GSWPA Annual Report 2015-16 | Page 2

A Note from our CEO and Board Chair Since the first Girl Scout troop was formed more than 100 years ago, Girl Scouting has been a transformative experience. Our girls today are living Juliette Gordon Low’s legacy, impacting our local and global communities every day. We prepare girls with the skills and experiences they need to empower themselves for life. Since the very beginning, Girl Scouts has created an environment that encourages girls to stand up and speak out about issues that are important to them. They learn that their voices matter and that their actions can truly make a difference. The Girl Scout Law I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout. The Girl Scout Promise On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. In this report, you’ll discover the power of the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, and Leader)™. Every day Girl Scouts in western Pennsylvania are on a mission to make the world a better place. Speaking of go-getters who have changed the world, this year we celebrated a century of women who earned the highest award in Girl Scouting. Whether they achieved the Golden Eaglet, First Class, Curved Bar, or Gold Award, as it’s called today, these women took action to improve their communities and continue to inspire generations of girls to “Go Gold.” Girl Scouts know that leadership is about more than being in charge. They learn that the best leaders have the courage to seek challenges, the confidence to take action, and the character to help others. Thank you for investing in them. Patricia A. Burkart Chief Executive Office r Lois Kuttesch Board Chair Mission Statement ... 2 Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.