Dear Friends,

Nearly 100 years ago, Juliette Gordon Low envisioned a powerful organization of girls and young women who would become leaders in their communities and in the world. Two years ago, when we founded Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, we took major steps towards ensuring that Juliette's bold vision would continue and thrive for another hundred years.Together, we have done just that, and the future of Girl Scouting is looking brighter than ever before.
 
Of greatest importance, we are now operating as a unified Council with a shared vision of our Mission.  We have not just combined three legacy councils. We have created a dynamic new Council-and we are far greater than the sum of our parts.  Our membership is growing and we have greater ability to reach girls in under-served communities.  We have more exciting and enhanced girl-programs and new adult development opportunities.  We have joined forces with regional corporations, foundations, government agencies and private donors to help continue our financial growth.  We have established advisory councils to connect with influence-makers throughout the Council.  We are using best practices in all of our governance.  We have held onto our most treasured Girl Scout traditions and we have created new, GSEP traditions.
 
It has been my honor and privilege to serve as the first Chair of the Board of GSEP.  The last two years have been an extraordinary experience for me.  Now, I hand the reins over to Ann Thornton Field, who I know will do an excellent job as your next Chair.  Ann and I are already working together to ensure a seamless transition.  I am confident that Ann and the new Board will continue the work we have started to reach every girl who wants to be a Girl Scout and to give each girl the opportunity to reach her full potential.   
 
Starting a new council is hard work and I want to thank the entire GSEP staff for all of their efforts.  My special thanks go to Ann Meredith, our very talented and mission-driven CEO, for being such a wonderful partner in everything we have accomplished. I want to thank all the Board members who have traveled with me as we charted new territory to make the Board strategic, policy-driven and mission-focused.  And I want to thank all of you, our members and volunteers, who have supported the Council in the critical work of bringing the Girl Scout program to the girls of our region.  We cannot do this without you. 
 
I remain committed to the proposition that girls and women are entitled to take their equal and rightful place in society.  I firmlybelieve that Girl Scouting can and will empower girls to make that happen.
 
Yours in Girl Scouting,
 
Andrea R. Kramer
Chair of the Board