Make a difference, be a Girl Scout volunteer

May 9, 2006

SPECTRUM/Marci Schmidt

Several years ago, a young lady asked me to tell her how much I made as a Girl Scout leader because she would like to have a job like mine when she grew up. Being a very money-oriented 9-year-old, she about fainted when I informed her that I work for free.

Being an adult Girl Scout leader, co-leader or parent helper is a volunteer effort. I am happy to say she did recover two meetings later. This young lady is no longer in my troop, but we see each other, and I can always count on a smile from her. Whether she will become a leader in a Girl Scout troop remains to be seen.

Now, after several years have gone by, I have moved up the Girl Scout ladder to the position of a service unit manager. Guess what? I am still not getting paid.

My area covers Meadow Lakes to Trapper Creek, and it is made up of wonderful volunteers who believe in giving young ladies a chance to explore their minds, learn new things and have the confidence to try. For my own experience, I only hope to have fun with girls and hope they believe they can do anything they set their minds to.

Most of my ladies love to talk, play music, do crafts and maybe work on a badge or two. We have grown up these past eight years together. Some of the girls who have left our troop have come back, and the other ladies are always welcome to visit. It has become a sisterly thing, and I am proud of each and every one.

Today, I am winding down my term as a service unit manager, but this position is in question. My other leaders, like myself, are very busy with jobs, families and life in general. Many of these ladies have been volunteering for as long, if not longer, than I have, and the new ladies (who are wonderful) are too few to keep our service unit alive with the growing number of girls to the Valley.

Most people have told me that they don't know how I do it all. I don't know either some days, but if I don't, who will? I can only tell my story to encourage others to come forward to volunteer.

It's not easy many days. Yes, it can cost some money and time, but to see a young lady accomplish something never done before is priceless.

Will I keep my troop after my term is up? Yes, for as long as the girls want to have a troop. If not me, then whom? With my work schedule, just as many others, it will be hard. But it is worth it.

I know there are many people out there with a little bit of time.

I can only hope someone will come forward to help young ladies build, believe, belong and be involved in the community.

Volunteering has always been a reward of the heart. Not being involved with Girl Scouts would have led me to never know a young lady whose eyes were opened to the thought of getting paid not with money, but with a smile and circle of friendship that never ends.

I hope everyone knows how wonderful that feeling is. It is a beautiful thing, and I am always grateful to the families, adult Girl Scouts and especially the girls for letting me volunteer. If not me, then I hope you.

Marci Schmidt

Little Susitna River Service Unit, Susitna Council