GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Annual Report 2015-2016
Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida Each new year in Girl Scouting presents the opportunity for growth and innovation, and our 2015-2016 year was no exception. A growing girl and adult membership meant that Girl Scout program was delivered to 10,748 girls, 3 percent more than the prior year. Higher retention rates and a growing Early Bird membership drive contributed to this growth. And these girls are making an impact on their communities—completing more than 80,000 community service hours through a variety of Take Action projects. Almost 10,000 more hours went into projects that earned 337 girls the Bronze Award, 40 girls the Silver Award and 14 girls the Gold Award, Girl Scouting’s highest girl achievement. More than 320 volunteers were honored for their volunteer service, including 14 who received Girl Scouting’s highest honor—the Thanks Badge or Thanks Badge II. Our volunteers give so freely of their time, talent and treasure, and each is so deserving of recognition and appreciation. In 2016, we recognized Laurie Pharr from Okeechobee and Virginia Spencer from Palm Beach Gardens with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their unwavering support of Girl Scouting. These women exemplify the kind of organization we strive to be for our girls. Our Cookie Sale reached a milestone when, for the first time ever, we surpassed 1.5 million boxes sold! A true team effort, more than 7,100 girls and their families participated, and troops earned over $1.1 million dollars in proceeds. Almost 63,000 boxes were donated through our annual Cookies for the Military program. Our transition to the Customer Engagement Initiative, which includes our membership database and the Volunteer Toolkit was completed in July and promises to streamline the process for engaging adults and girls in our program, allowing us to serve more girls. After more than 44 years in Girl Scouting that included 28 on staff and 11 here in Southeast Florida, Denise Valz shared her plans to retire. A national search was conducted and, in October of 2016, Lisa Johnson was named as just the second CEO of Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. A 20-year veteran of Girl Scouting right here in our community, Lisa will work with our staff and volunteer communities to lead us into the future. We couldn’t do it without each of you, and we appreciate your continued support and involvement as we embark on an exciting new year.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-2016 OFFICERS CHAIR Lorna E. Brown-Burton VICE CHAIR Tami Donnally SECRETARY MaryAnn Stetson TREASURER Chuck Shaffer
MEMBERS AT LARGE Veronica Birch Neil Campbell Karin Daly Marina DeMaio Franny LaRue Jennifer Lee Jeannie McCall Emma Sampson Linda Strutt Ofelia Utset Lisa Wulf
GIRL BOARD MEMBERS Lorna Brown-Burton Board Chair
Denise W. Valz Chief Executive Officer
Madeline Barnett Jamie Howard Jaleesa Ariel Smith
2016 membership grew by 3%
GSSEF achieved 75% of the annual membership goal by December 31, 2015 benchmark (1st time ever for the Council)
Girl and adult retention increased by 9% (for Girls) and 4% (for Adults)
Increased number of adult troop leaders from 1,735 to 1,958
Increased adult membership by 4% from the previous year
Implemented new recruitment methods and monthly tracking of new and retained girls
36% of our troops met over the summer months - representing a 5% increase over last year
Early Bird girl registration for 2017 increased by 3%
A REVIEW OF
Girl Scout Membership What a phenomenal year for our Council. Together with the dedication of incredible volunteers, we honored the Movement’s legacy, by welcoming more girls and families in the world of Girl Scouting. Membership growth is just one way we demonstrate the success GSSEF is having as we mobilize the community in support of our girls and their leadership potential. We are all very proud of the Troop Leaders who joyously greeted so many new girls - as well as all of the adults who stepped up to lead new Troops too! It’s clear that the growth can be attributed to all of the volunteers who understand and support the impact of our organization and who are committed to sharing the power of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida was recognized nationally for our achievement in increased girl membership at the CEO and Board Chair Summit last October in Philadelphia.
10,748
Total number of girls
5,102
Total number of adults
973
Total number of troops
Membership by County Broward 5636
Palm Beach 3246
Indian River 241
St. Lucie 1026
Okeechobee 86
Martin 441
SERVING OUR GIRL SCOUT
Volunteers There was a 31% increase in the total awards presented from the previous year.
APPRECIATION PIN
55 HONOR PIN
19 THANKS BADGE
12 THANKS BADGE II
2 VOLUNTEER OF EXCELLENCE
158
FAMILY AWARD
3 COMMUNITY AWARD
77
GIVING BACK THROUGH
Community Service Total number of community service hours by troops
80,632 Most popular community service & take action projects
Collection projects Visiting elderly (food pantries, patients, retired Operation Christmas veterans and sick Child & military care children packages)
Animal shelters and pet rescues (walking animals & other shelter projects)
COUNCIL-WIDE
Service Projects BABY BASICS INFANT SUPPLY DRIVE October 2015
1,593
Girls Participated
6,162
Items Collected
FEEDING FLORIDA TOGETHER FOOD DRIVE April 2016
1,611 Girls Participated
10,226 Pounds of Donated Food
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF THE
Girl Scout Gold Award While every Gold Awardee is part of an elite group of Girl Scouts, this year was particularly special as we celebrated the 100th Anniversary of this prestigious honor. Over the last century, thousands of women have demonstrated incredible courage, confidence and character, making their world a better place. They represent a century of leadership and have created a path of inspiration for the 2016 Gold Award recipients. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a girl in grades 9 through 12 can earn. While the name of the award may have changed over the years, the dedication and hard work that goes into earning the award has been steadfast. The long-standing tradition of service to community is at the heart of every project, and the passion of our girls is evident in every aspect of the work they have completed. These projects might not always make headlines—but they do make a difference, and most are designed to be sustainable and to leave a lasting impact—a legacy—on the communities and people they serve.
2016 Gold Award Recipients Samantha Gaynor Get Spotted Elise Howard River Center Mobile Hannah Liebowitz Feral Cat Spay and Neuter Hannah Lindgren Project AIR: Art Inspires Recovery
Sophia Meloro Liquidate Lionfish! Alexandria Milidantri Invasive Species Awareness Alexandra Reccasina Wetland Bird Relief Tiles Sara Recht Grow Up!
Rebecca Shipman Tie It Back Nicole Smith The Magic of Butterflies Emily Tomchin Empowering Students Around the World
Alexis Vantrees Play It Forward: Happiness Helps Healing Kate Weiksnar Libraries for Lovin’ Literacy Isabel Winn House for the Howlers
A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME
Gold Award Projects Elise Howard Troop 20651 The River Center in Jupiter is a popular environmental area filled with beautiful scenery and wildlife but, unfortunately, some of the exhibits were not as engaging as they could be and lacked additional information that could be acquired during a guided tour. Additionally, the outdoor trail system had no map that showed the layout of the trail and the plants along it. Elise decided that the River Center needed a little help, so she did what any other tech-savvy teen would do, she developed a mobile Android app. The app had all the bells and whistles to bring a new sense of discovery to the center. She was able to include additional information on each of the exhibits, an audio tour she recorded that visitors could follow, an interactive scavenger hunt and a trail map with details about the plants. This technology update brings a new interactive experience for visitors to the River Center.
Emily Tomchin Troop 10717 Emily is passionate about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and has been for years. She also is aware of the lack of resources for STEM education both locally and globally. Because of this, Emily was determined to make changes that count. Her goal was to empower students through STEM education, which was achieved through various events to help inspire girls and young students to become involved in the subject area. With the help of grant funders, her community and her school, she was able to create exciting STEM software programs which were uploaded onto tablets. Then the tablets were shared with local Title I Schools, as well as the Three Little Flowers School in Haiti. So far, her project has reached 950 students through events, STEM kits, tablet donations and her website.
14
Gold Awardees
1,120
Dedicated Project Hours
40
337
2,000
6,740
Silver Awardees
Dedicated Project Hours
Bronze Awardees
Dedicated Project Hours
LEARNING IS FUN
The Girl Scout Way Spooky Safari participants enjoyed a fun-filled day with thrills and chills at Lion Country Safari. Through hands-on workshops and enrichment activities, girls learned about animals, earned badges and had spooktacular time with their families.
Movie Mania participants channeled their inner movie star when Movie Mania returned to the big screen. As part of the program, girls donated more than 200 DVDs for children’s hospitals throughout the Council jurisdiction.
Badge Tracks participants from all Girl Scout age levels took a journey to Camp Welaka where they worked with expert program providers to complete full national badge components and an introduction to the brand new series of Outdoor Badges.
#CookieBoss Daisies, Brownies and Juniors attended the #CookieBoss program where they participated in hands-on, interactive learning activities to get them Cookie-Sale-Prepared! Girls learned to sharpen their skills and knowledge in financial literacy, product information, marketing and sales, safety and customer service.
Cookie Entrepreneur Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors attended the Cookie Entrepreneur program and, through at partnership with America Business Women’s Association (AWBA) of Coral Springs, participated in handson, interactive workshops with some of the top female business leaders in the community.
Mall Madness girls of all ages spent an amazing night in the Coral Square Mall for a full night of dancing, shopping, snacks, crafting, silliness and above all, sisterhood.
Journey in a Day Girl Scouts invaded Camp Nocatee for this sold out program that allowed all participants to complete an entire It’s Your World, Change It Journey series in one day.
Does A Mom Have a Girl Scout too? Girl Scouts and their moms packed Camp Welaka and the Oakland Park Service Center in a brand new mother-daughter signature program just for Daisies and Brownies. Girls were exposed to the inspiration, art and literature of Eric Carle while earning art-related badges and petals through hands-on activities.
FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR GIRLS
Product Sale Programs Girl Scouts develop essential skills that will help them as tomorrow’s leaders by participating in the Fall Product and Girl Scout 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.
TOP SELLERS It’s a THREE-PEAT for Top Cookie Seller Amanda Kopelman from Troop 10442. Collectively she has sold 15,2 04 boxes of cookies in the last three years. Two other girls achieved top seller status – Saya Greason from Troop 10708 with 3318 boxes and Kalliopi Kyramarios from Troop 20254 with 3202 boxes.
COOKIES FOR THE MILITARY 6 2,949 boxes of Girl Scout cookies were
deployed through our Cookies for the Military partnerships with Operation Homefront, Forgotten Soldiers Outreach and America’s Moms for Soldiers.
COOKIES SALE HIGHLIGHTS
It was a record setting Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program in 2016. Girl Scouts sold 1,5 3 5,375 boxes of cookies, the most EVER in our Council. Along the way they LEARNED goal setting, decision making, people skills, business ethics and money management and EARNED over $ 1 .1 m i lli on in troop proceeds that gets reinvested back into learning opportunities and community service. Girls Participating 7,173 +8.6% Troops selling 713 +8.6% Boxes Sold 1,535,375 +10.9% Cookie Sale Net Revenue $3,532,221 +11.4% Per girl average increased from 208 boxes to 213 boxes Extreme Team participation increased from 164 girls to 178 girls
FALL PRODUCT SALE HIGHLIGHTS Girls Participating Net Revenue Order Card Nuts & Candy Online Nuts and Candy Catalog Magazine Sales Address Books
3,350 $196,749 58,646 5,612 1,031 1,797
+4.0% +3.7% -5.1% +42.2% -9.6% -1.5%
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR
2016 Extreme Team Kendall Anglin * Danica Arce * Cylise Ault Niyah Austin Emily Aycock Ashley Backus * Loralai Ball Hannah Beaty Jordyn Beeten Sofia Bender Samantha Bergeron * Alexis Billeci * Ainsley Blackwood * Samantha Boles * Haydn Bonner Madison Bonta * Savanna Borrow Madilyn Brackett * Hannah Bruder * Jayna Brunner * Olivia Buck Alycia Burchfield Sydney Byk * Gracie Canedy Jaelyn Casalina Averi Center Ava Centore Hayley Charlebois * Isabella Chenet * Jeannette Circe * Gianna Clemente Cireh Collins Riley Connors Anayah Cornelius Megan Crompton Kate Dahlmeier Jennifer Daks Isabella DeForge Katlyn Demino Grace Depalma * Delaney Dewitt Sophia Duran * Kira Eisenman Daley Eisenmann * Savannah Evangelista
Caroline Falkewicz Elizabeth Farmer * Ana Fontecchio * Zaria Forrester Lia Fronte * Alisha Garnsey * Bailey Given Morgan Gold * Cynthia Goldfarb Ari Goodman Tessie Goron * Rachel Gottlieb * Nodya Gracey Saya Greason * Gianna Greco Callie Green Amelia Griffin Shelby Gronvold * Bailey Hanlon Cali Harris * Kaitlynn Hatch Paige Hazera * Ivy Heath * Leann Helpling * Jayana Hodgson * Julia Hofacker Haylie Homa Ella Howell Brooke Hoyt * Katelyn Hunter Stephanie Ingersoll Summer Irwin Genesis Jackson * Alexzandria Jalik * Kassia Janocsko * Avrey Johns * Jordan Kaarlie Nicole Kamburian * Jalaina Kane Kyla Keaton Zoe Kegley Katelyn Kelley Emily Kennedy * Alexandra King * Avery Kite
Alyssa Knez Amanda Kopelman * Mary Kostelnik * Kalliopi Kyramarios * Elizabeth Laycock * Imani Leflore * Ember Lloyd Isabella Lombardo Gabriella Luiso * Savanna Marini * Paola Marquez * Kimberlee Marquis Leilani Mascolo * Hailey McCullough Kaylee McGinnis Hailey McKeel Horbach * Shylei McKillip Megan McLaughlin * Courtney McMillan * Chelcy McNally Alexis Merritt Arianna Merritt * Seanna Mesa * Elizabeth Moreno * Mia Morningstar * Ashlynne Murray Skilyn Nieves * Serenity Nieves * Brooke O’Brien * Emma O’Day Lindsay Ogden Jaedyn Oren * Pariss Palhie Alexa Parramore * Molly Patrick * Deja Patterson Stephanie Perales Chrystal Pico * Phoenix Rafael * Peyton Raub Abigail Ridgley * Madison Rocker * Kiara Rodriguez Gabrielle Rose * Kiara Russo
Giana Rutigliano Sophia Rutigliano Linda Saraniti * Caitlyn Saunders Elise Schaub Faith Scott * Lavonna Sheppard Cadence Shore * Sabrina Sillence * Ayla Singer * Joselyn Smeal * Abigail Smith Graceanne Smith Veronica Sordelet * Adrianna Spotts Sophie Spragg Lyndi Stettner Ariel Stewart Madison Suarez * Lorelei Sverak Abby Thomson * Caitlyn Tripician Leah Vanbommel * Genevieve VanCamp * Alexis Vantrees * Sarah Veller * Jamilynn Vernati Heidi Maria Victoria * La’Crystal Walker Rachel Weiss Paeton Wessendorf * Samantha White * Addison White * Emily Wigg * Lydia Williams * Kaitlynn Williams Alyric Winn Camryn Wisdom * Charlotte Wisnioski * Madison Woods Launa Woods * Kaydence Wright Amanda Wysocki *
* denotes repeat Extreme Team members from 2015
FUND DEVELOPMENT
Grant Highlights PALM BEACH SHERIFF’S OFFICE GRANT Fifty girls had the opportunity to participate in the “Be A Friend First (BFF)” program, which utilizes handson activities, group discussions, role play, and creative self-expression to give girls a stronger awareness and understanding of bullying behavior. More than 90% of girls reported that they know more than they did about the importance of healthy relationships, were more confident that they can prevent bullying behavior in themselves, and that they gained skills to educate others about bullying and create more peace.
STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT 115 girls from Lauderdale Lakes Middle School and Margate Middle School had the opportunity to participate in the Get Real! Mentoring Program. The 30-week in-school program for at-risk girls covers weekly topics such as first impressions and stereotypes, building healthy relationships, dealing with cliques and bullying, teamwork, peaceful resolution of conflicts, and determining one’s own values. Each of these topics is designed to develop leadership abilities, self-sufficiency, making healthy lifestyle choices, deter bullying, and improve literacy.
RAISING FUNDS TO
Support Girls
$163,505 $30,655 $23,124
Gross revenue raised at Emerald Awards, including $16,250 raised during the program to help offset the price of camp cots, new canoes, and financial assistance for new Girl Scouts. Gross revenue raised at three Thin Mint Sprint locations. This included 855 registrants, 56% being registered Girl Scouts who participated as part of the Healthy Living initiative. 16% of our troops received a troop sponsorship, representing a 5% increase over the prior year. More troops are benefiting from monetary donations, inkind donations and/or matching contributions from parents’ employers.
THANK YOU TO
Our Donors A very special thank you to everyone who generously supported Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida in 2015-2016. Your financial investments are integral to our success. The following contributed $250 or more. We apologize for anyone inadvertently left off this list. Aetna Foundation, Inc. The Allstate Foundation Ms. Nancy Amato American Express Foundation American Pediatric Dental Group Anonymous Bank of America The Batchelor Foundation, Inc. Mr. Richard Baxter Ms. Deborah Bricker Ms. Lorna Brown-Burton Linda Miller-Cahill and Edward Cahill Carl Domino, Inc. Charles D. Bert Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County Ms. Maude Cook Ms. Shauna Coolican Ms. Mary P. Cooper Ms. Karin Daly Rebecca and Randall Doane Doane & Doane, P.A.
Ms. Tami Donnally Douglas Elliman Real Estate Duffy’s Management, Inc. Ms. Virginia Eades Edgley Cremation Services Evolution Fitness Wellington Mr. Michael Fowler and Dr. David Mittleman Fleming & Fleming, PLLC Florida Power and Light Lynn and Thomas Gentithes Ms. Kristine George Ms. Suzi Goldsmith Ms. Tammy S. Gordon
Ms. Lori Grahn Mr. John C. Hampp Caroline and Steve Harless Harless & Associates Mr. Andy Henriquez
Hobe Sound Community Chest, Inc. Kiwanis Club of West Palm Beach Honda Classic - Birdies For Children Kumon Math & Reading Centers Honda Classic - Children’s La Croix Sparkling Water Inc Healthcare Charity Mr. Jack Lansing Hurricane Grill & Wings The Law Offices of David Ben Israel, P.A. Ms. Sue Hutcheon Lawrence A. Sanders Foundation, Inc. Illinois Tool Works Foundation-ITW Jennifer and Jeff Lee Illustrated Properties Charities, Inc. Legacy Bank of Florida Jane Hali & Associates, LLC Legacy Church Ministries John Gordon Bull Fund of the Ms. Maria Lester Community Foundation of Broward Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A. Lisa and Wayne Johnson Linda Strutt Consulting, Inc. Jupiter-Tequesta Rotary Foundation Inc. Ms. Sally Macia Ms. Jeanine Keating McGraw-Hill Company Mr. Kurt Kettelhut Marjorie Morley and Wes Annas Ms. Margaret Kirkbride Donna and Dan Mulholland Kiwanis Club of Riviera Beach Ms. Regina Mullen Foundation Inc. Mr. Allen Myrick Sara and Bill Nunez Office Depot Foundation Palm Beach Community Trust Fund Palm Beach International Academy Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Lisa and Keith Park Ms. Elizabeth Pearce Ms. Ashley Pinnock
