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Dear Colleagues,

I know how hard you have been working to make the 2010 cookie sale a success!   I have heard numerous stories about new ways to sell cookies.   We have many more girls involved in the cookie sale this year, and are poised for a very successful "cookie season."

This year, we have worked to make the sale even easier for you, our volunteers. We piloted a new drive-through delivery system trial in the Montgomery area and worked to make the online booth sale scheduler easier for volunteers to use.   We also provided the cookie program books earlier, so leaders could work with girls on the program and integrate it into the girl activities.  We worked hard to provide cookie bucks and other improved incentives for girl participation. There is considerable work and communication that transpires before the sale ever start, and the staff felt very positive about the prospects of the sale this year.

In spite of all of our best efforts, this has, however, been a frustrating cookie season in many ways.  We work with the cookie baker in advance of the sale and do estimates of our beginning inventories for warehouses and cupboards.  Last year, the cookie baker made too many Girl Scout cookies, so they put them in a landfill at the end of the sale.   Because of the national decline in sales, the cookie baker is much more conscious of the number of cookies they are producing for the sale, which has translated into you not having enough cookies to fill your orders.  

We were told we would have 10 percent more cookies in our warehouse than our initial order in 2009.   That didn't happen.   From the first day of deliveries, we did not have that amount of cookies.   The cookie team has been on the phone continually talking to those we work with at the bakery to get more cookies to you.   We all want this sale to be a success.   To that end, we told the cookie baker last Thursday our cookie supplies were depleted; yet, we did not receive any shipment of cookies for 8 days.   And when the shipment came in, it still didn't have all of the types of cookies we ordered.   We have not had Trefoils for most of the sale, which is a top-selling cookie in this council.

I have been on the phone and sending e-mails trying to get your girls more cookies.   We know here is nothing worse than having cookies sold with no product to deliver, and many of you have shared your understandable frustration.     Know that those of us who work for you and your girls have been and are doing everything we possibly can to get cookies to you as quickly as we possibly can.   Quality customer service is one of those issues that come into play when selecting a cookie baker.   We will be scrutinizing responsiveness, quality of incentives and product going forward.

We thank you and appreciate all you do to make this a great council.   We appreciate all your year-round hard work.   Thank you for all you do that helps to build girls of courage, confidence and character.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth M. Brent, Ph.D.

CEO

This Valentine's Day, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama would like to thank all of our volunteers.  As you wrestle cases of cookies, stand at booth sales and ask yourself, why am I doing this?    We cannot even begin to describe the difference you are making in our council and your community. Your hard work and diligence is paid off by building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. As you spend your time making a difference in the lives of others, you are investing in our future. On this Valentine's day, please know we are thankful for everything you do, and WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS!

We all have been watching closely the events that have taken place in Haiti, and so many of us have been affected by the stories of tragedy and heroism that have emerged.  I was particularly touched when I learned of a Girl Scout who was pulled out of the rubble only to later die as a result of her injuries.  This hits close to home for those of us who feel a bond of sisterhood with our fellow Girl Scouts.

GSUSA is working to temporarily suspend the policy prohibiting Girl Scouts from raising money for other organizations. We will inform you of any action; meanwhile, please work through local community groups to assist in earthquake relief efforts. 

Read more about this brave young girl's tragic story and learn how you can help those in need in Haiti.  Please join me in keeping those affected by this devastating event in our thoughts and prayers.

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Dr. Liz Brent

CEO

Our holiday card was designed by
Amanda G. of
Girl Scout Brownie Troop 9215

The offices and shops will close December 19 and will re-open January 4, 2010. We look forward to sharing the new year with you!

Denise Roney, co-leader of Ambassador Girl Scout Troop 8493, died in a car accident on Tuesday, December 1, in Mobile.  Denise leaves behind two daughters, Courtney, a 12^th grader, and Brianna, a 5^th grader, both Girl Scouts. 

Denise served our organization for many years as a parent volunteer, leader and co-leader.  Jeannie Napper, who volunteered with Denise, said, "She was always one of the best volunteers.  She was very dedicated to Girl Scouts, and had a passion for working with the girls."

Denise was devoted to her children, and her love for those children was apparent to everyone.  She was determined that they would have more opportunities than she did.

Please join us in keeping this family in your thoughts during this difficult time. We will be sure to pass on any words of encouragement and condolences to Denise's daughters.

The Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI) just released its latest study, Good Intentions: The Beliefs and Values of Teens and Tweens Today. It's a fascinating look at how young peoples' beliefs and values on a range of issues from lying and cheating to drinking and smoking have changed over the last 20 years. The study is nearly identical to one Girl Scouts commissioned in 1989, and a comparison of the two shows a marked shift toward more ethical and responsible beliefs and values among teens and tweens.

