Who is leading the Girl Scouts now?

Catching up with some of the Girl Scout convention action instead of packing :-)

Just in case you don't keep up with all the e-mail lists and blogs about Girl Scouts and read every word in the the workbook, I thought I'd share some information about the new Girl Scout board.



The 2008-2011 National Board of Directors includes:

Officers

* President – Connie L. Lindsey, Chicago, Ill. (You can read or view the "Great Leaders are Great Servents" acceptance speech of this woman who became a Girl Scout nearly 40 years ago in Milwaukee, Wis.)
* First Vice President – Davia B. Temin, New York, N.Y. (was a Girl Scout as a girl)
* Second Vice President – Linda P. Foreman, Durham, N.C. (was a Girl Scout as a girl)
* Secretary – Angel L. Rodriguez, Parker, Texas
* Treasurer – Joan Wagnon, Topeka, Kans. (was a Girl Scout as a girl)

Members-at-Large

* Sylvia Acevedo, Austin, Texas
* Barbara F. Adachi, San Mateo, Calif.
* Harriet Edelman, Stamford, Conn.
* Raquel Egusquiza, Dearborn, Mich.
* Ellen S. Fox, New York, N.Y. (was a Girl Scout as a girl)
* Lisa Guillermin Gable, Upperville, Va.
* Linda Mazon Gutierrez, Tucson, Ariz.
* Nan C. Hillis, Winter Park, Fla. (was a Girl Scout as a girl)
* Michelle L. Holiday, Washington, D.C. (was a Girl Scout as a girl)
* John Hom, South Orange, N.J.
* Marie C. Johns, Washington, D.C.(was a Girl Scout as a girl)
* Ingrid Saunders Jones, Atlanta, Ga.
* Karen A. Maloney, Chatham, N.J.(was a Girl Scout as a girl)
* Sharon H. Matthews, Charlotte, N.C. (was a Girl Scout as a girl)
* Robert L. Morris, Columbia Station, Ohio
* Debra Nakatomi, Los Angeles, Calif. (was a Girl Scout as a girl)
* Susan P. Peters, Fairfield, Conn.
* Vikki L. Pryor, New Rochelle, N.Y.
* Patricia Romines, Bartlesville, Okla.(was a Girl Scout as a girl)
* Rhea S. Schwartz, Washington, D.C. and Sun Valley, Idaho
* Sara L. Schwebel, Columbia, S.C. (was a Girl Scout as a girl, who earned her Gold Award)
* Eileen Scott, Basking Ridge, N.J.
* Gail M. Talbott, Cocoa Beach, Fla.
* Susan L. Taylor, New York, N.Y.
* Marisa Tabizon Thompson, Eugene, Ore. (was a Girl Scout as a girl, who earned her Gold Award)





Over on the Boys and Girl Scouts blog, we learn that the newly elected first vice president of the board of directors was once the top cookie seller.

The blog author/administrator says:

"I looking on the Marketwatch site at the press release that the GSUSA put out regarding the election of the First Vice President of the Scouts’ Board of Directors, Davia Temin. I’m glad someone thought to put in this connection with Girl Scouts as it seems like the pros who run the organization many times don’t have a close connection with the traditions of Girl Scouts.

A former Girl Scout, one year Ms. Temin sold more cookies than any girl inhttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6526127125590696183 Ohio. She was honored by The Girl Scout Council of Greater New York as a Woman of Distinction in 2007."



Did I miss any former girl Girl Scouts (14 of the 27 possible) or directors who earned their Gold Awards (2)?

Originally posted in Convention Talk.

If you look, you'll find support - even in Girl Scouts

The first time I learned that the recent national Girl Scout convention was evidence of the movement leaning left was through a Yahoo group called GreenBlood News.

Carol Lee Spages, who runs the group does a great job of sourcing her posts, so she led us to Politically Direct Jane Chastain. "Girl Scouts go hard left – and downhill" is Chastain's analysis of what happened at the convention.

Chastain, the former Girl Scout who has come out against the Girl Scouts and its Journey programming before, starts off:

Change” was the buzz word for the Obama campaign. Change was also the buzz word at the 51st Girl Scout National Council Session and Convention held earlier this month in Indianapolis, Indiana. It stands as further proof that change is not always for the better.

