Girl Scouts Heart of the South

Girl Scouts Heart of the South is a dynamic, proactive, and girl-centric organization recognized as the premier advocate and leadership development program for girls.

PRESS RELEASE: June 1, 2008

FOUR COUNCILS UNITE TO FORM ONE HEART

There is an evolution taking place in Girl Scouts that comes straight from the heart.  On June 1, 2008, four councils will join together to become Girl Scouts Heart of the South.

Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi (Tupelo, Miss), Girl Scout Council of the Mid-South (Memphis, Tenn.), Girl Scout Council of Northwest Mississippi, Inc. (Greenwood, Miss.), and Girl Scouts of Reelfoot Council (Jackson, TN) combine forces to create the foundation necessary to continue the momentum of the Girl Scout Movement. 

Although the councils are realigning, there will be staffed regional offices in Memphis and Jackson, Tenn; and Greenwood, Tupelo, Corinth and Columbus, Miss., with the operational headquarters located in the greater Memphis area. 

 “The 96-year-old organization is restructuring nationally to focus efforts on revitalizing the Movement to serve even more girls.  Our four-council realignment will result in the optimal impact on leadership development for the largest number of girls and significantly increase the number of volunteers participating in Girl Scouting,” said Anne Cross, Board President.  “The combined membership consists of 16,500 girls and 4,400 adults in 59 counties in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas.  It also will provide a variety of leadership services to girls, volunteers and supporters.” 

To make sure the Heart doesn’t skip a beat, Memphis native Tracy Crump has been hired as Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts Heart of the South.  

Sarah Edwards of Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi has enthusiastically welcomed Tracy aboard.  “She will be an asset to Girl Scouts.  Her business savvy and passion for youth and the communities we serve will continue to move us forward as the premiere organization for girls,” said Edwards.

Crump brings 25 years of senior executive experience in customer relations and sales to Girl Scouts.  She has an extensive background in transitional leadership as well as many years of working with various non-profit and youth serving organizations.  Most recently, she held the position of Vice President-Support Services with ServiceMaster.  

Crump said she is thrilled about her affiliation with the Girl Scout organization.

“What is so impressive to me--this is an organization of dynamic leaders who are smart, energetic, passionate, and committed to their children and their communities,” she said.

Crump said she is experiencing so much “comfort and peace” in her new position because, “My heart and passion is in service, youth leadership and community impact.  It’s important to me to be instrumental in delivering that impact.”

She said Girl Scouts is an incredible brand that is for all girls, from all backgrounds and from all areas.

Crump said her vision for Girl Scouts Heart of the South is to increase the level and quality of service by increasing our reach with combining the four councils as well as reaching those who are not fortunate to be a part of Girl Scouts.

She said, “We’re taking away nothing that’s working. We’re enhancing our services.”

Crump plans to use her prior business success and experience to make a difference in the lives of girls in the different communities by bringing an added perspective to Girl Scouts.  She believes by building community partnerships with professional and community service organizations, as well as other youth organizations, strengthens an organization’s level of service.

“As a mother of two daughters and a female leader myself, my passion is helping youth, girls in particular, receive the best leadership development training available; and they in turn make our communities and our world a better place,” Crump said. 

She said Girl Scouts will continue with what resonates with today and to be the best-in-breed and provide the gold standard.

Crump is active in the Memphis community serving as Chairman-Elect of the Board of Directors for FirstWorks, working with disadvantaged youth in downtown Memphis, Tenn. She is a member of the Alliance for Non-Profit Excellence and the Association of Fund Raising Professionals. She has also served as a Big Sister for Big Brothers, Big Sisters and is a past member of the Junior League of Memphis.  She is an Executive Board Member, chairs the Evangelism Committee, and participates in Youth and Christian Education at Germantown United Methodist Church.

PRESS RELEASE: January 31, 2008

On June 1, 2008, Girl Scout Council of the Mid-South (Memphis, TN), Girl Scout Council of Northwest Mississippi, Inc. (Greenwood, MS), Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi (Tupelo, MS) and Girl Scouts of Reelfoot Council (Jackson, TN) will combine strengths to form Girl Scouts Heart of the South. The membership will consist of 16,500 girls and 4,400 adults in 59 counties in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas.

Girl Scouts is revitalizing its local structure to make the most effective use of community resources and deliver a superior Girl Scout leadership development experience to even more girls. The opportunities this alignment presents will strengthen our position in the community and allows us to focus our efforts on working with girls to develop their leadership skills, connect with others, and take action to identify and address issues facing them and their communities.

The local realignment is part of a national strategic movement that has been underway since 2004. The Girl Scout organization took a close look at its challenges and opportunities in staying relevant in girls’ changing lives. With input from members and staff across the country, Girl Scouts is not only realigning councils, but also revitalizing its program, volunteer and funding models.

The positive changes that are taking place within Girl Scouting, will only enhance our impact on girls’ lives and the community. This is an on-going, organizational-wide, collaborative effort that will result in needed improvements and enhancements in the delivery of program services to girls and volunteers.

While the geographic area of councils will change, the mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place, is unwavering. The organization’s larger territory and combined resources will present more opportunities for girls and volunteers.

There will be fully staffed regional offices in Memphis and Jackson, TN; and Tupelo, Columbus, Corinth and Greenwood, MS to provide a variety of services to volunteers, girls and supporters. The operational headquarters will be in the greater Memphis area.

A CEO search is currently underway and a new board of directors will soon be elected that will include representatives from all regions of Girl Scouts Heart of the South’s jurisdiction.

Each Girl Scout council is an independently governed entity with its own bylaws, policies, events and budgets. Representatives from each council are serving on the CRC and subcommittees to work through all the decisions that need to be made to effectively bring the councils together.

Volunteers, families and the community can expect to receive services and participate in activities at their local council throughout the transition. We will continue to provide a quality experience for girls in all communities.

Anyone with questions about the realignment and other changes can click on frequently asked questions or can contact their local council.