Christine Shingleton

Cassady Jeremias

One of the requirements for the highest award in Girl Scouting, the

Thanks Badge, is that the candidate give service “so significantly

beyond expectations that no other award is appropriate.”

Christine Shingleton of Costa Mesa was recently awarded this badge

from the Girl Scout Council of Orange County. After being with the

Girl Scouts on and off for about 30 years, Shingleton said she still

wants to be involved.

“It had given me so much as a child. The organization really gives

girls the opportunities to be the best they can,” she said.

“It provided an opportunity to go camping and do outdoor

activities. I was really into sailing, I was a Mariner Girl Scout.”

Shingleton, who works as the assistant city manager of Tustin,

said she was in the Girl Scouts all throughout high school, became an

assistant troop leader in college, a camp counselor and then came

back in as a volunteer. She has sat on the board of directors for the

last 10 years, serving as president the last five.

Now, instead of selling cookies and learning leadership skills,

Shingleton puts her knowledge to the test. During her five year role

as president, she brought the Orange County Council up to date with

technology, something she said was lagging behind the rest of the

country.

“We now have a Web page and access to the Internet, and access to

resources nationwide,” she said.

She has also brought the staff up to date, and made girl scout

cookies available online.

Also as president she was able to take a look at the properties

owned by the Girl Scouts and eliminate some dilapidated ones to lower

maintenance costs.

After retiring from the presidency, Shingleton said she will

continue on council committees, and she has been elected for a term

on the nominating committee.

Her favorite post is one that gives her the opportunity to travel,

meet other people and participate in a number of committees at a

national level.

“My most wonderful experience has been as a national council

delegate. Every three years it brings us together to vote on major

policy proposals for the future,” she said.