2017-2018 Annual Report - Girl Scouts Western PA

2017-2018 Annual Report

GIRL SCOUTSTHIS IS

2 Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania 2017-2018 Annual Report

Lois KutteschBoard Chair

In May, we welcomed Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), to Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania’s Awards of Distinction luncheon. She delivered an inspiring keynote address about how her Girl Scout troop leader sparked her interest in the stars on a camping trip and later encouraged her to earn her science badge. The rest, as they say, is history. Sylvia went on to get a master’s degree in engineering from Stanford University, then became a NASA rocket scientist. We see that potential for success in every girl. Maybe a Girl Scout who learned to love winter through the Get Outdoors Challenge will be a future climate scientist. Perhaps girls who volunteered to do trail maintenance in a national park will make the same impact on conservation as Rachel Carson. A Girl Scout who is building confidence through the Girl Scout Cookie Program may someday lead a large corporation. And Gold Award Girl Scouts, who have already made their corner of the world a better place, will keep their promise to help others long after graduation. We believe that a girl’s potential is as boundless as the night sky, and only Girl Scouts can help her build the courage, confidence, and character she needs to take her place as a leader of tomorrow. Just like Sylvia.

A note from our CEO and board chair

Patricia A. BurkartChief Executive Officer

Mission Statement ...Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Girl Scout PromiseOn my honor, I will try:

To serve God and my country,To help people at all times,And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Girl Scout LawI will do my best to be

honest and fair,friendly and helpful,considerate and caring,courageous and strong, andresponsible for what I say and do,

and torespect myself and others,respect authority,use resources wisely,make the world a better place, andbe a sister to every Girl Scout.

Board Chair Lois Kuttesch and CEO Pat Burkart take on adventure at the Continental Divide in Colorado.

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Erie

Crawford

WarrenMcKean

Potter

Clearfield

CameronElk

Jefferson

Indiana

Cambria Blair

BedfordSomersetFayette

Westmoreland

Greene

Washington

Allegheny

Beaver

Butler Armstrong

Clarion

Venango

Lawrence

Mercer

Forest

Edinboro

Beaver

Pittsburgh

Greensburg

Kittanning

Johnstown

Centre

Redwing

Skymeadow

Conshatawba

Hawthorne Ridge

*We serve girls in Philipsburg in Centre County.

About GSWPA

GSWPA Offices

7,821 girls3,966 adults

234 girls105 adults

703 girls441 adults

103 girls47 adults

370 girls161 adults

1,273 girls667 adults

792 girls350 adults

22 girls7 adults

28 girls17 adults

215 girls101 adults

356 girls150 adults

231 girls123 adults

263 girls131 adults


389 girls216 adults

17 girls15 adults

70 girls27 adults

398 girls196 adults

293 girls105 adults

494 girls167 adults

215 girls88 adults

480 girls271 adults

114 girls48 adults

303 girls148 adults

259 girls103 adults

229 girls100 adults


1,686 girls1,051 adults

Non-GSWPA Areas38 girls170 adults

4,347Daisies

Grades K-1

5,818Brownies Grades 2-3

7,000+Volunteers

*

GSWPA Camps

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

20,230 Girl Scouts (K-12)

10,350 Adult Members (7,067 Active Volunteers)

100 Full-Time Staff

25 Board of Directors

4,600Juniors

Grades 4-5

3,529Cadettes Grades 6-8

1,116Seniors

Grades 9-10

820Ambassadors

Grades 11-12


Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA and previous rocket scientist at NASA, shared her Girl Scout story with local business leaders, Girl Scouts, volunteers, and supporters at GSWPA’s annual Awards of Distinction in Pittsburgh last May. Her keynote speech was charged with the purpose and mission of Girl Scouts with a particular focus on technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, and robotics.

“We want to make sure that Girl Scouts are not just the users of technology, but that they’re the creators, they’re the inventors, they’re the designers of our future,” said Acevedo. “We know how to inspire and enlighten their interests and get girls excited about technology.”

GSUSA’s commitment to providing more STEM programming for girls in kindergarten through twelfth grade resulted in the release of 18 new cybersecurity badges in July 2018, and Acevedo promises that there are more coming.

“The moment my life changed—that inflection point—was one day when I was lucky enough to be a Girl Scout. I had just finished eating s’mores around a campsite and was looking at the stars. I had looked at the stars many times, and I just saw them as bright twinkly lights. My troop leader sat beside me and showed me there were constellations and patterns. And, that moment ignited my imagination for science.”

National initiative turned to local projectGirl Scouts across western Pennsylvania are putting Acevedo’s national initiatives into practice as they learn the basics of coding, cybersecurity, and engineering.

Brownie Girl Scouts of Marion Center Troop 40829 of Indiana County focused on completing their Think Like an Engineer Journey last year. These five Girl Scouts chose to put their new engineering skills to work by building a bench for the Marion Center Cemetery. “We decided that we wanted to give parents and grandparents a place to sit when visiting their loved ones,” said Lyla Eiselman, 8, of Home, PA.

Troop 40829 Girl Scouts Jaiden Wolfe, 8, of Indiana, and Victoria Fairman, 8, of Home, were part of the group working on the bench and learned about what it means to think like an engineer. “It’s a lot of organization and hard work,” said Wolfe.

“To see the girls’ enthusiasm and the light on their faces when their project worked and to listen to them talk about how they could make it better—as a leader, that’s worth everything,” said Jennifer Smith, a leader of Troop 40829.

