Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ (full report here) — As it approaches its 95th anniversary in 2007, Girl Scouting is undergoing a historic transformation to modernize the iconic organization and focus on leadership development for girls in the 21st century. Addressing each area of the organization, the transformation intends to revitalize the Girl Scout brand, create new fundraising models, improve volunteer systems, and significantly realign the national Girl Scout council infrastructure. The monumental changes have been designed to deliver a program that focuses on Girl Scouts’ core strength of leadership development, while also offering provable outcomes that benefit girls, families and communities.
The National Board of Directors also endorsed a more contemporary leadership philosophy, and renewed an organizational commitment to develop leadership skills based on the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. This leadership philosophy is captured by the new Girl Scout mission statement: “Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.”
Girl Scouting has identified some core tenets of its leadership philosophy — discover, connect and take action — which will form the basis of all Girl Scout activities beginning in October 2008. The ideas of discovery, connection and action reflect the Girl Scout view that leadership extends beyond holding a position of authority. In Girl Scouting, leadership is about self, others, community service and philanthropy. You can’t lead well unless you really understand yourself and have your set of values very well in place. Research, conducted from June 2005-2006 by the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI), shows most girls see the value of developing leadership skills and that girls define leadership in terms of the qualities a leader possesses and the actions she takes.
Girl Scouts update for the 21st century – its all about leadership
