Monmouth, Ocean councils of Girl Scouts plan to merge

Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts and Girl Scouts of Ocean County have announced that they will be joining forces to form one Girl Scout council serving approximately 18,000 girls throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouting serves girls in every corner of the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, as well as destinations abroad. The organization has enrolled more than 50 million girls in its 94-year history. In a press release, the organization said it must seize the opportunity to revitalize the Girl Scout movement to remain compelling, contemporary and relevant to today's girls.

According to a press release, on Aug. 26, Girl Scouts of the USA's (GSUSA) national board of directors voted to endorse a plan to realign 312 councils into 109 high-performance, community-based councils. The new structure will make the most effective use of resources to better serve the local community and create more opportunities in Girl Scouting for even more girls, according to the press release.

"By merging with the Monmouth council we will be combining the strengths of two excellent councils into a new organization with even greater potential. We are looking forward to working with our partners in Monmouth council to begin the process of building a new council," said Linda Rieche, Ocean Council president.

Monmouth Council President Barbara L. Birdsall said, "Forming a new council with the Girl Scouts of Ocean County will allow us to provide a consistent Girl Scout experience that builds courage, confidence and character in girls so that they make the world a better place."

Monmouth Council CEO Sue McClure said, "Both councils are very excited about our partnership in forming a new council. Changes today will make it possible for us to provide even better programs to greater numbers of girls and young women for years to come."

"In a country as culturally diverse as America, Girl Scouting, and our philosophy of leadership, must be inclusive and respond to the needs of girls from all communities, cultures and walks of life," said Patricia Diaz Dennis, chair, GSUSA national board of directors. "Thanks to the collective vision and support of the entire Girl Scout movement, Girl Scouting has demonstrated what it means to truly listen to girls and react in a way that will most positively meet their individual needs."

Rick Renzulli, Ocean Council executive director, said the merger process will take about a year.

"The process of merging two councils involves a fair amount of change, which will present opportunities for growth and improvement. It is a chance for us to learn and implement new methods that will make Girl Scouting even better," Renzulli said. "We hope to serve our members as a single new council for the 2007-08 Girl Scout year which begins around August 2007."