From left to right, Deanna Brewer, Jaiden Wolfe, Victoria Fairman, Lyla Eiselman, and Keirra Jasper of Marion Center Troop 40829 build a bench to complete their Think Like an Engineer Journey. The bench will be placed in the Marion Center Cemetery.

Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of GSUSA, shows off her own special, science-focused patch during her keynote speech at the annual Awards of Distinction in Pittsburgh.

A new experience in Girl Scouting

can change everything!

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This year brought exciting newJourneys andbadges!

Combined with existing programs, these new Journeys and badges help girls empower themselves to unleash their inner strengths and accomplish amazing things.

• Life Skills Badge (College prep)

• STEM Journeys (Engineering & Computer Science)

• STEM Badges (Cybersecurity, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics & Space Science)

• Outdoor Badges (Environmental Stewardship)

A Girl Scout’s “new experience” means something unique to each girl. Every time a Girl Scout steps out of her comfort zone to try something new, she discovers she can do more than she ever thought possible. And she’s surrounded by a network of Girl Scout sisters to cheer her on, to support her if she falls, and to encourage her to try again.

Elizabeth Keppler, 13, steers the canoe from the back while Maddy Dyne, 12, paddles in front on their troop’s first canoeing experience at Camp

Skymeadow. Both girls are members of Erie County Troop 30487.

71% of girls first tried an outdoor activity in Girl Scouts.*

Rock the boat, girls!GSWPA Troop 30487 of Erie County tried canoes for the first time during their weekend camping trip at Camp Skymeadow in Armstrong County.

Troop leaders, Leanne, Angela, and Molly, knew the activity was beyond the comfort zone of some of the girls, a few of which made it clear ahead of time that they wouldn’t go out on the water.

But, with a wonderful, encouraging instructor and after watching their friends having fun out on the water, the confidence in them started to grow, and soon the whole group was in canoes learning about canoe safety, practicing switching spots with one another, and racing across the pond with their new paddle skills.

29% of Girl Scouts say that Girl Scouting has helped them overcome fear of an outdoor activity.*

Snow much fun!Dakotah, a 6-year old Daisy Girl Scout, recently moved with her family from Texas to McMurrary in Washington County. Dakotah joined Troop 52941 in November 2017, shortly after the move.

She jumped right into the fun by participating in the GSWPA Get Outdoors Winter Challenge, a fun, seasonal patch program that engages girls in a variety of outdoor activities. “The list gave me ideas of fun things to do,” Dakotah said.

Dakotah likes the snow because it means sled riding and icicles. “It doesn’t snow in Texas, so I have never seen an icicle until I moved here, but I like the icicles everywhere!” she said.

*According to a 2014 study from the Girl Scout Research Institute.

*According to a 2014 study from the Girl Scout Research Institute.

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Girl Scout Silver Award for Cadette Girl Scouts (girls in grades 6-8)

With a shared interest in computer science and robotics, Sareeja Yellapragada and Lydia Cwalina worked together on a Silver Award Take Action project that would give children in their community ways to learn more about the fields. The girls worked with their local library in Beaver County to host a robotics workshop for children ages six to 10. They researched other robotics lessons through the library and by talking to other instructors. They learned numerous programs for the robots, named Dot and Dash. Using their experience in Girl Scouts to “learn by doing,” the girls developed a curriculum that was engaging and educational.

“The girls made the program fun, rewarding the participants with candy and making the educational lessons seem more like games,” said project advisor Kristen Janci, also the youth services librarian.

“I discovered and deepened my love for computer science and for teaching,” said Cwalina. “I also learned that many people are willing to help you if you just ask.”

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The Bronze Award, Silver Award, and Gold Award represent the highest honors a Girl Scout can earn. All three awards give Girl Scouts the chance to do big things while tackling an issue they care about. The process of earning each award allows girls to discover their own inspiration and share it with others. At the end, each girl has learned something about herself while taking action and making her corner of the world—and beyond—a better place.

Girl Scout Bronze Awardfor Junior Girl Scouts (girls in grades 4-5)

Nine Girl Scouts from Troop 52301 chose to help the students at Sunrise School, a division of Allegheny Intermediate Unit serving students with special needs from ages five to 21, by creating dry erase boards from old DVD cases.

To help the students with language and writing skills, the girls printed out basic words on cardstock and slid the paper underneath the clear plastic of the DVD case, creating an instant dry-erase surface. The girls created 100 dry erase boards for the school.

“The girls learned how to look around their homes for things that could be used for something else,” said Jamie Difrancesca, a troop leader for Troop 52301. “They also learned that they could do something fairly simple and quickly that can still make a big difference.”

The girls collected DVD cases from home, and they purchased more from the Pittsburgh Center for Reuse. The purchased cases, dry erase markers, and cardstock were paid for with the troop’s proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program.

To earn their Bronze Award, Troop 52301 worked together to create dry erase boards from old DVD cases to help students at a local special needs school learn and practice their language and writing skills.

Girls impact their community

through Take Action projects

At left, Lydia Cwalina and at right, Sareeja Yellapragada designed and facilitated a robotics workshop for their local library as part of their Silver Award Take Action project.

Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania 2017-2018 Annual Report

Girl Scout Gold Award for Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts (girls in grades 9-12)

Gabi Spina’s project, titled “Taking Care of YourSELFie,” was a free day camp held at Upper Saint Clair Community and Recreation Center. Girls in sixth through eighth grade were provided with the tools, resources, and knowledge to combat negative self-esteem. They were taught ways to take care of their mental and physical health and the importance of positive and safe spaces on social media.

The project was designed to prepare girls at an important stage in life by helping them learn how to empower themselves.

“It’s hard to be a girl,” said Spina. “You open up a magazine, and see people who don’t look like you. You turn on TV and you see someone who doesn’t have your skin tone, and you think ‘Am I not good enough? Why are these people being showcased?’”

“I think the most important thing is showing people that they are good enough, and they can do whatever they want as long as they have confidence in themselves.”

As part of her Gold Award Take Action project, Gabi Spina (back row, right) hosted a workshop to help younger girls combat negative self-esteem.

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Maria AlbertJanae Hope AndersonAmber Marie AngertMaria Francesca ArliaJordana AvigadCaitlyn BankovichMeredith BennettAlayna BidlackAlyssa BrandleBethany BrownleeSirrae E. BurkeDanielle ButlerCheyenne CarbaughJulie Frances DanielsAbby L. DenzerHanna DrozynskiKatrina DudukovichMarissa Lynn EdwardsSierra EgerGrace EvansMaggie FertalJulia Fischer Makenna J. FritzTaylor Nichole GerlachAllison GouldElizabeth GrassiVerity GreenIsabella HaberstockElizabeth Hartnett

Sophie HochfeldJustice HudakVictoria HuffTaylor HuffRebecca L. HylandVeronica JohnsAnna JoyceEmily KaibHolly KimRebecca KirkAllison KoesterAlexa Catherine KrollNatalie LacekAllison LenhardtKatrina Lynne LewisDevyn LucyMelina ManginoLaura MarsiglioElizabeth MatthewsMikalah MaxwellPamela G. McAllisterAbby McCormickKaitlyn Leigh MillbauerMakayla MillerMikayla MirichElizabeth MorrowMallory R. MundkowskyAshley J. NagleKatherine Nicholl

Emily OlszewskiGrace Oram Alyssa C. PalangioAllison Brooke PaxtonAli PerryStephanie PirgerAllison RadocajRachel RaubenstrauchElise N. ReichenfeldSylvia A. RenselEliza ResetarSabra RichartSamantha Nicole RoskoEmma RuhlIshika SaxenaJessica ScarlettLorelei SmithGabriella SpinaElise SteeleAubree StewartTaylor StrangBearett TarrisClarice TaylorErin TaylorAudrianna VanTasselMorgan Nicole WaldroupHope WeaverNina WigginsKacie Zakin

Congratulations to these 87 extraordinary leaders who earned the Gold Award between March 1, 2017 and February 28, 2018. Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania is a consistent national leader in the number of Gold Awards earned.

2 Animals14 Arts, Culture & Heritage4 Civic Engagement9 Disability1 Disaster Relief3 Education

5 Elderly Issues9 Environment & Sustainability13 Health10 Healthy Relationships1 Military/Veterans Affairs

2 Other3 Poverty2 Public Safety5 Sports4 STEM

2017-18 Gold Award Projects by Category

Total: 87 Projects

To some, going gold means being the winner—the fastest, the most competitive, or the one who fought the hardest. For Girl Scouts, going gold means earning the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Gold Award. This award recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects that address important community needs.

For many, the leadership and organizational skills, as well as the sense of community and commitment that comes from “Going Gold,” set the foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship.


Lizzie Foster of Butler County spent two weeks working on an all-Girl Scout SCA crew in 2018.

Girl Scouts from across the United States, including two from GSWPA, spent two weeks in the Olympic National Forest learning about conservation and ecological systems and working on impactful conservation projects.

In 2018, GSWPA was honored to partner with the Richard King Mellon Foundation and lead a national effort to help more girls experience the outdoors in new ways that excite and challenge them. GSWPA spearheaded the endeavor to include seven other Girl Scout councils across the country.

In a nationwide partnership with the Student Conservation Association (SCA), more than 10,000 girls and 1,200 volunteers participated in new, sustainable outdoor activities.

Locally, more than 2,300 Girl Scouts in western Pennsylvania benefitted from GSWPA’s programs and resources made possible by this generous grant, including:

• the summer edition of the Get Outdoors Challenge• a “ZSI: Zoo Scene Investigation” event at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium• SCUBA instruction at Camp Skymeadow• sailing experiences on Lake Erie tallships and Pymatuning Lake sailboats• a Legacy of Conservation badge which honors the work of biologist Rachel Carson• caving at Laurel Caverns• stand-up paddle boarding• plus, training for volunteers to support and inspire girls in their outdoor adventures

The grant also sent two GSWPA Girl Scouts on a trip of a lifetime. Lyndsey Butler and Lizzie Foster took part in a two-week, all-Girl Scout SCA crew in the Olympic National Forest in Washington State. Their participation and the crew were made possible by this grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation.

The crew completed environmental service projects and learned about ecology and preserving habitats. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these Girl Scouts to expand leadership skills and practical knowledge of the environment.

This Girl Scout adventuremade possible by ...

