Finding experience in cookies and canvassing

Malverne's Madison Spanodemos begins a second term with the Girl Scouts’ board of directors

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Malverne’s own Madison Spanodemos was among 16 individuals elected to the Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s board of directors at the end of July. Going into her second term on the board, Spanodemos joined her fellow long-time scouts members and community leaders at the scouts’ 57th annual meeting at The Mansion at Glenn Cove.

Working with the scouts for over a decade, Spanodemos has been involved in numerous programs with the organization’s governing council. These include Media Girls, Ceremonial Unit, Girl Speak, Girl Scout Gardeners, and the NASA Astronomy Program.

A major theme in Spanodemos’ work with the Girl Scouts has been female participation in government and politics. She has personally worked on a slew of political campaigns, including races for the House of Representatives, State Senate, State Assembly, county executive, county district attorney, and county legislature. She has even worked with candidates in other states, such as a race for New Hampshire State House.

In these various races she has served in a number of positions, including deputy campaign manager and director of communications. Additionally, Spanodemos is a contributing writer for various political publications. These roles have helped Spanodemos develop a diverse skill set which she now brings to GSNC.

Spanodemos also received the Girl Scout Gold Award for a project aiming to get more young people involved in government in 2020, and serves as cabinet member for an organization dedicated to empowering women in government. She recently completed studies at the Campaign School at Yale. Sponsored by Yale Law School, the program’s stated mission is to “increase the number and influence of women in elected and appointed office in the United States and around the globe.”

Spanodemos’s other honors include a Congressional Certificate of Merit in American History and Political Science, an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction award, and the Centennial Institute’s Under 30 Rising Star award. She is a recent graduate of Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Syosset and is currently a freshman at St. John’s University’s Tobin College of Business.

Spanodemos deeply appreciates the opportunities the Girl Scouts have given her and sees the role on the board as a way to give back. “The unmatched opportunities I had through Girl Scouts allowed me to discover myself and grow as a leader,” she said. “Now, as I begin my second term as a Board Member, I hope to play a role in ensuring future generations of Girl Scouts have these same experiences.”

“Working with the Girl Leadership Committee to keep our programs relevant and reach girls on social media, as well as increasing awareness of the Girl Scout Gold Award, are top priorities in my 2022-2024 term,” she said of her future goals in the role.

Randell Bynum, the chief executive officer on GSNC offered words of trust and support to Spanodemos and all the new board members. “It is with great pleasure that I welcome our incoming Board members, all of whom are eager to bring their experience and passion to the table,” he said. “I am confident that this group of leaders will help cultivate the Girl Scout experience and help fulfill our mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.”