February 2005 Volume 31 Issue 2  

Membership
Girl Scouting: For every girl, everywhere

Membership Staff
Vice President - Membership
Carolyn Johnson

Directors
Gladys Birdwell
Sandee Williams

Team Leaders
Kathy Denton
Tracy Gillin
Deepa Seetepalli
Karyn Smith
Pam Soles
Nina Williams
Sue Zingleman

Membership Managers
Alex DeReinzi
Stephanie Finleon
Lynn Flournoy
Dawn Francis
Gina Galloway
Cecilia Garcia
Gloria Gracia Johnson
Milly Garzon
JoAnna Harris
Sheila Hauser
Laura Hernadez
Selina Howard
Sandra Johnson
Elizabeth Leas
Alicia McWilliams
Parina Paripoonnanonda
Wendy Rea
Juana Rhoden
Donna Robinson
Maria Roldan
Abby Sibley
Jamie Stiyer
Theresa Thomas
Celia Valles
Purvi Zaver

Cate Teague, Administrative Assistant
Linda Pharris, Departmental Assistant
Jean Rhoden, Secretary

713-292-0300

Advice for the STUDIO 2B Advisor

by Sandee WIlliams

Adult advisors may have concerns that the STUDIO 2B by girls for girls approach means that adults will “lose control.” Girls say not to worry! They recognize the importance of adults as advisors and would like adults to help with the nitty-gritty planning of activities and events. They also recognize the need for guidance and coaching from adults who have “been there and done that.” How can you adopt a by girls for girls approach? The following are several wonderful tips taken from the Girl Scouts of the USA publication, STUDIO 2B-Guide for Advisors.

  • Barring issues of safety, promote trust by letting the girls know what is said in the group stays in the group.
  • Connect with the girls and validate their feelings. Let them know that you remember dealing with many of the same problems they are facing.
  • Encourage friendships – new and old. Promote participation in local activities and events happening for girls their age.
  • Take interest in their interests. Try to stay up-to-date on the latest movies, music, celebrities, trends, and fashions.
  • Focus on resolving problems with a positive attitude. Help the girls define the difficulty and create solutions together.
  • Ask the girls what rules they think they need for safety and what group agreements they need to be a good team.
  • Trust the girls to get things done with minimal guidance.
  • Help…but avoid taking over the logistical details, paperwork, and legwork for projects and trips.
  • Let go of a structured agenda at meetings. Allow the girls to create their own.
  • Allow some meetings to be an opportunity for just talking, unwinding, and have fun!

STUDIO 2B Success Stories!

by JoAnna D. Harris and Sandee Williams

Interested in starting a STUDIO 2B program, but don’t know where to begin? Check out these success stories and see if they can be of some help!
STUDIO 2B Summer Series
Six service units implemented a six-week STUDIO 2B Summer Series to introduce the concept to the girls in the area. Forty-five girls paid a $10 registration fee and met on Thursday evenings for two- hour sessions to complete the STUDIO 2B Uniquely Me! focus book which was included in the registration fee. Volunteers from each of Area 7’s service units conducted one of the weekly sessions. The girls participated in activities such as cooking healthy foods, interacting in a games night, and a styling in a fashion show. Area 7 will conduct the series again this summer either as an all-day event or as a twilight camp. For more information contact Trichelle Goins at 713-292-0220 or tgoins@sjgs.org. STUDIO 2B in The Woodlands
Seven service units combined their efforts to form a STUDIO 2B group that brings girls together from several large communities in the northern section of the Council. Girls living in The Woodlands were eager to meet and interact with other tweens and teens living in neighborhoods nearby. Forming the STUDIO 2B group allows them to do this while serving as a retention tool for many of the girls who are already active in troops and interest groups. It also offers an additional option for girls registered as Juliettes, increasing their opportunities to become more involved.
This STUDIO 2B format consists of two troops, one for 11-13 year olds and the other for 14-17 year olds. Each troop meets once a month on Tuesdays. The girls do a variety of activities which include career exploration. In the spring, the Senior STUDIO 2B troop plans to visit some college campuses. Troop/Group leaders have found that the flexibility of STUDIO 2B is great for troops who were losing girls because of their increased involvement in school activities. For more information about The Woodlands STUDIO 2B concept, contact Shelia Hauser at 713-292-0225 or shauser@sjgs.org.
STUDIO 2B Lunch Bunch
The “Lunch Bunch” is a STUDIO 2B success story shared by another Girl Scout Council. Young corporate volunteers serving as STUDIO 2B advisors meet once a month with 28 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade girls at a local middle school during their lunch period. They complete activities from the focus books and plan group functions outside of the school setting. The principal likes the program so well that on meeting days he allows the girls to be released from class 10 minutes early. The principal has also allowed the Lunch Bunch to use a vacant classroom as a meeting place.