Summer 2013

CEO COmmEnts COmmunity FOrum sparks DisCussiOn On Girls in stEm

Where has all the time gone? We have had a wonderful time ushering in summer. We started off by honoring 128 volunteers for their outstanding leadership and their years of service to the Girl Scouts at the Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. We hosted our Annual Meeting on May 15, 2013, and were honored to have girls who presented at the Annual Meeting. Gabrielle Lindauer and Emily Atieh shared details about their wonderful trip to India. Silver Award recipients Elizabeth Brown, Madeline Rehm, and Leah Richter did an excellent job of leading us on their geocaching expedition. The girls were awesome and their true leadership shined through.

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, was recently presented to 63 Girl Scouts. These outstanding young ladies have made their local communities and the world a better place. Thank you to all who supported them through the process.

Another great accomplishment for the organization and the girls is our most recent partnership with National Grid. With their support, we were able to convene many community stakeholders from around our nine county region. Representatives from Niagara University, Rochester Institute of Technology, National Grid, University at Buffalo, Buffalo State, Fisher Price/Mattel, and CH2M HILL B&W West Valley , LLC discussed the lack of women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers and why girls don’t consider STEM fields. There were great discussions at the community forum where stakeholders shared solutions on how to encourage girls to consider careers in STEM. At the Girl Forum,

Girl TalkCindy L. Odom Chief Executive Officer, GSWNY

IN THIS ISSuePage 2 . . . Our Annual Meeting

Page 2 . . . Promise to Girls

Page 2 . . . GSWNY Moves Toward Electronic Publications

Page 3 . . . Girls Earn Highest Honor

Page 3 . . . Congratulations, Scholarship Recipients

Page 4 . . . Dates to Remember

Page 4 . . . Thank You, Volunteers

Page 4 . . . GSWNY Opens Up Email Conversation with Girls

In an effort to discuss the need for more girls and young women to pursue education and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), Girl Scouts of Western New York and National Grid hosted a community stakeholder forum at the Buffalo Museum of Science. During the community stakeholder forum, Judith Dunn, human resources director at National Grid, and Cindy Odom, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Western New York, provided remarks and research on the reasons for encouraging more girls toward STEM fields and how the community can work together toward this goal.

Following the community stakeholder forum, more than 50 girls joined Girl Scouts of Western New York and National Grid for a Girl Forum, where five panelists shared their career paths. The panelists were: Lisa Montesano, civic environmental engineer at National Grid; Lettie Chilson, senior engineer at CH2M HILL B&W West Valley, LLC; Dr. Liesel Folks, dean of the University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Dr. Jane Griffin, principal research scientist at Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute; and Rachel Wiatrowski-Pardi, senior content producer at Fisher-Price.

Mauri Myers-Solages, corporate citizenship manager at National Grid, and Judith Dunn, human resources director at National Grid, pose for a photo with Cindy Odom, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Western New York.

Panelists respond to questions at the Girl Forum. Pictured (L to R) Lisa Montesano, National Grid; Lettie Chilson, CH2M HILL B&W West Valley, LLC; Dr. Liesel Folks, University at Buffalo; Dr. Jane Griffin, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute; and Rachel Wiatrowski-Pardi, Fisher-Price.

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annual mEEtinG EmpHasizEs Girls’ aCHiEvEmEnts anD OppOrtunitiEs Congratulations to the following board members who were recently confirmed at our Annual Meeting: Judy Maness, board chair; Lettie Chilson, first vice chair; Georgina Prince, second vice chair; and Laura Dealy, member at large.

The event began with an energizing talk by motivational speaker Sammy Violante, who discussed how invigorating volunteering and giving back to the community truly is.

The meeting showcased the wonderful opportunities that our girls gain while in Girl Scouting. Girls who recently returned from India shared their experiences. The girls had custom saris made as a souvenir from their travels. They said that they were fascinated at how the people in India work together.

The council was presented with a geocaching gift box from three Girl Scouts who explained their geocaching Silver Award project.

Chief Executive Officer Cindy Odom shared council accomplishments from 2012, including the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts.

DOnOrs sOliDiFy prOmisE tO GirlsThose who support the Girl Scout organization were reminded about our mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place at a fundraising breakfast called Our Promise to Girls.

