I Salute the GSP Volunteers

“Helping also gives that rewarding feeling of being able to empower those who need our help without expecting anything in return.” –Salud Bagalso, MD, GSP National President

One thing that instantly came to my mind after reading the 3^rd Girl Scout Law: “A Girl Scout Law is Helpful,” is the fact that GSP has so many volunteers!

Volunteers in the GSP are special people.The GSP volunteers are adult members in the organization who are willing and able to serve voluntarily in various capacities with no expectation of financial remuneration. They are remarkable because they always participate and contribute to GSP events. They share their skills, abilities, resources, and positive attitudes to help make GSP grow as a Volunteer Movement in the Philippines and all over the world.

The true essence of volunteerism is helping others without expecting anything in return. GSP volunteers live by the Vision, Mission, and Goals of GSP, and by the Girl Scout Promise and Law. They continuously help promote GSP as the largest girls-only organization in the country. They have been generously and wholeheartedly serving, sacrificing, and sharing what they have for the girls and young women and the organization as a whole. They serve as chairpersons of the various committees on the national, regional, and council levels. These committees include the Communications committee, Finance committee, Fund Development committee, International Affairs committee, Legal committee, Membership committee, NES committee, Personnel committee, Program committee, Real Properties and Building Committee, Training committee, Award Sub-committee, Land Grant sub-committee, Investment Special committee, and Josefa Llanes Escoda Memento Fund Special committee.

I was awed and impressed as I watched the GSP volunteers talk and give their responses and inspirational messages to the professional staff and guests during the Retirement Party of Ms. Esteria Alvarado, Center Director, Ating Tahanan National Program and Training Center (AT-NPTC) on January 28, 2015 at the GSP National Headquarters, Manila, and during the National Staff Awards on January 29, 2015, at the GSP National Headquarters, Manila.

The GSP volunteers are serving selflessly in the Movement, motivating many people to performacts of volunteerism. The events I have witnessed this past month gave me a chance to absorb and to completely understand the true meaning of volunteerism–helping without expecting anything in return!

Helping others in a small or big way is a gift in itself not only to others and to one’s self but above all, to God who takes care of everyone. 

            GSP volunteers graced the Retirement Party of Miss Esteria Alvarado, Ating Tahanan National Program and Training Center Director, held on January 28, 2015 at the GSP National Headquarters, Manila

By: Jenelyn R. Matamis, GSP Communications Division Intern