About Us

Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington serves members throughout Oregon, and Clark and Skamania Counties in Washington (view a map). 40 areas called "service units" provide volunteer-led support to girls and adults in their geographic area.

Our council is funded through grants, donations, bequests, program fees, product sales, investment income and endowments. For more information, view our 2012 Annual Report below:

Download the 2012 Annual Report »

 Girl Scout Program

The focal point of the Girl Scout program is the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE)—the framework for defining what girls do in Girl Scouting. Programs engage girls in three key activities: discovering who they are and what they value; connecting with others; and taking action to make the world a better place. To ensure a high-quality and fun experience, Girl Scout activities use three processes: girl-led; learning-by-doing; and cooperative-learning. Our success is demonstrated by the fact that Girl Scout alumnae make up 53 percent of female business owners, and 59 percent of women serving in the U.S. Congress. The Girl Scout grade levels are:

• Girl Scout Daisy: Grades K–1
• Girl Scout Brownie: Grades 2–3
• Girl Scout Junior: Grades 4–5
• Girl Scout Cadette: Grades 6–8
• Girl Scout Senior: Grades 9–10
• Girl Scout Ambassador: Grades 11–12

 Membership

Girl Scouts is open to all girls in grades K–12. Annual membership dues are $12 per year and financial assistance is available for those that qualify. Our organization values diversity and inclusiveness and does not discriminate on any basis. Become a member today!

 Volunteering

Girl Scouts is a volunteer-driven organization. You can make a difference in the lives of girls! Girl Scouts will match your skills, interests and availability to volunteer opportunities.

 Fast Facts (FY 2012)

• 19,291 girl members
• 11,597 adult volunteers
• 73 full-time and 23 part-time staff (fluctuates slightly throughout the year)
• $6.2 million budget
• $136,150 provided in financial assistance; assitance is provided to one in every three girls
• Annual cost to support each girl who participates in a volunteer-led experience=$325/girl
  Funds raised through product sales, program and camp fees=$25/girl
  Amount we  need to raise annually=$70/girl; $1,350,370 Girl Scouts OSW total
• 21 girls earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting
• 4,175 girls attended day camps and 1,237 girls attended resident camp
• 10 properties and 5 service centers throughout the council’s jurisdiction
• 8 policies or practices in place to ensure girl safety at all times
  
  

 Girl Scout Cookie Program

Our well-known Girl Scout Cookie Program is much more than a fundraiser. This program is a hands-on leadership and entrepreneurial program for girls, teaching five essential life skills: goal setting, money management, decision making, business ethics and people skills. Many successful business women today got their start selling Girl Scout cookies!

Our council's pre-sales begin in January, cookies arrive in February and booth sales run from mid-February till mid-March. There are eight delicious varieties to choose from: Thin Mints, Samoas® ,Tagalongs®, Do-si-dos®, Dulce de Leche, Trefoils, Thank You Berry Munch™ and new in 2012, Savannah Smiles. In honor of Girl Scouts' 100th anniversary, this lemony delight pays tribute to the birthplace of Girl Scouting in Savannah, Georgia and - when held just right - looks like a "Brownie Smile!"

Each box of Girl Scout cookies costs $4.00 and proceeds (per box) are distributed as follows:

• Troop proceeds $.65 (minimum)
• Recognitions $.20 (girl prizes and cookie credits)
• Service unit grant $.06 max (used to support troops and volunteers in their community)
• Program for girls $1.95 (training, maintaining camp properties, financial assistance, etc.)
• Cost of cookies $.95
• Other $.14 (costs associated with cookie program - marketing, bad debts, bad checks, etc.)
  
  

 Community Outreach

• Hispanic Initiative - The Hispanic Initiative is dedicated to supporting Latina/Hispanic girls and adults throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. Currently the program is focused in Clackamas, Jackson, Josephine, Marion, Multnomah, Lane, Lynn and Washington counties. The work of the Hispanic Initiative resulted in a 28% increase in Hispanic girl membership for our council in 2011. To learn more about the Hispanic Initiative, contact your local Hispanic Initiative Coordinator.
• Girl Scouts Beyond Bars –GSBB participants meet twice a month with their mothers who reside at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville. The program provides Girl Scout activities in a safe and supportive environment and focuses on re-establishing relationships, Girl Scout values and healthy decision-making skills.

 Board of Directors

Name	Position	Term
Ellen Steel	Chair	2012-2014
Rita Van Schoiack	First Vice Chair	2012-2014
Kathy Lucier	Second Vice Chair	2011-2013
Elaine Teague	Treasurer	2011-2013
Roberta Janssen	Secretary	2012-2014
Elizabeth Clarke	Member at Large	2011-2013
Debi Coleman	Member at Large	2012-2014
Terry Coryell	Member at Large	2012-2014
Cara Fischer	Member at Large	2012-2014
Mary Ann Frantz	Member at Large	2013-2015
Barbara Gibbs	Member at Large	2013-2015
Elizabeth Hatfield-Keller	Member at Large	2011-2013
Eva Labby	Member at Large	2012-2014
Joan Lintz	Member at Large	2012-2014
Anna Mortsfield	Member at Large	2011-2013
Nancie Paxton	Member at Large	2012-2014
Ara Serjoie	Member at Large	2011-2013
Maureen Vega	Member at Large	2012-2014
Lara Williams Pearsall	Member at Large	2011-2013

 

 Bylaws

Girl Scouts OSW’s bylaws are the rules and regulations enacted by our organization that provide a framework for its operation and management. View Girl Scouts OSW's Bylaws »