Tag: Nancy Wright

Girl Scouts Honor Civic and Corporate Leaders at Tribute to Achievement Dinner

Girl Scouts Honor Civic and Corporate Leaders at Tribute to Achievement Dinner

It’s been said it takes a village to raise a child and on Thursday, March 16, 2017, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana honored three leaders of that village and the impact they’ve had on young women.

This year’s Tribute to Achievement honorees were: Luminary Award: Cheryl Burton, anchor at ABC7; ToGetHerThere Award: Carole Segal, co-founder of Crate and Barrel; Corporate Appreciation Award: Deloitte, accepted by Carl Allegretti, Chicago managing partner.

The council’s premier fundraising dinner, which was held at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, raised more than $650,000 in support of programming that prepares girls to be go-getters, innovators, risk-takers and leaders.

According to the latest State of the Girls report from the Girl Scout Research Institute, more girls are living in poverty today than they were 10 years ago and girls from low-socioeconomic backgrounds face considerable challenges that affect their health, happiness and achievement.

“For girls, growing up has never been more complicated. But there is a silver lining,” said Nancy Wright, CEO of GSGCNWI. “Research shows that girls thrive in places where their academic achievement is supported by activities such as Girl Scouts, which enhances their learning and skill development.”

During the event, select Girl Scouts shared testimonials about how the organization has improved their confidence, exposed them to a variety of leadership and educational opportunities and inspired them to give back to others.

“Through my involvement as a girl representative on the Girl Scout Board of Directors, as well as a myriad of other experiences I have had as a Girl Scout, I know that my voice matters,” said Aleena Ismail, a 17-year-old Girl Scout Ambassador, at the opening of the event. “My actions matter. I know that even one person can make a difference.”

To view event highlights and learn more about how you can get involved in Girl Scouting, visit girlscoutsgcnwi.org.

Five Fun, Easy Ways to Appreciate Girl Scout Volunteers

Five Fun, Easy Ways to Appreciate Girl Scout Volunteers

As summer winds down and children head back to school, we’re gearing up for another exciting year of Girl Scouting! But we can’t do it without our hard working, enthusiastic team of adult volunteers. Whether they’re chaperoning a troop at summer camp or leading troop meetings, these dedicated men and women are committed to empowering the next generation of women leaders.

At Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, we have a few fun ways you can show your appreciation for the countless volunteers who work tirelessly to make every Girl Scout’s experience a memorable and life-changing one.

1. Send a thank-you note or card. When’s the last time you received a handwritten thank-you note? This simple, sincere gesture can go a long way in letting your volunteer know how much you value their time and admire their leadership.

2. Join our “Just Say Thanks” initiative. Did you know that our council’s CEO, Nancy Wright, will send a personal note to special Girl Scout volunteers? Anyone can submit a request through our website to receive this very special token of appreciation. Click here to get started.

3. Get crafty. Visit our council’s Pinterest page for creative handmade crafts and gifts to thank your troop leader.

4. Deliver a certificate of appreciation. Say thanks the Girl Scout way with a personalized certificate of appreciation. Get started here.

5. Nominate them for a Girl Scout award. Show the volunteers in your life how much you appreciate them by nominating them for council awards, such as Hidden Heroine and New Found Treasure, or Girl Scouts of the USA national awards, such as the Appreciation Pin and the Thanks Badge. For more information about the awards and to nominate your favorite volunteer, click here.

What are some ways you show love to the volunteers you know? Let us know in the comments!

 

 

Englewood Girl Scouts Holiday Party Brings Nearly 300 Scouts Together

Englewood Girl Scouts Holiday Party Brings Nearly 300 Scouts Together

Nearly 300 Englewood girls sang, danced and opened up presents together Monday.

Girl Space, an afterschool program offered by Girls Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, held its first Christmas party at Friendship Center in suburban Country Club Hills.

Girls from Sherman, Hendricks, Parker, Henderson, Basil, Dulles, and Libby came out. CEO Nancy Wright said the party was put on to “celebrate” them.

“We’re very fortunate to be in these communities and serve these girls,” she said. “It was really about celebrating them and bringing joy into their lives.”

Originally they were going to keep the party small and invite 30-35 scouts, Wright said. But so many schools wanted to get involved they decided to expand the event.

The program has three components: financial literacy, education and healthy living. They focus on each area for 12 weeks of programming.

On Monday, the girls wrote letters to veterans and seniors living in nursing homes. They played games, danced and sang Christmas songs. Each girl left with one gift and a backpack.

To read the full story, please visit dnainfo.com.

Girl Scouts Honor Mothers with High Tea

Girl Scouts Honor Mothers with High Tea

Several Girl Scout troops in Morton Grove, Illinois recently honored their mothers during a high tea party.

