By Mac Hightower
Stuttgart Citizen volunteer
For the past three decades, the Girl Scouts of America of have had a strong advocate and supporter, Ursula Werner.
Earlier this year, when awarded the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart 2019 Volunteer of the Year, senior category, Werner explained that volunteering for the Girl Scouts is a passion.
“When I am passionate about something, I like to share my passion and knowledge with others and hope to inspire them,” she said. “That’s why I have volunteered for Girl Scouts for over 30 years.”
Werner’s commitment to the organization began when her daughters, now 26, 28, and 30, joined troops in their home state of Maine. When they moved to Germany in 2000 for her husband’s job, Werner figured Girl Scouts would be a way to help connect her girls back to their home country.
“They never had arguments that they didn’t want to do it,” she shares. “They started from when they were very young all the way to their Gold awards.”
Yet, even after her daughters graduated from the program, Werner remained committed to the organization. Once a parent volunteer, Werner is now a troop leader at the Daisy, cadette, and senior levels. She’s attended many in-person training sessions and conferences. In 2008, she was asked to become a trainer for the organization. Werner also coordinates special events, develops curriculum, conducts workshops and mentors other adult volunteers.
When reflecting on her accomplishments, it’s hard to recall her biggest achievement, she said, “because it’s not glamorous.” It’s simply the impact on girls’ lives, Werner said. She respects the three Cs — courage, confidence, and character — and follows the Girl Scouts’ goal of turning every girl into a leader.
“I really like what the Girl Scouts do,” Werner said. “I like their values and goals.”