Campaign to Build Women Leaders

Women LeadersCampaign to Build

Research showsGirl Scout alumnae are more active in their communities, civically engaged, attain a higher level of education, and earn a higher income

2 Campaign to Build Women Leaders

According to the National Leadership Index, more than two-thirds of Americans think our country is suffering from a leadership crisis. While women make up half of the U.S. population, they represent just three percent of CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and 17 percent of Congress.

As a business leader, I’m here to tell you that’s a travesty.

I’m convinced we can do better for our girls and for our community. We must do better. Frankly, when so many people, families, and communities are struggling to overcome economic and social challenges, there is no wiser, long-term investment than in the powerful and emerging human asset—our girls.

I am committed to Girl Scouts of Central Indiana in taking on this challenge in the Campaign for Women Leaders. Our goal: to build a Leadership and Learning Center where volunteers can seek development opportunities that will better themselves, and in turn better Girl Scouts, and the future of Indiana businesses.

We can’t transform American leadership in a year, but we can transform expectations in a year. We can transform awareness in a year. And only Girl Scouts, with its scale and time-honored place in society, can make such a positive impact.

If not us, who? If not now, when?

Denny Sponsel Capital Campaign Chair

President, RJE Business Interiors

Contact:Charlitta Winston Capital Campaign [email protected]

Suite 1002611 Waterfront Parkway East DriveIndianapolis, IN 46214

Our mission:Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Resources:The White House Project Report: Benchmarking Women’s Leadership

Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study, Girl Scout Leadership Institute

girlscoutsindiana.org/capitalcampaign 3

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana offers programs in 45 counties across central Indiana with eight service centers

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana impacts 40,000 girls annually

18,000 volunteershelp carry out the Girl Scout Mission


LITERACYGirl Scouts knows that literacy in and of itself pertains to more than simply the ability to read. Literacy also encompasses writing, communicating with others, and processing ideas—all of which impact a girl’s success.

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on at least one journey each year, plus earning a few other badges. Each month, we go on at least one troop outing to a Girl Scouts of Central Indiana sponsored event or a Fulton service unit event. This year, our troop helped host our service unit’s cookie rally at Robey Elementary.

Summer camp and selling Girl Scout cookies are always a hit with girls, too. I also encourage them to attend some of the other program activities offered by Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. My daughter and I usually attend at least one program a month on our own. It’s always exciting for me to see the girls get excited about learning!

In my five years as a troop leader, I have two favorite memories that stick out. The first was at the Math and Science Center

out at Camp Dellwood. Our troop decided to participate in Bubblefest. The girls laughed and giggled while making some of the largest bubbles I have ever seen and working together as a team. Moments like that stick in my heart.

The second special memory is from the summer of 2012. There was one Girl Scout Brownie who would barely speak at camp. When she did, it was in a whisper. She was in

a different unit than me for that session. One day, when our units were passing each other, one of the leaders hollered. “Hey, Ms. Kelly! Someone has something to say to you.” The next thing I heard was this little girl yelling, “Hi, Ms. Kelly!” I pretended to faint, and we had a good laugh. I told her how proud I was of her and gave her a hug. It was a very emotional moment for me. I realized that through her first year of Girl Scouting experiences, she was becoming a young lady who was learning that she could do anything—including using her voice above a whisper.

One small step at a time is how we volunteers help mold our future leaders!

3Reasons Kelly

Volunteers1. I love sharing special experiences with the girls and watching them take what they’ve learned to the next level.

2. To build relationships with the girls... I hope they know that I am always there for them.

3. Quality time with my daughter... She loves hanging out with me, and I love having quality time with her.

There were many women who influenced me during my Girl Scout years. Even though my mother was never a leader, she made sure I had all of the learning experiences that were available. My leader in high school taught me to balance learning with fun, which is a strategy that I use in my life every day. Each year when we met our annual goals, we were able to go to Ocean City, Md. for a few days. Needless to say, we always met our goals!