Generous grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation sparks national movement

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Erie County Troop 36002 saved their product sales proceeds to fund a whitewater rafting trip.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program and Troop 52745 in Allegheny County have helped Beka grow and find her strengths.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest, girl-led entrepreneurial development program in the world. The experience not only equips our next generation of leaders with essential business skills like goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics, but the program also allows Girl Scouts as young as kindergarten to serve their communities, participate in empowering life experiences, and grow their confidence.

Achieving the dream — cookies create adventureErie County Cadette Troop 36002 set a goal of 1,000 boxes of cookies last year to help fund an excursion to Ohiopyle to hike, sleep in tents, and go whitewater rafting—an activity that had been on their Girl Scout bucket list for several years.

Since that time, the troop saved proceeds from magazine, nuts, and cookie sales, and thanks to the support of their families, friends, and community, their trip was fully funded. And even though they spent two rainy nights in tents, this group of girls took on a new adventure that they’ll never forget.

Supporting othersGirl Scout Daisy and Brownie Troop 21970 hosted a blanket and cookie drive at their local library.

The girls set a goal to collect 50 blankets to donate to Children and Youth Services of Clarion County and SAFE of Clarion County, which is a domestic violence shelter.

The troop tripled their goal by collecting 150 blankets, and additionally, they collected over 100 boxes of cookies for donation.

Troop 21970 chose this project because the girls wanted to help other kids feel secure and warm and to give them a special, sweet treat.

50,517

Finding her strengthBeka Ferris is now a second-year Daisy in Allegheny County, and her mom, Jennifer, says that before Girl Scouts Beka was shy, reserved, and easily intimidated. Because of the support of her troop and the Girl Scout Cookie Program, Jennifer watches in amazement as her daughter tackles new opportunities in Girl Scouts and beyond.

After her first year of Girl Scouts, Beka gained the courage to approach all her teachers—on her own—to ask for their support in the cookie program. Additionally, last year in Beka’s gymnastics class, she showed no interest in learning to climb to the top of the rope like the others. This year? She tried over and over again until one night Beka told her mom, “I am climbing to the top tonight.” Then, she did, and she felt completely proud.

boxes of cookies were donated last year in just western Pennsylvania to GSWPA’s Operation: Sweet Appreciation (OSA). OSA is an initiative that sends Girl Scout Cookies to military men and women who are serving overseas and to local veterans’ organizations.

The power of the Girl Scout Cookie ...

Dottie Neal, of Indiana, was recognized for proactively including girls and leaders from other

service areas in her service unit’s programs, many of whom attend time after time because of the quality and value they receive. She provides invaluable service as a trainer for GSWPA in the areas of New Leader and Outdoor Skills, and has served as a mentor for new volunteers in the role of service unit manager.

Mae Lynn Edwards, of Butler, received this award for her work on trainings for girls and volunteers

on the Silver and Gold Awards, and assistance in the planning and implementation of the Gold Award Ceremonies. Her creativity and insight have strengthened programs and helped to retain membership. Those who know her see her as an exemplary Girl Scout, understanding and loving, and a sister to every Girl Scout.

Pittsburgh City Council proclaimed Thursday, December 28, 2017, as Elaine Effort Day in the city of Pittsburgh. This proclamation came in recognition of Effort’s 38-year career at KQV-AM (1410), Pittsburgh’s oldest, all-news radio station that went off the air at the end of 2017.

Not only has Effort been extremely involved in city matters and events throughout the years, she is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the USA. Her time in Girl Scouting began 26 years ago, and she is currently a leader of Troop 52493 in the Pittsburgh East service unit.

According to Aftyn Giles, a current troop leader with Effort and previously a member of one of Effort’s troops, Effort’s professional skills impact the girls in her troop by teaching them to ask the right questions, dig deeper, dream bigger, think critically, and make good connections.

Amy Miehl’s nomination spoke highlyof her contributions to the entire council

through her skills and expertise. She serves as a member of the Gold Award Committee and as a GSWPA trainer. She is a dedicated volunteer located in the Erie area whose efforts have increased membership, demonstrated inclusive behavior, helped retain volunteers, and developed innovative program opportunities.


Hand-raisers, Experts, Advocates, Resources, Teachers

Our volunteers have H.E.A.R.T.

Every volunteer brings their unique life experiences, passion for Girl Scouts, and determination to make a positive difference in girls’ lives. With a strong commitment to our Promise and Law, it’s no surprise that our volunteers are recognized for their accomplishments within our council and beyond.

Pittsburgh troop leader receives city-wide recognition

The Thanks Badge I, a national award from Girl Scouts of the USA, is an honor given to a Girl Scout volunteer whose

service continues to impact the entire council or the Girl Scout Movement in extraordinary ways.

Volunteers receive the Thanks Badge I

All of us who were in Elaine’s troop can boast that we are college graduates and in productive careers that center around many of the values that she and Girl Scouts taught. She’s a pillar of the community and has helped open doors for us that would have otherwise been closed.” —Aftyn Giles, troop leader

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Inspiring words from Girl Scout volunteers ...“I want the girls to learn from me to be kind and that you can do anything you put your heart into.” –Joan Emanuel, Fayette County

“I hope that the girls grow to appreciate that they can be whatever they want and to be open to learning something new every day.” –Pamela Siergiej, Beaver County

“I hope they remember that Girl Scouts made them stronger and that they feel proud of themselves.” –Emily Parana, McKean County

Appreciation Pin

Paula AllenMeredith ArmbrustDanette BathValarie BrownBethany ChristleyAnna Delaney

