Over the past thirteen months, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois has undergone an evaluation of our properties and developed a Long Range Property Plan to ensure that properties make the best use of council resources and provide optimal program offerings. GSCI is committed to maintaining and utilizing our properties to the best advantage of those we serve – our girl members and adult volunteers. Using our properties to their best advantage means making conscious choices about where and how to invest our money.

The vision of the Long Range Property Plan is to provide modern, relevant properties for Girl Scout programs and outdoor education which align with the needs of today’s girls and the leadership development mission of GSUSA. We have developed a plan to move the council forward to meet the contemporary needs of girls while maintaining the legacy of our traditional Girl Scout roots.

A tremendous amount of work and hours were dedicated to the GSCI Long Range Property Plan. The GSCI Board of Directors hired a market research firm to undergo a property study for the council. A Property Committee was established to study GSCI properties and evaluate the recommendations of the market research. These groups studied GSCI properties, met with staff members and community members, surveyed our girl and adult membership, and used all of this to make recommendations to the board. Thank you to all of the girls, volunteers, and community members who took time to attend focus groups earlier this year and participate in the council-wide property survey.

The Property Committee felt it was important to not take a property away without offering something in its place. In addition to our vision for a destination camp that will provide the kinds of facilities and programs that girls want, we’ll create program centers in many of our regions. Program centers hold awesome potential to be a place where troops meet and may contain things such as a gymnasium, a climbing wall, a full kitchen, sleep space, and green space outdoors. We believe the Long Range Property Plan will allow us to hold on to the traditional values of Girl Scouts while at the same time offering facilities where girl-led, hands-on, cooperative learning can take place.

We will be holding community forums in each of our regions to address your questions and concerns. We will also provide updates periodically through ecommunications such our weekly e-newsletter as well as Twitter and Facebook. We appreciate your commitment to Girl Scouts of Central Illinois. Your input is important to us. Should you have any questions you may submit them via e-mail at gsci@girlscouts-gsci.org or by phone at 877-231-1446.

The Property Committee is comprised of the following members from throughout the council’s jurisdiction:
Nora Baldner, chair, Quincy
Patsy Webber, Bloomington
Phil Houser, Bloomington
Robert Wood, Pittsfield
Tom Berns, Urbana
Diane Newell, Springfield
Sonie Smith, Jacksonville
Susan Mason, Springfield
Mary Alice Davis, Springfield
Sharon Riechers, ex officio, Springfield