Girl Scout council ignores community

As a former board member of the Conestoga Council of Girl Scouts, as well as former camper, camp counselor, and camp director of Camp Tahigwa, I am astonished, disappointed, and dismayed by the leadership of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois (GSEIWI) Council.

Camp Tahigwa is one of four Girl Scout camps that has been recommended for closure by the GSEIWI Property Committee with support by chief executive officer, Diane Nelson, and seemingly little resistance by the board of directors.

I am astonished that many of the people on the property committee and board of directors have never visited Camp Tahigwa. I am disappointed that the board of directors and Nelson have not demonstrated a transparent decision-making process, have not engaged the dedicated Girl Scout community of Iowa and have resisted conversations on alternative ways to maintain the camps.

The leadership is attempting to make a decision without regard for the generations of families that have volunteered, developed, built and continue to love the camps. This is not how the former board of directors of Conestoga Council used to make decisions or treat its Girl Scout community.

Kathy Hageman

Lawler