-
Service Unit: Sunny Peaks
Troop 529 (Seniors – Ambassadors)
Years as a troop leader: 9
What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
Our troop loves to socialize so we either have our regular meetings or meet at a local pizza shop. Some of our favorite activities include crafting and camping! Together, we’ve gone kayaking on the Verde River, and also enjoy going trick-or-treating in Uptown Sedona on Halloween.
Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
It’s hard to choose just one, but recently, while we were on a camping trip I watched the girls work together to set up their bunks, gather wood for the fire, and help with cooking and cleaning duties. It was satisfying and inspiring!
What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?
I want others to know that volunteering as a Girl Scout leader is a real gift. The girls are inspirational and I’ve learned a lot from them about myself and about my relationship with my daughter. It’s a wonderful feeling to watch a group of girls evolve into wonderful young women. It’s truly special knowing that other volunteers and I played a small part in their growth.
What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a troop leader?
There have been so many inspiring moments – small and large. What I find most inspiring is watching the girls go from little kids to pre-teens to young adults, knowing they have learned a lot of valuable things in Girl Scouts and seeing them put those things into action. Their kindness to one another, the way they maintain respect despite their differences and then celebrate their achievements together is always inspiring and empowering.
-
Coyote Plains Service Unit
Troop 2265 (Cadette-Senior)
Years as a Troop Leader: 11
What inspired you to become a troop leader?
As a former teacher who enjoys impacting lives and making a difference, I came to a point where I needed to find a new avenue to direct my passions. I remembered as a girl how much Girl Scouting taught me. So, with my love of Girl Scouting and the outdoors, I decided to become the leader of my daughter’s troop when the position became available.
What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
My troop loves to camp, complete community service projects, run events for girls, and more. However, one of their favorite activities is a troop retreat where we go to a cabin and work on our leadership and outdoor skills. It’s a way for the girls to work together, step out of their comfort zone, and gain new experiences with the support of their Girl Scout Sisters.
What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?
We helped a small school that lost all the books in its library to vandalism. We rebuilt and restocked their shelves. The school was appreciative, and the kids just were shocked when they saw all the books that the communities around them had donated. It was a special moment for my troop and me.
Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
My troop consists of older girls, so my favorite moments are when I can stand back and watch the girls take the skills they have fostered over the years and put them into action. For example, when they organize a girl-led event and see it to completion. They make me proud of all the time and effort they invest into each project.
What advice would you give other troop leaders?
Some advice I would give to other troop leaders would be to start with the badges that interest you and teach those first; your excitement and knowledge will help keep the girls engaged. Also, take the time you need to find your groove. Every leader is different and has their strengths, use that to your advantage. Finally, don’t be afraid to look to other leaders for guidance. It’s all about creating the best opportunities for the girls.
What do you wish someone had told you as a new troop leader?
I wish someone had told me that the girls’ parents and guardians can be a great resource. Don’t feel like you must tackle everything alone, you have people around you who may want to help. If you have a strong community around the girls, the troop will be strong.
What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with Girl Scouts?
There are various opportunities to volunteer within our Council! You do not have to be a troop leader to make an impact in our community or the girls’ lives. You can volunteer during our annual cookie program and host a cookie cupboard, help girls explore nature during summer camp, and offer assistance to your Service Unit. It truly is worth it to get started.
Does your troop sell cookies? If yes, please tell us in your own words, why it is important to participate in the cookie program?
Yes, my troop sells cookies and by doing so they are able to learn so many lessons during the program. It’s more than selling cookies, it is about giving girls opportunities for growth in different areas like communication, business management, and handling inventory, all of which could prove useful as they grow into adulthood.
What are your troop’s cookie-selling tips and tricks?
Some of our tips would to be yourself and thank everyone for listening to you, even if they don’t buy cookies. They gave you an opportunity to practice your pitch and most times they will realize that you are working hard at selling for your goal and are willing to help in any form they can. Remember that the girls’ experience is the priority.
What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a troop leader?
I worked hard to set up a CPR class for my older girls. The girls attended and succeeded in earning their certification. Less than 24 hours after the class, one of my girls had to administer CPR to one of her family members until paramedics arrived. She was honored for her bravery and courage by Girl Scouts with the Metal of Honor.
