Day 4 - The BIG Finish

The delegates and visitors seemed a little sleepy at 9 am but a round of in-your-seat aerobics soon got folks moving again. Many had their luggage in tow and were a bit more casual in dress. I was thankful to be out of the suit and into a GS sweater and slacks. The Tellers had their own seating area at the front of the visitors sections so we wore our blue Tellers aprons to sit through the convention wrap-up. The officers were duly installed and new GSUSA Presdient Patricia Diaz-Smith gave a moving speech, likening each girl and person to a gem stone and introducing her family. The Young Women of Distinction were recognized again and did some of the presenter's duties at the microphone during the convention.

The morning ended with media clips of past conventions, a visual overview of this convention, Girl Scout media highlights from other parts of country, and the introduction of the Indianapolis venue for the 2008 convention. I have lived in "Indy" and I think it will be a great place for a convention. Lots to do there and a more human scale than Atlanta. Finally the Women's Chorus from Spelman College sang three songs. The Battle Hymn of the Republic, a gospel song and a Sweet Honey in the Rock song, "For Each Child That's Born, A Morning Star Rises." This is a song I think could be quite adaptable to the campfire setting... in parts.

Then the convention delegates began packing up and moving off to tours, flights home, or to put their feet up. I know the next few years will be filled with many emotions as council staff and facilities are recombined but I do believe it will make an organization that is more flexible, more adaptable and stronger. The entire national staff was asked to resign prior to the convention and reapply for jobs in the new structure. This will be a test of the enduring qualities of the movement that will reaffirm the values of Girl Scouting.

Peace, Salaam, Shalom!

Day 3 - Work gets done plus lots of Fun

This Sunday started out with much work to be done on the agenda proposals concerning rewording of the Preamble to the Constitution of GSUSA and length of terms and size of the Board and officers. We began the day with yoga and a dance presentation from Radial Dance, a dance company of people in wheel chairs. Inspiring! Ann Curry of NBC Today Show and News also spoke. Fortunately all voting was by electronic ballots, the "Padgett gadgets," so my job was relatively easy, though we were prepared for standing counts or paper ballots for all voting. I believe the delegates did not know how much easier and faster the voting was because paper ballots were not used.

The debate on amending the Preamble was long and filled with amendments to the main motion.
The debate mechanisms may seem cumbersome and convoluted by rules from the the chair, the standing rules and Robert's Rules but they are pretty straight forward and do ensure fairness. It is hard to turn a large ocean-going vessel as some of the new delegates found out. Many of the comments and active debate was from girl delegates to whom the session deferred many times. I know they were frustrated that their particular voices did not seem to be heard but the lesson is that much is done in advance of the session and much must be organized if one or more want launch opposition to a Board-sponsored proposal. Unfortunately, there was a lot of preparation by some councils to specific wording in the proposed new Preamble that didn't get to be heard. Delegates got tired of insubstantial commenting in place of true debate and often the only way to move action along was by moving the previous question and then proceeding directly to the vote on the main motion.

We will have to live with the new Preamble as rewritten until it is changed again. A review of past wordings of the Preamble which states the foundation of the organization and basic precepts did show that it has changed to reflect cultural views of women, race and class.

The day ended with the final address by Cynthia Thompson, President 2003-2005. She gave a moving and spirited speech.

As a final note of celebration, there were two large banquet events, one for girls and one for adults. My daughter Alex and I attended the adult event with a floor show and elegant food and wine. a rousing good time. We sat at a table with Angel Rodriguez, new GSUSA Board member (nice young man with new family - with Pepsi Cola). At the end of the dinner I stopped by Sandy Thomas' table and gave her regards from the Appalachian Council.

We even made it back to north Atlanta on the train before 11 PM. I had heard that there were some delegates who did not get back to their hotel rooms before we got home because the buses were so full and there were lines to board.

