Here`s - 100 Questions for the Girl Scouts

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Global
Girl Scouting
O
pening the world to girls is nothing new in
Girl Scouts. And with the shrinking of the world
through the Internet, fast travel, podcast entertainment and news, the need to rededicate efforts
in helping girls think globally and understand the world—
their world—is one of the focused activities of the Girl Scout
Movement.
Girl Scouts of the USA, and every member of it, automatically belongs to the World Association of Girl Guides and
Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Interweaving their international
scope is complex, encompassing 144 organizations throughout the world. Yet the purpose of this worldwide Movement is
clear, especially when you consider the new mission statements
of WAGGGS and GSUSA, the largest of the Member Organizations. All of these organizations reciprocally encourage international understanding, travel, and friendship that support girls
as they take their places as global citizens, better still—global
leaders of the future.
At GSUSA the implementation of a new strategy, and an
alignment for the future brought also a reorganization of the
offices concerned with international activities. The result is a
new department in the new Mission-to-Market Group, called
Global Girl Scouting, which is designed to elevate global initiatives within Girl Scouts of the USA. The two departments
of the group are Global Action, and the long-established,
Girl Scouts Mission: Girl Scouting builds
girls of courage, confidence and character,
who make the world a better place.
WAGGGS: Our Mission: to enable girls and
young women to develop their fullest potential
as responsible citizens of the world.
Girl Guides of Taiwan
USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO), both of which concentrate on ways to increase global awareness among GSUSA
members. As it works to address worldwide issues affecting
girls, the Global Girl Scouting department aims to cultivate
long-lasting, inter-organizational partnerships, and engage
girls as change-agents at the global level.
The Global Action team has four main goals: 1) to raise the
global awareness of girls, councils, and national staff; 2) to enhance girls’ cross-cultural opportunities by creating enriching
experiential and service-learning opportunities for girls at a
global level; 3) to take girls’ voices to the global stage by participating in global conferences and events; 4) to create more
girl leadership opportunities at the global level.
Photos © WAGGGS
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USA Girl Scouts Overseas
Highlights of recent activities
Serving others, learning and working together
Approximately 200 USAGSO
girls and Girl Guides
completed the Lady Baden
Powell award. This award
is considered by USAGSO
to be the Gold Award of
International Girl Scouting
and can only be earned
with the host nation Girl
Guides and USAGSO girls
working together to fulfill
five requirements in the areas
of outdoor, culture, crafts,
service, and language.
Girl Guides representing
Japan, Caribbean, Latvia,
Hungary, Iraq and
Afghanistan participated
in USAGSO conferences.
100% of USAGSO-West Pacific
troops in mainland Japan
have connections with host
country Japanese Girl Scout
sister troops and meet for
activities at least twice a year.
Kirya Exchange has been
celebrated for 43 years.
USAGSO girls enjoy homestay with their Japanese
sisters for three days.
USAGSO-West Pacific staff
trained 40 trainers for
Girl Scouts of Japan.
USAGSO troops in Okinawa
have sister troops from
the Girl Scouts of Japan for
ongoing projects: Kabuki
theater day, Red Ribbon Week
activities, Mikan picking,
parades, holiday celebrations,
Ikego Friendship Garden and
a Snowflake Ball.
Atyrau, Kazakhstan: Making
small toiletry bags for local
orphanages. Participate in
World Watering Monitoring
Day on the Ural River.
Sigonella and Vicenza Italy
USAGSO girls and local
Guides collaborating on
beautification projects.
Sembach and Spangdahlem
participated with the French
Guides for Memorial Day
services. Groups worked
together preparing graves
and presenting wreaths to
dignitaries.
Hohenfels: Working
with local Polish club to
collaborate in building
a playground for a local
orphanage in Poland.
Thessalonica, Greece:
Ongoing projects with
Sisters of Mother Teresa.
Purchased quilt for 80year-old woman with no
heating or hot water.
Suri Sumatra Indonesia:
Working with local Girl
Guides and Boy Scouts
to improve camping area.
Tree planting.
