Girl Scouts of North East Ohio Elects National Delegates
April 15, 2020
Member engagement is a key part of Girl Scouts of North East Ohio’s (GSNEO) strategy as we strive to honor the voice of our membership. Our governance system, with elected delegates serving as voting members of the council, is one of the main ways for members to give input to our Board of Directors.
A National Delegate is an elected representative of GSNEO who attends the National Council Session and G.I.R.L. 2020 of Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), which will occur in Orlando, FL this year from October 21-25. This position is responsible for determining the direction Girl Scouting will take throughout the country. The National Council Delegates serve as GSNEO’s voting members, engaging and gathering feedback from Girl Scout members in our council, learning about proposals, and taking action to be the voice of GSNEO during the National Council Session.
Every three years, Girl Scouts gather at the National Council Session to celebrate and reinvigorate our Girl Scout Movement and chart our future. The volunteer position is a three-year commitment, which requires a Girl Scout membership for the duration.
In addition to being voting members of General Assembly of GSNEO, National Delegates have responsibilities before, during, and after attending the National Council Session. Before the National Council Session, each GSNEO National Delegate takes personal responsibility to: study all items on the agenda, including background information and recommendations of the National Board of Directors; attend briefing meetings conducted by GSNEO; participate in council and board meetings (as requested); and participate in council forums and focus groups, as requested. National Delegates will consider a broad spectrum of the opinions of adult and older girl members from all parts of the council. The National Delegates will participate in conference calls and webinars for voting members sponsored by GSUSA and engage in opportunities to discuss, learn, and share ideas across the Movement.
While attending the National Council Session, each voting member is responsible for attending all business meetings and participating in the proceedings, being fully prepared to participate in discussions and vote on all business items.
Upon returning from the National Council Session, each National Delegate is responsible for reporting at GSNEO’s Annual Meeting, to the council board of directors, and the council’s constituency as requested on the National Council decisions and the reasons for such decisions. They will also share insights of information gained at the National Council Session, if requested. GSNEO National Delegates will assist GSNEO as it prepares to participate in the next National Council Session. Additionally, our National Delegates will be asked to participate in conference calls, webinars, and other opportunities for voting members/delegates.
The GSNEO Board Development Committee took each National Delegate’s application under careful consideration before slating them for election at the Annual Meeting of the General Assembly, held virtually on April 4, 2020.
We are happy to report that 13 of 18 of the National Delegates elected to represent GSNEO are girl members. The remaining five National Delegates and two Alternate Delegates elected are adult members with vast Movement experience and involvement.
Those elected to serve a three-year term, represent GSNEO at the National Council Session October 21-23 and participate in the G.I.R.L. 2020 events and festivities are:
National Delegates
Shelby Bennett (Girl)
Ella Clapper (Girl)
Nicole Cucuzza (Adult)
Isabelle Gibson (Girl)
Grace Guy (Girl)
Sarah Hermann (Girl)
Emani Jackson (Girl)
Valarie Mariola (Adult)
Elizabeth Morisak (Girl)
Amy Preneta (Adult)
Halle Preneta (Girl)
Heather Renz (Adult)
Elizabeth Siembida (Girl)
Makayla Tarr (Girl)
Karen Treboniak (Adult)
Hayley Van Epps (Girl)
Cecelia Venditti (Girl)
Mya Yarbrough (Girl)
Alternate National Delegates
Wendy Gibson (Adult)
Monse Maragano-Yarbrough (Adult)
During the National Council Session, in addition to conducting the business of the Movement, delegates will engage in conversations about the future and how to provide exciting educational opportunities for adults and girls.
Hosted by GSUSA, the G.I.R.L. 2020 and National Council Session mega-event will provide attendees with unforgettable experiences as they gain inspiration, tools to empower themselves, and the know-how to lead change in their communities – connecting with some of the most influential women in the world along the way.
