Time to Register for Girl Scouts!

It's that time of year!  Our Girl Scout year begins October 1.  Troops are getting back into the swing of things.  Calling all girls from Kindergarten through 12th grade and all volunteers over 18 yrs old!

For general information about Girl Scouts in Connecticut, go to www.gsofct.org

For more information about Amity Girl Scouts, email our Service Unit

 GSCTAmitySU@gmail.com

Amity Girl Scouts Take Action! Sow What?

Here is a video created by Amity Girl Scout Troop 60436 as their Take Action Project for the Sow What Journey.  It tells us about Massaro Farm's food donation program for the area community.  Take a look.  The girls did a great job!

For information about Massaro Farm, go to www.massarofarm.org

Family Fun Day - Amity Girl Scouts are invited!

November 12, 2014 Service Unit Meeting Minutes

1. Welcome and intro by Vicky, our Service Unit Manager
2. Recruiting is in full swing -- all three towns have new Daisy troops and leaders are being trained!
3. Registration Update: Early Bird badges are ready and being distributed.  A friendly reminder from Mary that you need to send her DUPLICATES of all registration forms and Dues Summary forms.
4. Secretary Update - trying to build a Service Unit parent email list.  Will try to get list from council.
5. Council Delegate Elections:  Jessica Kenty-Drane and Nina Ruckes were elected as Delegates and Alternate Delegates to GS of CT.  Congratulations!
6. Service Unit Event Calendar:
1. March 8, 2015: Thinking Day celebration (A. Mislow/Troop 60145, Chair)
2. June 5-7, 2015: Camporee at An-Se-Ox (K. Kravetz/Troop 61099, Chair)
3. Man in Your Life event (C. O'Conner, Chair) ** per GS of CT regulations, this event needs to be called "Special Person in Your Life" event.  Can't be gender specific anymore.  Discussed different ideas and scheduling.
4. Camporee 2016: needs to be reserved by March.  Need new troop to chair.
7. Cookie Training: update from Susan Leigh.  Begins 1/2/15.  40th Birthday for Samoas.  Everyone needs training even if already a Cookie Manager/Mom because of new Digital Cookie sales - a first for GSUSA and GSofCT.  2 new flavors: Rah Rah Raison and Toffee Tastic.  Training dates to come via email.  All girls must be registered to sell cookies.  Resolve registration disputes with Mary Cassidy, Registrar.
8. Service Unit Job Opportunities:  We need a Treasurer & Registrar.  Ideas for recruiting for these SU positions?  It doesn't have to be a current leader or even a GS mom.  Just someone who wants to volunteer time!
9. Council News: Anita Silvestro.  
1. Cookie Rallies for girls and families on January 10 at malls throughout the state.  Closest one is Meriden Mall.  Older girls are needed to help man the booths.  
2. Cookie Recognitions will be awarded at Fun Fest in May at Durham Fairgrounds.  
3. Register your troops for Fun Fest - it is a huge Girl Scout festival for scouts and families.  Only $20 now.  Prices go up soon. 
4. Community Partner Awards:  make sure you are recognizing the partners who are hosting your meetings (Schools) and cookie booths.  
5. Girls need to go online to GS of CT and vote on outdoor badges (result of GS USA National Convention initiative)
6. Bring A Friend events:  Thinking Day or other Service Unit or troop events.  Talk to Anita for badges to award the girls if they bring a friend who joins Girl Scouts.
10. Training Moment: Go to www.GSofCT.org and look at training area.  Regional Training Day sin April and May (5/2 at An-Se-Ox).  Make sure your leaders are current!  Laurel is going to Girlz Rule training on 1/31/15 - program that helps with conflict resolution.  Talk to her if interested in going.
11. QSP Update: A big WAHOO from Debbie Siena.  The Amity Service Unit DOVE IN to QSP sales.  18 troops participated and did an awesome job.
12. Next 3 meetings: December 10, January 14, February 11

Bring Your Troop, Bring Your Friends and Join us for Amity Girl Scouts' Thinking Day 2015

