Transgender Inclusivity in Girl Scouting

Hey everyone!

Check out this awesome post by A Mighty Girl on Facebook!

Here's the link:

https://www.facebook.com/amightygirl/photos/a.360833590619627.72897.316489315054055/854518217917826/?type=1&fref=nf&pnref=story

This post speaks all about how wonderfully inclusive our organization is!

Transgender rights have become an extremely prevalent topic in the media, in America, and around the world. A large amount of people and organizations have been supportive and positive regarding the transgender community, and Girl Scouts is one such org!

The Girl Scouts of America organization has been inclusive and welcoming to "girls of all kinds for years, including transgender girls." When Girl Scouts' stance on allowing Transgender girls to participate in the organization was called into question, GS reaffirmed its stance.

According to the FB post,  the Chief Girl Expert for Girl Scouts USA-Andrea Bastiani Archibald- stated, “Luckily, we don’t serve our critics. We are proud to serve all girls.”

 “We are proud to serve all girls.”
~ Andrea Bastiani Archibald, Chief Girl Expert for Girl Scouts USA

I was browsing the GS website earlier in search of the organization's official position/statement regarding this topic, and have posted it right below:

Q: What is Girl Scouts' position on serving transgender youth?

A: Girl Scouts is proud to be the premiere leadership organization for girls in the country. Placement of transgender youth is handled on a case-by-case basis, with the welfare and best interests of the child and the members of the troop/group in question a top priority. That said, if the child is recognized by the family and school/community as a girl and lives culturally as a girl, then Girl Scouts is an organization that can serve her in a setting that is both emotionally and physically safe. (info from: http://www.girlscouts.org/program/basics/faith/faqs.asp#a1)

Go Girl Scouts! I am so incredibly proud of our organization's inclusivity and welcoming environment! All girls should have the opportunity to connect to Girl Scout resources, participate in Girl Scouting events, serve their communities, develop their characters and skills, make like-minded friends, and be who they are unapologetically.

"Transphobia, the Girl Scouts know, is simply a form of sexism...

the Girl Scouts will continue to do what it has done for over 100 years: motivate young girls to become strong and confident, and teach them leadership skills to create a better America.” ~Dr. Marcie Bianco, <https://www.facebook.com/amightygirl/photos/a.360833590619627.72897.316489315054055/854518217917826/?type=1&fref=nf&pnref=story>

A Mighty Girl's post also includes links to books and valuable resources about The Transgender Community, Girl Scouting History (I prefer the term HERstory :)) , and other books that can introduce young women and younger girls to the concepts discussed in this Blog post.

Laverne Cox is an American actress, reality television star, television producer, and LGBT advocate who speaks out for Transgender people and Trans issues, and has recently gotten the #TransIsBeautiful trending across social media. For more information about this amazing woman and her campaign for inclusivity and equality, check out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laverne_Cox or http://www.lavernecox.com/

For Support and Resources for People Who are Transgender or Gender Expansive and Their Loved Ones, check out: 

https://community.pflag.org/transgender 

Or

http://www.hrc.org/topics/transgender?gclid=Cj0KEQjwqe-rBRCv_J6qs6isp6EBEiQAmbctFvbMVTCYD8sSV0pe8aaNLOdTYdjAcaaIxdIIdln4chkaAsFq8P8HAQ

Or

http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/resources-for-people-with-transgender-family-members

Hope you all remember that you are beautiful! 

Until Next Time!

~Gold Girl Allie

Fun Beautification Project

Helllllo everybody!

Hope y'all are having an awesome week! Today I want to talk about a fun troop project/public art piece that's easy, cheap and impactful!

But first, I wanted to give a quick shout out to my new friend Katie from Troop 103!

I met Katie and her troop leaders a few days ago while they were selling Girl Scout cookies to raise money for their troop! It was great to speak to a current Girl Scout about her goals, summer camp and her plans to earn her Silver Award and complete new Journey Projects!

Good luck to Katie and Troop 103-I hope that you complete all of your goals for the year and that you enjoy all of your scouting projects!

Katie and I at her Troop's Cookie Booth

This past week, some of my co-workers and I have been brainstorming fun social projects to get people out of their comfort zones and thinking about the future.

As we were talking, someone brought up a community art project that our school's art gallery put together earlier last year that would be a perfect Girl Scout project!

“Wish Tree for Washington, DC” by Yoko Ono. Photo by Naomi Sachs Published onhttp://www.healinglandscapes.org/blog/2011/08/wordless-wednesday-81711-wishes/wishes2-042-2/

Last year, our gallery provided the campus with hundreds of small paper gift tags, and encouraged students to write down wishes, dreams and goals on the tags. Next, students would tie their wishes to a single tree down in front of the library.

(Found on: http://imaginepeacetower.com/yoko-onos-wish-trees)

The tree was absolutely beautiful! It became covered in the aspirations of undergraduate students, professors, college employees and community members.

People had a lot of amazing things to say! Some wished for world peace and happiness, while others wished for better test grades and positive relationships and friendships.

