I am SO ANGRY - Girl Scouts Rant (LONG): UPDATE Pg.12

[Towncrier]

I just came across this thread and am sorry that you and your DD had to put up with this junk. My daughter had a similar experience with Girl Scouts before she finally quit in disgust. Her troop was a very "girly girl" bunch and Sarah just did not fit in. She went to Gettysburg with my son's Cub Scout troop and she was given the same four part patch that the boys received. When she asked if she could put the patch on her GS sash, she was told "NO" because it would make the other girls feel badly that they didn't have the patch. And the following week, her troop went horseback riding. Only Sarah could not go due to a prior commitment. Guess what. All the girls got patches and wore them proudly. When Sarah questioned the leader as to why the other girls could display a patch that she was unable to get, you can imagine the reaction.

Sarah tried to find another troop. Her best friends from school were in another troop and, when she tried to join, she was told that there were "enough girls" in the troop and that they could not add another. That was then end of her Girl Scout career.

I know that the leaders are all volunteers and that everyone has their own agenda. It is just unfortunate when young ladies have to suffer the results of those agendas. It's a life lesson that we all learn sooner or later. It's too bad that your DD (and mine) had to learn it so soon.

 

[Chicago526]

Your daughter may not share classes with that brat, but I'd be careful just the same. Rumor mills in schools can be murder, believe me, I know! I wonder if there is anyway to give your DD's teachers a heads up about all this. Leave the brat's name out of it but just warn them to be on the lookout for any trouble, perhaps.

I actually feel sorry for the brat, it's not her fault her mother is a snoby witch, and can't help being raised this way.

 

[N&B'smom]

Have you called the Council yet?? Anything happening? How's your DD today?

I think you're right to see this through, they treated your little girl horribly. That woman doesn't deserve to be a leader. Some example she is!

Shelby

 

[KariC]

Those of us on Eastern Daylight time are anxious for an update! Did you call Council??? How'd it go?

 

[UMTerp]

Update today?

UMTerp

 

[sydally9367]

Sorry for the delay in updating everyone!! My youngest DD wasn't feeling well and I had to pick her up from school

I called the council this morning and at first spoke with the secretary; basically outlining my complaint and letting her know my issue so she knew where to direct my call. Much to my surprise, she mentioned the co-leader had called prior to my call and had already "fessed" up to what was going on and admitted her fault in everything that had been happening! Even MORE to my surprise was when the secretary said "Are you talking about Ms.Snottypockets, because I've heard some things like this before" First things first, it took all my power to NOT call her Ms.Snottypockets while talking to the secretary and then to the CEO of this GS region lmao: ) and second, I was pretty upset that this has been an issue before but that no one (no parent anyway) ever stood up to this lady.

I was put through immediately to the CEO, who already knew a brief outline of my complain because she had already spoken to the co-leader earlier in the morning. The CEO was completely appalled with the entire situation; very emotional and very embarrassed to find out what was going on in one troop of her service unit. I did break down while telling my story and got quite teary which in turn, got her quite teary because she stated that it broke her heart to hear how awful DD had been treated and this absolutely was not what GS was about. We spoke for about 1/2 hr and she took all of my information and stated she needed to check into a few things and she would return my call promptly. She called back 45 minutes ago and said she had looked at all the registration information; the deadline for the trip this weekend was NOT a few months ago, it was a few weeks ago and there is always leeway because this is an event they do every year and it's all planned months and months prior; so if one girl is late getting in their registration, there is a few weeks to play with. In regards to the hotel situation, yes there is a capacity, but TWO people (myself and DD) would not be breaking the bank so to speak and what the leader told me about the $90.00 to find my own hotel was completely false (the $65.00 fee for myself is true because GS funds only cover the GS, not their families or extended families if they choose to attend..which I knew already). She immediately offered a hotel room to myself and DD, plus the $65.00 fee for myself, unfortunately, my DD really has no interest in going now because of the entire situation and I understand that and so did the CEO. I did explain to DD that we could just go and do everything on our own, but she replied "What's the point of that, it's a Girl Scout event and I would want to be a part of the Girl Scouts"..and I really do understand that. The CEO then explained she would be conducting a full audit of the troop (w/ the financial officer of the service unit); If we do move over the summer to a new service unit she would give us the monies that would have been used for this trip and any others she found DD was excluded from (she would doublecheck how many cookies we sold, how many booths we did, our dues etc) and if we do not move but transfer to another troop of our choosing, she would make sure DDs earned monies would be carried over or we could still choose to just have that money refunded. She also made very clear that at the end of the school year, Ms.Snottypockets would be removed from being a GS Leader as well as the Co-Leader; there are only a few weeks left of school and only 2 more meetings (that we will not be a part of), so that was acceptable to me as long as she can NEVER lead a troop in this service unit ever again. I felt bad the Co-Leader was going down too, but in truth, she had a part in it also and although she fessed up, she still is partially responsible for what happened this past year. CEO also said not only will Leader and Co-Leader not be allowed to hold those positions in this service unit, but she will do everything in her power to be sure they aren't allowed in those positions in other service units She apologized profusely, she was very upset and very emotional and she even offered to have DD come in and talk to her about the true meaning of GS and offer her own apology to DD for what has happened. CEO also mentioned if DD does come in to talk to her, she would have some very special citizen type badges for her which I thought was wonderful.

