Recently in CEO Category

I was talking to someone this past weekend about the new bath house we are building at Camp Scoutshire Woods; the "pretty potty" as I like to call it.   It isn't large, but it is constructed of reinforced concrete block.   It will serve as a place of refuge should a storm come up unexpectedly.   This person, the troop leader who did the conceptual drawings, asked if someone donated the money for the "pretty potty."   I told her no, it is hard to raise money for bathrooms because a bathhouse is not something most folks want their name on.   However, because of the success of this year's cookie program, we are able to build this bathroom, add the zip lines to two camps, purchase more stand up paddleboards, and buy a new banana boat.   If girls do a lot of work on the cookie program, they deserve to enjoy the fruits of their labors.

Our counterpart in Alabama to the north has completed strategic learning (a strategic planning process), and as a part of that process, found they can no longer afford all the property they own and have to maintain.   They will be closing many camps and selling office buildings throughout their council.   We already have received e-mail requests and petitions pleading for signatures not to close or sell these properties.   Selling property is painful for all involved, those who have to make those decisions and those who feel their childhood memories are going by the wayside.   I ache for all involved in these difficult choices.

As someone who walked outside this morning with the electrician to discover the brick on the façade of the building is pulling loose, I do understand the tensions of giving the girls something to strive for, while paying the bills to maintain aging facilities.   One night when I was staying at Kamp Kiwanis, I counted, and across our properties, we have more than 36 bath houses and 36 buildings to maintain.   That is a lot of roofs to replace, toilets to fix and exteriors to stay painted.   We are able to do this by working with a Spartan staff, who works very hard, and building the cookie program, so when I recently read two pages of complaints about the cookie program I always wonder what the balance is. 

 It is hard to make things work in this poor economy, yet you have been extraordinarily successful in selling cookies during this time.   Our cookie program has increased, part of it because of an annual increase in the number of girls, but also because the girls' efforts have resulted in increased sales.   Even though this past cookie program with the direct sale felt like it lasted forever, the sale increased 9.45 percent, which is what pays for the "pretty potty" and many other things our girls will enjoy.

Girl Scouts is an organization for the girls and about the girls.   At this juncture, I am very appreciative that we aren't in a position where we need to discuss consolidation of properties.   This is because you did a lot of the heavy lifting.   I'm looking forward to a summer where our girls have a great trip to Rock the Mall, fly down some zip lines for the first time in their life, or learn to sail in a strong wind.   I'm grateful for the support you have shown the girls by being engaged and involved to make this endeavor successful -- it is all about the girls.

This is the time of year when Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance march can be heard in the air.   People are moving on, they are moving toward their future, their goals, and hopefully, achieving their dreams.  

I used to sit at graduation exercises watching students cross the stage and think, I'm glad this one is moving on.   While most of them provoked the thought, this one will be moving out of my daily life and existence, and I will miss them.   I imagine that many of you have the same thoughts about the girls in your care.   Some of you will remember the challenges, helping girls face their demons and move out of their comfort zones.  

As they bridge to the next level, move to a new troop or move out into the world, there is a sadness coupled with an exhilaration that life is moving all too fast.   A few weeks ago a very kind volunteer sent me the nicest note outlining the council staff that she really appreciated and thanked me for their good work.   As your girls face their next adventure, move on to different challenges, and have the confidence and courage to move out of their comfort zones, it is important to know that you have played an important part in their life.   You have helped make them a person with character.   Remember, commencement is a beginning, not an end.   Thank you for all you do.

I frequently have volunteers say to me that it must be really fun working for Girl Scouts, and frankly, most of the time it is.   But there are pieces and parts of the job, like any work, that is difficult.   Sometimes that occurs on Monday morning after a weekend program, other Mondays our telephones are ringing with complaints from parents about other volunteers;this is no fun.  

The topic usually focuses on the volunteer taking responsibility for a child, then not paying attention, resulting in something happening that might not have, had the volunteer been paying attention.   I was recently at a large event where the leaders were talking to one another, while the girls were doing all sorts of things they should not have been on someone else's property.   We have had girls lost at events, in a group outing with insufficient numbers of adults with them, wandering away, or asking to participate in activities for an older age girl.  The majority of the guidelines for the Safety Activity Checkpoints are based on experience across Girl Scout councils across the U.S., meant to maintain the safety of all the girls involved.

After a Monday morning, with a few of these phone calls from irate parents, I always wonder, what is better  -- another volunteer stepping up keep girls safe, or these close calls and near misses where their troop leader isn't paying attention.   I want to applaud those of you, and there are many of you, who see what needs to be done and do it, whether it is your girls or someone else's.   Thanks for taking responsibility.  It happens frequently, often gently, and with the girls' best interest in mind.

Please don't misunderstand:  I certainly recognize you are working with girls and attending events on your time off. You need some down time, and you have taken on the responsibility of not only your own child, but also many others.   Some adult conversation during these two-day events is welcome, but I encourage you to pay attention. If your attention is drawn elsewhere, have a co-leader or parent monitor the girls while you are busy.