-
By Jennifer Farner
Discover
Last month I had the honor of helping facilitate an Authentic Leadership Community (ALC) retreat at the beautiful Parsons Leadership Center in South Phoenix. It was a wonderful weekend with an amazing group of eight Girl Scout Volunteers from all over the state. The common theme among all the women that weekend was how much they cared for and took care of everyone else, but rarely took that same care for themselves. They also all carried these burdens alone. Maybe you feel that way too? Always giving to others and not always having that same support for yourself.
Sitting in a circle with these women, I could feel the shift as each woman shared their experiences, and we all came to realize that we are not alone in our struggles. We are all unique yet share some of the same feelings. As we learned together, shared meals and conversations, attempted archery, and walked the labyrinth, something remarkable happened. Connection, friendship, and the feeling of support – sisterhood.
It struck me that this is the power of Girl Scouting. When our girls go camping, rally together to sell cookies, or support their community and each other through challenges, they learn what it means to be a sister to every Girl Scout.
Connect
There is something special about sitting in a Girl Scout Circle and something that I think we have all missed over the last few years. As an ALC volunteer, I cherish and look forward to our Circles. It is a safe place where all are welcome, and all belong. It’s a place where you feel heard, seen, and affirmed. For our girls, this could be a small yet powerful element of developing their confidence. I know as an adult, it is powerful to feel seen and know you are accepted, valued, and not alone.
Take Action
- For your girls: Be intentional about creating a Girl Scout Circle, a center, and taking a full-stop moment with your troops.
- For you: Consider joining the ALC. Come sit in Circle with us at one of our monthly meetings held on the second Thursday of each month at Parsons Leadership Center. Email volunteerlearning@girlscoutsaz.org for more information.
- For your Service Unit: Invite ALC to do a deep-dive workshop on Circle setting – its history, purpose, and tools on how to incorporate it.
-
It’s National Volunteer Month, and I want to take this opportunity to thank you, the dedicated volunteers who bring the Girl Scout experience to life for girls in their communities. Our volunteers are truly the backbone of our organization—you open the doors of possibility for girls and show them the power they have to make the world a better place.
You have enabled Girl Scouts across the country to continue their Girl Scout journeys and stay connected to their sister Girl Scouts even during the unprecedented challenges of the last few years. You serve as strong role models and are truly making a difference in their lives—championing, encouraging, and inspiring them to be the leaders and change-makers the world needs.
- The power of Girl Scout volunteers is felt everyday by the girls and families of our Movement:
86% of girls say their leader makes them feel important, 80% say their leader helps them pursue their goals, and 70% say their leader helps them think about the future. - 99% of parents/caregivers tell us their girl’s leader made her feel like part of a group, and 94% of them say their girl’s leader made their whole family feel like part of a community.
And during a time of national crisis, this sense of community you foster—and how it empowers girls to give back—is vitally important. Over the past two years, Girl Scouts and volunteers like you have engaged in hundreds of thousands of hours of COVID relief efforts, including sending cards or letters to COVID patients and frontline healthcare workers, making and donating masks, donating and delivering meals, planning food drives, and donating cookies to bring joy to others. At a time when girls have been experiencing overwhelming feelings of anxiety and powerlessness in their day-to-day lives, you have shown them the difference they can make even under incredibly challenging circumstances.
On behalf of the entire Girl Scout Movement, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you, the 700,000 incredible Movement-wide volunteers across the country and the world for your commitment to Girl Scouting and for helping girls become their best selves.
You are building the trailblazers and changemakers of today who will have a lasting impact for generations to come.
Thank you!
Sofia Chang - The power of Girl Scout volunteers is felt everyday by the girls and families of our Movement:
-
Cactus Bloom Service Unit
Troop 2425 (Multi-Level)
Years as a Troop Leader: 7
What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?
When my oldest daughter was a Daisy, one of the leaders stepped down and I was approached about taking over that role. I decided that it would be a great opportunity to support my daughter in her Girl Scout Journey as well as spend time with her. I had no idea what it fully entailed but I’ve enjoyed being able to share this experience with my daughter as well as our troop.
What kind of activities do you do with your troops? What is their favorite thing to do?
