Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state. Maggie Navarro-Bowring in the Pikes Peak region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.
GSCO asked Maggie 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 had signed my daughter up for Girl Scouts when she was in kindergarten and along the way I became a volunteer for her troop leaders. I have always enjoyed helping others in different ways. I hope that my volunteering will inspire my daughter to have a strong work ethic and show her that there are no obstacles that girls can’t overcome.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I began as a parent volunteer for my daughter’s troop. I have worked since I was 16 which instilled a deep work ethic in me. Helping has always been in my blood, seeing my own parents always work hard. It is easy for me to jump into any situation and try to find solutions no matter how difficult they may seem.
I took over as our Troop Cookie Mom for a few years which I’ve always liked doing. Our troop leader and I get along extremely well, so it was natural to then slip into the role of being Troop Co-Leader while still performing the role of our Troop’s Cookie Mom.
I have been with Girl Scouts for so long, it was a seamless transition for me to then add Service Unit Cookie Manager as an additional volunteer role. I like working with people and helping out as much as I can–teaching new Cookie Moms what I have learned over the years about what has worked for me, to help make their job easier.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
I have learned that being a volunteer at times can be very difficult for any of us. It can seem at times that our jobs are taken for granted and we take a lot of heat from those we help, especially considering that as a volunteer you are donating all your time and effort. And while we all want that pat on the back as well as recognition for our time spent and to be shown gratitude, we don’t often receive it, beyond the reward we get and feel in the end which has so much more value than what we wish we had gotten. The feeling of accomplishment and pride is something you will carry with you always. Being selfless with your time has a level of value that will make you better.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
To always strive for more and that there is no limit to what is possible. I want them to see that being compassionate, kind, helpful, open to change and new experiences will make us better and help us reach our dreams and goals. I hope they learned from me to think outside the box while problem solving. That no matter how difficult life can be, everything has a solution even if we don’t always see it immediately. Failing means we are learning, improving.
Nominate an exceptional volunteer for a Volunteer Award! Nominations are open April 1-June 30, 2022