By Super Kristi [and Timalee] I was talking to Timalee on the phone earlier, just checking in and she told me she read on the blog (thanks for reading!)that she was going to write something for the blog. I guess I left a good hint! Here is what she reported back: I spent two days in Houston before everyone else got here at the Girl Scout History Conference. There were 200 history volunteers from around the country, all of them GS history geeks like me. I’m totally inspired to recruit some volunteers to join Ellen and I in the mission of protecting, preserving, and proving access to our council’s and our Movement’s history. If you’re the least bit interested, let me know! I’ll take you to coffee and recruit you. There has been a new department at GSUSA for the last year or so, it is called GSUSA or Girl Scout University. It’s an online and in-person career development program. They brough their fantastic team to Houston to present classes to staff and volunteers. While the girls are off at GSLI and the delegates are off at the business meetings doing work of the organization, I’ve had the pleasure of taking some of the leadership track classes. On Wednesday, I had a class called “Harnessing the Power of Multigenerational Workforce”. W were guided at my table by GSUSA staffer as we played an interactive game and learned about the challenges at play when we have (up to) four different generations in the workplace. There are vast differences in preferred communication, coaching, collaboration and recognition styles. It was a fantastic class and a real eye opener. Thursday brough a class called “Courageous Moments in Leadership”. For this class, GSUSA hired a team from “performance of a lifetime”. They are consultants who coach all levels of staff from all kinds of companies and organizations in improv skills for better management. They spent about a year learning who we are as an organization, what our challenges are, and the nuances of our culture. They interviewed volunteers and staff from councils large and small across the country. We didn’t really understand that we had signed up for an improv class, but they gently led us through some activities and games to ease us into it. It’s so smart really… Improv is about staying present, connecting with others persons and working with what you are given. That’s exactly what needs to happen in a difficult conversation isn’t it? After we had strengthened our improv muscles a bit, we sat back and watched two actors play a scene as a staff person and volunteer. It was AMAZING to see just how well they learned to walk in our shoes. The conversation looked very familiar to everyone there, no matter their role in Girl Scouts. I have a bit of video and maybe Super Kristi can link to it. After we watched the scene, we had a chance to try to handle the situation better. The whole process repeated again with another scene and befor eyou knew it, our three hours were up! Today’s class was called “Digital Storytelling”. I learned how to make a movie using iMovie on an iPad! I’m SO impressed with myself!learning at the speed of girls is what that is! You can see my fab video called Gof on their YouTube channel. Right now I’m waiting for a panel discussion called “Moving Beyond Diversity to Inclusion”. Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin is on the panel. Should be great. After this is the presentation of the Young Women of Distinction, which should be fab! Tomorrow my class is called the 21st Century Volunteer, then it all wraps up. Thanks Timalee! I know everyone is excited to hear more about what you are learning and get the chance to dive into our rich history! Be sure you are checking the Facebook page for videos and pictures throughout the day and stay tuned for more blogs and interviews with our girls! Http://fb.me/girlscoutssoaz | http://www.twitter.com/girlscoutssoaz Also follow the National Convention hashtag: #girlscouts100