Address to the GSNEO Board of Directors - Sept 14, 2011
During a meeting with a small group of camp-in proteters, Dr. Alford Smith extended an invitation for two representatives to present their concerns to the board "in a positive way". The group chose Corey Ann Ringle and Lynn Richardson to represent them. This what they said:
Moving Forward
As Girl Scouts, we are all about moving forward.
And, as Girl Scouts, we know that if we move forward in the dark - and in a hurry - we can fall over the edge of a cliff
To keep that from happening, if some in the group are starting to feel like we're moving forward on the wrong path,
We stop, get our bearings, take another look at the map. If it turns out that we're going the wrong way, we need to re-trace our steps until we get to the right path.
We have already written to you - a lot - about the problems with the plan as presented in April.
So we're not here to re-hash that. Dr. Alford - Smith invited us here to share some positive recommendations.
The single most important recommendation is this:
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Moving Forward
As Girl Scouts, we are all about moving forward.
And, as Girl Scouts, we know that if we move forward in the dark - and in a hurry - we can fall over the edge of a cliff
To keep that from happening, if some in the group are starting to feel like we're moving forward on the wrong path,
We stop, get our bearings, take another look at the map. If it turns out that we're going the wrong way, we need to re-trace our steps until we get to the right path.
We have already written to you - a lot - about the problems with the plan as presented in April.
So we're not here to re-hash that. Dr. Alford - Smith invited us here to share some positive recommendations.
The single most important recommendation is this:
- We need a fresh start.
- We need to deploy our assets instead of treating them as liabilities
- Now that we have a good, centralized, on-line registration system, we can develop a clearer picture of our council's needs. We need to track usage patterns and note what inspires a waiting list.
- Open all of the camps. Tear down unsalvageable structures. Bite the bullet & make the necessary repairs. Invest in promoting the camp programs. Experiment with small pilot programs before investing in large scale commitments. We agree with Glen Chin's recommendation that "each camp develop its own niche". .
- If a re-evaluation time period is limited, donor investment of time and money is likely to be correspondingly limited. The best case scenario is to move forward as if we are committed to keeping and fully utilizing all of our properties. - with the understanding that camps with a consistent, prolonged pattern of under-utilization would have to be cut. Not only will will we see people donating money toward camp maintenance, you'd see the supporters of the different camps working their tails off to provide volunteer programming
- That last is not just theoretical -- it's basically what happened at Crowell Hilaka after its first reprieve: free programming brought troops and families out and sparked more interest in weekend rentals. Grants increased site usage during the winter. Historic research got the Richfield community interested in supporting the camp. Traditional and non-traditional program elements blended in Sunday Funday geocaching adventures, insect population studies, and aerospace science experiments. The GSNEO "Fairies in the Forest" program used fantasy & imagination to open the door to architecture & engineering.
- IN the larger picture - this is about more than just the camp properties:
- the best recruitment "tool" for volunteers is not a new building, or a or a new program, or even a brilliant marketing campaign. The best recruitment tool is an enthusiastic volunteer.
- Our camps inspire the kind of enthusiasm that gets people involved.
- The Vision 2012 process was about keeping emotion out of the property decision, but it's important to acknowledge that individual emotion drives many individual decisions. As a council, it would be wise to tap into that emotion as a motivational force, and channel it.
- We are asking you to consider the meaning that these properties hold for us.
- Consider the impact that their full & vibrant usage would have on the entire GSNEO program, vs the impact of multiple closures or impending closures. .
- We are asking you to take the time that is needed for this for this choice, Take the time to listen to the membership, to make sure that your facts are complete, accurate, and honest.
- We are asking you to rescind the March decision
- and commit to a full, honest, accurate, transparent evaluation of GSNEO programs & properties.
- And we will find our right path to move forward.
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