the women who went before us.  Those incredibly courageous women that turned

a vision of building/growing girls into reality.  The GSUSA CEO, Kathy Cloninger,

sent this message out this morning and I want to share it with you.

“Join me in taking a moment
today to remember the remarkable woman who founded our Movement. Juliette
Gordon Low was born on October 31, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia. Daisy Low’s
vision, to see girls blossom into productive and responsible women, led her at
age 51 to form the Girl Scouts.

What began on March 12, 1912,
as a small gathering of 18 girls has flourished into an international movement
with 3.2-million girl and adult members. On this her 151st birthday, we take
pride in Daisy Low’s gift to the nation of  a vibrant, dynamic and growing
Movement through which girls and young women find their voice and their
leadership. We have accomplished so much together and are ready to embark on
our Movement’s next century living Daisy Low’s inspiring vision. ”

What are your best memories of girl scouting??

Take a moment and share them.

Thank you for all that you do, for making a difference in the lives of our girls!!

Warmly,

Lora

“Where were you when the world stopped turning, on that September day?”  

These lyrics from Alan Jackson never fail to take me back to that beautiful

blue skied morning,  September 11^th, 2001.

I was stationed in Washington, DC, a LTC, in the United States Army,

working for the Chief, of the Army Reserve, whose office was in the Pentagon.

That morning, I was on the 15^th floor of an office building in Crystal City, VA

about 3 blocks away from the Pentagon.

I remember being called over to our bank of TV’s  to watch what was going on in New York City.

A plane had hit the World Trade Center North Tower, it was about 8:55 a.m. at that time,

no one really  knew the facts, my initial thoughts were…how in the world

could someone accidentally hit such a large building?

As we continued to watch this live broadcast, at 9:03 a.m. a large jet,

United Airlines 175 hit the World Trade Center South Tower.

At that moment in time, every person standing in that room with me,

knew we were under some kind of an attack.

I remember so vividly, as many of you do, the shock and the horror

of watching those towers burn.

Several of us had morning meetings at the Pentagon, a stone throw away,

and we needed to get going, it would be a short, quick walk…

as we approached the parking lot, we heard the blast, and we saw

the fire and the smoke.  The Pentagon had been hit by flight 77, it was 9:37 a.m.

Several of my fellow officers had children in the Pentagon Day Care

and we could not tell from  the parking lot, which side was hit,

as we ran towards the building, we saw that the plane had

struck on the opposite side of the Day Care, that in and of itself was

a blessing on such a horrific day.

The rest of the morning was a blur, as roads shut down,

helicopters landed to transport the most seriously wounded

to local hospitals, we tried to give blood, I was unable to

call my family and friends to let them know  I was safe,

due to overloaded telephone circuits, I knew they would be worried,

knowing I spent most of my time in the building.

I remember watching the Pentagon collapse in on itself

as it was engulfed in flames and I remember due to all the roads

being shut down, the slow, lonely walk home.

What I remember most vividly about this day is not the evil,

not the horror… I remember the COURAGE.

The courage of individuals to step forward, to save lives,

to do what had to be done. I remember the courage of a nation

that unlike any other recent time came together  for the common good,

to solve problems, to mourn our dead, and to go to war against

those that would do us harm.

There are moments in our lives that live forever in our hearts

and our minds; moments that touch us so deeply that it

actually defines the next generation.

September 11^th, 2001, was such a day.

I ask you to remember that we are still a Nation at war,

remember our men and women as they continue to selflessly serve this country.

Today, September 11^th, 2011, as we remember and move forward

during historically difficult times, I would like to leave you with

these words from Franklin D. Roosevelt…

“Today we are faced with the pre-eminent fact that if civilization

is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships,

the ability of people’s of all kinds to live together and to work

together in the same world at peace.”

There is no time in our history, where building girls of courage,

confidence and character, who make the world a better place is more important!!

They are our future, they will carry the leadership torch and be the change

our world needs.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our girls!!

Warmly,

Lora

We need your help to encourage your Members of Congress to
sponsor H.R. 2513/S.1354 today!

Kids are surrounded by media. From television to movies to
social media and new technologies, kids are consuming up to 10 hours of
recreational media each day. Unfortunately, media doesn’t always promote
healthy images of girls. Girl Scouts’ research tells us that girls are very
influenced by what they see in the media, and that it can have a significant
impact on their self-esteem, body image, and leadership aspirations.

To address this issue, Girl Scouts has worked with Congresswoman
Tammy Baldwin (WI) and Senator Kay Hagan (NC) on the Healthy Media for Youth
Act (H.R. 2513/S 1354). This legislation would:

·         Provide
competitive grants for organizations like Girl Scouts, that provide media
literacy programming and leadership development that helps empower girls.

