2014-2015 GSSEF Annual Report

Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida

Annual Report 2014-2015

Letter from the

Board Chair and CEO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2014-2015 OFFICERS

CHAIR Lorna E. Brown-Burton VICE CHAIR Tami Donnally SECRETARY Julie Kreafle TREASURER Christopher Herron

MEMBERS AT LARGE Peggy Calhoun Neil Campbell Michael Fowler Franny LaRue Nancy Proffitt Emma Sampson MaryAnn Stetson Linda Strutt Mimi Vail Dr. Jean A. Wihbey

The 2014-2015 year got off to a great start, with more than 4,700 girls participating in Early Bird re-registration in order to get a jump on their troop year. Preliminary results on a shift to focus on troop recruitment and retention have been promising. Girl retention has grown by 3 percent over the prior year and troop membership numbers are on the rise. With more than 129 Gold, Silver and Bronze Awardees, these girls dedicated almost 102,000 hours of dedicated service in completing their projects. And troops added another 87,000 hours, reinforcing the commitment of our girls to give back to their communities. Gold Award projects ranged from environmental work to raising service dogs to music education and everything in between.

Almost 200 volunteers were honored for their volunteer service, including twelve who received Girl Scouting’s highest honor—the Thanks Badge or Thanks Badge II. Our volunteers are at the heart of Girl Scouting and every one of them is deserving of our recognition and gratitude. In 2015, we recognized Terry Gearing from Palm Beach Gardens and Edie Kappler from Pompano Beach with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their unwavering and long-standing commitment to Girl Scouts. Their extraordinary efforts on behalf of Girl Scouting have served to strengthen our organization and all it does for girls.

Our 2015 Cookie Extreme Team, which includes girls who sell 1,000 or more boxes, was the biggest ever, with 116 members. Our top 3 sellers from 2014 defended their titles in 2015, selling a combined 14,393 boxes. Troops earned more than $1 million in proceeds from the fall product and cookie sales. And our Cookies for the Military program had its biggest year yet, with more than 58,000 boxes donated.

Our new year is well underway and promises to be an exciting one for Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. As volunteer membership and our fundraising efforts continue to grow, we are positioning ourselves to provide life-changing opportunities to even more girls. We appreciate the role that each of you plays in our Council’s success and look forward to an amazing year to come.

Sincerely,

GIRL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS Elise Howard Kristen Rodriguez

Lorna Brown-Burton Board Chair

Denise W. Valz Chief Executive Officer

Serving Our

Girl Scout Volunteers

Awards and Recognitions The following awards and recognitions were presented to Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida adult volunteers and community partners

10

New Trainers Recruited

180

Total Number of Classes Offered

15%

Increase in Adult Learning Offerings

240%

Increase in Adult Training participants from 59 to 141.

1

45

Appreciation Pin

18

Honor Pin

7

Thanks Badge

5

Thanks Badge II

114

Volunteer of Excellence

3

Family Award

56

Community Award

1

50 Year Membership

50

A Review of

Girl Scout Membership

10,460 Girls 4,909 Adults

The council experienced anticipated declines in girl membership as we completed the fulfillment of several grant-funded programs and focused our efforts on serving girls through the traditional troop model. Volunteer membership, which declined about twelve percent, also played a role in our serving fewer girls. While total membership was down, retention rates grew by three percent, and changes to our team structure were made to enhance efforts to grow membership and increase our support of volunteers. The addition of three membership recruitment managers and a troop development coordinator in the spring of 2015 have positioned GSSEF for growth in the coming year.

Membership By County Broward 5330

Take the Lead. Be an Early Bird!

Early Bird Re-registration Positive changes could already be seen during Early Bird season during the Spring. 5,150 girls, an increase of 9%, took the lead and re-registered for the 2015-16 Girl Scout membership year. In addition, 500 troops re-registered 80% of their girls from the previous year, earning a complimentary leader and co-leader registration for the upcoming 2015-2016 membership year.

Super RecruitHER On August 15, GSSEF hosted the Super RecruitHER 2016 Membership Kick-Off at the Oakland Park Service Center. In attendance were 54 recruitment volunteers representing 20 of the 22 Service Units.

Wonder Woman (aka CEO Denise Valz) announced the 2016 membership goals, and with the assistance of some caped crusaders, provided an overview of the upcoming year’s membership recruitment strategies, key messages and power-packed marketing materials.

