February 2005 Volume 31 Issue 2  

Moment in History
How The Golden Link has changed through the years

Dorothy Goodykoontz was the president when the first Golden Link was published.

Betty Cann was president and Betty Beene was executive director. The membership plan was called “Energy.” The new green, three faces, membership pin was just being introduced. There was a new patch program in conjunction with the Houston Symphony. Two new Jewish faith programs were offered.
The Golden Link was eight pages by February of 1985. Jean Morris was our president and Ann Schneider our brand new executive director. Daisy Girl Scouts and Go-Getters (now called Juliettes) were new. The Annual Report for 1984 was an insert in this issue. A new official uniform for Junior Girl Scouts was featured. Day camp and other summer activities were previewed. There was an article about opportunities for older girls, especially Wider Opportunities (now called Destinations).
Five years later The Golden Link was still eight pages. It was printed on newsprint with “Golden Link” printed in yellow. The Council meeting had been in Nacogdoches. Seven lucky Girl Scouts 		were apprentice chefs creating recipes using Girl Scout cookies. One of the chefs was a former Girl Scout and high cookie seller. Anne Moeller was president and Ann Schneider was still executive director. The double middle page was a who’s who on the staff and another page listed their responsibilities.
By February 1995 The Golden Link was 36 pages. The masthead now used green ink for emphasis. Information was featured by department. Judy Buckingham was president and Jackie Martin was our new executive director. The front page featured “Be Your Best Day.” A new official uniform for Cadettes and Seniors was shown. Gold Award recipients were featured. Troops were encouraged to sign up for Summer carousel. There was news from the districts and service units. Thinking Day was featured. Suggestions for troop activities were given. Training and On-the-Go activities were listed. A lot of information was packed into the 36 pages.
In September 1997 The Golden Link changed to a magazine format with color photos and lots of information. Today the magazine format continues.
This month let’s take a look back at The Golden Link and its growth since its beginning in 1974. Let’s start with the first February issue, the one in 1975. The Golden Link was in its infancy. It had four pages, 8 1/2” x 11.” Volunteer Pat Lewis was editor with another volunteer, Diana Rasmussen, as assistant editor. This issue’s presidential message was a farewell from Dorothy Goodykoontz who was just finishing her years as president. She thanked us for letting her serve as president. She also mentioned the friends she’s made in Girl Scouting. Sandy Clough was executive director. San Jacinto Council had just become part of the United Way in Orange. The membership plan was called the Daisy Plan. Those who had completed the plan could go to a day at Six Flags AstroWorld for $3.
Five years later, in February of 1980 The Golden Link had changed its format. It was still only four pages, but they were nearly double in size.

When you think about Thinking Day

When Girl Scouts observe Thinking Day on February 22 we sometimes confuse Olave Baden-Powell and Agnes Baden-Powell and the contribution each made to Girl Guiding and as a result to Girl Scouting. People even confuse Robert Baden-Powell’s relationship with each of them. Let’s try one more time to sort them out.
When girls in uniforms of their own making showed up at a rally for Boy Scouts in London in 1910 and declared themselves to be “Girl Scouts” Robert Baden-Powell got involved. He emphatically did not want girls to be called Girl Scouts, but Girl Guides. He asked his older sister, Agnes Baden-Powell to help, which she did. Agnes became the first president of the Girl Guide organization. At this time Robert Baden-Powell was a bachelor. Agnes continued as Girl Guide president for a number of years.
About this time Juliette Low and Robert Baden-Powell met at a dinner party and became friends. Juliette started a group of Girl Guides in the summer of 1911 in Scotland where she spent the summer. Back in London in the fall of 1911 she started two Girl Guide Companies. Early in 1912 she left England to go to her American home in Savannah. Robert Baden-Powell and Olave 		Soames were on the same ship. As they sailed across the Atlantic Baden-Powell helped Juliette make plans to start Girl Guides in Savannah. He also became secretly engaged to Olave who was traveling with her father.
In March 1912 Juliette started Girl Guides in Savannah and soon changed the name back to Girl Scouts to suit American preferences. Later in 1912 Olave and Robert Baden-Powell married. Olave became involved in Girl Guides. By 1918 she had risen to Chief Guide.
Please remember: Agnes Baden-Powell was the sister of Robert Baden-Powell. She organized the beginning of Girl Guides. She maintained her interest in Girl Guides for the rest of her life. Olave Baden-Powell was the wife of Robert Baden-Powell. She did not become involved until Girl Guiding and Boy Scouting were well established. She was active world-wide for the rest of her life. Robert Baden-Powell founded the Boy Scouts.