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P R O M I S E SPRING 2018
Happy nearly SPRING, Girl Scouts!
By now we are wrapping up another successful cookie program where we worked with girls of all ages to learn business ethics, money management, goal setting, people skills and decision making. Know a girl age 5-17 who could benefit from those lifelong attributes? It’s not too late to join us!
While the focus of this piece is to educate and thank our donor community, part of our gratitude can always be expressed by including reference to the largest all-girl led business in the WORLD! Girl Scout cookies!
On a more donor-centric note, we can’t thank you all enough for helping us to bring home the last crown jewel of our long- range property plan that launched 7 years ago – the Peoria Urban Program Center. Today we have created a girl-friendly space that boasts expansive troop meeting space, a teaching kitchen and a completely renovated boutique! Please stop by our location in Lakeview Park to witness the transformation for yourselves!
Looking ahead we have camp registration in our sights and as always hope to send every girl with a desire to attend to camp. Please look for the campership assistance fund request in your mailboxes in the coming months and help us send girls who could not otherwise afford to attend camp. Each year, GSCI spends over $30,000 on scholarship attendance for a multitude of campers. We certainly could not do that without your help! Please accept this as my personal invitation to join me at Camp Widjiwagon or Camp Tapawingo for one of our Friday Family lunches to see your donor dollar in action.
Until next time, let’s all remember our Girl Scout Promise and Law and go out and make the world a better place!
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Pam KovacevichCEO, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
Eight Girl Scouts from Decatur and Peoria were selected to attend Girl Scouts of the USA’s triennial national convention G.I.R.L. 2017 October 6-7 in Columbus, Ohio, buckling up for an ultimate road trip beyond imagination. Escorted by Girl Scouts of Central Illinois staff—Program Series Specialists Sonja Chargois and Latrice Hudson—the girls experienced a jam-packed weekend of guest speakers, workshops, and a host of hands-on activities during this largest girl-led event for girls and young women in the world.
The Buckeye State Capital painted the town green for Girl Scouts, and GSUSA provided plenty of star power. Among the event’s speakers were Clinton Foundation vice chair Chelsea Clinton; “Good Morning America” news anchor Amy Robach; and “America’s Got Talent” alumni Caly Bevier and Angelica Hale. Other notables included Olympic gold-medalist gymnast Gabby Douglas and NASA astronaut, engineer, and physician Dr. Mae Jemison.
In addition to being starstruck, the girls enjoyed a talent show, carnival, G.I.R.L. party, and Girl Scout sing-a-long. They also participated in the great tradition of S.W.A.P.S. (“Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere”).
Platinum sponsor AT&T’s Infinity Room in the Hall of Experiences, a world of interactive exhibits which they also sponsored, was understandably a big hit with the girls. Through specially created games, videos, and quizzes within it, the girls could discover their infinite possibilities of being a Go-getter, Innovator,
Risk-taker, and Leader (G.I.R.L.). They learned “you don’t have to be perfect, just be your best self” and “to not give up on your dreams even after you fail.”
Aria Brown from Decatur said, “I loved all the performances and the Go-getter speeches. I learned that you can do anything and you can’t be shy or scared; you gotta be brave.”
Tamia Hayes from Peoria summed it up best: “I loved everything! It was a great weekend, and I learned I can do anything.”
Ultimate Road Trip
I loved everything!
It was a great weekend, and I
learned I can do anything.
“
“
Teaching, Giving “All About The Girl”
It was a long time in the making, but it was worth the wait. The Proud Past, Bright Future campaign kicked off in 2011 and finally culminated in the completion of the Peoria Urban Program Center renovation.
In late September the Peoria staff packed up everything in the Trefoil boutique and set up shop in a temporary space just across the parking lot at the Peoria Park District Bonnie Noble Center. Two staff worked there while others worked remotely, as the renovation continued in earnest, including a new roof and expanded interior among numerous much needed updates.
Thanks to generous donations from Ameren and Cam Lahart, it will also showcase a fully-stocked teaching kitchen: commercial refrigerator, double oven, warming tray, dishwasher and microwave. The space is encased in nearly floor-to-ceiling windows.
“We cannot thank Ameren and Cam enough for helping create a space where girls can learn cooking skills, mingle around a six-foot island, eat at the Daisy-sized lunch counter, or use the space for meetings,” GSCI CEO Pam Kovacevich said.
