Villie M. Appoo has been selected to be the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois when it becomes operational on Oct. 1, 2009. The process of merging the Girl Scouts of River Bluffs Council and the Girl Scouts of Shagbark Council into the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois began Oct. 1, 2008. Appoo was selected following a national CEO search conducted by Evergreen Associates and the Council Realignment Committee (CRC) and its CEO Search Sub-committee.

“I feel privileged to have this exciting opportunity to be a part of the transformation of two excellent Girl Scout Councils into one, high performing, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois,” said Appoo. “I want the GSSI to become the premier leadership experience for our girls – an organization of choice that is dynamic, vibrant and relevant and meets the needs of our girls. The leadership opportunities and challenges for growth we provide our girls today will have a profound impact on the women they will be tomorrow – and their subsequent influence on their families, their community, their nation and the world,” she added.

“As we progress through this transformational phase, it is important that we continue to build on the Girl Scout movements’ core, fundamental values, while, at the same time, embracing change that will catapult us to becoming an extraordinary council,” Appoo said. “We want people in our communities to see the Girl Scouts as the premier leadership organization that builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.”

Appoo believes that community support, both through dedicated volunteers, as well as philanthropic gifts, will continue to be crucial for the growth of the organization. “I am committed to developing and mobilizing a strong volunteer system that is diverse, engaged in programs and services and active in fund raising,” she said.

Over the next several months, Appoo will work with the CRC, Board of Directors and staff members to effect a smooth transition from two Girl Scout councils into a single, streamline, high-performing council.

Villie is not new to the Girl Scout movement. She was a member of the Girl Guide movement from first grade through high school when she was living in India. “We met every Friday evening after school and spent many weekends as volunteers for numerous causes and charities.”

One of her most memorable experiences was the Girl Guides’ work with the “Society of the Education of the Crippled” which ran a school for physically challenged children. “We took them camping one year – which was a fantastic experience for both them and for us. Many of these children had never been away from home, and had never gone out of town on a train and taking care of them 24/7 was a great responsibility as well as a very enrichening experience.”

Appoo said her experiences with the Girl Guides were instrumental in her decision to pursue a career in social work. She has also visited the Sangam, one of the World Centers, located in Pune, India.

She has two children Brian and Katie. Her extended family still lives in Mumbai, India, where she grew up and she has a brother and his family who live in Sydney, Australia. In her spare time, Appoo loves to travel and learn about different cultures and societies. She also loves animals, but had to “settle” for two cats adopted from the Humane Society…since her long work hours don’t seem to bother them as much.

She was previously employed by Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers in St. Louis as Executive Vice President/COO Planning and Development. Recently, she has been a consultant to federally funded community health centers that serve ‘special populations’ – the homeless and residents of public housing.

“I realize that change, any change, creates anxiety and uncertainty for most people and is one of the most significant stressors in our lives. I want to assure all hard working staff and volunteers that this process of transition will be carried out with the utmost integrity, expediency and transparency,” Appoo said. “I want Girl Scout staff and volunteers to feel the same pride and ownership of the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois as they do for their current councils. My door is always open and I look forward to working with everyone to serve our girls and our communities…together, we can make the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois truly extraordinary!”

The Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will be a high-capacity Girl Scout council serving approximately 16,000 girls and 4,800 adult volunteers in 40 ½ counties in southern Illinois. This restructuring is part of a national Girl Scouts of the USA initiative to create councils that are well equipped to provide compelling, contemporary and relevant experiences that meet the needs of girls in today’s fast-changing world.

Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912. As we approach the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting, councils nationwide are joining in a historic organizational transformation centered around the best leadership development experience for girls in the 21st century, while ensuring the traditions and values that have been core to Girl Scouting since its beginning remain strong and relevant.

While the jurisdictional area of the new council will expand, the mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place, is unwavering. Both council Board of Directors and staffs are fully committed to providing quality program opportunities and leadership opportunities for girls and look forward to bringing the strengths of both councils together for their benefit.

Anyone who wants to follow the realignment process, has questions or would like to comment or make a suggestion throughout the realignment process can check out the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois interim website at girlscoutsofsouthernillinois.org.

The Girl Scouts of River Bluffs Council and the Girl Scouts of Shagbark Council are not-for-profit United Way agencies and are partially supported by various United Ways throughout the region. For more information, please call Jay Strobel, Girl Scouts of River Bluffs Council at (618) 692-0692 or Amy Newell, Girl Scouts of Shagbark Council at (618) 242-5079.