December 2017

Saluting Tange and Tom Gavin

In a contemporary world marked by complex challenges, it is more important than ever to prepare girls to have a positive impact on our society. Partnering with our many dedicated volunteers and other Girl Scout friends, we are doing just that.

Individuals who make Girl Scouting possible include our longtime friends Tange and Tom Gavin, recipients of the 2017 Promise Circle Award. We honored the couple during our annual Promise Circle and Juliette Gordon Low Society recognition celebration (
photos, story ) at the home of Nancy and Alan Spector. Special guests included teen Girl Scouts Molly McHargue, Amaya Shivers-Bull and Shruti Chari (pictured, left to right, with Tange and Tom).

The girls showcased take-aways from Empowerment Theatre, a unique Girl Scout experience hosted by the La Jolla Playhouse and sponsored by the Favrot Fund. They described how Empowerment Theatre provided a safe, all-girl environment for them to explore self-expression and the many facets of leadership.

Thanks to supporters like Tange and Tom, these Girl Scouts and others have the tools they need to become the leaders of today and tomorrow.

Best wishes for a joyful holiday season!

Carol Dedrich
Carol M. Dedrich, MBA, CFRE
Chief Executive Officer
Stuff the Bus
At Stuff the Bus 2016,Troop 4218 leaders Tiffany Schiele (left) and Jessica Leas helped Caitlin, Malia and Kaylee collect food for families and seniors in need.

Girl Scouts take action to curb hunger 
On Saturday, Dec. 16, hundreds of Girl Scouts will encourage the public to participate in our annual council-wide service project to “drive away hunger.” During Stuff the Bus collection day, Girl Scouts will be at Albertsons and VONS stores countywide, inviting customers to donate non-perishable food items. Armed Services YMCA San Diego volunteers will help the girls load MTS and NCTD buses with the supplies for transport to the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. Girl Scouts can earn a patch by volunteering on event day or leading their own friends-and-family grocery collections and delivering the donations at the drop-off sites.
 
Brownie Troop 4218 will participate for a second year. “This wonderful experience helps our girls to grow as leaders,” said Jessica Leas. “In addition to addressing hunger issues, they learn about meal planning and budgeting by purchasing groceries with the monetary donations that some customers make.”
Help "Stuff the Bus"
Robin Evans
Volunteer: Robin Evans a beacon for new members
One of the best ways to build more girls of courage, confidence and character is to introduce the outside world to Girl Scouting, says volunteer Robin Evans. The proud Girl Scout dad volunteers as a troop leader, cookie manager and the Blue Sky Service Unit manager. In the latter role, he excels at engaging members and recruiting new volunteers. His modus operandi includes meeting one-on-one with leaders, designing opportunities for older girls to lead younger ones, and organizing Girl Scout events and activities. He is currently planning opportunities for girls and adults, including a whitewater rafting trip and an encampment. High fives to Robin!
Volunteer today
Saluting our nation's veterans
Girl Scouts were out in full force on November 11, honoring U.S. war heroes. During an event at Greenwood Memorial Park, Emily of Troop 3851 (pictured) was one of many girls placing flowers and American flags on the graves of fallen warriors. Dozens of other Girl Scouts marched in the 31st annual San Diego Veterans Day parade, the county’s largest public parade of U.S. armed forces. Participants included troop leader Meral DeMille, who organized the Girl Scout participation, and TV reporter/Girl Scout mom Marcella Lee (see her Twitter post above).
Girl Scout events
Renowned artist, Girl Scout for life Arline Fisch featured in Giving Wisely
As a young Girl Scout who loved exploring the world of art, Arline Fisch discovered weaving, knitting and crocheting — techniques she still employs for the vibrant wire and metal-strip masterpieces that define her award-winning artwork. Arline’s jewelry and other art pieces are displayed in museums around the world, including an installation at the Mingei in Balboa Park that runs through Sunday, Jan. 7. For Arline, Girl Scouting also opened doors to a teaching career that included developing and overseeing San Diego State University’s ground-breaking jewelry and metalsmithing program. She continues her Girl Scout journey as a patron of our camp programs and member of the Juliette Gordon Low Society.
 
Read more about her in the winter issue of Giving Wisely, our bi-annual newsletter.
Giving Wisely
Daisy's Circle: New program offers easy way to give
“A circle is round, it has no end … that’s how long I want to be your friend!” The lyrics of that traditional Girl Scout song remind us of the friend-building nature of our Movement.
 
Friendship is also the heart of our new program, Daisy’s Circle. (Read letter from a founding member.) Named after Girl Scouts founder Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low, the group brings mission-minded individuals together to keep our organization going strong into the next century. Daisy’s Circle gives members an easy way to support Girl Scouts San Diego through monthly contributions of $25, $50, $100 — or any amount. The first 100 people to join will receive special tokens of appreciation as members of the Founding 100. Your commitment will help us keep Daisy’s promise to develop the potential of all girls, and foster their individual growth, character and self-sufficiency in an all-girl, girl-led environment.
Join Daisy's Circle
Troop 6010 invested its 2017 cookie proceeds in a trip to Yosemite.

Young cookie entrepreneurs prepping for cookie season

Cookie fans, get ready! With support from dedicated adults, girl entrepreneurs are gearing up for the Jan. 28 launch of the cookie season. Resources like volunteer-led kick-off celebrations, trainings and our Family Cookie Guide (mailed to members this month), will ensure everyone is well-equipped to make the 2018 Girl Scout Cookie Program a sweet success.
 
By participating, girls gain valuable business and life skills while funding troop activities that range from science experiments to service projects. Girl Scouts benefiting from the cookie program include Troop 6010. Co-led by five moms, the Cadettes elect to use their earnings for outdoor experiences camp and excursions to landmark destinations like Yosemite National Park.
Share your cookie stories
Why Girl Scouts matters
Why Girl Scouts matters
Girl Scouts are prepared for a lifetime of leadership.
  • 90% of all female astronauts
  • 80% of all female tech leaders
  • 76% of all U.S. senators
  • 100% of U.S. Secretaries of State
… were Girl Scouts!
 
Source: Girl Scouts of the USA

Featured Events
Stuff the Bus — Saturday, Dec. 16
Finish Chelsea's Run — Saturday, March 3
Operation Thin Mint SM Sendoff — Friday, May 4
Urban Campout — Friday, Sept. 14