March 31, 2024
Happy Spring, Dear Donor!
Thanks to your support, Girl Scouts are springing forward.
What better way to begin this season of growth and renewal than to share some stories about what is happening around Badgerland? It's because of your investment that Girl Scouts have the opportunities to attend impactful events to inspire and encourage their leadership journeys. Moving ahead, we'd love to update you monthly on Badgerland happenings. How does that sound? If it's too much, unsubscribe, and we can find a different way to connect. No matter how we stay in touch, please know we remain deeply connected because of our mutual goal to fulfill the Girl Scout mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
Democracy Day for Girl Scouts
Here's a program where girls get to spend the day interacting with elected women officials, including a Supreme Court Justice and the Lieutenant Governor. Only at Girl Scouts.
Girl Scouts learning to lead from our elected officials, that is what Wisconsin Democracy Day is all about.
Created and hosted by Badgerland, this March event reached more than 300 Girl Scouts in 2024 who got an up-close, first-class look at our civic systems. All while doing hands-on activities to earn the Democracy Badge for their grade level. Wisconsin Girl Scouts had an exclusive opportunity to connect with and learn from women change-makers. They even gained hands-on experience using actual voting machines – an empowering way to learn about the democratic process! In partnership with the Madison City Clerk, voting machines were hauled to the Capitol Rotunda with a customized Girl Scout voting ballot to permit girls the opportunity to learn the power of one voice, one vote.
Break-out sessions explored politics and governments around the globe while showcasing the importance of education and individual civic responsibilities. Meeting legislators and senators offered our Girl Scouts a unique opportunity to amplify their voices. We encouraged them to step forward as leaders, actively participate in the democratic process, and make their perspectives heard. They crafted rally signs and composed and delivered old-fashioned soapbox speeches in the rotunda to advocate for issues important to them. Girl Scouts could be heard speaking on issues ranging from the environment to mental health to Girl Scout cookie flavors! The culminating activity for the day was joining forces with an all-Girl-Scout march around the Capitol square.
Multiple Girl Scouts delivered advocacy speeches to the crowd during the Rally, including Lt. Governor Sarah Rodriguez, a proud Girl Scout Troop Leader and parent. Her powerful message to girls is to "...use your voice to make the change you want to see in your community." Additionally, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Jill Karofsky met with the Girl Scouts and encouraged them to use the confidence and skills they are gaining in Girl Scouting to be changemakers and make the world better for everyone.
This impactful event laid the foundation for a basic understanding of advocacy, nurturing confidence in advocacy skills and enabling them to envision how they can contribute to improving the world through engagement and leadership.
Badgerland Girl Scout Julia C. attended Democracy Day and shared her reflections with you.
Tell us a little bit about yourself, Julia.
I have been a Girl Scouts since I was a Daisy. I love going to camp and CampHERO is my very favorite. I also love selling cookies, especially at booths because I like talking to people. I love doing community events and being a MediaGirl and telling others about Girl Scouts. Democracy Day is my favorite event that is not camp!
This was my second Democracy Day. I went last year, too! This year I earned my Junior Democracy badge. I think learning about how laws are made helped me earn it.
What was the most interesting thing you learned?
This year, I enjoyed using the voting machines most. I have been to vote with my mom and my grandparents many times and know it is the best way to make your voice count in elections. I have never seen a voting machine with the questions on the screen and it is very cool. I live in Verona and my mom votes on paper. The workers helping with the voting machines we used explained that they are much more accurate and that is really important. I think all voting machines should be accurate.
What was the most memorable experience for you?
I loved being part of the rally around Capitol Square! Marching around the capitol is so special because that is where adults march for things. My family members have stories about marches they have been a part of for things that were important to them and Girl Scouts is important to me. I love marching with so many other Girl Scouts.
CEO Lisa has been visiting Cookie Booths around Badgerland all season
including Brownie Troop 8717 in Janesville.
The Sweetest Season is Here!
You may call it spring but around Badgerland we call this season The Girl Scout Cookie Program. Now is when troops and individual Girl Scouts raise money for their activities and service projects. As iconic as our cookies are, it's important to remember that the Cookie Program is a skill-building program first and foremost. Girl Scouts gain first-hand experience managing money, setting goals, and making decisions for themselves or with their troop. Perhaps most importantly, they learn how to interact with people and grow their communication skills, both in-person and online—essential tools for today's emerging leaders.
Speaking of communicators and building these skills in members, you may have caught some of our most outgoing Girl Scouts featured on your local news in the lead up to cookie sale season. A'isha T., an 8th grade Girl Scout Cadette, was featured on NBC15. A'isha went on live television early one morning with CEO Lisa Smith to share her entrepreneurial knowledge (she sold over 1400 boxes a year ago!) but said the very best part of Girl Scouting cookie season is about being in community, "I love the sisterhood my troop has developed. We look out for each other and have fun together."
Have you seen cookie booths around town yet? If not, we've got you covered. Use the Cookie Finder and enter your zip code to search the list of booths scheduled in your neighborhood. The Cookie Finder can also connect you directly with a random local troop for delivery right to your door.
Witness Your Impact at the Girl Gala
We are thrilled to invite you to an April celebration that will mark the culmination of long journeys for our highest-achieving Girl Scouts. The Girl Gala honors Girl Scouts who have earned the prestigious Gold and Silver Awards and our graduating seniors. The Gold and Silver awards symbolize the Girl Scouts' hard work, dedication, and commitment to making the world a better place. We will also be shining a spotlight on those exceptional individuals who have been awarded Girl Scout Scholarships or a Destination Scholarship. This is a unique opportunity for you to hear directly from these inspiring young people about their future plans and dreams, and to celebrate the positive impact of your support on their lives.
Your presence at this event would honor these young achievers and reinforce your invaluable role as a supporter of the Girl Scouts. It's an occasion to witness firsthand the difference your contributions make in shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Please join us for an afternoon of inspiration, celebration, and community as we highlight the achievements of these remarkable Girl Scouts. Your support has been instrumental in their journeys, and we can't wait to share this moment of pride and joy with you.