Nearly two out of three young people (62 percent) surveyed in 2009, for example, say they would not cheat on a test compared to about half in 1989. Fifty-eight percent say they would refuse an alcoholic drink if offered one at a party. That's compared to fewer than half (46 percent) in 1989. And only 18 percent say they believe smoking is acceptable if a person finds it enjoyable. In 1989, more than a quarter of those surveyed thought smoking was acceptable.

And teens today appear to be quite tolerant of others and more civic-minded. Compared to 20 years ago, youth today are more likely to say they intend to vote in the future (84 percent vs. 77 percent), as well as give to charity (76 percent vs. 63 percent). Some 79 percent say they will volunteer in their communities. Make sure you check out the full study.  

Do you think this study reflect the attitudes and behaviors of our girls in southern Alabama?

Dear Friends,

Having spent 30 years in higher education, this time of year always comes with some melancholy.   Young women you have worked with for years will walk toward a different path on their journey through life.  It is a time of reflection and taking stock of how those young women have changed you.  I find myself thinking about how some of them made a difference in my perspective on life and the world.

I have been struck by, as I have attended many end of the year events, how many high-achieving young women we will have leaving our ranks this year and moving on to the next phase of their life.  Most will go on to college, and some on to the military or other opportunities to use those skills they have taken away from their Girl Scout experience.  It is a time to celebrate their achievements, but also a time to reflect on how they have changed and how we have changed.

Thanks to all of you who have invested in the lives of this year's graduates.  Their achievements are many and a tribute to your investment of time with them.

Congratulations to the Girl Scout graduates of the class of 2009!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth M. Brent, Ph.D.

CEO

I had the opportunity to attend an end-of-the-year tea last weekend, my first tea since I was in a sorority in college.   It was a beautiful day, and the girls were stunning in their matching dresses, hair bands and hats.   The tables were set with wedding china and silver tea service. One of the leaders gave us a great talk on tea parties, their history and some points on etiquette, which was a lot of fun.   We proceeded to have a delightful afternoon together.

Having worked 30 years in higher education, graduation time always brought some melancholy.   Some of those students would march across the stage out of my life.   There would be some who would stay in touch and others I would never see again, even though I might have interacted with them daily for four years.

This celebration had that same feeling.   This service unit had five girls who were graduating from high school and going on to college and their journey in life.   All the girls from this service unit signed their graduation cards, illustrating the circle of friends created by Girl Scouts.    One of the leaders spent about a week making pearl bracelets for each girl attending the afternoon tea.    As they were given the pearl bracelets, which were a big hit, they were told the story of Juliette Low and her pearls.    Each part of the event reminded me how every leader that spoke that day was an educator.    Each one took the time, like Juliette to sacrifice something so these girls can have some life-changing experiences.

Thank you for all you do for the girls of our council!

Liz Brent, Ph.D.

CEO

I was reading about a post-realignment Girl Scout council that has so many unhappy volunteers they wound up in the local newspaper.  The story goes on to note the three councils weren't financially solvent when the realignment occurred.  It was one of those moments when I was grateful to be in Alabama.

Clearly, realignment here created some difficult issues, but we have tried to work through those challenges one at a time, keeping the girls at the center of the focus of all we do.   I realize we still need to work on certain areas, but I feel like we have made significant progress.   For example, we are trying to replicate good programs from one area of the council across the remainder of the council.

When I came to Alabama, a longtime staff person told me the volunteers were the heart of the work.   I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people in this position.   Those I have met have been interested in providing the best for the girls they serve.   They know that it isn't about them; it is about shaping our future through sharing with the girls we have the opportunity to touch.   As I read this article, I was grateful for the volunteers in southern Alabama.   Most can see the larger picture of what Girl Scouts is about, where it is going and most important, have been supportive.

I want this to be one of the best Girl Scout councils in the US.  Cooperation, good ideas, resourcefulness and hard work are all part of what it takes to create one of the best councils in the US.    I was buoyed to have GSUSA send an e-mail yesterday asking if they could use some of our materials to illustrate how to shape good volunteers.  We are slowly making progress toward becoming one of the best through ideas, good programs and sharing knowledge of success with others.   I am grateful for that; sharing in this context is the highest form of flattery.

Having the wisdom, support and sharing the wealth is one of the secrets to making this one of the best councils for the girls of southern Alabama and beyond.  I am grateful for your hard work and partnership in this endeavor.   Thank you.

Sincerely, 

Elizabeth M. Brent, Ph.D.
CEO