Fall 2012 - In This Issue:GSWNY Breaks the Mold With Gold Award Winners ..............p. 2

Girl Scouts Go To Washington ...............................................................p. 3

Rochester Service Center Relocates ..............................................p. 4

Did you know that only3.2% of CEOs of publiclytraded companies are female? And that in thepast 30 years, there’s beenonly 1% increase in thenumber of women serving

in Congress? Or that out of 18,000 policechiefs nationwide, only 300 are women?

It has been said that the status of women insociety is a direct measure of that society’ssuccess. So what does it say about our society if so many girls don’t think they havewhat it takes to be a leader? Let’s start withhow we define a leader. Merriam WebsterDictionary defines a leader as a person wholeads. This sounds simple enough, however,according to Girl Scout Research Institute(GRSI), we discovered that historically girlsdefine being a leader differently. They describe “boy” leadership, as authority, control, and ego. As a result, girls have shiedaway from wanting to be classified as a leader.

At Girl Scouts, we want to change all that.We want girls to understand that they cando anything! We are committed to make a difference. At GSWNY, we have over 9000volunteers who stay dedicated to this organization because they know the importance of making a difference in thelives of girls. They dedicate their time, talent,and treasures because they embrace ourmission to build girls of courage, confidence,and character who make the world a better place by strengthening a girl’s sense of “self”and boosting her capacity to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

On behalf of staff and the Board of Directors,thank you volunteers for everything you do

Get Her Ready,Get Her There

Cindy L. Odom

Continued on page 4

Connecting Leaders of Today WithLeaders of Tomorrow

At this year’s Women’s of Distinction, held onSeptember 20th at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens,nine women were recognized for theirstrength of character, commitment to com-munity service, and dedication to mentoringgirls and young women. Each recipient’s accomplishments make her an exceptionalrole model who inspires our girls — and future leaders — to reach their full potential.

Honorees were: Business: Laura A. Zaepfel,Vice President, Corporate Relations, UnilandDevelopment Company; Entrepreneur:Nancy Ware, President and CEO, EduKids Early Childhood Centers; Education: ElaineSpaull, Ph.D., JD, Executive Director, Center for Youth; Healthcare: Dr. Melissa A. Neal,Ophthalmologist, Owner, Twenty 20 Eye Careand Aesthetics; Sports and Fitness: CindyMiller, LPGA Teaching and Club ProfessionalDivision Member, Founder and CEO, CindyMiller Golf; Arts and Humanities: Jill Wisz,Owner, Art Director, Otherwisz Creative Corporation; STEM (Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Math): Diane Trentini, Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Optimation Technology, Inc.; Public Service:Julia Hall, Esq., Expert on Counter-Terrorismand Human Rights, Amnesty International;Girl Scout Volunteer: Kristie Payne, Town of Tonawanda Service Unit Manager andTroop Leader.

Internationally acclaimed author, speaker,and consultant, Sally Helgesen, served as thekeynote speaker. Helgesen is ranked number15 in a survey of the world’s most influentialleadership experts and has been cited as one of the top 35 authorities in the field byLeadership Excellence Magazine.

CEO, Cindy Odom with keynote speaker,

Internationally acclaimed author,

speaker, and consultant, Sally Helgesen.

Girl Scouts from across Western New York served as event emcees, award

presenters and ambassadors. Here they are with co-chairs and honorees

and GSWNY leadership.

Nationally, only 5.4% of all age-eligible Girl Scouts— those between 14 and 18 years old — receivethe Gold Award, the highest recognition in GirlScouting. Locally, as of this year, that figure hasnearly tripled to 15%. And on June 6, Girl Scouts

of WNY, along with more than 300 communitymembers, honored this year’s 67 deserving GoldAward winners at a special council-wide ceremonyand luncheon held at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens inDepew, NY. Here’s a look at our winners!

