GSofSI National Delegates Help Elect National Board Chair
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois was well represented during the recent 58th National Council Session (NCS) of Girl Scouts of the USA. Since 1915, Girl Scouts has held a triennial business meeting in various cities across the nation to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Movement. This year, nearly 1,000 Girl Scout delegates met in Washington DC from July 20-22.
NCS attendees from Southern Illinois included the following National Delegates and Alternates, who were elected by our council during our Annual Meeting:
Jessica Wernsing (Girl Delegate), Neoga, IL
• Bronze Award Girl Scout, Working on Silver Award
• Girl Scout since Kindergarten, Track Manager, Chief Editor for Yearbook, Assists in Whitetails Unlimited Banquets yearly, Musical Crew Member.
Janice Monroe (Adult Delegate), Neoga, IL
• Volunteer of Excellence Awardee
• Current Troop Volunteer, Service Unit Volunteer, Council Delegate, Board Committee Member, GSEF Committee member
Elizabeth Shore (Adult Delegate), Marion, IL
• Second Vice Chair of the Board, Fund Development Committee Member, Various Board Committees through tenure
• Past Troop Volunteer, Service Unit Volunteer & Council Delegate
Theresa Gratton (Adult Delegate), Alton, IL
• Outstanding Volunteer Awardee, Appreciation Pin Awardee, Living Her Legacy Awardee
• Current Troop Volunteer, Service Unit Volunteer, Council Delegate, Volunteer Trainer
National Council Delegate – Alternates
April Schultz (Adult Delegate), Neoga, IL
Anna Froeschle (Adult Delegate), Mattoon, IL
One key decision made by the 2026 NCS was to elect Telva McGruder as the National Board President. McGruder is an executive director at General Motors, former National Board member and council board chair, and a lifetime member of Girl Scouts.
Read more about Girl Scouts' 2026-29 National Board
Several GSofSI staff and board members also attended NCS for training sessions and networking, but did not vote. These representatives included Board Chair Linda Manley, CEO Loretta Graham, Chief Operating Officer Jessica Upchurch, and Executive Administrative Assistant Ashley Green-Bryant.
Girl Scouts Unite
Girl Scouts and their families also gathered in Washington DC for Girl Scouts Unite, a momentous Movement-wide celebration on July 23-25. Highlights of the event included inspirational guest appearances, hands-on exhibitions, historic displays, and much more.
In addition, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois took a council trip to Girl Scouts Unite that also included visiting cultural and historic sites around the city.
2029 NCS and National Convention
The next NCS and girl experience event will be held in 2029 in Indianapolis!
Photos:
July 30, 2026
