Girl Scouts San Diego honors Carmel Valley volunteers

Carmel Valley residents Julie Union, Patel Rosen, Karen Schaffer, and Nandita Khanna were among award recipients in the spotlight during Girl Scouts San Diego’s recent Volunteer Conference and Celebration at the San Diego Convention Center.

Fox 5 Morning News’ Raoul Martinez (a proud Girl Scout dad) emceed the awards ceremony, which spotlighted outstanding volunteers for empowering girls to grow as leaders. The signature sponsor of the event was Mission Federal Credit Union.

Presenters included Girl Scout Alina Ho of Carmel Valley, a Torrey Pines High School junior. As one of 25 Emerging Leader Girl Scouts, Alina previously participated in Girl Scouts San Diego’s Cool Women luncheon and mentoring session.

The Volunteer Celebration awardees were selected by a panel of Girl Scout volunteers.

Union received the Honor Pin, presented to volunteers who provide outstanding service to two or more service units (volunteer-led clusters that support the Girl Scout members in specific communities), and who have a significant impact on girls and the Girl Scout organization as a whole. A longtime troop leader and mentor, Union empowers volunteers in Carmel Valley with the Pearls of Wisdom resource guide, which she authored in 2004. An encyclopedia of Girl Scout knowledge, the publication features ideas, tips, and resources for activities, programs, travel destinations, and more. She recently published a revised version.

Rosen and Schaffer were presented with Appreciation Pins for helping increase membership, visibility, diversity, and program participation. As the Carmel Valley Service Unit manager, Rosen recruited new volunteers to help her develop community events to showcase Girl Scouting to area residents. Schaffer, the service unit’s registrar, went above the call of duty by planning a multifaceted event for current and prospective Girl Scout members.

Over the years, the Carmel Valley Service Unit has also greatly benefited from Khanna’s support. She received the Cookie Award to applaud her contributions to the success of the local 2018 Girl Scout Cookie Program—through which participants gain key leadership and business skills while earning money for local Girl Scout leadership experiences.

Girl Scouts is the world’s best leadership development organization for girls. Through programs focused on STEM, the outdoors, entrepreneurship, and life skills, Girl Scouts prepares girls for a lifetime of leadership, success and adventure in a safe, girl-focused space. All girls in grades K-12 and adult volunteers are welcome join any time during the year. For information about Girl Scouting opportunities in Carmel Valley, contact Megan Quirk at 619-610-0694 or mquirk@sdgirlscouts.org.