Girl Scouts of Colorado thanks Ranger Denise from the Women’s Rights National Historic Park in Seneca Falls, New York for hosting a special webinar about the women’s suffrage movement. More than 25 Girl Scouts from all over the country participated in this webinar on August 5, 2020. Listen to the recording here. Ranger Denise walked girls through the events that led up to the first women’s rights convention. The Women’s Rights Convention fought for the social, civil, and religious rights of women. It was held on July 19 and 20, 1848 at the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls. We learned about the roles of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Martha Coffin Wright, Mary Anne M’Clintock, Jane Hunt, and Susan B. Anthony. Girls also learned about how restrictive life was for women at the time and the importance of the right to vote as it related to owning property, wealth, and wages. Ranger Denise walked the girls through the list of grievances put together at the convention. She wrapped up her presentation with information about Frederick Douglass’ participation and speech at the convention. Douglass, a leader in the abolitionist movement, said, “In a word, I have never yet been able to find one consideration, one argument, or suggestion in favor of man’s right to participate in civil government which did not equally apply to the right of a woman.” The webinar wrapped up with a live Q&A session where we learned about how Ranger Denise developed a passion for the women’s rights movement and that her favorite Girl Scout cookie is a Tagalong. As Girl Scouts continue learning about the women’s rights movement, we encourage you to explore the resources listed below: Girl Scouts of Colorado recognizes Women’s Suffrage Centennial Girl Scout Suffrage Centennial Patch Girl Scout Ranger 19th Amendment Patch Questions? Email aimee.artzer@gscolorado.org. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #WomensRightsNationalHistoricPark #GirlScoutingatHome #womensrights #Communitypartnerships #NationalParkService #GirlScoutsatHome #womenssuffrage #communitypartners

The great thing about our country is we all can have different backgrounds, experiences and opinions, and still come together and work towards the common good. No matter the level of government – from your local school board to the Congress – people have to compromise – give up some things you want in order to support somethings someone else wants – in order to accomplish their goals. When you earn the Cadette Finding Common Ground badge, you will learn how governments do that – and how you can do it in your everyday life. Step One: Get to Know Someone Different from You Step Two: Make Decisions in a Group Step Three: Explore Civil Debate Step Four: Understand a Compromise A compromise is an agreement where both people give up something they want in order to find the common ground where everyone gets a little bit of what they want. Do one or more of the following activities to learn more about compromise. A Community Compromise. Learn about a compromise in your community, such as the dress code at your school, or the amenities in a new park or recreation center. Where did the two sides disagree at the beginning? What decision did they make in the end? What did each side give up to reach a compromise? How does this compromise affect your community and your life? OR A Family or Friendship Compromise. Think of a situation where you and someone in your household had to compromise to be able to live in peace. Use that situation and talk to an adult in your household about a compromise that made your family what it is today. Can you imagine a more positive outcome? Share your ideas with your family and see if you can effect positive change. OR A state or national compromise. Learn about a compromise that occurred in your state or at the national level. You can talk with your history teacher, local historian, elected official, or another who has expert knowledge in the compromise. Where did the two sides differ in the beginning? Where did they find common ground? What did each side give up to reach a reasonable agreement? How does this compromise affect your life? What other possible outcomes could there have been? In the next step, you will learn how to find common ground through the process of mediation. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #Cadette #oldergirls #Cadettes #CadetteFindingCommonGroundbadge #Cadettebadges #GirlScoutsatHome #Cadettebadge #GirlScoutCadetteFindingCommonGroundbadge #badge #FindingCommonGroundbadge #badges

From Girl Scouts if the USA After four years leading the Girl Scouts of the United States (GSUSA), Sylvia Acevedo is stepping down as CEO, the organization announced today. Following Ms. Acevedo’s last day on August 15, Judith Batty, lifelong Girl Scout, Board Member, and corporate trailblazer – will be stepping up as interim CEO, the first Black CEO in the organization’s history. Ms. Acevedo, a former rocket scientist, and a lifetime Girl Scout helped propel the organization forward to be more relevant in the 21st century. During her four years as CEO, Sylvia Acevedo transformed the organization, which is ultimately about helping the girls of today become tomorrow’s leaders. Under Ms. Acevedo, GSUSA: Provided girls in urban, rural and suburban areas with the 21st century STEM skills that they’ll need for life – and America needs for a globally competitive workforce; Overhauled the iconic Girl Scout Cookie Program by transforming key elements to maximize efficiency and enhance performance for the movement; Introduced 144 new badges and journeys by modernizing programs around robotics, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, outdoors, leadership and civics; and in 2019, more than 1 Million STEM badges were earned; and Has steered through the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic. “On behalf of Girl Scouts of the USA, the board, and our entire volunteer community, I would like to extend a warm and heartfelt thank you to Sylvia for her contributions these past four years.” said Kathy Hannan, Board Chair of GSUSA. Ms. Batty began her Girl Scout career as a Brownie and as a member of the Nassau County Council in New York and served two terms on the National Board, this term serving as a member of the Executive Committee and International Commissioner.  Prior to joining the Girl Scouts as interim CEO, for nearly thirty years, Ms. Batty served as senior legal counsel and an executive for a Fortune 100 corporation, where she became the first woman and first Black general counsel to one of the company’s overseas affiliates. “As we look forward, we are confident that Judith’s experience makes her uniquely qualified to help the Girl Scouts transition into our next chapter and continue to serve our enduring mission as an inclusive, supportive organization that stands ready to help every girl learn and thrive,” said Hannan. In the coming months, Ms. Batty will embark on a listening tour with staff and council leadership, where she will hear directly from the field about how to advance the mission of the organization to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #GSUSA #JudithBatty #SylviaAcevedo

