GSCCC Advocacy Meetings

From left to right: Congressman Bobby Scott,
Girl Scout Senior Sariyah Vann,
GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller

Each year, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast (GSCCC) schedules advocacy meetings with the U.S. Senators and Representatives of Congress who represent those in our Council’s jurisdiction. The meetings give us an opportunity to meet with legislators and/or their key staff members with a goal of sharing information found in the 2018 Legislative Agenda (PDF). We also provide information on how GSCCC is taking action locally to improve girls’ lives through Council program opportunities and the awesome stories of our Gold Award Girl Scouts!

From left to right: Girl Scout Ambassador Lily Tomlinson,
GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller,
Sylvia Murphy

GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller and others from the Council’s Advocacy Committee took time in August to meet with Senator Kaine’s Regional Director Diane Kaufman, Congressman Bobby Scott and Congressman McEachin’s District Representative Sylvia Murphy – both Diane and Sylvia are Girl Scout alum!  

From left to right: GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller and Diane Kaufman

“While there may not be a particular piece of legislation we are discussing, the time connecting with legislators to help them learn more about Girl Scout initiatives is time well spent,” Tracy said. “We also learn a great deal about possible partnerships with other nonprofits, schools and businesses, as well as legislation that may be of interest to Girl Scouts. Advocacy is a year-round effort and annual visits, such as these, are essential for our organization's growth and to ensure girls voices are heard.”

2018 Legislative Agenda  

Supporting Girls’ Exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
We want every girl to have opportunities to explore and build an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. We strongly support policy efforts that invest in STEM education programs and develop career pipelines that inspire and enable girls in grades K to 12 and those in underrepresented minorities to enter the STEM workforce.

Strengthening Girls’ Financial Literacy Skills
Ninety percent of girls say it’s important to learn how to manage money, but only 12 percent of girls today currently feel very confident making financial decisions. We want to change that. For over a century, financial literacy has been an integral part of our programming and policy agenda.
 

Reducing Bullying and Relational Aggression
Our innovative bullying prevention program for middle school girls, called BFF (Be a Friend First), helps girls develop healthy relationships, prevent bullying, and become peacemakers in their schools and communities. We support policies that invest in bullying prevention programs and efforts in schools that encourage partnerships with youth-serving organizations in order to build strong, lasting relationships and social skills.
 

Increasing Access to Outdoor Activities
For over a century, outdoor activities have been a cornerstone of the Girl Scout experience, and we remain committed to ensuring that girls have the opportunity to take part in everything our camps and our nation’s natural resources have to offer. We support policy efforts to help girls get outdoors regularly and in varied ways.

Fostering Global Citizenship and a Global Voice for Girls
We are dedicated to ensuring that girls have opportunities to develop an increased awareness of the larger world—even if they don't travel beyond their own community—so they can grow into responsible global citizens.

Supporting a Thriving Nonprofit Community
We support policies and activities that help us achieve our mission—and that help nonprofits incentivize charitable giving, as well as recruit and retain staff and volunteers.