Meet Melissa Tacconi
"No matter your skills and abilities, there is a place for you as a Girl Scout volunteer. Start off small and build from there."
Melissa’s Girl Scout Journey
Melissa’s journey with Girl Scouts began in second grade and continues to this day. She is not only a lifelong Girl Scout but also a proud Gold Award recipient.
As a young member, Melissa discovered that Girl Scouts was a place where she could work with adults and feel genuinely respected. That experience shapes the way she leads. Today, she strives to provide that same sense of respect and empowerment to the girls in her troop and service unit.
Melissa began volunteering as the Troop Cookie Chair for her daughter’s troop. Her involvement quickly grew as she started attending service unit meetings and eventually became the Service Unit Cookie Chair. She now serves as both the Service Unit Manager and an assistant troop leader.
The Role of Service Units
Service units play a key role in supporting troop leaders, helping to maintain balance and avoid burnout. Troop leaders are not expected to handle every responsibility alone. Even with limited adult volunteers, they can rely on the service unit for help—whether that means sharing ideas, fostering a sense of community, or participating in service unit events.
Melissa encourages troop leaders to seek support from parents, even with small tasks like bringing snacks or leading a simple activity. Getting parents involved doesn’t mean assigning them large responsibilities—sometimes, just asking is enough.
Building a Supportive Volunteer Network
As Service Unit Manager, Melissa works to build strong connections with adult volunteers. She invites parents and caregivers to take on small, manageable roles—like Fall Product Chair or Troop Coach—based on their skills and interests. Often, she finds that a simple request at a meeting or through social media is all it takes for someone to enthusiastically step up.
She makes an effort to get to know each service unit family, allowing her to match people with roles that suit them best. For example, she’ll approach outgoing volunteers who enjoy planning fun experiences to coordinate events. “Volunteers who love putting on fun activities make great event coordinators,” she says.
Engaging Events for All Troops
Melissa’s service unit organizes a variety of events throughout the year—ranging from Journey in a Day and Take Action projects to campouts—all designed to bring Girl Scouts from different troops together.
One event offered girls the chance to earn their Democracy badges at every Girl Scout level. Melissa and Service Unit Event Coordinator Summer partnered with other volunteers to create a memorable, hands-on civic experience. The event featured guest speakers such as the Mayor of Grapevine, a Colleyville City Council member, and a Grapevine-Colleyville ISD school board representative.
With it being an election year, the team designed an interactive, non-partisan activity to teach how laws are made. Girls took on the roles of Senators or House Representatives, proposing, writing, and voting on a bill to create a National Cookie Day—modeled after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Act. After the Senate (Juniors and Cadettes) passed the bill, it moved to the House (younger Girl Scouts). Once approved, Summer acted as President and signed it into law. This creative approach gave the girls a clearer, engaging understanding of how democracy works.
Looking Ahead
Melissa hopes to pass on the same positive, empowering experiences she had as a young Girl Scout. Her goal is to help today’s Girl Scouts grow into self-confident adults who truly understand their strengths. She wants them to recognize their leadership potential and be inspired to make the world a better place—just as Girl Scouts has always taught.
June 26, 2025
