The Friendship Circle from Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois

In this episode, Tracy Hooper, GSNI Adult Delegate, and Eleanor Hooper, GSNI Youth Delegate, join us to break down one of the biggest events in Girl Scouts—the 58th National Council Session. They answer some of the most frequently asked questions, including what it means to be a delegate, and share what attendees can expect from the session. Tracy and Eleanor also walk through the three proposals...

Join us as we talk to Bridget Wolcott, Girl Scout Mom & TroopLeader, Girl Scout Caitlin W., Troop 1119, and Girl Scout Emily W., Troop 923 about the upcoming cookie season and get the inside scoop on what works (or doesn’t) during cookie booth season. These Girl Scouts share their ideas, tips, and innovations to make the most of the Girl Scout Cookie Program each year! 

Have you heard about GivingTuesday? Each year GSNI participates in this international day of charitable giving worldwide! Our theme this year is #FuelHerDream—highlighting how Girl Scouts is an exciting, hands-on, fun way to equip Girl Scouts to dream big, follow those dreams, and achieve them. One GSNI alum who achieved her dream with the help of Girl Scouts is Rachel Roschi, DVM, Small Animal Ve...

Join members of our phenomenal STEW Crew to learn all about this incredible weekend opportunity planned FOR volunteers BY volunteers. Brea, Ericha, and Robin will have you laughing with their stories, memories, and workshop recommendations. Don’t miss your chance to experience these troop-enhancing tips, tricks, and hacks you’ll use for years to come! 

Our 21 st Annual Thin Mint Sprint is coming up on September 13. There’s still time to register! Join us as we talk to Johnny Meshes and Chris Spiek, members of the Fox River Grove Memorial Library Running Club. They give great running tips and tricks and tell us all about the Thin Mint Sprint and why you shouldn’t miss this fun, family-friendly event! 

On this episode Michele gives a full overview of the Fall Product Program, including benefits for Girl Scouts who choose to participate. Hear more about our adorable mascot and Brave. Fierce. Fun! theme! Michele also shares about awesome rewards, resources, patches, dates, troop proceeds, and proven ways to set reachable goals for each entrepreneur. Don’t miss the new items debuting (and returning...

Do you need to know how to make an origami paper cup? Ask Kelsey, our Cheyenne Service Unit Manager, and member of an awesome multigenerational Girl Scout family going all the way back to 1921! On this episode, Kelsey, her mom Shawn, and daughter Klarissa share their Girl Scout memories over the years and discuss why they’re a family that fully  invests in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

Meet members and leaders of Troop 353 as they tell us all about planning and taking an amazing troop trip to Savannah, Georgia, the birthplace of Girl Scouts! The troop took over 1,500 photos while participating in activities like a dolphin cruise and a Savannah Bananas ball game. You’ll learn what inspired their trip, how they planned for activities, food, and accommodations—and how Girl Scouts f...

Happy Pride Month! Join us and Janey Welch, longtime GSNI volunteer and one of the founding volunteer members of the GSNI Belonging team, as we talk all about Pride Month and what it means. This is one you do not want to miss! Queue the tissues!

It’s time for summer camp! Join our camp friends Unicorn and Figment as they talk about exciting new sessions at Camp Dean and Camp McCormick, give tips for first-time campers (and their caregivers!), and share some fun and meaningful camp stories. Listeners will also get to hear more about our camp Maker Spaces and a unique story about a tree-climbing goat! 

Hey Girl Scouts, it's time to renew! Listen to one of our very own Member Support Specialists, Lauri Doyle, to learn all about renewal, early renewal, important dates, and so much more!

It’s already a fan favorite episode featuring our own Mary Kay Golec, one of GSNI’s beloved Resource Specialists! Mary Kay walks us though GSNI’s Customer Care department and our Resource Centers for a unique and entertaining view on why everyone—even non-Girl Scouts— should visit a Resource Center for a wonderful, educational, and FUN experience! 

