As I’ve mentioned in the past, sometimes I take a detour while writing Unorganized Territory. I start out with a certain subject and veer off to another, completely changing the topic and the tone of my weekly column.
That is exactly what happened last week when I started with a mention of being a Girl Scout leader. I meant to write a column about the joys and frustrations of being a leader and I somehow ending up commenting on the school board meeting that I missed because I was being a Girl Scout leader at the Court of Awards.
So this week, I’m back on the Girl Scout path. We’ll see if I can stay on task.
I really do want to share some thoughts on Girl Scouting, as our local group really needs more leaders and co-leaders. I’m hoping to entice some women who want to have an impact on the girls of tomorrow to join us.
Leaders grow with their girls. The little ones that start with us in kindergarten get a new troop number that they keep through their years of scouting, along with their leader. I started as co-leader when “my girls” were first grade Brownies. I’m now the leader of the soon-to-be fifthgrade Juniors of Troop 4109.
Leaders eventually work themselves out of their volunteer jobs. For example, Leader Arvis Thompson has had her troop members graduate high school and go off to college and other great adventures. Sandy Stover and Laura LaFavor’s girls are getting closer to graduation.
It’s a nice system of mentorship through the years. But it also creates a void. This year’s kindergarten troop of Daisies becomes next year’s first graders with the same leader. So we need leaders to step up for the next group of girls. We need moms or grandmothers or aunts to join them on their journey.
It is kind of scary. There are Girl Scout rules and regulations and a few financial forms to complete for dues and cookies. The established Girl Scout leaders help out as much as they can with meeting templates and activity suggestions and so on, but when it comes down to meeting time and keeping a bunch of energetic girls engaged, it can be challenging.
There have been more than a few meetings that I felt as if I spent the entire time barking orders. “Don’t tip your chair.” “Wait until it’s your turn to talk.” “Please put away your cell phone.” “If you can’t get along, you won’t get to sit next to each other.” And so on…
There have been weeks when I am scrambling to come up with an idea for a meeting activity to fulfill a badge requirement. My co-leader daughter-in-law Michele and I try to plan ahead, but let’s be realistic. We’re talking about unorganized territory here.
I don’t share the downside of scouting to dissuade someone from becoming a leader. On the contrary, I just want to be honest. Sometimes it is downright hard.
But, it is so worth it. For example, my troop has embarked on a wonderful community project with which to earn the Girl Scout Bronze award. I will not give away their secret, but I will say a lot of work is involved.
Just before school ended, we had to make an appointment to talk to Principal Gwen Carman and Student Success Coordinator Anna Sandstrom about the project. I told the girls when we would be meeting— at noon on a Tuesday, not our regular Girl Scout day or time.
The meeting date arrived and after an extremely stressful morning, I entered the school in a not-so-cheerful state of mind. I thought surely the girls had forgotten and the office would have to page them to Ms. Carman’s office.
I should not have doubted these delightful young ladies. Not only had they not forgotten, they had reminded Ms. Carman of the meeting— several times.
They arrived outside the office at the appropriate time, all smiles and ready to explain their project. I couldn’t have been prouder. After our discussion in Principal Carman’s office, I said goodbye to the girls, but not before some high fives and hugs. I exited the school grinning, the crummy events of that morning forgotten.
It’s days like that that make it all worthwhile!
Ours is a circle of friendships
united by ideals.
Juliette Gordon Low
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