Mary Ellen EliasJoan EmanuelColleen Guess-PearyJaneen HanniganBrittany InghramJoanne LaRose

Jamie MarcotteSusan PriceElizabeth PurpuraKimberly RaderAmy RoundDominic Salvucci

Shauna SandersKathy ScottMeghan SheridanAllison StebbinsDebra Van Mater

Honoring awesome in 2018: Volunteers presented with Adult Awards

Eileen TalbotAdrienne KoncerakKriss Svidro

Honor Pin

Thanks Badge I

President’s Award

Cranberry Service Unit TeamShannon BuchananJamie MarcotteKimberly MatthewsTabitha MillJennifer RichartBrandi RuizAnn Szurley

Laurel Service Unit TeamJanet Ammon Heather AndersonKristin AnthonyLaurel BrestJody BurgessBethany ChristleyHeidi Cunningham

Teri Duddy Stacey Green Mary KaraviasLeeanne LuttonVictoria MillerDiane PalmerNancy RodgersMalinda Young

Volunteer of Excellence

Thanks Badge II

This award recognizes those volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience through use of the national program portfolio or who have contributed outstanding service in support of the council’s mission delivery to girl and adult members.

This badge is the highest honor in Girl Scouts. It honors a registered adult Girl Scout whose ongoing commitment, leadership, and service have had an exceptional, measurable impact on meeting the mission-delivery goals and priorities of the entire council or entire Girl Scout Movement.

Mae Lynn EdwardsDottie NealAmy Miehl

This award recognizes the efforts of a service-delivery team or committee whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals.

Karen SchmidtMalinda YoungSharon Enslen

This pin recognizes a registered adult Girl Scout’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience which has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, allowing the council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.

This pin recognizes a registered adult Girl Scout’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This service, which has had a measurable impact on one geographic area of service, helps reach and surpass the mission-delivery goals of the area.

This badge recognizes a previous Thanks Badge award recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the entire Girl Scout Movement.

Our volunteers have H.E.A.R.T. Whether the goal is spending more time together, being next to her as she experiences something new, or making sure she has every opportunity to learn, dads can experience many benefits in the role of a Girl Scout volunteer.

Sarah Grenesko, a 12-year-old GSWPA Cadette, took her father, Stephen, to the Harthegig Shooting Sampler last spring.

“Me and my dad really enjoyed archery,” said Sarah. “It’s something we really like doing together.”

“I’ve seen first-hand what Girl Scouts can do for girls,” said Stephen. “Both of my daughters have been able to take advantage of so many opportunities that wouldn’t have existed without their hard-working troop leaders and GSWPA.”

Dads andGirl Scouting

“Nowhere outside of Girl Scouting can you have so many different and wonderful experiences with your daughters. We’ve experienced so many wonderful things through Girl Scouting, and we’ve done it as a family.”

–Kent McGaughey, Girl Scout troop leader and dad

No 2018 honorees


Your gift helps ToGetHerThereGirl Scouts of all ages are committed to giving back to their communities and making the world a better place. Your charitable gift to our council tells Girl Scouts that they matter and they are worthy of our investment.

Your support has an impact both locally and as part of the national movement to empower girls. Nationwide, Girl Scouts is running the largest fundraising campaign in history called ToGetHerThere, with the goal of raising $1 billion—yes, that’s right!—to support Girl Scouting across the country. Your donation is a part of that campaign ToGetHerThere—to get us closer to a world where every girl can realize her potential and can take the lead in her everyday life.

The following list represents donors who have contributed $100 or more between October 1, 2017 and September 30, 2018.

Sokolski Family FundThe Allstate FoundationThe Buhl FoundationThe GE FoundationThe Pittsburgh Foundation - Dietrich Foundation Conneaut Lake, PA FundThe Pittsburgh Foundation - Kathryn Foust Zonge Memorial FundThe Pittsburgh Foundation - William ‘Wil’ Matthew Morrow Memorial FundThe Samuel S. Hicks Memorial FundWashington County Community Foundation, Inc.Wessel & CompanyZonta Club of Warren

United Ways, United Funds,and Community FundsClearfield Area United WayDuBois Area United WayGreene County United WayGrove City Area United WayJohnsonburg-Wilcox Area Community Fund, Inc.Kane Area United FundMartinsburg Community FundSt. Marys Area United WayUnited Fund of The Corry AreaUnited Fund of Warren CountyUnited Way of Beaver CountyUnited Way of Bedford CountyUnited Way of Blair CountyUnited Way of Butler CountyUnited Way of Indiana CountyUnited Way of Lawrence CountyUnited Way of Mercer CountyUnited Way of The Laurel HighlandsUnited Way of Venango CountyUnited Way of Western Crawford County

IndividualsPearl Society MembersThese donors have made gifts of $1,000 or more and have exemplified a tremendous investment in our mission.