Darmstadt Germany:
ongoing projects
with Guides building
friendship bridge,
World Thinking Day,
beautification projects.
South Korea: Ongoing
projects with a local
orphanage
USAGSO-North Atlantic:
In progress is a project to
connect USAGSO-North
Atlantic with girls in the
Ukraine, Armenia and
Azerbaijan that will focus on
healthy living and technology.
Tell us what you’re doing.
Are you a leader who promotes global awareness or
cross-cultural understanding? Please let us know about
the projects, trips, plans and ideas that you have to help
girls make the WORLD a better place. Would you like to
do more? Are you looking for ideas? Ask questions, and
together we’ll find the answers. Send us an email at
USA Girl Scouts Overseas, currently serving approximately 18,000 girls and adults in 90 countries, also has
four major goals: 1) to offer American girls living overseas
a top-quality Girl Scout experience that matches that of
their sister Girls Scouts within the States; 2) to have girl
members connect with their host nation Girl Guides and
Girl Scouts to collaborate on program and service learning opportunities; 3) to build the capacities of trainers and
volunteers for both USAGSO and WAGGGS trainers; 4)
to make full use of electronic resources and programming
to better serve both adult and girl members at the global
level.
Girl Scouts and Girl Guides, and the many ways through
which they interact—WAGGGS, the World Foundation, the
World Centers—comprise an international sisterhood to ensure that girls everywhere will be represented, and enabled to
have and speak in their own voices; and to make a profound
difference for girls throughout the world.
WAGGGS: What is it?
The
new
look for
WAGGGS
2006
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, frequently called WAGGGS, is a worldwide organization comprised of 144 Girl Guide/Girl Scout national associations,
including Girl Scouts of the USA. WAGGGS not only provides the structure for uniting all its member organizations,
but also promotes and establishes the Girl Guide/Girl Scout
program in new countries. Headquartered at its World Bureau in London, WAGGGS also owns and operates four world
centers. Girl Guides/Girl Scouts can visit these program centers in England, Switzerland, India, and Mexico.
WAGGGS has six teams at United Nations locations around
the world. Each team has members promoting issues affecting girls and young women. GSUSA works closely with the
WAGGGS UN teams at the UN in New York.
The WAGGGS Member Organizations represent five
regions of the globe: Africa, Arab, Asia Pacific, Europe,
Western Hemisphere.
Girl Guides of Kenya
Our Rights & Responsibilities
WAGGGS Triennial Theme
The WAGGGS objectives for this triennium under the theme
“Our Rights, Our Responsibilities” are intended to raise awareness about basic human rights, and help girls to take active
and positive responsibility for claiming those rights for themselves and others. The initiative is based on the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child, a human rights treaty
adopted in 1990 to encourage countries around the world to
safeguard the rights of children. The treaty highlights the need
to protect children from abuse, violence, and exploitation, and
to provide access to adequate nutrition, healthcare, and primary education.
Junior Girl Scouts can earn the “Our Rights, Our Responsibilities” participation patch by completing at least one activity
from each of the six theme areas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The right to be me
The right to learn
The right to be heard
The right to live in peace
The right to be happy
The right to work together
Girls can find patch activities online at www.girlscouts.org
r .
The World Trefoil Pin and Flag
Special Meaning for Members
The World Trefoil pin is the unifying symbol
of the World Association of Girl Guides and
Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and is worn by members
worldwide. It was introduced in the United
States at the 1949 GSUSA National Council
Session. In 1991, WAGGGS unveiled a new
contemporary design and the World flag.
The World Trefoil and the World Flag have symbolic meaning.
The golden Trefoil on a bright blue background represents
the sun shining over all the children of the world; the three
leaves represent the three-fold Promise as originally laid
down by the Founder; the base of the stalk represents the
flame of the love of humanity; the vein pointing upwards
through the centre of the Trefoil represents the compass
needle pointing the way; and the two stars represent the
Promise and Law.
On the World flag, a white blaze in the lower, right-hand
corner represents commitment to peace; this is crowned
by three golden blocks symbolizing the three-fold Promise. The flag is used at the World Centres, the World Bureau,
WAGGGS gatherings and by all Member Organizations,
often as a unit flag.