We had made the last rounds of the Exhibit Hall before it closed and got whole sleeves of the new cookies from Little Brownie Bakers - yum and said hello to friend Patty McGrew of Zink the Zebra. Special convention T-shirts and memorabilia was sold out. There were more exhibits than ever this year.

One of the efforts to enlist commentary from attendees were the Strategy Cafes. I hope that many people were able to take advantage of these opportunities. I was not, however, and will mail my thoughts on topics of realignment, program and governance to GSUSA. The duties of volunteer Teller required all scheduled time. I can see how a convention of this magnitude requires many hands, heads and hearts.

Day 2 - Lots of Debate

This was a long day on the floor. We heard many inspiring stories from Young Women of Distinction, girls who had outstanding Gold Award projects. And inspiring speeches. The day was full with preliminary business, reports and voting on the first two proposals that would limit the size of the National Board and the length of terms of the officers of that Board. The total rewriting of the Preamble to the Constitution of the Girl Scouts was introduced and debate and voting will begin tomorrow. Needless to say, debate will undoubtedly be heated. I wonder why members of the Appalachian Council were not apprised of these proposed changes in advance of this convention so that input could be given to delegates. The best thing about these conventions and the business before the body is that almost always, in spite of the intensity of emotion, convolution of the amendments and diversity of opinion, sense prevails and the whole delegation makes the most appropriate decisions. This session's decisions and deliberations will be landmarks in the life of the organization. Keep an eye on the news over the next few days. More tomorrow. I will relax tonight and back to the convention center early in the morning.

PS I have caught glimpses of Sandy Thomas - busy lady! And have run into a few other folks I know from other councils, plus made new acquaintences at every turn. Great family, those Girl Scouts!

Day 1

Oy! Long day. I got to the World Covention Center about 11;15, met up with Angela and Jean and got my name badge and program then off to find a expensive sandwich and some fruit for brunch. I walked around and got my bearings in this HUGE place (good thing I wore sturdy shoes), went to the Hall of Exhibits and NFS shop before going to the Tellers training at 1 PM, did more shopping after 3 and had a little spinach hot pocket and some coffee. I found a quiet corner and put my feet up for a power nap and then got my apron(we wear color-coded aprons for various volunteer jobs - tellers are blue) to march into the Opening Ceremony. Tellers had designated seating after delegates but in front of general visitors. Two marching bands opened with lots of girls presenting the flags of WAGGGS and the US. Girls led the pledge of allegiance, promise and law and a girl with a stunning voice sang the national anthem. Then a singer/songwriter, Ann Reed from Minnesota, sang two of her songs, "For All the Girls" and "Heroes" Both favorites of mine for several years and guaranteed to make me cry. The girls danced in the aisles to her songs. And that was pretty much it for the opening. Tomorrow the debate and discussion all begin in earnest. The colors, the crush of people, the good will, the broad range of people present is amazing. Truly a sight to behold.

Arrival in Hot/Cool Atlanta

After a five hour dark and rainy drive, I am here and have made arrangements to meet up with the Appalachain group tomorrow around noon-ish to pick up my credentials. Looking forward to wading into the excitement. I will attend a training meeting about 1 PM at the convention site to find out and walk through my duties as a teller for voting. There are to be about 50 of us from all across the nation. I will do a quick visit to the Mega-NFS store and the exhibit hall in the afternoon before finding supper. I hope to attend the opening ceremonies tomorrow night at 7:30. More after the day's activities.

Grace

"God has created a new day,
Silver and green and gold.
Live that the sunset may find us
worthy Her gifts to hold."

Welcome

This blog will be postings from the 50th GSUSA National Session and Convention in Atlanta. While I won't divulge sensitive information, I do want to share sights and impressions from this gathering. You may also sign in after acquiring a free user name and password to correspond and ask questions, post concerns or just encourage.

I will be a national volunteer and hope to meet many other Girl Scout volunteers and girls over this milestone weekend. I will check the blog in the evenings after I return home. I will be staying with my daughter Alex in north Atlanta.

See you on line this weekend!!