WINTER 2014

Can you recall the person(s) who has had the greatest impact in your life? Whether it was a mentor, teacher, or a friend of the family, the course that our careers and lives have taken is

enriched by the advice we were given.

The more we learn about mentoring relationships, we understand the importance of having someone provide guidance at pivotal points in our development. For girls specifically, we know that they do better academically and in making career decisions when partnered with a mentor.

Girl Talk

CEO COmmEnts Cindy L. Odom Chief Executive Officer, GSWNY

Identify a girl and place her in a nurturing and empowering environment, expose her to everything with no limitations, encourage her as she learns her way, and she will quickly realize that she can accomplish anything.

Time Magazine ran an article about the UN Women’s new ad campaign. The article, “New Ad Campaign Uses Popular Search Terms to Show How the World Really Feels About Women,” showcases several images of the search results from Google autocomplete for September 9, 2013. Options like “women should be slaves” and “women shouldn’t have

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thE sky is thE Limit in GirL sCOutinG Girls Can, Girls Should, and Girls Are in Girl Scouting

in this issuEPage 2 • Girl Scouts Host Bone Marrow Registry• Women of Distinction Nominations• It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time!• Girl Scout Receives Community Award

Page 3 • Orchard Park Girl Scouts Learn Value of Community Service• Volunteer Opportunities• Girl Scouts Thank Donors during Thank-A-Thon

Page 4 • Girls Learn About PR and Communications at PR Professionals Program• Hippie Pandas Win Award• CEO - Lead the Way Award: Deb Whais

rights” were just a few of the search results. Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) recently showcased a similar campaign using positive words that empower girls and young women.

Messages like “girls should know their worth”, “girls can empower their generation”, and “girls are change agents” are being taught to girls and young women who join Girl Scouts.

For more than a decade, GSUSA has provided relevant programs to meet the challenges that today’s youth experience. Programs like “BFF (Be a Friend First)” that addresses middle

school bullying and “Imagine, Your STEM Future” that dispels outdated stereotypes about girls in science, technology, engineering, and math industries, and Forever Green that teaches girls and young ladies to protect the environment are just a few of the relevant, quality programming in which girls participate in Girl Scouting.

Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards provide a framework for girls to positively influence their communities. In Girl Scouting, the messages are clear, girls can accomplish anything.

In Girl Scouting, we’ve been given a tremendous opportunity. For more than a decade, staff and volunteers have influenced the lives of every young woman who has been a Girl Scout. Celebrity Girl Scouts or who we affectionately call “Girl Scout Greats” have spoken about the impact that Girl Scouts has had on them.

According to our Research Institute, approximately one in every two adult women in the U.S. has at some point been a member of Girl Scouts. What a legacy! The sisterhood that is created by young women who have joined this organization is unmatched. Many of these women still keep in touch today.

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Brownie Troop 30822 from Williamsville recently held a bone marrow registry. In just two hours, the girls signed up 20 people for the registry. Great work, girls!

it’s GirL sCOut COOkiE timE !When you buy a box of tasty Girl Scout cookies, you’re not only pleasing your taste buds – you’re helping girls obtain five essential skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. When you buy a box of cookies, you help girls gain financial literacy experience that empowers them to make healthy economic decisions in the future. It’s so much more than a box of cookies!

Girl Scout cookies can be ordered from a Girl Scout in February and throughout the month of March. You can support Girl Scouts in the cookie program at your closest booth or direct sale! To learn about finding cookies near you, visit girlscoutcookies.org or call 1-888-837-6410.

I recently read a heart-warming story in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle newspaper. The writer, a former Girl Scout, talks about an international pen pal friendship that was started through Girl Scouting. For two decades they have written to each other, shared their lives and eventually had an opportunity to meet. This is just one of many examples.

In Girl Scouting, we proudly say, “once a Girl Scout always a Girl Scout.” If you were once a Girl Scout and have a passion to help girls create lasting memories and develop into the leaders they were born to be, I would like to encourage you to consider joining the ranks of other Girl Scout alumnae and re-engage with us.

