October 31 2019

Founder’s Day Scout’s Own

Traditional Stuff    1 Comment    , , , ,

Today is Halloween, but for all of us here in Girl Scout land, it’s really Founder’s Day aka J-Low’s birthday.  Birthday wishes are sent out via multiple sources on Facebook and shared multiple times by everybody!  Halloween is always a very hectic day in my household due to trying to get everybody home from school, home from band practice, and attempting to cook dinner and eat it in time to get ready for trick or treating.  I got all of this done and was checking my email when I realized I had completely forgotten to write up something for the blog.  I always try to post something on March 12th and October 31st because I would hang my head in shame if I didn’t.

So I quickly flipped through a bunch of books and nothing jumped out at me.  Then I remembered the GS Leader Magazine Archive hosted by the GS History Project which is run by the fabulous Ann Robertson – who will now get her own tag here on GSWAC (not a council).  I’m sure she winced when she read that last line. Continue reading

October 22 2019

Girl Scout Troop Leader Experience Podcast Interview

Random Things That Don't Fit Anywhere Else Kinda Like Me    1 Comment    , , , , , ,

A few weeks ago, I was approached by the Girl Scout Troop Leader Experience Podcast (formerly the Girl Scout Volunteer Connection Podcast) and asked if I would be interested in being interviewed for a podcast.  I said sure, why not?  I warned Sarah, the host, that she might lose some listeners, but she said that was okay and she’d take that risk.  😉

If you’re brave enough to listen to it, I share some of my memories with my troop growing up (including the infamous Alien Biscuits story), experiences as a current leader, and some thoughts on the Farthest North vs. GSUSA case regarding membership dues.

There are a variety of ways to listen to this podcast.  You can download it via iTunes here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/interview-with-amy-brown-of-girl-scouts-with-a-cause-gssc-mm/id1439828810?i=1000454147121

Or play it directly from the website here: http://girlscoutpodcast.com/interview-with-amy-brown-of-girl-scouts-with-a-cause-gssc-mm

Or if this works for you, it’s embedded here:

There might be more podcasts from me in the future, so be sure to subscribe!

October 13 2019

Reevaluating Dated Council Property Plans

Opinions    2 Comments    , , , , ,

Echo Reardanz, a member of the Central Maryland council, recently shared her thoughts about the recent news from Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana regarding their Long Range Property Plan involving camp sales.   She posted this message in various Facebook groups, and I also received permission to share it here as well.

In 2009 Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI) started their Long Range Property plan and announced phase one in 2011 ….. Please note this is also the same time that GSUSA revamped all their badges, introduced Journeys. It was when GS programming moved significantly away from any outdoor focus. It was only in 2014 when at the GSUSA National Convention in Utah that GSUSA members demanded an outdoor journey and then the subsequent Girls choice badges where girl membership voted on outdoor badges (over other choices) that the realization started to slowly dawn on GSUSA that girls need and want the outdoors. In 2017 GSUSA launched the option of an outdoor journey at each level. This past summer GSUSA partnered with North Face to launch new outdoor high adventure badges. GSUSA now has 4 program pillars one of which is “outdoors.” GSUSA in its 116th Congress legislative agenda document stated that “in 2019 Girl Scouts will expand its historic Mariner and Trailblazer troops across the country. By participating in these specialized troops, girls seeking wilderness and nautical adventures will develop their technical skills in fun and unique ways.” Continue reading

October 10 2019

Farthest North vs. GSUSA: The Animated GIF Edition

National Governance    4 Comments    , , , , ,

Update:  The Alaskan Supreme Court denied GSUSA’s request to reconsider.

So not too long after I finished writing the update about the Alaskan Supreme Court ruling in favor of Farthest North in their case against GSUSA regarding membership dues, I found out that GSUSA submitted a motion to Reconsider.  This means they are asking the Alaskan Supreme Court to take a second look at their argument.

I don’t feel like writing another lengthy blog post, so I am just going to use animated GIFs to describe my thoughts.  Here’s how I felt when I found out about GSUSA’s motion:

Continue reading