Regional Kick-Offs, what are those?

What is a Kick-Off?  It's when the Girl Scout Council goes crazy with displays and product samples to get us all excited about the new Girl Scout year.  There are 4 kick-offs in Connecticut at the end of August and if it fits into your schedule, try to get there with your co-leader, your older scout or even just by yourself.

Girl Scouts of Connecticut wants you to come to the kick-offs to "get some great ideas, get energized and pick up your troop’s Program Resource Guide.  Kick-Offs are in an Open House format and pre-registration is NOT required.  Arrive and leave at your convenience.   Kick-Offs are open to all adult volunteers, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors.  Girl Scout families are welcome to attend but displays are geared toward generating discussion with adults and older girls."
(Rumor has it, there might be a new product to taste at the Kick-Offs.)

Attend any of these kick-offs:
Tuesday August 19  6-8 pm  West Side Middle School, 483 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury
Thursday August 21  6-8 pm  East Hartford Community Cultural Center, 50 Chapman Place, East Hartford
Saturday August 23   10 am - 12 pm  Griswold Middle School, 211 Slater Avenue, Griswold
Sunday August 24  1:30 - 3:30 pm  Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard, 600 Main Street, Bridgeport

GSofCT Membership Meeting -- open forum

December 3, 2013

from 6:00-8:00 p.m. 

North Haven Service Center

The Membership Meeting is an open forum for members of GSOFCT, the Board of Directors, and senior management to share issues of interest and concern. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Jackie Davis at jdavis@gsofct.org or (860) 522-0163 ext. 3248. In case on inclement weather, a notice will be posted here and Basecamp. Click here for a printable flyer.

From GS of CT: Check out these fun events for your girl!

Check out these fun events for your girl!

Send to a friend October 1, 2013 Invite a friend to become a Girl Scout so she can attend an event with you!

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Haunted Hike for Troops or Individuals - PreRegister today for savings!

Attention Halloween lovers!
This is just a reminder that the registration deadline for advanced ticket sales for the Haunted Hike is tomorrow, October 18! Register by tomorrow and save $1 per ticket!

There are several hike options available the weekend of October 25 & 26.
Families, troops, and individual girls with an adult welcome.

Get all the details here!

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.

Council-sponsored Events for Girl Scouts

Our Council, Girl Scouts of Connecticut, sponsors hundreds of events for Girl Scouts around the state. Girls can participate in these activities with their troop or on their own. Activities vary from overnights at camp sites to STEM events, hikes or campfire events, just to name a few.
If your troop or its leaders don't have the time to coordinate meetings or badge session activities, Council sponsored programs are a great way to keep a troop or a girl involved in Scouting with little or no work except for a few email reminders. (Just remember, if you travel as a troop, a troop trip form ---and driver forms and volunteer paperwork for all adults -- are required, but if you all just meet at the event, you can skip the paperwork for a Council-sponsored event!).

Check out the events calendar at http://www.gsofct.org/participate/activities-calendar.php

You will need to login to register.

Fab Fridays!!! Fun for Grades 6-12: #icantwaitto

Fabulous Friday- for all girls grades 6 -12

( Planned by Girls for Girls!)

 Want to do more, help others, have fun and socialize?

We meet monthly on the 2nd Friday of each month , from 6:30-8pm, cost $3.00 each meeting

Non-members sign up Annual Membership fee $15.00 plus Council fee $10.00 =$25.00

 

Friday, October 11- Halloween Party,  Folklore , music, dancing costumes, snacks and more…

 

Friday, November 8- Quilting, learn to sew, and making for yourself and others(Community Service)

Friday, December 13- Holiday Party- bring your favorite cultural dish, Chef demo too!

Friday, January 10   - Help the Animal Shelter by making dog toys!

Friday, February 14- Chick Flick night! Come in PJs, see a movie, hot chocolate and snacks

Friday, March 14- See a play, and behind the scenes TBA

Friday, April  11-Cupcake Wars, bring your own and learn more from the experts

Friday, May  9- Archery and hiking at Camp Katoya, relax and enjoy the outdoors, campfire, and sleepover too!

RSVP: No later than Wednesday before that meeting date to purchase  supplies.  Anita Silvestro at asilvestro@gsofct.org or 203-239-2922 Ext. 3334,

 

Get a friend to Volunteer or Join Girl Scouts today! #icantwaitto

Get a friend to volunteer or join Girl Scouts today! Share our First Lady's public service announcement for Girl Scouts on Facebook, twitter or on your blogs!  

Encourage your friends to volunteer (male or female!) and get your daughter's friends to join a troop. No troop in the area? Don't worry - they can be Juliettes and still participate at Council-sponsored programs (there are tons of them -- check out www.gsofct.org) or summer camp too.  




 #icantwaitto