Girl Scouts Vote Yes to Historic Merger Agreement

Four Ohio Girl Scout Councils Become One

During the week of October 22, 2007 a Special Girl Scout Council meeting was held at Girl Scouts of Appleseed Ridge (Lima, OH), Girl Scouts of Buckeye Trails (Dayton, OH), Girl Scouts - Great Rivers Council (Cincinnati, OH), and Girl Scouts of Maumee Valley Council (Toledo, OH) to vote on the merger agreement creating Girl Scouts of Western Ohio effective January 1, 2008.

Delegates from each region gathered with members from their current Girl Scout council and each council unanimously voted to approve the merger agreement.

The merger of Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is part of a national initiative creating the foundation for long-term success of the Girl Scout Movement and will provide the structure to deliver the benefits of Girl Scouting throughout our region. The new council will serve over 60,000 girls and 16,000 adult volunteers in 32 counties in western Ohio and southeastern Indiana and deliver the best personal and leadership development model that defines activities and outcomes, differentiated by age level, for girls 5–17.

The council realignment will strengthen the infrastructure and resources at all levels of the organization, including fundraising, public relations, property, staffing, and volunteer support. All four council service centers will remain open, and will serve as bases for the four geographic regions. 

Barbara J. Bonifas, current CEO of Girl Scouts - Great Rivers Council, was appointed to serve as the new CEO for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio and lead the efforts in building the new council.   Barbara’s appointment will become effective on January 1, 2008.

Governance of Girl Scouts of Western Ohio will be provided by a Board of Directors, comprised of members from the four original councils. Incoming Board Chair, Nancy C. Dawes accepted the board's appointment saying, "we accept with humility our opportunity to work for the girls of western Ohio and southeast Indiana. We stand firm in our conviction that through our attitudes, our courageous actions, and our bold leadership, our communities will be stronger."

Newly elected Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Board members from the Dayton area include: Debbie M. Watts, Chief Counsel of Systemedia Division of NCR; Marjorie A. Houck, St. Leonard's and Houck Remodeling; and Karen Huelsman, President of The Huelsman Agency, Inc. Sheryl Head, Corporate Responsibility Officer for the Mercy Health Partners, will serve on the Board Development Committee.

About Girl Scouts of Western Ohio

In partnership with 16,000 adult volunteers, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio serves over 60,000 girl members in 32 counties throughout Ohio and Indiana. Chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA, the preeminent organization for and leading authority on girls, Girl Scouting strives to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. For more information visit www.girlscoutsofwesternohio.org