Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Allison Brown of Durango in the Southwestern Colorado region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.
GSCO asked Allison to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did.
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
I became a volunteer because there was an opening in the leadership position in my daughter’s troop. I have a flexible work schedule, so I had the time and desire to get involved. My mom was my Girl Scout leader growing up, so it felt like the natural thing to do.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I started as a co-leader for a multi-level troop. After seeing the need for more intense badge and volunteer work for our older girls, we split from the multi-level troop and started a Junior troop!
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
I have learned so much more than I thought I would! I have learned major patience, organization, and commitment. I have learned how capable nine and ten year-old girls can be, and I have learned to trust their decisions and abilities. I never thought that the girl-led model would work with young girls, but have been proven wrong time and time again, which is both humbling and uplifting!
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
Gosh, I hope that I can show them what dedication and hard work looks like. I hope they see a working mom who has time to care and work with youth. I hope they know how much each one of them means to me, and I hope they learn self worth, and dedication to a cause bigger than themselves.
How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?
I have always considered myself a go-getter. I can’t sit still and fill every moment of my life, for better or worse. These girls have challenged me to sit in silence and let them come up with solutions, examples, and ideas. This is so amazing to me, and let’s me grow as a leader… not a dictator. With a small budget to start, my co-leader, who I can’t go without mentioning, and I have become major innovators to stretch out dollars. I could not have such an amazing group of girls without the amazing parents who help raise and support them! I truly feel that it takes a village to succeed as an individual and in a group and I am so blessed to be a part of these girls’ journeys.
Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org.
The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards is April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award. Nominators are responsible for ensuring enough endorsements are submitted to support their nomination of a volunteer for an award. Your volunteer support specialist can check nomination and endorsement submissions for you. Learn more.
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