Thinking Day 2015

2015 Thinking Day Theme: 

“We Can Create Peace through Partnerships”

Hosted by Cadette Troop 60145 and Junior Troop 60858

 

Sunday March 8, 2015

2:30pm – 4:30pm

*Set up at 2:00 pm

Holy Infant Gym * 450 Racebrook Road * Orange

New this year: 
Amity Girl Scouts Chorus
Join our Girl Scout Chorus for a performance of “We Are the World” at the conclusion of the Thinking Day presentations.   The Chorus will be led by Suzanne Vick of RVP Studios. Come join the fun!   Mandatory rehearsals for Chorus:  Sundays, February 22nd and March 1st
at Orange Congregational Church, From 3 – 4:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary, 205 Meetinghouse Lane, Orange.  Please RSVP to Allison at amislow at metlife.com with any Troops or individual Girl Scouts who would like to participate! 

This Year's Service Project:  Amity Girl Scouts Support ReRun Shoes

In keeping with the theme and to do something to help developing countries, we ask all the Girl Scouts in the service unit collect gently used shoes, to bring to Thinking Day. Even if your troop can't come, we hope you can join in on this Service Unit service project. Rerun shoes collects gently used shoes, sneakers, sport sandals, women's flats, and cleats (no flip flops, heels, Crocs, boots) to help the less fortunate in African countries.  Rerun promotes sustainable development-by helping the micro-entrepreneurs in poor African nations and keeping good reusable shoes out of landfills.  In addition, Rerun employs people with disabilities here in the US to prepare the shoes for shipment to Africa.

Election Day/Week Cookie Booths

Girl Scout Cookies - Yum Yum!  Election Day Booth Sales take place this week.  If you are having a craving, or want to support your local Girl Scout troop, go here:
http://www.gsofct.org/general/booth-locations.php  
to see where you can pick up your favorite flavors!  We said goodbye to Dulce de Leche and Thank You Berry Much but we welcome a new cookie:  Rah Rah Raisin!

SU Meeting Minutes 10/15/14

1. Service Unit Manager Vicky Burford welcomed everyone, especially our newest leaders Laura & Becky!!
2. For Recognitions, Clio overlooked Lori Blair, who should have received a 5 yr Volunteer & 5 Yr. Membership pin and will receive it hopefully by the November meeting.  She also congratulated Monica Blum, SU Treasurer, for her 20 yr. pin!
3. QSP Sales - we are half way through.  There is still time to "dive in".   Any questions, call Debbie Siena our QSP Manager for the SU.
4. Vicky was also pleased to report, on behalf of our SU Cookie Manager, that we have 6 Election Day booths (which can take place anytime during Election Day week).  Spread the word and check Cookie Booth times at:  http://www.gsofct.org/general/booth-locations.php
5. Vicky updated us on recruiting efforts.  Woodbridge has a new Kindergarten troop, Bethany is having a parent meeting soon and Orange recruiting is underway.
6. Online registration is rolling out.  All leaders are asked to do the webinar training. 
7. There are "job" opportunities in the Service Unit.  A new Treasurer is needed as well as a Registrar.  Please think about volunteers or potential volunteers who can fill these spots.
8. Upcoming Service Unit events:  Thinking Day Feb/March 2015 (Allison Mislow/Troop 60145, Camporee June 5-7, 2015 (Karen Kravetz, Troop 61099), Man in Your Life event (TBD) (Connie O'Connor Troop 60537), Sup & Sing (spring, chair needed).
9. Council Delegate update:  Jessica Kenty-Drane has accepted the nomination for SU Delegate.  We still need an alternate delegate.  Elections will be at the next meeting, Wednesday November 12.
10. Council News:  Anita reported that our Council Delegates are on their way to the National Convention in Utah.  Save the date for the Fun Fest in May 2015.  Pre-register your troops now for lowest price.
11. Training Moment: Ready? Set? Go! now replaces Fire, Food & Fun.  Upcoming Regional Training Days enable you to get Out & About  & Ready? Set? Go! in one day.