Indian River 234

Palm Beach 3020

St. Lucie 1013

Okeechobee 80

Martin 508

Congratulations to Our

2015 Gold Award Recipients

Megan Backus Music Is Elementary Shanice Blackshear All Stressed Out: Teen Anxiety Kaitlyn Blade Sewing for Smiles Stephanie Brinez So, You Want To Get A Pet? Kelly Chase My Cancer & Me Amanda Devitt LEAPing into Reading All Stars

Marissa Fallenbaum An Everlasting Outreach on the Importance of Coral Reefs Phoebe Gould Imagination Playground Shannon Harrington Tutus and Toolbelts Madison Manning T-Bags for Hope Shannon Poole Raising Service Dogs Jeanine Shraim Building Birthdays

18 1,500+

Gold Awardees

Dedicated Project Hours

Shayna Silverman Prescription Addiction Dominique Turnbull Conquering Comprehension Sarah Wadley Ketchup 2 Hunger Sydney Wilson Ocean Hour Cassie Woods Sassy Grass Amanda Zwick Beautification of the Family Promise House

61

Silver Awardees

A Closer Look at Some

2015 Gold Award Projects

Madison Manning

Troop #30420 “T-Bags for Hope” Stuart, FL Gold Advisor: Dawn Borrow Troop Leader: Merribeth Manning

Kelly Chase

Troop #20651 “My Cancer & Me” Palm Beach Gardens, FL Gold Advisor: Sandra Clutter Troop Leader: Tracey Eller

1,400+ Dedicated Project Hours

Reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose are mighty words in the world of environmental awareness. Madison is incredibly conscious about the need to reuse and repurpose everyday items and decided to help reduce her community’s carbon footprint with her project, “T-Bags for Hope.” She collected T-shirts that she made into reusable grocery bags for House of Hope in Martin County. These no-sew bags reduced the organization’s expense for plastic bags by $100 per month and reduces the amount of plastic bags discarded and dumped into our environment. Madison involved lots of partners – from collecting T-shirts, making bags, supporting House of Hope and teaching her passion for the four R’s. In all, Madison’s team made and donated 500 T-Bags. Madison plans to expand this initiative and continue to educate her community in Martin County.

Kelly’s life was affected by cancer when her uncle was diagnosed. This experience propelled her into a new collaboration with the American Cancer Society and her Silver Award project that supported her local Relay For Life. Kelly knew when it was time to pursue the Gold Award, her connection to the American Cancer Society, and her own experience of losing a family member to cancer would guide the way. Through research, Kelly found that there were very few resources for children diagnosed with the disease. Kelly felt that such a tool would aid children during this traumatic time, and she decided to partner with the American Cancer Society again – this time to create a children’s book. Kelly’s book, “My Cancer and Me,” is about the life of a girl who battles cancer and is written in an approachable and comforting way just for kids. One thousand copies of Kelly’s book are now in distribution.

50 101,960+

Bronze Awardees

Dedicated Service Hours

Giving Back Through

Community Service

87,202 49%

Total Number of Community Service Hours Performed by Troops

Increase in Community Service Hours from 2014

Most Popular Community Service & Take Action Projects:

Collection projects (food pantries, Operation Christmas Child & military care packages)

Waterway, beach, park and school clean-ups

Visiting elderly patients, Animal shelters and Walk-a-thon support retired veterans and pet rescues (walking (serving water, cheering sick children animals & other shelter participants, admin projects) tasks and on-site registration)

Having Fun at

Girl Scout Programs Cookie U • 337 Attendees

Girls learned the ins and outs of running a Girl Scout Cookie business such as customer service, marketing, goal-setting and money handling.

Mall Madness • 2,025 Attendees

The 10th annual lock-in event included face painting, a fashion show, scavenger hunt, live DJ, crafts and various contests!

Journey In A Day • 439 Attendees

Girls of all Girl Scout grade levels had the opportunity to complete the entire It’s Your Planet, Love It! Journey at Camp Nocatee.

Summer Camp • 454 Attendees

Girls camped at Camps Welaka, Nocatee and Telogia. Ten camp programs were held ranging from weekend, one day and camp fires.

Get Real Mentoring • 299 Attendees

70% of participating girls demonstrated an increased understanding of pertinent life skills. 77% of students increased school attendance. 97% students increased their grades or maintained a consistent average while attending the program.

