September 2005 Volume 31 Issue 8  

Pidd Miller Doll Award Winners

Winners are: Daisy - Shelby A., Brownie - Pantia Rose Marie C., Junior - Diamond W., Cadette - Stacy S.

    Each year, Girl Scouts have an opportunity to enter the Pidd Miller Doll Award Contest. This award, generously underwritten by Dr. Pidd Miller, encourages Girl Scouts in the art of doll collecting. Contestants submit an essay on the topic, “What doll collecting means to me.” One Doll Award winner is chosen at each age level. Each Doll Award recipient receives a $100 cash prize and an award certificate.
     Dr. Miller has a long association with Girl Scouting. She was a member of the first Brownie Pack organized in Houston in 1929. At that time her mother gave her a Girl Scout doll, which is part of a collection of over 80 dolls that she donated to the Council.
     Over the years, Dr. Miller has become a recognized expert on Girl Scout dolls and written numerous articles on the subject. Photos of her Girl Scout dolls are often used in books about doll collecting.
     Dr. Miller was instrumental in developing the Council’s Doll Collector Patch program, which has since been earned by thousands of Girl Scouts across the country. In 1995, Dr. Miller created Share-A-Doll as a Council service project and served as project coordinator. Thousands of dolls were donated to shelters for children in stressful situations.
     Dr. Miller was named one of the 85 Texas Girl Scout Women of Distinction during the Girl Scouts’ 85th Anniversary Celebration in 1997. In 1999, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council honored Dr. Miller with a Thanks Badge.

Operating Committee Report - June 2004 - May 2005

     The Operating Committee meets regularly to discuss issues and approve recommendations pertaining to topics impacting volunteers and staff in the Membership and Membership Services divisions, including interaction with Brand Management, Fund Development, Finance and Administration, and Information Technology.
     The committee is Vice Chair of Membership Joanne Williams, Vice Chair of Membership Services Carol Lowenkron, Vice President of Membership Carolyn Johnson, and Vice President of Membership Services Jo Monday. The committee is designed to facilitate internal communication and decision-making in order to provide better and timelier services to all areas of the Council.
     The new Permission Slip, Medical Form and Multi-Use Permission Slip are going into effect on September 1. Check them out on the May CIN if you haven’t seen them. You’re sure to like them, as they will make things easier for troop/group leaders and parents. Similarly, new Council-wide ways of work including Guidelines for Committees and Task Groups, Guidelines for Solicitations, and Multi-Service Unit Events have been developed to clarify expectations and simplify the jobs of volunteers.
     The Resource Guide, Operational Procedures and all Council-wide Ways of Work will be on the new Leader or Administrative CD you will be receiving this fall. Please let the committee know how you like them and feel free to contact any of them with questions or concerns about operations in GSSJC. The Operating Committee continues to listen to the needs of the GSSJC membership. If you have a suggestion for further reduction of paperwork or improvement in operational services, write to the Operating Committee; they will make sure every recommendation is considered!
     Below are highlights of the work done by the Operating Committee this past year.
     Convened the following task groups: Training delivery and requirements discussion group, Medical forms and permission slips, Day/twilight camps, STUDIO 2B, Volunteer Appointment Process, Volunteer Support and Development Action Team (Beyond MDC)		 Developed the following Ways of Work: Guidelines for Multi-Service Unit Events (OCWW #6), Guidelines for Council Level Committees and Task Groups (OCWW #7), Guidelines for Solicitations (OCWW #8)
Developed and introduced the following forms: Volunteer Self-Appraisal Form and Guidelines (F-497), Girl Scout Permission Slip F-204, Girl Scout Medical, Information F-185, Adult Emergency Slip F-22, Girl Scout, Permission Slip – Multiple Use F-204M (All available in Spanish), Worksheet for Plan of Cooperation and Guidelines F-479, Driver Checklist F-477, Request to Hold an Area, Region or Multi-Service Unit Event F-161
In addition the committee handled the following operational responsibilities:
  • CIN postings and announcements for “What’s New….”
  • Criminal background check decisions
  • Participated in Council Performance Assessment
  • Resource Guide Updates
  • Planned Regional Meeting
  • Contacted GSUSA for clarifications when appropriate
  • Review and approval of Council Recognitions
  • Reviewed 2003/2004 Operating Plan
  • Approved Camp Priorities for Web site posting
  • Initiated Web Forum and appointed coordinator
  • Initiated Tell Us posting on the web
  • Reviewed Safety-Wise updates
  • Coordinated Revisions to F-433 – Operational Procedures
  • Coordinated revision of Resource Guide
  • Coordinated content of Troop and Administrative CDs
  • Reviewed and revised BLT script
As of September 2005, use only the 5/05 revised medical form and permission slips. Please destroy any copies of the old forms by September 2005. Forms and instructions for their use are available on the Web site, in the forms file in the Council office and in the May CIN folder. Consult your service unit administrators for answers to questions and help with use of the new forms.