The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County are gearing up to participate in a special event this month with four area chapters of the organization planning to celebrate 90 years of Girl Scouts at Madison Square Garden on October 13.

"We really are excited. We hope to have about 20,000 girls," said chief executive officer and executive director of the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County Marilyn A. Proios, who is personally pleased to be a part of the festivities and of the Girl Scouts.

"It's a wonderful position to be in, being the CEO of Girl Scouts. You just don't get tired. I can't say enough about Girl Scouts," said the enthusiastic and dedicated leader.

In addition to the Suffolk chapter, participants will include the Girl Scout Councils of Greater New York, Nassau, Westchester and Putnam Counties. Called "Sing Out For America," the event will consist of an afternoon of singing with Girl Scout singers Melinda Carroll and Patricia Shih. Dignitaries and celebrity guests will also participate in the fun-filled day.

As part of the 90th anniversary celebration, the Suffolk Girl Scouts are pledging to take part in 90,000 hours of community service with a special patch designed for those who participate. The endeavor is not as difficult as it seems, according to Proios. "Getting them to document it is difficult," she said, explaining that actually carrying out the work is "part of their very being."

"If you are not involved in your community and give of yourself there will be no community. If you do something for someone else it's just the most wonderful thing in the whole world," Proios said.

New patches were also designed for the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001, with girls given the opportunity to earn the badges through a number of activities. For example, the Girls Scouts Love New York patch can be earned by carrying out six activities including learning about five New York City attractions and planning a visit to one of them.

Patches were also created for Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania with the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County designing the Pennsylvania badge exclusively. Among the six activities for earning the patch are: to learn about the Homeland Security Office directed by the former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge and to research changes in three airline safety and security measures after September 11.

The patches have been so popular that tens of thousands were sold to over 25 programs including various states and countries. "It's a way for our girls to process that event," Proios said.

The council serves more than 37,000 Girl Scouts and 9,000 adult volunteers by providing outreach programs and diverse activities designed to encourage girls from all walks of life to reach their full potential.

Since Proios took the helm in 1988, Girl Scouts of Suffolk County membership has jumped substantially with girl membership up by 70 percent and adult membership increasing 60 percent.

Reaching out to girls in all areas of the county is important to Proios and if the girls don't come to her, she and her staff go to them. In fact, the council has been recognized nationally by Girl Scouts of the USA for its innovative outreach programs.

"We're probably one of the most aggressive outreach Girl Scout Councils in the country," explained Proios, who has spoken about the subject at the organization's national convention.

While the "traditional" troop is ideal, Proios believes it's necessary to reach out to girls who don't have an opportunity to join. "You need to go where the girls are," she said, explaining how her council has recruited members at learning disabled centers and homeless shelters.

Growing the council since she began her tenure as chief executive officer has succeeded thanks to a great deal of dedication by adult volunteers who lead the Girl Scout troops. Proios attributes the ability to retain and increase the number of adult volunteers to good listening skills.

"We respect volunteers very much and we listen to them. It's a good program. Girl Scouts is a solid, solid program for girls," she said.

Proios also considers accessibility to be a factor. "I answer all my phone calls. We try to give our leaders what they want," said Proios, who spends about 70 hours a week at her job.

She's also grateful for the support she gets from the board of directors. "I'm blessed, I'm totally blessed because these people believe in the mission," said Proios, referring to the council's 28 member board. "Being CEO for Girls Scouts is my reward for being good," she said.

Exposure through marketing has served well to spread the news of Girl Scout of Suffolk County activities. "They need to see us and we need to be marketed," she said, adding, "We're bringing up the future leaders of the community."

It's through the "Shooting Star Program" that Girl Scout members can earn a badge and be a part of the publicity. The girls then represent the organization on television and radio. "We try to be visible, they love it," said Proios, noting that there are currently 80 girls in the program and that it is open to all girls.

"That's why you see us on TV a lot. They know we're available," said the woman who is quite available herself. "My job is pretty much to be all over the place. Sometimes I go out four nights a week."

Proios doesn't keep the programs just for the Girl Scouts. If there is something that will benefit someone else, it's gladly passed along. For example, the Council has offered a managing anger workshop for a couple of years and has served more than 3,200 children through various local agencies throughout Suffolk County. The program is being delivered in various school districts, beginning with Hauppauge.

There's also a "Miss Fix It" program that helps girls and women learn how to carry out activities like plumbing and fixing things around the house.

"It's a community service. We start things out with our own girls then we realize the need is out there," she said. Proios has also been a featured panelist speaking about the "managing anger program."

Well over a decade ago, during a nationwide search for a Suffolk leader, Proios, a former Girl Scout herself, learned about the opening, applied for the position and found her dream job. "I come from a long background of volunteerism," she said, noting that she did some research before filing the application. "I realized it was an organization that was solid," she said.

Proios is a Suffolk County native. She is a graduate of Smithtown Branch High School and is a lifelong resident of Smithtown. It was upon entering Suffolk Community College in 1969 that Proios decided to embark on a career based on volunteerism.

After graduating from Suffolk Community College, Proios continued her education at Adelphi University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science. She went on to earn a Masters of Science and a professional diploma in School Education at C.W. Post University.

While attending graduate school as a full-time student, Proios worked full-time as the executive director of the Colonial Youth and Family Services Center in South Brookhaven.

Her dedication to helping others goes farther than just her professional life. Her services are offered in her community as well. Her volunteer experience in her hometown includes membership in the Women's Republican Club and past service as president of the Lawrence Avenue Elementary School PTA and chairperson of the Smithtown Narcotics Hotline.

She is currently on the board of directors of Long Island Head Start, a member of Long Island United Way's Agency Executives Council, the Suffolk County Criminal Justice Council, and the Suffolk County Commissioner's Advisory Council for the Department of Social Services.

Proios and her husband, Alex Proios, have four grown children and a number of grandchildren and being a big part of all of their lives is very important to her. "They really make my life. I try very hard to be involved in my grandchildren's lives. My interests revolve around my children. I really appreciate family," she said.

She's also appreciative of her supportive and active husband who doesn't complain about her busy schedule. When they do have spare time, however, Alex enjoys golf and she loves to shop.