Volunteers receive honors at meeting

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council honored some of its best volunteers at the Fall Council Meeting in October at Camp Agnes Arnold.

Nancy Flatt was awarded the Thanks Badge II. For the past 20 years, Flatt has continued to give service to girls and adults in GSSJC. She’s always willing to share her time and talents. Flatt has spent several weekends at camp training Standard Troop Camping to adults. She is a administrative trainer helping new administrative volunteers, and she mentors new apprentice trainers. Flatt served on the Council’s board of directors and was vice president of the Council. She now serves as member of the Council Finance Committee and is chair of the Council Recognitions Committee.

Labana Berry was awarded the Thanks Badge. Berry is a past member of the Gold Award Advisory Committee. She continues to visit Girl Scout troops to deliver the Gold Award Orientation and mentor girls through the Gold Award process. She has been the Religious Recognitions Coordinator for her area for six years. Currently she is the Girl Scout area advisor for the Conroe area.

Chris Ragan was awarded The Honor Pin. This award is presented to registered adults in recognition of exceptional service having a positive influence on the Council’s goals and activities of young women.

Cindy Baden, Mary Cay Crissman, Katha Fields, Brandy Gustafson, Karen Hazlett, Guadalupe Saldivar, Carmela Simmons, and Claire Snavely received the Appreciation Pin. This award is presented to Girl Scout adults who have given outstanding service above the expectations required by the volunteer positions they have held in the organization.

Saundra Kuykendall was awarded the 35 Year Numeral Pin for years in Girl Scouting.

Cypress Point Community Center was presented a Community award for its many years of support to the organization. The center allows Girl Scout troops and volunteers to use its facilities for meetings and trainings.

Nancy Flatt (right) receives congratulations from family for receiving the Thanks Badge II.

GSUSA President Cynthia Thompson presents Labana Berry with the Thanks Badge.

Meet GSSJC Board Member Cathy Winning Thomas
Fond memories of Girl Scouting keeps board member motivated
by Tami de la Fuente

A former First Class Girl Scout from the Wheat Belt Council in Kansas, Cathy Thomas is a walking testimony to the memories girls create and share in Girl Scouting. A mother of two grown sons and a grandmother of four, including two Brownie Girl Scouts, Cathy has been a member of The Emerald Circle since 1997, and also serves on The Emerald Circle Executive Committee.

Cathy has been appointed chair of the Emerald Circle’s Inaugural Dream, Dare, Do Leadership Development Program for Senior Girl Scouts, and has enjoyed mentoring a group of focused, diligent, and bright young women.

“My vision as a board member is for our Council to serve more girls. I’m proud to help support initiatives like the Capital Campaign and others that will help us to do just that,” says Cathy. “I have so many great memories in Girl Scouting…including a trip to Our Cabaña in 1968, and being selected as one of eight girls to attend the All States
Rendezvous at the Wyoming Wilderness Property owned by GSUSA in 1969.”

Born in Hutchinson, Kansas, Cathy earned a bachelors degree in science from the University of Kansas. She retired from Conoco in 2001 and now enjoys playing with the grandchildren and spending time with her husband James.

When she is not doing grandmotherly activities, Cathy finds the time to assist other non-profit organizations. She serves on the board of directors of Inspire Women! and the cabinet of the College of Biblical Studies. Cathy also works as an instructor/facilitator for Hospice-Wings, a youth bereavement instruction program for children ages four to 18 who have suffered a death in the family.

A strong advocate of spiritual health and guidance for children, Cathy is also a Faith Friend to a young person at John Wesley United Methodist Church.