Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state. Elan Robinson of Aurora in the Denver Metro region was nominated by a GSCO staff member as a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.
GSCO asked Elan 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 Girl Scout volunteer because I wanted to spend more time with my granddaughter. I was a Girl Scout for seven years as a child and remembered all the interesting things I learned. I wanted my granddaughter to have those same experiences. Now, four granddaughters later I’m having the time of my life! I’ve never regretted the decision to become a leader.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I’ve been a leader for four different troops. I’m a GSCO trainer, I especially love doing PA training. I’m also part of the service unit leadership team, helping to plan service unit events. I’m the service unit fall product program manager, as well as the TCM and FSM for my own troop,
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
As a volunteer, I’ve learned that anything is possible as long as you’re following your heart and your dream. I’ve never expected that my girls would do anything that I wouldn’t do. I’ve learned that I can do anything because of that. I’ve learned to be comfortable talking in front of a group. I’ve learned that it’s okay for things to not go exactly according to plan and it will be fine. I’ve learned that as long as you keep exploring you keep growing.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I hope my girls have learned to be compassionate. I hope they’ve learned that they can do anything that they set their mind too. I hope they have learned that they can and will make a difference as long as they set their mind to it. I hope they’ve learn to explore the world around them to try to make a difference. I hope they’ve learned to look around them at what needs to be done and do it because they want to make a difference in someone else’s life or the world that they live in. I’ve watched my older girls look at their world and decide how they can make a difference in their high honor projects. I’ve watched my Brownies look around their immediate world and make a difference by seeing what needs to be done and do it without guidance or question.
How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?
As a volunteer I’ve learned to just step into the moment and make it happen. I’ve learned that not all things are going to go exactly as planned, and that’s okay. I’ve learned that most things that are worth doing require some risk. Whether that risk is simply getting in front of a group of people or trying something that I never thought I would or could do. I’ve learned to be the best person I can be so I can be the best leader I can be.
Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org.