All Staff at Winona
Our Council's staff met at the scenic Camp Winona property on May 17th for our biannual in-person update.
This May's meeting featured wellness awareness and self-check with former Girl Scout Hannah Davis as well as exciting Camp-themed activities.
From painting and safety stories, to barefoot walking and puppy picture breaks, the meeting was a delight to be a part of. Thank you to all who organized the outing and to every staff member for contributing to an outstanding Girl Scout workplace!
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Flea Market Finds
The staff-driven flea market continues to "turn [...] trash into some one else’s treasure," in the words of Camping Manager Denise Viau.
Located in the dining area of the DC Office kitchen, the table of treasures is routinely cared-for, with new items to discover and old ones to donate every few weeks. Stop by to see what you can find!
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Gold Award News
In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, Marketing and Communications Manager Gabby Alvarado shared the uplifting news about Girl Scouts addressing youth mental health in their communities.
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To discuss their Gold Award projects centered on mental health, Girl Scout Ambassadors Diya Pradhan and Camille Francis were featured on Fox 5 along with Program Manager Stacey Johnson.
These projects were two of thirteen that worked to educate and support mental health topics this year. Watch the news clip here.
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Collaborate with Camp
It's time to embrace the great outdoors, tap into your adventurous spirit, and spend quality time outside of the office. The Camping team invites you to join them for an unforgettable summer camp experience!
As detailed in this flyer, there are still many opportunities to work at camp. Talk with your supervisor and complete this interest survey to begin the sign-up process!
You may also contact Outdoor Program Specialist Marina Esteve Wagstaff to learn more.
| New to the list of many unique experiences at camp, a cat was discovered in a Camp May Flather unit in early June! Given the nickname Honey, this friendly and shy kitty has been adopted into a cozy new home. |
Learning with Turtles
On June 7th, Girl Scouts and their families met with three women scientists from NOAA Fisheries to celebrate Sea Turtle Week and the importance of aquatic turtles as a key part of marine ecosystems worldwide.
Thank you to Program Specialist Courtney Bigbee and the Program team for organizing this amazing and educational opportunity!
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Product Program Trip
The Product Program team attended the GSUSA Product Program Conference from June 11-13.
Located in Chesapeake, Virginia this year, the annual conference serves as a way for Girl Scout Product Program teams to gather and learn new ideas from one another to improve the success of their own Fall Fundraiser and Girl Scout Cookie programs.
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Product Program Manager Anna Bradford shared that it was treat to spend time as a team. "It's rare that the four of us can get together [...], so when [we do], we have a great time."
The team also enjoyed meeting Council Directors and Product Program staff from many other regions at the GSUSA dinner.
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GS VIP Experience
Girl Scouts met at the White House on June 22nd as VIP guests to witness the arrival ceremony honoring His Excellency Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India.
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As described by Council Operations Specialist Emille Thompson, "Our scouts were treated like celebrities with a front row view, and it was an experience that will stay with them for a lifetime!"
Thank you to Acting Chief Executive Officer Colleen Cibula, and the very welcoming White House staff who made this opportunity possible.
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Pride and Potluck
On June 27th, several staff met in the DC Office board rooms to enjoy homemade food and celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
| Among the spread of tasty dishes, the festive lunch hour also featured several flavors of wraps and desserts from local LGBTQ-owned catering restaurant, W. Miller & Co. | Thank you to Business Operations Manager Carrie Banachowski and Director of Human Resources Angela Baker for their help in organizing and decorating the fun event! | |
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JULY 3
2 Hour Early Office Closure: Eve of Independence Day
JULY 4
Offices Closed: Independence Day
JULY 18
IDEA Committee Meeting
3:00 - 4:00 PM
Email sdec@gscnc.org to join
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Check the Council's current COVID-19 Guidelines here.
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Julie Joaquin joined the Council on May 8th as a Membership Specialist serving Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, and Rockledge, VA.
Before coming to Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, Julie spent the past several years volunteering for various scouting organizations, including as a Cub Scout Co-Leader for the Boy Scouts of America, a parent volunteer/driver for Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital Troop 4199, and as the Troop Leader for GSCNC Troop 90164.
Julie’s most recent professional role was with Inova Fairfax Hospital, where she worked as the Administrative Specialist I.
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In that role, Julie was responsible for establishing, executing, and overseeing volunteer management for Inova Fairfax Hospital’s volunteers. Additionally, Julie is bilingual. She is fluent in both Spanish and English. |
Here are some of Julie's favorite things!
1. Reading out loud! "I love to read to kids. I do voices for each character in the story. My kids love it, and it has made them big fans of reading."
2. Traveling. "I love the planning, airports, flying, people, and sightseeing. My favorite [destination] is Cartagena, Colombia, where my mother is from."
3. Food. "When I get an amazing meal that makes my taste buds sing, it fills me up with so much joy. Sometimes I dance, sometimes I melt, sometimes I get transported to a memory!"