Girl Scouts is important to me for several reasons. The main reason is I love seeing my daughter and other young girls have the opportunity to try an activity that they haven’t tried before. There are many times when one of the girls will realize she likes something she thought she would hate, and a whole new world opens to her.

I am currently the leader for a troop with Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors. We work

Kelly Hamptonvolunteer spotlight

Kelly joined Girl Scouts in 1973 as a Girl Scout Brownie


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If not now, when?Campaign to Build Women Leaders

A new center will save more than $70,000 annually in operating costs

Girl Scout families plan to raise at least $1 million for a home of their own


Nearly two-thirds of Americans think our country is suffering from a

leadership crisis. While women make up half of the U.S. population, they represent just three percent of CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and 17 percent of Congress.

Our organization’s goal is to have significantly more women in powerful leadership positions.

To do that, we must ask everyone—mothers, fathers, corporations, and foundations —to help girls reach their leadership potential and place this urgent issue front and center.

The challengeOnly one in five girls believes she has what it takes to lead. Girls highly idealize leadership qualities and skills like being talented, caring, honest, hardworking, and confident, but they don’t see themselves equally represented in leadership positions.

Our organization needs thousands of highly effective adult volunteers who are prepared to lead the next generation of women leaders.

Adult volunteers need a centralized facility to gather for transformational learning opportunities, meaningful collaboration, and access to technology, and the sharing of resources. Adults will learn and practice the leadership skills they can then teach and emulate to

inspire the girls. Central Indiana women deserve and need a place of our own dedicated to the development of their full leadership potential.

The solutionCamp Dellwood will be transformed to become the premier leadership and learning experience for women who are passionate about improving girls’ lives.

We plan to build a Leadership and Learning Center that will provide:

• a safe, central environment for volunteer learning opportunities and large collaborations

• modern technology for adult learning

The Leadership and Learning Center will be the home that volunteers have dreamed of for many years. It will develop a new cadre of women leaders, allow volunteers from across Indiana to share ideas about the attributes of leadership, while reinforcing that equity and equality are critical to developing the future workforce in Indiana.

The center will include:

• technology and resource center• substantial space for volunteer

collaboration and education• program/camp services• health and wellness offerings• administrative offices• Girl Scout cookie distribution area• Girl Scout store

The costProjected costs for building, furnishings, and equipment are $6 million, with plans to start construction in 2014.

Architectural designs will complement the existing physical setting of the campus and reflect environmental design practices.

Camp Dellwood is currently used annually by 12,000 girls and adults for:

• Girl Scout summer day camp • troop events throughout the year• Math and Science Center activities

This location offers the opportunity to build a 30,000 square foot, state-of-the-art center on an unused portion of land.

Community supportOur board of directors has approved a campaign to secure private and public sector support for the construction of the proposed center. United Way of Central Indiana has pledged $1 million.

Girl Scout troops and families will be asked to help build the Leadership and Learning Center by raising $1 million.

There is no wiser long-term investment than in the powerful and emerging human asset–our girls. Investing in them will produce the highest return in economic development and social progress.

Financial benefitBy building a new center with a central location, Girl Scouts will save at least $70,000 annually in costs associated with our current facility. These funds will be used for additional program opportunities for girls and costs to operate the new center.

About usGirl Scouts of Central Indiana serves 45 counties and impacts the lives of 40,000 girls.

A major component of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience is the active participation of 18,000 adult volunteers who assist in teaching Girl Scouts the skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to be successful and motivated community leaders. More than 98 percent of adults who work in Girl Scouts are volunteers.

We all have a role to play in helping girls achieve their full leadership potential, because when girls succeed, so does society.

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3Reasons Connie

Volunteers

volunteer spotlight

The Just Friends Program, a recruitment effort to increase Girl Scouting for girls and adults in the inner city, truly has been a benefit to me for more than 30 years. Since 1982, my co-leaders and I have had so many exciting and fun times together. The bond of friendship is valuable not just for girls, but for adults, too.