Tags found on Etsy.com (https://www.etsy.com/search?q=wishing+tree+tags)

This art project was created by Yoko Ono, and the instructions are extremely simple:

Wish Piece by Yoko Ono (1996)

Make a wish
Write it down on a piece of paper
Fold it and tie it around a branch of a Wish Tree
Ask your friends to do the same
Keep wishing
Until the branches are covered with wishes

(Found on her website-http://www.a-i-u.net/wishtree2.html)

A Wishing Tree in California (http://www.superherolife.com/2013/09/the-best-thing-i-did-all-year/)

Supplies needed:

• Paper and/or large gift tags
• Pens
• A Hole Punch
• String
• Dreams, Goals, Aspirations
• A Tree (or trees)

You can even make smaller, more personal versions of this project for just your troop, your family or your friends! They can make great party or moving-up-ceremony decorations.

The cool thing about this project is that it can be changed and modified based on your ideas and needs!

Check out this indoor, decorative version:

This version was made by CraftyZany on Etsy! <https://www.etsy.com/listing/120912430/new-heart-shaped-tags-wedding-wish-tree?ref=market>

For more information and ideas, check out these sites:

• http://www.a-i-u.net/wishtree2.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wish_Tree
• http://www.superherolife.com/2013/09/the-best-thing-i-did-all-year/
• http://www.healinglandscapes.org/blog/2011/08/wordless-wednesday-81711-wishes/wishes2-042-2/
• http://www.a-i-u.net/imagine_helsinki.html

As always, message me with any questions, comments or suggestions! Have lovely days!

Much Love,

Gold Girl Allie

Hello There Again!

Hey everyone!

Sorry it's been so long (almost a year) since I last posted! Due to the recent popularity of this blog, and my love for all things GSA, I've decided to pick up where I left off and to post more throughout this summer!

As you know from my last post, I was an Orientation Leader at my College this past summer! It was such an amazing experience-I learned so much about myself and my school, and grew a lot as a person. I developed my communication and leadership skills, as well as made a ton of new friends!

I am excited to say that I will be returning to the position once again this summer in order to further my growth as a leader and to go on more adventures!

I have a ton of goals for this next summer, and one of them will be to share some new creative Girl Scouting ideas!

Another one of my goals is to live by one of my favorite Eleanor Roosevelt quotes-"Do one thing everyday that scares you." I think that it's important that one push their limits often and challenge themselves to try new things and to better themselves. :)

Hope you all are having a wonderful May, and that your days are filled with smiles and adventure!

Much Love,

Gold Girl Allie

P.S. Adventure is out there!

P.S.S. Here's a funny little episode of Miss Eleanor Roosevelt on a Game Show!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX0wmS3gV0I

Summer Fun Troop Ideas!

Hey to all my lovely readers! Sorry it's been a while! 

I am now on summer break from college for the next few months! It has been an amazing year filled with new experiences and lots of learning, but it's great to be able to take a break!

I'll be returning to college on June 1st to work as an Orientation Leader for a few months-I'm super excited and honored to be working with the 2014 orientation staff, and I can't wait to get started!

Before I go off to pack for my next college adventure, I wanted to share some ideas for summer troop meetings! Typically, most troops don't meet during the summer months. However, there are so many opportunities for fun! 

Plan a "Backyard Beach Getaway" with your troop this summer!

Who ever said you need a beach to have a beach party!? Set up lawn chairs, a volleyball net, a small inflatable pool, beach umbrellas, tiki torches etc. Make the backyard as beachy as possible! Have a barbecue, make Popsicles and make a beachy craft!
For fun beach craft ideas, check out: http://funfamilycrafts.com/category/seasonal-holiday/seasons/summer/beach-crafts/

Plan a Beach Day! 
If you actually do live near the beach...

Spend time making matching t-shirts in Girl Scout colors and then wear them to the beach!

Have everyone prepare a fun beach snack to pack in the cooler! For some ideas, check out this link: http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/10-great-snack-ideas-for-the-beach.htm#page=5

Make cute flip-flip cracker snacks like these! For recipe, click here: http://littlenummies.net/2010/06/snackpicks-flip-flops/ 

You can never go wrong with a colorful fruit salad! Pic from:http://diet.allwomenstalk.com/guilt-free-beach-snacks-to-keep-fit-with-this-summer

For instructions on how to make Fruit Salad, play the video:

Cupcakes are also a crowd pleaser at the beach or at beach parties! Check out the instructions for these adorable treats here:bunnydecoration.blogspot.com

Plan out special Beach games! Horseshoes, Pro Kadima, Boccie Ball, volleyball, Frisbee-there are tons of fun, portable beach games available for your trip!

Paint Sea Shells!
This is one of my favorite summer activities-it's also a great gift-idea. Spend a couple of minutes collecting big clam shells on the beach and in the waves with a bucket. Wash them off (or, if you have more time, bleach the shells for a few hours-note: this requires an adults help/permission!!), and draw a design or picture on the shell's surface with a pencil or marker. Get some cheap acrylic craft paint and paint over your design for a cool beachy craft!
Additionally, if your family owns a small drill, you can put a hole at the top of the shell and string through ribbon to make it an ornament (This activity also requires the help of an adult).

