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2023 Web Feature 530x220 - 5

Girl Scout National Convention

It’s our time to shine!

Join us for the most epic celebration of Girl Scouts on the planet at Walt Disney World® Resort. Come together with thousands of Girl Scouts from across the country and around the world to spark new friendships and connect with old friends, try things you’ve never done before, and, of course, have tons of fun. Register today!

The 2023 Girl Scout Convention consists of two events over the course of nearly a week:

56th National Council Session

July 18–20, 2023

NCS is the national business meeting where delegates from every council across the nation and USA Girl Scouts Overseas meet to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement, and elect national leaders for the next triennium.

Phenom By Girl Scouts

July 20–22, 2023

This can’t-miss experience will have something for everyone, including awesome celebrations of Girl Scout achievements during the National Bridging Ceremony and Gold Award Girl Scout Celebration. Girl Scouts of all ages can explore unique hands-on activities and contribute to a collaborative art project available in the Hall of Experiences and Fun Zone. Girls can discuss ideas they’re passionate about and inform the future of Girl Scouts in the Mentoring Zone and Oasis. Throughout the day, they can take a break and recharge their bodies and minds in the Zen Lounge. Adults will also have a space to make connections and participate in workshops in the Retreat. View the agenda and learn more about the programming and experiences that we’re putting together for you!

Meet Your National Delegates

Volunteer delegates have been selected to represent Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois at the National Convention. The volunteer delegates will be reaching out to every Service Unit for feedback. If you have input to share about any of the voting measures, please email Info@GirlScoutsToday.org and we will share your message with the delegates.

Volunteer Delegates
MollieS

Mollie Schmelzer, National Delegate
My name is Mollie Schmelzer. I am from Bettendorf, IA and am in my 17th year of Girl Scouting. My favorite memory of Girl Scouts as a child is being a PA at Piper Hills Day Camp. My favorite memory as an adult is working at Conestoga Day Camp. A secret talent I learned in Girl Scouts is being able to be awake and asleep at the same time...especially when chaperoning camping trips. I want to represent GSEIWI to help expand understanding of the national governance process and be an ear and a voice, helping our local membership to be informed and engaged in the larger picture of Girl Scouting.

 

 

LilyM

Lily Mitchell, National Delegate
My name is Lily Mitchell and I’m from Bettendorf, Iowa. I’ve been a Girl Scout my entire life though this is my 2nd year as a troop leader and lifetime member. My favorite Girl Scout memory is going to visit Savannah Georgia on a weeklong camping road trip with my friends. I am really good at leading repeat after me songs. I want to represent GSEIWI because I have been a part of this council for the majority of my life and I continue to share experiences with this council. I believe that the experience I have had the opportunity to gain from this council has helped me to become the woman/leader I am today and I would love to give back to Girl Scouts in a way that will help other girls grow to be more than they ever thought they could be.

 

 

Chelsea Hillman

Chelsea Hillman, National Delegate
I’m Chelsea Hillman and I’m from Davenport, IA. I'm a third generation Girl Scout, have been a girl/adult member for 15+ years, and became a Lifetime Member a few years ago. My favorite Girl Scout memories usually take place around a campfire telling stories and singing songs! Or seeing someone do something for the first time that they didn't think they could do!  My secret Girl Scout skill is building fires. I’d like to make sure the voices of our local girls and volunteers are heard on the national stage!

 

TracyS

Tracy Schwind, National Delegate
Hi, I’m Tracy Schwind from Davenport, IA. I was a Girl Scout for 8 years originally and engaged again as a Board Member brining my total to 20 years. I loved Girl Scout camp. I have wonderful memories of sit-upons, s'mores, hiking, campfires, and singing with my fellow Girl Scouts. My secret Girl Scout skill is tie-dye - I can make a pretty nice t-shirt (although the skill I will always credit Girl Scouts for is Leadership!).  I would love the opportunity to use what I have learned about the membership of GSEIWI to impact the national movement.

