Girl Scouts Official Blog

• World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts Tackle Climate Change in Copenhagen

  Today, a fantastic look into the leadership opportunities provided by Girl Scouting - stateside and abroad... For two weeks this month, ending tomorrow, government representatives of almost all 192 member countries of the United Nations have gathered at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, in the beautiful city of Copenhagen, Denmark, to negotiate and agree upon a way forward on how to tackle Climate Change. As non-governmental members of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) along with 19 young volunteers from around the world have observed these proceedings - three of those delegates being young volunteers from Girl Scouts of the USA. Emily-GS of Heart of Hudson, Sarah-GS of Kentuckiana and Maria- GS of Black Diamond were selected to be members of the WAGGGS delegation to Copenhagen. The WAGGGS delegation ensures that the youth voice is heard in the Conference and that decision-makers are aware that it is today’s youth who will face the consequences of their decisions. In addition, Becca from Girl Scouts of the Nations Capital was selected as one of four young people to represent the United States at the Children’s Climate Conference that was hosted by the United Nations Children’s Fund from November 28 – December 5, 2009. Youth from over forty countries gathered in Copenhagen to establish an infrastructure of young global citizens who understand their role in finding solutions to global concerns, to advance young people’s understanding of global issues, and to provide a platform for them to discuss and advocate on these global issues. Be sure to check out Becca’s blog. In related news, the 19 youth representatives have received a major boost from The UPS Foundation, who join WAGGGS as a founding partner of the Global Girls Fund. The UPS Foundation’s commitment $2 million over the next five years will support WAGGGS to carry out a range of programs, including creating platforms for girls and young women to learn, engage and have a voice on environmental issues that affect their communities, countries and the world. Congrats to everyone involved in this excellent work!

• It's a Hit: Thank U Berry Munch!

  While most people I know name drop either Thin Mints or Samoas /Caramel DeLites as their favorite Girl Scout Cookies - I have recently been converted to the magical powers of our new cookie, Thank U Berry Munch. I am not alone! This morning, The Morning Journal in Cleveland, OH, has a write up about Thank U Berry Munch, while also mentioning the success of The Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio's Cookie Program - it states: "During the 2008-09 cookie sale, Girl Scouts sold more than 2.5 million packages of cookies in 18 counties in Ohio." My personal review of Thank You Berry Munch: "Thank U Berry Munch tastes like an excellent pecan sandie, with cranberries and white chocolate chips to boot. By far my favorite Girl Scout Cookie - Five Stars."-JoshWhat is your favorite Girl Scout Cookie?

• GSRI Study Draws Diverse Coverage

  As previously reported, The Girl Scout Research Institute released its latest study, Good Intentions: The Beliefs and Values of Teens and Tweens, on December 2. I'm happy now to show off some great coverage the findings have gotten all over the country. Some of that coverage includes local newspapers such as the Asbury Park Press in New Jersey, which interviewed GSUSA's own Kimberlee Salmond. A choice quote: "There's clearly a generational change taking place," said Kimberlee Salmond, senior researcher at the Girl Scout Research Institute and lead author of the study. "These young people strongly value diversity, acceptance and civic involvement, and almost across the board they're more committed to these values than their predecessors were 20 years ago."Next, head over to NBC Channel 13 WREX-TV in Rockford, IL, and check out some recent Good Intentions TV coverage. Also around the country, a number of councils have blogged about the study. Anna Maria Chávez, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, used her blog on the San Antonio Express-News to discuss the study. In it she states that, "...while many youth have good intentions about making responsible choices, they need help connecting these desires to action. It is our responsibility to help youth actualize their intentions and keep them focused on their goals, to support youth by discussing with them their decision-making process rather than placing judgment, to treat their personal struggles with respect, and to value their voices by asking questions about their lives and engaging them on issues that matter to them..."More great blog work in Texas - Etta Moore, Chief Executive Office of Central Texas, blogged about the study on the website for the Girl Scouts of Central Texas. In her posting, Moore relates the findings to some fantastic Girl Scout initiatives: "The Forever Green project we are piloting allows girls to take lead on environmental projects and initiate a sustainable change in our communities. The Girl Advocacy Network helps girls learn how to impact laws at the local, state and national level. And last but not least, the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards provide project road maps for girls to make the world a better place through a cause of their choice."If you see any Good Intentions stories popping up in your communities, let us know!

