By Jon Chown
Two local high school students spent part of their summer in Washington, D.C., learning how a national organization makes decisions — and one of them helped lead the meeting from the stage.
Callia “Lia” Goulding, a freshman at Santa Cruz High School, and Madison Baker, a junior at Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville, attended the 58th National Council Session and the Girl Scouts Unite event. They were in Washington from July 18-29 and stayed at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center.
Girl Scouts Callia Goulding (left) and Madison Baker at the Girl Scouts Unite event in Washington D.C.
For Goulding, one of the biggest moments came when she walked onto the stage in front of thousands of people at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. She was selected as one of 12 presiding officers from across the country for the National Council Session.
Goulding was the first member in the history of Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast to be chosen as a presiding officer. The honor stood out because Goulding, 15, is among the youngest members of the council’s Girl Advisory Board. She said she was by far the youngest of those chosen to appear onstage as a presiding officer.
Goulding also interviewed U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Lauren Underwood of Illinois during a panel at the National Council Session.
“They were incredible, very inspirational,” Goulding said. “And it was such an honor to be in their presence, let alone on a stage with them.”
Baker said the other Girl Scouts were proud to see Goulding take on such a large role.
“And she did really good too,” Baker said. “All the other girls were really excited and were watching, taking lots of videos and photos.”
Baker and Goulding both serve on the Girl Advisory Board for Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast.
They learned about the national gathering through the council and submitted applications to attend.
“We wrote about why we wanted to do it, why we thought governance was important,” Baker said. “And really why we felt that we could make a difference in going to the national convention.”
The National Council Session was held July 20-22. It is the official business meeting of Girl Scouts of the USA and is held every three years. Delegates elect national leaders, consider proposals and help set the direction of the organization.
The session gave Baker a close look at how governing rules can help a large group make decisions but also make change more difficult. She and several other Girl Scouts worked on an amendment, but they were unable to bring it before the full session under Robert’s Rules of Order, the parliamentary procedures used during the meeting.
“I think seeing all the changes that we tried to make and getting that experience and kind of working in a system that our government uses, kind of opens your eyes,” Baker said. “So it’s not as easy as it sounds.”
Baker said the effort was still worthwhile. The girls worked together, talked with other Girl Scouts and listened to people who supported and opposed their idea.
“Seeing all the work behind the scenes and seeing how we all communicated and really came together as a team to get it to happen was really awesome,” she said.
After the business session, thousands of Girl Scouts, volunteers and family members attended Girl Scouts Unite from July 23-25. The three-day event included workshops, speakers, performances and more than 100 booths and activities. It also included a national bridging ceremony and a celebration for recipients of the Girl Scout Gold Award.
Baker said meeting Girl Scouts from across the country and other parts of the world was one of the trip’s highlights. The trip also allowed members of her council’s group to spend time together even though they do not all live near one another.
Both girls have been Girl Scouts since early childhood. Baker, a member of Troop 70150, joined in first grade. Goulding, a member of Troop 15002, joined in kindergarten.
Erin La Rue, Goulding’s mother, said the experience showed the value of Girl Scouts.
“I am so proud of these girls, and it reinforces my belief in the Girl Scout program,” La Rue said.
La Rue said it was rewarding to see the girls build connections and gain experience on a national and global scale.
“What scouts gives them access to within life skills and networking wise is phenomenal,” she said.
For Baker, the trip offered lessons and relationships she expects to carry with her long after the suitcases are put away.
“It was just an awesome experience,” Baker said. “A really once in a lifetime experience. And I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to do something like this again. And so being able to do it was just something awesome. And I’m gonna remember it for the rest of my life, I’d say.”
TOP PHOTO: Girl Scouts Madison Baker (second from far right) and Callia Goulding (far right) sit in front of the Library of Congress with fellow Girl Scouts and chaperones.