The World Foundation
Building Ties that Bind
by Karen Scheuerer
Like most people, Gail Tsuboi will never forget where she
was on September 11, 2001. She was in India at the Sangam
WAGGGS World Center. She spent that day glued to the
scratchy little black and white TV in the Sangam library watching the news, and she was profoundly affected by something
that happened the next day. She and a couple of friends were
in the marketplace when a wrinkled, elderly Indian woman approached the group and asked “American? American?” As the
only American in the group, Gail came forward. The woman
grasped Gail’s hands, looked deeply into her eyes, and could
only say, “New York, New York.” Gail writes, “Experiences like
that cause you to see yourself as more than just an American;
indeed, we are all global citizens.”
Through numerous visits to Sangam, Gail came to understand the vital work that WAGGGS was doing throughout the
world, especially in underdeveloped countries. Eventually, Gail
became the Chair of the Friends of Sangam and a member of
the World Foundation. “I felt it was the best way to make a contribution that would have an impact through an organization
for which I am passionate.”
A shared fervor for the work of the World Centers seems to
be the tie that binds all members of the World Foundation for
Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Inc. Established in 1971, the World
Foundation has worked closely with GSUSA and WAGGGS
to promote international understanding through Girl Guiding
and Girl Scouting around the world. Comprised of nearly 200
members, the World Foundation raises funds to provide grants
for travel opportunities, leadership trainings, and international
events at the World Centers. Contributions are also used for
physical improvements and equipment for the centers.
“The World Foundation offers a vehicle for people who have
experienced a World Center or a WAGGGS program to give
back, or for people who just want to help empower girls and
women around the world,” said Amy Baker the Vice Chair of
the Friends of WAGGGS.
One example of their efforts was last April when the World
Foundation provided nine travel scholarships for international
participants to attend the Helen Storrow Seminar, a young
women’s leadership conference at Our Chalet in Switzerland.
The nine participants came from Brazil, Mexico, Sri Lanka,
Trinidad/Tobago, South Africa, Singapore and Lebanon, adding
to the diversity and geographic representation of 26 delegates at
the conference. (See Gaining a Global View
w page 16.)
In the words of Phylis Crook from the Friends of Our Cabaña,
“the Foundation provides a means for girls and young women to
come together in a safe setting and share their hopes and dreams,
for themselves, their countries and the world. They learn about
one another by living, working and playing together, how they
are different, and probably more importantly, how they are alike.
This can’t help but make our world a better place.”
To get involved in the World Foundation, please contact
Robin Yuschak, Administrator, at ryuschak@girlscouts.org
rg or
(212) 852-8612. Or visit: http://www.worldfoundationgggs.org/
g
globalgirlscouting@girlscouts.org
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Gaining a Global View:
The World Centers
An Interview with Stefanie Argus, GSUSA’s Delegate to the Helen Storrow Seminar
by Ka ren Sch euerer
Stefanie Argus
Last April, Stefanie Argus (19), a sophomore at Mt. Holyoke College and a Girl Scout alumna from the Great
Valley Council of Eastern Pennsylvania attended the annual Helen Storrow Seminar at the World Association
of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) Our Chalet World Center in Switzerland. The seminar is designed
to cultivate leadership skills and promote world citizenship. Specifically, the seminar focused on the WAGGGS
Our Rights and Responsibilities campaign, to advance awareness of human rights (see sidebar). Twenty-six
delegates from 19 countries, including South Africa, Brazil, Lebanon, Taiwan, Hungary, Mexico, and Japan
attended the event. All women were under 26 years of age. The experience was significant for Stephanie, in
becoming more aware of the scope of the world-wide influence of the Girl Guide and Girl Scout organizations.
Here’s what she said in an interview for LEADER magazine:
Q: Tell us about Our Chalet. What is it like?