($5,000+)Ritchie BattleMichael J and Aimee Rusinko KakosMartha and Phillip SmithMark and Stephanie Wright

($2,500-$4,999)Anonymous (1)

($1,000-$2,499)Sandra Bernardi HathazyTheresa BoneDot BrookesPat BurkartMelissa Cooper

Corporations and Foundations($50,000+)Richard King Mellon Foundation

($25,000-$49,999)Duquesne Light Co.McAuley MinistriesThe Pittsburgh Foundation – Fisher Fund

($10,000-$24,999)Arconic FoundationBozzone Family FoundationComcast Keystone RegionErie InsuranceHighmark Blue Cross Blue ShieldJohn M. and Gertrude E. Petersen FoundationThe Comcast FoundationThe Grable FoundationThe Wheeler Bros., Inc

($5,000-$9,999)Beaver County FoundationBNY Mellon Community PartnershipElsie H. Hillman FoundationEmporium Foundation, Inc.Lee Initiatives, Inc.Little Brownie Bakers (Kellogg’s)NexTier BankP.M. Moore Foundation, Inc.Spaeder Fund of The Erie Community FoundationTippins FoundationW.I. Patterson Charitable Fund

($1,000-$4,999)Aetna Foundation, Inc.American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.Butler County Memorial Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation

C.S. McKee LPChevron Matching Employee FundsCohen & Grigsby, P.C.Community Foundation for the AllegheniesDonald C. Phillips & Mary Hulton PhillipsEnterprise Holdings FoundationErie Runners ClubFirst Commonwealth BankGSUSA D-Pass GrantHCR ManorCare GivesHefren-Tillotson, Inc.Lynch FoundationPNC FoundationSnyder Charitable FoundationThe Bank of America Charitable FoundationThe Mary Lee and Joe Irwin Family Fund of the Ayco Charitable FoundationThe Norbell FoundationThe Pittsburgh Foundation - Dietrich Foundation Greenville, PA FundThe Pittsburgh Foundation - Eugene and Nell Petrucci FundThe Pittsburgh Foundation - Sandra Levine FundThe Rust FoundationUPMC Health PlanWalmartWashington Financial Charitable FoundationWaste Management

($100-$999)Alpha Phi Omega, Kappa ChapterAmazonSmile FoundationBrookville HospitalByers Busing CompanyCarlow UniversityChatham University

Citizens Charitable FoundationCommunity Foundation of Warren CountyCousins Maine LobsterDavid A. Glosser FoundationDuerr Packaging Company, Inc.EQT CorporationErie County Council of Garden ClubFair Oaks Foundation, Inc.Fidelity Charitable Gift FundFirst Energy Service CompanyFirst Evangelical Lutheran ChurchFirst Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene CountyGap FoundationGE United Way Giving CampaignGirl Scout Troop #663Give with Liberty Employee DonationsGrand Central Hotel, Inc.Greenville Kiwanis ClubH.F. Lenz CompanyHawthorn PNC Family WealthJennmar USAJoy Cone Company FoundationLaurel HoldingsLog Cabin InnLORD CorporationLoyal Order of The Moose Lodge 957LuLu A Pool TUW FBO Health and EducationMac & Gold Truck LLCMargaret L. Henry Children’s HomeMarilao Post #33, VFW Inc.Mark Ann IndustriesMcFeely-Rogers FoundationMerck FoundationNational Fuel Gas Distribution CorporationOdd Fellows Home of Western PennsylvaniaPGH Halal TruckPPG Industries, Inc.Miner Crary Building and Anne Putnan Mallinson TrustsSlovak Benefical SocietySlovenian Savings and Loan Association

41st annual Awards of Distinction dinner in Johnstown (l-r) Lois Kuttesch, Judge Tammy Bernstein, Gold Award Girl Scout Justice Hudak, John Polacek, Reverend Sylvia King, Gold Award Girl Scout Alyssa Brandle, GSWPA CEO Patricia Burkart

Official GSWPA Pearl Society Pin

Special thanksto our supporters

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Daniel and Michele BursickCheryl Bush and FamilyAmber CarsonKate DavisJackie DineenAndrew DrazdikLaura EverhartRobert FarrKathi Finch and Tom YehTracey Lynn GigerJohn GoodwinAmy Lynn HallerDebbie HazlettAmy and Joseph HoptayWendy HudakGabriel and Amy MiehlShelby MillerThomas QuinlanBernard RottschaeferJames RudisillKelly M. RyanTerri and Joe ShaferTara StaufferGloria StraubJennifer SuscoDana YoungAnonymous (4)

($100-$249)Helen AllistonMelissa BolynBarbara BraidicJanet BunecickyFranne CarnahanAnne CarneyMarilyn CarpenterYvonne Ann ColleranTimothy and Elizabeth CostelloDenise DelgrandFelicia DemilioJeanne EibesbergerCharles and Susan EvansAnnette FongRick and Jessica GalardiniMary Garrow SplittbergerMelissa GawlinskiDebra GerhardGeorge GlarnerSusan GoldEric GowerRhonda GrassoStephanie L. HagerArlene Hakas DanverKelly HaleyMiranda HallDavid HardingRosemary Hetrick HollidayKathleen HowardSusan JenkinsChrista KienzlGregory Kirschner

($1,000-$2,499)—continuedDanielle and Dennis EdwardsElaine EffortAmy HerneCamille KovachVictoria KushLois KutteschJoe & Mary Lee IrwinKaren LarrimerPaul O’NeillHowie PentonyMonika SaffordBernadette M. ScheidFrank and Anastasia SchillerLynne SchillerSarah ShafferRick and Pam SiergiejDeborah A. SmithAndrea StaplefordAngie and Chris StengelRebecca StylesBecky and John SurmaMary Beth Taylor and Earl J. BohnLish and Doug TempletonElizabeth TetiThe Yohe Family

Leadership Level DonorsThese donors have made gifts between $500-$999 and have made a generous investment in our mission.