From the opening ceremony to the exhibitors in the convention hall, it is clear that the direction the Girl Scouts has chosen is a hard left, downhill.

Over on GreenBlood Gab, a companion Yahoo group where anyone can speak, reaction was swift with some agreeing and some not.

What amused me is how quickly Google and Yahoo searches started sending me links to what was Chastain's piece, only posted under different attributions. I'm amazed at how many just pick it up word for word.

Like American Daily, which says it is a site of "Analysis with Political and Social Commentary." and picked up Girl Scouts go Hard Left and downhill. word for word. At least the poster only put the first few paragraphs and linked to the rest.

There's some reaction over on the blog from Lighthouse Trails Research. See Girl Scouts Continue Plunge into New Age Spirituality there, a site devoted to exposing the "dangers of contemplative spirituality."

And some in the Feminine-Genius blog, where the writer starts off by saying she's not into the outdoors in a blog that "explores the richness of authentic femininty."

The original by Politically Direct Jane Chastain has gotten some reaction, like this one by Lee Ross under "Watching the watcher."

Lee starts this way:

"Why does Jane Chastain fear, hate, and/or disdain the Girl Scouts of America (GSA), of all groups? Well, apparently because they're leftists addicted to change kind of like Barack Obama, and because they've added an asterisk to God. And you were worried about al Qaeda while all the while the Girl Scouts were selling God and country down the river of new age waters and multicultural streams!

Now being anti-Girl Scout is hardly a crime, and you have to take into account that Chastain is the same person who basically said that America's financial meltdown was one of God's little ways of telling us that abortion (and a bunch of other modern stuff, I presume) is bad. In the same column where she flat out said that "Obama, has pledged his allegiance to Roe v. Wade, while giving lip service to God. The other candidate, McCain, is honoring God with his stand and, for the most part, has a record to back it up." So we're not talking a lot of open mindedness, here, we're talking the right wing tip of Christian literalness and extremity. But, come on, fear of the Girl Scouts?"

You can read the rest over on Watching the Watchers ("a journal of media criticism and political coverage that has been published since July 2004"), but I really like this reaction to Chastain being upset that Geena Davis spoke to the convention on Sunday:

"Geena Davis is a "left-wing" political activist because she has sought equal treatment of males and females? And even worse, she starred in "Commander in Chief?" Holy crap, how could they foist such filth on young female minds?"

Want to know how scary another speaker was? Former Ms. Foundation president Marie Wilson, who founded the White House Project and Take Your Daughter to Work Day, upset at least one convention goer.

"I was at the national convention, and the feminism of Ms. MS and Ms. Davis was so overwhelming and scary for me that I had to leave the convention hall and go outside for a breath of fresh air. Ms. MS told us that we’d have to help ourselves, “the military won’t help us”. That did it for me - my son is becoming a Marine as I write this, and that was absolutely all I wanted to hear from her.

"

If you want to see more comments on the original posting, you need to go to Jane Chastain's blog.

Girls tell the story in videos done at national Girl Scout Convention

Here are videos taken at the national Girl Scout convention and now posted at ConventionTalk


VIDEO: Girl Scouts was my Safe Haven Pam S, an adult Girl Scout, tells the story of being the only Jewish kid in her school, how Girl Scouts became her safe haven, and how she has passed on the tradition to her own daughter and other girls. The video was done completely by Angelena C. Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sat, Nov 1 2008

VIDEO: Importance of CPR training Lee Knight shares the story of saving her husband's life - and brain - as a result of her Girl Scout CPR training. Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sat, Nov 1 2008

VIDEO: Why we are at Open Space Quick clip about why an adult Girl Scout chose to attend Open Space prior to the 2008 National Convention. Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sat, Nov 1 2008

VIDEO: Julia's Story Michelle G interviewed Julia about Girl Scouts while Stephanie F. stayed behind the camera Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sat, Nov 1 2008

VIDEO: GSLI nighttime crash Girls being girls having fun after a long day at Girl Scout Leadership Institute on Wednesday night. Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sat, Nov 1 2008

VIDEO: Su Chin Pak Girl Scout Alvine R learns that even Su Chin Pak of MTV has insecurities. Su Chin Pak also talks about what she liked about the Girl Scout Leadership Institute. Christian C did the editng of the video. See another interview with Su Chin Pak Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sat, Nov 1 2008

VIDEO: Favorite moments in Girl Scouts Jessie and another Girl Scout share their favorite moments as Girl Scouts. What's yours? This video was edited by Christen C. Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sat, Nov 1 2008

VIDEO: Mary S finding a Girl Scout friend after 20 years Mary S of the Atlanta area tells the story of finding her Girl Scout friend after 20 years, and how she continues to remember her Girl Scout sister. Laura R is the videographer. Angelena C is the editor. Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sat, Nov 1 2008

VIDEO: Deborah Hearn-Smith Listen to Deborah Hearn-Smith, the CEO of Girl Scous of Central Indiana, talk about role in the convention and what she has done as a Girl Scout. Amber K of Texas interviewed her while Ellie A of Indiana did the camera work. Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sat, Nov 1 2008

VIDEO: Girls speak up to open Open Space A poem was co-created by young women (Splendiloquent Girls) to kick off the Open Space session. Their words remind us who we are truly working for. The video was edited by Angelena C. The interviewees were from the Girl Scout Leadership Institute. The girls shared the poem at Open Space. This poem was...

VIDEO: A Girl Scout for 60 years Meet Bonnie LaForme from Florida. She's been a Girl Scout for 60 years. As an only child, Girl Scouts helped make her connections. She stayed involved with Girl Scouts while in college and since. Find out what job she really loved the most. The interviewer and videographer is Katherine D. Sue McNabb... Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sat, Nov 1 2008

VIDEO: Michelle, Susan and Kat share their Girl Scout stories Michelle M of Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, Inc. in Florida and Susan D, Girl Scouts of Jersey Shore in New Jerey, share memories of two camping experiences. Katherine B, Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey talks about her daughter's Gold Award project and the impact it had. Tracy C did the camera... Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sat, Nov 1 2008

VIDEO: GS Stories from Carol Lee Spages, Maggie E and Stephanie T Listen to what three Girl Scouts from GS of Nassau County shared with digital StoryWeavers at the 2008 Convention, Tracy Carrol interviewed and took the video Carol Lee Spages, owner of the e-groups Green Blood News and Green Blood Gab on yahoo. Carlie M interviewed Maggie E and Stephanie T while Carmel... Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sat, Nov 1 2008

VIDEO: Sick, with no friends Jessica B tells her story of going through a very serious illness and the support she received from her Girl Scout sisters to Mayesha H, interviewer and videographer. Barb S is the editor. Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Fri, Oct 31 2008

VIDEO: Girl Scout Destinations Interviewer and Videographer PJR catches up with Kaitlyn B. from Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, Inc. in New Jersey while she was at Girl Scout Leadership Institute Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by Gabriel on Thu, Oct 30 2008

VIDEO: Rachel & Alvine's Girl Scout Story Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by Gabriel on Thu, Oct 30 2008

VIDEO: Molly K's Girl Scout Story Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by Gabriel on Thu, Oct 30 2008

VIDEO: Girl Scout Leadership Stories Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by Gabriel on Thu, Oct 30 2008

VIDEO: What does Girl Scouts do for older Girl Scouts? Girl Scout Robin M interviews Gregory Jackson of the Girl Scout headquarters staff on what he thinks Girl Scouts does for older Girl Scouts. The video was recorded by Teresa R and edited by Kelsey H. Posted to Swapping Our Stories (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Mon, Oct 6 2008
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VIDEO: Committing to Action, Advancing Our Mission Lisa (left) and Martha Webb at Open Space Lisa Hinshaw shared photos and insights in the closing session of the National Council. She also asked all members to honor the commitment to discuss the 64 topics Girl Scouts had submitted online and at the convention. Each idea was seen by one or more Girl... Posted to Live from 2008 Convention (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sun, Nov 2 2008

VIDEO: Cafe Conversations Posted to Live from 2008 Convention (Forum) by StoryWeaver on Sun, Nov 2 2008 VIDEO: Closing comments and reflections from Open Space This video includes some photographs and thoughts of Open Space, held just before the Natioinal Girl Scout convention.

Technology mends, bends, breaks

Sometimes we are blessed that today's technology lets us achieve the impossible - or at least what we plant in our brain as improbable.

I needed the impossible: To be in two places at the same time. With my father. With my daughter.

I needed the impossible: An overnight cure of chills, sniffles, sore throat.

I needed the impossible: Letting go of a shared project, secure in knowing it would continue.

