Economic concerns prompt volunteers, staff to take Opportunity Fund journey

Sunny Trails Service Unit
Recognitions Chair
Consuelo Quintanar

To ensure that assistance continues to reach families most in need, delegates from throughout San Diego and Imperial counties were invited to provide feedback and help build a better system. These five dedicated volunteers, representing a variety of communities and roles, accepted the challenge and brought valuable and diverse voices to the process:

• National Delegate/San Marcos Service Unit Manager Suzanne Hosie
• Council Delegate/Escondido Service Unit Manager Virginia Cramer
• Council Delegate/Past Lakeside Service Unit Treasurer Tina Ninteman
• Council Delegate/ Sunny Trails Service Unit Recognitions Chair Consuelo Quintanar
• Michael Angeles of Lakeside, a Girl Scout parent/volunteer

As the Financial Assistance Action Team, these volunteers and five council staff members intensively researched other councils' financial assistance programs. Several months of debate followed, as they discussed our council's future, developed an Opportunity Fund philosophy, carefully assessed and revised the guidelines, and evaluated the application review and approval methods. 

"The team held top-level dialogue, taking a global look at what Girl Scouts is and should be," recalls Membership Director Claudette Steinhauer.

Volunteer Support Manager Regina Todd was equally impressed by the volunteers' hard work and extensive involvement. "We couldn't have done this task without them. Their voices were so valuable," she says.

This journey was filled with challenges and ultimately great reward, as volunteers and staff teamed up to better serve all members. We look forward to continued collaboration this membership year and beyond.

View the Opportunity Fund guidelines developed by the Financial Assistance Action Team. You can help keep Girl Scouting affordable and available for all by contributing to the council Opportunity Fund.