National Council Session Proposal Results

Three national proposals (located here), were brought to a vote at the 52nd National Convention held in Houston, TX in early November. Each proposal was discussed at length followed by a call for a vote. National council delegates representing every Girl Scout Council in the US were in attendance with a total of 1,296 voting delegates on Friday and 1,314 on Saturday. The results are as follows:

Proposal 1: Authorization for Annual Council Service Fee for Girl Members

Prior to the discussion and call for vote, an amendment was proposed to call it a service fee instead of general program fee. This verbiage amendment passed: 1041 in favor and 418 against. After much discussion the actual proposal passed: 837 in favor and 418 against.

The key discussion item for this proposal included each councils ability to set the fee according to their area needs and economic conditions. Councils do not have to include this fee. It is optional, but if a fee is considered, it cannot exceed the national dues amount.

Proposal 2: Constitutional Amendment: Timing for the Election of National Council Delegates in Councils

This proposal failed: 605 in favor and 656 against.

Proposal 3: Annual Membership

The actual proposal was not voted upon at this convention. After much discussion, the motion voted upon was to refer this proposal to a Girl Scouts of the USA appointed task group to study the dues structure and membership process. The motion to appoint a task group passed: 814 in favor and 428 against.

One highlight of the business meetings included listening to keynote speaker Frances R. Hesselbein, former National Executive Director for Girl Scouts of the USA. Mrs. Hesselbein was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States of America's highest civilian honor by President Clinton, in 1998. The award recognized her leadership as CEO of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. from 1976-1990, her role as the Founding President of the Drucker Foundation, and her service as "a pioneer for women, volunteerism, diversity and opportunity." After business was conducted, GSMH national delegates took part in other convention activities such as participating in conversation pits, attending the National Young Women of Distinction Ceremony, Conversation of Consequence Panels, the 100th Anniversary Celebration, visiting Exhibit Hall Booths and conversing with GSUSA's new CEO, Anna Marie Chevez.

Delegate Forms

Please keep in mind that the new delegate forms are due in the Springfield administrative center by December 15.

The new delegate PDF forms can be found on the GSMH Service Unit Delegate's Web page.

• 2011-2012 Council Delegates Form
• 2011-2012 Council Delegate Count - Per Constituency

Board of Directors Meeting Summary

The Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland Board of Directors met November 18 via conference call/webinar.

Actions taken by the Board included:

• Approval of the Property Committee's Long-Range Property Plan timeline and the resignation of Board Development Chair Valerie Richardson from the Property Committee.
• Approval of the Property Committee's recommendation to use up to $5,000 of Board designated property funds for appraisals and surveys for the Long-Range Property Plan.
• Approval of the following resolution commending outgoing CEO Jennifer M. Orban for her service and dedication as the inaugural CEO of Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland:

  "In consideration that Jennifer M. Orban has served GSMH, Inc. as its first CEO over the past three and a half years; and during that time Ms. Orban has led the organization through a time of change as five Girl Scout councils merged to establish GSMH; and under Ms. Orban's leadership the organization has become a high performing council in that it has completed the Strategic Learning Process resulting in strategic priorities for the council, received a new three-year charter, and in its third year of existence achieved a record 18 percent growth in girl membership and 1.4 percent growth in adult membership positioning the council as third out of 112 councils nationwide in overall membership growth; Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of GSMH thanks and commends Ms. Orban for her advocacy for Girl Scouting and her service and dedication to over 17,000 girls and 4,900 volunteers in central and southern Missouri, southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma."

• Approval of a motion to offer the position of interim CEO of GSMH to Anne Soots, council chief operating officer, effective December 1.

The Board heard a presentation on the Robotics Program by Karen Lawrence, leadership program specialist for the central region, and a report on the 2011 National Council Session and Convention in Houston, Texas by Savannah Stepp, a national council delegate. Board members gave input on the Board's FY12 priorities regarding funding and the composition of the Board of Directors and Board Development Committee.

The next Board meeting is scheduled January 20, 2012 in Springfield.

Property Update

Joplin Satellite Office Progress

We are very excited to announce that the Joplin Satellite Office will be open for business starting Friday, December 9! The Joplin Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony which will take place at 10:00 am that morning. Additionally, on Saturday, December 10 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, we will be conducting an open house for volunteers, girls and community members to come see the building, take advantage of shop specials, and enjoy refreshments.

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland provides the premier leadership program for girls.

Our outcomes-based program model empowers girls to develop life and leadership skills that they will use for the rest of their lives.

Our council serves over 16,000 girls and 5,000 adults across 68 counties in southern and central Missouri, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma.

Visit: www.girlscouts.org

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland

Web: www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org

General e-mail: gscouts@
girlscoutsmoheartland.org

Delegate feedback e-mail:
delegatefeedback@
girlscoutsmoheartland.org

Phone: 877-312-GSMH (4764)