Council-wide

Community Service Programs Baby Basics Infant Supply Drive • October 2014

Feeding Florida Together Food Drive • April 2015

1,328

1,304

3,592

10,167

12

14

Girls Participated

Items Donated

Participating Partner Agencies

Girls Participated

Pounds of Donated Food

Participating Partner Agencies

Congratulations to Our

2015 Cookie Extreme Team Sierra Aceves* Kendall Anglin* Corrine Annunziata Danica Arce* Ashley Backus* Kaitlynn Barnes Madison Barter Lana Bautista* Katie Beattie* Samantha Bergeron Alexis Billeci* Ainsley Blackwood* Samantha Boles Ashlyn Bonta Madison Bonta Madilyn Brackett* Kaylah Brooks Christina Brown Isabella Brown Hannah Bruder* Jayna Brunner Kali Buquoi Sydney Byk Mary Cerda Jordyn Charlebois* Hayley Charlebois* Isabella Chenet* Jeannette Circe Ava Contreras Madelene Cox Julia Crespo* Grace Depalma Sophia Duran Daley Eisenmann* Taylor Elgin Lilly Erickson Elizabeth Farmer Ana Fontecchio Lia Fronte* Naila Gaffar* Kayleigh Gallo

Alisha Garnsey* Harlequinn Gerry Morgan Gold Sarah Goldberg Tessie Goron Rachel Gottlieb Saya Greason Alexis Green Shelby Gronvold Darian Haberland* Lisa Marie Handal* Cali Harris* Paige Hazera* Ivy Heath Meghan Heilpern* Leann Helpling* Nicole Hemmer* Jaryxa Heredia Jazell Hernandez Jayana Hodgson Brooke Hoyt* Genesis Jackson Alexzandria Jalik Kassia Janocsko Avrey Johns Keyana Johnson Nicole Kamburian* Amelia Kamperveen* Emily Kennedy* Alexandra King* Amanda Kopelman* Mary Kostelnik Hannah Krupp* Kalliopi Kyramarios* Barbie LaMontagne* Inari Larios Elizabeth Laycock* Imani LeFlore* Amy Lindemann* Gabriella Luiso* Alexandra Mack

Tabitha Maher Jamie Marcus Tobi Margolis Savanna Marini* Paola Marquez Leilani Mascolo* Hailey McKeel Horbach Megan McLaughlin* Shiyanna McLeod* Courtney McMillan Zoey Meixner Arianna Merritt* Seanna Mesa Autumn Miller* Elizabeth Moreno* Mia Morningstar Jordan Murphy Skilyn Nieves* Serenity Nieves* Shailey Nieves Brooke O’Brien* Jaedyn Oren* Alexa Parramore* Molly Patrick* Jessica Perez Casey Perry Chrystal Pico Lisa Pirtle Alexandria Pizzino Kayrn Princivil Phoenix Rafael* Sara Recht Annalise Rice Abigail Ridgley Sofia Rizzo Madison Rocker Stephany Rodrigues* Grace Rodriguez Gabrielle Rose* Giana Rutigliano* Jocelyn Sanders

* denotes repeat Extreme Team members from 2014

Cookies for the Military

It’s another record breaking number when it comes to the number of boxes of cookies being sent to our soldiers through our Cookies for the Military program.

58,266 boxes of Girl Scout cookies are being deployed through our partnerships with Operation Homefront, Forgotten Soldiers Outreach and America’s Moms for Soldiers.

Emma Saperton Linda Saraniti* Lindsay Schlueter Faith Scott* Cadence Shore* Sabrina Sillence* Milana Silva Mya Simpson Ayla Singer* Bre Ann Singleton Joselyn Smeal* Veronica Sordelet* Jessica Squadrito* Haileigh Steinberger* Lyndi Stettner* Hanna Storozynsky Madison Suarez Abby Thomson* Kelsey Underwood Violeta Valdez Leah Vanbommel Genevieve VanCamp* Alexis Vantrees* Sarah Veller Heidi Maria Victoria Sarah Wadley* Anijah Walker Briana Warner* Ashley Weiss Paeton Wessendorf Addison White* Samantha White* Summer Whited* Emily Wigg Lydia Williams* Camryn Wisdom Sara Wise Charlotte Wisnioski Launa Woods* Amanda Wysocki* Emma Zalai

Financial Literacy for Girls

Cookie Sale Program

Girl Scouts develop essential skills that will help them as tomorrow’s leaders by participating in the Fall Product and Cookie Sale programs. Goal Setting. Decision Making. People Skills.

Business Ethics. Money Management. From camping and trips, to local program participation, to amazing community service projects, girls used their proceeds to enhance their Girl Scout experience and make the world a better place.

