Every other month on the second Thursday, 33 dedicated people meet in the boardroom on the third floor of the Girl Scout Center to conduct the business of Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. These officers and members have received a packet of materials and the agenda by mail and have had time to study the issues. They come prepared to make the best decisions for the girls of our Council. Most of the decisions are fiduciary in nature since the primary role of a non-profit board is to raise funds and see to it that they are spent wisely.

Some of you have suggested that you would like to see the board members at more events where girls or volunteers are gathered. What you may not realize is how many hours we are already expecting from these busy business and community leaders. Almost every person is serving on at least one board committee. Of course, that means that a board member chairs each of the nine board committees. Those committees are: Nominating, Finance/Audit, Board Relations, Fund Development, Properties, Brand Management, Technology, Pluralism, and Human Relations. Others chair or serve on Task Forces, the Council Performance Assessment Team, and some will work on the Strategic Plan. The Capital Campaign Committee has board members who have made many contacts for our Council with foundations, corporations, and individuals.

I would like to tell you that your board members have a passion for serving on a non-profit board and also a passion for Girl Scouting. They are hard working, ask the right questions, make decisions after careful thought and they have a good sense of humor.
Peter Drucker, in one of his books, writes that over every boardroom door there should be an inscription, “Membership on this board is not power, it is responsibility.” I believe that each of us on the board feels that responsibility keenly and will always endeavor to do our best.