Despite continued remote learning, challenges, and other cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Girl Scouts is still here, helping girls and families stay connected to each other and their community. Our mission to build leaders—who can navigate good times as well as uncertain ones—is critical. In fact, we’ve taken this crisis and turned it into an opportunity to offer innovative and safe ways for girls to make new friends and learn life skills. When your girl joins Girl Scouts, she gains immediate access to many exciting opportunities—even if her troop is unable to meet in-person right away. Starting kindergarten is a rite of passage for children and families, but many of the usual ways teachers and caregivers prepare their kids for kindergarten have been cancelled. Our “Make New Friends” virtual event series is a free kindergarten readiness program to help your girl boost her social skills, giving her the self-confidence to thrive in a classroom or virtual school setting. From topics like automotive engineering and STEM careers to civics and entrepreneurship, new badges released by Girl Scouts of the USA in July give girls more opportunities to practice ambitious leadership. Girl Scouts can even earn badges on their own, sharing what they have learned with their family. In fact, parents and caregivers are encouraged to join their girl as she learns new skills and explores careers, many of which are traditionally male dominated fields. Families can also participate together in GSCO’s NEWDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion programming and earn the “Diverse. Inclusive. Together.” patch. This is an opportunity for families to not only have conversations about differences, race, and racism, but also for caregivers and siblings to learn more about Girl Scouts’ core values. Our free virtual monthly badge series kicked off this summer with girls learning how to code and explore the outdoors. These series also give girls the opportunity to connect with Girl Scouts statewide and share what they learned in a safe, virtual setting. New topics are planned for this fall. Girls can earn badges in these series on their own or with their troop. Karen Grealey leads her younger daughter’s Daisy troop, as well as her older daughter’s Junior troop. She has arranged for both troops to meet virtually over the summer, allowing the girls to earn badges, complete art projects, and most importantly stay connected. “It’s good for them just to be able to get together and be more social and less structured,” she said. “They are just so excited to see each other that I just let them organically interact with each other. ” Virtual learning and training opportunities are also available for adults interested in volunteering. The Explore More Club connects adult volunteers statewide, allowing them to learn how to teach particular topics/badges to girls. The club focuses on a different program topic every month, giving volunteers the chance to connect and share with other statewide. We also have resources for troops to meet virtually, many of which are free and low-cost. #GirlScoutingatHome #recruitment #GirlScoutsatHome #somemediacoverageofGSCO #CouncilNews

Submitted by Emma Metro Denver Highlands Ranch Hello. My name is Emma, and I am a Girl Scout Junior from Troop 65430. I worked on the “Diverse. Inclusive. Together.” patch with my family. Although we talk about diversity and inclusivity a lot at home, I learned a lot about unconscious biases that we all have, and how it can negatively impact all aspects of life from our relationships to what we read in books. To me, the big picture is that we are all different. Whether people look different than us or they have different beliefs, everyone deserves respect. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what you like, in the end it comes down to how you act and how you treat people. Every single person has something extraordinary to offer, and we should celebrate our differences and not let our differences divide us. By earning this patch, I have learned so much. I have discovered that everyone is special in their own way, and everyone should have an opportunity to be seen and heard. This has been a truly meaningful experience. Girl Scouts of Colorado is proud to unveil ways for everyone, not just girls or Girl Scouts, to develop an appreciation for the rich diversity of various cultures in their community and around the world. Learn more. #DiverseInclusiveTogether #DiversityEquityandInclusion #DiverseInclusiveTogetherpatch #HighlandsRanch #MetroDenver #DiversityEquityandInclusionprogramming #patch

For our September 2020 Badge Series, we will learn about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) through badges and girls can start their first Journey of the year! Registration for both girls and leaders will open August 15 and close August 27. We will have our kick-off meeting for the girls on September 1. Badges: Daisy: Zinni Petal and Tula Petal Brownie: NEW STEM Career Badge Junior: NEW STEM Career Badge Cadette: NEW STEM Career Badge Journeys: Daisy: Between Earth and Sky Brownie: WOW! Wonders of Water Junior: GET MOVING Cadette: Breathe Senior: Sow What? Ambassadors: Justice Want to know more about the Badge Series? Read our FAQ. Leaders, want to learn more about blending the Badge Series with your troop experience? Register for this webinar: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2020/blending_badge_serie.html Questions? Email GirlExperience@gscolorado.org. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #BadgeSeries #GirlScoutingatHome #GSCOevents #STEM #GirlScoutsatHome

