Confidence Elf Visits "Forever Green Bash"

Confidence Elf visited the "Forever Green Bash" hosted by GSU at the Council Resource Center. There were booths sharing information on caring for the environment and recycling. "We all live downstream" and "No Idiling" to name a few, including booths selling holiday crafts made from recycled items. The necklaces with bottle cap pendants were a hit! Sarah M. is the "girl champion" for the national Forever Green program for Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. and is pictured with some of her friends and Board Chair, Debbie Nielson. Congratulations to Sarah for this honor, and for leading all of us in understanding and cherishing our environment.

Confidence Elf Travels to California

Confidence Elf traveled to California in November to attend the Bay area musical "Lucky Stiff" directed and choreographed by Amy Nielson, Girl Scouts of Utah alumnae. Amy received her Gold Award in 1998. Confidence Elf was invited into the sound room and later was in a picture with Amy and her mom, Debbie.

Generations of Courage

Talk about a Girl Scout family! Pictured here with Courage Elf are three generations of Girl Scouts. Dorothy Case, who was the troop leader for her three daughters in Ogden and Brigham City, daughters Terri and Patti Case, and Terri's daughter, Sarah, who also goes by Cool Moose at camp. This family has adopted GSU's CEO, Elaine Pace, adding another dimension to their Girl Scout journey. Written with love.

Courage knows sports!

Lots of courageous and confident girls love sports, and Courage Elf is no exception. She is pictured here with a real Heisman Trophy! Many thanks to Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska '72, for bringing his award to share with the Utah Community.

Yay for GSU Alumnae and Friends

A big shout-out to our GSU Alumni and Friends Co-Chairs, Naomi Pace and Claudia Holm. These terrific women are planning meaningful experiences for all our A&F members throughout the year as they stay connected to Girl Scouting. Want to learn more about A&F? Click here http://www.gsutah.org/Belong/alumni_friends.php

Courage comforts and celebrates a treasured volunteer

Beloved Girl Scout volunteer, Barbara Hawkins, died in October 2009. Courage and Elaine traveled to her funeral service in Tooele and met these three girls - and more than a hundred other people - whose lives were touched by Barbara. We came together in both sadness and celebration as we remembered Barbara and all her contributions to our community.

Courage finds an old friend

It's Marzz!!! Girl Scout Alumna and California resident Carolyn Johnson had dinner with Courage and Elaine in San Francisco in late Fall 2009. The conversation got cracking when we talked about Girl Scout camp - both memories of the past and hopes for the future. Share your memories of camp with a comment below!

Scores of Smiles!

Can you spot the Elf? How about the CEO? These girls recently visited Girl Scouts of Utah's office in Salt Lake City and they surrounded Courage Elf with their courage, confidence, and character. Laughter and learning together - beautiful!

Alumnae need Courage, too!

Courage Elf recently visited a celebration of Girl Scout Alumnae on Juliette Gordon Low's birthday October 31, 2009. The girls pictured

from Troop 482 with their adult volunteer, Julie Schwartz, introduced our GSU Alumnae and Friends members to Girl Scout Journeys. They hosted energetic activities as well as told personal stories of how Girl Scouts has added value to their lives. Way to go, Girl Scouts!

Courage took her heart to San Francisco

Elaine and Courage Elf travel many places on behalf of Girl Scouts. On a recent trip to San Francisco, they squeezed in a visit to Alcatraz and the beautiful Bay. It was windy and cold, but Courage made friends with some visiting Australians who snapped this photo. Many thanks to the Young Presidents Organization for sponsoring Elaine's travel as she networked with other business leaders from the Western United States.

Couragelearns about the law

Shhhh...it's quiet and dark here in the official home of the Utah Supreme Court. Although most of the Court's business takes place in the Matheson Courthouse, this beautiful room in the Utah Capitol reminds us that there are three separate but equal branches of government - Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Courage Elf learns about Advocacy

In Girl Scouts, girls K-12 learn to use their voices to effect positive change. Courage Elf took a tour of the recently renovated Utah Capitol building and found a home next to this esteemed Utahn. Can you name the person in the sculpture? Elaine will pay for a girl or adult membership for the first person who emails epace@gsutah.org with the correct answer!

Courage says hello to Jill!

Ran into GSU volunteer Jill Cushing at a community event. Jill volunteers with our Camping for a Cause committee. Each September, we have a over 21 ladies sleepover at camp to raise money to support Girl Scouts. Our "campers" enjoy a wonderful dinner, and experience all camp has to offer - earning charms for bracelets instead of badges!

Confidence Elf Visits Audit & Finance Committee

Confidence Elf has been attending several meeting the past month, which included a recent Audit & Finance Committee meeting. This committee is responsible for reviewing and monitoring GSU's investments and finances, including recommending policies to the Board. The close scrutiny of GSU's financial assets is led by Committee Chair and member-at-large Lewis Billings. Also included in the picture are committee members Barbara Schmidt, Kray Hammond, Board Chair Debbie Nielson, Board members Roberta Driscoll, Vernon Jemmott and Chris Bachorowski. Not pictured but also attending the meeting were Lisa Hardin-Reynolds, COO; Julia Cissel, CFO; Peggy Emery, Administrative Asst.; Board Treasurer Judy Lawton (she was the photographer), Committee members Nancy Giles and Susan Stillgebauer.

Confidence Elf Visits Governance Committee

Confidence Elf visited the Board's Governance Committee meeting. Committee members included Board Treasurer Judy Lawton, Board Chair Debbie Nielson and member-at-large Chris Bachorowski. The committee reviewed updates and changes to the 4-year board calendar, set dates for Board meetings and some committee meetings through 2010. This group also created the next board meeting agenda, and discussed information for the upcoming Board Strategic Learning Retreat later in the month. Confidence Elf is a great mascot and inspires our work!

Courage and Elaine are ON TIME!

There were more than 500 people at the Girl Scouts of Utah on time event on October 24, 2009. Girls experienced science activities, hula hoops, hair accessory-making, and more! Courage Elf helped some of the girls feeling shy to come meet Elaine and go home with a Meet the CEO patch. Traveling with a Brownie Elf makes it easy to make friends. See more photos of this event and others at Girl Scouts of Utah's Facebook page found here http://bit.ly/gsufb9

Confidence Elf Dines With Donor

Confidence Elf went to dinner with me and a donor, Vicky Tolotti. Vicky is a golfer at the "Going for the Green" annual GSU golf tournament. The tournament raises funds for girls to build courage, confidence and character. Next year's tournament will be the 18th consecutive year of the event. Save the date, June 21, 2010. For more information, check out the GSU website,

http://www.gsutah.org/Donate/gftg.php

Confidence Elf Visits Operational Oversight Committee

Confidence Elf visited the Board Operational Oversight Committee meeting and met Board members Judy Lawton, Vernon Jemmott, Narda Beas-Nordell, and committee member Don Owen. The group discussed important issues affecting personnel policies.

Fun at Planet Rainbow

Debbie and Elaine met in Ogden at Planet Rainbow for a delicious lunch - and lots of conversation about how to make the future for Girl Scouts of Utah GREAT! Confidence Elf joined us for lunch as we discussed how to welcome new donors into our Girl Scout family.