Sunday, February 7, 2010

Girl Scout Brownie Troop 1 Penny Drive


Troop Leader Laura says, "Our Brownies did a penny drive this past fall to benefit the Harry Chapin Food Bank. We did this in conjunction with our Try-It - Penny Power. The girls collected pennies from friends and family members. We were also fortunate to have the fellow leaders from our Service Unit donate pennies to our cause each month at our Service Unit Meetings. The girls had a really good time and were amazed by two things: 1) How many pennnies they collected (13,149) and 2) How much they weighed! HA!"
Girl Scout Brownie Troop 1, Lee 14

First Year Girl Scout Daisy Brownie Troop in Lee does Coastal Clean Up


Troop Leader Gail Says, "Hi we are a new troop this year and we are troop #405. This past September our troop headed out to Ft. Myers beach for the Coastal Clean Up. Who says picking up trash is not fun? The girls, with their help from a parent, we able to log all the gargage they picked up and really realize what an impact humans have on nature. The best part about Daisey's and Brownie's is that they have fun doing anything and everything. It was a great day for the enviroment and a great way for us as a troop to get to know each other!"
Awesome Job Girl Scouts!

Girl Scout Junior Troop 353 Gives Back in Lee 14


Girl Scout Junior Troop 353 in Lee 14 collected donations for Second Act in Lee County. They're currently working on their Bronze Award. Way to Take Action Girl Scouts!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Girl Scout Junior Troop 421 Gives Back







Kudos to this amazing troop and all their service projects! Way to Take Action Girls!
- Submitted by Troop Leader Gina S. from Lee 14

Sandi's Retirement Event at Camp Caloosa

In January GSGCF held a retirement event for Sandi Stewart at Camp Caloosa in Fort Myers. Check Facebook for more pictures soon!






From Sue Stewart - GSGCF's New CEO


Thank you for such a warm and inviting welcome as I begin my fifth week at Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc! Many have joked that I brought this cold and cloudy weather from Syracuse NY, so I promise you more enjoyable days to come!

I had the privilege of working together with Sandi prior to her last day (January 31). What I learned from her is what I commit to you as well: to place the mission of Girl Scouting and the needs of girls first.

Over 11,000 Girl Scouts and 3,000 adult volunteers, a dedicated board of directors, staff, individual contributors and businesses, United Ways and foundations have insured that every girl can have a meaningful leadership experience. As a council we will continue to engage girls in discovering themselves, connecting with others and taking action to make the world a better place.

Change is constantly around us. As we think about the future, most wonder about the strength of our council, and how each of us will “fit”…not only as individuals, but as a community. Continue to call to mind what brought you to Girl Scouting and rededicate yourself to it!

My plans for the coming months are to hear your stories and to understand what matters to you. While we are one mission and one council, I believe that Girl Scouting is delivered in communities. Therefore, I will be traveling throughout our ten counties to participate in celebrations, meetings and events, council sponsored programs, Cook-ie-Offs and cookie booths and a variety of community gatherings. I will do my best to prioritize and coordinate my calendar this first year. Thank you in advance for your hospitality and invitations.

Let’s keep our lines of communication honest and open and take part in this new journey together. My belief is that each of us will continue to be the leader and role model that we expect to see in each and every Girl Scout. Together, we go forward…to take action for the future…knowing that the best way to manage change is to create it!.

Sue Stewart
sues@gsgcf.org


Getting to know Sue:

Birth Place: Pittsburgh Pa. Lived in Pa, NJ, Ohio, and 28 years in Syracuse NY.
Favorite Girl Scout memory: Was a Girl Scout Brownie and Junior. I was very shy and did not like selling cookies! If only I had the program, confidence and skills of today’s Girl Scout Cookie Entrepreneurs!
Hobbies: Out of door activities, hiking, kayaking. Recently ran a 5K and had a personal best! Enjoy travel to Ocean City NJ, Boston, DC and visiting family! Need my fill of art and museums.
Weekends: Cannot wait to visit all the beaches from Manatee to Collier counties! Finding sanddollars brings a smile.
Past Work Experience: Hospital Social Work Director, Hospice Assistant Administrator, Girl Scout CEO, and VP Operations for a newly aligned council of 5 legacy groups.
Family: Son Andrew, 20, at Nazareth College in Rochester NY. Parents and Aunt in Sarasota. Oldest of three, five nieces and a nephew (who will all be coming to visit soon!)
Volunteer Work: PTO treasurer, Cub Scout leader, church, speaker for importance of health care decision making, boards of directors for heath care groups.

Favorite Juliette quote(s):

“When asked what the girls should do, Juliette responded "What do the girls WANT to do?"

“The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers."

The Annual Meeting

In case you missed it here's a little peak at the Annual Meeting! Check Facebook for more pictures!




















Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Girl Scouts in the VIVA Program
















Girl Scouts from the VIVA Program and VIVA staff in Arcadia with Cassie Bryant (consultant with GSUSA). Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is excited to be working with GSUSA and continues to provide the Girl Scout Program to girls through the VIVA Grant from GSUSA. Look out for more information about the VIVA program in coming months as GSUSA launches the program nationally.

Girl Scouts Learn to Scuba on the Coldest Day of the Year!


- Submitted by Natasha Sorrell

Lee 14 Swaps Day








Lee 14 held a Service Unit Swaps Day. Over 150 girls attended and had a blast. Special thanks to all the volunteers that helped out. Girls also made edible camp fires and one girl crochet a hat that was raffled off at the end of the night.