Whether it’s working directly with girls or sharing your expertise in a program setting, you are a valuable resource to the organization that is dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

The lyrics of the Girl Scout song “Make New Friends” sums up the Girl Scout experience best, “Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold. A circle’s round, it has no end, that’s how long I want to be your friend.” Not only does the Girl Scout organization develop leadership skills in girls, it also creates lasting friendships. Please consider joining us.

WOmEn Of DistinCtiOn nOminatiOns BEinG aCCEptEDGirl Scouts of Western New York is accepting nominations for its 2014 Women of Distinction awards. Women of Distinction can be involved in any category of work and must exemplify extraordinary professional, civic, and/or philanthropic success. Nominees must also be a role model for girls and an advocate for improving the lives of women or girls. They are not required to be or have been a Girl Scout. Award guidelines and the Women of Distinction nomination form are available at gswny.org/pages/wod.aspx.

Save the date for the 2014 Women of Distinction Dinner & Awards Ceremony on Thursday, September 18 in Buffalo and the Leadership Breakfast on Friday, September 19 in Rochester.

GirL sCOut rECEivEs COmmunity aWarDDuring a National Philanthropy Day ceremony on November 14, 2013, Claire Raab, a senior at Nardin Academy, was honored as the Outstanding Young Philanthropist by members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals WNY Chapter. A Girl Scout since first grade, Claire has earned the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. Claire received her Gold Award last year by organizing a Relay for Life event to benefit the American Cancer Society. She has also traveled to the Girl Scout founder’s birthplace – Savannah, Georgia – and had the experience of traveling with other Girl Scouts to India in February 2013. Please join Girl Scouts of Western New York in congratulating Claire!

In the grand scheme of things, 500 may not seem like a lot, but imagine impacting 500 children who are sick or 500 parents who are supporting an ill child. Girl Scouts from troop 30456 of Orchard Park saw the impact of their efforts when they recently earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award project. With help from troop co-leaders Lisa Gioia and Lisa Breth, the seven 10- and 11-year-olds collected or made more than 500 items to donate to the Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.

Before Girl Scouts earn their Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest award a Girl Scout Junior (grades four and five) may earn, they must complete a Leadership Journey, which is a group of activities that encourage girls to discover themselves and the world around them, connect with others, and take action to make the world a better place. Once Girl Scouts have completed their journey, they must identify an issue that matters to them and then spend at least 20 hours toward planning and implementing a project that benefits the community.

The girls of troop 30456 chose the Amuse Journey, which focuses on teaching about stereotypes. They learned they can do anything a boy can do, including any career path. The girls created a stage and made characters from pipe cleaners and yarn. When choosing careers, a veterinarian, a soccer player, a plastic surgeon, a fashion designer, and even a gymnast made the list.

“I picked an art teacher,” said 11-year-old Jessie Breth, who loves art. “I had an easel set up, and we made the yarn people, so we took a shoebox and kind of designed it depending on what our job was.”

Once they had given their presentation and completed the Journey, the girls of troop 30456 made the decision to help sick children for their Bronze Award project. After learning what Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo needed, the girls decided to make posters to promote their donation boxes, where they would collect toiletries to make toiletry kits. They also decided to create items themselves.

“We made bookmarks, coloring books, craft bags, toiletry bags, blankets, and we made stuffed pillows,” Alexa Gioia said. “I liked making them all.”

By the time the girls were finished, they had made 22 blankets, 33 pillows, 150 coloring books, 165 toiletry bags, 60 craft bags, and 65 bookmarks. They were thrilled when the time came to deliver their items to Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.

“It was really exciting,” said Jessie. “Everybody was wondering what their expressions would be and what was going to happen while we were there. They were all very happy and they were surprised at how many we had. It was nice to see how happy they were and that they really liked what we did.”

After putting in close to 30 hours for the Bronze Award project, Jessie and Alexa are both interested in pursuing their Silver Award in the future and continuing to find ways to give back to the community.

“I did learn that doing something small like putting bags together can make a big difference for people,” Jessie said.

vOLuntEErs WhO Want tO makE an impaCt arE nEEDED Girl Scout volunteers serve as role models for girls, allowing them to shine and become strong women. Girl Scouts of Western New York is currently seeking women who work in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers to present a hands-on activity to girls during STEMapalooza, an event designed to introduce girls to female scientists while having fun and exploring STEM fields on May 3 in Rochester.

