The 2012 Annual Meeting will be here soon -- March 31st in fact! This year, it will be at the University Plaza in Springfield, Mo. The list of events on the agenda includes the state of the council, a presentation on the 52nd Girl Scout National Convention, and voting on new board members. It will be followed by a deli lunch at the Expo Center -- just for Annual Meeting/Recognition Ceremony attendees. After lunch, we will head to the main stage to honor volunteers at the annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony.

As if that isn't enough, there will be a day of excitement as we kickoff Girl Scouting's 100th Anniversary at the "Believe in Girls" Expo which includes entertainment, live animal shows, vendor booths, activities for kids, and much more throughout the day. And if you enjoy walking or running, you can start the day at 8:00 am by participating in the first ever "Believe in Girls" 5K.

You should have received information and a registration form showcasing all of the day's events in the mail. You can also register online at www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org/100th. It's sure to be a fabulous day . . . so get registered, join the fun and we'll see you there!

Delegate Training is Now Online

Over the past three years, we have received several requests to move the delegate training to an online training rather than hold it 30 minutes prior to Annual Meeting. We understand that it is hard to digest everything and then perform the duties just minutes later. Therefore, you may now take the delegate training online at any time that fits your schedule.

This is a required training for all delegates, as well as alternate delegates, and must be taken prior to March 15 in preparation for your duties at Annual Meeting on March 31. Even if you have been a delegate in the past or are not attending Annual Meeting, you must take this training.

Once you have submitted your answers, you will receive a confirmation email, and your name and information will be sent to the council office for our records. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Missy Cravens who will send you one in the mail for completion. To access the training, go to www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org/deltrain.

Delegate Packets

On February 15, all delegates will be mailed a packet of information that should be reviewed prior to attending Annual Meeting. It will contain a copy of the agenda, bios for those on the board slate, and voting instructions. Upon arrival, please check in at the designated delegate registration table where you will pick-up your name tag, agenda, and voting ballot. We would ask that if you are unable to attend the annual meeting, please pass this packet of information along to the alternate delegate in your service unit, as packets are not mailed to alternates.

To contact Missy Cravens with questions in regard to either the packets or the training, e-mail mcravens@girlscoutsmoheartland.org or call 877-312-4764 ext. 1124.

When it met January 20 in Springfield, the Board of Directors heard a report on the council's FY2011 Audited Financial Statements from Amanda Kastler of Elliott, Robinson & Company LLP. The Board accepted the council's proposed submissions for grant funding during FY2012 and United Way allocations during FY2013.

Valerie Richardson (Poplar Bluff), Board Development Committee chair, noted her committee had almost completed its work in preparing a full slate of 20 members-at-large, five officers, and an ex-officio Board Development Chair to represent the three regions of the council. The Board Development Committee will be comprised of seven members, two from each region plus the committee chair.

In her report, Interim CEO Anne Soots said that although girl membership and fall product revenue are down from this time a year ago, public support and retail sales are up. During the "Mission Moment" she recapped the opening of the Joplin Satellite Office in early December.

Mary Lynn Jones-wright (Kennett), Adult Recognition Committee chair, reported on the awards which will be given to volunteers during the 100th Anniversary Celebration March 31 in Springfield. The Board accepted her committee's recommendation for Thanks Badge recipients and approved the agenda for the 2012 Annual Meeting. The Board also approved the appointment of Jayme Dement (Ashland) to the Adult Recognition Committee.

Board Chair Tina Stillwell announced that Board Member Vicki Myers (Jefferson City) has agreed to chair the search/selection task group for the new GSMH CEO. Stillwell said she anticipates having members of the task group in place by the end of January. During the meeting Board members discussed the CEO search process, which is expected to take six months.

Resource Development Chair Lindsey Godfrey reminded Board members to fill out their annual giving pledge forms and encouraged them to contribute toward a Board sponsorship for the 100th Anniversary Weekend. She indicated that the annual "Just Desserts" event is scheduled the evening of February 2 in Cape Girardeau.

The next Board meeting will begin at 12:30 pm March 30 at the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield.

Planning and Surveys

The council Property Committee and its three sub-groups are continuing their work on developing the council's long-range property plan. The plan will address both program properties and council service centers. All three sub-groups -- Property, Program and Marketing -- are in the data gathering phase.

Surveys have been developed to gather program/property information from girls, parents and volunteers. We encourage everyone to give the council their input and respond to the surveys online at: www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org/propertysurveys. Hard copies of the surveys will be mailed to a random sampling of girls, parents and volunteers the first week of February. We hope that everyone that receives a survey in the mail will take a few minutes to complete it and mail it right back in the postage paid return envelope.

The Property Committee is on track to have a draft proposal completed in June. We will be sharing this information across the council in July in a number of ways. Please watch future council communications pieces for ways you can participate in this sharing process.

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)