My husband helped with first, driving to my dad, holding a cellphone and letting me share another set of "love you's and goodbyes."

By the time my husband arrived at my dad's hospital an hour away, I knew going to see someone with pneumonia was too risky for my own health, for my daughter's health. I need to be here to comfort my daughter, even as we both know I cannot assure her of a different fate. But the opportunity to express love once more mends the ache of wanting to be with my father physically as he takes his last breaths.

To achieve the second meant swallowing my pride. Yes, I couldn't believe that the name of the solution had slipped from my mind. Yes, I couldn't believe I was going to break my promise to me to avoid rejection. Yes, I would be needy again. But the first words in 11 months let me know I had not misjudged the man's heart, only failed to recognize boundaries. Bending isn't breaking.

The last need seemed to be met with a public, gracious offer. But words that to most would read as positive shout to me "go away." Yeah, call me if you need me....oh, don't forget I don't return calls.




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Question leads to more questions

One blog? Many blogs? I toss the question out on Twitter and get Twitter responses and a thoughtful blog post.

How many weblogs? Topical vs. personal So, the short answer is I have questions to answer before know which way is right to write.

Why am I writing?

Am I an expert on anything?

Do I want to be?

Should I be?

Can I be?

Will the permanence of what I write play a role in determing what I write, or at least what I share?

Do I care?

Should I care?

Wasn't age 2 supposed to be the one when you ask questions forever?

Observations of distractions: 0

I listen, I read, I watch videos. I follow one thought to the next . I let the hours slide by. Then, wonder why.

Is it really a lust for learning? A curiosity for knowing? What am I to do with this insight into change, community, journalism, technology and, now cancer, dying fathers and blogging.

I like the idea of zero life when I hear that someone too young has died. If I don't hear the news, does it happen? As I wait for my father to draw his last, labored breath I realize everyone is too young

Edward Vielmetti started me off on a tangent when he delicioused a link on going EmailZero, which, when I read led me to his Oct. 8 post on Twitter Zero.

Basically, the argument is don't read all of Twitter; just keyword it - that is search for keywords that you care about. It worked in Usenet; works elsewhere too.

Again, I stumbled into this practice without realizing others do it; just as I once could not ignore a ringing phone, but now can with ease I find that I can dismiss unread items in the rss; ignore twitter for days; skip friendfeed, facebook. too...

Instead, I rely on the Tweetscan of words I'm most interested in for Twitter, RSS feeds by individuals of Twitter or subjects collected via search.twitter.com


I read via Ed about Facebook Zero - no, but maybe the sepia idea would work
Scott Brown on Facebook Friendonomics Brown called the Facebook app Fade Utility, something that would blur the neglected profile. It calls attention to what you are ignoring, then you can decide if you should/could/want to pay attention

But I'm usually happy enough reading the status updates via the RSS. But even then I'll just nuke the whole thing.

Wish I could nuke some of what is happening now. My daughter jokes with a coworker that it is a good thing that they didn't start the weight-loss contest a few weeks ago. After all, the pounds slide off easily now - 12 pounds in 10 days despite the fact that she's emptied the Halloween candy bowl twice, gobbled chips by the handful and endured her mother's forced home-made meals, plates of vegies and offers of cheese. Yea, Katie has a legup. She has cancer.

It's the same reasoning e she uses with a co-worker moaning about weight gain over pregnancy. "I know a cure," she says quietly.

And when another co-worker complains about a bad day - something happened at school - Katie stops that with a smile, and the line. Oh, really you have cancer too?

The lines tumble out of her mouth so quickly. I wonder if this is her way of ensuring she knows that it is real.

Today gives us another reason to move back home. The MRI folks need the ultrasound. The ultrasound guy says he sent it three times and he knows the fax is working because no one else complains. The fax? I don't think so.

That smile carries her into a district meeting, where the boss announces with tears what's up with Katie. That tears up more, who offer to help in anyway they can. She jokes so they stop crying.

ha. ha. ha.

For the record: Jelly was better

Given a choice, I'd rather be the jelly smooched between slices of bread then a layer of an open-face sandwich.

It's not my choice.

I can only choose to focus on now, this second. That's enough. Breathe. Pray. Grab a bigger plate.

To understand, read Sandwich woman: Spread between cancers. My father died while my daughter was a few miles away in another hospital, getting prepared for her cancer treatments.