Both Ameren and Lahart are familiar friends of GSCI, having supported many a special project across generations. The now retired 30-year Girl Scout volunteer and professional, Lahart hears the call and heeds it every time. Her name is emblazoned upon Healthy House and the Gabby Kneer Aquatic Center at Camp Tapawingo, but plaques and pats on the back are not the mojo behind her motivation.
“Although the Peoria Office renovation was beyond necessary for the welfare of the staff, the staff recruit the volunteers who work with The Girl,” Lahart said. “If we can give The Girl one positive event, adventure, or experience, we have done our job. The renovation will give The Girl an opportunity to have sleepover meetings with her troop, a teaching kitchen will give The Girl life experiences, and staff will be able to offer various program events for The Girl. It’s all about The Girl.”
“If we can give The Girl one positive
event, adventure,
or experience,
we have done our
job.”
April 18, 2018 marks a momentous occasion for GSCI – our first ever
STEM Advisory Council will meet with its primary purpose of helping to establish the next generation of girl program in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics areas.
From over half a dozen community partner organizations, 12 amazing women with backgrounds in engineering, medicine, computer technology and university curriculum development--all with an interest in passing along their passion for STEM will spend half a day blazing the trail for our young girls to follow in their footsteps!
Research has proven that not only is aptitude a major factor in the decision-making process of determining what field one will pursue, but attitude is as well. Providing girls with role models who are recognized as experts in their fields of engineering, medicine, mathematics and technology and then developing and delivering STEM-friendly curriculum could be just the attitude adjuster that a young girl needs to find her passion for the field! Stay tuned for the next report of this esteemed group’s contributions of excellence to our next generation of astronauts, electricians, engineers and mathematicians.
Teaching Kitchen
Program Space
TrefoilBoutique
Race for GSCI at the Illinois Marathon
For the third consecutive year, GSCI has been selected as one of fourteen charity running partners for the 2018 Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon, April 26-28. Run, walk, and raise funds for Girl Scouts. Race rates will rise over the next two months, but if you opt to raise funds on behalf of GSCI, you are guaranteed the lowest registration cost regardless of when you register. Contact Stacey LaFeber at [email protected] or 217-693-4723 for more information to set up your fundraising page and receive your discount code. Go Team Girl Scouts!
Community Spotlight Thanks to all our community partners throughout the council - we greatly appreciate your support! Here are a couple shining examples of our valued partners’ support. Hickory Point Bank & Trust (HPB) has been a valued GSCI partner for many years, sponsoring several council fundraisers, including Diamonds & Desserts in Decatur, Golf Fore Girls and Cookies and Cocktails in Springfield. HPB Vice President, Janice Schramm, has served on our Board of Directors since 2015, and will take over as GSCI Board Chair effective April 3.
In 2017 and again in 2018, Hickory Point Bank will sponsor both of our Operation Cookie Share radiothon events in Decatur and Springfield. Through Operation Cookie Share customers purchase Girl Scout cookies to be distributed to members of our armed forces. Since the program’s inception in 2010, over 350,000 boxes of cookies have been distributed to our soldiers. As a result, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois achieved the honor of entering into the Illinois Congressional Records. We look forward to seeing how these meaningful events continue to grow in both communities with Hickory Point Bank’s continued support.
Neuhoff Media is our longest standing Operation Cookie Share (OCS) partner since its inception in Decatur in 2014. Its continued success over the past 4 years is due largely to Neuhoff Media and its skilled host, Marconi award winner Brian Byers. The 12-hour radiothon will broadcast May 31 from Central Park in Decatur and June 14 from Hickory Point
Bank in Springfield. Whether sharing our Girl Scout history or interviewing faithful supporters of OCS, Brian and his team work diligently to insure that the men and women of our armed forces receive their favorite taste of home – Girl Scout cookies!
In addition to the Operation Cookie Share events, Neuhoff Media has been a sponsor for several other GSCI fundraising events over the years including, Diamonds & Desserts in Decatur and Women of Distinction in Champaign.
Partnership Opportunities Check out the exciting opportunities for community partners at these upcoming GSCI programs. If you are interested in participating or sponsoring one of these amazing events please contact Lisa Wall at [email protected].
