Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Jenni Esser of Peyton in the Pikes Peak region has had many different volunteer positions at both the troop and service unit levels. She is also a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.
GSCO asked Jenni to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did.
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
I was pretty much “volun-told.” Haha. I took my oldest to the first Girl Scout meeting of the year in Peyton and told them, while holding my three-month old second daughter, that I’d help where I could but that I had the little one. At the end of the meeting, I was introduced as the new Daisy leader. Lol.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I know how important and influential Girl Scouts was to me. When I was 12 or 13, my Girl Scout troop traveled from Ohio to Rocky Mountain National Park via the Badlands and Cheyenne, WY. It was the trip of a lifetime to me. I knew from that trip that I wanted to be a geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey and live in Colorado. I made that goal happen at age 22. I want to make sure my girls (and others too!) have a great experience through Girl Scouts so they too can experience and explore new places and things and find their goals and have them become reality.
And that role has expanded. I started out as a Daisy Leader and have moved up with my oldest daughter through Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes. I will soon be her Senior leader when she bridges this summer. I am also the Service Unit Manager for SU 10 (both before the merge and after the split from SU 13).
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
I have learned that my Girl Scouts leaders were saints. It is a lot of work leading girls, but it is also an enriching experience. I love seeing the girls explore something new. I love their excitement and energy. It’s contagious.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I hope the girls have learned how to lead and to be great women by living the Girl Scout Law. I hope they continue to learn and explore throughout their lives and that they also become leaders and role-models to younger and future Girl Scouts.
How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?
Being a leader hasn’t helped me become a G.I.R.L. I have been one because I grew up a Girl Scout. Being a leader has given me the opportunity to help girls become a G.I.R.L.
Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org.