I'm so sad that this happened, but I am glad it happened so that I could fight the good fight and prevent this from happening to someone else; that's all that matters to me. CEO said she would keep in touch with me during the next few weeks, she would let me know what the outcome of the audit was and she will be meeting with Ms.Snottypockets and Co-Leader this week to drop the axe.

Thank you all again for your advice and wisdom!!!

 

[kctwinmommy]

Wow! I've been following this and I have to say what a great response you got from the CEO!! Many would have let it go, saying Ms. Snottypants was moving on anyway, and since you decided not to go to the trip, what's the point. But it's great to hear that she didn't take that stance! It's nice that someone has the guts to stand up for what is right, and in this case that's you, your DD, and this CEO. Even the co-leader, although too late.

I hope that your DD finds another troop, or this one changes when Ms.S leaves it. But I'm glad to hear that you got some real good results!

 

[doxdogy]

Glad to hear that it all worked out in the end. While I do feel some empathy for the Co-Leader, she also was not living up to the Girl Scout values. The GSA does take their values serioulsy and do not tolerate this type of behavior. I would love to be a fly on the wall when she talks to Ms. Snottypockets. Just prepare your daughter for any backlash she might suffer from her daughter over this issue.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Yay Girl Scouts!!! That's what we like to hear!!!

I think your DD should meet with the Director. It would be good for her to hear an outside person talk about this.

I'm glad that they are removing both leaders, as neither showed the requisite skills we should demand of our youth leaders.

 

[Ladybugsy]

It's refreshing to find people who handle things the RIGHT way. YAY! For you!

(((Hugs))) to your dd.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Great news! I feel good that all will work out well for your daughter. But will the other girls in the Troop learn anything from this? And Snottypocket and her daughter? I truly hope SP is never allowed to be a GS leader anywhere. She shouldn't be a leader of ANYTHING.
Good for you, OP! And for your daugher!

 

[cepmom]

whoo hoo!! I have been following your story and I am so glad the CEO has responded the way she has!! I am so glad they are removing the leaders.....what horrible rotten people they are!! Shame on them for the way they have treatd your DD. I hope this hasn't tarnished your DD's view on GS and she can join another troop for next year.

 

[laurajetter]

Your update got me all teary. This is probably the best outcome you could've gotten, I'm so happy for you! I'm glad everything worked out the way it did and that they were compassionate in their response to you. I would take them up on the offer to have your daughter come in and talk with them.

And I'd love to hear the results of the audit once you hear back. Kudos to you for sticking up for your daughter and going about it the right way, and hugs to your daughter in hopes that she won't let this awful experience turn her off to other group activities.

 

[Laurabearz]

I am so happy to see the phone call went well. I was at my own Counsil unit today, thinking about you and your daughter((hugs))

 

[becjlek]

Wow. I am so happy with how it all turned out. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall when Ms.Snottypockets finds out about the audit and that she is going down with the ship.

 

[sha_lyn]

Great response from the service unit. As horrible as the situation is, it sounds as if it is being handled very well

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I was a Girl Scout until I turned 18 (and yes, I sold cookies out of my locker in high school and made a killing!!). I got lucky in that I had one leader from the time I was in Brownies until I was a Senior.

It breaks my heart to hear how your DD was treated. I'm glad that the council is backing you up and that the co-leader is admitting fault (thereby implicating Ms. Snottypockets).

You guys should write a children's book called Ms. Snottypockets to help other kids deal with the same situation...

Hugs to you DD and to a brighter future in GS.

P.S. I'd be happy to talk to your DD about my own experience with 13 years as a Girl Scout. It's not common that girls stay in as long as I did.

 

[Nana Annie]

Wonderful outcome. Although it has been a difficult and trying experience, what a wonderful lesson you have taught your daughter.

You have taught her to stand up for herself and that if you handle things in a calm and rational way, there can be some very good results.

CONGRATS!!! It took guts to confront Ms. Snottypants and to follow through with the council.

Your daughter should be very, very proud of you, as you should be of your daughter.

 

[safetymom]

I am glad to hear that they understood and are taking action against this leader. That is not what Girl Scouts is all about.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Yea! I'm so happy for the way the council is handling it. As the mom of a girl who has had to deal with bullying I know how heartbreaking this is.

I would hope that someone from the council is going to get in touch with the leader and let her know how she screwed up.