We are a multi-level, multi-school troop, and we love to bonding together by giving back to our community. We like to engage the girls with new experiences, introduce them to different worlds, and promote team building with an emphasis on supporting their Girl Scout Sisters. As the girls have aged, encampment has become one of their favorite things to do. Each camp allows them to try new things, meet other Girl Scouts, and bond. One of their favorite things to do is skip the bonfires and have dance parties and tell bad jokes in their cabins. Those nights are full of laughter, memories, and stories that they will tell years later from a previous encampment.
What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?
We have done several different types of service projects. We like to teach the girls about the different ways to give back (time, monetary, etc.). A few of the service projects we’ve completed have been:
- Collecting donations for the Arizona Animal Welfare League
- We’ve read to the dogs at the MCSO MASH Unit
- Collected donations and pop-tops for the Ronald McDonald House
- Made and donated dog toys
- Put together Snowman Soup to give out at a “Shop with a Cop” event for the Peoria Police Department
- Created donation boxes for Domestic Violence Awareness month
- Painted rocks that were placed at the Oncology unit of the Mayo Clinic.
With each project, I see the girls’ passion and their growth as leaders!
Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
One of my favorite moments was when our troop hosted a daddy/daughter day to build robots that earned girl their Robotics badges. As moms we get to participate in programs more often, but the ability to include the dads and allow the girls to show their dads what they can do was great. It allowed the girls to bring their dads into our Girl Scout world but also allowed the dads to see how incredible and capable their daughters are.
It also bring be great joy to see how the girls love and support each other. It doesn’t matter who they are within the troop, you are guaranteed to hear giggles and discussion. They are there for each other, encouraging each other during a difficult moment, applauding and praising when one succeeds, and ensuring each girl is safe. Those are the bonds and moments I believe help shape their experience and will leave lifelong impressions.
What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?
My advice to other troop leaders would be, allow yourself some grace. Life is busy and there are times when we don’t always feel on our game but that is the best time to lean on your fellow Troop Leaders and share the responsibilities. The girls will see your actions and will learn how to ask for help or even step-up when someone needs help. Leading by example is important and can help groom positive self-care and mental health examples. Leading takes a village.
What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?
You do not need to know everything about Girl Scouts and do not hold yourself to another troop’s standards. Each troop is unique, like a snowflake, and what one does may not be what’s best for your troop. Find your own groove. There are a million resources available which can be overwhelming but do not fret, you do you. And if you need help, ask. Look for a mentor within your neighborhood or even another that you are comfortable with, and you can lean on. We are all here to support each other.
What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with Girl Scouts?
If you’d like to see improvements or changes within your neighborhood or council, get involved. There are many types of committees that you can join. They might seem intimidating at first, but you will not regret it. I’ve been able to support IGMs, new volunteers, present at a council training, and even provide council feedback on training over the years. Everyone has skills that they can offer, and we always need new ideas and sounding boards to make our daughters experiences better.
Does your troop sell cookies? If yes, please tell us in your own words, why it is important to participate in the cookie program?
Our troop does sell Girl Scout Cookies each year. I think the cookie program helps girls learn how to handle money, how to improve customer service skills, and proper etiquette when a guest is at a business. These are all important lessons that the girls will need to know throughout their life. No matter what career path they choose or where they adventure, they will need to understand money, working with others, and proper etiquette. It’s OK to be sad when goals aren’t hit or a customer refuses or ignores you but we like to teach the girls how to handle rejection, move on and try not to dwell on a handful of “nos”.
What are your troop’s cookie selling tips and tricks?
This is where we’ve seen success with girl behaviors and etiquette. Our girls always thank customers no matter if it’s a “yes” or “no” and they like to add a touch at the end such as “have a great day” or “thanks for supporting” based on the response from the customer. We’ve had customers return to purchase based on etiquette alone. I don’t believe there are many tricks to selling as it comes down to the girls’ goals and how they want to push themselves. We have one who will knock it out of the park every year and as soon as she hits a goal, she sets another. We also have some girls who use this as an opportunity to help support the troop and they focus on wanting to help earn funds for high awards. I love the flexibility of the program and how it allows the girls to lead but with clear boundaries to help them succeed.
What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?
When a girl finds her voice or is willing to push herself out of her comfort zone and try something new is such a great feeling. I love that our girls are learning healthy boundaries and supporting themselves while having fun. Leading is great but most speak of leading others; we want them to lead themselves and witnessing a girl learn her worth and lead herself is a true testimony of what the Girl Scout Leadership Experience is.
