Service Unit: SU5602-GlenOaks
County: Allegheny
Total Girl Scout Years: 30
Volunteer Years: 29
Current and Former Volunteer Positions: service unit manager, finance manager, day camp director, community MagNut manager, troop leader
Age-Level Experience: Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador
Girl Scout Pillar Experience: STEM, life skills
Specialties: flag ceremonies, badges, event planning, songs and games, ceremonies/traditions
Certifications: First Aid/CPR/AED
What do you want volunteers to know about you?
I became a Girl Scout leader when my daughter was in kindergarten. (Today, she is 35.) From there, I was tasked with service unit leadership positions (of which I hold several) which brought me into contact with other engaging and inspirational volunteers.
Being a leader and working with the [Girl] Scouts allows me to explore and expand MY horizons. Being a service unit manager and day camp director, I have met and befriended numerous adults whose friendships continue to grow strong. As a troop leader (twice I have taken girls from Daisies to Ambassadors), I have strong bonds with so many young women.
What does Girl Scouting mean to you?
I have two children who were involved in numerous activities. As an active parent, I chaperoned band camp, was a soccer booster, and sold flowers at high school musicals. The difference between all of these other activities and Girl Scouting is the ability to LEAD. In all other areas, I (and the kids) had to follow the direction given by the teacher/coach/director. With [Girl] Scouting, we are able to explore what interests us. We are not bound by others but are able to “govern” ourselves. This freedom allows the [Girl] Scouts to form their own ideas and inspires them to try something that might have been out of reach elsewhere. Watching AND participating in this process is magical.
What is your Girl Scout leadership philosophy?
When the [Girl] Scouts are small, their demands and ideas are small. It allows the adult volunteers and the [Girl] Scouts to grow together. Adults get comfortable with badge work, they become experienced in organizing field trips, and biting off small chunks of camping/outdoor activities is manageable, even for the most timid. As the [Girl] Scouts age and the leadership becomes less intimidated by being a LEADER, there are so many options available to you/the troop that you can access. My philosophy is taking things step-by-step and relying on fellow leaders (or council) for advice and guidance. This will allow anyone to have a successful program.
What advice do you have for new troop leaders?
All leaders have one main task: keep the kids safe! From there, you move forward. Yes, there is paperwork and training commitments, but it is an opportunity to spend time with your daughter and her friends. Do not try and reinvent programming, ceremonies, or field trips, but utilize the resources that are available to you. Not every meeting will be a blockbuster and there will be rain when you need to build a fire. It is all okay . . . just have fun.
Other Organizations: I am the secretary for the Union Aid Society Board of Directors and a board member for Sweetwater Center for the Arts. I have been a weekly volunteer at the Children’s Institute since 1977. I am the committee chair for the Relay for Life of Sewickley Valley. I am chair of two “major” committees at my church.
Anything else?
Life is wonderful! My husband and I travel to see our daughter in Manhattan and my son and his fiancé in Washington, D.C. as often as possible. We host most holidays and throw numerous parties all year long at our house. I garden, sew, take classes, plan events, and craft. I am NEVER bored.
GSWPA 