Community involvement is large part of Proctor woman’s life
PROCTOR, VT – Life as a mother, wife, student, soccer league co-chair, businesswoman, and PTO member was certainly more than enough to keep anyone busy and involved in her community. Nevertheless, Ann Reed stepped up to co-lead a Girl Scout troop a year and a half ago, guiding girls from first grade through sixth, and volunteering to take charge of Girl Scout Cookie sales in the Rutland area this year. This new leader has earned the honor of being named Volunteer of the Month for July by Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, the council serving more than 10,000 girls across Vermont and New Hampshire.
Reed first got involved when her daughter expressed interest in joining a new Girl Scout troop in Proctor. She was adamant at the time that she couldn’t take on any more responsibilities. “I was going to grad school at the time and running two businesses!”
So her husband took their daughter, one of their three children, to troop meetings. It wasn’t long before she decided to get involved. “I’m head of the PTO at the elementary school, on soccer league’s board of directors - I was the mom that was everywhere anyway,” she said. After helping the troop with its fall product program, Girl Scout Cookies seemed a natural fit for her, and she took it on with enthusiasm, with the assistance of co-leaders Amanda Duchesne and Sarah Watulak.
Since her husband’s concrete business was in its slow season earlier this year, he volunteered to help with the cookies as well, along with her in-laws, who lent the use of their finished basement for the shipment of cookies to be distributed to Rutland-area troops.
Tina Wiles, the council’s volunteer support coordinator for the area, said Reed is “awesome.”
“She has been amazing,” said Wiles. “We worked together this year in an effort to train. She picked up on the responsibilities and processes really quick and worked well with leaders. She did an amazing job this year with troop cookie deliveries as well as managing the Rutland cookie cupboard. She is very organized and detail oriented, which allowed her to be awesome in her duties. I look forward to working with her more with community activities. I do want to give a shout-out to her husband, his family, and their employees for all they did for our community this year - especially with regard to cookies.”
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Reed’s Girl Scouts were busy doing all sorts of activities, along with their cookie projects. Along with a holiday potluck dinner, marching in the town’s Memorial Day parade, and going Christmas caroling, her Girl Scouts did a first-aid project and worked on the Gaming badge. “I gave them dice from games, and cards and paper, and it was interesting to me to see how creative they can be given the supplies.” When her third-grade Brownies had issues with bullies at school, they worked on the Making Friends badge to give the girls tips on how to handle difficult situations. “I opted to do the life lessons they would need through the Brownies, through the badges,” said Reed. And when her Girl Scouts talked about what their community might need, they took real action. “They wrote a letter to the PTO to say what the school needs. We were talking about things in the community we could do to help as Girl Scouts. They said we need better playground equipment – such as for kids with disabilities. They sat down together and wrote a letter and gave it to me to read at the PTO. They were taken seriously.”
Reed had planned to get her Girl Scouts outdoors, which has been delayed due to the pandemic, but has already taken the council’s Basic Outdoor Living Skills workshop in preparation. They may start troop meetings back up on the town green when state and Girl Scout procedures allow, and is considering a hike in Pine Hill Park.
Reed has just finished her master’s degree in finance on top of her many community activities. Her energy, enthusiasm, and hard work is greatly appreciated by the council and all who work with her. Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is proud to name Ann Reed its Volunteer of Month for July.
It’s easy to join Girl Scouts, whether as an adult volunteer or a girl from kindergarten through 12th grade. Be a G.I.R.L. – Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader™! To learn more, see www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
About Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is recognized throughout New Hampshire and Vermont as a leading expert on girls. Our Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a one-of-a-kind leadership development program for girls, with proven results. It is based on time-tested methods and research-backed programming that helps girls take the lead—in their own lives and in the world. Through our exciting and challenging programs, Girl Scouts not only participate but also take the lead in a range of activities—from kayaking, archery, and camping, to coding, robotics, financial literacy training, and beyond! Serving more than 10,000 girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
