GSUSA Anniversary Plans
National Convention Kickoff
A special 100th anniversary kickoff ceremony and celebration is being planned during the National Convention in Houston in November of 2011, and will signify bridging from one century to the next. Simultaneously, Girl Scouts nationwide will convene for similar bridging celebrations. Donors will be honored at a special reception in Houston.
National Girl Scout Leadership Institute
The 2011 National Girl Scout Leadership Institute will take place in November in Houston, Texas, immediately preceding the National Convention. Over 1200 girls in grades 6-12 will gather for this two-day event, the theme for which is "Leadership and Innovation….the Next 100 Years."
Girl Scouts Forever Green
Through this nationwide Community "Take Action" Project, Girl Scouts will be at the forefront of environmental sustainability, leading schools and communities in conserving energy and protecting natural resources. Twelve (12) pilot councils and twenty-seven (27) additional councils are implementing Girl Scouts Forever Green in 2010-2011. National rollout, involving all councils and USA Girl Scouts Overseas, is planned for 2011-2012.
Alumnae Study
A major alumnae study will examine the impact of Girl Scouting on a national sample of adult women. It will explore factors such as the kinds of activities they engaged in, the quality of the experience, the impact of the troop leader, the length of time spent in Girl Scouting and how all of this connects to their success today. There will be an online survey and qualitative work such as videotaped personal histories.
100th Anniversary Illustrated Book
Girl Scout Merchandise is preparing an illustrated book celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting. The book, scheduled for publication in fall 2011, will be distributed via our Council Shop.
Commemorative Girl Scout Merchandise
A line of both vintage and contemporary 100th anniversary Girl Scout merchandise will be introduced in the fall of 2011. Items will include T-shirts, messenger bags, and a collectors' series of patches and pins. The line of merchandise for girls will be contemporary and future-focused, and there will be a vintage line for adults.
Girls' World Forum
In July of 2012, the Girls' World Forum, in collaboration with WAGGGS and Girl Guides in the United Kingdom, will take place in Chicago. It is anticipated that the Girls' World Forum will be comprised of two girls per WAGGGS member country, and two girls per council. In early 2011, a Girl Planning Committee will be formed, comprised of girls from the host city council and a group of National Girl Consultants.
Exhibits Promoting Girl Scout History
The rich history of Girl Scouting's first 100 years will be showcased in traditional and innovative ways nationwide. GSUSA is in contact with museums and organizations who will serve as showcase partners. A Rig Book/Style Guide tool kit is available to help guide the development of local displays and exhibits, and GSNWGL is currently seeking volunteers to serve on an Archives Team to inventory, catalogue and display our historical memorabilia. Please contact Jill Rady or call 888.747.6945 x4520 if interested.
Fundraising Campaign
The goal is to establish girls and women as a philanthropic priority, and to transform the philanthropic capacity of the Movement in order to fund the next century of Girl Scouting. A nationwide 100th Anniversary Campaign will provide an opportunity for alumnae, parents, current donors, and the larger community to make significant investments in leadership development for girls that will help bridge significant gaps facing girls:
The Investment Gap
Investing in girls produces the greatest return in economic development, social progress and public health. Girls' programs receive only 6% of philanthropic dollars.
The Education Gap
When today's girls graduate from college, America will need three million more scientists and engineers. Girls tend to start leaving science to boys as early as the 5th grade.
The Leadership Gap
Companies with more female senior executives consistently outperform their industry peers by 40%. The officers and directors of Fortune 500 companies are 85% male. Only 15% have a female CEO.
The Confidence Gap
Boys and girls agree that leadership has no gender. Only one girl in five believes that she herself has what it takes to lead.
Our aim as a Movement is to close these gaps, as we:
- Broaden the public's understanding of who we are, what we do, and why it matters
- Create a sense of urgency around closing opportunity gaps for girls
- Solidify our position as a thought leader, and leading advocate for girls
- Build bridges to those who share our commitment to girls
- Transform the philanthropic landscape for women and girls
... and, of course, celebrate all that we've done for 50 million girls over the years!
The theme of our anniversary year will be about our PROMISE...
The Promise of Girls, and our Promise to Girls
It's about the promise every Girl Scout makes... her personal contract with the future.
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
It is a promise that connects her with 50 million amazing women who led the way and shaped our world.
And, it is about an explicit promise we will make to generations of young women to come:
