April Our Promise

Our Promise April 2023

Why were you interested in going to space camp? “I love to learn about space and I knew going with Girl Scouts I would have a lot of unique experiences.” What was your favorite space camp activity? “I loved doing the mission control simulation. I was able to land on the moon even though my crew left me there.” How has Girl Scouts helped you become a leader? “I feel like Girl Scouts helped me to become a leader by teaching me to take action whenever a problem has occurred.” What is your favorite part of Girl Scouts and why? “Spending time with friends and learning skills outside of school lessons like camping, STEM programs and many leadership skills.”

Our Promise is designed to demonstrate the impact of your support in our community and there is no better way to do so than hearing it “In Her Words.” In Her Words: An Interview with Ava Boren, Girl Scout Cadette . When girls participate in STEM focused programs, they discover the world in an entirely new way. They become better problem solvers and critical thinkers, have more confidence in their abilities and learn the importance and relevance of STEM to society and options for their own career paths in the future. Last June, 21 Girl Scouts from eastern Missouri traveled to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, to attend space camp. Girls in grades 4-8 built a model rocket, trained like an astronaut, worked in mission control and launched as part of the flight crew on a simulated space mission. With non-stop adventure at every turn, Girl Scouts always have inspiring stories to tell. Ava Boren, a Girl Scout Cadette, attended space camp and shared her experiences in her own words.

Want the full space camp experience? Scan the QR code to see all the photos!

STEM Pillar

For over a century, eastern Missouri girls have explored, developed, and sharpened their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills through Girl Scouting. Today, Girl Scouts is,

position to one day fill those jobs. Women are poised to play an important role in the STEM workforce, with girls averaging three points higher than boys on the TEL assessment. However, the gender gap persists in STEM fields.

as it always has been, the organization best positioned to help girls develop important STEM competencies they need to become the next generation of female leaders—and to change the world in big and small ways!

Further research has shown that the reason few girls pursue STEM careers is not tied to their STEM ability or aptitude but rather to their self confidence and perception of those abilities. The good news is that Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri can bolster girls’ confidence in these areas—a key component in helping girls persist in STEM

The recent Technology and Engineering Literacy (TEL)

assessment by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, often referred to

as “The Nation’s Report Card,” showed that just 43 percent of U.S. eighth graders met or exceeded the benchmark for proficiency. As the demand for STEM proficient employees increases in the U.S. it is incredibly important that our nation’s youth be in a

classes and later in STEM careers. Girl Scouts does this by exposing girls from a young age to female STEM role models, connecting STEM skills to careers, and providing experiential STEM activities all within a safe and supportive all-girl environment.

Meet the Program Manager! Mary Fuller has worked for Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri as the STEM Program Manager for six years. Mary leads girls through the fields of science, technology, engineering and math in programs such as Space Science Adventurer, Automotive Engineering Design, Cybersecurity Basics, and so much more. “STEM is all around us. It is important to me that girls embrace STEM as part of their lives—even if they don’t end up becoming a doctor or engineer or another STEM-focused career. The Girl Scout STEM badges allow girls to explore new topics and ideas that they will use in all aspects of their lives.”

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Life Science Education from Iowa State University and a Master of Science degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration fromWestern Illinois University. She previously served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia for three years and worked for Peace Corps as a Public Affairs Specialist in Washington, DC. She is originally from a small town in southwest Iowa.

Supporter Spotlight: Emerson

In 2022, longtime Girl Scout partner Emerson announced a new chapter in its philanthropic giving, devoting significant resources to address the vital issue of education inequity. Through purposeful investments supporting outcome-driven initiatives, Emerson and the Emerson Charitable Trust are focusing their U.S. corporate giving on initiatives that directly impact the developmental and educational experience of children and youth. Emerson is putting that commitment into action through their support of the Her Future is Our Future Campaign, taking a comprehensive approach to ensure that ALL girls in the region have access to quality STEM experiences that will level the playing field. They are fueling early STEM experiences through the Daisy Drop Box and, starting later this year, the Brownie Bundle, so that our youngest Girl Scouts gain confidence in their STEM ability. From the Girl Scouts Robotics program to individual badges in Cybersecurity or Automotive Design, a variety of STEM experiences supported by Emerson are sparking interest and building confidence in girls across the region. Their support of the Community Troop Program is also ensuring that these important programs reach under-served areas in the region. Emerson’s commitment to Girl Scout STEM education also includes a new STEM Center at Camp Tuckaho, currently in the design phase and set to break ground in 2025. This unique and innovative space will provide girls with an immersive STEM experience where they will learn to connect the lessons they learn in the natural world to STEM concepts. The STEM Center will serve as an important gathering space that incorporates technology and creativity into the camp experience. The impact of Emerson’s partnership with Girl Scouts will chart a new course for our community, preparing today’s Girl Scouts to be leaders in their homes, workplaces and communities. We are so grateful to Emerson for their continued partnership!