For the second year in a row, these three amazing #cookiebosses achieved Top Seller status – breaking records along the way!

Amanda Wysocki from Troop 11110 sold 3,133 boxes of cookies and Jaedyn Oren from Troop 10442 sold 5,160 boxes. Amanda Kopelman from Troop 10442 sold 6,100 boxes, the most EVER sold by a Girl Scout in our council.

Top Sellers

How the Cookie Crumbles

208

Average number of boxes sold per girl

14.9%

Increase in average number of boxes sold per girl compared to 2014

$990,000+ Proceeds earned by Troops in 2015

164

Girls reached Extreme Team status selling over 1,000 boxes of cookies

24.2%

Increase in Extreme Team members compared to 2014

22

Girls reached Cookie CEO Status by selling more than 2,015 boxes

58,266

Amanda Wysocki, Jaedyn Oren and Amanda Kopelman

Number of boxes sent to our soldiers through our Cookies for the Military program

Thank You to

Our Donors A very special thank you to everyone who generously supported Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida in 2014-2015. Your financial investments are integral to our success. The following contributed $100 or more. We apologize for anyone inadvertently left off this list.

Chrissie and Greg Addeo Admiral’s Cove Cares Charitable Foundation, Inc. The Allstate Foundation Madeline and Francis Amador Ms. Nancy Amato AmazonSmile Foundation American Express Foundation Madeline and Stephen Anbinder Anonymous Ms. Eve Arnett The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Mr. Richard Baxter Mr. W. Lee Bell Ms. Cheryl Boltz Ms. Deborah Bricker Ms. Lorna Brown-Burton Linda Miller-Cahill and Edward Cahill Carol Dixon, CFP ® on behalf of Carl Domino Chapter FB PEO Sisterhood Charles D. Bert Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County Cigna Foundation Coats Family Foundation, Inc. Ms. Maude Cook Coral Springs Community Chest Mr. Michael Courembis Ms. Teresa Dailey Ms. Gina Deighan Dell Giving The Delray Beach Lions Foundation, Inc. Diamante atelier in partnership with H. Seigel Fine Auctions Doane & Doane, P.A. Ms. Tami Donnally Duffy’s Management, Inc. EBC Ministries Edgley Cremation Services Eileen Fisher at the Gardens Mall Emerson Process Management, LLP

Ms. Marjorie Fink Fite Shavell & Associates Fleming & Fleming, PLLC Florida Atlantic University Florida Blue Mr. Michael Fowler and Dr. David Mittleman FPL/Next Era Energy The Gardens Mall Ms. Delores Gardner Tana and Tim Gaskill Judith and Tom Giuffrida GlaxoSmithKline Ms. Suzi Goldsmith Ms. Lynda Good Ms. Shirley Gordon Grimaldi’s Pizzeria Mr. John C. Hampp Harless & Associates Hobe Sound Community Chest, Inc. Ms. Lisa A. Holland Holyfield & Thomas Madeline and Ian Hooper Ms. Tula Hudson-Miller Ms. Michelle Huhn Ms. Sue Hutcheon Illustrated Properties Charities, Inc. Jim Cioffi, P.A. Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton John Gordon Bull Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward Lisa and Wayne Johnson Jupiter Dive Center, Inc. Jupiter-Tequesta Rotary Foundation, Inc. Ms. Jeanine Keating Kellogg’s Kiwanis Club of Riviera Beach Foundation, Inc. Kiwanis Club of West Palm Beach Mr. Gilbert Kohn Mr. Jack Lansing The Law Offices of David Ben Israel, Inc.

Lawrence A. Sanders Foundation, Inc. Ms. PJ Layng and Ms. Maryann McCarthy Jennifer and Jeff Lee Ms. Maria Lester Ms. Sydney Liebman Linda Strutt Consulting, Inc. Ms. Susanne Llibre Louden Bonded Pools, Inc. Ms. Eileen Lueder Ms. Pam Lunsford-Ashworth Ms. Sally Macia Ms. Diane Marks McGraw-Hill Ms. Cindy McHeran Ms. Susan Mejia Miami Dolphins, Ltd. Mr. Steve Moss Donna and Dan Mulholland Ms. Regina Mullen Ms. Jocelyn O’Neill Palm Beach Community Trust Fund Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Palm Beach Flagler Rotary Foundation Palm Beach International Academy Palmer Printing Company Mr. Fotios Pantazis PAX World Investments Ms. Ashley Pinnock Ms. Christine Pitts PNC Financial Services Group Mrs. Lois Pope Port St. Lucie Business Women Post Insurance & Financial, Inc. Praesum Healthcare Services, LLC Ms. Nancy Proffitt Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc. Quantum Foundation Quota International of Fort Lauderdale Ms. Sheila Ravindran Ms. Victoria Ray Ms. Phyllis Reid Judi and Ray Richards Right Management Rotary Club of Delray Beach

