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."
