The Great Girl Gathering was a monumental event for River Valleys. Girls rocked it with China Anne McClain, Zumba’d with Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Anna Maria Chávez, learned how to prevent phosphorus and made memories with old and new friends. During the two-day event, 1,000 volunteers donated 3,200 hours to assist with 15 concurrent events and over 140,000 girls along with their family and friends from across the nation attended the event!

Thank you to all the attendees, volunteers, partners, sponsors and staff who made the Great Girl Gathering possible! We are proud to share this award with you.

The day kicked off with networking and an Open Space Summit, facilitated by Girl Scout alumna Linda Stevenson. Throughout the summit, members identified issues, opportunities, ideas and challenges around the topic: Creating an Exciting Future for the River Valleys’ Community.

The Business Meeting followed with reports on the financial health of the council, property updates, work on the engagement and inclusion committees and remarks from Board Chair Deb Wilkinson and Chief Executive Officer Linda Keene. A special Centennial Anniversary recap was also included with a surprise Girl Scout flash mob performance!

Board of Directors

Board officers, directors-at-large and board development committee members were elected and installed at the meeting.

Annual Report

As mentioned during the Business Meeting, please review the 2012 Annual Report, which features the accomplishments from our Centennial Anniversary.

• Double check your order’s whereabouts and make sure you received all of your supplies. If you are missing an item, please contact 800-845-0787. Offices close Friday at 5 pm and will not reopen until 8:30 am on Monday.

• Review the activity plans and DVD prior to the Sleepover. During the DVD, there is time set aside to complete optional goal setting activity worksheets. If you wish to create your own worksheets, please feel free to do so.

• Make sure your DVD player and DVD works. If for any reason your DVD player or DVD does not work, you can watch a live stream of the video on Little Brownie Bakers’ website at 8 pm, central standard time.

• Share all of the fun you’re having by posting photos of your Sleepover on Girl Scouts River Valleys’ Facebook page or on Twitter.

• Remind girls about Girl Scout Spirit Day, Thursday, January 17. All girls are encouraged to submit a photo that day and enter to win special VIP seating for their troop at the May 4 Cookie Concert.

Still need to pick up your Party in a Bag kit? Don’t forget to do so by Friday, January 11.

Have a great time!

At the Annual Meeting, members will learn about accomplishments from the Centennial year along with the outlook for the coming year. Elections will be held for new board officers, directors-at-large and board development committee members.

For the first time ever, a combined girl and adult Open Space Summit will be held prior to the Annual Meeting from 9:30 am–1:30 pm. Members will gather to identify and discuss issues, opportunities, ideas and challenges around the topic: Creating an Exciting Future for the River Valleys’ Community.

Be prepared for a fun time as we discover, dialogue, connect and collaborate.

• Let your friends and family know that they can sign up their daughter, niece, neighbor or friend as a Girl Scout right at the Fair. Adults can also join the Girl Scouts Alumnae Association for free.
• Showcase your Girl Scout pride by wearing your Girl Scout vest, sash or a Girl Scout t-shirt.
• Prepare for Centennial Day of Service by exploring our mock storm drains. Or, make a Centennial Day of Service charm bracelet as a reminder of the positive impact you and the rest of Girl Scouts River Valleys are about to make.
• Take a picture in our photo cutout and post it on the Girl Scouts River Valleys Facebook page. We want to see all the fun you’re having.
• Grab a spot along the parade route to cheer on the Girl Scout float. This year we’re partnering with Wells Fargo to showcase “What a cookie can do” and “Where can Girl Scouts take you”. Parade starts both days at 2:00 p.m.
• And of course, sample free Girl Scout Cookies!

The Girl Scout booth will be open August 25–26, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Shelia Her. Girl and adult volunteer opportunities are still available, and all volunteers receive a free ticket into the fair.