The Golden Link - November/December 2003 Volume 29 Issue 10 

GSUSA announces new chief executive officer

The National Board of GSUSA named Kathy Cloninger as the national chief executive officer in August.

A search committee, chaired by past Board Chair Connie Matsui, worked with the firm of Isaacson Miller to identify this individual. The committee screened hundreds of candidates and conducted personal interviews with 20 individuals.

Cloninger has been a CEO of three different Girl Scout councils. Most recently, Cloninger was the CEO of the Girl Scout Council of Cumberland Valley in Nashville, Tennessee. During her 10 years with the council, girl membership grew by 38 percent to more than 26,000. Under Cloninger's leadership, the council energized volunteers, board and community with a new strategic vision of Girl Scouting as the cutting-edge, innovative organization for girls and developed a reputation as a key spokesperson on girl issues, positioning Girl Scouting as the leading community expert and resource on girl issues.

Cloninger is known as a community leader in Nashville. She was honored with several prestigious awards - the Athena Award in 2002, the Human Relations Award in 2001, the Nonprofit CEO of the Year in 2000, and the Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award in 1996. She is the founder and past president of the Association of Nonprofit Executives, Nashville Presidents' Summit delegate; Leadership Nashville graduate and board; Metro Public Schools Character Education Initiative chair; Nashville Women's Breakfast Club vice president; Davidson County Sheriff's Advisory Board member; Downtown Rotary member; United Way nonprofit campaign chair; and a member of the CABLE board. She is also a leader within the Girl Scout Movement, having served on numerous national task groups and as a national officer with the Association of Girl Scout Executive Staff.

Prior to moving to Nashville, Kathy served as a program officer for the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek Michigan from 1991-1993. She was also the CEO of the San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts (1988-1991) and the Mountain Prairie Girl Scout Council (1983-1985), headquartered in Greeley, Colorado and a management consultant with Girl Scouts of the USA (1986-1988). Her career also includes several years as CEO of two branches of the YWCA.

 

by Guest Columnist Joanne Williams,
Vice Chair of Membership
Get more out of Girl Scouting,
get your whole family involved
 

When Council President and Chair of the Board Cora Ann Blytas asked me to be a guest columnist, I was delighted to accept and to be able to share my thoughts about family involvement in Girl Scouts.

First, let me tell you something about myself. As Vice Chair of Membership, I partner with the Vice President of Membership Carolyn Johnson. Together, we oversee the responsibility for recruitment and retention of girls and adults throughout the 21 counties encompassed in Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. I am also the troop leader for a Senior troop of 24 girls. It has been my pleasure for 23 years to lead and advise girls from ages 5 to 17. Interacting with their families and with other adult volunteers has certainly enriched my circle of friends and associates.

I am also the parent of four grown children, including three daughters who achieved the Gold Award. Girl Scouts has been a benefit to my entire family. We have chosen to make Girl Scouts a family affair and, throughout the years, we have shared many fantastic experiences together.

The holiday season is often a time for family togetherness and traditions. Girl Scouts offers many opportunities for your daughter and your family during the holidays and all year long. Here are a few tips on how to take advantage of those opportunities:

Be Informed - Find out about all the wonderful Girl Scout opportunities and traditions by talking with your daughter's troop leader, by reading The Golden Link, and by checking the Council Web site at www.gssjc.org. The Web site now offers full information for troops and individual members through the Council Information Network (CIN). (Note: See related article in the October issue of The Golden Link on page 5.)

 

Get Involved - Contact your daughter's troop leader to find out specific ways you can help. Family support of service projects, Council product sales, and other activities can make all the difference in your daughter's enjoyment of Girl Scouts. Encourage your daughter to participate in troop activities, and participate with her when possible. Share a special interest or skill with the troop. (Adults can attend a wide variety of Council trainings to learn or enhance skills. Check the training sections of The Golden Link and Council Web site for more information.)

Share Your Resources - Think about the relationships you have developed with associates, special groups, and organizations. Chances are, your business, community, and personal contacts can offer a great deal to the girls and the troop leadership team. They may be willing to "sponsor" the troop, providing a wealth of resources such as services, skills, funds, transportation, and more.

Make a Difference - Demonstrate your commitment to the mission of "GSSJC _ The premier organization for all girls. Building character, values, and skills for a lifetime." Invest in Girl Scouting and support GSSJC financially by contributing to Family Partnership and Council funds.

Make Girl Scouting a tradition for your family_my family did, and we are still enjoying our involvement in the Girl Scout Movement!

Contact Vice Chair of Membership Joanne Williams at 713-292-0402 or jwilliams@sjgs.org, or stop by Room 270 at the Girl Scout Center.