($500-$999)Michael BermanJim and Cassie EllisDavid FrancisHilda FuLorie GalassiMillicent GoldschmidtBarbara Hart SturgesWade HorwoodJennifer Kloesz WolfMary D. KohlerMichelle Leigh MaccagnanMarcia MartinKelly McCarronMissa Murry EatonJohn PolacekStacey RobertsonLisa and Tom ShadeMr. and Mrs. James P. SmithKatie ThompsonMelissa TkachLara WashingtonAnonymous (1)

($250-$499)David G. Anderson and Jon G. ColburnCraig and Dawn AnderssonJohn & Susan BowerLisa Bulas

Deirdre KramerTammy S. LangSandra LearTricha LearyPhilip LenkoTerri MarianiMissy and Tony MatteraElaine McmastersFrancis MichalikDiane MillwardElizabeth Mulvaney & Mr. Christopher RamseyRichard MunschKaitlyn MusserDavid and Susan MyletJune NimickMichele O’LearyKathryn PapenhausenChristina ParkerRenee PekorStella and William PerrineLisa PetersonMary PutnamClaudia and Carl ReedJulia ReedPaula RobinsonDorothy RocheLawrence RoseJohn RothSandra RothenbergEllen RuddockCatherine RuisAnn RyanMildred SassJessica SchlieK. SchmidtWendy SchmidtLynn SekeresAnnette ShimerEmmeline SilkDenise SmerkarNancy SmithRebecca SmithRichard SmithTheresa SmithAmy K. SnyderH. Paul and Eileen StarrMary Ann and William StarrKristen and Brian StewartFrancis StillmanBill and Sandy Stout

Cynthia StubenhoferPaul and Laurie SuchkoKristin SvidroMary SwinkerJohn TadlerScott and Karol TaylorAmy TeutebergVanessa ThompsonJohn and Ruth TimberlakeAdrian & Phyllis Van StrienRandy VargasAlbert & Pamela VernacchioDolores VitvitskyStacey Waller KernsJulia WellerCarl WellingtonJohn WesnerTina WilliamsAnonymous (16)

Memorials and TributesIn memory of Mary Cohen and Marylin Cohen Millicent GoldSchmidtIn memory of Dolores Conlogue Cas Cavanaugh Felicia Demilio Kelly McCarronIn memory of Sandy Cowan Barbara Hart SturgesIn memory of Dorothy Cristoph Jane SchwabIn memory of Jean Danforth Sue GoldIn memory of Cheryl Kondrich Kathleen McCartneyIn memory of Barbara Lyons Cynthia StubenhoferIn memory of Ann Moody Peggy J. Brewster John and Patricia Droney Diane Millward Stephanie R. Morris Shawn RicheyIn memory of Shirley Patton Andrew DrazdikIn memory of Margerete Safford Monika SaffordIn memory of Fran Shink Lisa PetersonIn memory of Jackie Szwarc Sue Gold

Gives three Girl Scouts a first-time opportunity to be bold and experience a life-changing week at horse camp!

Helps 10 Girl Scouts think outside the box by exploring future careers at a STEM program!

Helps 10 Girl Scouts to embrace the unfamiliar and try new things as first-time Girl Scouts by covering their annual membership!

Provides uniforms for three Girl Scouts in need to take on the world as young change-makers and leaders!

2018 Celebration of Giving; Pearl Society members, Dennis & Danielle Edwards

This is Girl Scouts! Your charitable gift of any amount helps Girl Scouts change the world.

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In memory of Mary Tambellini Laura PeckIn memory of Alice Thompson Mark and Stephanie WrightIn honor of Ashley Berman Michael BermanIn honor of Colleen Filiak Timothy and Elizabeth CostelloIn honor of Jan Getz Barbara Hart SturgesIn honor of Amy Hart Diana Bucco Mary Phan-GruberIn honor of Mary Long The Pittsburgh Foundation – Bentimar FundIn honor of Helen Mainhart The Brady FamilyIn honor of Shirley Patton Andrew DrazdikIn honor of Martha Smith Sue GoldIn honor of Norma Shellito Julie WeagraffIn honor of Society of Women Engineers Mary Ann Walsh

Planned GiftsJuliette Gordon Low SocietyDianne Belk & Lawrence Calder Girl Scout Movement-wide Challenge Planned GiftErik and Eva Andersen Girl Scout Movement-wide Challenge Planned Gift Marcia and Jim BarberTheresa BoneDorothy BrookesNancy DusckasAnn FlickCatherine FronheiserDonald GillStephanie HagerAnn HouseJohn and Nancy KremmDorothy KunkleVictoria KushLois KutteschPatricia MeehanMissa Murry EatonPaul and Carol PoppMary PutnamStacey RobertsonJane SchwabMartha & Phillip SmithShirley WagnerJerry Weinheimer

Bequests and TrustsDorothy ChristophEdwin R. Crawford EstateEstate of John GentilmanFrederick P. Hartman Charitable TrustJames & Florence Lockhart TrustJeannette G. Smiley TrustJoan C. Ganley TrustRebecca Muller TrustThe Leigh Tison Charitable Trust

In-Kind Contributions($1,000+)DICK’S Sporting GoodsIn Community MagazinesLilly Broadcasting, LLCPA Guild of Professional Chimney SweepsPittsburgh Post-GazettePittsburgh MagazinePNC Financial Services GroupReed Smith LLPSheetz HeadquartersTimes Publishing Company

