2017
Report Girl Scouts of Central Indiana 2017 G.I.R.L. Report
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2017 Board of Directors Members-at-large
Board officers Diana Sullivan, Chair
Sue Springirth, 2nd Vice Chair
Carolyn Bunzendahl
Shelly Langona
Heather Zoellick, 1st Vice Chair
Vandana Kapur, Treasurer
Mary Azar Callahan
Vanessa Lรณpez Aguilera
Dr. Nicole Harper, Secretary
Rebecca Carl
Deborah Lyons
Katherine Conrad
Nicole M.B. Mitchell
Roberta Courtright
Kimberly Morgan
Dr. Sue Ellspermann
Betsy Phillips
Jasmin French
Michael Schiele
Jo Lynn Garing
Stephanie Smithey
Rachel Hazaray
Jennifer Stansberry
Toni Hickey
Barbara Terkoski
Hans Huber
Dr. Terry Whitt Bailey
Elizabeth Kmiec
Chloe Winston
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2017 G.I.R.L. Report
2017 Statistics
Leadership Board Chair Diana Sullivan Chief Executive Officer Danielle Shockey
Jurisdiction Girl Scouts of Central Indiana provides girls in 45 counties with the opportunity to make new friends, develop leadership skills and serve the community.
12,000
women and men volunteers introduced girls to new experiences—and showed them they’re capable of more than they ever imagined.
27%
Girl Scouts of Central Indiana provided
of girls we serve are economically challenged.
$353,000 in financial assistance to girls and troops.
Girl Scout Gold Award
Girl Scout Silver Award
In 2017, 29 Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors earned the highest award in Girl Scouting. Their projects ranged from collecting shoes for third world countries, to emotional abuse therapy, and butterfly gardens.
198 Girl Scout Cadettes earned the Girl Scout Silver Award in 2017. To earn this honor, a Girl Scout Cadette must show that she is a leader who is organized, determined, and dedicated to making a positive impact in her community and a difference in the world.
28,000 girls had the opportunity to try new things, develop leadership skills and make new friends through Girl Scouts in 2017.
Girl Scout Bronze Award
The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can earn. In 2017, 629 Girl Scout Juniors worked with their troops to plan and complete a project. Through earning this award, girls develop more confidence and make a difference in the community.
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What goals do you have in your first year as our new CEO? Why did you want to become our CEO? Danielle says her first goal deals with Girl Scout membership, not just for girls but also adult membership and in counties where we have a deficit and or the membership is not growing. She is proud of and would like to continue to grow our diversity, such as girls in lower economic areas, girls with special needs and several others. Her second goal is to help others understand what Girl Scouts has to offer. For twenty years she has worked with children and believes that the activities Girl Scouting offers, the badges/patches we earn, and the leadership skills they offer is complimentary to what the school classroom offers. She felt compelled about the opportunities in Girl Scouting and she wants to “continue to grow the relevancy to match the needs of today’s girls.” Danielle believes that Girl Scouting gives girls “leadership skills, life skills, and character traits that make them well-rounded citizens.”
How can today’s Girl Scouts influence the goals of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana? What is the legacy that our generation (girls my age and younger) can leave behind for the next generation of Girl Scouts? Danielle believes that the girls’ stories and the activities they participated in plus the Bronze, Silver and Gold Award can help with the understanding of what Girl Scouts provides. The more Girl Scouts who have those stories to share, “and shout it from the roof tops,” the more girls we will be able to encourage to stay in Girl Scouts. Girls can also leave behind the activism component and being able to “recognize things in the community, take a stand, and have a voice.” They will learn that they can make a difference in their community and the world with first taking action steps. Girls will understand that they are a powerful demographic, which is something Danielle herself never felt growing up. She thinks Girl Scouts “gives them an avenue to exercise that voice.”
G.I.R.L. Interview
How have you seen our organization evolve and where would you like to see us go? Where do we have the most room for opportunity? Diana said we have grown the most because of technology and being able to communicate with each other. She remembers the challenges she had as a young Girl Scout with communication between her parents and the troop leader. During her Girl Scouting days, they received newsletters and had to mail copies of the newsletters to girls who did not attend the meeting. Now, everything is online. This has made it easier for girls to keep in contact with their troop leaders. With the new technology, girls even have the capability to send their parents a quick text message letting them know that the troop is running late. Diana believes it is easier to keep the parents and the girls involved because of this. The challenge we have is keeping the older girls involved. If the younger girls heard from the high school girls that it is important to stay in Girl Scouts then they are more than likely to listen to them rather than if they heard it from a parent. She stated, “We should even try to keep the girls in college involved who were Girl Scouts too.” What’s your plan to reach and serve more girls from different communities? Danielle believes that we do a good job of keeping data of “where our girls are and where our girls aren’t,” meaning where we are underserving. She has several things she would like to explore. The first one is to engage the school leaders, and she has a plan to work with the Indiana Principals Association. This plan includes being in their newsletter and magazine that goes out to all school administrators, allowing us to have that platform to share with “the gate keepers.” She would like to utilize her relationships and to have a foot in every school door.