During the event, we heard from both a young Girl Scout and a former Girl Scout and staff member who shared her own life story of how Girl Scouts helped her as a girl. The event included a moving video presentation that demonstrated some of the ways Girl Scouting makes a difference in the lives of girls. Special thanks to everyone who provided financial support to the organization.

Girl sCOuts COOk livE On WivB’s WinGinG it!Girl Scouts Adeline Kofoed, Chelsea Lesnewski, Miranda Mellan, and Heather Dorler, as well as Janet DePetrillo, camp manager, made a live media appearance on Winging It!, a cooking TV show that airs on WIVB in Buffalo. Janet and the girls made taco in a bag, a popular camp meal, and discussed Girl Scout Summer Camp with the show hosts. The video is available online at http:// www.gswny.org/pages/InTheNews.aspx.

GsWny mOvEs tOWarD ElECtrOniC puBliCatiOnsWhen the girls of Girl Scouts of Western New York spoke up and requested the council print fewer paper materials to help the environment, it was important to listen. The council requested feedback from the volunteers and parents, asking if they would prefer electronic or print materials, and a majority preferred electronic for all publications. The council is excited to partner with girls in going green!

Elizabeth Brown, Madeline Rehm, and Leah Richter share the story of their Silver Award project before presenting a geocaching gift box to the council.

Emily Atieh shares information about her trip to India at the 2013 Annual Meeting.

Girl Scouts on WIVB’s Winging It! Pictured (L to R) Janet DePetrillo, Heather Dorler, Miranda Mellan, Adeline Kofoed, Chelsea Lewsnewski, and WIVB reporter Brittni Smallwood.

At the Our Promise to Girls breakfast, LaTonya Plummer gave a speech on how she has grown and developed through Girl Scouts.

girls heard from women currently working in STEM careers and after the presentation asked the women great questions.

I am also excited to announce that we have completed construction on a new ropes course at Camp Piperwood in Perinton, New York. There will be five high ropes elements and four low ropes elements for the girls. This investment in our camp will help girls gain confidence, team-building skills, leadership skills, and communication skills. What’s extremely important about our ropes course to a girl is the sense of accomplishment that she experiences when she completes the course. She may start out very scared and hesitant, but through the encouragement of her team, she completes the course and her self-esteem soars. Our ropes course experience is based upon the experiential learning cycle, which allows participants to set goals, have an experience where they can ask,” What, now what?”, and reflect upon their experience. Some say the ropes course experience for girls relies upon being able to test theories, play with ideas, and explore leadership in a safe environment. This is definitely a fun way to increase girls’ decision-making skills, critical thinking , and a love for the outdoors.

When I think about the success of our girls, I know this has been a great year and I am proud of what we’ve accomplished – building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. With all the chatter about the future of Girl Scouts, know that the Girl Scouts of Western New York is strong, and through a tremendous amount of strategic visioning and tactical work, we have reached a number of organizational milestones.

In closing, the Girl Scout Movement matters because it positively impacts girls’ lives into adulthood. Girl Scouts Research Institute released a study called Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study. In the study, women who were Girl Scouts as girls display positive life outcomes to a greater degree than do women who were not Girl Scouts. Some of those outcomes include perception of self, volunteerism and community work, civic engagement, education, income, and social socioeconomic status.

I would like to personally thank you all for your support of the Girl Scouts of Western New York.

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Girls Earn HiGHEst HOnOr in Girl sCOutinG

Girl sCOuts makE sEmi-Finals in WarrEn BuFFEt BusinEss COntEstCongratulations to Girl Scouts from a troop in Fredonia. While working on the Business Owner Badge, they submitted their business idea to a contest hosted by Warren Buffet and the girls made it to the semi-final round! Their idea was to create a snow tire or track-like contraption for wheelchairs, strollers, scooters, grocery carts, etc., to help them make it more easily through snow and ice.

Well done, girls!

