Volunteer Spotlight: Cherilyn Inouye

This month, we’re thrilled to celebrate Cherilyn Inouye as our Volunteer Spotlight! Cherilyn has been a Girl Scout volunteer since 2015, when her daughter started kindergarten. Over the years, she’s supported Girl Scouts in many ways—from helping with unit PAs at summer day camps, to chaperoning workshops and events, to volunteering at cookie distribution, council fundraisers, and behind-the-scenes prep work as her daughter and her troopmates have grown older.

Is there anything surprising or less known about being a Girl Scout volunteer that you want to share with others?

Sometimes you get paid in cookies. But seriously, there are lots of ways to help. Commitments can be a simple one-time thing or a recurring one. I've never felt pressured to do more than what I sign up for.

What makes the Girl Scout Leadership Experience such an important program for Girl Scouts to participate in today?

There are not enough female leaders. Right now, the girls* are learning that they are impacting the world around them. Their voices and actions matter. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience offers a safe place for girls* to hone their leadership skills by offering opportunities to teach others a skill or organize and direct a team to perform a task.

What does Girl Scouting mean to you and why?

When I think of Girl Scouting, I think of a place where my daughter and her friends can be themselves without judgment. I think of the supportive atmosphere she gets from her Scoutmasters. I think of a place that has no growth restraints. I think of all-female overnight backpacking trips because she's self-reliant. These are all things that I want for my daughter.

Most memorable moment?

This is a tough question. I have many fond memories at camp. However, I'm going to have to go with volunteering at the Trailblazer's Ball. My daughter and I were tasked with selling raffle tickets. Undaunted, my daughter confidently took the lead and championed our team sales. I was so proud of her. On that night, I realized that she's becoming a woman. She took charge and didn't look back.

One word to describe being a volunteer:

Fulfilling—I am blessed to have seen the magic that happens at Girl Scout camps. My heart swells when I see both girls* and adults let their guards down. Slowly, but surely, everyone becomes their carefree, uninhibited, ‘silly’ selves. Camp magic is why I volunteer my time for Girl Scout fundraising projects. I feel that every girl* should experience camp at least once.”

We are so grateful for Cherilyn’s positivity, flexibility, and commitment to creating spaces where Girl Scouts can grow into confident leaders. Thank you, Cherilyn! You help make Girl Scouting in Western Washington a supportive and joyful community. 💚

Do you know an amazing Girl Scout volunteer who deserves to be recognized in a Volunteer Spotlight? We want to hear about them! You can nominate a volunteer by sending an email to stories@girlscoutsww.org with the volunteer's name and a few details about why they should be highlighted. Please include "Volunteer Spotlight" in the subject line of your email.

*Girl Scouts of Western Washington uses the term girls inclusively to speak to everyone who identifies with the Girl Scout experience, which includes cisgender girls, gender-expansive youth, transgender youth, non-binary youth, gender nonconforming youth, genderqueer youth, and any girl-identifying human.