The Golden Link - February 2004 Volume 30 Issue 2   

Meet GSSJC Board Member Betty Magnuson
Magnuson has strong beliefs of the program
by Tami De La Fuente

Board Member Betty Magnuson started off as a “volunteer craft shopper” for her daughters’ troop, and fondly recalls she was recruited into Girl Scouting in a rapidly progressive manner, one craft at a time! “I was one of those mothers who was going to be just a troop craft volunteer, but before it was all over, I would be everything from a troop cookie manager to assistant service unit manager, a nominating committee chair to a neighborhood chairman, and an assistant district manager…I’ve done it all!”

A native Houstonian and a third-generation Texan, Betty completed her bachelor’s degree at Texas Tech University, securing a double major in Spanish and Geography, and a double minor in French and Portuguese. She has also done postgraduate work at the University of Dallas. Betty’s mother, Helen Caesar, was her troop leader, and Betty’s daughters Jessica and Jordan were Girl Scouts through Seniors. Jordan earned her Gold Award in GSSJC.

Betty currently serves as membership coordinator for Areas 12-18. “I believe so strongly in the Girl Scout program because I love the fact that we can offer so many different programs to girls from many kinds of homes and many walks of life,” says Betty. “My vision for the Council includes us going way over on the Capital Campaign, so that we can endow programs like Girl Scouting Beyond Bars, until the point where we have reached enough girls and mothers and we no longer need it,” says Betty. “Girl Scouts has a lot of positive answers to the negative pressures that girls experience today,” she adds.

“Programs we do in Girl Scouting, such as I’m Worth Waiting For equip girls based on values we all want our young people to have–if we helped a girl make a right choice, we used our resources well.”

More About Betty

Favorite Girl Scout Cookie: Piñatas
Hobbies/Interests: Girl Scouting
Best Quote: “Whether they participate in a traditional Girl Scout troop or in one of our newer programs like STUDIO 2B, girls still benefit from the values inherent in the Girl Scout Promise and Law.”

   

GSSJC selects nominees for Gold Award Young Women of Distinction

In March 2004, GSUSA will honor 10 Girl Scouts from throughout the country as Girl Scout Gold Award Young Women of Distinction. The award is in recognition of extraordinary achievement in the design and implementation of a Girl Scout Gold Award Project. The selected honorees will travel to Washington, D.C. at GSUSA’s expense for a special four-day trip. The 10 winning projects will illustrate the Girl Scout program goals in action–demonstrating how girls can leave a mark on the world around them by voicing what is important to them, taking action, and making a difference. Nominees for the award must have completed a Gold Award Project between October 1, 2002 and September 30, 2003.
This year, the GSSJC Gold Award Advisory Committee has nominated three Gold Award recipients for the honor. The committee feels that these three girls have successfully implemented a Gold Award project that has left a tremendous impact on the world around her and has “become her best self” through helping others. Congratulations to nominees Leanna, Teresa, and Gloria.

Troop #11225 begins an annual holiday tradition

Troop #11225 now has a new tradition of its own–an annual family traditions potluck dinner. Brownie Troop #11225 arranged a family traditions potluck dinner on November 22, 2003 for the troop and its family members. Each family provided traditional dishes from their own celebrations. Approximately 40 people attended with parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends of the girls. The troop provided turkey and ham for the dinner and other dishes included sweet and mashed potatoes, dressing, green beans, baked beans, deviled eggs, fruit salad, and several tempting desserts.
At a regular meeting prior to the dinner, the troop made a tablecloth for the serving table by using paints and their palms to print fall leaves on butcher paper. The girls also wrote items they were thankful for on construction paper “leaves” which were tied to branches and arranged as a centerpiece.
The troop added four girls to the troop this year. This gave families time to get to know one another and for others to catch up on news and activities. There were several recipe swaps made from the dishes provided.
After the dinner the troop canvassed the neighborhood for the start of the One Warm Coat service project. Girls handed out flyers and picked up coats at that time or arranged to pick up coats during a future meeting.