Girl Scout Council Honors Three Volunteers From Newtown

At its 2005 annual Adult Recognition Ceremony on May 15, the Girl Scout Council of Southwestern Connecticut honored outstanding adult volunteers with both Council and national Girl Scouts of the USA awards, including three residents of Newtown.

The GSUSA Outstanding Volunteer Award for service beyond expectations for a particular position was presented to Denise Rodriguez. A troop leader and school organizer, Mrs Rodriguez also organized several events during the year and community service projects during Girl Scout Week in March.

The Council’s Shooting Star Award recognizing a new or special, energizing program went to Selena Henderson and Donna Mangiafico.

Mrs Henderson, a troop leader, also organized events, such as the townwide Be Your Best Day, and chaired the Family Fundraising Movie Matinee event to raise funds to support the Council’s work.

Mrs Mangiafico, a service unit manager, was honored for her support of the Council’s Girlz RULE (Respect, Understanding, Leadership, Empowerment) program that uses team challenge initiatives to lessen bullying and confrontation and to build communication, respect, and self-esteem.  She accumulated the equipment necessary to make this training program possible for all Newtown troops and has inspired numerous leaders to participate in the program and bring the training back to the girls.  In the process, leaders build their own conflict-resolution skills and apply the techniques learned to all aspects of community and personal life.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Girl Scout Movement. Through their generous commitment of time and talent they help make the Girl Scout Program affordable and accessible at the local level to a wide variety of girls from different backgrounds and experiences. As a result, better than one out of every five girls in grades K through 12 in the Council’s jurisdiction is a Girl Scout!

Both male and female Girl Scout leaders grow personally as they undergo extensive, targeted training to assure program safety, consistency and quality. At little or no cost, leaders are schooled in first aid and CPR and innovative crisis, anti-bullying and communication techniques.

The training gives them the confidence and knowledge to help each girl develop her potential and make wise decisions. These knowledgeable and enthusiastic mentors guide the girls into leadership roles and are their trusted friends, as well as good role models.

Girl Scout volunteers serve at many positions and organizational levels to make the Girl Scout Program run smoothly. Leaders, trainers, service unit support, outdoor volunteers, board and committee members – they adjust their busy lives to share their skills and experiences to make a difference to over 9000 girls in the Council’s jurisdiction.

The Girl Scout Council of Southwestern Connecticut is supported by more than 3,000 adult volunteers in its 15 Fairfield County towns and cities of Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, New Fairfield, Newtown, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton. These adults offer essential and very personal assistance.

Anyone interested in making a positive impact on girls’ lives or assisting the council in its work, should call Barbara Lawrence at the council office, 203-762-5557 extension 15.