Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Victoria Gigoux of Grand Junction in the Western Colorado region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.
GSCO asked Victoria 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 originally became a leader so I could spend time with my kids. I work fulltime, but I was able to leave a little early to take 90-minutes each week with my (at the time) Kindergarten and first grade daughters. A year later, I had another little girl, so here I am 12 years later as a volunteer with three girls who are still active Girl Scouts. Those two little girls are in 11th and 12th grade this year, but with a fifth grader, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon!
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
Troop Leadership
Leader in two troops, 12214 and 10065, covering Daisies through Ambassadors
Cookie Manager
Region One/Service Unit
Currently Service Unit Co-Manager for Western Slope, having been here once before
Service Unit Treasurer for several years
President’s Cabinet
Cookies and Cocktails Event Lead
Statewide Committees
Currently, at-Large member of Board Governance Committee
Previously, MCC, having also served as MCC rep to the Board of Directors for four years
Previously, Volunteer Awards review committee
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
How much time do you have? Kidding…
Truthfully, I’ve learned that I love doing this way more than I ever imagined I would. What started out as about two hours a week of spending quality time with my own kids has become such a huge part of who I am. I love volunteering with this organization at every level. I have formed my very best female friendships as a result of working with my truly amazing co-leaders. I have grown networks in my community as a result of my time on the service unit, on statewide committees, and working closely with GSCO staff. I have gained 120-ish (I lost count) new “daughters” over 12 years of being a leader, each I care for as much as my own children. I have learned I would be where I am in life or who I am as a person without each of these relationships. I feel, quite by accident, I am a mentor. I have learned my passion in life is relationship building and fostering girls and women as leaders.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
When I talk about my Girl Scouts, I like to say, “if any one of *my* (because, of course, they are ALL mine!) girls come to a crossroads in life and hears my voice in their head, then I’ve done my job.” To me, this means I hope they’ve learned whatever is most valuable to them in life, whether it be self-confidence, making good choices, trying new things, being kind to others, never giving up….whatever! If there is a choice and they don’t know where to go or what to do, I hope they always know they have someone in their life who always had their back, was always cheering for them and wishing for the very best life had to offer. I hope they know there is always time to do what you love, to spend with those you value, and give back. I also hope they realize I mean it when I call them “mine” because I am invested, long term, in each of them. If they ever need someone to turn to, I am always just a message away!
Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org.