2021 Annual Report
A Year of Constant Change As the pandemic continued, Girl Scouts attended virtual school or a hybrid of online and in-person classes. Some girls struggled, facing loneliness and mental health issues. Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska spent the year supporting girls by offering familiar activities and ways to stay connected with their Girl Scout sisters.
New digital and contactless sa another successful Girl Scout including a 314% increase in o
The council faced challenges as staff worked from home, and strategic evaluations led to the closing of Juliette’s Boutiques in Columbus and Grand Island. Due to safety concerns, many girl programs were canceled or moved online, and troops were encouraged to meet outdoors or virtually.
As spring approached, Spirit o person programs. Girls return in June, eagerly embracing th swimming, challenge courses they so dearly love.
In addition, artVenture, the co and fundraising event, went f connected with professional a create unique pieces of art for
It was an unpredictable year, Yet the year also brought amazing opportunities. they must always be prepared Staff members developed Camp-in-a-Box volunteers, and staff persever subscriptions, organized virtual award ceremonies, and continued to make the wo and created pandemic-friendly troop resources.
ale methods led to Cookie Program, online sales.
ouncil’s signature program fully virtual. Girls artists through Zoom to r the online silent auction.
of Nebraska resumed inned to day camp programs he great outdoors, s, and horseback riding
but Girl Scouts know d! Spirit of Nebraska girls, red, supported each other, orld a better place.
Saying Good-bye After 14 years, Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska Chief Executive Officer Fran Marshall announced in 2021 that she would be stepping away from her role. Fran created a legacy of leadership that includes coordinating the 2008 merger of five Nebraska councils into one statewide council. Her Girl Scout tenure began long before she joined the staff. Fran was a Girl Scout as a girl, as were both her daughters. Between 1990-1998, Fran served on the Board of Directors for the Great Plains Girl Scout Council, including two terms as president. She served again from 2000-2003. In July 2007, she accepted a four-month interim CEO assignment that led to her becoming the first Spirit of Nebraska CEO. With Fran preparing to leave her position, the Board of Directors began a search for her replacement. Sarah Waldman was named the new CEO in September 2021.
Financials
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2021
Investment Income: 9.4% Payroll Protection Program Loan Forgiveness: 16.9%
Product Programs (net of costs) 51%
Revenues
■ = Retail Sales (net of costs): 1.3%
Public Support : 17.8%
Program, Membership, & Volunteerism: 79.3%
■ = Program Service Fee: 2.7%
■ = Miscellaneous Income: 0.9%
Management and General: 14.8%
Expenses Fundraising: 5.9%
Increase in Net Assets: $1,822,283
2020-21 Product Programs 4,809
+314%
1,345
Girl Scout Cookie Program Participants
Increase in Online Cookie Sales
Fall Product Program Participants
Our 2021 Movement by the Numbers Our Council 77,300
Girl Awards 200
195
■ = Bronze ■ = Silver ■ = Gold
Square Miles 150
92 Nebraska Counties & Carter Lake, IA
12,245 Total Members; 8,433 Girls 3,812 Adults
Program Participation 10,389
Non-Camp
100
89
50 19 0
Properties
2,179
Non-Girl Scout Member Camp Reservations
2,213 Camp
Outreach
1,601 girls served across our state:
12,602
Girls Attended Council-Sponsored Programs
Columbus (39) Kearney (81) Grand Island (51) Lexington (18) Lincoln (564) Ogallala (15) Omaha (558) Panhandle (275)
2020-2021 Board of Directors President—Kate Betsworth First Vice President—Susan Seidel Second Vice President—Katie Glover Secretary—Melissa Woitalewicz Treasurer—Juli Comstock
Members at Large Sarah Labedz Anderson Angela Batson Nicole Brown Libby Davis Laura Fender Jennifer Gjerde Whitney Hayes Colleen Maciejewski Emily Maxwell Tricia Montague Lisa Reese Parish Meghan Sonderegger Mike Sullivan Jacqueline Tabke Lisa Taylor-Jones Alex VanZee Bob Wick
Mission: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.