 
Breaking News October 31, 2015 Dear Friend of Girl Scouts San Diego, With regret, I share the news with you that our Chief Executive Officer, Jo Dee C. Jacob, has announced her plans to retire from Girl Scouts San Diego, effective March 30, 2016. The Board of Directors will conduct a nationwide search for Jo Dee’s successor through Evergreen Executive Source (www.egreensource.com). Including her 27-year career as a U.S. Naval officer, Jo Dee has been in the professional workforce for 42 years. Our council has benefited enormously from her experience, wisdom, and personal and professional network. We will never forget her energy, enthusiasm and kind, respectful way of dealing with people. In our council’s 99-year history, no Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer has served longer than Jo Dee. She has inspired and empowered a generation of local Girl Scouts along with thousands of adult volunteers. Jo Dee will leave a legacy of excellence and a stunning list of accomplishments. Her noteworthy contributions include two capital campaigns to improve and enhance our properties. Jo Dee was also the catalyst for Girl Scouts San Diego’s Operation Thin Mint® program, a community service project that has shipped over 2.5 million boxes of cookies and 20,000 hand-written notes of support to military troops overseas. She positioned our council as a leader in the non-profit community and mentored its leaders. Jo Dee served as President of San Diego Rotary Club #33 in 2012, the centennial year of Girl Scouts of the USA. Jo Dee is quick to say that her proudest achievement is building a strong and capable professional staff and volunteer cadre which will facilitate a smooth leadership transition. A special farewell recognition event in March 2016 will coincide with the dedication of a new cabin at our Balboa Campus and the 104th anniversary of Girl Scouting. Five Board Chairs/Presidents preceded me in the privilege of working closely with Jo Dee. They join me in wishing her and Glenn health and happiness in their next life adventures, and welcoming many more postcards from their future travels. “Fair winds and following seas!”
Rick Brooks Debbie Rider Katie Sullivan Solveig Deuprey Marla Black Lucy Jackson Pictured above (from left): Solveig Deuprey, Marla Black, Debbie Rider, Rick Brooks, Lucy Jackson and Katie Sullivan. Girl Scouts ready to Stuff the Bus! Junior Troop 2034 (pictured) will help drive hunger away as part of Stuff the Bus, our third annual councilwide service project. The girls love giving back to the community, and recently earned the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award for their 2014 contributions (slide show), which included the food drive. Hundreds of other Girl Scouts will make the world a better place by collecting nonperishable food on Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.at VONS and Albertsons stores. Troops will also collect groceries from friends and family this month, assisting people in need while learning about hunger and nutrition. Along with the grocery stores, we’re partnering once again with Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, Armed Services YMCA San Diego, Metropolitan Transportation System and the North County Transit District for this important campaign to feed low-income families and seniors. Jo Dee C. Jacob
College student is a Girl Scout for life As a Girl Scout here in San Diego, Jada (far right) built confidence and leadership skills through a wide range of experiences, including serving as her troop president and as a council delegate. That background helped her earn a scholarship to Spelman College in Atlanta, where she is a biology major (read article). The aspiring physician recently registered as a lifetime Girl Scout member. For information about membership, including springtime discounts for graduating seniors, contact customercare@sdgirlscouts.org.
Gearing up to Finish Chelsea's Run Register now for Finish Chelsea’s Run in Partnership with Girl Scouts San Diego, on Saturday, March 5, starting at 7:30 a.m. Form your team and select from the 5K or a short-and-sweet one-mile route. Girl Scouts are also invited to enter the Finish Chelsea’s Run annual T-shirt design contest, and to join the Changemaker League team captain program. This is our third year co-hosting the popular run/walk and community festival with Chelsea’s Light Foundation, an organization that shares our vision of empowering young people to thrive. We hope to see you there! For community partner and sponsor opportunities, contact Jen Nation, (619) 610-0726
Saluting Juliette on her birthday Born on Oct. 31, 1860, our founder would have been 155 this year. In tribute to Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scout Junior Rachel donated $100 she saved from her allowance to the Juliette Gordon Low World Friendship Fund, which finances international projects for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides. Other local Girl Scouts celebrated Juliette’s special day during a songfest in the Open Circle Amphitheater at our Balboa Campus.