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Diana said she agrees with Danielle one-hundred percent. She describes how an older girl telling her stories and adventures could help persuade a younger girl to try new things that she’s not too excited about participating in. She thinks the wider opportunities that Juniors, Seniors, and Ambassadors participate in could spark ideas in a younger girls mind. Diana mentions the bullying that is occurring in today’s school systems and having an older girl share with a younger girl how they handled being in a situation like that could help younger girls “speak up, survive and thrive with in Girl Scouts.”
What has the Girl Scout board done to help deliver on the Girl Scout mission? Diana said hiring a new CEO with connections within the school systems in our entire area who has visibility in all 45 counties is a big start. In addition, the Girl Scout board is really energized with the Boy Scouts deciding to recruit girls. It has energized the Girl Scout board to become more informed of everything we have to offer and how to best package and sell that to their peers. This has been a great opportunity to get our message out and this has made more people interested in the difference between Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. What leadership skills does Girl Scouts give girls to prepare themselves for success in the real world? Diana believes that Girl Scouts gives girls “a small group environment where they can test out different leadership skills and do it in a safe place.” The troop environment allows the troop leader to challenge girls but also be there for them if they do not succeed. This allows leaders to ask questions like, “What could we have done differently?” This helps set girls up to have a successful leadership experience because they are in an environment where they aren’t looked down on or talked about because they didn’t do it a certain way.
Diana Sullivan Girl Scouts of Central Indiana Board Chair Chloe Winston Girl Scout & Board Member Danielle Shockey Girl Scouts of Central Indiana Chief Executive Officer
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Ariana How long have you been a Girl Scout? 10 Years! Are you a Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, or Leader? Go-getter What is your favorite Girl Scout experience? Summer camp!
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STEM Being in Girl Scouts has provided me with several opportunities over the years. As I have grown, the level of events focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering. Mathematics) has increased, which has been an incredible experience for me. Last year, I worked on Bubble Fest, a program activity that showcases different elements of math and science in fun, interwoven ways. Since this program activity exhibits everything from measurement to experimentation, girls, including myself, are able to see just how far STEM can take us. When the girls are challenged to create the biggest bubble, they are introduced to measurement. Measurement is the only way to determine how large the diameter of the bubble is, so they love the chance to learn how measurement works. In addition, the use of experimentation is emphasized. At one of the stations, girls must figure out how to pass their hand through a bubble. At the beginning of the activity, they discuss how bubbles are formed. Although there is a great deal of elements involved, moisture is the key in creating and maintaining a bubble. Girls experiment with how wet their hands need to be and exactly where that moisture needs to be on their hands. Watching this process transpire, I am able to see how concepts, such as surface tension, apply in what appears to be a simple situation. Girl Scouts of Central Indiana’s Bubble Fest introduced the next generation of powerful young women to STEM in exciting ways. This program activity, and other activities, exemplifies the foundation of what Girl Scouts represents—providing girls with the skills they need to build a brighter tomorrow. Participating in Girl Scout program activities has allowed me to see my own future as well as aid younger girls in seeing their own.
Ariana Hampton 2017 G.I.R.L. Report
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High Adventure The Boy Scouts claim Girl Scouts do not have high adventure opportunities to offer. With all due respect, I beg to differ. I have been a Girl Scout for eleven plus years with my courageous Troop 02254. In rural Indiana is where it all started. For the rest of my life Girl Scouts is something I will always be part of. Let me tell you about my “high� adventure life that my sisters and I have been offered. I have camped in tents, in yurts, in barns, in theaters, in zoos, on buses and in churches. I have slept in hammocks on the beach and docks in Costa Rica. I have caught and counted the eggs of Sea Turtles in order to save them. I have subway surfed, danced and sang, and Rocked the Mall in Washington. I have kayaked, spelunked, and white-water rafted. I have ridden horses, zipped through trees, and climbed the Arc de Triomphe. I have made my way through JFK and onto a plane to land on the other side of the pond. I have viewed the world from London, Paris, and the lovely Lucerne. I have hiked the Swiss Alps to reach our Chalet to celebrate with my international Girl Scout sisters. I have celebrated a three-year hard earned goal atop the Eiffel Tower. I have been certified as a Safe Sitter, a Scuba Diver, and a CPR/AED Life Saver. I have built a two match fire, an emergency shelter, a ga-ga pit and have learned how to change a tire. I have learned rules of etiquette, managed my own business, and presented to boards of directors. I have served my community, my country and the world around me. I have earned my Bronze, my Silver and soon my Gold and next I will seek more of what this world holds. This high adventure life is like no other and one that only Girl Scouts has to offer. It is not one to be compared but only to be shared with every Sister Girl Scout. As it is only the girls who get to decide on how high and when and where their adventure starts.
