CEO: January 2011 Archives

When I logged on to my computer this morning, I had a report from Cindy Connell Schafer, our ABC cookie representative, with an initial summary report of where we are with the cookie sale this morning.   Along with it was a question asking whether our volunteers received the services they needed.   Also, how could we all improve training, so we can correct any issues going forward?   I know there were a number of instances where Cindy was directly involved with our volunteers trying to get the cookie system to work.   She also noted she was going back through all our data to be sure our girls received the incentives they had earned.

Don't we love quality customer service?   I know that, behind the scenes, staff are scrambling around trying to get booth locations (as many of you are), making certain parts of the system we service are working adequately and responding to a litany of questions.   Be assured we are working hard to make the hard work you do with your girls easier as the cookies arrive and the booth sales commence.   The power of girls is simply astonishing!   Thanks for all you do to make amazing things happen!

I was on a conference call with other Girl Scout CEOs.   We were having a spirited discussion on what works with today's girls and what doesn't work.    One of them said they had a reception where everyone who attended who had been a Girl Scout was clearly identified.   She said it was stunning how many in the room had been Girl Scouts and how it lifted them up.   It was a fundraiser and simply by seeing how many had participated in the program in relation to their current job, it was a clear message of how Girl Scouts have developed leadership skills for many years.

One of my favorite signs that I found in someone's office when I started here was A GIRL IS WATCHING.   We should all remember that all day every day.   I chatted with our staff about that this week; we always need to think in that context.   When I arrived I heard horror stories about the chaos of cookies.   It is hard to describe to someone who hasn't seen it done, especially from the delivery side of the program.   What I was more surprised at was a call I received about volunteers throwing cookies at each other because of the door they wanted at a Wal-mart.    This didn't happen on just one weekend, but two weekends in a row.   We had some discussion about why this happened; how we could correct it.   But the most important part of that challenge for me is to remind everyone, when it comes to the cookie program A GIRL IS WATCHING.   As we struggle with how to best shape the future generation, we can't be complacent about how our behaviors impact those of the children around us.

It's COOKIE TIME!   I was talking to some friends over the holidays about the cookie sale.   Actually, when you aren't in the middle of it, it is truly amazing.   It is one of the world's most successful entrepreneurial programs and actually was a precursor to most of what they call entrepreneurship in today's college classrooms.   Aren't there some things we could teach them?

Our goal this year is to exceed last year's cookie sale, which was excellent.   We have about 100 more girls involved, so that should help.   Last year, because of the success of the sale, we were able to buy more equipment for our camp properties, repair and replace a few roofs, correct the roads at Camp Scoutshire Woods and add program materials for girls to use and learn from.

So far, the sale is going well.   The press reps have done an OUTSTANDING job getting the media kits to the media.   It was amazing how many articles and television spots we have had so far!   Thank you to those girls and their families for EXCELLENT work getting the word out often and early.

We are trying to put more people behind the scenes to assist in making this as smooth a sale as possible.   But, if you have good ideas on ways it can be increased and enhanced, let us know.