SEPTEMBER 2008
Lafayette
Girl Scouts

Leader Update
Welcome to a new Girl Scout Year!
 
It is a new year, and we have a new name.  Due to the council realignment, we are no longer the Lafayette Association - we are now the Lafayette Service Unit.  Look for the term Service Unit to apply to all girl scouts, leaders and volunteers in Lafayette. 
 
Also, the Lafayette Coordinating Team, those volunteers that run leader meetings, maintain the website and other communications, support leaders, and other activities too numerous to name, are now known as the LCT (formally ACT).   
 
So, as co-directors of the Lafayette Service Unit, we hope you are enjoying meeting with your girl scouts, recruiting new ones, and planning for a fun and rewarding year.  Please contact us with questions at any time.
 
Alison Wash and Colleen McCarty
Co-Directors
In This Issue
Welcome
Upcoming Events
Programs
Events Wanted!
Events
Who to Call
Membership
Community
Fall Sales
Cookie Sales
September Leader Meeting
Community Announcements
Quick Links
CUE (older girl newsletter)
Join Our Mailing List!
UPCOMING EVENTS
  
 
SEPTEMBER
15 Fall Sales Training 
16 Leader Meeting at Twin Canyons 6:45 to 8:30
20 Coastal Clean-Up Date 
22 Registration due 
25 Fall Sales Pre-Order
27 3rd Grade Camporee
 
 
OCTOBER
9 LCT Meeting
10-12 7th & 8th Grade Camporee
19 Destinations
25 Newsletter Articles Due
26 3rd Grade Brownie Acting Workshop   
 
PROGRAMS
Lafayette Service Unit Co-Director - ProgramsAlison Wash 934-3404
 
New Council Resource Guide  At the September Leader Meeting on the 16th at Twin Canyons you will pick up your copy of the revised Council Resource Guide, reflecting streamlined processes within our newly merged council. 
 
Please review this guide carefully as a lot has changed!  Below are some of the highlights:
  1. Volunteer Approval process - driver information will now be kept by leader only, no need to send to council.
  2. Many required training courses now available for home study - check out pg 13 for more info.
  3. New bank accounts - set up online only, do not go to the branch, see pg 24.
  4. Multiple signatures no longer required on checks.
  5. New Trip Approval form -  There is a new form, available on our website, as well as council's, called the Trip and High Risk Activity Approval form.  This form replaces the old 52x form.  Use this form for any overnight or high-risk activity (swimming, boating, backpacking, horseback-riding, etc).  For non-high risk day trips, you may continue to send me copies of your permission slips or you may use this new form, see pg 17-18. 
  6. Council Annual Permission form - another new form available on our website, as well as council's.  Have your parents complete this permission form once a year, and then you don't need to get signed permission forms from each parent for most field trips, however you still need to send notification to me using the new Trip Approval form, see pg 17. 

Please contact me with any questions!

- Alison


 
Older Girl Program: Anne Mitchell 284-2784
There are new activities being planned for older girls this year: Cadette Beach Camporee, Leader Disneyland Chat, Redwood City Cadette and Senior Camporee and more. Look for an update each month in the Leader Update and quarterly in the Older Girl Newsletter.
 
Needed: Leaders who have taken their troops to Disneyland that would be willing to meet with leaders of younger troops that are considering this Lafayette tradition, to give them insight into the planning and doing of a Disneyland trip. We are planning an informal coffee (probably at a local coffee house) for  1 - 1 ½ hours in late September or  early October - please contact Anne Mitchell, Older Girl Coordinator if you are willing to provide tips and advice.  Once we get volunteers (at least two) we will set a date and invite troop leaders who would like to hear the advice.
 
Keep on the lookout for Destinations information - as I get information on the annual council Destinations Showcase and other destinations updates I will pass it along.
 
- Anne
volunteers wanted
EVENTS WANTED 
We have several Events that need a good Troop to own them!  
 
Contact our Events Coordinator Sandra Patterson
 296-9281 for more information!  
EVENTS
Event CoordinatorSandra Patterson 296-9281
 
The following events scheduled for this year include:
  • 2nd Grade Brownie Plant Try-It Badge workshop  (September 14)
  • 3rd Grade Camporee (September 27 & 28)
  • 7th & 8th Grade Camporee (October 10 - 12)
  • 3rd Grade Brownie Acting Workshop (October 26)
Go to the Event page for more information on any of these events!
 
If you are interested in hosting a Lafayette-wide event (such as the Roller Skating Birthday Party in March or the World Thinking Day in February 2009), or some type of badge workshop, please contact Sandra for additional information.

LCT ROLES

The recent realignment of 5 Councils into Girl Scouts of Northern California has created significant changes in titles, age levels, forms and more.  Jasmine Brar from Council will be a the Leader Meeting with explanations and a handy cheat sheet to aid you.  Additionally, here is a brief description of roles to help you know WHO to call in Lafayette:  
 
EVENT COORDINATOR - Sandra Patterson 296-9281:
- Answers questions and approves events in Lafayette
 
SERVICE UNIT DIRECTOR - PROGRAMS - Alison Wash 934-3404:
- Approves all Troop Trips
- Plans Leader Meetings
- Oversees all Programs (cookies, fall sales, Save the Bay, etc)
 
SERVICE UNIT DIRECTOR - COMMUNICATIONS - Colleen McCarty 944-7163:
- Oversees Web, Announcements, Leader Updates and Newsletter
 
SCHOOL ORGANIZER - See Membership section below for individuals at each school:
- General troop questions and problem solving (frequently the best place to start for 
  Troop Leaders!)
-
Places girls in troops
 
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR - Linda Bailey 283-2551:
- Recruits Leaders, girls and Troops
- Works with Troops to problem solve escalated issues (as needed)
 
MEMBERSHIP
Membership Coordinator: Linda Bailey 283-2551 or 330-8222

A warm welcome to our new and returning leaders.  Thank you for everything that you do for our Lafayette girls.  As we form new troops and add girls to existing ones, we hope that you will extend an open and cooperative spirit. 

