Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia joins Girl Scouts of USA

As the 95th anniversary of Girl Scouting approaches in 2007, Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia has joined Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) in a historic transformation to modernize the iconic organization and focus on leadership development for girls in the 21st century.

For the past two years, girls and adults in northeast Georgia have been among thousands nationwide who voiced their opinions and shared ideas to decide the future direction of Girl Scouting. The conclusion: the organization, which since 1912 has inspired 50 million girls and women, must seize the opportunity to revitalize the Girl Scout Movement to remain compelling, contemporary and relevant to today's girls.

On Aug. 26, 2006, Girl Scouts of the USA's (GSUSA) National Board of Directors voted to endorse a plan to realign 312 councils into 109 high-performance, community-based councils. The new structure will make the most effective use of resources to better serve the local community and create opportunities in Girl Scouting for even more girls. As part of this national realignment, Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia will join with

five other Girl Scout councils to form one high-performing Girl Scout council.

The new, yet to be named council, will consist of Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia, Girl Scouts of Middle Georgia, The Girl Scout Council of Savannah, Georgia, Girl Scouts of Central Savannah River Council, Girl Scouts of Concharty Council, and the Girl Scouts of Southwest Georgia. "This transformation is so important to the future of Girl Scouting, and Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia looks forward to reaching out to our partners in the local community throughout this process to deliver the Girl Scout experience to more and more girls" says Dr. Debra Harden, Council President, Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia. "While the national organization is shepherding these changes, GSNEG and councils across the country have been engaged since the beginning. So as we move to a high-performance system, we not only retain but strengthen our ability to serve the local community, which has always been our top priority."

"In a country as culturally diverse as America, Girl Scouting, and our philosophy of leadership, must be inclusive and

respond to the needs of girls from all communities, cultures and walks of life," commented Patricia Diaz Dennis, Chair, GSUSA National Board of Directors. "Thanks to the collective vision and support of the entire Girl Scout Movement, Girl Scouting has demonstrated what it means to truly listen to girls and react in a way that will most positively meet their individual needs."

Under the leadership of GSUSA CEO Kathy Cloninger, who took office in 2004, the transformation began by asking girls and adults from throughout the Girl Scout community what they want and need from Girl Scouting today.

The National Board of Directors also endorsed a more contemporary leadership philosophy, and renewed an organizational commitment to develop leadership skills based on the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. This leadership philosophy is captured by the new Girl Scout mission statement to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

Girl Scouting has identified some core tenets of its leadership philosophy - discover, connect

and take action - which will form the basis of all Girl Scout activities beginning in October 2008. "The ideas of discovery, connection and action reflect the Girl Scout view that leadership extends beyond holding a position of authority," says Cloninger. "In Girl Scouting, leadership is about self, others, community service and philanthropy. You can't lead well unless you really understand yourself and have your set of values very well in place."

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has a membership of more than 3.8 million girls and adults. Now in its 95th year, GSUSA continues to help cultivate values, social conscience, and self-esteem in young girls, while also teaching them life skills that will enable them to succeed as adults. In Girl Scouting with its special, girls-only environment, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. The Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia serves over 7,000 girls and adults in 25 counties. Girl Scouts is an agency of the United Way. To volunteer, join as a member, or make a donation, please call the Athens office at (706) 548-7297 or (800) 300-4475.