January 2013

Making dreams come true

Happy New Year!

When girls succeed, so does society. That’s the heart of our focus for 2013: To Get Her There. Just where is “there?” It depends who you ask. The Girl Scouts in this video see themselves changing the world as future leaders in the roles of film directors, paleontologists, race car drivers, Olympians, chefs, surgeons or even president of the United States.

Whatever their ambitions, it’s up to all of us – volunteers, supporters and staff – to ensure our Girl Scouts receive the tools and inspiration they need to get ahead. Let’s join forces to help them reach their full leadership potential. Together, we can help girls go far!

Jo Dee C. Jacob
Chief Executive Officer

Countdown to our favorite season!
Cookie Program starts Jan. 27
Business-leaders-in-the-making will soon ring your doorbells, eager to showcase their entrepreneurial talents. Our girls and dedicated adult volunteers are gearing up for the launch of the 2013 Girl Scout Cookie Program on Sunday, Jan. 27. Through how-to trainings, financial literacy series, business skills workshops (see below) and other resources, they’re setting goals, designing marketing materials and crafting sales pitches. You can help them enjoy a great return on their investments by saying “yes” when a Girl Scout invites you to purchase cookies.

Teen Cookie U
Girls in grades 6-12 will matriculate at the University of San Diego during Teen Cookie U on Saturday, Jan. 19, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. They’ll team up with students from the USD School of Business Administration, using the 5 Skills of the cookie program and hands-on activities to develop sales strategies. Parents may join the group at 1:30 p.m. for a campus tour. Register online; cost of $18 includes lunch. For questions, contact Amanda Host, (619) 610-0781.

AT&T opening doors to STEM careers
During a surprise gathering at our Balboa Campus, Brownie Troop 3881 presented AT&T Vice President Ignacio De La Torre with cookies and a big “thank you” for AT&T’s IMAGINE initiative. Through this innovative program, Girl Scouts are gaining first-hand experience in fields ranging from marine biology to nursing.

Future veterinarians: Hear them roar!
Eighty Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors attended our You Can Be…a Veterinarian workshop at the San Diego Zoo. Guided by educators and animal handlers, the girls toured the zoo by bus, then went behind the scenes to see keepers interact with a camel, parrot and giraffes. After the safari, a veterinarian and a technician shared their career experiences with the Girl Scouts.

Hooping it up at SDSU
During a recent Girl Scout night at SDSU, our troops and families showed up in full force. More than 400 of them braved the stormy weather to cheer on the Lady Aztecs basketball team, helping them beat USC, 80-46. The evening began with Cadette Troop 1177 leading the flag ceremony and 14-year-old Girl Scout Alyson Tharp performing the national anthem.

Honoring fallen warriors
More than 200 San Diego Girl Scouts met at Fort Rosecrans and Miramar national cemeteries last month (see pictures) to participate in Wreaths Across America – an annual tribute that originated in Arlington, Virginia. Every year, participants honor veterans by placing evergreen wreaths on graves and holding a memorial ceremony with active duty military representatives.

Nazaré Simas paid tribute to the late Navy Lieutenant Thomas Mullen Adams, whose parents attended the ceremony.

Post-Newtown webinar helped local families cope
We recently hosted a free webinar, “How to talk with children about tragedy,” for Girl Scout leaders, parents, volunteers and staff. Led by Girl Scouts San Diego board members and clinical psychologists Chris Carstens, Ph.D., CEDs and Lori Rappaport, Ph.D., the online gathering provided tools for helping children cope with grief and fear. We invite you to visit our website to hear the webinar and/or see the links to resources discussed.

Cookie Rally, ice show set for Jan. 24
Girl Scouts and families: Launch the cookie season by jumping, spinning and gliding over to Valley View Casino Center (formerly San Diego Sports Arena) on Thursday, Jan. 24, 5-9 p.m. for a high-energy pep rally and Disney On Ice Presents: Dare to Dream! Girls will check out program updates and new rewards, cheer on the “Super Six” variety costumed characters, and discover why “there’s more to cookies than what comes in the box!” Get details here and register early; tickets ($17.50-$23.50) are limited.

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