·         Support
research to help us better understand the impact of media on youth
development.

·         Create a
federal task force to develop voluntary recommendations that help the media
industry put forward healthy images of women and girls.

Take action today and send a message to your U.S. Representative and
Senator asking them to cosponsor this important bill that impacts all
girls.  …

The Girl Scouts Public Policy and Advocacy is excited to
announce that Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL) will soon be reintroducing the Families
Beyond Bars Act (FBB).  This bill, which is modeled closely after
the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars (GSBB) program, provides grants within the
Department of Justice to carry out child-parent visitation programs for
children with incarcerated parents.

If enacted, the Families Beyond Bars Act would support
organizations like Girl Scouts, who provide important programming for crime’s
unseen victims.  This bill could allow us to expand upon the success of
GSBB and replicate it nationwide.  Passing this bill will not only help
GSUSA to better fund and serve existing GSBB troops, but also allow us to
create and support these invaluable programs in councils across the country.

If you have any further questions about the Families
Beyond Bars Act, please contact the Public Policy and Advocacy Office at
(202) 659-3780 or advocacy@girlscouts.org.

Thank you Team for making a difference in the lives of our girls!!!!

Warmly,

Lora

 
]]> http://gskentuckiana.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/advocacy-challenge/feed/ 0 ceokyanags http://gskentuckiana.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/words-of-wisdom/ http://gskentuckiana.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/words-of-wisdom/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:06:23 +0000 ceokyanags http://gskentuckiana.wordpress.com/?p=614 ]]> Team,  as we head into our second year together (I can’t believe I have been here for one year!!) I wanted to share what I believe are words of wisdom from

Maya Angelou, she said…

‘I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.’

‘I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles

these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.’

‘I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.’

‘I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life.’

‘I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.’

‘I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back…’

‘I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.’

‘I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.’

‘I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.

People love a warm hug or just a friendly pat on the back…’

‘I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.’

‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’

Team, thank you so very much for you hard work and dedication…for making a difference in the lives of our girls!!

Warmly,

Lora

this:

‘I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life
does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.’

‘I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles
these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.’

‘I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.’

‘I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a
life.’

‘I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.’

‘I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on
both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back…’

‘I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I
usually make the right decision.’

‘I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.’

‘I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love a warm hug or just a friendly pat on the back…’

‘I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.’

‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what
you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’

It has been personally tough the past few months losing both my Mother and my maternal Grandmother.

The matriarchs of my family truly were ” the wind beneath our wings,”  playing an enormous role in guiding, supporting, always there, always caring, always loving, in their gentle ways.

Your cards and notes touch my heart, and I very much wanted to say “Thank you!!” 

Where? Where has it gone, that light, that spark, that

love that looked into mine?  What has it to do with that

cold clay?  It’s here, here in my heart. She’s in me,

around me.  Nothing in that clay.  – Anzia Yezierska

Warmly,

Lora

http://www.girlscouts.org/convention/whats_happening/default.asp

This will be the event of a lifetime!! Come and join us!! Sign up with Jennifer now!!  Let’s Rock Houston Kentuckiana Style!!

Warmly,

Lora

Between November 10–13—the 2011 National Council Session/52nd convention will unfold in Houston, Texas, affirming the unity of the Girl Scout movement and launching Girl Scouts into its next century of existence. Save the date!

Many plans are in the works for the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Girl Scouts by Juliette Low on March 12, 1912. The kick off will be a “Bridge to the Second Century” event on November 13, 2011 at the Girl Scout National Convention in Houston and sites around the country.

We need 45 people to secure a bus!!  If you want to join Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana on a road trip to Houston, you must sign up by 15 May!!

Don’t miss this great opportunity to be a part of Girl Scout herstory!!

Contact Jennifer Court, at the council.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our girls!!

Warmly,

Lora

when you look into your heart.

Who looks outside, dreams.  Who

looks inside, awakens.   - Carl Jung

One Mission, One Council, One Voice…together we will fulfill this promise to our girls across Kentuckiana…

We will make a difference in your life!

Every girl in this generation will reach her fullest potential.

Wherever she lives within our Council. Whatever challenges face

her. However great the journey to what she can become…

We will make a difference in your life!!

Team, what an incredible first Annual Meeting Experience! I learned so very much and enjoyed every single minute spent with you.

You are my SHERO’s!! We have much, much, work to do, and there is no doubt that together we will accomplish great things for our girls.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our girls!!

Warmly,

Lora

Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana wishes our Volunteer Leaders, a fabulous National Volunteer Week.

You are the leaders behind the leaders and we recognize and appreciate the work that you do every single day.

You are the key to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience as you mentor and coach our girls as they Discover, Connect and Take Action.

Thank you so very much for making a difference in the lives or our girls!!

Warmly,

Lora