In the fall of 2005, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced exciting plans for a nationwide transformation of the Girl Scout movement. Under the new plan, the current 312 councils would be realigned to form 104 high capacity councils. In Ohio, Girl Scouts of Heritage Trails along with Seal of Ohio and Heart of Ohio Girl Scout Councils are in the process of realigning to form a single high capacity council.

January 2008:

Here is the latest update on Council Realignment in Central Ohio:
• The Council Realignment Committee (CRC) has been formed and is working to develop the foundation of the new Council.
• The CRC is comprised of three members from each Council.
HeritageTrails Kay Hines, President; Mary Ann Forbes, CEO; Jamie Jarvis, 2nd VP of BOD
Heart Chrystal Rardin, President; Yvette Livers, CEO; Paula Olson, BOD
Seal Suzy Swanson, President; Tammy Wharton, CEO; Demetria Mitchell, BOD
• Voting process of the CRC is to be tallied per individual.
• CRC meets monthly.
• There are seven CRC subcommittees that have been formed to include: Governance, Human Resources, CEO Search, Finance, Transitional Nominating, Communications, and Fund Development. These committees have set meeting dates and work is progressing in these areas. Each subcommittee will have 2 members from each of the councils.
• Launch date for New Council – January 1, 2009
• Headquarters for the New Council will be at 1700 WaterMark Drive, Columbus, Ohio; there will continue to be a local presence in the “legacy Council’s” service delivery area.
• Randy Cline, the GSUSA consultant conducts Visioning exercises with the Council Realignment Committee that will help as we work toward the development of a Mission/Vision. This vision will guide the CRC throughout the next 12 months.

 

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