The past year 2007 provided exciting times for our Girl Scout council.  When we look back at our accomplishments, we can be proud of the council growth with an increase in membership of 242 girls, we served 2,936 girls who had the experience of leadership that the Girl Scout program provides.  The delivery of this program was through our dedicated volunteers and staff.  Our adult volunteers were 1,872 strong in 2007.  We doubled our number of daisy troops and provided community program at 19 sites.  One of our successful approaches was providing the Girl Scout experience at several affordable housing sites; providing our program directly in our community.

Our program opportunities continued to grow with our fall Camporee providing an outdoor experience to 600 attendees.  Our summer programs increased attendance and many filled to capacity.  We formed an Ambassador Leadership Group where 5 Senior Girl Scouts have become advisors to the council, attend board meetings and provide policy influencing from their viewpoint.

As many of you know, we along with the other Los Angeles County councils, lost our funding from United Way due to the change in their strategic direction.  However, our grants exceeded our goal in 2007, shop revenue was up 4.2% and the cookie sale was up 3.9%.  Our communications both internally and externally increased with our e-newsletters and updated web-site www.gscglb.org.

Our properties received some needed improvements with new decking at Marine Landing, refurbishment of the our multipurpose room, improved Wishaven area of Skyland and repaired sprinkler system and riding lawn mower at El Ranchito. 

Our future opportunities are many.  The new Girl Scout Leadership Program model of journeys that will transform the organization into becoming a national leader in the research and implementation of leadership for girls is set to maintain the prominence that Girl Scouts has held for 96 years.  Our realignment with the other 5 councils in Los Angeles County continues on schedule with our new combined council of Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles set to launch on December 1.  We will be 50,000 girls strong and have a potential girl population of over one million.  We will be one of the largest in the nation.  As we look to our 100th birthday in only 4 years, we can be excited as we anticipate the changes that forward our mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

Please contact me by email or by phone at (562) 421-8456 ext. 205 with any questions or comments that you may have.

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Shannon Johnston