4. Water! "I can be in the water all day. At the beach, in a river, in the pool. I could live in it. Nothing feels better."
5. Camping! "Growing up, I wasn't allowed to go to any sleepovers, but I was allowed to go camping with my Girl Scout troop. I have so many fun memories and, now, so do my kids."
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Camping Team Makes Fluffy Friends!
Just before the start of the busy camp season the Camping department went to Ever After Alpaca Farm to make some new friends and spend their teambuilding budget. Highlights included catching chickens, feeding the alpacas, watching the goats go down the slide, and celebrating pay day in the gift shop! Everyone had a great day and fell in love with the baby alpaca, Scooby, who had been born just a couple of weeks previous. You can follow the farm on Instagram @everafteralpacafarm for lots of wholesome alpaca content.
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Pictured left are Camping Manager Denise Viau, Outdoor Program Specialist Marina Esteve Wagstaff, Senior Camping Specialist Emily Reece, Camping Specialist Lynn Weikel, Camping Specialist Rebecca Montague, High Adventure Specialist Jade Harris, and the team's friendly new alpaca acquaintances.
Thank you, Marina, for sharing this!
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AVD Team Creates Art!
For their teambuilding activity, the Adult Volunteer Development department went to All Fired Up in Cleveland Park on June 6th and painted pottery!
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Pictured right are Volunteer Development Specialist Jennifer Saunders, (then) Senior Volunteer Development Specialist Mary Strauss, Adult Volunteer Development Coordinator Capriko Robinson, former Volunteer Development Specialist Bó Szabo, and (then) Adult Volunteer Development Manager Monica Brile.
Thank you, Monica, for sharing this!
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Graduating Class of 2023
Membership Specialist Beverly Soule shares the exciting announcement of her son Wyatt's graduation from Millbrook High School. Wyatt and Beverly are pictured left at the 2023 graduation ceremony. Congratulations, Wyatt!
Joining the 2023 graduates are Benjamin and Evan, sons of Senior Membership Specialist Cheryl Osborne.
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Benjamin Osborne graduated from Longwood University with a BS in Computer Science. Evan Osborne graduated from Robinson Secondary School and will be attending Salve Regina University along with enlisting in the Rhode Island National Guard. Evan and Ben are pictured right, respectively.
Last, but certainly not least, Teen Program Specialist Raven Murphy is celebrating her kid Chrishay's high school graduation.
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Chrishay is pictured left in her sparkling prom dress. She will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall with most of her first year covered by hard-earned scholarships. Additionally, due to her acceptance into a competitive summer scholar's program, Chrishay gets to move in early!
An enthusiastic congratulations to all of this year's graduates! We wish each of them great success in their future endeavors!
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Share the good news!
Send celebrations to sdec@gscnc.org to be included next time.
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Middle Eastern Rice with Black Beans and Chickpeas
Shared by Membership Specialist Jacquelin Horn
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"I think a lot of people would really like [this dish] because it’s quick and easy to make, and best of all, it makes a ton of leftovers to pack up for lunch! It does contain meat, but it’s very easy to make vegetarian or even vegan. This is my tried and true recipe."
View and save a PDF of the full recipe here.
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Lemon-Tahini Slaw
Shared by Corporate and Foundations Officer Caitlin Delatte
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"This is a great recipe for a picnic because it is vegan and everyone can eat it. Plus, it has no dairy or mayo that could go bad in the sun. I have made it a zillion times and love it."
View and save a PDF of the full recipe here.
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Share your favorite eats with your coworkers!
Send recipes to sdec@gscnc.org to be included next time.
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Internal Growth
& Development
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Sharon Cantrall, Acting Area Membership Manager of Team 5, is now the Area Membership Manager effective June 27th.
Monica Brile, AVD Manager, is now the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Manager effective July 1st.
Mary Strauss, Senior Volunteer Development Specialist, has been promoted to Adult Volunteer Development Manager effective July 22nd.
Congratulations to all! May your new role bring you great satisfaction and exciting challenges.
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Girl Scout Brownie Troop 60211 led the Color Guard for Girl Scout Day in Nationals Park. | |
Three Girl Scouts from Troop 1237 graduated from three different high schools in Prince William County and posed for a photo shoot with their GS cords and Service Unit flag. Congrats, grads! | |
Girl Scout Troop 15006 celebrated their bridging ceremony by climbing into Cadettes! | |
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These "Girl Scout Proud" segments are featured from our social media.
Thank you to our Marketing and Communications team!
Click the buttons at the bottom of this newsletter to explore more!
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Catalytic Coaching is coming up soon! From August through September, Council staff will be using the Catalytic Coaching Evaluation Process to assess performance and develop future goals.
Want to learn more? Take a look at this brief guide. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Please reach out to any member of the HR Team if you have questions.
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