Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington Offer Civic Engagement Opportunities for Girls Throughout Region
G.I.R.L. Agenda Inspires, Prepares and Mobilize Girls to Lead Positive Change Through Civic Action
PORTLAND, OR. – May 14, 2018 – The May Primary Election has arrived and Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington (GSOSW) has created a multitude of civic engagement opportunities for Girl Scouts throughout the region. The events are part of a larger initiative called G.I.R.L. Agenda, a nonpartisan initiative to inspire, prepare and mobilize girls to lead positive change through civic action.
“This initiative is all about connecting girls to their role as citizens and getting them excited and engaged today,” said Sarah Shipe, Director of Communications for Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington. “They don’t have to wait until they’re adults to learn about the voting process, make their voice heard at a city council meeting, or improve their community. We want them to see that they can make a difference now.”
The events began on April 30 and run through mid-May. Girl Scouts have opportunities to learn about municipal management; how to become advocates for change; and, how local elections and voting works.
G.I.R.L. AGENDA 2018: LEADING CHANGE THROUGH CIVIC ACTION (LIVE now!)—Facebook livestream on May 14 with panel discussions from G.I.R.L. Agenda 2018: Leading Change Through Civic Action. Dr. Jill Biden is the keynote speaker, and discussions are being led by other change-makers who have taken action locally, nationally, and globally to make the world a better place. https://www.facebook.com/GirlScoutsUSA/videos/10160803657575393/?notif_id=1526328023486677¬if_t=live_video
GIRL SCOUTS TO TOUR ELECTIONS OFFICES THROUGHOUT OREGON
Oregon is a "vote-by-mail" state. Every registered voter can mail in or drop off their ballot instead of standing in line at a polling place. But then what? On the night before the May primary election, Girl Scouts will get an up-close look at how ballots are processed in their county at their local elections office. Senior-level Girl Scouts can complete a step toward earning the “Behind the Ballot” badge and Junior-level Girl Scouts can complete a step toward earning the “Inside Government” ba
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Deschutes County Elections
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Multnomah County Elections 1040 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214
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Jackson County Elections 1101 W Main St #201, Medford, OR 97501
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Benton County Elections 120 NW 4th St #13, Corvallis, OR 97330
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Marion County Elections 555 Court St NE, Salem, OR, 97301
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“Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington is thrilled to have so many girls interested in getting a close up look at how our democracy functions,” says Lisa Gilham-Luginbill, Program Manager for GSOSW. “Our hope is that, as we make it more accessible, girls will see themselves as participants and be inspired to create positive change in their own communities.”
NEW GSOSW G.I.R.L. Agenda VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo485Avw1kg
PREVIOUS G.I.R.L. AGENDA ACTIVITIES
AFTERNOON AT THE MAYOR’S OFFICE WITH THE BUS PROJECT—On April 30, Girl Scouts met the Mayor of Portland for a Q & A, and get a backstage look at what it takes to run a city.
GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP DAY AT OREGON’S STATE CAPITOL
To help mark the 106th birthday of Girl Scouts, Gov. Kate Brown proclaimed March 12, 2018 to be Girl Scout Leadership Day. "Girl Scouts empower generations of girls and women, showing you are never too young to get involved, make a difference, and have your voice heard," Governor Brown said. Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington inducted Governor Kate Brown as an honorary lifetime member of Girl Scouts at a ceremony in the State Capitol on March 12, 2018. "It's my hope that as women take on leadership roles in their communities, in the Capitol, and in service organizations like Girl Scouts, that more girls grow up knowing that women can change the world." Governor Kate Brown now joins the nation's five currently serving women governors who are also Girl Scouts. To learn more, please see: http://www.girlscoutsosw.org/content/dam/oregon-sw-washington-/forms/Press%20Release_GS%20Leadership%20Day%20at%20OR%20Capitol_FINAL_03%2005%202018%209PM.pdf
VIDEO: Girl Scout Leadership Day with Governor Kate Brown and Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington, March 12, 2018 #GIRLagenda [Video Credit: Video courtesy of Dick Hughes | Hughesisms LLC] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGfCNncHLx8
Members of Girl Scout Troop 10037 in the Salem area supported legislation that became House Bill (HB) 2732, signed into law on June 22, 2017. The law provides that a person who enters a motor vehicle to remove a child or domestic animal in imminent danger of suffering harm is not subject to criminal or civil liability. To learn more, please see: http://www.girlscoutsosw.org/content/dam/oregon-sw-washington/forms/Press_Release_Good_Samaritan_Law.pdf.
GIRL SCOUTS’ HISTORY OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Since its founding in 1912, Girl Scouts has emphasized the importance of being civically engaged, by teaching and encouraging girls to create positive change in their communities through advocacy and action. Girl Scouts learn to stand up for what they believe in, identify issues they care about, and develop leadership skills to make the world a better place. Girl Scouts has a century of success which is reflected in the realm of public service by the fact that 76 percent of female U.S. Senators and 100 percent of female U.S. Secretaries of State are Girl Scout alumnae.
ABOUT GIRL SCOUTS OF OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON (GSOSW)
Girl Scouting inspires millions of girls and women—including more than 23,000 active members in Oregon and Southwest Washington—with the highest ideals of courage, confidence, and character. Our council serves 13,955 girls in 37 counties with the help of nearly 10,000 volunteers. The Girl Scout mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Every opportunity in Girl Scouting develops these essential skills in an all-girl, inclusive, safe environment. For information, please visit girlscoutsosw.org.
ABOUT GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA (GSUSA)
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure and success. To volunteer, reconnect, donate or join, visit www.girlscouts.org.
NEW GSUSA PSA (Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clD3ggLLHyQ&feature=em-uploademail
ABOUT G.I.R.L. Agenda Powered by Girl Scouts
G.I.R.L. Agenda is a nonpartisan initiative to inspire, prepare, and mobilize girls and those who care about them to lead positive change through civic action. To learn more, visit www.girlagenda.org.
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