On the Road:
Portable Service Centers
Who: Us!
Girl Scouts of the South Jersey Pines!
What: Service!
Girl Scouts of South Jersey Pines (Newfield, N.J.) turned two recreational-sized vehicles into service centers on wheels, known as Mobile Resource Centers or MRCs. Inside each of them is a small shop that stocks badges, pins, some uniform components, gifts, and program materials. A membership staff person is also onboard to answer questions and assist volunteers whether they seek materials or forms, need to do some copying, use one of the computers with Internet access, or brainstorm about recruiting and retaining efforts. The MRC is large enough to hold 12 people for a training or meeting.
Why: Convenience!
Like many councils with a widespread service area, volunteers tend to live a long distance from council headquarters. The South Jersey Pines council operated three outlying service centers, but many parents and volunteers still found those locations inconvenient to visit or were unable to due to lack of transportation.
"We wanted all of our volunteers, no matter where they live, to have equal service," said Angela Hickey, manager of public relations and marketing of the South Jersey Pines council, "which meant making sure they felt supported by staff and had access to materials. So we decided if they couldn't come to us, we would go to them. Ultimately it helps to fulfill our desire to serve every girl, everywhere."
Cost was also a motivating reason behind the MRC. While there was an initial investment to purchase two vehicles, and there is ongoing gas and maintenance, ultimately the two MRCs will be more cost effective than leasing the three separate facilities used as service centers.
Another great advantage is visibility. The MRC, with its bright design and graphics, advertise the presence of Girl Scouts presence in the community far more effectively than any storefront shop or office could do.
When: Now!
The first MRC hit the streets in October of 2004, serving three counties. In May 2005, a second vehicle was put in operation to cover the council's remaining area.
Where: Everywhere!
An MRC parks where the people are: malls, grocery stores, libraries, and fitness centers are just some of its regularly scheduled locations. The council also takes its MRCs to fairs, festivals and other community events—even driving in parades. And it is a convenient way to bring a Girl Scout shop to Girl Scout activities and events.
"We have had the MRC at two or three community events where it received a lot of WOW!" exclaimed Maryellen DeMille, a 21-year Girl Scout volunteer who holds a variety of positions, including leader to two troops. "It is a great positive presence, whether it is parked in a parking lot or at a community event—it strongly states Girl Scouts are alive and well.
A schedule is posted on the council's website, www.gssjp.org, and is available as a recording on a toll-free phone number. Some stops are made monthly; and others are scheduled by request, which anyone can make.
Destination: Girls!
As Girl Scout volunteers know, the more informed adults are, the more volunteers will be attracted to the work and the more effective the council will be reaching and serving girls. The MRCs are proving to be valuable vehicles for making that happen. On average, between 250 and 300 visits per vehicle, are logged per month.
"We've had tremendous positive feedback," exclaims Angela. "At first some were a little resistant to the change, but now nearly everyone loves the convenience. We are getting more materials out to volunteers, increasing visibility in high-traffic areas, offering more hands-on council support, and improving communications through MRC visits and by more adults logging onto our website to check the MRC schedule." It's better than we even hoped.
Adapted from LEADER, Winter 2005. © Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