“We wanted to host an event that would be fun and teach the importance of respecting and serving our mothers by having the girls take part in serving their mothers at the event,” said troop leader Jill Alali. “This is such an important practice within our Muslim faith and one we thought also aligned with the Girl Scout values of being of services to others.”

More than 80 Girl Scouts and their mothers attended the ceremony at Morton Grove Campus Banquet Hall. In addition to serving tea to their mothers, the girls presented them with gifts and cards.

“From a very young age, children are taught the high value of family relationships and that the best among us are those who are of service to their parents and others,” Alali explained. “We should want for ourselves last and put the needs of our parents and loved ones ahead of our own. Through this selflessness, one finds humility and hence, closeness with God and contentment in life.”

The Girl Scouts also treated guests to a surprise Nasheed performance about the unique bond between mothers and daughters.

“It meant a lot to me being with my mom being thankful for her,” said Aman Mahmood, a 10-year-old Girl Scout Junior.

Check out the video below from CBS Chicago to learn more about the special event:

Heartfelt Thanks from CEO Nancy Wright

Heartfelt Thanks from CEO Nancy Wright

This time of year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Most of all, I am thankful for the big, ole Brownie smiles that we are able to put on the faces of our girls.

Every day I am inspired by the network of support that we’ve built across our council. And all because each of us believes in the importance of enriching a girl’s life.

I am thankful for the parents who drive to meetings and let cookies take over their living rooms.

I am thankful for the volunteers who lend their time and energy so that girls have memories full of giggles, science projects, field trips and friendship.

I am thankful for the donors who believe so deeply in our mission that they invest in the next generation of women leaders.

It’s the thought of supporters like you that makes me proud to be a part of this organization. And that’s what puts a big Brownie smile on my face.

Yours in Girl Scouting,
Nancy L. Wright

Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

A Day in the Life of a Cookie CEO

A Day in the Life of a Cookie CEO

While every Girl Scout is a #CookieBoss, it takes a lot of enthusiasm and determination to become a Cookie CEO. On Monday, Oct. 12, the top five cookie sellers from Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) visited the Chicago Gathering Place and were Cookie CEOs for the day.

This year, the Cookie CEOs were Holly Doyle, 12 of Lake Forest; Nina Grotto, 16 of Hinsdale; Morrigan Macho, 14 of Chicago; Taylor Magruder, 18 of Tinley Park; and Mairead Skelton, 16 of Chicago. Together, they sold more than 26,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies.

“It feels rewarding and exciting,” said Nina, who raised nearly $18,000 to send about 4,500 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to members of the armed forces through the Gift of Caring program. “I’m excited to give feedback to the actual CEO and help improve Girl Scouts as a whole.”

The Cookie CEOs began their busy day by meeting GCNWI CEO Nancy Wright and giving suggestions for improving the member experience, camping and travel programs, as well as incorporating the arts into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education.

Cookie CEOs with Nancy
The Cookie CEOs start their morning by meeting with GCNWI CEO Nancy Wright (center) to suggest improvements to the council.

Afterward, the girls enjoyed a light breakfast with the staff where they received special “My CEO Met Me” patches from Wright. “This patch is really about you and what you want to be,” she said while presenting the patches. “We’re all here to empower you and who you want to be. The patch says ‘live your dreams.’ As you go out in the world, we want you all to live your dreams wherever they may take you.”

Following breakfast, the Cookie CEOs toured the Gathering Place, learned about the various Girl Scout artifacts on display throughout the office and met with several teams, such as marketing, retail and programs. Later in the day, the girls addressed everyone during an all-staff conference call.

Cookie CEO conference call
Nina, a 16-year-old Girl Scout Ambassador, addresses staff during a midday council-wide conference call.

“I love being here,” Holly, a third-year Cookie CEO, said during the meeting. “Each year, it motivates me to sell a lot of cookies.”

In addition to learning important life skills from selling cookies, such as goal setting, decision making and money management skills, several of the Cookie CEOs said the Girl Scout Cookie Program helped develop their confidence.

“I used to be shy and have low self-esteem,” shared Morrigan. “But Girl Scouts helped me build my people skills. I’m more confident in myself and I have Girl Scouts to thank for that.”

Afterward, the Cookie CEOs had lunch at Maggiano’s Little Italy and visited the set of a hit television show being filmed in Chicago.

“I like being a Cookie CEO because everyone is so welcoming and they’re really nice,” said Taylor, a first-time Cookie CEO.

Cookie CEO selfie
(From left to right: Morrigan, Holly, Mairead, Taylor and Nina) The Cookie CEOs take a #selfie after meeting with marketing as part of their Twitter takeover. All smiles, here!

Mairead, who returned for a second year as a top cookie seller, agreed.

“It feels good to be a Cookie CEO because you earned it,” she said. “It’s exciting to meet everyone and make new friends.”

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Send your ideas to gsmarketing@girlscoutsgcnwi.org!