Why Girl Scouts?

Who do you want the girl in your life to become? Whether she is in kindergarten or her senior year, you want her to become self-confident, strong, and compassionate. You want her to respect herself and others, make good decisions, to be open to new challenges, and use her skills and talents to make her world a better place. You want her to build strong friendships, be a leader, and put her values into practice in her everyday life.

You want her to develop courage, confidence & character!

Why are you involved in Girl Scouts?

Or why are you not?

FAQ About Girl Scouting

How How much does it cost to be in Girl Scouts?
All members pay $12 annual membership dues. The Girl Scout year runs from October 1 – September 30. Beyond the membership dues paid each year, the troop may set a dues amount to be collected weekly, monthly, or periodically to help cover the costs of activities, patches, and supplies for the troop. Each troop sets its own budget based on the goals of the girls in the troop. Girls choosing other Pathways may have additional program fees.

What is the $12 Registration fee/ Membership dues for?
The entire $12 membership fee is sent to Girl Scouts of the USA. GSUSA uses the membership fees to support program development and services on a national level. No part of the fee remains with Girl Scouts Heart of the South. A portion of the membership fee paid by every registered member is used to provide a basic accident protection plan.

Does my daughter have to join a troop?
No. While many girls do belong to a troop, many others belong to special-interest groups or are registered as individual girls (called “Juliettes”). Girl Scout Pathways is another way for girls to participate outside of the troop that offers many different ways All registered members may participate in Council- sponsored programs, activities and camps.

My daughter has never been a Girl Scout before. When is she too old?
A girl must be willing to abide by the Girl Scout Promise and Law, and be in kindergarten through her senior year in high school.

Does my daughter have to have a uniform?
Uniforms are NOT required for members to participate in Girl Scout activities, although registered members are entitled to wear them. Girl Scouts wear uniforms to show their pride in belonging to a movement whose mission is held in high regard by the American people. There is a wide choice of uniform components, so that some part of the uniform can be affordable for every girl. The uniform provides visibility and recognition for members, and helps all girls in a group to show they belong, regardless of individual socioeconomic status or family circumstances. It is suitable for all Girl Scout functions and should be wornfamily cicumstances. It is suitable for all Girl Scout functions ans should be worn appropriately. Uniforms are available for purchase from the Council Shops or on-line. Any uniform, past or present, is considered official.

When are permission forms needed?
You will be asked to provide written consent for any activities that are held at a different place and/or time than the regularly scheduled meeting. Permission forms will also be used when activities involve travel, unusual risks or sensitive/controversial issues. If you are not comfortable having her participate in a particular activity, ask questions, go along to assist, or choose not to have her participate.

Does my daughter have to participate in product sales?
Girl Scout Cookie Sales and the Fall Product Sale are neither a focus nor a requirement for being a Girl Scout. It is a group project that emphasizes goal setting, teamwork and financial management. Groups use the money earned to finance trips, equipment and special events.

How will I know what activities are available?
Most troops have periodic parent meetings and/or write their own newsletters to give updates on what is happening within the troop. You can also log on to the GSHS website, www.girlscoutshs.org, for the latest council information. The council also produces a bi-monthly newsletter called S’More News, sends out a weekly email blast titled Girl Scout Weekly Update and is present on Facebook, Twitter and hosts a blog all in attempts to keep you informed.

What type of awards will my daughter receive?
There are several Girl Scout awards available for girls based upon grade level, interest and involvement. The highest award in Girl Scouting is the Gold Award, which offers community prestige, a sense of accomplishment and opportunities for college scholarships.

Who do I call to answer questions? If your daughter participates in a Troop/Group, contact the leader. If the troop/group leader cannot answer your question, or if the question concerns the leader, contact your service unit manager or your area’s membership manager at your regional service center.

What are some other questions out there? What information would you like to share with newbies to Girl Scouts?

Alumnae Enjoy A Night Out

Over thirty Girl Scout alumna and friends attended the Girls Night Out at the Memphis Orpheum to enjoy their summer movie series featuring "Mama Mia - The Movie." Thank you to all of the alumnae who attended.

It was a special evening filled with Girl Scout stories, reconnecting with old friends and meeting fellow Girl Scout alumnae.

Friends since they were Brownies - 50 years ago, Ellen Tate, June Diggins, Lavelle Fitch & Sharlene Williams (pictured above with GSHS Interim CEO, Sharon Baade) used this night as their monthly get together to catch up with one another and support the organization that helped form their lifelong friendship.

Frances Manley and Dr. Alys Lipscomb (pictured right with Caroline Barnett) were also in attendance and the buzz was that they may be the oldest Girl Scouts in the area. We're checking dates, but either way, what an honor to have such rich history present.

