Council Governance

Board of Directors

Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania is governed by a board of directors, which provides strategic leadership, advocacy, decision-making, partnerships and policy development/oversight. It also includes three non-voting girl members, who are part of the Girl Advisory Committee.

Interested in sharing your talents with GSWPA? Complete the Board Application Form today!

Are you a girl member who is interested in being part of the Girl Advisory Committee? Please complete the Girl Advisory Committee Application.

Name (Residency, Term Ending)

Officers
Lois Kuttesch, Board Chair (Cranberry Township. 2020)
Mary Beth Taylor, First Vice Chair (Pittsburgh, 2020)
Dot Brookes, Treasurer (Cranberry Township, 2020)
Victoria Kush, Secretary (Cranberry Township, 2020)

Members-at-Large
Jon Colburn (Pittsburgh, 2021)
Lindsay Crouse (Pittsburgh, 2020)
Linda DeJulio (Pittsburgh, 2022)
Kathi Finch (Sewickley, 2020)
Nicole King Yohe (Pittsburgh, 2020)
Camille Kovach (Harrison City, 2022)
Julie Kresge (Erie, 2021)
Monica D. Lamar (Pittsburgh, 2021)
Michelle Maccagnan (Gibsonia, 2021)
Dana Pascarella (Pittsburgh, 2020)
Cindy Pezze (Pittsburgh, 2022)
Claudia Reed (Cresson, 2022)
Richard W. Siergiej Ph.D. (Pittsburgh, 2020)
Andrea Stapleford (Warren, 2022)
Rebecca Styles (Johnstown, 2021)
Mary Lou Vargo (Pittsburgh, 2022)

Girl Advisory Committee
Chianne Boburchock (Somerset, 2020)
Taylor Rechenmacher (Pittsburgh, 2021)
Jocelyn Schwab (Greensburg, 2021)

Ex Officio
Pat Burkart, GSWPA Chief Executive Officer (Pittsburgh)

Council Delegates

Members 14 years and older may serve as Council Delegates and participate in the council democratic process. Council Delegates participate in Town Hall meetings, engage in discussions on major issues, interact with service unit members and gather input that affects policy influencing. Delegates also attend the Annual Meeting to review financial reports, vote on Board of Director candidates and give broad, general direction to the Board of Directors as it strives to make the most appropriate policy decisions.

Learn more about the Council Delegate position.

Potential or current Council Delegates can find background information on the overall roles and responsibilities of council governance and management and a brief explanation of the council policy structure and what role Council Delegates have in that structure. To help Council Delegates participate fully in Annual Meeting, view some basic rules of parliamentary procedure.

View the Blue Book of Basic Documents
View the current Bylaws (updated 6.14.19)

For more information about becoming a board delegate, please contact delegateinfo@gswpa.org.

Bylaws

Our bylaws outline the rules of Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, established by the Board of Directors. The bylaws define our organization's purpose, members, board, officers, committees and meetings.

Changes to the bylaws are proposed and voted upon at the Annual Meeting held in April each year.

View current bylaws (updated 6.14.19).

Annual Meeting

The 2020 GSWPA Annual Meeting was held virtually on Saturday, April 25, 2020.

The Annual Meeting is for all members 14 years and older to:

Receive updates on council business and governance decisions made by the Board of Directors;
Delegates vote on the Board of Directors Slate and Bylaws;
See some of our outstanding volunteers receive awards

Representation by members in every Service Unit encourages informed decision-making and improved two-way communication.

IRS Form 990

2020 Annual Meeting Minutes - coming soon

2019 Annual Meeting Minutes

2018 Annual Meeting Minutes

2017 Annual Meeting Minutes

2016 Annual Meeting Minutes

2015 Annual Meeting Minutes

Fall Town Hall Meetings

The purpose of the GSWPA Town Hall Meetings is to provide members (adults and girls 14 years and older) with the opportunity to:

receive updates and provide input into council policy and governance decisions made by the Board of Directors;
help set and support the strategic goals of the council;
and provide feedback and participate in discussions and forums necessary to ensure consistent, quality service-delivery of the Girl Scout program to members of Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania.

Representation by members in every service unit encourages informed decision-making and improved two-way communication.

2019 Fall Town Hall Report

Proposed Bylaw Changes

2018 Fall Town Hall Report

Town Hall Q&As

2017 Fall Town Hall Report

2016 Fall Town Hall Q&As

National Convention

The National Board held a special meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 and voted to hold a one-time virtual session for our 55th National Council Session in October 2020. The board also voted to cancel G.I.R.L. 2020, including the Global Roundtable. For all details and information, please visit GSUSA's recent update on their blog.

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