The Girl Scout Leadership model is still being refined by GSUSA, but there are some pieces that can already be applied. The model follows a girl-centric "girls at the center" approach and organizes girls’ achievements into three broad categories – Girls Discover, Girls Connect, and Girls Take Action. The model offers a framework for girls to create their own experiences, reflect on them, and apply what they learn to new challenges. More important than what girls are doing and what awards they achieve, is how they are doing it. The activities and requirements for the Girl Scout Challenge Awards are available online at www.gogirlsonly.org, and at www.Cadette/Senior.org. Information about the new Girl Scout Challenge Awards are at www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/challenge/default.asp.

Unique Girl Scout Experience: Approaches

The Girl Scout Advantage
What sets Girl Scouting apart from the multitude of other youth-serving organizations?
We are a values-based organization that reaches out to every girl, everywhere. Three goals - values, leadership and diversity - permeate every aspect of Girl Scouting. The values found in the Girl Scout Promise and Law provide an essential framework for developing character, making decisions and fostering strength of conviction. It provides a moral compass for girls and teaches them to respect one another and the differences that define us as individuals. Leadership in Girl Scouts - Opportunities for leadership exist for all Girl Scouts - from the youngest girls making decisions in a Daisy circle to the oldest ones taking leadership roles in their councils. Girl Scouts learn a wide range of real life skills to help them succeed in life - first aid, resume writing, managing money and gaining the self-confidence to face challenges. A large majority of American women say Girl Scouting improved their ability to work with others, helped them gain interpersonal skills and interest in volunteer activities.

The Benefits - Girl Scouting provides a wide variety of unique and innovative opportunities for girls to distinguish themselves and to define their short-term and long-term goals. Girl Scouts encourages girls to become integral members of their communities and prepares them to be active and constructive members of the society.

Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast

• Membership is extended to all girls and adults who accept the Girl Scout Promise & Law
• Over 16,500 girls in approximately, 1,500 troops and groups
• Over 5,500 volunteers providing guidance and role modeling to girls as well as support to volunteer troop leaders.
• About 75 full and part-time executive and business staff, and camp caretakers
• Serving girls, in grades K - 12, in a 27,000 square mile area of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.

Board of Directors
Elected by delegates from the council membership, 20 women and men serve on the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast board of directors. They establish policy, approve budgets, set direction for the council, and monitor progress.
Current officers are:
Chair of the Board: Ann M. Fitzgibbon
Chair Elect: Sandra J. DeLoatch
Vice Chair: Melissa L. Burroughs
Secretary: Denise L. Frey
Treasurer: David W. Thomas