Girl Scouts Of Central + Western Mass. Looking For Volunteers
Thursday, September 19, 2013
In an increasingly scheduled society, Girl Scouts provides a safe and fun environment for girls in grades K through 12 to explore new skills, make new friends, gain confidence and explore leadership opportunities.
Many ways to make a difference in local girls' lives
Some professionals and parents shy away from volunteering fearing the time commitment will be too intense. “Not so”, says Thais Frost, GSCWM’s Membership Services Manager. “We are very connected to the demands parents and others face. We know people are busy, and there are many ways to make a difference. We look for all kinds of contributions, from running an “express troop” that starts in the winter and runs ten weeks to “community troops” that meet one time per month, six times per year. We know people are busy, and there are many ways to make a difference other than being a traditional troop leader,” Frost continued.
Flexible volunteer models are not the only way Girl Scouts hopes to increase community involvement. The parent/child approach also holds appeal for many. “Many moms, or even aunts and grandmothers, are looking for more ways to spend enjoyable time with their families. Connecting with girls when they are young makes a big difference. We encourage them to consider Girl Scouts as a family activity that everyone does together,” Frost said.
Other creative ways to volunteer
Other creative ways for parents and others to volunteer with Girl Scouts include: off-season troops when sports teams are not active for daughters and teammates, shared troop leadership, or specialty troops for older girls that focus on a specific topic such as health and wellness, high adventure or STEM.
Participation in Girl Scouting has a proven track record for future success as well. The Girl Scout Research Institute’s published study, Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study, reports women who were Girl Scouts have higher self-esteem, volunteerism, civic engagement and even income levels. Girl Scouts provides an opportunity for individuals to make a documented difference in the lives of girls in their communities, be it their daughter, granddaughter, niece or friend.
For more information on volunteering, Free Family FUNdays, and Info and Ice Cream Thursdays, visit www.yourtimewellspent.org or call GSCWM at 800-462-9100 or e-mail [email protected].
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