Volunteer Spotlight: Pat Dowd
Girl Scouts is a world of women — and men — who are selfless. Not only are Girl Scout volunteers dedicated to the girls whom they interact with regularly, they are dedicated to our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scout volunteers change the lives of girls and the other adults around them, too. They set an example that inspires caregivers and gives courage to new volunteers.
Pat Dowd, a Girl Scout volunteer of nearly 40 years, is one of those selfless people who you can count on to help wherever he is needed. He was first recruited as a co-leader to help a friend who had started a troop for her daughter. He’s never looked back.
“All of my volunteer time has been in Virginia Beach, starting with the old Seashore Service Unit, which then became the larger Cape Henry Service Unit, which eventually joined Kings Grant to become the Lynnhaven Shores Service Unit.”
During those nearly 40 years, Pat has been a professional photographer and videographer who has worked for television stations and production companies. While he brought those skills with him to Girl Scouts, he readily admits that he learned other skills as a volunteer that he appreciates. With those acquired skills, he has served as a service unit delegate, organized outdoor skills days, and constructed a ceremonial bridge for his service unit’s annual bridging ceremonies, just to name a few. He’s proud of the fact that the bridge can break down to fit into a car trunk and then be assembled in 10 minutes!
There have been many special moments in his volunteer career, but he says attending the national sing-along events in Washington D.C. to celebrate the 90th and 100th anniversaries of Girl Scouts were extraordinary. He continues to meet up online with Girl Scout friends he made at these national events and at local Girl Scout outings. He also never misses a Thinking Day event, another favorite. He calculated that this year’s Thinking Day event held by Lynnhaven Shores Service Unit was probably his 37th one.
“I think this year’s Thinking Day event was the most well-attended one we have ever had,” he said. “I really enjoyed this year’s which featured Costa Rica. I learned some interesting things, including the fact that there are only about 1,500 sloths left in the wild today, and the pygmy three-toed sloth is categorized as critically endangered. The girls made sloth masks to take home as well as rain sticks. You’re always learning as a Girl Scout! ”
Since he has years of experience working with troops, he says it’s fun to see generation after generation get involved. “At our spring encampment a few years ago, I was driving leaders around in our golf cart when a voice from the back said, ‘I don’t know if you remember me. I was in your troop years ago. I’m Wendy.’ I cried, ‘Wow, I saw a girl get off the bus yesterday and I said that girl looks like Wendy. No wonder. Mother-daughter.’”
Pat is one of GSCCC’s many priceless volunteers. This April, during National Volunteer Appreciation Month, we want all our volunteers to know their commitment and passion is noticed. Their impact is evident when you meet a Girl Scout whose life has been touched. Volunteers, like Pat, shine with their unique, bright light for both girls and adults, at a time when it is so desperately needed.
Thank you, Pat, and thank you, Girl Scout volunteers!
