Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan will be the organization of choice for girls, adult volunteers and donors. This vibrant and innovative organization will be accessible, reflect the diversity of our community and be recognized as the premiere provider of leadership development for girls.

Council Realignment Committee forms to merge Southeastern Michigan Councils

As part of the GSUSA planning and implementation process, a Council Realignment Committee
(CRC) has been established. It is made up of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Board President
and one other member from each aligning Girl Scout Council.

The CRC is charged with leading the merger process. The vast amount of Girl Scout Council
experience and business expertise of this team will ensure that the new council is developed in
adherence to GSUSA realignment guidelines, as well as the legal and governance aspects of the
GSUSA realignment.

Co-chairs of the CRC are Nancy Philippart, Board President, Girl Scouts of Metro Detroit and Dan
Martinez, CEO, Girl Scouts of Michigan Waterways Council. The remainder of the CRC includes the
following representatives from their respective councils:

Fair Winds
? Mary Lorah-Hammond, CEO
? Barbara A. Walker, Board Chair; Owner, Hartland Insurance
? Ron Butler, Executive Director; Genesee United Way
Huron Valley
? Diane Miller, CPA and Board Member
? Diane Hockett, Assistant Executive Director, Huron Valley
Macomb County-Otsikita
? Ava Danner, CEO
? Carolyn Burdi, Board Chair; President, Carolyn M. Burdi Financial Consulting Services
? Pete Keating, Board member; Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, General Dynamics Land Systems
Metro Detroit
? Arlene M. Robinson, CEO
? Nancy Philippart, Board Chair; Executive Director, GM Accessories
? Rick Sundquist, Board member; Attorney, Clark Hill, PC
Michigan Waterways
? Dan Martinez, CEO
? Lisa Morse, Board Chair; Director of Administrative and Legal Services for the St Clair County
Community Mental Health Authority.
? Mike McCartan, Executive Director of St Clair County Community Mental Health Authority
GSUSA Realignment Consultant
? Lorena Palm, retired Girl Scouts of Michigan Trails CEO

The Board Chairs and CEOs attended GSUSA Realignment training at the Edith Macy Training
Center in early October. The full CRC met on December 10th. Guiding principles and ways of work
were established. A draft vision statement was crafted for consideration and sub-committees were
discussed. The CRC will meet again on January 9th to approve sub-committee members and
charges, finalize the vision statement as well as start developing a timeline for the new council.