I am so proud to hear about the accomplishments of the young women we have touched, whether it’s educational excellence, career advancement, or positive adult roles. I know that some of their Girl Scout experiences with our troop have helped shape the paths of these young women and ourselves.

More than 30 of my Girl Scouts have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award, and 11 have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Several others have received financial scholarships for college.

Multiple council staff persons have had a positive impact on my leadership at the Girl Scout troop level and beyond, including retired adult development director Bev Ferguson. My mentors in the council office have encouraged me to participate in ongoing leadership development opportunities and the promotion of girl and adult recognition.

As a result of this prompting, I have served on committees for the service unit and council, including: board of directors, Girl Scouts of the USA national convention delegate, Girl Scout Gold Award Review Committee chair, and a summer camp volunteer. I have received the Thanks Badge and the Thanks II Badge recognitions and the Anna B. Ridge Council Award, among others.

Whenever I heard, “Hello, this is Bev at the Girl Scout office,” on the other end of my phone, I knew there was a challenging learning opportunity ahead for me. I have collaborated with volunteers and staff from across the nation. Tools for leadership, self improvement, and program planning have benefited my career. I have been certified as a National Instructor of Council Trainers, helped develop the GSUSA Adult Leadership Essentials

and journeys, been a workshop organizer and presenter, as well as served on the GSUSA National Design Team for the 2008 National Convention. It has been gratifying to have had a part in shaping the present and future of Girl Scouting at the council and national level.

I credit Girl Scouts for impacting my adult personal life after age 40 with courage and confidence. I was not involved in Girl Scouts as a youth, but it is evident that Girl Scouting has made up for that void over these past 30 years. With the encouragement of my co-leaders, supportive council staff, many other volunteers, and my interest in helping, I have grown to be a leader throughout my entire community.

Connie Dumas-Coleman

Connie joined Girl Scouts in 1982 as a Girl Scout troop leader

1. I’m proud to use my skills and talents to positively impact young girls and leaders.

2. I believe providing safe, extended educational opportunities is important in building productive citizens.

3. Volunteering in my community, outreach ministry... I’m happy to use my time to help make the world a better place.

STEM Science, technology, engineering, math

Research suggests that girls are more interested in STEM careers when they know how their work can help others. The Girl Scout method is to explore these areas of interest through girl-led activities, learning by doing, and cooperative learning. Studies also show, they need more exposure and adult support to carry this interest into the future.

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“ “63% consider themselves competent and capable, compared to 55 % of non-alumnae

Of those who are mothers, 66% have been a mentor/volunteer in their child’s youth organization, compared to 48% of non-alumnae mothers

38% have attained college degrees, compared to 28% of non-alumnae

Alumnae report a significantly higher household income ($51,700) than non-alumnae ($42,200)

77% vote regularly, compared to 63% of non-alumnae

SENSE OF SELF

VOLUNTEERISM AND COMMUNITY WORK

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

INCOME/SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS

EDUCATION

GIRL SCOUTALUMNAEIMPACTSTUDY

Approximately 1 in every 2 adult women in the U.S. has at some point been a member of Girl Scouts

is the current estimate of Girl Scout alumnae in the U.S.

MILLION59

Girl Scouts taught me confidence: that you can do anything you set your mind to. —Girl Scout alumna, age 40

4 years is the average length of time a girl spends in Girl Scouts

2013

of alumnae report that the Girl Scout experience has had a positive impact on their lives in general

3/4 Former Girl Scouts rate their experience very highly saying it was rewarding

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healthy livingBeing healthy doesn’t just happen. It requires knowledge of and a commitment to making healthy choices. Through fun and fact-filled books, interaction with friends, and a bevy of innovative activities, girls gain access to information on everyday health challenges, and then turns those experiences into healthy habits for life.

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Coming Soon!

Leadership and Learning Center

Documents

Campaign to Build Women Leaders