On November 20, Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland's Board of Directors voted to approve the continuation of the volunteer/community property plans. In the fall of 2013, volunteer committees representing Latonka Program Center (Wayne County), Mintahama Program Center (Newton County), and Sacajawea West Program Center (Pettis County) presented property plans to the Board of Directors containing yearly fundraising, usage, and maintenance goals. These plans were developed to cover the cost of operating expenses and deferred maintenance projects, as well as increase member and non-member participation at the properties. The Latonka, Mintahama, and Sacajawea West committees continue to meet their goals, and will be moving forward with property plans. An expectation will be that each volunteer group work with the council to update a deferred maintenance/capital improvement plan that maximizes safety and meets the needs of the girls.

"Our volunteers, donors, and community members continue to show dedication to Girl Scouting and to the program properties in their areas. We are impressed with the progress that our volunteer/community groups have made," says Anne Soots, CEO. "We look forward to the continuation of the partnerships to help build high-quality, sustainable program centers to serve the membership of Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland."

About the Girl Scout Leadership Experience

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls in grades K-12. With 3.3 million girl and adult members worldwide, Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development. Today's Girl Scout Leadership Experience has evolved to fit a wide variety of interests of schedules. With five program pathways -- events, series, camp, troops, and travel -- girls have more options and more reasons to join than ever before. Through hands-on learning opportunities and a girl-led decision-making process, the Girl Scout Leadership Experience empowers girls to discover a strong sense of self, connect with others in a changing world, and take action to help make the world a better place.

About Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland has a membership of just over 14,000 girls and 5,000 adults across 68 counties in central and southern Missouri, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma. With the support of community partners, donors, and volunteers, we mentor and support girls as they develop crucial life skills and prepare to take the lead -- today, tomorrow, and for the rest of their lives. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to Girl Scouts, call 877-312-4764 or visit us on the web at www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org.

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