Girls and volunteers to enjoy greater opportunities

Knoxville, Tenn. (September 2, 2008) -- Girl Scouts are growing even stronger in the Southern Highlands of East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and North Georgia.

On Oct. 1, 2008, Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council, Girl Scouts of Moccasin Bend Council and Girl Scouts of the Appalachian Council will begin a merger, joining together to become one high-capacity council serving nearly 50 counties.

When the merger is complete in 2009, the new council will serve more than 28,000 girls and 10,000 volunteers from Southwest Virginia to North Georgia.

Similar changes are happening across the nation, as Girl Scouts of the USA has embarked on an historic reorganization that is transforming the Girl Scout movement and will enable councils to better meet the needs of girls in today’s ever-changing world. At the direction of Girl Scouts of the USA, more than 300 Girl Scout councils are realigning into just more than 100 high-capacity councils.  These councils will be positioned to serve local communities and create greater opportunities for girls through more effective use of resources. 

The three council offices are currently located in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Johnson City. They have been working together in 2007 and 2008 to prepare for the upcoming merger process. They are joining together to find the best ways to meet the needs of girls today—whether girls live in a metropolitan or rural area or whether girls participate regularly in a neighborhood troop, in-school program or join a Girl Scout interest group.

Upon completion of the merger, in October 2009, the newly-formed council will have a new name that reflects the diverse geographic region it will serve.

Maintaining the Girl Scout Promise and best traditions of Girl Scouts while clearly focusing on the needs of girls is the work of a high-capacity council. 

“Providing services when and where they are needed and using resources wisely are important parts of delivering on a promise to this new council,” Tanasi Council CEO Lucille Griffo said.  "With the incredible growth Tanasi Council has experienced, we really believe in Girl Scouting now more than ever."

“We are committed to our mission: building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.  Building a new Girl Scout council is an important step to achieving our goals for girls,” Griffo said.

The new council will have service centers throughout the jurisdiction for the convenience of volunteers and girls.

Current councils support strong outdoor camping and troop programs, and Tanasi boasted a 20 percent increase in Girl Scout membership in 2007 and again in 2008. The new council will maintain this strong commitment and work to maximize the additional opportunities for girls throughout the council jurisdiction.

The most exciting immediate news is that the newly merged council will be pooling volunteer and staff resources.  This will enable the new council to increase the number of Girl Scout program events offered and give all girls the chance to meet even more Girl Scouts.

About Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council…

Girls Scouts of Tanasi Council, Inc. is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, and has more than 13,000 members in 16 East Tennessee counties. Thousands of girls enjoy outdoor program opportunities at Camp Tanasi on 450 wooded acres on Norris Lake.

Girl Scouts of the USA is the world’s largest organization dedicated to helping all girls everywhere build character and gain skills for success. Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts’ membership has grown from 18 members in Savannah, Georgia, to nearly four million members throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and in more than 80 countries through USA Girl Scouts Overseas.