Riley Helms 2017 G.I.R.L. Report
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Postcards fr a. It was with Girl Scouts of Central Indian Last summer, I traveled to Canada nt, Canada was from Indiana. cool to see how alike, and differe through the seeing Niagara Falls. We walked My favorite part about the trip was keep us dry The ponchos we wore didn’t help s. fall the ind beh d ate loc s nel tun h the arm holes. because the water seeped throug seeing it in a close. It was a lot different than It was amazing to see the falls up an side, adian side we could see the Americ picture. When we were on the Can at once. too! I felt like I was in two places was fun ar Point. I really liked the rides. It Ced at d ppe sto we e, hom way On our a little bit. in a place where we could explore just hanging out with girls my age friends at these special memories with my ke ma to got I t tha l tefu gra so I am Girl Scouts.
Autumn Evans
rom Canada I have been a Girl Scout for a decade. I ha confidence an ve learned a lo d leadership t by being a G by earning th the Girl Scout irl Scout and e Girl Scout Bro Gold Award. I have grown in nze and Silver especially lik selling more my awards. I am e selling cookie than 2,000 box planning to ea s and earning es of Girl Sco rn the reward tr ut Cookies. ips as a result Last summer of , I traveled to Canada and ga meeting our n ined an intern eighbors acro ational prosp ss the border heard that I w ective. I had th as they were as going to Can e privilege of celebrating th ada I was so didn’t know th eir 150th birth ex cited. The firs at Canada ha d ay. When I firs t thing I though d so much m mon. During t ore to offer an t of was Niaga my trip, I lear d that our co ra Falls. I ned how to b a leader. I also un e tr pa ie s tient, how to have so much learned the im spend and bu in comportance of ke dget my mon eping up with ey, and how to all of my item We visited se be s, especially m veral museum y passport. s, including th Aquarium of e R Canada. Mos oyal Ontario t importantly, Museum in To Canada. we had the ch ronto, Ontari o and Ripley’s ance to exper ience the cult ur e and people of The most exci ting part of th e trip for me of years to fo was seeing N rm the first fa iagara Falls. I lls or that ther so much wat had no idea th e were so man er, and the so at it took mill y caves locate und and mist view the falls ions d under the fa co ul d be heard an from the Can lls. There was adian side an d felt from fa d to think abou r away. It was interesting to t the bridge th Going on this at links our U trip made me S A with Canada. realize that I who is a sister am a G.I.R.L. (G to every Girl S o-getter, Innov cout and Inte ator, Risk-take rnational Girl r, Leader)™ Guide.
Arlissa Dumas
Katy How long have you been a Girl Scout? About 1 year. Are you a Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, or Leader? Risk-taker What is your favorite Girl Scout experience? Traveling to Washington D.C. with my troop
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2017 G.I.R.L. Report
Camp Life Girl Scouts of Central Indiana’s E-Textiles summer camp at Indiana University-Bloomington was one of my favorite camp experiences by far. We were provided with a wonderful learning environment throughout our entire stay. Each one of us were given a computer to design the most captivating projects. We were able to learn super fascinating sewing techniques with the assistance of the great educators. All of the Girl Scouts acquired useful knowledge on how to design different items such as pillows, dresses, skirts, bracelets, and even capes. At the same time, technological skills came into play. When utilizing those skills, we were able to make our designs light up, play a song, or even create a vibration. I created a glamorous pillow case that lights up when exposed to dim lighting. We were also given the chance to experience living in a dorm. In addition, we became more informed about college life. Not to mention, I spent quality time with my troop members and built healthier relationships with them. The best part was meeting new faces and making new friends. Every single day of that stay was filled with happiness and laughter. If learning about design and technology along with experiencing what college dorms are like sounds like fun, then I strongly recommend checking out Girl Scouts of Central Indiana’s E-Textile Camp this summer.
Katy Atadye 2017 G.I.R.L. Report
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Rachel How long have you been a Girl Scout? 13 Years! Are you a Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, or Leader? Go-getter What is your favorite Girl Scout experience? White water rafting, caving, & eating S’mores!
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In 2017, I became a Gold Award Girl Scout. Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award was an incredible experience. I strongly encourage all Girl Scouts to strive to earn this prestigious award. It won’t be easy, but there is so much beauty that can be found in the sweat and challenge. You will grow and learn things, not only about the world, but also about yourself. I remember the first time I shared my project idea with anyone, sitting on the edge of my seat, hardly able to contain my excitement. I explained my aspiration to create a presentation on environmental awareness for elementary schools in the greater Indianapolis area. This would be done through a children’s book, a video for schools’ daily announcements, and a website, all of which I would create with the help of a group of committed volunteers.