 Often Girl Scout activities are in locations where girls can be hurt, even if you are paying attention.   But if you aren't, the likelihood of something going wrong increases geometrically.  If you are at a large event and have parents attending, it might help to assign each parent a small group of girls to keep track of. Thanks for all you do to shape the lives of those you pay attention to and care for.

Do you ever wonder why we collect all this end of the year paperwork?   Do you believe it is like some of your term papers in college and wonder if someone really read this?   With the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, there were many changes made by the IRS to not-for-profit reporting for tax purposes.   

Each year, we file a voluminous tax return that comes right from our audit, and last year, we were asked to voluntarily provide troop account information to our auditors.   This happened at the last minute, just as you were getting started in the fall.   After a voluntary request, we received about a 10 percent response with your troop account information.   Thanks to those of you in that 10 percent, we appreciate it.  

This year this information will be required by the IRS and our auditors.   You ask yourself, why is it any of our business?   Essentially, each troop account operates under one tax ID number, which is assigned to our council, as a whole.   The council and the hundreds of troop accounts in this council all use the same IRS tax identification number.   All of that information is now required to be reported in our financials and our audit.   To assist in this process, our volunteer services team has created a Google form that you can fill out and submit.   If you do this in a timely fashion, we will give you a small credit in the council shop.  

Other councils are moving to an easier way for everyone to operate where individual troop accounts are authorized only by the council through a master agreement with the bank.   As we work to comply with the laws Congress lays out for us, we will work on ways to make it easier for you to provide what is necessary for us to continue to operate as a recognized not-for-profit.   

Where did the year go?    It is almost May, and you are too busy for words. There's graduation, end of the year picnics, thinking about what to do with the kids for the summer?   Its spring and the lawn is calling, but who has time for that with sports back in action, consuming your Saturday morning.   Then there's the Girl Scout trip with the cookie funds to be planned, coordinated and taken.   Oops, camporee, too; where will it all fit in?   There are too many things to do and not enough hours in the day.

Last week was National Volunteer Appreciation Week, and I want you to know that we value you, our volunteers.   We value who you are, that you take the time from your busy world to work with Girl Scouts.   We value your time, which is precious and insufficient most days.   We value how you teach girls to become contributing citizens in your community and your world.   We value that you share what you have to offer to girls so they too can become leaders.   You shape our future with your gifts.

We want to take just a minute in this really hectic time of year to thank you for who you are and what you do.   Thank you.

This is a great time of year if you work for Girl Scouts, because you have the opportunity to get outdoors and ready for camp.   It is always the highlight of my year, as I get to spend time working on things to enrich the girls' summer camp experience.   Some of the projects are in the early stages, others are not quite underway, but we'll get there. 

At this time of year, I like to check with the rangers to see what wildlife we have on our properties.   So far this year, we have had three rattlesnakes on three of the four camps.   The only camp we haven't seen a rattler on yet is Kamp Kiwanis.  

Last year Kamp Kiwanis had a rattlesnake, which is fairly unusual and likely the result of their habitat being destroyed with the tornado.   A few years ago, when we timbered Camp Humming Hills, the guys working on the timber project said they saw a jaguar with two cubs.   Recently, Wanda Smith, the ranger's wife was on the property and saw two jaguars.   They are incredibly elusive, to see them would be a tremendous gift, as their range is huge.  

In an effort to document our wildlife, we will be putting in some trophy cameras.   They take photos of movement, even at night.   They do that with an infrared flash, so they don't spook the wildlife.   I'm hoping we will have some fun and education about what lives at the camps when we aren't around.

We have one zip line installed at Kamp Kiwanis, and some of the board members took their fiduciary responsibility seriously and tried it the afternoon before the annual meeting.   We are intentionally installing the zip lines at girl level, and if they enjoy them, then we will look at putting more in higher places.   Right now, we have the test line in, and once we figure out how that works, we will install a few at Camp Scoutshire Woods.  For girls waiting to use the zip lines, since there's always a line at such things, we have a slack line, much like a balance beam made of a narrow tape between two trees.   It's the new hot thing on college campuses.

Paul Wright, the ranger at Kamp Kiwanis spent a large chunk of his time this winter clearing out the trees between the Pioneer Unit bathhouse and the lake to build a beautiful new dock for the sailing program.   This will keep the sailboat traffic and canoe traffic separate.   We also have more stand-up paddle boards headed to both Kamp Kiwanis and Camp Scoutshire Woods.

Did you know, girls can do anything?   Well, they can.   I'm always stunned and amazed at what our girls accomplish.  

I was talking to a leader a couple of weeks ago who told me about one of her girls who attending a military academy.   After not liking the school to begin with, she has grown to love it and looks forward to her career in the military.   I believe that many of the abilities she developed as a Girl Scout were put to good use because the skills girls build as Girl Scouts serve them throughout their lives. 

Micha, one of our girls, participated in the "Be It" contest for "Above the Influence," a program designed to discourage the use of drugs.   We were pleased to be informed recently that her slogan was selected as one of the best.   Her entry was "Fly Above All Expectations."   Her slogan went to a New York ad agency to have a design added to it.   It will be used in outdoor advertising in our council.   What a good illustration of  being "girl led."     When you see this billboard, know that it was a Girl Scout -- a girl who can change the world!

