2011 National Convention
Thirty volunteers, girls and GSEIWI employees represented our council at the Girl Scout national convention in Houston Nov. 10-13, 2011.
They heard speeches from an impressive list of people, including Katie Couric, Robin Roberts, Marlee Matlin, outgoing GSUSA CEO Kathy Cloninger and incoming CEO Anna Maria Chavez. They participated in thought-provoking "conversations of consequence" regarding diversity and charitable giving, and listened to performers such as Sara Bareilles.
The large vendor fair offered an opportunity to gather ideas for opportunities and services available to Girl Scouts. GSEIWI representatives also had the opportunity to network with counterparts from across the country about best practices and ideas for leadership experience, marketing and communications, and elearning, among other topics.
Delegates debated three measures:
- They approved a measure that will give council the option to charge members a service fee. The amount charged by councils shall not exceed the amount charged by GSUSA for annual membership dues, now $12.
- They voted down a proposal requiring councils select delegates two years in advance of convention.
- They returned a proposal to committee that would have changed the membership year from October through September to a floating year based on when a member joins. Kathy Cloninger issued this challenge: attain gender balance in leadership positions within a generation. "The power to take on this challenge of America's leadership crisis lies uniquely in this room," she said. "Girl Scouts is committed to taking on the challenge."
Want to learn more? Visit the GSEIWI convention blog at girlscoutstoday.wordpress.com.
The next national convention will be held in Salt Lake City in Fall 2014.
