Annual Council Meeting

Recap of the 2008 Annual Meeting

Nearly 250 members from the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast attended the Annual Council Meeting held at Norfolk State University on Saturday, April 5^th. The meeting began with a performance by members of the school's jazz ensemble who sang America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner following an opening flag ceremony. The patriotic tribute was directed to volunteers, including a board member, and their family members who are serving our country overseas. Norfolk City Council member Daun Hester, along with Dr. Elise Barnes, vice president of academic affairs for Norfolk State University, officially welcomed the guests. Each spoke about Girl Scout memories and thanked volunteers for their dedication to serving girls in our community and giving them the same opportunities they had as girls.

During the meeting proceedings, the Council's President Award was presented to the Green Run and Court House service units, and the Council's Buck Harris Award was presented to Cadette Girl Scout Aoife B. from troop 876. Among the activities noted during her presentation, was the organization of a swap activity for over 200 Brownie Girl Scouts at Camp Skimino. This award was established to honor Buck Harris, a former executive director who dedicated herself to outdoor education in Girl Scouting. Buck's great, great niece, Taylor S., presented the award to Aoife.

Hearing from Vice President of Council Partnerships for Girl Scouts of the USA, Cathy Tisdale, was certainly one of the highlights of the meeting. Her presentation, Transforming Leadership for Girls, helped inform GSCCC membership on Girl Scouts vision for the future - giving girls the best leadership program possible through a defined and flexible path of participation. From giving teasers and examples on each grade level Journey, the new program resource materials, to relation the transformation to recent information released by the Girl Scout Research Institute on how girls perceive leadership, Cathy's easy and engaging style of delivery kept members attention and interest. Her address answered questions many members had regarding changes in the Girl Scout national program and added to the excitement of the first set of Journey's being released this year. Upon request, her presentation will be posted on the Council's website. It was noted that more information would be forthcoming when the delegation attending the upcoming program conference returns.

There was a powerful closing by Norfolk Girl Scouts from several service unites who gathered to create "my journey" posters with messages about who they were and what they would like to become in the future. They paraded throughout the auditorium with the posters while a spirited Girl Scout song rang through the speakers. A perfect energetic closing for the energizing future that lies ahead of us as the Girl Scout Leadership Program is unrolled throughout the country.

Following the meeting, an wards luncheon was held where select community friends and volunteers were recognized with awards. Dr. Carolyn Meyers, president of Norfolk State University and a former Girl Scout from the area, was the guest speaker. "Not only am I a former Girl Scout, but my dad helped build the platform tents at Camp Skimino," she said with a broad smile. "I know that Girl Scouting made a difference in my life. I would not have been able to confront the challenges I faced in life as one of the first black females to receive a doctorate in engineering, if it had not been for the lessons I learned in Girl Scouts. Those lessons gave me the courage to stand up for what I believe and have the confidence I needed to keep going," said Meyers.

Dr. Rosanne Runte, president of Old Dominion University and, also, a former Girl Scout and leader, was presented the Girl Scout Woman of Courage, Confidence and Character Award. Runte has offered strong support to Girl Scouts throughout her career, including being a mentor to Senior Girl Scouts earning their Gold Award and participating as a guest speaker at several Council functions. "The award is for all of us in the room," said Runte. "It is for all the leaders who offer courage to make a difference, and that includes my mother," with a grin she waved the plaque in her mother's direction who had accompanied her to the luncheon.

The Dorothy Barber Award, named after former Council president Dorothy Barber who led a A Place for Girls capital campaign in the 1990's, was presented to Mary Ellen Maxwell, a past Council chair who served from 2005 to 2007 who is currently a national advocacy volunteer. The Thanks Badge, the highest national Girl Scout award that can be given to an adult, was presented to Mildred Erwin, a volunteer for 70 years. Mildred continues to help with a troop in Oceanview. Girl Scout Honor Pins, the second highest adult award, were presented to Beth Aberth, a volunteer family partnership chair from Isle of Wight who has surpassed goal expectations, Captain Karen DiRenzo, a former board member who led the Council's strategic planning task group, Dominique Doust, a group leader, volunteer field administrator, and council learning facilitator from Newport News, and Emilie McIntosh, a troop leader, Volunteer Field Administrator, and Council Learning Facilitator.

Appreciation Pins were awarded to the following volunteers" Michelle Brereton, from Suffolk; Laura Hart, from Virginia Beach; Elizabeth Haworth, from Chesapeake; Cathy Howell, Katrina Kutz, Laura Sass from Norfolk; Jacqueline Nichols, from Williamsburg; Teresa Wilson, from Surry/Isle of Wight and staff members Kaylen Hopkins and Kelly Ungvarsky.

2008 Award Winners

Woman of Courage, Confidence, and Character Award

Dr. Rosanne Runte, President of Old Dominion University

Dorothy Barber Award

Mary Ellen Maxwell

Thanks Badge

Mildred Erwin

Honor Pins

Beth Aberth

Captain Karen DiRenzo (not pictured)

Dominique Doust (not pictured)

Emilie McIntosh (not pictured)

Appreciation Pins

(Left to Right) Katrina Kutz, Cathy Howell, Kaylen Hopkins, Laura Sass, M.D., Laura Hart, Teresa Wilson

(Not Pictured) Michelle Brereton, Elizabeth Haworth, Jacqueline Nichols, and Kelly Ungvarsky.

Guest Speakers: