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Common Girl Scout Realignment Questions and
Answers!
The date has been set! We will
officially begin our realignment in April 2007!
Q:
What will happen beginning April 2007?
A: Once local Boards of Directors approve the proposed changes in
jurisdiction, a Council Realignment Committee (CRC) will be appointed. This
committee will include all CEO's and board presidents from the merging councils
as well as perhaps other community representatives. The committee - working with
many active subcommittees - will establish the council structure and policies,
define the delivery systems, integrate program and camping opportunities, and
integrate databases. The committee may also establish the staff structure,
hiring plans, and personnel policies. They may select the cookie company and
other vendors. Decisions about the search for the new CEO will be made by
members of the CRC. In some cases, the newly elected board of the corporation
will be given the authority to make some of these decisions on behalf of the new
council.
Q:
Where does the work of the CRC end and the work of the new council begin?
A: This process can be compared to the building of a new house. It
is the job of the CRC to design the house, put in the foundation, and do the
framing work. It is the job of the newly formed council to select all interior
elements and do all the finish work.
Q:
What will happen to our Program Center? Where will the headquarters be?
A: The job of selecting the headquarters location is the
responsibility of either the CRC or the newly elected Board of Directors. In
either case, the selection of the office headquarters needs to be based on the
agreed-upon vision for the new council. Successful operating structures will
require multiple satellite office locations and creative service delivery
models.
Q:
What will be happen to our camp property and programs?
A: Decisions about camp properties and other assets will be made
later in the realignment process.
Q:
What will be happening between now and April 2007?
A: The CEOs have been meeting monthly to begin sharing operational
information and looking at challenges involved with the realignment. They've
been visiting each of the councils, touring program centers and camps. Other
council staff are meeting with their peers in all of the merging councils to get
to know each other and compare systems and processes. In these interim months
staff from all merging councils are planning joint programs and other activities
to build both council connections and enthusiasm for the future.
Q:
What can volunteers do between now and then?
A: The best thing volunteers can do while we are "waiting to
realign" is focus on expanding membership within all existing
jurisdictions. This will create additional strength for the merger work that
lies ahead. For most of our volunteers and girls it will be business as usual.
Our transformation should not interrupt the Girl Scout experience but should
strengthen our capacity to serve girls better.
Q: Are
our resources going to be strained to shore up any weak councils with which we
will be joined?
A: All of the councils involved in our realignment are strong. All
are serving girls above the national market share average. All have done well on
their most recent Council Performance Assessments. Many are bringing beautiful
camp properties and other assets to our new council.
If you have any more questions or
concerns about the council realignment, please call 800-236-4475 or
920-469-4860. Or email gslbc@lacbaiegirlscouts.org.
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