Minutes - 10/10/13 Service Unit Meeting

• The meeting began with an activity inspiration from our Membership & Marketing Manager, Anita Silvestro.  She made an easy salsa recipe that is quick and satisfying.  Only need bowl, can of salsa, can of corn and a can of kidney beans and served with multi-grain tortilla chips.   It was enjoyed by all and a great treat to serve at Girl Scout meetings.
• VOLUNTEER AGREEMENTS - Leaders were reminded to sign Volunteer Agreements annually and submit them to Vicky, our Service Unit Manager.  All your volunteers should sign them.
• RECRUITMENT UPDATES: Orange and Bethany had their recruiting events.  Orange has identified a few moms willing to tackle the Kindergarten Daisy troop as an evening troop.  Bethany organizer Alice reported that there was some Kindergarten interest, but they are still trying to identify leaders.  A new Recruiter/Organizer is needed for 2014 for Orange and Woodbridge.
• AMITY GIRL SCOUTS WEBSITE: Clio reminded everyone that activity information and ideas for troop badge work is available on www.amitygirlscouts.blogspot.com.  Since everyone seemed concerned about the terminology "blog", Clio will promote it as a "website" in the future.  She's eager for any additional information including troop activity sessions, useful links, etc.  Also - she has added a page the Service Unit "Treasure Chest", which is essentially a list of items that troops can borrow from the Service Unit or other troops -- for their own troop events, including camping.  Check the website for that current list and email GSCTamitySU@gmail.com if you have additional items to share.
• SUBSCRIBE TO CHANGES IN WEBSITE:  if you want to know when something new is added to the Amity Website, without having to check it, go to the website home page and put your email into "follow by email" box on the right side and you will get an email every time there is a new posting.
• SERVICE UNIT EVENT CALENDAR:  committed dates are entered on the calendar, also on the Amity Girl Scouts website.  We still need organizers for the following events: Sup & Sing & Girl Scout Sabbath.  Man in Your Life will be "Bowling with the Boys", hopefully on Saturday January 25th.  Debbie U. will be planning that and Debbie S., former SU Manager, will help her with the Event paperwork.  Thinking Day is March 2 & Camporee is June 6-8.  Girl Scout Sabbath should be around March 12.  Please let Vicky B. know if anyone is willing to host it.  We'd love to go to a synagogue this year.
• OPEN SERVICE UNIT POSITIONS:  There are still open positions for Treasurer, Organizer/Recruiters, Events Coordinator and Orientation Volunteer.  Anita is trying to keep Orientations for her entire district on a set calendar so that new volunteers can go to whichever orientation training is most convenient, whether it is in Amity, West Haven or wherever.  That way, Amity will have to do it only once or twice a year.  Vicky will set a date for one orientation this fall.
• FINANCIAL UPDATE:  Budget is not yet finalized.  A few troops disbanded.  4 new troops have already set up bank accounts and 3-6 more troops are expected soon.
• COUNCIL UPDATE - BIG SING & SWAP: Anita Silvestro updated us on the Big Sing & Swap to be held in February 2014.  It's a big rally to be held for all of Connecticut at the Quinnipiac Arena and features celebrity Country singer, THERESA, who sang at the GSUSA National Convention.  3000 Girl Scouts are expected.  Girls who are 4th grade and older can participate in a special chorus with Theresa, but they must attend an orientation this fall/winter and a rehearsal the week before the rally.  More information is available at www.gsofct.org
• COUNCIL UPDATE - COMMUNITIES:  www.gsofct.org now has online forums to ask questions and get advice from your peer leaders.  Sign in and check it out.
• COUNCIL UPDATE - COOKIE RALLLIES: January 4th at nearby malls.  Girls who participate will earn a cookie mall patch.
• COUNCIL UPDATE - FIRESIDE CHATS: 11/3 at Katoya and 11/16 at An-Se-Ox.  These are wonderful events to introduce campsites to your troops and their families.  Check out the Connie the Catepillar - a series of patches that your younger scouts will enjoy earning by visiting all the camps in the Council.
• SMART LIVING CENTER FAMILY FUN DAY:  Anita will have a Girl Scout booth there at the Smart Living Center in Orange and volunteer help is needed.  One hour shifts from 11am - 2pm.
• FREE MEETING SPACE: Anita has reminded us that all the Girl Scout camps are available for FREE from Sunday afternoons to Friday afternoons.  Your troop or service unit can host meetings or events there for free.  Don't forget Weston has a new lodge - which is beautiful - which a loft space upstairs for sleeping.
• TRAINING MOMENT:  Vicky went over filling out the Registration Forms.  Troop Registrars should fill out the bottom section: MMM=302, RPT CODE=601 and Troop #. On the Membership Summary Report, the REG AREA=003.  The volunteer name listed as "filling out the form" should be your "O1" Leader ALWAYS. ALSO BE SURE TO PUT THE FULL NAME, ADDRESS and TIME/DAYS FOR THE MEETINGS AS THIS IS WHAT ENSURES PROPER INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TROOP.  All forms should be submitted to our Registrar IN DUPLICATE (and keep copies for your troop records also).   This special training moment will be summarized into a 'cheat sheet' and be distributed to all!
• SERVICE PROJECTS: please send blurbs and photos to Anita with any service projects info for your troops.  This is important so that Girl Scout supporters can see what awesome projects are going on around the state.  Submit same blurbs to the local papers and on PATCH.com.  Also, a reminder that Goodwill needs clothes.  Have your troops coordinate clothing drives and mark your bags with your troop numbers.
• REGIONAL TRAINING DAYS: Upcoming 10/19 at Pattagansett, 10/26 at Aspetuck or Yankee Trails.  Sign up at www.gsofct.org.
• SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS: Daisy Knapsack receipts from October 1, 2013 - June 3, 2014.  For each $250 spent, you will receive a $5 credit towards a future purchase.