Jackie Alexander named CEO of
Girl Scouts Louisiana East

(March 25, 2008) — Chief Executive Officer Jackie Alexander of the Girl Scout Council of Southeast Louisiana has been selected as the CEO for the soon-to-be realigned council, Girl Scouts Louisiana East. Click here to read the press release.

The newly realigned council, Girl Scouts Louisiana East will be completed by April 1, 2008. A new Board of Directors & Convention Delegate slate will also go into effect. Click here to view the list.

Here's the latest from the Council Realignment Committee's last meeting Thursday, February 7, 2008.

• The temporary corporate office for Girl Scouts Louisiana East is 841 S. Clearview Parkway, New Orleans, LA 70121. The temporary satellite office is 545 Colonial Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.

• All existing council services will continue without interruption.

• Interested volunteers who would like to be a part of the Planning Committee for the joint celebration are asked to contact the Committee co-chairs, Jackie Daniels at JacSDan@aol.com and Perry Sholes at perrysholes@aol.com. You may also contact Anne Trappey at atrappey@forteandtablada.com.

 

Council Realignment Committee 10/29 and 11/26 Meeting Notes

GSUSA has approved a name for the new council. The Communications Subcommittee for the CRC is drafting an announcement to be distributed to all constituencies shortly.

The CEO Search Subcommittee has signed a contract with Evergreen, GSUSA's preferred executive search firm, to conduct a national search for the new council's chief executive officer. The CRC hopes to have the new CEO in place by mid-February.

The Transitional Nominating Subcommittee has developed a board member profile and is accepting nominations for positions on the new board. To nominate someone for a board position, please go to http://www.girlscoutssela.org/news/realignmentnews.asp, and click on board referral form to print and complete. Mail to: Girl Scouts, Attn: Transition Nominating Committee Chair, P.O. Box 10800, New Orleans, LA 70181-0800.

 

Press Release June 2007

Audubon, Southeast Louisiana Girl Scout Councils Begin Realignment Process

 Council Realignment Committee formed

            The realignment of Audubon Council and the Girl Scout Council of Southeast Louisiana announced last September, has officially begun. The Council Realignment Committee (CRC), held its first meeting on May 17 in Gramercy.  The CRC is the leadership body for all realignment functions. The primary charge of this committee is to oversee the sub-committees' plan of work and to produce the proposed New Council infrastructure and the transition and integration plan for realigning councils.
            Until a name is selected for the new council, the CRC has adopted GSUSA’s temporary name for the realigning councils – “Louisiana East.” 
            “Realignment is about creating more opportunities and resources for our girls, volunteers and staff, not about cost savings like for profit mergers,” said Donna Tate, Audubon CEO and CRC committee co-chair.  “Aligning Audubon and Southeast into a single council will present many synergies and efficiencies which will naturally translate into bigger and better leadership experiences for the girls.”
            “While we seek to bring the councils together, the CRC is committed to honoring and respecting the culture of each council,” said Margie Loud Zeno, Southeast Louisiana board chair and CRC committee co-chair.  “Our charge is to blend the best practices and cultures of the two councils without losing the distinctiveness of either one.”   
            As one committee member put it, much like making a gumbo, the realignment will bring a variety of ingredients, all wonderful on their own, into a new creation that is equally as good or better.  “In essence, corporate structures will be changing but the heart of who we are and what we do will be maintained and strengthened through this process,” said Tate. 
            Margie Loud Zeno and Donna Tate have been selected as co-chairs for the Council Realignment Committee. Other members of the CRC include Ann Forte Trappey, Jackie Alexander, Roy Austin, Pat Witty, Kenneth Carter, Greg Smith, Jackie Daniels, Lynn Robertson, Paula Sclumbrecht, and Perry Sholes. 

 

The CRC Committee meets on a monthly basis and the following items have been determined:

May 17, 2007

• The work of the CRC and its subcommittees will be completed by March 31, 2008.  The first day of the new council will be April 1, 2008.  Transition and integration of the councils will continue under the leadership of the new council’s CEO.

• A national search will be conducted for a Chief Executive Officer for the new council.  The CEO Search Subcommittee will engage J.W. Thompson, an executive search firm recommended by GSUSA.  The fees for the search firm are paid by GSUSA, not the councils.

• Each council will hold its own Cookie Sale in 2008.  Plans to consolidate sales will be completed by the new council for the 2009 sale.

June 6, 2007

• Using input from the two Council's Annual Meetings, the CRC began the visioning process for the new Council and will Publish the vision upon its approval.

• The CRC Guiding Princilpes will be published (see below).

• Council properties will be inventoried and evaluated but no properties will be changed by the CRC .

 

Guiding Principles (Draft Presented June 6, 2007)

As members of the CRC for Louisiana East, we will:

1. Focus on the GIRLS and not individuals while maintaining a commitment to the principles and v alues of Girl Scouting.

2. Ensure that trust is developed among each other and in the process by:

1. Engaging in open, honest discussion,
2. Creating a climate where members have the courage to speak out and be heard,
3. Checking each other’s behavior and providing constructive feedback,
4. Listening actively; and,
5. Being respectful and honoring each other’s cultures.

3. Be prepared for every meeting by:

1. Reviewing information and data beforehand,
2. Starting meetings on time; and,
3. Sticking to established timelines.

4. Utilize the resources within the group to carry tasks and goals forward.

5. Identify and incorporate best practices for the blueprint of the new council.

6. Ensure that a unified, consistent line of communication with membership is maintained.

7. Make every positive attempt to come to consensus and to speak with one voice.

 

Vision Statement (Adopted July 30, 2007)

The Girl Scout Council of Louisiana East* is the pre-eminent organization for girls committed to fostering values where girls grow up to be confident, courageous and strong.

In partnership with our dedicated and supportive volunteers, families and communities, our efforts are focused on accessing and infusing resources into our systems, processes and structures thereby expanding and enriching the capacity of the council to deliver contemporary, innovative and inclusive Girl Scout program.

We are committed to diversity and being advocates for girls.

The Girl Scout Promise and Law guide all our actions and intentions.

*Name used in the vision statement will be revised once a name for the new council is approved by GSUSA.