Guest Blogger: An aspiring journalist gives her view

Guest blogger and aspiring journalist Ife, on the left, attended the Goodbye Jan Gala

What’s the best way to support Girl Scouts? Thursday May 13, I helped out at the Goodbye Jan Gala at the National Women in the Arts Museum. This was held to honor Jan Verhage’s twenty-five years of service to the Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital.  Ms. Verhage retired from her position of Executive Director to accept the position of Chief Operating Officer for Girl Scouts of the USA. A variety of people came out to show their support, many local businesses and professionals who support the Girl Scout organization. My role was to greet all the guests as they arrived.  Among the guests was noted journalist and sports reporter Christine Brennan.  When I mentioned to her that I aspire to be a journalist—she stopped and gave me her email and told me to keep in touch!

All the guests seemed to admire Ms.Verhage’s professionalism and the example that she sets for all girls. Girl Scout Brownie Kalani from troop 335 had a wonderful speech and a beautiful painting she gave Ms. Verhage as an office warming present. Kalani created the painting as part of the show at the National Portrait Gallery. Jan was delighted when she first met her on an elevator to turn in her painting and saw that Kalani created a painting of a group of diverse girls around a bright world passing on the fun and experience of girl scouting. Another Girl Scout Ambassador, Simone from troop 345 also had a few words of respect and admiration to share about Ms. Verhage for her many years of service.

I’m thankful for this opportunity because it introduced me to numerous powerful women in the metropolitan area whom I admire. I was appreciative to have attended the Goodbye Jan Gala to say goodbye to Ms. Verhage, someone who is influential to so many girls in the tri-state area– leading with such character and confidence. This Gala was one the best Girl Scouts experience of my four years in Girl Scouting. It helped me realize the many kids and people you help enable you to prevail. So, keep selling those cookies and help someone along the way.

Thanks Jan,
Ife

Honoring Our Girl Scout Volunteers

Lidia Soto-Harmon is the Deputy Executive Director for GSCNC.

At the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, we deliver the best leadership experience for girls, and at the core of the Girl Scout experience are our dedicated volunteers. Girl Scout volunteers are the steady and sure organizers who are often paid only in muddy shoes, half eaten cookies, and gasps of joyful glee from their girls.

Without the women and men who so graciously give their time, the Girl Scouting movement would not be possible.  Not only do our volunteers organize trips and run troop meetings and activities, they also bandage scraped knees, teach valuable lessons on fund raising, and serve as voting members who review issues relevant to our governance.

Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day began April 22, 1982, when a flag honoring Girl Scout leaders was flown over the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Each year on April 22 we recognize the more than 30,000 volunteers in the Greater Washington Region (and the millions throughout the world) who help to make the Girl Scout experience successful.

At our Annual Meeting this year, 32 Adult Girl Scouts were awarded some of our most prestigious recognitions for their dedication and service to the larger Girl Scout movement. We encourage Girl Scouts everywhere to take a moment to thank their leaders—whether with a simple expression of gratitude or a recommendation to award their hard work.

As any parent can attest, building a girl of courage, confidence and character is not an easy task. Today, and everyday, we thank the thousands of women and “men-in-green” who devote their experience to helping girls become leaders, entrepreneurs, and adventurers–who make our world a better place.