Volunteers are also needed to serve as Gold Award mentors. To earn the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting, girls must identify an issue and come up with a plan to combat this problem. Mentors coach girls through the Gold Award process and help them make a difference in their community while developing their own leadership skills.

For more about these or other volunteer opportunities, email programs@gswny.org or visit gswny.org and click “become a volunteer”.

thank yOu, DOnOrs !Twenty-five Girl Scouts and four leaders participated in the Thank-a-Thon held at the Buffalo and Rochester Service Centers. The girls called more than 400 donors and spoke to approximately 150 donors to thank them for supporting Girl Scouts of Western New York. GSWNY Board Members also participated by calling to thank a number of philanthropists who help GSWNY build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Thank you, donors!

OrCharD park GirL sCOuts LEarn vaLuE Of COmmunity sErviCE

Girls of troop 30456 show the coloring pages and other items they collected for the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. Photo taken by Julie Stefaniak.

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In today’s fast-paced world where technology reigns, communication could not be more important, whether writing a post on Facebook or speaking in front of a crowd. During the PR Professionals Program hosted at Camp Seven Hills, approximately 30 girls learned important information on various types of communication.

Girl Scout Devann Lowe served as the mistress of ceremony for the event and Girl Scout Cheyenne Zaremba gave a presentation on public speaking and how girls should conduct themselves when giving a speech. Jazzy T, afternoon host of 93.7 WBLK, provided an energizing discussion about non-verbal communication, including how body language can impact your attitude and how your words come across to others. DatEs tO rEmEmBEr

Girl Scout Week March 9 to 15, 2014

GSWNY Annual Meeting May 21, 2014 UB Center for Tomorrow 5:30 p.m. Registration 6:30 p.m. Meeting begins

Women of Distinction Dinner & Awards Ceremony Thursday, September 18, 2014 Buffalo, New York – Location TBD 6:30 p.m

Leadership Breakfast Friday, September 19, 2014 Rochester, New York – Location TBD 8 a.m

COnGratuLatiOns, CEO – LEaD thE Way aWarD rECipiEnt!

GSWNY is staying connected better than ever! Please take a moment to like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Pinterest, and read our CEO’s blog on WordPress.

stay COnnECtED

hippiE panDas Win aWarD For the third year in a row, girls from the Hippie Panda troop won the highest award in the FIRST Lego League Inter Lakes Qualifier tournament. They created bed boats to keep families together and safe during flooding that accompanies hurricanes in Gonaive, Haiti.

“The girls did a great job impressing the judges with their project … during their technical presentation of their robot design, and displaying their team work and gracious professionalism,” said troop leader Cheryl Lawniczak.

The “win” at the qualifier advanced them to the Finger Lakes Championship, where they won the Champions Award. The girls are headed to the Worlds Festival in St. Louis in April. Good luck, girls!

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Shaye, Sara, Samantha, and Roslyn practice their PSA during the PR Professionals event November 9.

From L to R: Devann, mistress of ceremony; Jazzy T, afternoon host of 93.7 WBLK, presented on nonverbal communications; Cheyenne, presented on public speaking.

GirLs LEarn aBOut pr anD COmmuniCatiOns

Laura Fakharzadeh, Product Sales Manager, talked to the girls about social networking and the importance of being safe and avoiding bullying behaviors online.

Throughout the day, girls planned and practiced a public service announcement (PSA) to promote the Girl Scout Cookie Program. The PSAs were recorded and shown for the entire group to watch at the end of the day.

The CEO – Lead the Way Award is an opportunity for GSWNY to recognize a staff member who exemplifies GSWNY’s values — respect, integrity, customer service, diversity, empathy, and courage. The first quarter of 2013-2014 recipient is Deb Whais, chief financial officer. Deb not only does her regular job duties but is always willing to help out a colleague or customer, and her passion for Girl Scouting helps make this organization shine. Please join us in thanking Deb for her dedication to GSWNY and congratulating her for receiving this award!