Rohrer to Guide Girl Scouts Through Reorganization Effort
By Geri Parlin, La Crosse Tribune, Wis.
Nov. 30–On Tuesday, Mary Rohrer received a birthday present in the mail from her daughter, Lt. Col. Mary Jo Rohrer, who is serving in Iraq. It was a T-shirt which read, “Scouting in Iraq — It happens here.”
Those who know Rohrer know that scouting is her passion, so it was the perfect gift and a timely reminder to keep her chin up as the Riverland Council starts its realignment efforts. Beginning Monday, River-land executive director Mary Rohrer will have a new job title — executive director of council realignment and fund development. She will guide the council through its reorganization as it merges with the Beloit-based Badger Council and Madison-based Blackhawk Council.
It could be the beginning of the end of her job with the Girl Scout council she has guided for 30 years, she said. But in her heart, she will always be a Girl Scout.
Coming in to oversee operations while Rohrer oversees fund development and realignment will be Sally Friend.
“Sally Friend will be a great asset,” Rohrer said.
In the next year, the three councils have to figure out a way to merge while they protect programming, fundraising and their core mission of teaching leadership skills to girls. Deadline for merging the three councils is April 1, 2009, and the actual merging usually takes about a year, Rohrer said.
“I’ve never had time to just focus on fund development,” Rohrer said, so she is enthusiastic about putting more time and energy into that. “My mantra is, ‘No money, no mission’.”
But the whole process of growing the Girl Scouts into their next phase is bittersweet because Rohrer knows it likely means the end of her employment by the Girl Scouts. With 312 councils merging into 109 councils, that will leave more than 200 executive directors looking for work.
“I want to make the merger as seamless as possible with the least amount of negative impact,” Rohrer said. “One voice with one heart and one mission — that’s my goal. It is my intention that we have equal participation and equal say.”
But while she works had to make the transition stress-free for scouts and their leaders, Rohrer says it has been a struggle for her personally.
“I’m a person who likes to have my life in order, so this is very frustrating for me. I probably will have to leave Girl Scouts. I’ve gone through a lot of emotions.”
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers:
Why are the Girl Scouts realigning?
The realignment will bring more efficiency to the Girl Scouts, adjust the age levels of Girl Scouting and present more impact-driven experiences.
Why change now?
To make more effective use of resources and offer more program opportunities to girls.
How will your scout troop be affected?
You will be in the same troop or may choose to join a new troop. The troop number may change.
How will this affect the camps attended by Girl Scouts?
There will be even more opportunities because Madison has a resident camp north of Antigo, Wis., that scouts in this area will be able to attend. A big bonus that Riverland brings to the merger is Camp Ehawee, the Riverland Girl Scout Council’s resident camp near Mindoro, Wis. While it is serving about 800 girls now, it has the capacity to serve many more, and the new lodges that have been built in recent years make it a very attractive camp, Rohrer said.
Where can Girl Scout items be purchased?
Until the realignment is complete, the current Girl Scout locations remain the same, so you can still visit the headquarters at Hixon Forest.
How will the change affect what girls are doing now?
It won’t. You an still earn awards and badges as they exist right now.
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