Gold Award Girl Scout
Earning a Girl Scout Gold Award requires a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication. As my project began to take off, I realized it wasn’t going to be quite as easy as I had hoped. It took me a month to come up with the title of the book I would write. I eventually settled on “The 3 Argh’s: A Pirates Tale of How He Learned to Save the World.” I asked a friend to illustrate the book. Several others would jump in later to help me create enough books to meet the demand of my project. Gathered around my dining room table, explaining to others why they should take their time to make these books as nice as possible, I learned how to motivate others. I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to learn this valuable skill. As a result of my project, I learned how to problem solve, communicate effectively, and keep motivated as I worked on fine tuning my classroom presentation. My leadership skills grew from almost zero to instructing volunteers on a weekly basis. I began to volunteer to lead activities. I learned more efficient ways of communicating through email and how to manage my time. All of these skills are vital as I venture out into the real world.
Rachel Hidding 2017 G.I.R.L. Report
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Living Legacy Tucked away in my will is a designated gift to Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. It has been there from the first will that was written many, many years ago when I had small children. I felt it was important to include gifts, no matter the size, in the will, and it has continued to be a part of the text. Why would I do it? I most likely won’t ever have a huge estate, just a modest one, but I feel strongly that I need to recognize those organizations that are important to me and make a financial commitment to them. And for me that means the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. Why Girl Scouts? For me, it’s my background. Besides being a Girl Scout for over 40 years, I am a student of the history of non-profit groups, particularly those for and run by women and girls. One of my primary areas of interest has been the history of Girl Scouts in central Indiana. Even my master’s thesis was about the history of Girl Scouts in the area. I have been working with the council’s collections since I moved to Indianapolis for my first professional position many years ago and well before I had children. My experiences as a girl instilled within me the need to give back, to follow in the footsteps of the great leaders that I had. I first served as a leader and then as someone who wanted to work with the council’s history, because that was a skill that I had that I could share. It is something that I continue to do. I get to help tell the story of the amazing girls and women who have participated in the Girl Scout Program in the area for over 100 years, from those early days when local newspapers thought it was amazing that girls would go to camp to present day when Girl Scouts continue to develop leaders and take on new challenges. I have seen in the history the challenges that female organizations like Girl Scouts have in developing long term funding, and if I can help, even in a small way through my planned giving, I am contributing to the future. I, as a historian, study the past to see where we have been, how we got to today, and how we may go in the future. For me, planned giving will help the Girl Scouts of the future continue our rich traditions.
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Noraleen Young
Other Ways to Give Visit: www.girlscoutsindiana.org/donate
You are invited to join our Give. Help. Repeat. movement of friends who share a passion for providing all girls with the one-of-a-kind, Girl Scout, leadership opportunity with proven results. Give. Help. Repeat. participants prove their commitment to all girls by signing up for a manageable monthly donation in any amount. In doing so, they understand that choosing to invest, and then re-invest, helps us produce and deliver the programming girls need. By joining the Give. Help. Repeat. movement as a monthly donor, you will: Receive our special Give. Help. Repeat. patch, exclusive only to friends who donate monthly ($5 per month or more) Receive an elite Give. Help. Repeat membership pin ($25 per month or more) Receive special acknowledgement at our annual meeting, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana’s volunteer recognition ceremony Receive acknowledgement in our annual report, shared council-wide among dear friends of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana Join at www.girlscoutsindiana.org/givehelprepeat.
Amazon Wish List One of the easiest ways to support Girl Scouts of Central Indiana as girls learn new things and have great adventures is to shop our wish lists on Amazon. Buy the supplies girls need from the convenience of your home! You order and let Amazon do the rest. Check out all the amazing choices: ⬩ Camp List ⬩ Membership Outreach ⬩ Volunteer Support
Matching Gift Programs Many employers will match your gift or volunteer hours to Girl Scouts of Central Indiana as part of their corporate policy. Does yours? If your company is eligible, request a matching gift form from your employer, and send it completed and signed with your gift. We will do the rest. The impact of your gift to Girl Scouts of Central Indiana may be doubled or possibly tripled.
General Support At Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, we believe every girl has an important role to play. Together, we are able to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Thank you for investing in tomorrow’s leaders today. When you support Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, you support nearly 29,000 girls and 12,000 adult volunteers.
Juliette Gordon Low Society The Juliette Gordon Low (JGL) Society was founded on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts to thank and honor friends who, like Juliette, choose to make Girl Scouts part of their legacy and a beneficiary of their estate. Providing a planned gift through the JGL Society in your estate plans can include naming Girl Scouts of Central Indiana as a beneficiary.
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Financials
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girlscoutsindiana.org