Martha Epps, a long time troop leader, brought her daughter and namesake, Martha, along with April Mallory, Jasmine Hall and her mother, Sharon Hall. Many who have been involved in Girl Scouting in Memphis recognize the name Martha Epps, who is planning to organize a reunion next year for those Girl Scouts who she has led.

Interim CEO, Sharon Baade (pictured right) simply put it, "You are our past and you are our future." She went on to encourage the alumnae to share their time and talent, mentioning the 100th Anniversary as all the more reason to become involved in Girl Scouting.

The Heart of the South plans on expanding our Alumnae activities and opportunities, but we need your help. If you are interested in serving on an Alumnae Committee to further promote the alumnae, please contact Missy Rainer at missy.rainer@girlscoutshs.org / 800.727.8104.

Also in attendance was Greater Memphis CAB Chair and former GS of the Mid-South board chair, Claire Barnett and her sister, Caroline Barnett. West Tennessee CAB Chair, Sharon Younger. GSHS Board Member Lori Patton. Sarah Hairston attended with her mother, Laura Hairston. Ruth Williams came with Harriet Surprise, Peggy Youngblood and Ann Young Blood Scott. Jill Bintz, Mia Earl, Cheryl Williams, Marti Nichols, Tracie Burke, Keith Rainer, Chris Outlaw, Claudia Haltom, Lynn Gardner, Barbra Hendricks, Jayn Lando, Anita Lyons<>

Alums in attendance enjoyed delicious treats from Itta Bena in the Broadway Room. Special thanks to our generous sponsors: Roadside BMW, Gould's Day Spa and the Memphis Orpheum.

Tween Behaviors Can Challenge

Sometime between the ages of 9 and 13, your mostly sweet-tempered child – the one who broke into a wide grin the second you walked into the room – will look at you and roll her eyes in response to reminders about picking up clothes or have rude outbursts over the least little thing.

This leaves parents wondering, "what happened?"

What's happened is your child has entered the "tween" years, and all of this is perfectly normal, said Dr. Liza Wilson, professor of curriculum and instruction in The University of Alabama's College of Education.

The University of Alabama has a fantastic website, "Read Tween the Lines", where UA experts share their knowledge on transition to middle school, tween behaviors, tween economics, tween reading, tween relationships, and dropout prevention at the middle school level.

Topics include:

• Attitudes/Behaviors of Tweens


• Dropout Prevention


• Tweens Impact on Economy


• Young Adult Literature


• Teaching Tweens About Money Management


• Middle School Transition


• Making Friends

Copyright © 2009 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 (205) 348-6010

Welcome Interim CEO, Sharon Baade!

With former CEO, Tracy Crump's resignation official today, Girl Scouts Heart of the South is tickled to introduce interim CEO, Sharon Baade.

Sharon is an accomplished Girl Scout CEO with extensive background working with Girl Scout councils dating back to 1976! With this wealth of knowledge she has the proven ability to provide strategic vision, build teams for success, implement effective procedures and enhance outcome for girls.

She is currently employed by GSUSA as an Advocacy Consultant in the Public Policy and Advocacy Office.

She has a consistent record of building council unity and passion for the mission - the Heart of the South welcomes her to the family!

You Go Girl!

Quamesha Brown, a Girl Scout Ambassador from Parkway Village Troop 191 and an upcoming Overton High School senior, won the 9th Congressional District Art Contest for her pencil drawing, "Say What?"

Her drawing will travel to D.C. to be displayed in the United States Capitol in the underground Cannon Tunnel.

Read More about this amazing & talented Girl Scout HERE.

Compliments of The Commercial Appeal.

Warren Buffett Gives Advice to Girl Scouts® at Hometown Dairy Queen® Store

Valuable advice from financier Warren Buffett, during a visit to his local Dairy Queen® store for the launch of the Girl Scouts® Thin Mint Blizzard® Flavor Treat.
Surrounded by a group of Girl Scouts in his hometown of Omaha, Neb., Buffett offered this tip for college students:

“The biggest suggestion I have is to avoid credit cards. Interest rates are very high on credit cards. Sometimes they are 18 percent. Sometimes they are 20 percent. If I borrowed money at 18 or 20 percent, I’d be broke… So if I had one piece of advice for young people generally it would be to just avoid credit cards.”

And what advice does Buffett have for a new investor?

“I would do a lot of reading before I invested. In other words I would prepare for it. I wouldn’t jump in the water until I know how to swim… I read every book the Omaha Public Library had about investing by the time I was 11."

On qualities Buffett looks for in employees?
“The biggest thing I look for is if they have a passion for whatever they are going to do.”

Warren Buffett Gives Advice to Girl Scouts® at Hometown Dairy Queen® Store

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