Glen Carbon, Illinois – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) held its 4th Annual Meeting on March 23 at the Hilton Garden Inn in O’Fallon.  During the meeting, approximately 300 Girl Scout members (adults and girls) from throughout southern Illinois elected Board of Director members and received a "State of the Council" report from Dixie Travelstead, GSSI Board of Director Chair, and Villie M. Appoo, GSSI Chief Executive Officer.

In addition, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois recognized top Girl Scout volunteers which are the heart of Girl Scouting.    GSSI’s 4,800 Girl Scout volunteers play an instrumental role in providing leadership programming and opportunities for more than 14,000 girls in southern Illinois.

Get The Latest News!

Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.

The theme for this year’s GSSI 4th Annual Meeting was ToGetHerThere which is part of a national Girl Scout campaign launched in 2012 to rally communities, states and the nation around a single cause – to remove barriers that inhibit girls from reaching their full potential, and, in a single generation, enable these girls, as women, to become full partners in leadership positions in every sector of our communities. 

"Girl Scouting in southern Illinois would not be what it is today without the dedication, passion and leadership of all of our volunteers," said Appoo.  "We are honored to present these awards to our exceptional volunteers as they are the driving force behind carrying out GSSI’s mission of building leaders for America.  Working together we are helping ToGetHerThere and make the world a better place for everyone," Appoo added. 

Article continues after sponsor message

NOTE: Please see attached pdf of newly installed 2013 Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Board of Director members and Board Development Committee members.  Photos of each new Board of Director member and Board Development Committee member is available upon request.  Please e-mail Jay Strobel at jstrobel@gsofsi.org to receive a photo.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a high-capacity Girl Scout council serving approximately 14,000 girls and 4,800 adult volunteers in 40 ½ counties in southern Illinois.   The mission of Girl Scouting statesGirl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.   Girl Scouts is the world's pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls - all girls - where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.  In partnership with committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives - like strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

Today’s Girl Scouts not only enjoy camping and crafts, but they also explore math and science and learn about diversity, good citizenship, leadership and teamwork.  Girl Scouting is the place where girls experience the fun, friendship and power of girls together.  Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912. 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit organization supported by various United Ways throughout the region.  Girl Scouts is a Proud Partner of United Way.

For more information, please call Jay Strobel at 618.692.0692 or Tricia Higgins at 618.242.5079.

More like this:

Feb 26, 2024 - Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Say Two More Weeks to Get Your Cookies and Help Girls

Feb 13, 2024 - It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time: National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend is February 16-18

Mar 13, 2024 - Duckworth, Collins, Shaheen Introduce Bipartisan Resolution To Honor Girl Scouts Of America

Jan 16, 2024 - Girl Scouts Of Southern Illinois Kick Off Cookie Season On Jan. 20, 2024

Nov 20, 2023 - Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Recognizes Fall Product Top Sellers