PNC Financial Services Group Mrs. Lois Pope Publix Super Markets Charities Quantum Foundation Inc. Judi and Ray Richards Rotary Club of Delray Beach Mr. Gerald Russell Mr. Chuck Shaffer Maureen and Thomas Shea Estate of Ms. Gay Shepard Shoes for Crews Ms. Alexandria Smith Mr. Harold Smith Smith and Moore Architects, Inc. Virginia and Perry Spencer State of Florida-Department of Education Ms. Linda Strutt Ms. Cindy Tindell Toshiba Business Solutions UBS Financial Services Inc. United Health Foundation Ofelia Utset and Tom Kodadek Ms. Mimi Vail Valley National Bank Ms. Denise Valz Mr. Jeffrey Vanier Mrs. Kathryn Vecellio Mr. Zachary von Gonten Walmart Foundation Mr. and Mrs. James Webert Wells Fargo William Groot Trust Ms. Nan Winn Ms. Mary Wong Ms. Lisa Wulf Leona and Phillip Yates Mr. Jay Zeager
TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT
Customer Engagement Initiative
Over 115,600 records were migrated from e-Council to Volunteer Systems – that’s a success rate of 99.63%
The Girl Scouts of the USA Customer Engagement Initiative (CEI) is a multi-million dollar, multi-year technology capacity investment designed to strengthen adult volunteer involvement in the national Girl Scout Movement. Following nearly a year of preparations, GSSEF launched Volunteer Systems on July 18, 2016. Designed to address national, movement-wide membership declines among both girls and volunteers, this initiative includes a new web platform accessible at www.GSSEF.org, a new system for volunteer and customer engagement, and troop leader access to national program materials and information via the volunteer toolkit. The initiative will address and improve processes for involvement, communication, training and onboarding, with expected results of increased volunteer retention and the capacity of the council to serve more girls throughout our six county jurisdiction. Early indicators show GSSEF is already making progress as demonstrated in an increase in both girl and adult members in the 2016 membership year, an increase in adult volunteers and increased retention. As part of the launch of Volunteer Systems during the Customer Engagement Initiative, a new, free, online Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) was unveiled. Just two months after the July implementation of the new Volunteer Toolkit, 40% of Daisy, Brownie and Junior troop leaders had already created a year plan in the VTK with activities to complete for the upcoming year. Only nine other councils had a higher usage rate!
GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Financials Public Support and Revenues
2016
Public Support Contributions (Individual, Corporate & Foundation Gifts) $430,638 26,677 United Way Campaigns 88,028 Government Grants 70,269 Special Events Revenues 615,612 Total Public Support Program-Related Revenues Program-Related Services 5,492,600 Product Sales (1,809,526) Cost of Sales 3,683,074 Net Product Sales 430,486 Program Fees Merchandise Sales 393,251 Gross Receipts (228,660) Direct Costs 164,591 Net Merchandise Sales 4,278,152 Total Program-Related Revenues Other Revenues 45,155 Interest and Dividends (14,105) Realized Gain/(Loss) on Investments 159,391 Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments 57,506 Rental Income 1,179 Gain/(Loss) on Disposal of Assets 22,467 Miscellaneous Income 271,593 Total Other Revenues 5,165,356 TOTAL PUBLIC SUPPORT AND REVENUES Expenses 3,967,686 Program Services Supporting Services 419,030 Management and General 517,175 Fundraising 936,205 Total Supporting Services 4,903,891 TOTAL EXPENSES 261,465 Change in Net Assets 5,382,620 Net Assets at Beginning of Year $5,644,085 Net Assets at End of Year
2015 $195,316 33,842 114,392 78,152 421,702
4,967,556 (1,624,895) 3,342,661 382,851
341,634 (201,294) 140,339 3,865,851 44,708 67,096 (135,772) 56,850 (90,269) 102,074 44,687 4,332,240 3,954,116 444,018 424,823 868,841 4,822,957 (490,717) 5,873,337 $5,382,620
Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida builds girls of c ourag e , conf idence 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