Girl Scout Realignment ... Still All about Girls
“I've got something
for the girls of Savannah, and
all of America, and all the world, and we're going to start
it tonight!” – Juliette Gordon Low
After 18 months of planning, working and
reporting, realignment is here! On May 1, 2008 six councils
from across the length and breadth of our state will open
our doors as one entity. We will have new policies and practices.
We will also have a new CEO and board. All these changes
will converge to help us begin our new journey as the Girl
Scouts of Historic Georgia.
Our new council will serve approximately
22,000 girls in 121 counties that include one in Alabama
and two in South Carolina. We will have eight camps, including
one on a barrier island and two with horses. Our network
of staff and volunteers hail from the base of the Appalachian
Trail and extend as far south as the state of Florida. We
touch the Atlantic Ocean on our east and Alabama on our
west covering hundreds of square miles. Yes, we’re
huge!
To keep up with our rather large membership,
we are adopting new ways of communicating through technology,
but we are also searching for ways to connect innovatively
through organizational design. As a new council, we will
have some growing pains. However, most of the changes we’ll
undergo will unfold over time.
The most immediate change for troops and
troop leaders will be in insignia and paperwork. Over the
next few months you will change troop numbers, council identification
tags and troop checking account information. Our council
will now be organized in regions, and staff may have different
job titles.
However, you will find many of
the same faces available to help you. We will have new email
addresses and a different  website,
but we will physically  remain
in the same locations. It has been a long, challenging process
that has required many of us to do double duty.
We are especially grateful for all the volunteers
and staff who have worked on the various realignment committees.
You have represented GSNEG very well and helped build a
very solid foundation for our new council. We’re beginning
a new adventure, while continuing a time honored tradition.
We may have a new name – but our mission
remains the same: To build girls of
courage, confidence and character who make the world a better
place!
Debra Harden, President
Cheryl Legette, Executive Director
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