Board Chair Tina Stillwell began the September 14 board meeting at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach by congratulating new Council CEO Anne Soots and thanking the board members who served on the CEO Selection Committee. She welcomed special guest Monna Loftis, Girl Scouts of the USA governance consultant, who led the board retreat which began after the meeting and continued on September 15.

The board approved the operating budget for FY13 consisting of $4,921,715 in public support/revenue and $5,359,693 in functional expenses. Board members acknowledged the deficit budget and indicated their intent to develop a plan to balance the budget. This budget included $110,000 in capital expenditures for FY13 and an approved DeLappe Fund Budget for FY13. The Audit Committee Charter, presented by Audit Committee Chair Tammy Young, was accepted.

During the November meeting via webinar, the board accepted the Property Committee's recommendation regarding the service centers and one program property. The board voted to keep the current service center locations in Joplin, Springfield, and Dexter and to sell the Cape Girardeau and Jefferson City Service Centers and to relocate the latter two service centers to storefront/business operation sites that better accommodate the staff size and provide more visibility in the Cape Girardeau and Jefferson City areas. The timing and manner of placing the properties on the market will be at the discretion of Council CEO Anne Soots. The board also voted to terminate the current lease for the Cow Creek property located on Table Rock Lake in the Branson area, which will give the land back to the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

In other action, the board voted not to accept the request from Service Unit #763 (Perry County) to move from GSMH to the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri council.

The mission moment was presented by Public Relations/Digital Media Manager Lori Enyart and Leadership and Learning Specialist Stefanie McCall who reported on the 2012 Europe trip.

During the CEO report, Council CEO Anne Soots discussed the council's progress in achieving its five key priorities during the year which ended September 30. Girl membership for FY12 ended at 16,799 (down from 17,393 in FY11) due to a decrease in girls in troops. Adult membership reached 4,939 (up from 4,899 in FY11). Increases were realized in the areas of girls served through council programs, girls served through outreach, and adults trained. The number of girl members participating in resident camp decreased to 713 (down from 806 in FY11). However, the number of youth and adults who used GSMH property was up slightly. Increases also were noted in the areas of public support, retail, and program service revenue. Gross product program revenue was down slightly ($6,059,410 in FY12 compared to $6,080,754 in FY11).     

Board Chair Tina Stillwell updated the board on the annual review process the council undergoes with Girl Scouts of the USA. She noted the board needs to increase its culture of philanthropy and increase the diversity of board members and Board Development Committee members to reflect the diversity of the council jurisdiction.

During the meeting, board members discussed action steps they can take to accomplish critical tasks in the areas of council funding and property during the September Board Retreat. In order to achieve a balanced operating budget in the next 2-3 years, the Finance Committee will develop a plan for a breakeven budget in a 2-3 year time frame. The Resource Development Committee will suggest action steps that board members can take to support that committee and increase public support.

In accepting the Property Committee's proposal on the service centers and one of the program properties, the board took the first step in approving a long-range plan. A proposal on the remaining 10 program properties is slated to go to the board in June 2013. Council CEO Anne Soots will work with Chief Communications Officer, Brigitte Scott, to ensure that property decisions are communicated to the council's stakeholders as quickly as possible through a variety of channels.

The next board meeting will take place on January 18, 2013 at the Springfield Administrative Service Center.