GsWny rECOGnizEs tHE 2013 sCHOlarsHip rECipiEnts

Girl Scouts of Western New York Education Scholarship

Fund recipients:Clare Banigan, Williamsville

Taylor Brown, East Amherst

Katherine Chiavetta, Orchard Park

Mary Church, Rochester

Stephanie DiCarlo, Lockport

Alexandria Hackford, East Aurora

Madeline Heavern, Hamburg

Kourtney Hoppel, Grand Island

Michaela McNaughton, Penfield

Rebecca Moyer, Rochester

Shannon O’Grady, Rochester

Kathryn Rogemoser, Tonawanda

The Kim Welsh Memorial Scholarship recipients:

Clare Banigan, Williamsville

Mary Church, Rochester

Kristina D’Agostino, Hamlin

Riley Eike, Rochester

Hans & Charlene Schoenenberger “Golden Opportunity” recipient:

Kara Mooney, Buffalo

Ralph & Mary McLean Wilson Scholarship recipients:

Lynae Doverspike, TonawandaAshley Edwards, Marilla

Scholarship Committee:Rita BabcockLinda Baker

Lettie ChilsonDawn GilliamShirley Jones

Charlene Schoenenberger

Judith A. Maness, Ex-OfficioCindy L. Odom, Ex-Officio

Kristie P. Foster, Staff Advisor

Fredonia Girl Scouts Leah and Kaylee made it to the semi-finals round of a business contest hosted by Warren Buffet.

takE aCtiOn prOjECt EnCOuraGEs pEErs tO DOnatE BlOODAs part of her Girl Scout Journey, Girl Scout Ambassador Katelyn Costello, from Troop 51065, decided to focus on Red Cross blood drives. She began donating blood when she was eligible but noticed many of her peers were not participating. Katelyn became the student promoter for the drives, putting up posters around school and making announcements for students. Within six months, Katelyn increased blood drive participants by 10 for a total of 12 students, which will help approximately 36 people.

Katelyn encouraged her peers to give blood and provided support to those giving blood by holding their hand and talking to them.

Girl Scouts of Western New York recently celebrated the achievements of 63 Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts who earned their Gold Award.

The annual Gold Award Ceremony and Luncheon honored Girl Scouts who have fulfilled the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. The young women honored at the luncheon demonstrated leadership and a strong commitment to making a difference in the world, and we are so proud!

Fourteen percent of GSWNY age-eligible Girl Scouts earned the Gold Award, which is significantly higher than the national average of 5.4 percent.

Girls who earn the Gold Award can obtain advanced standing in the military and are eligible for several college scholarships. The Gold Award is also recognized favorably in college admissions decisions. More information on the Gold Award is available at http://www.gswny.org.

Gold Award recipients pose for a photo with Cindy Odom, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Western New York, and Judy Maness, FACHE, chair of the Board of Directors.

Gold Award recipient Julia Kostin shares information about her project during the Gold Award Ceremony and Luncheon June 8.

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stay COnnECtED

DatEs tO rEmEmBEr WOmEn OF DistinCtiOn aWarDsThursday, September 19, 2013Salvatore’s Italian Gardens6461 Transit RoadDepew, New York

lEaDErsHip spEakEr sEriEsA Conversation with Judy Smith,America’s number one crisis management expert and co-executive producer and inspiration for the ABC television drama Scandal.

Thursday, September 26, 2013Buffalo Evening Event

Friday, September 27, 2013Rochester Breakfast Event

For updated details on future GSWNY events, visit our upcoming events webpage at www.GSWNY.org/pages/UpcomingEvents.aspx.

GsWny tO OpEn up Email COnvErsatiOn WitH GirlsGirl Scouts of Western New York is asking for email addresses for Girl Scouts age 13 and older on the 2013-2014 girl membership application. Our council occasionally has information that pertains specifi cally to girls, and today’s technology makes it possible to talk directly to them when appropriate. We are excited to have the ability to share information with the girls, which will be convenient for all and fun for them. For example, the council recently hosted a camp Twitter party where girls could win prizes for sharing their camp stories. Please know that we will not share their email addresses.

tHank yOu, vOluntEErs

Attendees at the Adult Recognition Luncheon join together to say the Girl Scout Promise.

About 200 guests celebrated the achievements of GSWNY’s exemplary volunteers at this year’s Adult Recognition Luncheon held at Samuel’s Grande Manor. Cindy Odom, chief executive offi cer of Girl Scouts of Western New York, and Judith Maness, FACHE, chair of the Board of Directors, recognized the volunteers for their dedication to girls. Claire Raab, a junior at Nardin Academy, gave the keynote speech, in which she thanked volunteers for saying yes to volunteering. Special thanks to committee members and congratulations to all honorees. Thank you for building leadership skills in our girls!