Leaders, are you looking at this upcoming Girl Scout year and feeling a little uncertain about how to engage your girls in a virtual setting? We are here to help! Girl Scouts of Colorado has launched a new virtual program called Badge Series. Each month we provide online learning modules that instruct girls on how to complete badges and some months we even start a Journey! Join us on August 19, 2020 from noon – 1 p.m. for a virtual chat where we will share some tips and tricks on how to blend badge series into your troop’s experience and take some of the stress of planning off your shoulders. Register now: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2020/blending_badge_serie.html Want the information, but can’t make the time? Still register and we will send you a link to the recording. Questions? Email GirlExperience@gscolorado.org. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #BadgeSeries #GirlScoutingatHome #GirlScoutsatHome #VolunteerNews

The great thing about our country is we all can have different backgrounds, experiences and opinions, and still come together and work towards the common good. No matter the level of government – from your local school board to the Congress – people have to compromise – give up some things you want in order to support somethings someone else wants – in order to accomplish their goals. When you earn the Cadette Finding Common Ground badge, you will learn how governments do that – and how you can do it in your everyday life. Step One: Get to Know Someone Different from You Step Two: Make Decisions in a Group Step Three: Explore Civil Debate A debate is a discussion between two people who have different opinions on any given topic. It is important to know how to draw on facts and logic to support your point of view. It is essential to stay calm. Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, “Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one’s ability to persuade,” and the point of a debate is to persuade others to your point of view. A great way to persuade others is to keep an open mind their point of view and to find common ground! Choose one or more of the following activities Watch candidates for elected office debate. It could be for any office – from your local school board to the U.S. Presidency. After the debate, discuss with your Cadette troop or your family the arguments on all sides, and whether the candidates found any common ground – or whether they were even looking. Where the candidates persuasive? Why or why not? OR Understand a famous debate in history. It might be a debate over the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s, or between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in the 1860s. Find out why the debate was important to American history and who is considered the winner and why? Did the debaters find any common ground? Did they look? In the next step, you will learn to understand how to compromise. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #Cadette #GirlScoutingatHome #Cadettes #CadetteFindingCommonGroundbadge #Cadettebadges #GirlScoutsatHome #Cadettebadge #GirlScoutCadetteFindingCommonGroundbadge #badge #FindingCommonGroundbadge #badges

Submitted by Marie Merrill-Exton Southwestern CO Pagosa Springs Sage from Pagosa Springs was planning to attend Girl Scout Camp for the very first time this year at Sky High Ranch. The camp was canceled, but Sage and her family still made the trip to camp nearby and visited the Sky High Ranch entrance. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #SkyHighRanch #PagosaSprings #SouthwesternCO #GirlScoutCamp #SkyHighRanchCamp #camp

Submitted by Naya Dribinski Northern & Northeastern CO Superior Soon to be 8-year-old Girl Scout Brownie Hanna of Superior completed the 2020 Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge by completing more than 25 activities this summer! Hanna has enjoyed camping out for the first time, getting up in the middle of the night for stargazing, finding constellations, seeing the rings of Saturn through her telescope, seeing comet NEOWISE, and watching the sunrise. She has loved participating in several virtual Girl Scout camp-in, camp-outs and day camps nationally. Among her favorites were Kiwa Day Camp, Horse Camp, and Month of Magic! Her most favorite experience so far this summer was learning about snow leopards! Hanna LOVES being a Girl Scout Brownie and is grateful for all the fun and shared sisterhood found in Girl Scouts! We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #2020GirlScoutsLovetheOutdoorsChallenge #GirlScoutsLovetheOutdoorsChallenge #NorthernampNortheasternCO #Superior

Submitted by The Masked Narwhals Our troop of 5th graders has planned a food drive this Saturday, August 8th, for Sister Carmen Community Center in Boulder County. Please view and share our video about the food drive, and donate if you can! You can find more info about the food drive at sites.google.com/view/GSFoodDrive, and more about Sister Carmen and other ways to donate at SisterCarmen.org. Our troop has been meeting weekly in Zoom since the shutdown in March. After planning the food drive and video, girls recorded audio and video and created pictures individually. We used FlipGrid and a Google form to submit our creations, and WeVideo to edit them together. This project concludes our Agent of Change Journey. Next up: Finishing our Outdoor Journey, then planning and carrying out a Bronze Award project. Thanks for your support! #fooddrive

Submitted by Naya Dribinski Northern & Northeastern CO Superior Girl Scout Cadette Nadya of Superior is enchanted by the Owl Post from Tomahawk Ranch! She is grateful for the amazingly fun and beautifully put together box of camp magic to be enjoyed from home. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #Cadette #oldergirls #Cadettes #NorthernampNortheasternCO #Superior #GirlScoutCamp #TomahawkRanch #camp #TomahawkRanchCamp #CampinaBox