Join us for a look back on Women’s History Month with new guest co-host Jordan Needham, GSNI Membership Engagement Specialist, and longtime Girl Scout, Girl Scout volunteer, and GSNI Historian Sue Reimer. Sue shares how Girl Scouts has been a part of women’s history through the years and how our Historians are currently preserving Girl Scout tradition and history for future generations! 

We’re excited to welcome Kathleen Baylis and Katie Hogan of GSNI’s Gold Award Committee to this episode of The Friendship Circle! Along with guest co-host Angela Musial, GSNI Program Manager, they discuss the history of the Girl Scout Gold Award—the highest award a Girl Scout can earn—along with the best way to earn the award. They also talk about common pitfalls to avoid and ways families and lea...

Join us as we talk to several Girl Scout Cookie entrepreneurs in Troop 1923 about their cookie seasons—both past and present—and get the inside scoop on what works (or doesn’t) during cookie booth season. These Girl Scouts share their ideas, tips, and innovations to make the most of the Girl Scout Cookie Program each year! 

January 17, 2025, is the deadline to apply to be a National Council Delegate! What’s a National Council Delegate? Would it be a great experience for you? Learn all about the opportunities to represent GSNI on the national stage and make a difference for current and future generations of Girl Scouts. Join our special guest Karen Tatlock for an exciting first-person account of the delegate experienc...

This month we’re talking to Ranger Casey who takes care of GSNI’s Mary Ann Beebe Center (affectionately known as MABC). Casey tells us all about MABC’s features with available facilities, sites, and opportunities for unique outdoor adventures. Learn how GSNI service units and groups can use MABC, including for volunteer-led camps during the summer. Plus, Casey tells us the secret to successful cra...

It’s nearly GivingTuesday! Taking place on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, GivingTuesday is the world’s largest generosity movement and will take place on December 3, 2024. Learn more about this unique holiday, along with family approaches to giving, philanthropy, and generosity with Cheryl Red of Be IncREDible Coaching. Cheryl shares tips on how giving can actually be good for you, your healt...

Join us in a look back at Hispanic Heritage Month and ways several members of our staff (and our Girl Scouts!) celebrate this special time of year!

Congratulations to GSNI Girl Scout MariLyn for being one of the top ten entrepreneurs in our 2023 Fall Product Program! MariLyn and her mom (also her troop leader!) Kathy sat down with The Friendship Circle to talk about how to succeed in the Fall Product Program. MariLyn shares her customer’s preferred products, favorite selling methods, and how she sets goals to earn the rewards she really wants...

We’re excited to talk to GSNI Senior Product Program Manager, Debbie, about this year’s Fall Product Program season! Debbie gives a full overview of the program, including benefits for Girl Scouts who choose to participate. Hear more about our adorable Ellie the Elephant mascot and Embrace Possibilities theme! Debbie also shares about awesome rewards, resources, patches, dates, troop proceeds, and...

Join us we talk about volunteer-led day and twilight camps with Kelly, Arapaho Day Camp Director, and Emily, River Valley Day Camp Director. These Girl Scout alums share their experience in hosting two very different camps with the same goal of giving Girl Scouts summer memories they’ll never forget. Learn what it’s like to plan a local summer camp, including ideas for locations, activities, and d...

Since our summer camp season has come to an end, we wanted to learn more about Volunteer Led Day Camp's and how our amazing volunteers are successful. Listen as we talk to Sarah Collins, Barrington Twilight Camp Director, about her approach to putting on an amazing Twilight Camp that Girl Scouts are excited for every year!

It’s our 20th Annual Thin Mint Sprint! Join us in Fox River Grove on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Lions Park for a timed 5K fun run/walk and stay for the after party. This community event raises funds in support of current and future Girl Scouts all throughout northern Illinois. Listen as we talk to GSNI CEO Kari about how Girl Scouts can qualify for her “Quicker than Kari” patch, and Kristine...

Get the inside scoop on how Arabella from Troop 1168 was able to sell cookies to all 50 states! WOW!