2010 Annual Report - Girl Scouts of Central Illinois

One girl can change a life; a group of girls can change the world.
10
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience
Girl leaders have been at the heart of Girl Scouting since its founding in 1912,
when Juliette Gordon Low recognized that developing girls’ leadership
abilities was critical for ensuring they would be the change-makers of the
future. Today’s complex and rapidly changing world requires a new kind of
leader – one who values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration and is
committed to improving neighborhoods, communities, and the world – and
Girl Scouting remains, as it always has been, the organization best positioned
to offer girls the tools they need to be successful leaders now and throughout
their lives.
As Girl Scouting approaches its 100th anniversary, it is more important than
ever that the Girl Scout program
Is girl-led – girls determine what they want to do and how they will do it
Promotes cooperative learning – girls work together to establish their
goals and how they will accomplish them
Fosters learning by doing – girls figure out what works, what doesn’t
work, and the best way to actualize their vision
In Girl Scouting, girls steer the ship of their own adventure, with caring adult
guidance and mentoring available. The result is courageous, confident young
women with strong convictions and the power to achieve their goals and
dreams while making a difference in the lives of others.
Accomplishing our mission requires a great deal of assistance beyond our
own dedicated staff. GSCI currently boasts an adult membership of over
5,000 committed and caring volunteers who help us deliver the Girl Scout
program throughout central Illinois. By their leadership example and
encouragement of teamwork, our volunteers show girls what is possible.
We are also grateful to the individual and corporate donors who help us to
grow our programs and make sure they are available to any girl who wishes
to participate. Our community partners allow us to reach out to girls who
do not have the means to reach out to us first. In these ways the mission of
Girl Scouting extends beyond schools, family homes, and Girl Scout service
centers to enrich and be enriched by all facets of our communities.