In 2022, Girl Scouts achieved:

• 82 all-girl Robotics teams • 1 team invited to FIRST ® Robotics World Championship in Houston • 7,284 STEM badges earned • 28 new Math in Nature badges added to Girl Scout curriculum • Planning for two new STEM Centers—breaking ground at Camp Fiddlecreek in 2023 and Camp Tuckaho in 2025!

Dessert First On February 23, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri raised close to $300,000 at its annual fundraising event, Dessert First. The special evening, which was held at The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta, began with more than 550 guests sampling Girl Scout Cookie-inspired desserts created by eleven local chefs. Chef Cati Stumbaugh from Sarah’s Cake Shop won the night’s People’s Choice award. During the program, emceed by Kim Hudson, reporter for Fox2/KTVI, GSEM recognized three Gold Award Girl Scouts, Coumba Diallo, Mira Iyer and Gracie Steinmeyer, for their leadership and service with $5,000 Changemaker Scholarships. GSEM also honored three Legacy Builders: Jo Ann Taylor Kindle received the Individual Legacy Builder Award, the William T. Kemper Foundation received the Corporate/Foundation Legacy Builder Award and FIRST ® in Missouri received the Community Legacy Builder Award.

Camp Fiddlecreek Prairie Grass Seed Planting Project The first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps, the third year it leaps! Girl Scout members, supporters and staff gathered at Camp Fiddlecreek on Saturday, January 7, to plant the seeds for the new prairie. The seeds were selected by our eastern Missouri Girl Scouts who voted for their favorites. Special beds on the prairie will represent each of the seven age levels of Girl Scouting. The planting was led by Melinda Walters of Compass Native Landscaping who shared information on the various seeds being planted and the benefits that the plants will provide to the camp. Special thanks to the following donors, whose support of the Her Future is Our Future Campaign, is making it possible for our girls to experience a true Missouri prairie and the ecosystem that it will support: Mysun Charitable Foundation, Kathy and Don Costello, Anne Croat, Pat Croat, Kathy Dabrowski, Nancy and Larry Gelb, and Linda Zeman.

Juliette Gordon Low Society Informational Tea and Pinning Ceremony Friday, May 12, 2023, 3 pm Berges Family Girl Scout Program Center vr.girlscoutsem.org/jglsevent

Save The Dates

Celebration Luncheon Thursday, July 13, 2023, 11 am-1 pm

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis supportgirlscoutsem.org/ celebration-luncheon

Trefoil Talk

GSEM Announces New CEO, Dr. Natissia Small

Following an extensive national search process, the Board of Directors for GSEM is excited to announce Dr. Natissia Small, as its new CEO, effective April 17, 2023. Dr. Small joins GSEM after nearly three decades as a higher education leader, where she has dedicated her career to creating innovative programs and partnerships to provide students and their families with holistic support through education, mentorship, professional skill building, and resources needed to access and finish college to become strong leaders in the global workforce. As CEO, Dr. Small will maintain a strong focus on strengthening the valued group of partnerships that exist for GSEM today, as well as cultivate new collaborative relationships to support the Girl Scout mission, with a continuous lens to deliver transformative practices to empower girls in eastern Missouri. Dr. Small formerly served as Vice Provost for Access, Academic Support, and Workforce Integration at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She is also the recipient of several awards and recognitions, highlighting her leadership, educational contributions, and community engagement.

"I’m overjoyed for the opportunity to serve as the new CEO for Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, whose mission is intentionally focused on building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place,” said Dr. Small. “This is a pivotal time for GSEM, a transformational moment of excitement, and I look forward to working collaboratively with all colleagues, community parnters, and our volunteers and families to create pathways for all girls to be purposeful leaders today and long into the future."

