Girl Scouts celebrate 60 years at annual meeting

Volunteers from the Kennett Service Unit were recently honored at the Girl Scouts -- Cotton Boll Area Council Annual Meeting and Appreciation Dinner. The Service unit served 24 percent of the girls in their community, one of the highest membership shares in the council. They also had an increase of 12 girls. Front row, from left: Carleen Lockett, Jonelle Brown, Bid Miles, Susan Bridges. Back row, from left: Kathy Bell, Eky Combs, Libby Mobley, Charky Martin, Mary Lynn Jones-wright, and Laura Whitfield. Miles and Brown were honored for 60 years of membership, Martin for 35 years, and Bridges for 15 years. Photo provided [Click to enlarge]

The key moment for the evening came when Lindsey Godfrey of Bolivar portrayed Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouting in the United States.

While in character, Godfrey spoke about the importance of accepting change, an especially appropriate topic at this point in the council's history. The council is scheduled to merge with four other Missouri Girl Scout councils to form the "Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland" in October.

"Change is challenging. It takes courage, dedication, resources, and energy," she said. "Here we are in 2008 and continuing our journey - one of opportunity, one that continues our vision. In the midst of change, as in the beginning, we have had only one focus - the girl - always first, keeping us motivated, moving us forward."

During the festivities, numerous awards were presented to volunteers from throughout the nine county Cotton Boll council. Girl Scouting's highest adult recognitions were among the awards presented at the dinner.

For only the second time in the Cotton Boll's history, the council presented the Thanks Badge II. This award recognizes an adult member who has already received the Thanks Badge and has continued to contribute service that is outstanding. Libby Mobley of Kennett was presented this award for her extraordinary service to Girl Scouting. Since receiving the Thanks Badge in 1998 at the 50th Anniversary Celebration, Mobley has served as the President of the Board of Directors, Chair of the Legislative Task Group and Co-chair for the Realignment Committee. She is also chairing the search for the new council's CEO.

Mobley's Girl Scout history includes being a First Class Girl Scout, neighborhood chairman, day camp committee and unit leader, trainer, an event coordinator for the local carnival -- all before she had a daughter and became a Girl Scout troop leader. As a leader she continued many of her positions in the service unit and led her girls to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award. She and her husband have been generous donors and she has helped establish a new scholarship for Gold Award Girl Scouts.

"Libby represents the zenith of Girl Scout volunteerism and our council is extremely privileged to have her leadership in this time of change," said council CEO Cindy Weber.

Upon receiving the award, Mobley shared how honored she was to receive the award that had previously only been presented to Charolyn "Bid" Miles of Kennett. Miles received the Thanks Badge II in 1992 and was recognized at this year's meeting for 60 years of Girl Scout membership.

The Thanks Badge recognizes adult members of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America who have given service that is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award is appropriate and benefits the total council or the entire Girl Scout Movement.

Jan Cope of Poplar Bluff was awarded the Thanks Badge. Cope has filled many roles in Girl Scouting, beginning as a girl member, and later serving as a troop leader. She worked at day camp, and served on the Board of Directors of Cotton Boll Council. She also served as a staff member for 11 years, and has returned to the volunteer ranks to serve on a Council Realignment Sub-Committee.

"Jan was always an excellent role model for girls she worked with, and her love of travel was an asset when she planned trips for older girls. She is cheerful and caring, and exemplifies what Girl Scouting is all about," said Weber.

Kim Hampton of Dexter received the Appreciation Pin. The Appreciation Pin is a national award for outstanding service, above and beyond the expectations of the position held. This service is delivered to one or more geographic areas or program delivery audiences. Receiving the Appreciation Pin was Kim Hampton of Dexter. Hampton is an enthusiastic leader who has developed her leadership skills in both the troop and service unit. She leads her daughter's troop and is always willing to take other girls who have no leader or troop. She has served as Day Camp Coordinator, and helped with the service unit cookie sale.

"Kim is always willing to pitch in and cheerfully get the job done," said Renee Trout, council staff member serving the Dexter Service Unit.

Cotton Boll Girl Scouts also presented two council adult recognitions. The Spirit of Cotton Boll is presented to a volunteer who presents the enthusiasm, good humor and sense of fun that is essential to Girl Scouting, along with a common sense, persistence and a way of turning difficulties into high adventure. The Spirit of Cotton Boll Award was presented to Teresa Jackson of Steele.

The "Rookie of the Year" Award, for first year volunteers who do an exceptional job in their position and have a positive impact on the Girl Scout program, was awarded to Melissa Gregory of East Prairie and Kara Gibbins of Portageville.

During the Annual Meeting delegates to the National Convention were elected. Representing Cotton Boll will be volunteer Mary Lynn Jones-wright of Kennett and staff member Renee Trout of Dexter.

Numerous other recognitions were presented throughout the evening, including ones for Service Units with a membership share of 16 percent or better, Service Units with membership increases, and Service Units that reached their membership goal. The Risco Service Unit had the top membership share in the council, serving 32 percent of the girls in grades K-12 in their community. Charleston Service Unit had the largest membership increase (32 girls) and surpassed their membership goal by 28 girls, the highest amount in the council.

Many individuals were also recognized for their years in Girl Scouting (girl and adult) and their years of service as adult Girl Scouts.

The Girl Scouts -- Cotton Boll Area Council serves girls in the nine-county area of Scott, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Dunklin, Stoddard, Butler, Ripley and Carter counties. Board Chair is Libby Mobley of Kennett and the CEO is Cindy Weber.

The council maintains their headquarters in their Service Center in Dexter and is part of the world's pre-eminent organization for girls, with a membership of over 2,800 girls and adults. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. For more information on Girl Scouting, call (573) 624-8339 or toll-free 1-888-780-8373.