Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Eva Bauer has had many volunteer roles, including as part of the Girl Scout Gold Award Committee. She is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.
GSCO asked Eva 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 initially became a Girl Scout volunteer to spend time with my daughter and provide mentorship to girls in the troop. Over time, as I became more involved with Girl Scouts, I found how much I gained from being part of the premier organization across the world for women and girls. I believe in Girl Scouts and have seen first hand the positive impact it has on girls and young women.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
Although I thought I was volunteering to be a co-leader when my daughter started Kindergarten, I found myself as the troop leader when the original leader moved. For my daughter’s entire Girl Scout years, I have been her troop leader. I have also served in various roles at the service unit level. For the last four years, I have also been a mentor on the Gold Award committee.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
Over the years, I have learned what it means to have a girl-led organization and to let the girls take ownership and leadership of their troop and projects. I have learned about the deep commitment leaders and Girl Scout staff and volunteers have toward building up the next generation of women leaders. I have also learned of the incredible strength and passion of girls from Daisies to Ambassadors. Whenever I think about the future of our country and the entire world, I think about the young women being raised up in Girl Scouts and other girl oriented programs and I have great hope.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I hope the girls in both my troops and whom I have mentored in the Gold Award program feel the support and encouragement I, and other volunteers, have provided. It is important that young women today know there is a community behind them and Girl Scout volunteers stand with them as they make their way toward adulthood. I have always told the girls in the troop they are smart, creative, strong, kind, and capable and I hope that encouragement has been one voice that blends with the others in their hearts and heads.
Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org.