Chairman Info Sheet Template Reconnect Energize - DOC

							                                           Reconnect & Energize
                                                Girls State


Chairman’s preferred contact information: Janet Jefford, Jjefford@goodwin.edu

Program Coordinator’s contact information: Mary Beth Richardson, mrichardson@legion-aux.org

One sentence elevator speech:
Girls State, one of the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction, is
a participatory program that develops tomorrow’s leaders by helping them understand how our
government works and the duties and responsibilities of good citizenship.

Stated objectives for the year (from the Plan of Action):

    1.       Objective: To utilize the Internet and social networking sites to increase visibility and
             viability of the Girls State programs and obtain 1,500 Girls State Page Facebook fans by July
             2010.

    2.       Objective: To instill in all Girls State citizens a commitment of volunteerism and an
             awareness of the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary

    3.       Continue to attract participants and grow Girls State programs by keeping them relevant
             and current and by encouraging departments to increase scholarships for their Girls State
             programs

Key dates (events, deadlines) to know:

         October 1, 2009         2008-2009 Girls State report due to Janet Jefford

         November 16, 2009       Registration fees for Girls Nation due to National

         July 15, 2010           2009-2010 Girls State report due to Janet Jefford

         July 17 – 24            Girls Nation 2010

         September 24 -26        2010 Girls State Conference

Top three activities of this program that support our mission or stated objectives:

    1. Educating Girls State citizens in each Department about the programs and Mission of the
       American Legion Auxiliary by including "Auxiliary Facts" or some such program into every Girls
       State Program agenda.
    2. Adding one Auxiliary mission related volunteer service project to each Department’s Girls State
       program. Girls Nation 2010 will work to add a mission related volunteer service project to its
       agenda.
    3. Incorporating some type of Veterans program into each Girls State (example,"A Tribute to
       Veterans", Medal of Honor Winners, a panel of Veterans).
Girls State (cont’d)

Where to turn for more information:

Plan of Action, Girls State weekly bulletins, www.legion-aux.org, www.boysandgirlsstate.org

Some impact numbers from last year that show why this program is important:

With 27 Departments reporting:

        3180 Units sponsored Girls State citizens

        9849 young women attended Girls State, representing 4,787 schools

A brief story about a best practice or one that illustrates why you do what you do:

Back in 1978, a young woman, Susan, attended Connecticut’s Laurel Girls State. During that session,
Susan had the opportunity to hear an address by Connecticut’s Governor, Ella Grasso. Governor Grasso
was the first women ever to be elected Governor in the United States. She also served as Secretary of
State before being elected governor. Susan was so inspired by the speech that she decided then and
there to pursue a career in law and politics and to one day follow in the footsteps of Governor Grasso.
While at Yale Law School, Susan even wrote and published a biography about Governor Grasso.

Today, Susan Bysiewicz serves as Connecticut’s Secretary of the State and is currently seeking the
Democratic nomination for Governor. Each year Susan returns to Girls State to tell her story and how
incredible it still seems to her that today she actually sits in the chair and works in the office once
occupied by her hero, Ella Grasso. She tells the girls that dreams do come true but it takes perseverance
and hard work. She advises them to always believe in themselves and not to let anyone discourage you.

There are many ‘Susans” out there who have been inspired by their week at Girls State. Over one Million
young women have learned how to make their dreams become a reality. They have left Girls State
inspired and encouraged to do incredible things. This is indeed a week that changes a lifetime!

When I tell people about the Girls State program, I want them to be amazed that so many young
women have been given such an incredible opportunity and to be inspired to support and contribute
to the program.