There are so many ways to be a volunteer in Cook County that it can be overwhelming at times. I recently had the pleasure of attending a meeting of the Grand Marais Lions Club and they almost talked me into becoming a member. The Lions are an amazing organization and they do many good works— but my schedule is already full with full-time-plus employment and my other volunteer commitments, which I feel I’m not adequately fulfilling. I am secretary of the Cook County ATV Club and a regional director for the statewide ATV association. I’m on a church committee and I help out at the annual Christmas kids’ carnival as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. And I’m a Girl Scout leader.
So I was able to resist the Lions Club Tail Twister’s request to become a Lion. I will have to continue to support the Lions by buying Fisherman’s Picnic raffle tickets, buttons and fishburgers. Thanks, Lions, for all you do!
I can empathize with the Lions, though, in their quest to recruit new members. The Girl Scouts face the same challenge. Everyone is so busy. Most of our Girl Scout parents are working two jobs or already volunteering—at the radio station, on a fire department or rescue squad, coaching a sport, or helping with a play. There is just too much to do.
But, if you can find time to volunteer somewhere, I have to tell you being a Girl Scout leader is one of the most rewarding non-paying jobs you can have.
I was talked into being a leader when my oldest granddaughter RaeAnne was old enough to join. The local scouting chapter needed leaders for her troop. Under Girl Scout rules, two leaders are supposed to be available at meetings. So, I was recruited by my daughter-inlaw Michele to serve as her assistant leader.
I wasn’t a Girl Scout when I was young, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It’s been interesting. We’ve grown with “our girls.” In Girl Scouts, leaders don’t stay with a specific grade level or Girl Scout category. Leaders may start with kindergarten Daisy Scouts, but they don’t stay there as different girls transition through. No, Girl Scout leaders advance with their girls, keeping the same troop number through the years with Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, and Senior Scouts.
That’s good and bad. It’s good because it gives adults and girls the chance to get to know one another. Over the three years we’ve been leaders we’ve gotten to know who is shy in a group and who is outspoken. We’ve laughed at the girls’ jokes and firmly reminded them of the behavior expected of a Girl Scout. And in keeping with the Girl Scout promise, we’ve watched them each become “a sister to all Girl Scouts.”
We don’t have all of the girls all of the time. Just like adults, there are a lot of activities for young people. We sometimes lose girls to play practice or dance or After- School Adventures. But even when we don’t see a girl for a while, we care about them. And they care about each other.
Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout is one of the organization’s slogans. One of our delightful young ladies said of a friend who had left scouting. “She’s not a Scout any more, so she’s not our sister—I think she’s a cousin instead!”
Almost every meeting has a sweet moment like that and it makes the work of being a leader worthwhile.
While working with girls on badges, I’ve toured the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fishery, the Grand Marais wastewater treatment plant, taken in an Art Colony exhibit and talked to a talented painter and learned more than I really wanted to know about bugs. I’ve learned goofy games and silly songs and completed dozens of craft projects. I’ve gone hiking and helped with flag ceremonies and gotten lots of hugs.
It’s a volunteer job I highly recommend, especially when you consider the down side of the Girl Scout policy of leaders advancing with their girls. Because we all move ahead with our girls, eventually there is a vacancy and new leaders are needed. This year, for the first year in I don’t know how long, Girl Scouts has no troop leader for the kindergarten girls—the Daisies. And that means there are some sad little 5-year-olds who were hoping they could join Girl Scouts when they were old enough. Co-leaders and helpers are needed for other ages too.
So if you’re thinking of volunteering, if you can share a few hours of your time on Thursday afternoons, consider becoming a Girl Scout leader. It could be the best non-paying job you’ve ever had.
There are two lasting
bequests we can give our
children: One is roots; the
other is wings.
Hodding Carter
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