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Dear GSHCC Volunteer,
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us at our recent Annual Meeting and Volunteer Conference. It was truly an honor to connect with so many passionate volunteers and members who care deeply about the future of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California.
For those of you who were unable to join us, I want to share with you some of the highlights and reflections from our time together—the challenges we face, the exciting opportunities ahead, and how we can continue growing this incredible Movement, together. I also encourage you to take a look at our recent Annual Report for a deeper look at our progress and plans for the future.
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Creating the Girl Scout Future
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As many of you know, after ten wonderful years of service, our longtime COO, Marcella Cooper, has stepped away to begin a new chapter in her life. I’m so pleased to welcome Lani Longacre as our new COO. Lani brings a wealth of experience from GSUSA and Girl Scouts San Diego, and already she’s bringing fresh energy and perspective to our team. I’m truly excited for what we’ll build together with her leadership.
At the same time, we’ve been taking a close, honest look at one of our most iconic programs—the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Over the past two years, we’ve seen a decline in revenue—not because fewer girls are participating or fewer people want cookies, but because customers are buying fewer packages. This trend isn’t unique to our council; it's happening across the country. Due to the continued rise in operating costs, we’ve made the difficult but necessary decision to raise the price to $7 per package. We didn’t make this decision lightly, but it’s a critical step toward maintaining the long-term sustainability of the program and aligning with neighboring councils.
We understand that pricing and budget decisions spark questions and conversation. While Representative Assembly members don’t directly vote on these operational matters, they play a role in shaping the future of Girl Scouting by electing leadership, amending bylaws, and sharing feedback. Decisions around finances are made by the Board and staff leadership, based on program priorities, council needs, and long-term financial sustainability. We recognize that member voices are important for helping guide leadership decisions, and we welcome dialogue and ideas.
Financial stewardship remains a top priority, and our council’s financial foundation is strong. We’ve built operating reserves that can support us for more than nine months (a GSUSA recommendation), and we have risk reserves for unanticipated capital expenditures such as facilities and camp maintenance, along with improvement projects. In addition, due to the limited availability and high cost of fire insurance in California, our camps are self-insured. We would bear all costs for rebuilding a camp should the unspeakable occur, and our reserves reflect a portion of this cost. We’re committed to balanced budgets and have no plans to sell camps or other assets. Instead, we’re focused on smart, sustainable growth that keeps our mission—and our members—at the center.
One of the more exciting areas of that growth is our Girl Scouts After-School Clubs program. We contract directly with school districts to bring these clubs into schools through their after-school programs, allowing us to reach girls who may not otherwise have the opportunity to be a Girl Scout. Last year, we served nearly 400 girls through this model, and this year we’re on track to serve more than 1,200—1,200 girls gaining leadership skills, building friendships, and discovering their power right in their own school environments.
You are the heart of this Movement, and we want to make sure you feel equipped, connected, and valued. That’s why we’ve restructured our Volunteer Support team to offer a more regional, personalized service. We’ve enhanced our team to include two Regional Directors who ensure consistency across the council, and eight Regional Coordinators who work directly with assigned Service Units. This allows us to meet you where you are, with more tailored support, better communication, and quicker response times. Whether you’re navigating challenges, celebrating wins, or looking for fresh ideas, we want you to feel like you have a partner in your Girl Scout journey.
Meanwhile, we’re reimagining Camp Menzies—a place that holds deep meaning and cherished memories for so many of us. For generations, it’s been a space where girls discovered courage, independence, and a love for the outdoors. However, the financial losses associated with running staff-led summer camp at Menzies—more than $600,000 annually—are no longer sustainable. We know how much this program matters, which is why we’re approaching this year as a thoughtful transition. During this transition, we will have camp offerings at Camp Menzies, but they will look different than in the past.
Rather than stepping away from outdoor experiences, we’re leaning in. With input from girls, volunteers, and camp alumnae, we’re working to design a refreshed and financially sustainable outdoor program—one that honors the spirit of Camp Menzies and Camp Fleming while evolving to meet the needs of today’s Girl Scouts. Our goal is to preserve what makes outdoor experiences magical while building something that can thrive for years to come.
In addition, we’re rethinking our retail approach to better serve our members. Based on your feedback, we’re shifting toward more localized pop-up events, placing orders for pickup, shopping by appointment, and adjusting our brick-and-mortar operations to be more efficient and accessible. This means fewer brick-and-mortar in-store hours, but more opportunities to connect in the places you already gather. New retail hours will go into effect starting October 1, and we’ll be sharing those details with you soon.
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Our Movement thrives because of your passion, dedication, and the unique strengths each of you brings—playing a vital role in shaping the experiences and futures of the girls we serve. Here are a few meaningful ways you can make a difference:
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Continue your vital volunteer work—it truly is the lifeblood of Girl Scouts.
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Help us grow by inviting new families, encouraging parents to volunteer, and welcoming new girls into your troops.
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I remain hopeful and energized about the future. Together, with our talented staff, board, and volunteers, we are facing challenges head-on while celebrating all the good happening every day. Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support means everything to the girls we serve and to the future of Girl Scouts in our communities.
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Dr. Linda E. Farley, CEO
Girl Scouts Heart of Central California
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