Image from: http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/2009/08/kids-craft-painted-sea-shells.html

Volunteer at your local Park/Preserve!

Take advantage of the nice weather and spend a day doing some community service. Clean up the trails, plant dune grass, or help to re-paint trail markers. During my Spring Break I went with my college to Virginia Beach to help out at one of the National Parks. It was an amazing experience, and they needed were very grateful for all of our help and community service. Call up your local Parks and Rec department and see if they can use any Girl Scout help!

My Volunteer Group working in a National Park in Virginia Beach 

Hope you guys like the ideas and have an amazing summer! It looks like it's gonna be a good one :D

Love,

Gold Girl Allie

Happy Thanksgiving! :D

Hey everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday and remind you all to give thanks for the special people in your lives!

When you spend time with your loved ones this weekend, try making a list of all of the things you're thankful for together! I guarantee that you'll all have tons of fun while counting your blessings! Tomorrow, I know that my family and I will be making a HUGE list of all that we're thankful for!

Since I go back to college next week and don't come back home until the 20th of December, my family and I are decorating for Christmas tomorrow before and after our turkey dinner! (Can you believe that it's that time of year already!?). So if you find that you're getting bored with eating tons of food, make some cool holiday decorations-the way that I see it, it's never too early to get into the holiday spirit! :)

Image From: <http://www.aldiko.com/blog/happy-thanksgiving>

Have fun and please remember-Thanksgiving is not about turkey and cornucopias. It's about spending time with loved ones and appreciating what you have. Remember to give thanks for all of those special people who make our lives so wonderful-parents, siblings, friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, Girl Scout Leaders and Mentors...The list is seemingly endless!

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah to all! Count your blessings! <3

Image From: <http://yummyplants.com/vegan-holidays/happy-hanukkah-time-for-vegan-latkes-hanukkah-gelt/>

Love,

Gold Girl Allie <3

Thrift Shopping...Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun!

Have trouble coming up with a way to spend all of that cookie money?
Looking for a fun activity to do with the Scouts?
Look no further!

Thrift Shopping. It's the latest trend!
Here at college, everyone loves to go thrifting! We have several local thrift stores as well as a Salvation Army.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Salvation_Army

Take the girls to a Thrift Shop and have them pick out interesting shirts, skirts, shoes, jackets, etc. for cheap prices! Then, bring all of the clothes to your next meeting and completely redesign them! Go to your local craft store and go to the sale section-buy tons of crazy ribbons, sequins, buttons, scarves, fabric paint, glitter, rick-rack-anything!

Picture From: http://madamenoire.com/185434/the-joys-of-thrift-shopping-why-i-shop-at-goodwill-and-not-forever-21/

This is probably a better activity for older girls in middle school or high school. Teach the girls different sewing stitches and let them create their own fashions!

Picture From: http://www.debutanteclothing.com/how-to-shop-at-thrift-stores/

This can be tons of fun and is a super creative way to bond! Afterwards, have a fashion show and let everyone show off their new styles!

Hope you enjoy my suggestions and ideas!
Have an awesome week!

~Gold Girl Allie

P.S. If you are super interested in Thrifting...I found this great blog that gives awesome Thrift-Shopping Tips! Check it out for more info: http://www.debutanteclothing.com/how-to-shop-at-thrift-stores/

Stay Beautiful Girlies <3

Communications! :D

Sooo...hey everyone!

Midterms are next week for me! (Wow has time flown!?) This weekend will be filled to the brim with studying, I can assure you!

I really am in love with my major so far-currently I am majoring in Communications! (possibly doubling in Art or writing). I know that most students change their major once or twice before graduation, but I'm feeling pretty good about mine right now!

Anyways, I just wanted to tell you all about how much Girl Scouting has helped me and has made me feel comfortable with my major!

Throughout the Gold Award process, I learned much about technology, blogging and public relations.

Since my project was focused on promoting GSA and encouraging Girls to stick with Scouting, I was immersed in the world of communications, and ended up learning skills that are integral to my major!

Today, two alumnus from my college came to give my Strategic Communications class a talk about their jobs and companies.

They began to tell us about their jobs in the public relations field-promoting products and brand names using the Internet, mass media and advertising.

Blogging and promoting the Girl Scout organization at events and fairs has lead me to have a better understanding of the Communications world.

Because of Girl Scouts, I also now know how to network! I used to be nervous about talking to important people and putting myself out there, but now I know that it is important to get past your fears and to speak with new people who could help you in the future!

I actually got to meet the CEO of Disney-Bob Iger-last week! I was nervous about talking to him at first, but I quickly realized that speaking with him would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and may one day help me to get an awesome job!


He was extremely personable and awesome, and encouraged everyone to work hard. He told my class that with hard work and determination, anyone can achieve their dreams!

Bob Iger, the current CEO of Disney, Skyping my S*Park class at Ithaca College!

Girl Scouting helped me to become who I am today, and has helped me to succeed through my first month and a half of college! I encourage you all to stick with Scouting and not to be afraid of new things!

Love,
Gold Girl Allie <3