We all think about the Girl Scouts around this time of the year. They are out in front of stores when shopping and walking door to door in your neighborhood. Beyond the delicious cookies, the organization plays an important role in the lives of many girls and Bonnie Hancock, professor of practice in the Jenkins MAC Program and executive director of the NC State ERM Initiative, is dedicated to its mission.
Build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
At the Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines (GSNCCP) annual board meeting on March 14, Hancock is expected to be elected to her second two-year term as board chair. She was first appointed to the board in 2007 and served as audit committee chair and first vice chair.
As board chair, Hancock presides over board meetings, speaks at local girl (and adult volunteer) recognition events and represents the council at national girl scout events. The board provides oversight of the management of the council including providing input on the strategic direction of the council, approving the council’s operating and capital budgets, and connecting the council with community leaders who can provide resources to support girls.
Hancock served as a troop leader when her daughters were involved with scouting and saw what a strong influence it had on young girls. “So often I see very capable girls and adult women who aren’t confident enough in themselves to speak out or take action. Girl scouting provides a safe, all girl environment where girls are encouraged to try new things and build confidence in themselves,” she says. As a troop leader she saw the results as girls from all walks of life were provided opportunities to experience new things, and build leadership skills.
On April 25th, students in the Jenkins MAC Program will be hosting a financial literacy event for over sixty Girl Scouts in the Raleigh area. The student-run MAC Organization is coordinating and running the session and the Girl Scouts plan to make it an annual event with the girls even earning a MAC financial literacy badge. Hancock will be speaking to the group that day and believes that building financial literacy skills at a young age is important.
“Young people can be very intimidated by financial concepts, but when you break it down and start with the basics at a young age it becomes a lot less scary. Getting past that fear factor, and building financial literacy skills is a key first step to a more secure financial future, “ she says.
Justine James (Jenkins MAC 2020) is leading the event in April and credits Hancock for helping her launch the event. Hancock connected her to key contacts within the Girl Scouts and has offered guidance on how to make the event as impactful and successful as possible.
As a teacher in the classroom, Hancock is encouraged that graduate students are taking the time away from their studies to get involved with the community. She believes that, “Finding a cause that you care about, where you can have an impact, can be a great source of personal satisfaction. It’s great that our MAC program facilitates student involvement in meaningful community activities”
Hancock’s work outside and inside the classroom does not go unnoticed by her students. Many students say she consistently leads by example on how to be a confident and successful woman in the accounting profession.
James noted that when she entered the MAC Program she did not realize how much impact just one professor could have. “Her passion for giving back and empowering women to have the courage to achieve their dreams has really inspired me, “ she said.
