ON MARCH 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low gathered 18 girls to register the first troop of American Girl Guides.  The name of the organization was changed to Girl Scouts the following year. From the original 18 girls, Girl Scouting has grown to 2.6 million members. Girl Scouts is the premier leadership development organization for girls in the world and has influenced the more than 50 million girls, women and men who have belonged to it.  In 2012, Girl Scouts will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the organization!  Many exciting events await our girls throughout the three years leading up to the Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary, and each year has a very specific theme:

2009-2010 | COMMUNITY SERVICE
Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia (GSHG) has a goal of completing 100,000 hours of community service by 2012.  We will be highlighting many service activities in each area providing an opportunity to re-brand the organization, showcasing our community impact.  We are building future leaders through civic engagement.

2010-2011 | HISTORY & HERITAGE
Georgia’s rich Girl Scout history will be highlighted during this year.  We will be strengthening partnerships with local groups that provide relevant programming to girls, expand our alumni campaign and attend the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) National Convention in October of 2011.

2011-2012 | BRIDGING TO THE SECOND CENTURY
GSHG is bringing Girl Scouts back to where it all began with a bridging ceremony at the Talmadge Bridge in Savannah in March of 2012.  In addition, we hope to host the GSUSA International Girl Forum in Savannah as well.


Celebrating 100 Years: Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia's Plans for a Celebration

To create events that will celebrate Girl Scout achievements, history and future while touching and inspiring
hearts and minds.

• We will sponsor a delegation of GSHG girls who will travel to England for the WAGGS 100th Celebration in Oct 2010
• Our returning girls will relight the Eternal Flame at Girl Scout First Headquarters in a ceremony open to all members with representation from around the council. Attendees will take a “ceremonial token flame” back to their community and design their own celebration to share the light with other Girl Scouts.
• We are working with the Georgia Garrison Training Center, Ft. Stewart to host a National Camporee to celebrate the 100th. The anniversary provides a unique opportunity to bring Girl Scouts together from around the nation to celebrate the 100th Anniversary. Attendees will learn about other cultures while sharing traditions. We will offer a wide range of educational experiences and skill building activities for girls with a focus on STEM and challenge/team building programs. Registration will be open to all Girl Scouts and we hope become a national destination.

To engage girls, volunteers, staff and our communities  in the planning and execution of activities and events.

• Events and activities will be meaningful - inspiring pride in GSHG and brining unity to the council.
• Girl Art contest and Girl Art Show
• Bridge Walk in Savannah
• Celebrations around the council
• History exhibits in museums and corporate offices
• Sunrise Ceremonies on March 12th beginning at the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace to renew our promise and commitment to the Girl Scout Mission
• Camporee at Fort Stewart in October 2012

To increase strategic branding opportunities to showcase our core values and leadership experience for girls.

• We are inspiring volunteers and girls to “Live the Mission” by contributing 100,000 hours of community service by 2012.
• The state of Georgia has a rich Girl Scout history and this will be captured in a Centennial Badge and other significant programs for girls.
• We are working with Atlanta to secure a Girl Scout license plate for the state of Georgia.
• We are working with Atlanta as Advocacy Champions to support a “voice for girls” in this state.

To  increase Fund Development opportunities for the council.

• A “Sponsorship Package” has been developed and will be used to acquire high end gifts.
• Friend raising and new partnership opportunities.
• We will re-connect with alumni in a formalized and deliberate way. An alumni data base is being built.
  

Celebrating 100 Years: Volunteer for one of our 100th Anniversary Committee

ALUMNI COMMITTEE
Activity Date: 2011 and 2012
Our goal is to reconnect with past members in a formal, meaningful way. Volunteers on this committee will help GSHG develop regional events for alumni, including an alumni gala to be held in Savannah 3/2012. Please contact Lee Laughter for more details or to volunteer!

REGIONAL COMMITEE
Activity Date: 2011-2012
The goal is to develop and coordinate regional activities/events within each area and with other committees. Volunteers on this committee will form a work plan for the event(s) and enlist the help of other volunteers from their area. The Regional committee will coordinate work with other GSHG committees and the GSHG Communications/Marketing department to promote activities. Please contact Jackie Ford for more details or to volunteer!

BRIDGING EVENT IN SAVANNAH
Activity Date: March 10, 2012
This will be a very symbolic event that will celebrate Girl Scouts moving into the next century. Volunteers on this committee and council staff will work with local officials to secure permission to walk across the Talmadge Bridge. Committees will form a work plan for the event and work groups  (i.e. bridge monitors, transportation, Forsyth Park entertainment, etc.) to carry out specific tasks. Registration for this event will begin Fall of 2010.  Please contact Adriana Tatum-Howard for more details or to volunteer!

GIRL SCOUT CAMPOREE
Activity Date: June 24-29, 2012
We are collaborating with Georgia Garrison Training Center at Fort Stewart to host a National Camporee to celebrate the 100th Anniversary!  The committee for this event will develop and implement a wide range of educational experiences and skill-building activities for girls with a focus on STEM and challenge/team-building programs working with volunteers, girls and collaborators. This committee will form work groups to address the logistics of a large event, define division of labor and recruit adults and girls to populate work groups. Please contact Kathleen Cullinan for more details or to volunteer!

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Activity Date: 2010-2012
Your help is needed to collect stories and log hours in order to anually generate media opportunities to showcase troop/girl community service. This committee will develop a meaningful statewide community service project for the 100th Anniversary Year and a meaningful community service project for the 100th Anniversary Weekend in Savannah that can include GSHG girls and visiting girls.  Committee will develop a work plan for the entire council. Please contact Jackie Ford for more details or to volunteer!

HISTORY EXHIBITS
Activity Date: 2011
We need to develop GSHG historical exhibits that showcase the rich Girl Scout history in the state of Georgia. This committee will be working with all regions to research and build historical exhibits that can be placed in museums and local business/corporations to showcase the history of Girl Scouts in honor of the 100th Anniversary. Please contact Kathleen Cullinan for more details or to volunteer!

FHQ RELIGHTING OF THE ETERNAL FLAME
Activity Date: October 2010
This symbolic ceremony is sure to inspire members around the council!  This committee will help design and implement a symbolic ceremony at FHQ open to all members with representation from around the council. Attendees will take a “ceremonial token flame” back to their community and design their own celebration to share the light with other Girl Scouts. Please contact Kathleen Cullinan for more details or to volunteer!

SUNRISE CEREMONY ON MARCH 12
Activity Date: March 12, 2012
Help us celebrate and honor the history and future of Girl Scouting with this inspiring ceremony!  Regional committees will work locally to develop a sunrise ceremony that will be coordinated with the ceremony to be held in Savannah at the Birthplace National Museum. Please contact Jackie Ford for more details or to volunteer!

WAGGS TRIP
Activity Date: July 2010
Help us organize a meaningful excursion to WAGGS' 100th Celebration! We'll need to develop procedures/processes for girl recruitment, selection and travel. The committee will plan and implement a safe and meaningful experience for adults and girls traveling to England. Please contact Kathleen Cullinan for more details or to volunteer!