Mr. Gerald Russell Saladrigas & Cohen Architecture, Inc. Dr. Janine Sanchez Mr. Eddie Schmidt and Mr. Ozzie Madeiros Mr. Richmond Schmidt Seacoast Bank Mr. Chuck Shaffer Ms. Maureen Shea Ms. Kandy Shepherd Ms. Alexandria Smith Virginia and Perry Spencer State of Florida - Dept. of Education Ms. MaryAnn Stetson Ms. Linda Strutt Studio Dance, Lake Ave. Ms. Kelly Sullivan Ms. Lori Ebinger Sullivan Diane and Randy Tanner Ms. Cindy Tindell Travis Pest Management, Inc. Troop #20971 Truettner Family Foundation Ms. Beverly Turner UBS Financial Services, Inc. United Way of Martin County United Way of Palm Beach County Ms. Mimi Vail Valley National Bank Ms. Denise Valz Marilyn and David Van Vleet Mr. Jeffrey Vanier Kathryn and Leo Vecellio Abigail and Christopher Waldman Ms. Stephanie Wallaert Walmart Foundation Ward Damon, Attorneys at Law Mr. and Mrs. James Webert Joanne and William David White Ms. Lisbeth Whiting Ms. Gail Williams Ms. Tiffany Williams Ms. Stephanie Wrightsman Youth Service America

Special Thanks to Publix Super Markets Charities

For almost 20 years, Publix has invested in the future of girls by donating $438,000, providing countless programs, friendship opportunities and leadership experiences for Girl Scouts throughout South Florida.

Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida

Financials

For the years ending September 30, 2014 and 2015

Public Support and Revenues

Public Support

Contributions (Individual, Corporate & Foundation Gifts)

United Way Campaigns

Government Grants

Special Events Revenues Total Public Support

Program-Related Revenues

Program-Related Services Product Sales

Cost of Sales Net Product Sales

Program Fees

Merchandise Sales Gross Receipts Direct Costs Net Merchandise Sales Total Program-Related Revenues

Other Revenues

Interest and Dividends

Realized Gain/(Loss) on Investments

Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments

Rental Income

Gain/(Loss) on Disposal of Assets

Miscellaneous Income Total Other Revenues

TOTAL PUBLIC SUPPORT AND REVENUES

Expenses Program Services

Supporting Services

Management and General

Fundraising Total Supporting Services TOTAL EXPENSES

Change in Net Assets

Net Assets at Beginning of Year

Net Assets at End of Year

2015

2014

$195,316 33,842 114,392 78,152 421,702

$359,775 37,237 124,112 52,257 573,381

4,967,556 (1,624,895) 3,342,661

5,065,039 (1,651,359) 3,413,680

382,851

290,709

341,634 (201,294) 140,339 3,865,851

355,200 (228,696) 126,504 3,830,893

44,708 67,096 (135,772) 56,850 (90,269) 102,074 44,687

37,293 107,477 28,677 59,905 57,310 290,662

4,332,240

4,694,936

3,954,116

3,839,099

444,018 424,823 868,841

437,654 413,014 850,668

4,822,957

4,689,767

(490,717)

5,169

5,873,337

5,868,168

$5,382,620

$5,873,337

Raising Funds to

Support Girls

$143,130

Gross revenue raised at Emerald Awards.

A portion of these funds was used to replace a camp refrigerator, camp roofs, and sponsor girls to become Girl Scouts.

$12,025

Gross Gross revenue revenue raised raised at at Gems Gems of of STEM. STEM. This This allows allows 27 27 girls girls to to participate participate in in Girl Girl Scouts Scouts for for aa year. year.

$7,225

Gross revenue raised at Thin Mint Sprint.

There were 330 participants at Thin Mint Sprint. 39% were registered Girl Scouts Scouts.

$4,967

Gross revenue raised at other Special Events. This money represents the support of three community partners helping to raise funds on our behalf

Back Cover Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.

Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida www.gssef.org . (866) 727-4475 1224 W. Indiantown Road, Jupiter, FL 33458 4701 NW 33rd Ave. , Oakland Park, FL 33309