GSWNY Breaks the Mold With Gold Award Winners

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Khadijah Bagais Kristin Bates Olivia Bielawski Jessica Biniszkiewicz Emily Brenner Erika Buonemani

Erika Buonemani Jackie Sosnowski

Esperanza Jett Chestnut

Camaria Long

Sara Hettel

Laura Sankey

Jessica Mulroy

Lizzy Tatford

Chelsea Coates Kimberly Cole Gwyneth Daunton Arianne Davidow Lauren Devantier

Cassandra Fee Christina Fee Hanna Field Kelly Field Devin Filighera Abby Fornes Julietta Gervase Madeline Havern

Melissa Holko Emily Jacobs Janelle Johnson Hannah Jonasse Katelyn Kaiser Courtney Karpie Christa Lawniczak Anna Linde

June Longbine Emily Ludwig Brittany Makowski Molly McGrath Sarah McKinley Carrieann McNeil Amber Michaels Alicia Mizes

Shauna Murphy Lauren O'Brien Laura Padget Gina Pawlowski Maryrose Ricotta Kathryn Rogemoser Laurie Sandretto Heather Sanger

Grace Santandreu Wendie Scherer Ashley Sciandra Rachel Smail Alexis Smith Olivia Rose Smith Jacqueline Sosnowski Charlene Takacs

Alexandra Tillman Jennifer Wachala Elizabeth Wacienga Rachel Warren Carley Wenderlich Hanna Woltz Sarah Zakrzewski Holly ZuchGold AwardRecipients

Congratulations!

Support Cookies on a Mission...and Our TroopsThe 2012 Girl Scout Cookieprogram is underway. LocalGirl Scouts will put their salesand marketing skills into action and each cookie has amission, to help girls do greatthings. Cookies on a Mission is a partnership betweenGSWNY and the Niagara FallsAir Force Base to provide Girl Scout cookies to men and women of the ArmedForces overseas and here in Western New York.

The Dates: Oct. 6 - Dec. 8The Cost: $3.50/box of cookies2 Ways to Participate: 1) Make a purchase during the

Door-to-Door Virtual CookieSale, from Oct. 6 - 27.

2) Make a purchase during the Direct Cookie Sale, from Nov. 12 - Dec. 8.

Learn More:Find your cookies at girlscoutcookies.org or down-load the Cookie Finder app.

Go Behindthe GreenBehind every Girl Scout is a

dedicated organization full of volunteers who strive to help each girl discover her strengths,connect with others and takeaction within her community.Go Behind the Green to learnmore about the story of GirlScouting and how it has empowered girls, and shareyour own unique perspective.

Next Behind the GreenMeeting: October 16, 2012

Behind the Green meetings areheld from 5:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. atGSWNY Corporate Headquarters:3332 Walden Avenue, Suite 106,Depew, NY 14043.

Learn More:Contact Diane Giuliano atdiane.giuliano@gswny.org or 716-935-6030.

NEW! Mango Cremeswith NutriFusion™ Girl Scout Cookie

The “Anything But” Lazy Days of SummerWhoever coined the phrase “lazy days of summer” clearlywasn’t a Girl Scout! From the historic Rock the Mall event,where over 250,000 Girl Scouts, friends and family gath-ered at the National Mall in Washington, DC for a 100thanniversary Sing-a-Long, to our annual camps, Girl Scoutsof WNY had a busy — and memorable — summer.

Girl Scouts and Girl Guides over the

Rainbow Bridge in celebration of sisterhood.

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On Saturday, June 23, the Girl Scouts of WNY celebrated 100 years of GirlScouting and “rocked out” at one of the world’s greatest wonders!

Nearly 3,000 Girl Scouts from NorthAmerica — including Canadian GirlGuides —descended upon Niagara Falls, NY, for this inaugural and unprecedented Sing-a-Long of traditional and historical Girl Scoutsongs. The event took place on Goat Island overlooking the NiagaraRiver and visitors from all over the U.S.and Canada were there.

