New President of the National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA Cynthia B. Thompson visited Houston on October 18 and spoke on “Valuing Volunteers” at the Fall Council Meeting.

President and Chair of the Board Cora Ann Blytas and CEO Mary Vitek (right) welcome GSUSA President Cynthia B. Thompson to Camp Agnes Arnold.

Thompson holds the highest volunteer position in the Girl Scout organization; her election as president follows more than 35 years of participation in Girl Scouting. Thompson addressed delegates from the GSSJC at the meeting, detailing the long-term goals and vision of GSUSA for local Girl Scout volunteers from Houston, Lufkin, and Beaumont/Port Arthur.

“We were delighted to have Cynthia as a special guest at our Fall Council Meeting. Cynthia shared her experiences and guiding vision for the Girl Scout movement,” said Cora Ann Blytas. “She brings strong leadership coupled with a broad knowledge of issues facing girls and their families today.”

The Council meeting began with a flag Cadette Leigh Anne led members of Troop #5280 of Silver Spur Service Unit in the ceremony. Cadette Veronica sang the National Anthem accompanied by instruments played by Troop #5280. Senior Girl Scout Tommi Jo delivered the invocation

The registrars’ report, presentation of nominees, and the approval of minutes
from the Spring Council Meeting followed. After the keynote address, five Senior Girl Scouts were pinned with the Gold Award by Thompson. Thompson also helped award volunteer recognitions.

Steve Gilliand, chair of the Properties Committee, and Jo Monday, vice president of Membership Services, presented a slide show highlighting some of the improvements which will be made at camp because of the capital campaign. Drawings of a sail house at Camp Casa Mare and a fishing village at Camp Agnes Arnold were well received. There was also a reserve ranger fashion show. Volunteer reserve rangers will now have a distinctive uniform complete with a baseball cap which distinguishes them from the staff property managers. Monday also announced the addition of a service project jar at camp. If they choose, troops may select a slip from the jar listing a service project to perform while they are at camp. All materials for the projects are provided.

Girl Scouts from Silver Spur Service Unit performed a touching flag ceremony.

Blytas and GSSJC CEO Mary Vitek gave a report on the year-end highlights and announced the Council’s main goals for this year. New leader retention, the Family Partnership campaign, and increased press coverage are will be focused on in 2004.

Blytas awarded a special certificate to Wildwood Service Unit for being the one service unit to reach its 2004 membership year goal by September 30, 2003.
In closing, a video titled “Sisters hand-in-hand” was shown.

After the meeting, everyone gathered at Shadow Lake for a construction kickoff for a fishing village at Camp Agnes Arnold. The fishing village, which was made possible by a gift from the Houston Endowment, will serve 2,592 more Girl Scout campers and make new programs in nature conservation, wildlife habitats, botany, and the environment possible. Thompson and Donald Sheppard from Houston Endowment had the honor of cutting the ribbon. Troop #5280 closed the ceremony by performing “When’er You Make a Promise.”