Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Shana Barbera in the Pikes Peak region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.
GSCO asked Shana 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 became a Girl Scout volunteer when my daughter was in kindergarten. I volunteered to be her Daisy co-leader.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I quickly became her Daisy leader and I have continued moving up and leading her group for eight years. I have also taken on a few other roles. I have been the troop cookie manager for five years now. And, I am also the service unit cookie manager and service unit fall product manager for two years now. I also plan on taking on a new role this year with a another leader and we will be training our Cadettes for Reach for the Peak and taking them to the competition. I’m super excited for this opportunity.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
I have learned so much as a Girl Scout volunteer! I have learned a ton of life/survival skills that I probably wouldn’t have learned or practiced had I not been in Girl Scouts. But most importantly, I get a close-up glimpse of my daughter growing up and developing into the sweet, confident young lady she is today, plus all the wonderful girls I get to work with and watch grow.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I hope that the girls I get to work with will learn from me that it is ok to be different. It is ok to have our own opinions. I hope they learn how to be confident, kind and courageous, and that they always have fun.
Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org.