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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Sunny Peaks Service Unit
Troop 3297 (Multi-level troop)
Years as a Troop Leader: 6
What inspired you to become a troop leader?
My journey as a troop leader began when my oldest daughter showed interest in becoming a Girl Scout. To help give her the experience, I stepped up and became a leader. Then, when my youngest daughter joined, her troop needed a leader which I filled. It’s been such a rewarding experience to not only be a troop leader but also be one with my daughters involved.
What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?
We are in Flagstaff, so we like to take advantage of the nature and local scenery by exploring the outdoors. Additionally, we are currently working on our Bronze and Silver Awards, so the girls are gaining some valuable leadership experience.
What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?
A lot of people don’t know that you can donate Girl Scout Cookies! Last year, my troop donated cookies to Hope Cottage, a local women’s and children shelter. This year my troop packed shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, an international project that provides children in various communities in need with shoe boxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. It was a moving experience that allowed the girls to give back.
Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.
I love helping the girls in my troop organize service team events. I get to see the girls take action, work together, and organize an event that will help our community. Two of my favorite events were the mother-daughter tea and the Christmas parade.
What advice would you give other troop leaders?
I would tell other troop leaders to enjoy every moment and to be flexible. Sometimes, meetings will not go as planned and that is totally okay. Just take a deep breath and move forward!
What do you wish someone had told you as a new troop leader?
I wish someone told me not to stress about the little things! This is a rewarding role to be in and the growth you see in the girls over time is the important piece.
What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?
I have a blast being a leader and on the service unit team! However, there are other ways to get involved with the organization outside of being a Troop Leader. For example, you can volunteer time in specific programs, you can lead outdoor activities, volunteer at events, and more!
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, we sell cookies. The cookie program funds what we do as a troop but more importantly, it teaches my girls confidence, ethics and how to be entrepreneurs. They step outside of their comfort zones to talk to members of the community and make sales!
What are your troop’s cookie selling tips and tricks?
The cookie program is a time of year when the public eye is on Girl Scouts, so it is important for girls to be professional when selling cookies. Also, we recommend that you wear your vests! People love to come over and ask about patches and pins – it’s a great way to transition into a cookie pitch.
What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a troop leader?
It’s a Girl Scout Camp tradition to have a camp name and a camp name is given to you by another Girl Scout. One of my favorite moments was when my troop went to Jamboree and the girls gave me my camp name. It was a special moment that I will keep with me for a long time.
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By Kate Allen
The new year is upon us and with it comes the excitement of setting new year’s resolutions! Around this time also our cookie season begins and girls set goals and make thoughtful, strategic decisions about how they want to achieve them. We’ll show you an activity you can introduce to your troop that will show them the strength of outline steps to big goals.
My daughters have often aimed high when it comes to goal setting during cookie season. They’ll be the first to tell you that the recognitions for high achievers are enticing. When it comes to showing up for the work required to meet those lofty goals, though, the enthusiasm that comes with goal setting can dwindle. Established habits and desires to do other things may end up taking precedence, and if they do, disappointment about the failure to meet goals can surface.
Making a resolution for the new year is like setting a goal for cookie season. How does one strike a balance between setting resolutions and developing habits that support the actions required for them?
Below is an exercise you can do in a hands-on way to explore this balance and reach your goals.
Supplies
- 6 strips of colorful cardstock or paper (1″ wide, 8.5″ long)
- A colorful marker/pen
- Clear tape
- One marble
Instructions
- Step 1: On the first strip of cardstock, write down your resolution. On three additional strips, write down three steps that will support your success in meeting that resolution. These steps may include actions you know you’ll need to take as well as subsequent actions you’ll take if/when your initial interest begins to fade.
- Step 2: Hold up your marble. This is your resolution. Now use the strips of paper to pick up your marble. How well do the strips hold your resolution?
- Step 3: Arrange two of the strips next to one another vertically on a flat surface. Then weave two strips horizontally through the vertical strips, alternating between going over and under. Once this is done, you’ll have a plus sign with a woven square at the center. This square is the floor of your container. From here, fold the ends of the strips so that they stand straight up above the floor of the container. These will be the walls of the container.
- Step 4: Take another strip and fold it every two inches along its length to form a square shape. Tape the ends of this strip together to secure the square shape.
- Step 5: Position your square from Step 4 so it is parallel with the floor of your container. Weave the square from Step 4 onto the upstanding ends of your container from Step 3. The ends of the container from Step 3 should alternate over and under the square from Step 4 on all four sides. Once this is done, repeat steps 3 and 4 with a second strip of paper.
- Step 6: Fold the ends of the vertical strips from Step 3 over the second square from Step 5 (fold it toward the inside of the container if the strip is on the outside of the square, and fold it toward the outside of the container if the strip is on the inside of the square). Tape the folded ends to the walls of the container.
- Step 7: Put your marble in the container you’ve woven and pick up the container. How does the container support your marble compared to the individual strips of paper? Describe what was it like to weave a container for your resolution. What do you imagine it would be like to try weaving a container again for a new resolution? Journal for 5-10 minutes about the process and share your insights with someone you know.
Try this activity with your troop and have a discussion on goal setting. Share your troop’s experience with creative goal setting at stories@girlscoutsaz.org
This article is hosted by the Authentic Leadership Community. The Authentic Leadership Community is currently running a new workshop for Service Units – Introduction to Authentic Girl Scout Leadership. We would love to visit your SU! To learn more and sign up, please complete our interest form.
Questions? Email volunteerlearning@girlscoutsaz.org.
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – Jan. 17, 2022 – Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust recently awarded $125,000 to Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) to support outdoor experiences for girls in central and northern Arizona over the next two years.
“We are deeply grateful to the Trust for their partnership over the years. This gift will help us create more opportunities for girls to bolster their confidence as they challenge themselves to take on outdoor adventures,” Christina Spicer, Interim Co-CEO said.
“This grant will give us additional resources to expand access to our outdoor programming through family engagement, volunteer-led outdoor experiences, community events, and specialty programs like climbing, archery, and mountain biking.”
After almost two years of disruptions to programming due to the pandemic, GSACPC is ramping up their in-person programs at their four camp properties located in Phoenix and in northern Arizona. “Technology and structured activities leave less time for girls to get outside and connect with the outdoors. However, girls who attend Girl Scout Camp or participate in an outdoor program benefit from a shared-learning experience and an all-girl safe space that offers plenty of opportunities to create their own outdoor adventures” says Spicer.
“Girl Scouts supports girls as they take healthy risks to try new things and achieve their ambitions. And when they reach the finish line, we’re there to cheer them on to the next challenge. We encourage girls to see failure as just another opportunity to get better at something so they can move ahead with determination to succeed. Our outdoor programs provide these confidence-building experiences, whether girls are putting up a tent for the first time, hiking to the top of a mountain, or scaling one of our climbing towers.”
GSACPC plans to address barriers and increase girls’ access to programs so they may benefit from unparalleled leadership opportunities in the outdoors that will help them build self-confidence, laying the foundation for a meaningful and successful future.
“These outdoor Girl Scouts programs help young women develop a more confident sense of self, which will serve them throughout their lives. We’re pleased to support programs that promote girls’ healthy development,” said Trust Senior Program Officer Laura McBride.
The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust was established upon the death of Nina Mason Pulliam in 1997 to support the causes she loved in her home states of Arizona and Indiana. The Trust seeks to help people in need, protect animals and nature, and enrich community life in metropolitan Indianapolis and Phoenix. Since its inception, the Trust has distributed over $353 million to 1,006 organizations. For more information visit www.ninapulliamtrust.org.
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Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscouts.org.
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.
