WS Chronicle

Registered voters staying home

To the Editor:

In Forsyth County, only 44 percent of eligible voters decided to vote.

Why did roughly six out of 10 registered voters stay home? Has the political culture turned off 60 percent of the voters? Are potential politicians disconnected with the voters to the extent that they simply don’t care anymore who wins?

Our democracy is at risk of being led by (those) elected (by a) minority of the public. Even though the popular media presents the results of these elections as mandates, it’s critical to examine who is actually voting. The final results are our collective responsibility as American citizens to engage in our civic duty to vote.

I simply wonder why almost 60 percent of the Forsyth County voters decided not to participate in their democracy?

Fleming El-Amin,
Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator for the American Coalition For Good Government and a member of the Forsyth County Board of Elections

Benefits of Girl Scouting

This letter was written before Marcia Cole retired earlier this year as chief executive officer of Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont. She was succeeded by Lane Cook.

To the Editor:

My role as chief executive officer for Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont will end soon as I begin retirement. Although I am both excited and nervous to enter this next chapter of my life, I am confident that Lane Cook, who was recently named CEO by our board of directors, will keep local Girl Scouting on course with an unwavering commitment to delivering a high-quality leadership experience to every girl.

Before my departure, I want to encourage our communities to continue to support our mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. In order to achieve this important mission, we need more adults to step up and volunteer. Our volunteer opportunities are endless, whether you can lead a troop – our greatest need and training is provided –conduct a workshop, help with a month-long series or speak at an event. Regardless of how you volunteer, your contribution will make a difference!

One thing I want to impress upon you is that Girl Scouting makes a powerful difference in the lives of girls and young women as they grow into adulthood.

I have witnessed firsthand the positive results from my daughter’s Girl Scout experience. I am so grateful that my daughter, Whitney, channeled everything she learned about leadership into earning Girl Scouts’ highest honor – the Girl Scout Gold Award. Now, she is a professional woman, using her experiences to advise and guide students at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. All of the experiences, skills and lifelong friends that she gained through Girl Scouts have paved the path for her today.

As a mother and CEO, I know Girl Scout opportunities, like selling Girl Scout cookies or earning the Gold Award, help girls prepare for the future. Not only the far-ahead future, where girls are completing college applications or applying for their first job, but the immediate future as they go to school to tackle their studies and make new friends.

Involvement in Girl Scouts has shown to improve girls’ academic success. A 2012 national study of fourth- through eighth-grade Girl Scouts showed proof that girls’ experiences in Girl Scouts are positively linked to their challenge-seeking, problem-solving, and environmental leadership.

In addition, Girl Scouts gives local girls the opportunity to explore other extracurricular activities that actively seek to make the world a better place.

I invite you and your girl to join with us on a journey that will amaze, surprise and delight you. To join or volunteer, please visit www.girlsleadtheway.orgor call us at (800) 672-2148.

Sincerely,
Marcia Cole