Registration  
Please get your registration to the Registrar, Geni Federas 944-4768, ASAP to avoid membership and insurance lapses.   Deadline to submit registration is September 22.
 
School Organizers
Your School Organizers are in the middle of fall recruiting and registration (for new troops and those that did not register in the spring). Please contact your School Organizer at any time! They are here to help!

Burton Valley  
K-2 Jacqueline Florine, 933-3279 
3-5 Juleen Lapporte, 284-1540
 
Happy Valley -
Currently Happy Valley does not have a school organizer. We are looking for a leader or a parent to take on the job. Please contact Linda if you are interested or know of anyone who might be a good candidate.
 
Lafayette
Karin Husch 283-1455
 
Springhill
Kerry Bolen 943-1499
 
St. Perpetua
Trish Brown 937-5164  
 
Stanley -
Currently Stanley does not have a school organizer. We are looking for a leader or a parent to take on the job. Please contact Linda if you are interested or know of anyone who might be a good candidate.  
 
Seniors (all schools)
Donna Colombo 284-4403
  
COMMUNITY & COMMUNICATIONS 
Lafayette Service Unit Co-Director - Community & Communications:  
 
Flag Ceremonies at City Council Meetings
If your troop is interested in participating in a flag ceremony at a City Council meeting, contact Colleen.
 
Family Partnership Campaign (formerly FOGS) 
Contact: Linda Hargreaves 934-5540  
FALL SALES
 
Fall Sale
 Fall Sales
 Troops are gearing up for the fall product sale (nuts, magazines and more).  
 
 
Lafayette's Fall Sale training is scheduled for:
Monday, September 15th
7:00-8:00 pm
1144 Palomares Court, Lafayette
 
Troop Fall Sale Managers need to attend to pick up troop packets, find out what's new this year and learn/review how to use the computerized order entry system.  Don't miss out on the free samples and raffle prize as well!  Must be present to win!

Please RSVP as soon as possible with your troop number, Fall Sale Manager's name and email address and number of girl packets you will need.

The initial fall orders take place between September 25 through October 19th and the public booth sales take place Nov 13 - Nov 30   (product deliveries will begin in early November).
 
This is a much smaller program than the cookie program and a good way for troops to earn some dollars early in the year and for girls to learn some basics of business smarts -- setting goals, organizing, presentation skills, budgeting and keeping track of money. 
  
If you have questions or suggestions about the Fall Product Sale Program, please contact Jodi Repstad at 933-6025.
COOKIE SALES
thin mint
 
Lafayette Cookie Sale Training:
December 16
7:00 to 8:30
Stanley Multipurpose Room
 
This training is mandatory for all Cookie Managers
 
Initial Orders January 9 - February 1
Deliveries of product to troops  February 21
Public sale March 6, - March 22, 2009 
 
Questions about Cookies?  Please contact Ardice Hartry at 962-9739
September Leader Meeting
Tuesday, September 16
6:45 to 8:30 pm
 
Twin Canyons
end of Springhill Road in Lafayette 
_________________________________ 
 
News & Updates
Appetizers & Dessert
Campfire & Songs
and more...
_________________________________

This meeting is mandatory
You MUST have a representative from your troop attend.

Carpooling suggested - Please back-in when parking

(safety issue in the event we all need to leave at the same time)

Please bring:

    • warm jacket
    • flashlight
    • camp chair (if you would prefer not to sit on logs at campfire)
    • shoes (appropriate for the outdoors)  

Please do not bring children - as this is an adult meeting and there is no childcare available.

 
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Join Girl Scouts for Coastal Clean-Up Day September 20, 2008
You love the bay, you love the beach, you love the shore near your favorite river.  Show your appreciation by joining us for fun with friends and commitment to community service!  Come on, let's all take part so we can show Northern California how Girl Scouts can tackle a cause together! GSSTB has also developed a patch so you can show how dedicated you are to the health of the shores of California.  More info here!
 
Attention Girl Scouts ages 12 and up!
Sensei Karen Rutkowski is teaching a Level 2 Women's Self-Defense Class in Lafayette on September 13, 2008. It will build upon the knowledge and skills you already have and introduce you to some new and effective techniques for self-defense and safety. Sign up for the class with Lafayette Recreation at 925-284-2232. As always, Karen is also available to teach individual troops at their convenience. Contact Karen with any questions at 925-550-6757.
 
The Small-Fry Shoppe at 155-D Railroad Ave in Danville carries a full line of start-up supplies for all levels of Girl Scouts (Daisy to Senior). We have an online store. Not all items are listed, call us (925-838-885) to check on availability of any item.  We will be happy to hold orders for you until you can pick up or ship at a reasonable cost.  We will take telephone orders. Our prices are the same as the Girl Scout Catalog, never higher, and sometimes lower.  If we do not normally carry an item (other than earned badges), we can order it eliminating the shipping charges for you. Our goal is to make it easier for you to obtain the items you need for your troop.
 
Please email your succinct announcements and advertisements - worded exactly as you wish them to appear - to Colleen McCarty.   PLEASE NOTE:  The deadline for submitting items for publication is the 20th of each month.