The opening act was the beloved “Silly Song Lady,” Betty Earhardt with her rendition of Boom Chicka Boom. Afterward, Caitlyn Koch, contestant from XFactor and American Idol, tookthe stage with the Jamie Moses Band.Other acts included Buffalo’s award-winning Ladies First Jazz bandwith the Girl Scout Jazz Combo, plus the famous Girl Scouts of Nassau County Chorus.

On Sunday, 100 Girl Scouts and GirlGuides spanned the Rainbow Bridge as a symbol of bridging of the interna-tional friendship and sisterhood that has been shared for over 100 years.

Thank you to all our supporters and volunteers who helped make the event a huge success!

Rock the Falls: A Rockin’ Good Time!

Every girl has the ability to lead. But only one girl in five be-lieves she can. You can change that by becoming a volunteer.Volunteering opportunities with Girl Scouts are tailored to fityour calendar, your skills, and your interests. Your support willgive girls and young women the tools to lead, to find, insidethe uncertain girl, the citizen to make a difference in herworld and ours. Explore what being a volunteer could meanfor you. We know what it means for girls. Contact: ChristineAdsit Adult Development Manager, Toll Free: 1.888.837.6410x6086 or email Christine.Adsit@gswny.org

Are you ready tochange the world?

Girl Scouts Go to Washington

In the wake of the 100th Year Anniversary, Girl Scouts of Western New York are making it “The Year of the Girl,” going right to the top.

After being touched by letters sent by Fairport Girl Scout Troop 60325, First LadyMichelle Obama reached out to the JuniorLevel Troop (grades 4 - 5) and invitedthem, along with other school children, to the fourth White House Kitchen GardenPlanting this spring.

The First Lady and the girls planted rows ofpotatoes, including five new varieties.

Mrs. Obama rested seeds for dill andcilantro into the palms of their hands, directing them to sprinkle the seeds gently over a patch of dirt next to thesprouting garlic.

After the White House visit, the troop appeared alongside the First Lady onABC’s The View television show in May. The hour-long episode focused on theFirst Lady’s new book, American Grown:The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America.

NCCF Supportsthe Girl Scouts of WNY!

Dates to RememberBehind the Green Meetings:October 16, November 7, November13, December 5, December 18

Service Centers and Shops will be CLOSED:October 18, 2012 and December 25, 2012 - January 1, 2013

Buffalo Service Center, Headquarters3332 Walden AvenueSuite 106Depew, NY 14043

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NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBUFFALO, NY

PERMIT NO. 4586

to make the Girl Scouts the pre-eminentgirl organization. We look forward to another exciting program year of buildingleaders today for tomorrow.

Warmest Regards, Cindy L. Odom, CEO

Rochester Service Center RelocatesThe Rochester Service Center has moved! You can now find us at the Al Sigl Community of Agencies on Elmwood Avenue in Rochester.

The Al Sigl Community of Agencies is a collaborative network that provides high-quality, cost-effective real estate and businessservices to a growing array of non-profit organizations that serve children and adults.

Thanks to the relocation, the Rochester Service Center is now more centrally located and offers a number of new amenities and program opportunities for our girls. There’s also plenty of parking forour volunteers and families.

Here’s our new address:Rochester Service Center1000 Elmwood AvenueSuite 200Rochester, NY 14620

Please join us for an open house as we celebrate the grand opening of thenew Rochester Service Center.

When: Tuesday, October 16Where: 1000 Elmwood Avenue

Suite 200, Door 9

Time: 4:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Denise Beeles-Johnson, GSWNY Membership

Manager; and Diane Hannum, Northern

Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF)

Executive Director.

Get Her Ready,Get Her There (Continued from page 1)

Membership in Girl Scouting isn’t just for girls! Moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents,and older siblings can join, too. As long asyou support girls’ reaching their full potential, you can be a member. Andwhen you join, you help today's girls transform their dreams into reality. Moregirls will find a place among their GirlScout sisters, where their unique skills andinterests are championed, and wherethey’ll be supported in their dreams, bigand small. Your membership makes a difference. Support Girl Scouts by joiningtoday. To register visit gswny.org and clickjoin or call 1.888.837.6410.