18th Annual Meeting: Celebrating Impact and Shaping the Future
On Saturday, April 18 at The Ridge in Basking Ridge, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey’s voting membership, including delegates, alternate delegates, board members, council staff and other credentialed members came together for our 18 Annual Meeting, a moment to reflect on the impact of the past year and look ahead to what’s next for the Girl Scout Movement.
From celebrating the experiences that continue to shape confidence, connection, and belonging for our members, to sharing a forward-looking vision for how we will grow and serve our communities, the day was rooted in both gratitude and momentum.
Throughout the meeting, we also shared powerful Mission Moments that brought this work to life, stories that reflect how Girl Scouts shows up in real and meaningful ways across our communities. From expanding access through adaptive troops, to revitalizing community spaces like the Girl Scout House in Union, to seeing former participants return as mentors through programs like SheSTEMz Robotics, these moments are a reminder that the impact of Girl Scouts is both immediate and lasting and coming full circle.
We also heard from the North Branch Community Engagement & Design Taskforce, a Girl Scout Junior through Ambassador-led group from Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren counties who are actively shaping what comes next. By listening to their communities, designing meaningful programs, building partnerships, and reimagining our future in the Western region, they are helping ensure that our growth is grounded in the voices and experiences of Girl Scouts themselves.
Another highlight was hearing from our National Council Delegation, who will represent Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey at this summer’s GSUSA National Council Session. These Girl Scouts are doing the important work of reviewing proposals, engaging members in conversation, and ensuring that our council’s voice is thoughtfully represented in national decision-making.
We were also proud to welcome Renée Jones, Charlene Messer, and Lauren Reaves, who joined our Board of Directors as Members-at-Large. Renée is Founder and Principal Consultant of Red Hills Consulting Group. She brings deep expertise in strategy, governance, and scaling impact across mission-driven organizations. Charlene is a leader in human services and youth development, and brings extensive experience in community engagement and trauma-informed programming for young people and families. Lauren is a Global Culture & Inclusion and HR professional at Regeneron. She brings a strong focus on belonging, inclusion strategy, and building organizational culture.
Additionally, Renée Jones and Jessica Viotto will lend their leadership to our Board Development Committee, strengthening how we grow and support board engagement across the council.
We also took time to recognize those whose board service has come to a close. We extend our deepest gratitude to Della Walker, Jr. and Jessica Viotto for their service on the Board of Directors, and to Laureen Delance-Higgins and Delia Ware-Tibbs as they conclude their terms on the Board Development Committee. Their dedication and contributions have made a lasting impact on our council.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to support the work of Girl Scouts. The year ahead is full of possibility.
April 22, 2026