Building enduring legacies Our recent Promise and Legacy Circles celebration provided a spectacular ocean view setting for guests to reconnect with old friends and make new ones (photos). Doug Dawson accepted our 2015 Promise Circle Award on behalf of the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation, in recognition of the organization's outstanding contributions to Girl Scouting. Olivia Young of our Empowerment Theatre program portrayed Ellen, the renowned educator and suffragist who donated millions to assist children and families. Gold Award recipients Sarah Wheeler and Jenny Deuprey Stanchak also participated in the program, inspiring guests with their stories of the lasting power of Girl Scouting. In addition, longtime supporters Cindy and Bob Moore joined our Legacy Circle that evening, which concluded with a sunset rendition of "Taps." Promise and Legacy celebration guests included (clockwise, from left) Doug Dawson, Sarah Wheeler, Jenny Deuprey and Cindy Moore.
Rick and Jo Dee back from GSUSA conference Rick Brooks and Jo Dee Jacob just returned from a Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) CEO/board chair conference in Chicago. “It was a privilege to connect with so many like-minded leaders who are passionate about Girl Scouting!” reports Rick. Entitled “Building a Thriving 21st Century Movement,” the conference addressed opportunities and challenges. Rick and Jo Dee were inspired by the renewed commitment to serving more girls from diverse backgrounds, enhancing Girl Scout leadership experiences, and growing an even more robust volunteer and community partner base. During a break at the conference, Jo Dee chatted with Angie Salinas, new CEO of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas — former commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot of San Diego and Girl Scouts San Diego Cool Woman 2008.
Expanding resources for volunteers Judy Harris (left) and Aymee Flores tried a new troop planning resource from GSUSA during our Volunteer Conference and Celebration. The Volunteer Toolkit allows Daisy-Junior leaders to choose a customizable year plan that includes guidelines for badge and Journey activities to complete at each meeting. Since the Volunteer Toolkit’s official launch on October 1, more than 25 percent of troops are using it. “The kit provides a lot more detail than the Journey books, so it’s a great supplement,” says Aymee Flores, leader of Daisy Troop 2109. “I’m using it now to get ready to start the Between Earth and Sky series.” More from the world of volunteer resources: In early October, our annual Outdoor Skills Weekend at Camp Winacka gave grown-up Girl Scouts the chance to build skills, make friends and refresh themselves for the new membership year. Sessions included a hike, catch-and-release fishing in the recently renovated lake, outdoor science, Let’s Cook certification and time on the High Ropes course.
Calling all alums Girl Scout stories, memories and friendships are everywhere. All former and current Girl Scout members, volunteers and staff are invited to tap into the global community of 59 million women by joining the Girl Scouts San Diego Alumnae Association. Please complete this brief survey to share your thoughts about how we can infuse the association with fresh energy, resources and opportunities. Girl Scouts San Diego’s 100th birthday is on the horizon in 2017, so there’s no better time to reconnect! To learn more, contact Volunteer Services, (619) 610-0728. Lisa Olson (pictured), a San Diego alumna, started as a Brownie and credits Girl Scouting with turning her into a confident, capable woman. “I learned important outdoor skills that gave me self-assurance to hike Mount Whitney and walk 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago. As a Girl Scout Senior, I held leadership positions, helping with program activities and encampments.” Lisa sees value in remaining active in Girl Scouting as an adult: “As alumnae, we span industries and life experiences. We are well situated to share opportunities for young people as they grow. It is critical we stay connected to Girl Scouts to encourage the development of current Girl Scouts and of each other.”
Featured events: |
