2019 Report to the Community

t was a warm Thursday afternoon, and more than 40 girls stood in a haphazard line, some hopping up and down on their toes while waiting for instructions. As the last Mason Elementary student passed the group and out the entrance doors, the girls ran down the steps and into the cafeteria where colorful paint jars and brushes were waiting for them. For the next hour, engrossed in their activity, the girls painted kindness rocks. Some were the color of the rainbow; others looked like the night sky while others stenciled emojis, every girl had one thing in common—they all had huge smiles on their faces. These Mason Elementary girls are part of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri’s Community Troop Program, which provides the traditional Girl Scout troop experience primarily in areas where adult volunteer participation is historically low or nonexistent. In 2014, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri was one year into a new strategic plan. The three focus areas of STEM, Money Management and Health programming had launched, programs were evolving, community partners were increasing and membership was growing. The question, “Does every girl who wants to be a Girl Scout, get to be a Girl Scout” was raised. Girl Scouts reviewed the membership data of all 119 school districts within the eastern Missouri jurisdiction and delved into the data of the corresponding 538 elementary schools. City of St. Louis The Community Troop Program ensures all girls have access to leadership development programming available through the Girl Scout troop experience. Through this program, girls participate in activities explicitly designed to help develop the qualities, and proficiencies needed to prepare them for success in life. I

The disparity among schools, even within the same school district was wide. Girl Scout membership ranged from 0-percent to 68-percent of girls in each school. The gap was more significant in schools where more than 75-percent of the student body was eligible for the free and reduced lunch program. Continued research showed that the greatest barrier for girls in many of these schools was the inability to secure a volunteer troop leader. Adults didn’t believe they had the time, skills or knowledge of Girl Scouting to lead a Girl Scout troop. This insight led to the pilot of the Community Troop Program. “ Girl Scouts is a safe place. Every other week the girls come, stay and do something positive.

- Dr. Deborah Leto, Principal at Mason Elementary School

Throughout her more than 15 years of serving in educational leadership roles, Dr. Deborah Leto, Principal at Mason Elementary School, has always asked herself this question when making a decision, “does this broaden the world of my students?” For her, partnering with Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri was a no-brainer. Girl Scouts provides her students with a safe, girl-led environment in which they can participate in a collection of engaging, challenging and fun activities like earning skill-building badges and going on educational trips. Alongside LaTonya Logan, a Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Community Troop Manager, they have grown the troop from 15 registered girls to now 48 in three years. “

4 2019 Report to the Community