In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state. For the past seven years, Rebecca Schmidt in the Pikes Peak region has served as leader for a large (50 girls) multi-level troop from K-12th grade! She also frequently organizes recruiting efforts and serves as Service Unit Manager, Service Unit Cookie Manager, and Site Delivery Manager. Rebecca is also an active member of the Region 4 Cookie Committee.
Rebecca was nominated as a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. We asked her to answer a few questions about her experiences as a Girl Scout volunteer. We hope you find her story as inspiring as we did!
How long have you been a Girl Scout?
I was not a Girl Scout as a kid, but was a Jobs Daughter and Blue Jay and really felt I am who I am today because of being in these organizations. I became a Girl Scout in 2009. It was after I retired from the U.S. Army and wanted to still mentor.
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
My granddaughter’s troop needed a troop leader.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I serve as a troop leader for Troop 40969 and 43530. I am a backup leader for the groups and do all the admin for the troop. It is a multi-level troop for K-11 and we are very busy. The other leaders in the troop call me the leader of the leaders. I am also one of the TCMs for both troops. I am also the SU Manager/SUCM for SU418 and 423. I have also helped with the Cookie Team by hosting a cookie pick-up site and help with getting booths agreements signed.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? What do you hope girls have learned from you?
Patience is a big one. I have never been good at this anyway, but I am getting better at it. I have found collaboration as a critical tool and without it is where most of our failures come from. I do love the girls at all the levels. I love what the girls learn from cookies and it just amazes me on what they come up with and how they grow. I hope the girls learn to never give up from me and that even though the world is flawed that they can be successful in it!
What is your favorite Girl Scout memory?
One of my favorites is when my granddaughter sold her first case of cookies. It was done due to the skills she had learned and to see her so confident was just amazing. Also, seeing the girls getting their Bronze and Silver Awards has been amazing. Just hoping we will see our first Gold real soon!
What words of advice do you have for other volunteers?
Communications is essential. Even if you have to double the effort to do it. It is a must! This includes between leaders, parents, and Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts is for the girls and we have to leave all the baggage and junk behind us so we can give the girls the solid programming that they need and deserve. I also feel that Girl Scouts helps the leaders grow as much as the girls and they need to just hold on and enjoy the ride!
Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org.