SponsorshipsAwards of Distinction, JohnstownPresenting SponsorHighmark Blue Cross Blue ShieldPlatinum SponsorGEICOUPMC Altoona|UPMC Health PlanPrivate Reception SponsorCTC - Concurrent Technologies Corporation41st Anniversary SponsorAmeriServ FinancialE.MAPGoldJWF IndustriesWhalley Charitable TrustSilverConemaugh Health SystemKongsberg Protech Systems USA Martin-Baker America, Inc.University of Pittsburgh at JohnstownWheeler Bros., Inc.Bronze1ST SUMMIT BANKChan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at WindberSomerset Trust Company

Awards of Distinction, PittsburghPresentingEden Hall FoundationHighmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

PlatinumBNY MellonGEICOUPMC Health PlanGoldPNC BankSilverKoppersPittsburgh MagazineBronze84 LumberChase/ J.P. MorganDick’s Sporting GoodsJRG Advisors, LLCUniversity of PittsburghSupporterBuchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PCFederated Investors, Inc.Maher Duessel

Special SponsorshipsLake Erie DuathlonDick’s Sporting GoodsGEICOUPMC Health Plan

National Girl Scout Cookie WeekendEnterprise

2018 Women of Distinction and Awards of Distinction Honorary Committee (l-r) Ellen Roth, Heather Lyke, Elizabeth Satina, Nicole King Yohe, Lynn Banaszak, Casey Ryan, GSWPA CEO Patricia Burkart, Cecile Springer, GSUSA CEO Sylvia Acevedo, Dawn Keezer, Victoria Kush, Betsy Teti, Sylvia Fields, Sylvia Diez, and Andrea Carelli

Girl Scout honorees and parents at Awards of Distinction luncheon in Pittsburgh (l-r) Edward Mandell, Renee Mandell, Girl Scout of Distinction Alexis Mandell, Honorary Co-Chair Yvonne Cook, GSWPA CEO Patricia Burkart, GSUSA CEO Sylvia Acevedo, Girl Scout Humanitarian Maria Ciao, Gary Ciao, and Tina Ciao

Girl Scouts greet finishers at the fourth annual Lake Erie Duathlon at Presque State Park in Erie.

Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of this listing. Please report any discrepancies to the Fund Development department at 800-248-3355.

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Revenue Product Sales, net of related costs $6,632,989 69.2% $7,026,199 76.4%Public Support $1,673,741 17.5% $1,048,037 11.4%Retail Operations, net of related costs $317,501 3.3% $307,622 3.3%Program Fees $472,899 4.9% $435,119 4.7%Investment Income $158,676 1.7% $117,896 1.3%Other Income $327,131 3.4% $263,902 2.9%Total Public Support & Revenue $9,582,937 100% $9,198,775 100%

Expenses (before depreciation)Program $7,915,170 86.7% $7,481,296 86.3%Management and General $704,293 7.7% $652,913 7.5%Fundraising $512,266 5.6% $534,000 6.2%Total Expenses $9,131,729 100% $8,668,209 100%

Net change in net assets from operations(before depreciation) $451,208 $530,566

Statement of Financial PositionTotal assets of the council $19,849,265 $19,408,905

Total liabilities $612,950 $588,309Total net assets $19,236,315 $18,820,596Change in net assets $415,719 $1,227,104

Fundraising expenses include a portion of council management and program staff salaries.

10/1/2016- %9/30/2017

10/1/2017- %9/30/2018

Revenue ExpensesFY 2017-2018 FY 2017-2018

Public Support 17.5%

Other Income 3.4%Investment Income 1.7%

Program Fees 4.9%Retail Operations 3.3%

Product Sales 69.2%

Fundraising 5.6% Management and General 7.7%

Program 86.7%

Financials

A copy of Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania’s official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Corporate Office30 Isabella St., Ste. 107Pittsburgh, PA 15212

NON-PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGEPAIDPERMIT NO. 776ERIE, PA

GSWPA Board of Directors 2017-2018Board ChairLois Kuttesch (Cranberry)First Vice ChairMary Beth Taylor (Pittsburgh)TreasurerDot Brookes (Cranberry)SecretaryVictoria Kush (Cranberry)

Ex OfficioPatricia A. Burkart, Chief Executive Officer, GSWPA

Members At-LargeJon Colburn (Pittsburgh)Hilliary Creely (Indiana)Missa Murry Eaton (Sharon)Kathi Finch (Sewickley)Amy Lynn Haller (Pittsburgh)Julie Kresge (Erie)Nicole King Yohe (Zelienople)Mary D. Kohler (Wexford)Camille Kovach (Harrison City)Monica D. Lamar (Pittsburgh)Michelle Maccagnan (Allison Park)

Dana Pascarella (Pittsburgh)John Polacek (Johnstown)Claudia Reed (Cresson)Kelly M. Ryan (Clarion)Andrea Stapleford (Warren)Rebecca Z. Styles (Johnstown)

Girl Advisory PanelChianne Boburchock (Somerset)Verity Green (New Castle)Jessica Smith (Pittsburgh)Katherine Stancil (Gibsonia)

2017-2018 Annual Report - Girl Scouts Western PA

Documents

Transcript of 2017-2018 Annual Report - Girl Scouts Western PA