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(For more information on Realignment Click above.)
Lea, Chaves and N Eddy Counties Only
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Girl
Scouts growing stronger in Southeastern NM November 2007 These are exciting times for girls. Our realignment with our two sister councils in West Texas is progressing on time. Our official start for realignment is April 2008 with our new high capacity council beginning in April 2009. As we begin our 96th year in Girl Scouting, Girl Scout councils across the country are joining 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 nationwide voiced their opinions and shared ideas to decide the future direction of the Girl Scout movement. The conclusion: the organization, which since 1912 has inspired more than 50 million girls and women, must seize the opportunity to revitalize the Girl Scout Movement in order to remain compelling, contemporary and relevant to today’s girls. On August 26, 2006, GSUSA’s National Board of Directors voted to endorse a plan to realign 310 councils into 109 high capacity, community based councils. The new structure will make the most effective use of resources to better serve the local community and create more opportunities in Girl Scouting for even more girls. We are preparing to enter into this realignment with a continuation of our services. Our Girl Scouts and volunteers will see little to no disruption in their troop and other Girl Scout experiences. We are excited about the many opportunities and resources we will gain by joining with the Permian Basin Council and the Rio Grande council from Texas. This merger will provide expanded resources and programs for all Girl Scouts in our new council. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our councils to combine their strengths to serve more girls with more programs and activities. This revitalization is important to Girl Scouting because it will ensure that we will remain the best leadership development program for girls ages 5 to 17 for decades to come. The Renewed Girl Scout Leadership Development Program The National Board of Directors also endorsed a more contemporary leadership program model for girls, and renewed an organizational commitment to develop girls’ leadership skills based on the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. This leadership philosophy is captured by the new mission statement – Girl Scouting builds 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---that 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 position of authority,” says Kathy Cloninger, GSUSA’s CEO. “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.” Girls tell us they need Girl Scouting to personalize their leadership experience in a way that’s fun and relevant to their lives. As a movement, we’ve defined the framework for such an experience, and Girl Scouts – Zia Council looks forward to working with Permian Basin Council, and Rio Grande Council and engaging with girls to bring this new and exciting philosophy to life. About Girl Scouts Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, with 3.7 million girl and adult members worldwide. Founded in 1912, Girl Scouting is the leading authority on girls’ healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls in every corner of the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, as well as destinations abroad. For more information on how to join, volunteer, or donate to Girl Scouts, call 1-800-734-9846 or 746-9846 or visit our web site www.zia.org Our opportunities are as great as our imaginations. Our challenge will be to think as big as our girls can dream. Our girls need us now more than ever. Girls today face challenges never before confronted by young people their age. The good news is we are in a great position to support their positive development. Zia council has already increased travel opportunities, expanded program including but not limited to Science, Technology, Enginering, Math, Healthy Living, and more. These activities are not only available for troops but we have extended our programs to in school and after school program for all girls throughout our council. While the national membership has decreased the past few years, Zia Council has increased in membership significantly the past 4 years. This can be attributed to a great volunteer base, strong board commitment, a dedicated staff, and tremendous support from our communities. We are truly making a difference in girls lives thanks to each and every one of you. All of us together can make this a celebration of an even greater opportunity for all girls ages 5 to 17. Linda Bentley Misty Hendricks Chief Executive Officer Board Chair
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Links to nearby councils:
Girl Scouts of the
Permian Basin
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1998-2007
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