Service Unit: SU2658-Coudersport Austin
County: Potter
Total Girl Scout Years: 24
Volunteer Years: 19
Current and Former Volunteer Positions: service unit manager, finance manager, MagNut/cookie manager, troop leader
Age-Level Experience: Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador, All-Ages Multi-Level
Specialties: MagNut program, cookie program, event planning, songs and games
Certifications: Outdoor Skills/Let’s Go Camping, YMHFA, First Aid/CPR/AED
What do you want volunteers to know about you?
I was a Girl Scout from first to third grade. After moving to Pennsylvania from Delaware in 1977, I didn’t return to Girl Scouts until I was a Cadette (grades 7-8), and after that, our troop disbanded. It wasn’t until I was teaching in Tioga County that a friend got me involved as a co-leader for her Junior troop for two years. After that, I was a leader for the Brownie troop at the school in which I taught. When my youngest daughter wanted to start Girl Scouts in 2008 as a Daisy, they were without leaders. That is when I again became a volunteer. I was the leader of her troop and service unit manager until she graduated in 2021 and continued on after that as a troop leader and in other service unit roles as well, including finance and MagNut and cookies when needed. I plan on continuing in the same roles next year and continue to encourage/recruit volunteers.
What does Girl Scouting mean to you?
To me, Girl Scouts is a way for young girls to learn how to become leaders and make a difference in our ever-changing world. For some girls, it is the only positive outlet they have. For some, it may be the only other activity that they do outside of school. The Girl Scout Promise and Law is important and relates to everything else we do. Girl Scouts provides opportunities for girls to do things they might not get to do otherwise.
What is your Girl Scout leadership philosophy?
My leadership philosophy is to have the girls lead by doing. My motto is you won’t know until you try. I like for my girls to try everything. Also, by the time girls are Juniors, most activities/discussions should be girl-led.
What advice do you have for new troop leaders?
There is a lot to learn as a new troop leader, and it can seem overwhelming. Remember there are many people out there to use as resources. You cannot do it alone! The more people you can recruit to be leaders/co-leaders, the more you can delegate to others. It’s okay to say no.
Other Organizations: church member and pianist
Anything else?
I have a degree in music education and I graduated from IUP in Indiana, PA in 1990. I taught music until I was furloughed in 2005. Since then, I have adopted/raised three children and worked in two local daycare facilities. Currently, I am employed as a full-time music teacher and choral director in Coudersport School District.
GSWPA 