Because LaRae Orullian knows the poweer of example, she makes certain she sets a good one. She has great motivation to do so, since more than 3 million girls may be watching.
Named president of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. last fall, she is the first LDS woman tohold the top post in the Girl Scouts, which has 3.2 million members from ages 5 to 17. The Girl Scouts is reported o be the world's largest voluntary organization for girls."I'm excited," Sister Orullian, a member in the Lakewood Colorado Stake, said as she expressed her feelings about leading the Girl Scouts. "I'm thrilled. I'm energized. I'm committed.
"I've always been keenly interest in providing girls the opportunity to do whatever positive things with their lives they wanted to," said Sister Orullian. "I found that opportunity through Girl Scouting."
She believes her position as president of Girl Scouts fulfills a promise in her patriarchal blessing, which states that she will be a leader among women.
Ironically, Sister Orullian, 58, didn't become involved with Girl Scouts as a youth, as have most volunteers in the program. Her background in the finance industry led to her first experience with nearly 80-year-old girls' organiztion. During the 1970s she chaired a successful fund drive for teh Mile Hi Council of the Girl Scouts in Denver. She also chaired the financial committee and was on the board of directors for the council.
Her talents and dedication to the ideals promoted by Girl Scouts led to national involvement. She served from 1981-87 as national treasurer, after which she was elected first vice president and served simultaneously as chairwoman of the executive committee. She served in these capacities until being elected president at the organization's 45th convention last fall in Miami Beach, Fla.
The daughter of Alma and Bessie Orullian, who live in Salt Lake City, she had perfect Church attendance throughout her youth. She earned every award that a young woman could earn in MIA.
Her involvement in MIA served to foster her understanding of the moral values, fun and friendships engendered in Girl Scouting.
she said she has "a very hunbling and heartwarming felling" about serving with the Girl Scouts. "I also fell I'm contributing to society in a way that has some positive influence in the world."
Sister Orullian is committed to the principles of the Girl Scouts, and during her three-year tenure as president, she hopes to help more people understand the important benefits taht Girl Scouts offers young girls.
She also hopes to "continue the Girl Scout movement with all the energy and care of its tradition." and to have "more alliances with women's organizations and involvement in societal issues which Girls Scouts as an organization can participate in positively."
Issues in which Girl Scouts are involved include the nation's literacy problem. In October 1990, First-Lady Barbara Bush helped Girl Scouts kick off the "Right to Read Project," a literacy program designed to help young girls in America learn to read.
The program received a Library of Congress award.
Sister Orullian has lived up to her ideal tht youth can make positive contributions in their lives. While living in her native Salt Lake City during her late teens, she began night courses in 1952 with the American Institute of Banking, an adult educational program. To support herself, she worked for a lcoal bank, first as a messenger and finally as a secretary. Twelve years of perserverance paid off when she received her banking certificate in 1967. She received an advanced certificate from the Ohio State Banking School in 1970.
Today, she is one of the highest ranking female bank executives in the nation. Her positions include chairwoman of the board, director, and chief executive officer for Women's Bank in Denver, and president and CEO of Equitable Bankshares of Colorado Inc., a bank holding company. She is also vice chairwoman of Equitable Bank of Littleton, Colo.
Sister Orullian helped found Women's Bank in the 1970s to give women opportunities to progress in the finance industry.
She also serves on the boards of Blue- Cross/Blue Shield for Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada;; is on the Community Bankers Advisory Council for the American Bankers Association; is on the Savings Bond Division of the U.S. Treasury Djepartment; and is involved with Rocky Mountain Health Care Corporation and teh National Women's Forum. She is also past president of the American Institute of Banking.
Her accomplsihments an example have not gone unnoticed. She was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 1990 by Entrepreneurs of America Inc. and Inc. magazine. Other awards include being named the 1988 Woman of the Year by the American Jewish Committee, the 1987 Outstanding Woman of the year by the International Women's Forum, and the 1982 Women Helping Women recipient by a Colorado women's service organization.
She attributes her civic and career successes to her background in the church.
"I remember one of my Church teachers saying that God gave us the opportunity to make our own choices and that we could make of our lives whatever we have the ability to do. It was up to us," related Sister Orullian. "That was a real incentive and one tht I've shared with lots of Girl Scouts.