lewis Evelyn Mantilla Kelley Miller, Girl Member Dr. Elsa Nuñez Hannah Paquette, Girl Member Olivia Puckett Patricia Russo Saba Shahid Diane Smith Rachel Watson, Girl Member Sasha Yazdzik, Girl Member Board Development Committee Barbara DeBaptiste Adrienne Farrar Houël Karen Hoffman Edna M. Karanian Mercedese (Ellie) Large Denise Merrill Patricia Russo Rama Sudhakar
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Girl Scout Promise On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
Girl Scout Law I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.
La Promesa de Girl Scouts Por mi honor, yo trataré: De servir a Dios y a mi patria, ayudar a las personas en todo momento, y vivir conforme a la Ley de Girl Scouts.
La Ley de Girl Scouts Yo me esforzaré por: Ser honrada y justa cordial y servicial, considerada y compasiva, valiente y fuerte, y responsable de lo que digo y hago, y por respetarme a mí misma y a los demás respetar la autoridad usar los recursos de manera prudente, hacer del mundo un lugar mejor, y ser hermana de cada una de las Girl Scouts.
An equal opportunity organization open to all girls.
Girl Scouts of Connecticut 340 Washington Street Hartford, CT 06106 (800) 922-2770 www.gsofct.org
Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.