-
By Bobbie Legg
Times change. People change. Places change. But deep inside, your heart’s inner compass knows the way. Years of Girl Scouting taught me to be true to my own values and ambitions. As a Girl Scout Cadette, my involvement in the organization helped me gain the courage to pursue my own interests outside of what was popular in the world around me. This strength followed me into higher Girl Scout levels and other areas of my life. I learned to follow my true North.
The pandemic that struck in 2020 has changed all our lives. Repeated surveys have reported that at least 55% of Americans are seeking a new job. People are looking at their lives through a new lens and are considering changes that may help them feel more congruent to their values. Given this time to look back and evaluate our lives, we ask, “Are you happy with the life you are living?”
Do you know your true North? What does your authentic self, crave? Listen to that voice. As we emerge out of this stormy time, know that you have a true purpose. Let your self-awareness guide you in path that leads you to excel at what is most important to YOU.
Looking for your true North? Take time to journal and reflect on these thirty questions written by Bill George, author of Discover Your True North.
- What do you want your legacy to be? 10, 20, 50 years from now, what will your name mean?
- What one word do you want people to use to describe you? What do you think they’d currently use?
- If money was no object, how would you spend your time? What would your day look like?
- Fill in the blank: My life is a quest for _______. What motivates you? Money? Love? Acceptance?
- If you were to donate everything you have to a cause or charity, which would it be?
- What is your biggest regret? If you could go back and have a ‘redo,’ what would you change?
- When was the last time you told a lie? Why? What would have happened if you had told the truth?
- If you accomplish one thing by the end of the year, what would make the biggest impact on your happiness?
- What do you think is the meaning of life? Do you live your life accordingly?
- What would others say is your biggest asset? What would they say is your biggest flaw? Be honest.
- What did you like to do when you were 10 years old? When was the last time you did that activity?
- What do you love most about your current job? What do you wish you could do more of?
- What do you think you were put on this earth to learn? What were you put here to teach?
- What keeps you awake at night when you should be sleeping? What gets you out of bed in the mornings?
- List your core values. Use your company’s mission statement to list its core values. Do they match up?
- What skills do people frequently compliment you on? These may not be what you think you’re best at.
- If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would you say?
- What do you not want others to know about you? Use your answer to find and conquer insecurities.
- List the five people you interact with most frequently (not necessarily friends). How is each helping you to reach your goals (or not)?
- If yourself from ten years ago met you today, would he/she be impressed with where you’ve gotten? Why or why not?
- What bugs you? If it makes you mad, you’re passionate about it! Can you make your anger productive?
- Fast-forward ten or twenty years. What is the one thing that, if you never pursued, you’d always regret?
- When was the last time you embarrassed yourself? You have to be vulnerable to find your purpose.
- Who or what energizes you? What makes you feel depleted? Do you thrive on chaos, or prefer order?
- Who do you look up to? Who are your mentors, both those you know personally and those who inspire you from afar?
- Think about your talents, passions, and values. How can you use them to serve and contribute to society?
- Why do you want to find your purpose? Write the answer down and put it somewhere you can see it. The journey isn’t always easy.
- What in your life is ‘on hold’? Until you lose weight, until you retire, etc. What are you waiting for?
- What price would you take to give up on your dreams? What price would you be willing to pay to achieve them?
- Now that you’ve answered these questions, what is your action plan? What steps will you take today?
In Girl Scouting, we support and encourage one another in our journeys. Join us in the Authentic Leadership Community as we all look to improve our own lives and the lives of the girls we serve.
Want to learn more about the Authentic Leadership Community? Check us out here. Want to get more involved or have questions? Email volunteerlearning@girlscoutsaz.org
-
Juniper Ridge Service Unit
Troop 3198 (Daisies, Brownies, Juniors)
Years as a Troop Leader: 14
What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?
I love teaching young girls new things, and the joy on their faces when they realize that they can accomplish anything is super rewarding. Watching them grow within the program and become independent young women makes it all worth it.
What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
We love to do arts and crafts! I have learned that each girl has a different interest, so we try not to stay on the same platform for too long. Science and robotics are a major part of what we do also.
What kind of service projects have you done with your troops?
We spend much of our time working with Pet Allies, a local no kill animal shelter. The girls love spending time making sure that all the animals are loved and happy.
Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
I have had the pleasure of being a mentor for two of my daughters as they earned their Bronze Award. The Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. Being able to guide them while they worked on making it their own was an amazing experience for me.
What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?
My advice to other troop leaders would be, let them make a mess! Allow the girls to explore each activity and adventure in their own way. Sometimes this means that things won’t go perfectly, but that is all a part of the journey.
What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?
I wish someone had told me to take advantage of my resources and to not be afraid to ask for help. We are all on the same team, working towards the same mission and goal. Ask for guidance when needed to help give the girls in your troop the best experience.
What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with Girl Scouts?
This is the best experience that I have had.
Watching my daughter grow and learn is the best thing a mom could ask for. There are many ways to get involved with Girl Scouts but being a Troop Leader and having direct involvement with the girls’ growth has been my favorite part.
Does your troop sell cookies? If yes, please tell us in your own words, why it is important to participate in the Cookie Program?
Our troop loves to sell cookies! The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps shy little girls blossom into a cookie boss that can change the world.
What are your troop’s cookie selling tips and tricks?
One of my biggest selling tips is, don’t get discouraged by the people that tell you no; keep asking until someone says yes. It is about the triumphs and learning how to become a better entrepreneur.
What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a troop leader?
When a new girl comes to her first meeting, we as leaders like to make sure they feel welcome. We start the meeting by having everyone introduce themselves and tell the new girl something they like about Girl Scouts. At a recent meeting with a new girl, one of the other girls did that without being asked. Watching her step up into the leadership role and do the things that we taught her is what makes it all worth it.
-
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (January 21, 2022) — The STEM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are the foundation for the country’s fastest-growing occupations, yet women and girls are underrepresented across all levels of the STEM pipeline. Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus-Pine Council is working to close that gap through STEM programming on the Navajo Nation designed to spark girls’ interest so they can become part of this expanding sector.
Thanks to a $35,000 grant from the APS Foundation, 250 girls on the Navajo Nation will experience STEM learning opportunities during the school year through Girl Scouts. Programs will include a three-day summer camp this June at Diné College in Tsaile, AZ that will serve more than 70 girls.
Christina Spicer, Interim Co-CEO of GSACPC shares, “We are deeply grateful to the APS Foundation for being a long-standing supporter of Arizona girls. We are honored that they continue to invest in girls throughout our jurisdiction.”
Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus-Pine Council provides experiential STEM opportunities for girls who are part of the Navajo community through culturally relevant programming and delivery models that meet their specific needs. Girls are encouraged to ask questions about the world, problem-solve, and use natural creativity through play and experimentation while fostering their internal qualities such as self-confidence, self-esteem, and a strong work ethic.
Throughout the school year, girls will have opportunities to earn badges in cybersecurity, environmental advocacy, mechanical engineering, robotics, computer science, and space exploration. The outdoor STEM camp at Diné College in June, also supported by Navajo Transitional Energy Company, will offer additional opportunities to get hands-on with science, technology, engineering, and math.
Each year, the APS Foundation, which has focused its support on STEM education since 2012, partners with organizations like Girl Scouts to fund programs that inspire the next generation of leaders.
“Studies show hands-on STEM learning truly ignites a passion for continued STEM education,” says APS Foundation Executive Director Tina Marie Tentori. “When you bring STEM to life through fun, interactive activities such as mountain biking, archery, and astronomy at summer camp, it adds a whole new dimension of learning. It’s exciting to see young minds turned onto careers in the sciences as a result of this type of programming.”
“Over the last two years Girl Scouts had to pause some programs to protect the health and safety of our members, especially those on the Navajo Nation as the community endured the unimaginable. Not surprisingly, the program we get asked about most is our STEM Camp. Girls and families are anxiously awaiting its return this summer,” says Mary Mitchell, Interim Co-CEO of GSACPC. “We’re excited to offer not only a small glimpse of normalcy for girls but also provide them an important opportunity to increase their STEM confidence and inspire them to pursue STEM in their futures.”
About Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC)
In partnership with 6,000 adult volunteers, GSACPC serves over 11,000 girls grades K-12 in more than 90 communities across central and northern Arizona. Since 1936, GSACPC has helped girls develop leadership skills and tools for success in a rapidly changing environment. We know that given the opportunity, every girl can become a leader, act confidently on her values, and connect with her community. For more information, visit www.girlscoutsaz.org, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram.
girlscoutsaz.blog 