Otahki Council elects, installs board of directors

Southeast Missouri

At the recent Girl Scouts of Otahki Council annual meeting nominating committee members and a board of directors were elected and installed. Members at large elected include Sam Unnerstall, Mary Spell, Janet Varnon, Maria Childress, Pat Ray, all of Cape Girardeau, Vanita Jones of Fruitland, Carol Hudak of Jackson and Sally Elrod of Piedmont. Nominating committee members elected were Barbara Kempster of Oak Ridge, Janice Schumer of Perryville, Joe Perry Rice of Chaffee and Sue Hellwege of Cape Girardeau.

Special awards were presented including the Thanks Badge for outstanding service. Recipients included Ted Ballman of Perryville, Joy Baker of Jackson, Gretel Nelson of Dongola, Ill., and Mike Shivelbine of Cape Girardeau.

The Honor Pin was presented to Kristen Bell of Jackson, JoAnn Easter and Sandy Nelson of Benton, Mo., Marci Malnar of Anna, Ill., and Gwen Lehr of Cobden, Ill. The Appreciation Pin was presented to Kim Howell of Cobden.

The Juliette Low Award for highest percentage of girl members in relation to the girl population was presented to the Cape Daisy/Brownie Service Unit. The award for exceeding their membership goal was received by Ellington, Hawthorne and Tywappity Service Units. Ellington Service United received the Leona Bunch Award for the highest retention of girls and adults. The Ellington, Hawthorne and Perryville Service Units all received the Dolly Aubuchon Award for outstanding service unit performance.

Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls. In an accepting and nurturing environment girls build character and skills for success in the real world. The Otahki Council, one of 321 councils chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA, is part of a worldwide family of girls and adults in 140 councils through its membership in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.