Academy Award winning actor/civics champion Richard Dreyfuss is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the 2009 Leading the Way conference on Saturday, August 8. Registration begins at 9 a.m. for the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. program at the Town & Country Resort in Mission Valley. Participants will explore how to make Girl Scouting the premier leadership experience for girls.

New this year: every council volunteer is welcome to attend. The $24 registration fee includes lunch; opportunities to network, share best practices and preview the 2010 membership year and Cookie Program; details about the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, journeys, outcomes based programs, flexible pathways to participation and other new initiatives; take-home resources; a council update and trade show; and awards. Breakout sessions will provide insight into some of the most relevant issues affecting girls today. Leading the Way counts toward eight hours of training, so attendees may use troop or service unit funds for the fee.

Richard Dreyfuss admires Girl Scouts for its emphasis on community involvement and improvement. Dreyfuss began doing community work as a child, and co-founded L.A. Works, a public-action center that organized service projects. Currently, he advocates for civics education in schools and teaching children how to debate issues civilly.

Please visit our Leading The Way page to register and/or get more information.