Our Chalet is in Adelboden, a quaint Swiss town nestled perfectly in the Alps. The site was carefully selected by Helen
Storrow, an American philanthropist and active Girl Scout, as
an ideal spot for international meetings. The landscape is so
Q: What kind of bonds did you build there?
breathtaking that it didn’t seem real. While we were there, it
Bonding happened on two different levels. First, we felt a connec- snowed, which added another layer of magic to the event betion based on our enthusiasm for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides. cause many of the women had never seen snow.
Not all women spoke English. So, it was truly amazing to see
all of us come together around our shared passion, despite the Q: What did you find the most gratifying?
language differences. Secondly, bonding occurred in simply en- I benefited from gaining a global view of the worldwide Movejoying one another’s company. We explored Geneva, visited the ment. Seeing girls and young women from across the internaUN, went dancing, and made personal connections that extend tional scene all striving for our common goals based on the
beyond formal shared interests.
WAGGGS theme “Our Rights, Our Responsibilities” was inspiring. It also fostered friendships with young women from
Q: What did you take away from the experience?
around the world. I enjoyed the companionship of the many
Before, I went to Switzerland, my only reference to Girl Guiding passionate, dedicated young women who attended.
was this image of an African Girl Guide standing next to an
American Girl Scout that I had seen when a Brownie Girl Scout. Q: How would you like GSUSA to support global
Now, I understand how universal our Movement is at a very Girl Scouting?
fundamental level; I can appreciate the commitment and dedi- I would like to see GSUSA promote more global opportunities
cation of each one of the phenomenal women that participated through its relationships with WAGGGS so young women can
in the seminar.
become educated about the worldwide Girl Scout Movement.
The four World Centers: Our Cabaña in Cuernavaca, Mexico; Our Chalet in Adelboden, Switzerland; Pax Lodge in
London, England; and Sangam in Pune, India, are owned and operated by the World Association of Girl Guides and
Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Staffed by paid international employees and volunteers, the centers offer Girl Scouts and
Girl Guides a comfortable, safe place for short stays or long-term accommodations, seminars, trainings and international events. Members of the Girls Scouts of the USA and their families are encouraged to visit the centers, meet
girls from other countries and hopefully build lasting friendships with other guests.
Q: What motivated you to attend the seminar?
I wanted to get a better understanding of WAGGGS and gain an
appreciation for how diverse Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting are
around the world. And the opportunity to travel excited me.
Girl Guides of Korea
Our Cabaña, located only 47
miles from Mexico City, is a
compound of contemporary
cabanas reminescent of a hideaway surrounded by nature.
The largest of the four World
Centers it can accommodate
up to 90 guests. The center
offers five, eight and nine-day
stays throughout the year
to girl and adult members,
including Girl Friendship
sessions and Adult Adventure programs. Check out:
www.ourcabana.org
rg for more
information.
Sangam, situated along the
banks of the Mula River,
is only a few hours from
Mumbai (Bombay). The
name Sangam means ‘coming
together’ in Sanskrit, and the
Our Chalet was the first World
center strives to make that
Center built by WAGGGS. Lohappen through programs
cated in the picturesque Swiss Pax Lodge is located in Hamp- that bring Girl Guides and
Alps, Girl Scouts, Girl Guides stead Village, 20 minutes by Girl Scouts together from
and their families can explore subway from London’s center. around the globe. Events are
the network of trails and The lodge is an ideal base from scheduled throughout the seafootpaths around Our Chalet which to explore the rich his- son from June to March. Event
that lead to snow-capped tory, tradition and culture of themes vary but all emphasise
peaks, crystal-clear waters, London. The Center offers a cultural sharing, common
alpine forests and wild-flower vibrant selection of cultural Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting
meadows. The center offers a programs for youth and adults links and the rich cultural
wide array of programs from as well as leadership seminars heritage of India, which one
high adventure activities such and day activities. Check would not typically discover
as skiing or hiking to leader- out their program schedule as a regular tourist. Visit
ship seminars. Learn more by and list of events online at www.sangamworldcentre.org
r
visiting: www.ourchalet.ch/
http://paxlodge.org/
g
to learn more.