Welcome New Board Members

Michael Dozier Senior Internal Auditor Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Meghana Hebbar Girl Scout Senior Parkway South High School

Mikayla Woods Girl Scout Senior Visitation Academy of St. Louis

We’re Better Together

Here’s how YOU can help:

Volunteers, members, staff, community partners— we’re better together! Whether girls are earning a badge, building a robot, exploring the outdoors, or serving their community, they are growing with the support of mentors and friends who are cheering them on every step of the way—and YOU can help. We invite you to support Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri on Give STL Day, May 10, a 24-hour-online day of giving, sponsored by the St. Louis Community Foundation. When you make a gift in support of GSEM on Give STL Day, you are helping to remove financial barriers so that every girl in the region can experience the connection and supportive environment provided when she joins a local Girl Scout troop.

1. Make a gift of $10 or more in support of GSEM on May 10 at givestlday.org/girlscoutsem. 2. Create your own fundraiser through GSEM’s profile page at givestlday.org/girlscoutsem. 3. Share! Your passion for the mission of Girl Scouts has a large impact on those around you! Prize Hour! May 10, 3-4 pm Your gift will go further when you make a donation between 3-4 pm on May 10! Girl Scouts are hoping to LEAD the way and win the prize for the most unique donors (determined by email address) during this hour while also taking part in the power hour! Donations can be made at givestlday.org/girlscoutsem .

With sincerest appreciation and gratitude, we recognize those who made a memorial or tribute gift to Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri from November 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023. Memorial and Tribute Gifts

In Honor of Bonnie Barczykowski

In Honor of Linda J. Zeman Joyce A. Bathke Virginia Began Sharon Halm June and Fred Held Wanda Hilliard Mary Johnson Janet Koebel Joyce A LaMartina Judith and Charles Mitchell Marjorie Place Kathleen Simon Judith Stroer Helen Ward In Honor of Helen Tobey, Bobbie Abbott, “Cedar” Hollman Barabara Lee Johnson In Memory of Della M. Sprehe Alice B. Cass Marianne Cook Kathy Dabrowski June and Fred Held In Honor of Jennifer Robinson Mark Gellman

In Memory of Marie Geisler Karen Geisler Condie

Georgette Henry and Family Deanna Johnson

Barbara C. and Stephen Archer Lisa Bell-Reim and Ron Reim Beth Bender Barbara Bowyer Elizabeth and Robert Bruce Amy and David Burchardt Christine and David Chadwick Kathy and Don Costello Kathy Dabrowski Vicki Dawkins Kim E. White Drost Eric Eoloff and Gina Hand-Eoloff Beth Fitzgerald Dr. Larry and Nancy Gelb Jan and Gabriel Hess Carolyn Kindle Dawn Kotva Amy Leipholtz Shertina Mawuenyega Susan and Joseph Orr Dana Plonka Laurie Z. Roberts Neal and Kellie Spencer Mimi and Greg Twardowski

Tripp Kahle Terri LaRue Daniel Meinhardt Carol Nibert

In Memory of Suzanne V. McSwain Frances Tietov and Elliot Elson Lauren McSwain

In Memory of Dorothy J. Krehbiel Dorothy Brennecke Kathy Dabrowski Kathy Gregory Hassler, Heitmeyer and Scott families Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Kawelaske Jeanne Tudor

In Memory of Tres E. Stewart Robert Ciralsky

In Memory of Robin Ring Rudder Melissa Ring & Gary Carmichael

In Appreciation of Camp Counselors Everywhere The Prairie Family In Appreciation of Mary Ann Altergott The Prairie Family In Appreciation of Jennifer Schwenedmann Alison McKee

In Memory of Pamela Vickers Paula Vickers

In Memory of Detective Sarah Smith Robert Ciralsky In Memory of Elsie St. Cyr Mrs. E. Katherine St. Cyr and Mr. Peter H. Hubbell

In Appreciation of Jenny Bartlow Lexi Fives

Memorial and tribute gifts may be made at supportgirlscoutsem.org/donate .

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 2300 Ball Dr. St. Louis, MO 63146 314.592.2300

Each year, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri executes its mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Scan the QR code to read our 2022 GSEM Impact Report where you will learn how Girl Scouts reached more girls, created new and improved upon existing programs and deepened our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. 2022 GSEM Impact Report

The report also includes an update on Her Future is Our Future Comprehensive Campaign projects, as well as the 2022 complete donor and community support listing.

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