This is the time of year when we start planning for next year.   It seems way too early for that, since we are still in the midst of this year, and  I'm not sure graduation is clearly in sight yet.   But this is when the planning starts.  

We collect feedback from volunteers on SNAP about the cookie program.   We conduct evaluations at the end of programs, such as Girls Rock Mobile.   Sometimes we use Survey Monkey to solicit your perception of events, like the annual meeting.   We use that data and feedback, as well as staff experience, to formulate plans for the coming year.

Our strategic direction is always the same from year to year.   Our board of directors, at its very first meeting four-and-a-half years ago, determined the direction; it is GIRLS FIRST.  It is our task each year to serve as many girls as possible.   We work to provide the best leadership experience we can through the curriculum and opportunities we have available.  Each year, as we have funds available, we continue to improve properties for girls to experience more in the outdoors.  It is incumbent on us to use what scarce resources wisely for the greatest number of girls.

Although we are a smaller council than many, we are fortunate to have a number of resources that serve us well.   We have had a communications strategy that has served, as well.   Over time we have tweaked this strategy predicated on your feedback.   GSSA Weekly is meant to be forward looking, focused on upcoming opportunities.   SWAPS is a printed document meant for our constituents, including parents, volunteers, alumnae and benefactors.   We work to leverage as much as we can on line, so you have those materials at your fingertips.   As we work to continue to make improvements, we are interested in your feedback on how to continue to serve GIRLS FIRST.

-- by Melinda Stallworth, GSSA Director of Advancement

Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama's 17^th annual Women of Distinction luncheon was held on Thursday, March 15, at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center. Nearly 300 guests came out to celebrate the accomplishments of women who are doing amazing things in our community.

Women of Distinction honorees are role models whose professional accomplishments, leadership and community involvement inspire girls to reach their highest potential. This year's honoree, Liz Sutton, is president of Alabama World Travel and Sutton & Associates. Her accomplishments, affiliations and dedication to helping others serves as a great example of service to family, career and community.

Highlights from the afternoon included a meet and greet reception with guest speaker Robin Meade, anchor of HLN's "Morning Express with Robin Meade" before the luncheon. Troop 9334 did an excellent job presenting the colors during the flag ceremony. They also presented tokens of appreciation to former honorees who attended the luncheon. We are grateful for the parents, volunteers and girls who participated to make our event a success within our council and our community. Montgomery mayor, Todd Strange, brought greetings on behalf of the city while Robin shared messages about having self-confidence, appreciating your uniqueness and despite obstacles, continuing to strive for success. Participants were also thrilled to spend personal time with her chatting and taking photos during the book signing. We are also proud to mention that both our honoree and guest speaker were former Girl Scouts.

Special thanks to all of our sponsors and volunteers who helped make the afternoon a success. On behalf of the more than 9,000 Girl Scouts in Southern Alabama, thank you for your commitment to building girls of courage, confidence and character.

To see photos from the event, click here.

After one hundred years, Girl Scouts is going strong, and why is that?   Because of you!   You're the best!   We can't say that to you often enough.   We are all glad the cookie program is over and excited about another year of a 10% increase in sales.   You have managed to do that the past three years!   How amazing are the girls of Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama?   Well, pretty amazing!

The spoils of the cookie program go to the girls.  Here's how... We signed the contract today for a new restroom at the horse stables at Camp Scoutshire Woods, which I refer to it as the pretty potty.   No more port-a-potty if you go to horse camp.   The dock on the island at Scoutshire is almost done.   There are six stand-up paddleboards en route to our camps, three for Scoutshire Woods and three for Kamp Kiwanis.   The girls that tried them last year loved these boards, so we're giving girls more opportunity to try them.   The new sail loft is under construction at Kamp Kiwanis, and we are going to test some low zip lines for Kamp Kiwanis and Scoutshire Woods.   We also have purchased a slack line for each camp.   We have replanted Humming Hills and have been working on the buildings to ensure they will be around for a long time to come.  Time for the girls to have some fun with the extra monies they earned!

We are happy to continue to have some great girl events, because that is why we all do this work.   We have more 600 girls signed up for the Girls Rock Mobile event this weekend.   Our fund development staff has been out getting all sorts of things to make the event a huge success.   One of the events we think will be stunning this year is the 100^th anniversary Centennial Bridging Ceremony at the Blount Cultural Park in Montgomery, which features a beautiful huge wooden bridge the City of Montgomery will close for us on that day for that event.  Bridging has been an important part of Girl  Scouting since its earliest days, so if you want to participate in a once-in-a lifetime bridging event, sign up for that one.   If we're lucky, one of our Juliette Gordon Low descendents will be there!   

We know that many of you will be using your cookie earnings for great trips.   Rock the Mall keeps getting bigger and better.   There's a large Girl Scout event at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and we have we have a number of troops attending the Mississippi council event.    Thanks for all you do to make the world a better place!