 

 

AnnaNallie

Anna Nallie, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
For Anna Nallie, Girl Scouting is a family tradition, and that is why she has been a member for an impressive 42 years. Throughout her time with Girl Scouts, she has served in numerous leadership roles. She concurrently led for four different troops; held many Service Unit positions (too many to count she says); chaired a diverse assortment of events, and worked on multiple council committees. When not volunteering with Girl Scouts, she loves to craft and be outdoors.

Even on hard days, the smile on a girl’s face when she realizes she can do anything motivated Anna. She once had a woman contact her on Facebook and ask, "Weren’t you my Girl Scout leader?" She went on to say, "we had the best fun, and I learned so much from you."

 

 

LauraTorgerud

Laura Torgerud, Bettendorf, Iowa
Laura Torgerud has been a Girl Scout for ten years. She has served in different capacities within Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois and Service Unit 857, such as Service Unit Director, Troop Leader, and School Organizer. Laura also serves on council-wide committees to consult on membership initiatives and special events. 

Currently, Laura serves as a Service Unit Product Co-Manager, Troop volunteer, and Service Unit Director Coach. When not enjoying Girl Scouts, Laura serves as Operations Director for the Quad-City Times Bix 7, a 15,000-runner road race and community festival. In her downtime, she enjoys crafting, golfing, traveling, and spending time with family.

 

 

DianeNelson

Diane Nelson, CEO
Diane Nelson has spent more than 20 years of her career developing youth programming for her community. She has led our council through many initiatives from a merger in 2008 to a capital campaign to develop Camp Liberty in 2016. Diane believes that you never know a moment in time when you can change a girl’s life. Because of this, she is continuously innovating new opportunities for girls to have access to the preeminent girl leadership program in the world.

 

 

JillDashner

Jill Dashner, Board Chair
Jill Dashner is currently the Board Chair for the Girls Scouts of Eastern Iowa Western Illinois. She has served on the Board for many years. A highlight for her has been the creation of Camp Liberty because it is an amazing space that blends the Girl Scout outdoor traditions with modern facilities and experiences. In addition to Girl Scouts, she enjoys travel, reading, and hanging out with my husband Jeff and their three dogs.

 

 

Girl Delegates
RachelJ

Rachel Johnson, National Girl Delegate
Hi! I'm Rachel Johnson. I live in Cedar Rapids Iowa.  I am a Senior Girl Scout in Troop 2589 and have been a Girl Scout for 11 years. My favorite memory is seeing Camp Liberty the first summer after it opened, I had attended Camp Little Cloud as well and loved it there too. What I loved at Camp Liberty was not that it had just been redone although it looked amazing, but it was all the friends I've made there since. The friends are the reason I go back year after year.  This summer I plan on finishing level 5 of the horse program and attending CIT 1. The other thing I love about going to camp is the experiences. If it wasn't for camp I would have never ridden a horse and would have no idea how much I love riding. One talent I have from Girl Scouts is working well in a team, if human knots, and trying to make plans during troop meetings has taught me anything it's how to work in a group.  It shows in school, sports, and many other extra-curricular activities I participate in. I want to represent GSEIWI as a delegate because this is the council I've been in since I started as a Daisy Girl Scout and I want Girl Scouts to mean as much to other girls as it does to me. I have the ability to voice my opinions, listen and consider other perspectives, and represent the broader community well in decision-making.  I will bring these traits and my best self to serve as a National Delegate for our council.

 

KaylieP

Kaylie Price, National Girl Delegate
My name is Kaylie Price and I live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This is my 9th year as a Girl Scout. I love spending time at Flint Lake on a Canoe talking with my friends my first year at Camp Liberty. My secret talent I learned as a Girl Scout is how to wipe a table correctly. The "swoopy" way they teach you at Camp Liberty. I want to represent our council, because I have a voice and know how to use it. I could help get our thoughts and ideas out to more people. I want to be a voice for good.

