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A few accomplishments beyond the merger included developing
an experiential training series called LEAD, a program to recruit,
motivate, and train volunteers to accept positions of leadership
in council governance. She encouraged a group of former
council trainers as the core team of instructors to design and
implement the program for volunteers who wanted to become
agents of change. When the board had to make decisions that
would be diffcult for volunteers and parents to accept, Betsy
deployed board members to visit every service unit to hear
their concerns and to share information about board decisions.
This communication was particularly valuable at the time when
the council had to make the diffcult decision to end the riding
program and sell the horses.

Fred Cash served on the board with Betsy and says, “Betsy
was very calm and professional, as she addressed the many
concerns that were facing the new council. She demonstrated
the attributes of a true leader and Girl Scout that she is.” Her
board term ended when the merger was completed in 2007,
but this true Girl Scout didn’t stop then. She signed on for nearly
three additional years as a National Operational Volunteer for
GSUSA, traveling to meet with other Girl Scout boards around
the country to give guidance and support, particularly to newly
merged councils.

Betsy’s husband Ken recalls some highs and lows of the
realignment period. The intense work with her board on such
an important mission created a strong collegial bond among
members. However, the nature of the role also caused Betsy
some isolation from other friends during this stressful period.
Ken knows she saw her time in the position as a great learning
experience, but admitted that he believes “at least some of the
white hair is due to that board term.”

In the words of Bev Chalabian, “Betsy, you done good!” And so
say all of us.

Honored by
Sunny Baddour, Linda Beidle, Fred Cash, Sr., Bev Chalabian,
Paula and Dennis Conrad, Gunta Douglas, Joan Drnek,
Kathy Gambatese, Jean Ganger, Ann Hunter, Linda Kelp,
Pat Koch, Eleanore Margolis, Bitsy Nanavati, Jane Nied,
Nosse Family: Ken Nosse, Catie and Christoph Merlin,
Gina Okrez, Gail Raabe, June Seech, Roberta Uhrich and
Chris Williams

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