• Weekend Run-Down

  Hello Everyone, Many good things are coming from Girl Scouts all around the country this holiday season. Check out those examples and other fantastic stories in today's Weekend Run-Down. In Connecticut, The Weston Forum is reporting that local Girl Scout troops have joined forces with Weston seniors and six local crafters to present Winterfest, a holiday market featuring handcrafts and baked goods.Girl Scouts in Milpitas, CA, sent troops messages of support while preparing 6,800 letters, bags of sweets, nuts and Santa hats for shipment by sorting, bundling and packing them into 33 cardboard boxes. Read more in the San Jose Mercury News.Emily K. Fischer, 89, a mother and volunteer from Northeast Philadelphia who worked to integrate disabled girls into Girl Scout troops, passed away Wednesday at Lafayette Redeemer, a nursing home in Philadelphia. Read all about Fischer in The Philadelphia Inquirer.The Georgetown Record in Beverly, MA, is reporting on a group of Girl Scouts who learned how to contribute to those who find themselves homeless and also about where donated items would go and whom they would actually help.In New Jersey, The Hudson Reporter has a fantastic article about the need for Volunteers and Leaders in a community with a peaking interest in Girl Scouting.In Yuma, AZ, Sharon Jessup is being celebrated for her forty-five years of volunteerism with The Girl Scouts. Read more about it in The Yuma Sun.Girl Scouts in Washington County, OR, are asking for volunteers to help set up for their annual Washington County Girl Scout Christmas Breakfast for the Homeless, set for 7 to 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 25 at Hillsboro Senior Center, 750 S.E. Eighth Ave. Find out how to contribute here.Enjoy!

• Girl Scouts Team Up With U.S. Green Building Council, Work Together to Green Our Nation’s Communities

  Today, I am extremely pleased to announce a really cool partnership: Girl Scouts of the USA has joined forces with the U.S. Green Building Council to help girls take action on improving the environment and their communities by promoting green schools. GSUSA will team with the USGBC to leverage local Girl Scouts Forever Green projects as part of USGBC’s National Green Schools Campaign. Specifically, girls will work with USGBC volunteers throughout its extensive chapter network to develop and use their leadership skills to significantly impact the environment by working in schools and throughout their communities to save energy, conserve water, increase green space, improve air quality and reduce waste. “The environment—protecting it, preserving it, and understanding it—is a tremendously important issue to today’s girls. This new partnership is a great opportunity to combine their passion and energy with USGBC’s knowhow and organization to make a significant difference in the future environmental footprint of America’s schools,”said Kathy Cloninger, CEO, GSUSA. Green schools cost less to operate, freeing up resources to truly improve students’ education. Across the country, school districts large and small are realizing the benefits of green schools. Students, parents, teachers and community members are making the difference, by letting decision makers know they want their schools built, operated, and maintained green. The Green Schools Campaign provides a natural way for Girl Scouts to apply their environmental lessons in their own educational community. USGBC is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC launched the National Green Schools Campaign in 2007, with the ambitious goal to provide a green school for every child in America within a generation. Through this campaign, USGBC supports federal, state and local initiatives that advance the green schools movement. “Through our partnership with the Girl Scouts of the USA, we have the potential to reach and inspire millions of girls – America’s future leaders – to impact the way school buildings are designed, built and operated, enabling a healthier and environmentally responsible built environment for future students and teachers,”said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, USGBC. Tens of thousands of Girl Scouts throughout the country are engaged in environmentally friendly projects in their communities as part of the Forever Green initiative. Forever Green projects are part of a range of activities leading up the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts in 2012. Let us know how Girl Scouts in your communities are helping to make positive impacts on the environment!