An article about reorganizations taking place in nonprofits is on the front page of this morning’s Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and it mentions Girl Scouts.
The article, headlined “Once-Robust Charity Sector Hit with Mergers, Closings,” notes that GSUSA “is touting the efficiencies it gained after five Indiana councils merged in 2007. After the merger, the councils had enough money to hire a fund-raising department—something they couldn’t afford individually. As a result, donations increased 25% by 2008. Participation in the scouts’ technology workshop, hosted by Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., expanded to 44,000 girls, up from the 4,000 who were eligible for the original program. By combining administrative functions, property management and audits, the organization is saving about $1 million a year. ‘Five councils need five executive directors and five fax machines, meaning that money is not going to programs,’ says Ms. Aviv of Independent Sector.”
This story was made possible by the joint efforts of Deana Potterf, Communications Director at the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, and GSUSA Communications department. For the story, the WSJ reporter interviewed Deborah Hearn Smith, CEO at the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, former GSUSA Vice President Cathy Tisdale, Deana Potterf, and GSUSA Media Relations Manager Michelle Tompkins.
Girl Scouts Goes Viral
Many of you are aware that Girl Scouts of the USA has launched a national campaign to promote Girl Scout cookies this season. The video produced as part of that campaign is getting a lot of play on YouTube and we are encouraging everyone to forward it to as many people as possible.
GSUSA has also sent the video to media outlets, and one article about the video has appeared in the online media and marketing site MediaPost. You can read the articlehere.
We know of two more articles in the works, including one with an interview with Laurel Richie, GSUSA Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, which should be on the home page of AOL in the next week. Please look out for it and continue to send around the link.
Thanks to GSUSA’s Joshua Ackley and Ashlene Nand for their continuing work around this great campaign.
Disney FamilyFun Feature in February
Disney FamilyFun magazine features a five-page feature about fun things families can do together, which was supplied by eight groups of Girl Scouts. The magazine will be out on February 12 and it features girls from eight councils. Disney FamilyFunmagazine—which targets families with children under 12—has a total audience of 5.5 million readers. Congratulations to the councils involved. The PDF of the five-page spread is attached and the press release is below with links to the articles on the magazine’s Web site.
Daisies, Brownies, Girl Scouts… Oh My!
Disney FamilyFun Magazine Taps Girl Scouts of the USA for Fabulous Group Activities in February Issue
More than 550 Girl Scouts troops from across the country submitted activity and craft ideas
NEW YORK, NY (January 19, 2010) – Where would Disney FamilyFun, the nation’s foremost family magazine, turn for ingenious ideas for group activities? The Girl Scouts of the USA, of course, which boasts 3.4 million members and nearly 100 years teaching valuable life skills… all while having fun. Disney FamilyFun asked Girl Scouts to share their most memorable ideas that other groups and families would love. The result is an action-packed February 2010 feature with eight unforgettable and inspirational activity ideas culled from an overwhelming 550 submissions from Girl Scouts across the country.
“Who better to look to for inventive group activities than Girl Scout volunteers?” asked Debra Immergut, Senior Editor, Disney FamilyFun. “We were thrilled with the number and quality of ideas provided by Girl Scout volunteers across the country, from New York to California. They’ve proved their mettle in coming up with fun ideas that engage children while providing priceless life skills; we hope Disney FamilyFun readers enjoy these activities as much as we have.”
The Disney FamilyFun published ideas and troops are:
- A Pajama Party That Also Collects PJs for Women in Need, Brownie Troop 96,Scottsville, New York
- Pudding Served Up in an Ice-Cream Cone, Brownie Troop 155, Marietta, Ohio
- Catnip Mice for the Local Pet Shelter, Junior Girl Scout Troop 1332, Littleton, Colorado
- Going Green with Plantable Greeting Cards, Girl Scout Troop 496, Bristow, Oklahoma
- A Twist on Tradition: S’mores in a Bag, Brownie Troop 1169, Scottsboro, Alabama
- Compliment Sheets Share the Love, Junior Girl Scout Troop 24259, Woodstock, Georgia
- A Pass-the-Mirror Game That Teaches Self-Esteem, Daisy Troop 1486,Maricopa, Arizona
- Hula Hoop Game: It’s a Group Effort, Cadette Girl Scout Troop 1486, Kirkwood, Missouri
The published ideas and troops received $250, a complete set of Disney FamilyFuncraft and activity books and a free digital and print subscription to the magazine.