Girl Scout Day at the CapitolFriday, April 27, 2018
Our 12th annual Girl Scout Day at the Capitol will focus on Career Development and Leadership. It is our largest council-wide event, bringing up to 2,000 Girl Scouts and Leaders from all over Illinois. During the Girl Scout Expo at Bank of Springfield Center, community organizations provide booths with interactive activities and give the girls opportunities to engage with empowering women.
Family Day at Camp WidjiwaganSat., May 12, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Please join us for this community family day open to both Girl Scout families and the Public! Explore camp and enjoy family fun including archery, climbing wall, outdoor cooking demo, yard games, balloon artists, face painting, crafts and more. It’s a perfect time to acquaint yourself with all Camp Widjiwagan has to offer our members and outside groups.
Girl Scout Alumnae News
Who is a Girl Scout Alumna? Anyone who was ever a Girl Scout, at any level, anywhere! Stay involved or see what’s new in Girl Scouting.
Save the Dates - Alumnae events!
March 28 – Gypsy Soul Social, 5-7 p.m. – Enjoy a glass of wine and socialize while shopping at the fun and eclectic Gypsy Soul boutique. Plus, 10% of that evening’s purchases will be given back to Girl Scouts of Central Illinois.
May 5 – Cinco de Mayo Service Day 1-5 p.m. – Help with Camp Widjiwagan spring clean-up and then celebrate a job well done with a margarita and some chips-n-salsa. Friends and significant others welcome!
June 16 - Conquer the Challenge Course – Join us at Camp Widjiwagan for an exciting day on the challenge course!
September 8-9 - Fall Camping and Archery Adventure– Soak up the beautiful outdoors at Camp Widjiwagan and camp like a Girl Scout. Test your archery skills or learn for the first time!
For more information regarding these events or our Alumnae Association, please check the Alumnae page on getyourgirlpower.org or contact Beth at [email protected] or 217-372-5221.
GSCI Needs Your AssistanceWe know that many of you are experts in your field and our Girl Scouts could benefit from your many talents. Would you enjoy assisting with a Girl Scout program in your field, like to volunteer at summer camp or assist with a special project? Contact us at [email protected] or 888-623-1237.
Senior Roundup ReunionIf you are one of the more than 40,000 Girl Scout alumnae that attended a Senior Roundup in ‘56, ‘59, ‘62 or ’65, you are invited to the 2018 Roundup Reunion September 9-14 at the Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes, Vermont. For details contact Sharon Baade at [email protected].
Promise Partnership – Join this recurring giving opportunity on behalf of your business, organization, or to satisfy your philanthropic need.
Planned Giving – Please consider a bequest to Girl Scouts in your will. Ensure that Girls Scouts for generations will have the tools to make the world a better place.
Monthly Giving – Your ongoing contribution affords all girls an opportunity to experience Girl Scouts!
Amazon Smile – Support GSCI when you shop at smile.amazon.com.
Gift of Grain – Make a gift of agricultual commodities when delivering grain to the elevator.
To learn more, contact Anna Sutton at [email protected] or 217-241-3744.
GIVING CORNER
Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage
PAIDPeoria, IL
Permit #6711103 W. Lake AvenuePeoria, IL 61614
&Desserts
DessertsDIAMONDSDISTINCTIONand
Desserts First
facebook.com/GirlScoutsofCentralIllinois
GetYourGirlPower.org
Customer Care 888-623-1237
gscentralil
@GSCentralIL
Thank you for helping us keep our records accurate. Please send any mailing address changes or updates to [email protected].
Calendar of events - Join Us!
MMARCH
AAPRIL
MMAY
JJUNE
SSEPTEMBER
OOCTOBER
15PEORIA
19
BLOOMINGTON
31 OperationCookie Share
DECATUR
14 OperationCookie Share
SPRINGFIELD
13
CHAMPAIGN
20SPRINGFIELD
25 &DessertsDECATUR
Your dollars at work: üGifts for Girls ücamp üpave the way üGiving Tuesday
For event information or sponsorships, please contact Anna at [email protected].
Thanks to you, last year GSCI:
üProvided membership assistance to nearly 6,000 girls! Your contributions ensure that no girl is turned away.
üProvided campership assistance to 100 girls, ensuring girls had the opportunity to experience riding a horse, archery, climbing a rock wall, and so much more.
üThe Pave the Way Campaign helped build a patio, fire circle with personalized pavers behind the new LRS Leadership Center at Camp Widjiwagan.
üGiving Tuesday donations support the empowering programs that Girl Scouts offer girls and their families.