 

Alternates
ErinO

Erin O’Hara, Alternate National Delegate
Erin O'Hara comes to us from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and has been involved with the Girl Scouts for 16 years. Her favorite memory of girl scouting was a trip to Mississippi with her troop that involved swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, learning about oceanic life, eating lots of good food, and making many memories such as hitting a deer on the way home! A secret talent she learned through Girl Scouts was how to whittle wax with a plastic knife. She wishes to represent GSEIWI as this is now her turn to speak to an amazing organization that has been such a big part of her life and her journey in becoming of girl of courage, confidence and character.

 

 

AmandaA

Amanda Adrian, Alternate National Delegate
My name is Amanda Adrian, and I am from Cedar Rapids, Ia. I was a Girl Scout for 10 years, and have been an adult volunteer for 9 years. As a girl I always looked forward to our annual camp outs, horseback riding trips, hosting lock-ins, and being with my friends at our meetings. Also, never use the "Johnny Appleseed" grace unless you were ready for all the rain that followed it. As a scout I learned all about camping basics, ways to plan a trip, financing, and community support.  I want to represent GSEIWI so I can make an impactful difference in the lives of the scouts we represent

 

 

SavannahM

Savannah McCann, Alternate National Girl Delegate
Hey, my name is Savannah McCann. I have been in troop 6336 for ten years. My favorite memories are going to camp Tahigwa and Camp Liberty. A secret talent I have learned in Girl scouts is building a fire in snow and cold and wind. I want to represent GSEIWI so I can keep becoming stronger myself and help empower other girls to see what Girl Scouts are capable of.

 

Proposals for Action 

Proposals reflect the National Council Session’s responsibility to act on proposals to foster and improve Girl Scouting and to amend the Constitution. Const. Art. V, Sec. 2. These items will be considered for a delegate vote during the NCS.

Allowing the possibility of virtual attendance for National Council Sessions and for Special Sessions of the National Council

This proposal would build on the 55th NCS held virtually in 2020 during the peak of the pandemic – the first ever virtual NCS. The proposal would build flexibility into our governing documents by amending the Constitution to allow for, but not require, virtual sessions which reflect a more efficient and agile meeting format.

Constitutional Amendment on the Timing of Delegate Allotment

This proposal would amend the Constitution to simplify the process for councils as they choose National Council delegates. Changing the date on which delegate allocations (calculated using council membership size) are based would allow councils to more efficiently plan for and select their delegates.

Constitutional Amendment Formula for Delegates

This proposal would create a Constitutional Amendment to help keep the number of delegates as close to 1,500 as possible while ensuring the number of delegates allocated to councils remains proportional to the council’s girl membership.

Council Representation on the National Board

This proposal would require the composition of the National Board to include three council CEOs. Recognizing implementation complexities including the National Board Development Committee (NBDC) effort required to assess the capabilities, geographic representation, diversity, etc. needed for an effective Board slate and then identifying, cultivating, and screening candidates relative to these requirements, this proposal will include a 2026 effective date.

Amend the Girl Scout Promise and Law to use more potent, actionable language

The wording of our Promise and Law is deeply meaningful to Girl Scouts of all ages. This proposal provides the opportunity to debate and decide whether we should remove the words “try,” “to,” and “do my best.”

DEIRJ Language Proposal

Girl Scouting remains dedicated to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice (DEIRJ). The Girl Scout Law affirms our commitment to being a sister to every Girl Scout. This proposal is an important step in our Movement’s journey to become an anti-racist, inclusive organization. Inserting the word “anti-racist” in the Preamble to the Constitution would codify our commitment to racial equity in governing documents and would strengthen and refresh existing language that states, “Girl Scouts advance diversity and pluralism in our Movement and in the communities in which we live." It would also support and propel existing DEIRJ efforts across the Movement.

Girl Scouts Gold Award Scholarship Fund

This proposal would fulfill the action taken by the National Council in 2020 and establish a donor-restricted fund that invests in the post-high school education of Gold Award Girl Scouts. In response to overwhelming delegate support for Gold Award Girl Scouts voiced during NCS 2020, the National Board has been proactively fundraising to ensure scholarships are available to girls who earn the highest award in Girl Scouting.