Volunteer Connections by Girl Scouts of Nassau County

Why Girl Scouts? Why not sports or music or dance or a nice nap on the couch after school? The reason is simple. Girl Scouts is the only place that you can do some very cool things. (And, for those girls and families who wish to do more, being a Girl Scout still allows time for sports, music, religious school, play dates and naps!) In Girl Scouting you have common values, found in the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Lots of organizations have value systems, but ours is inclusive of any girl who wants to join regardless of her talent, skills, ability to pay or her own faith or cultural heritage. Girls Scouts have the Girl Scout Leadership Experience where they Discover, Connect and Take Action. Our Journey curriculums allow girls to forge their paths through relationships, our environment and storytelling. Badges and awards teach girls practical skills and allow them to reach high and try things that they have not tried before. The Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards demonstrate a girl's s

When it comes to bullying - power, authority, and leadership are very different.  In response to the now viral video of bus monitor Karen Klein being tormented by students on the bus, many have criticized the students for having no respect for authority.  They did however, have too much respect for power. There is one student who leads the torments in the video.  He calls her names, threatens her, makes inappropriate physical contact, and revels in the adoration each cruel act receives from his peers.  The other students join in, attempting to share some of his power.  Throughout the video, we hope for Ms. Klein to take back her power.  We want her to stop the bus or call for assistance, but she never does.  As the adult, she is the natural authority figure in this situation.  However, like many other targets of bullying, she appears powerless.  This is one of the biggest tolls of bullying, that it strips targets and bystanders of their confidence.  Even though they are taugh