2012 Annual Meeting & Service Team Conference
The Annual Meeting and Service Team Conference for the Girl Scouts - Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas was held in Little Rock on July 21, 2012. Girl Scouts from all over the council's jurisdiction began arriving on Friday evening and were treated to a fun and relaxing evening that included a preview of the new Membership and Program years courtesy of Anna Beth White, VP of Membership Services, and Debbie Franks, VP of Program.
Saturday's festivities kicked off with an opening flag ceremony, presented by members of the Saline County Service Unit. Volunteers and girls then spent the morning in training sessions, program activities, or attending the Annual Meeting.
Barbara Bethell, Chair of the Board of Directors, led the Annual Meeting and spoke to a crowd of girls and volunteers on the importance of being involved in the Governance function of the council. Members of the Membership Governance Assembly heard reports
on governance, management, finance and properties. Debbie Jones presented the report of the Properties Development Committee and fielded questions concerning their processes and findings. Key points of the Properties report include the relocation of the Jonesboro Service Center and the Fayetteville Service Center over the next three years. Resident Camp will be held in two locations - Camp Cahinnio on the West side and Camp Crossed Arrows on the East side of the council. The Properties Development Committee will also oversee the facilitation of a comprehensive study of all council properties over the next eighteen months to two years.
During the luncheon program,
Mary Dillard, long time Girl Scout alum and former board member for both
Ouachita and Noark, conducted a special Board Installation. Six current members of the Board of
Directors were reelected to serve another three year term. Members reelected were: Lisa Buehler, of Benton, Andrea Chewning, of
Texarkana, AR, Debbie Jones, of Alexander, Lisa McDermott, of Texarkana, AR,
Treva West, of Texarkana, AR, and Linnie Lyle, of Benton, who was also elected
to serve on the Board Development Committee.
Three new board members were elected to serve a three year
term. New members were: Cheryl Deen, of Jonesboro, Carmen Kingston,
of Bentonville, and Kellie Pennington, of White Hall, who was also elected to
serve on the Board Development Committee. Misti McCollum, Community Program Specialist and
adult chaperone for the Girls’ World Forum recently held in Chicago presented a
report on the trip and shared the experiences of the girls who were selected to
represent the Diamonds Council.
Girl Scout Gold Award recipients present were recognized as were recipients of the Thanks and Thanks II Badges. Recognized were Melody Sykes, Thanks Badge; Barbara Bethell, Thanks II; and Linda Bragg, Thanks II. Service Unit winner of the 24 Karat Diamond
Award for 2012, the Ozark Trails Service Unit was announced and presented the
trophy, which they will proudly display for the next year.
A basket auction was a new addition to the event
this year and all funds raised from the auction will be matched
by the council to fund older girl scholarships. Over $2,500 was raised by the auction, bringing the total to just over $5,000 with the council's matching funds. A committee of staff and volunteers will be formed to design the new Diamonds Scholarship Fund and will post information concerning the process to apply in January.
A big thank you to all staff and volunteers who both participated in and helped facilitate this annual event!