Volunteer Spotlight-June
June 23, 2025
Congratulations to Shannon Baird who has been awarded GSNI’s Volunteer Spotlight for June 2025!
Girl Scouts and Shannon seem to go hand in hand. She was a girl member for 12 years, earning several leadership awards along the way, including her Junior Aide, Program Aide, Silver Award, and Girl Scout Gold Award. Shannon then carried those leadership skills with her to give back as an adult leader for Troops 144 and 1384 and as a Troop Fall Product and Cookie Chair. Besides volunteering with troops, she was previously a Treasurer for Geneva Service Unit, has assisted them with older Girl Scout recruitments, and has been a Service Unit Manager for the past six years. Shannon was also chosen to be one of GSNI’s National Delegates!
Since 2019, GSNI has recognized Shannon for her tremendous efforts by awarding her GSUSA’s Volunteer of Excellence Award, Appreciation Pin, and Honor Pin. For her many hours spent volunteering, she has also received various Presidential Volunteer Service Awards over the years. Congratulations, Shannon!
GSNI’s Membership Engagement Specialist Lauri Doyle nominated Shannon, stating, “She has been such a strong advocate especially for older Girl Scouts. She has led her older girl troop through Gold Award projects, travel, and numerous Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. Shannon has helped Girl Scouts achieve everything they wanted to achieve and has done so while teaching them that they have the ability to work for whatever they would like to accomplish. In addition to leading two troops, Shannon was able to take the Service Unit Manager role for their area post-COVID and has done a great job rebuilding Geneva Girl Scouts with engaging meetings and building some wonderful community events.”
Monthly attendance at their service unit meetings has also increased over the past few years. This is thanks to Shannon’s additional work in reaching out to GSNI Preferred Partners and area vendors to schedule their presentations, which provides adult activities at many of their regular service unit meetings. She does a great job promoting these leader enrichments in advance, so volunteers can plan to attend.
When asked how volunteering has brought meaning to her, Shannon responded, “Volunteering has allowed me to watch my daughters, and their friends grow and flourish as Girl Scouts. They have become lifelong friends, camped together, worked together as camp counselors, and have traveled the globe. Girl Scouts impacted my life as a youth and I wanted to continue those experiences for my own daughters. Girl Scouts gave me experience to try new things that I probably would not have experienced. Watching our troops conquer fears such as horseback riding, rock climbing, or camp without their parents, has been great. Allowing my daughters and their friends these opportunities has been a gift. Knowing they have learned valuable skills and experience keeps me doing what I do!”
She mentioned, “The Three Processes (girl-led, learning by doing, and cooperative learning) are integrated into our troop experiences. Watching our Girl Scouts take the lead on badges and experiences as younger Girl Scouts, then incorporating those skills to further their interests has been incredibly rewarding. Teaching badges in front of their friends gave them confidence to continue their public speaking and standing up for what their truths are. No fear, just confidence!”
“My favorite memory as a Girl Scout leader and parent was being elected as a GSNI National Delegate.” Shannon noted. “My daughter and I learned about parliamentary procedure, how Girl Scouts is run, and what changes could be made. We traveled to Florida for the Delegate Meeting and joined in with Girl Scouts from around the world. Here my daughter used her voice to stand up for changes within Girl Scouts. Our passion for the Girl Scout Movement felt heard.”
After considering what advice she might give to other Girl Scout volunteers or parents, Shannon replied, “To parents, my number one tip is to get the badges on the vest immediately because they always seem to walk away. Even if it’s stapling them on, which I have done, and sewing/ironing them on later. With having a graduating Ambassador, Girl Scouts has helped her with college applications, scholarships, and preparing for travel abroad programs. Encourage your Girl Scout to continue as the fun really starts in middle school, high school, and beyond! To volunteers, Girl Scouts should be fun! When I start to get burned out, I lean into my community. There are amazing leaders in GSNI who can guide you. Also, check into your local nature centers, libraries, and ask your service unit to take on a badge or two.”
That’s great advice! Thanks for volunteering, Shannon, and for making a difference to so many!
GSNI wishes to thank Patty Donahue and Image Awards Engraving and Creative Keepsakes in Geneva, Illinois, for graciously providing the beautiful tile trivet awards for our Volunteer Spotlight Program.
