Girl Scout Plug from an Alum~
Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 11:21AM
It’s that time of year again, when you are torn between whether to purchase four of ten boxes of cookies from undeniably cute uniformed girls. This is something most of us are rarely faced with, which makes the Girl Scout Cookie fundraiser quite unique. After marking the Scout’s 100thanniversary this year, one can imagine this beloved institution has had the time to become funding savvy. The Scout uppity-ups are skilled strategies using the most indisputable sales people possible - little girls. You’ve seen them, they corner you on your way in/out (sometimes both) of the grocery store or on the local mass transit. There is always a troop of little up-starts trying to close the sale and people just fall over themselves to support an esteem building organization like the Scouts and yeah, eat some seasonal cookies. Their marketers are so clever, nothing creates demand like something only available once a year (Christmas Trees, hello!).
Self-reliance, leadership and friendship
However deliciously satisfying this fundraising may be, it is truly a means to an end. That end being, groomed self-realized young women. There are not many organizations that can lay claim to have been such a positive, consistent force in the lives of young girls/women. As a Scout myself, my Troop Leader was a really solid mother who not only exposed us to some fabulous homemade suppers, but to camping, self-reliance, leadership and friendship. Nostalgia has a funny way of making unpleasant experiences more unpleasant, or conversely, pleasant experiences more pleasant. My memories of the experiences in the Scout’s are truly remarkable. The industrious, participant nature of the organization gave me a leg up and helped shaped who I am today. As you can surmise, I’m a total fan of the Scout’s and what they stand for. During this fundraising blitz, take a moment to remember the little ladies your purchases directly supports, as they grow with an insatiable sweet tooth and an insatiable ‘lust for life.’
What is your Girl Scouts story to share with the next generation?