Girl Guides of Ireland
Girl Guides of Malta
Dolphin Guides of Malta
Girl Guides of Japan
Girl Guides of Kuwait
Girl Guides of Canada
Girl Guides of Ghana
Girl Scouts of the USA
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Girl Guides of Germany
Girl Guides of Thailand
Girl Guides of England
Girl Guides of Czech Republic
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Discover the World:
Go Hostelling
by Arielle Semmel
Is your troop ready to get out and explore the world? Are
you on a tight budget? Hostelling International offers
4,000 hostels worldwide which are safe, clean and affordable accommodations with dormitory-style rooms and
plenty of common space to meet fellow travelers. Hostels
are more than just a place to stay—hostelling is a way to
make friends from different cultures and learn new ways
of thinking.
Before taking off on your global adventure, check out some of the hostels closer to
home.
Hostelling International USA has a network
of over 70 hostels in the United States. Programs designed especially for Girl Scouts help
girls build their travel skills and to feel at ease
learning about new people and places. Girls can
earn the Discover the World Patch, participate in
programs like Trip Planning 101, or go on a Getaway to another part of the country. To learn more,
visit www.hiusa.org and click on ‘Programs’,
then ‘Girl Scouts’.
STUDIO B destinations
in  Easy Steps
®
by MariClare Krzyzewski
STUDIO 2B® destinations literally take girls all over the world. Last summer’s destinations included locales as far flung
as Ecuador, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Norway and India, to name just a few. Ashley, from Girl Scouts of Kaw Valley Council,
Kansas, wrote of her India adventure: “I realize how it has changed my perspective on the world we live in. I have opened
my mind to a broader range of thoughts, and have a greater appreciation of family and community from the people I
met along the way. This trip will be one I will never forget and will have an impact on the way I live the rest of my life.”
In six easy steps, help girls gain a life-changing experience through the destinations activities in Girl Scouts.
Here’s how:
1. Check here first
Each Girl Scout council has its own
application deadline, so check with them
IMPORTANT
first. The destinations deadlines come later
than the local council deadlines.
2. Do the Research
Girls can check out destinations options online at:
http://www.studio2b.org/escape/destinations/. There, they
can search by location, date, type of event, age requirement or keyword. A description of each event is listed with
essential details and event sponsor information. Contact
event sponsors to find out the specifics. Apply through
your home Girl Scout council; not directly to the event
sponsor. (NOTE: Council deadline in Step 1 above.)
3. Prioritize
Girls are encouraged to apply to more than one event, but
at some point, they’ll have to prioritize which destination
appeals to them most and is the most feasible based on
cost, date and distance. Although the applications may
be similar, a separate essay is required for each destination. However, the same references can be used for each
application. If a girl can attend more than one, she may.
However, she can qualify for funding from her council or
GSUSA for only one event.
4. Apply—It’s easier than you think…
Don’t let the application process be daunting. Usually girls
can answer most of the application questions in about 15
minutes. Encourage them to be creative and have fun with
the process. While the application process is not a “first
come, first served” process, applying within the first round
(December) increases the chances of getting accepted.
5. Budget
Money is an important factor, but don’t let the cost of destinations scare you! Although STUDIO 2B destinations
are generally not free, comparatively speaking, they are a
travel bargain when you consider the benefits that broader
horizons bring with each experience. Councils can help by
offering financial assistance or ideas for money-earning.
Girl Scout Central on http://www.girlscouts.org/ also offers
fundraising tips. Look for Money-Earning Guidelines.
6. Bring it Home
destinations is a “growing” experience for girls and helps
them develop the qualities and awareness they need as
world citizens. They broaden their horizons, learn new
skills and enrich their lives culturally. So, after they return,
encourage girls to share their experiences with their
council, community and other girls.
The STUDIO 2B destinations 2007 Timeline
NOTE: Local Girl Scout Councils’ deadlines are earlier than December 1 and must be met first!
December 1, 2006
January 15, 2007
February 1, 2007
February 15, 2007
March 1, 2007
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FALL 2006
Have fun!
‘Early’ application deadline
‘Early’ applicants notified of status
Deposits due to event sponsors.
‘Late’ applicants notified of status
‘Late’ applicants’ deposits due to event sponsors
FALL 2006 LEADER
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