August 18, 2010
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Spotlight 
Mayor and Girls Make a Mutual, Positive Impression
 
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Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter was so impressed by the girl-participants at the 2010Take The Lead Program in Philadelphia that he insisted upon hosting all six of them at his offices last month. The girls and their parents enjoyed nearly a half-day with the Mayor, beginning with a grand tour of historic City Hall (the first he's given) and a unique perspective and narrative of its heritage. Over a full-course luncheon in his private dining room, the Mayor's passion for his work became obvious. By reflecting on his own motivation to enter politics, he inspired many of the girls to pursue internships in local government as a solid avenue for community service and a path for future careers. The visit had a profound impact on Girl Scout Presenter Alicia Barry, who is also a Girl Advisor to the Board. "It was the peak of my Take The Lead experience. Mayor Nutter spent a considerable amount of time with us, posed patiently for photos, answered our teenage questions, and asked us--genuinely--to keep in touch. It gave me real insight on who he is: a gentleman, a hard worker, and someone committed to devoting time to encourage young people to become the best they can be."
2011 Take The Lead applications are now being accepted for all girl participants. Girl Scout Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors may apply to become Emcees, Presenters, Advocates, or Hosts; Girl Scout Brownies and up may join the Chorus (including instrumentalists). Deadline is October 1. Email takethelead@gsep.org or visit E-Council for an application form. Nominations for 2011 Take The Lead honorees are also invited through September 17; email takethelead@gsep.org for a form.
Adult Development 
2010 Fall Kick-off Meetings
Volunteers will get everything they need to plan a program-packed year. Sessions include Service Unit Team training, the Journeys and Girl Scout Leadership Experience rollout (a complete overview, training, and ideas-discussion about how to incorporate resources into troops' current activities), and more. Take-away materials include Volunteer Essentials, the Volunteer Essentials Troop Module, a Journeys Tool Kit, and Safety-Wise® updates. Register through E-Council.
Thursday, August 19 - 6:30-9:30pm
Valley Forge Service Center (Chester County) 
Saturday, August 21 - 9:30am-12:30pm
Shelly Ridge Service Center (Montgomery County)
Tuesday, August 24 - 6:30-9:30pm
Springfield Township Administration Building
50 Powell Road, Springfield (Delaware County)
 
Outdoor Skills and Fun Weekend--September 17-19
Camp Mosey Wood (White Haven, Luzerne County)
Volunteers can receive training for outdoor activities and camping with their troops. Register on the E-Council Program Event Calendar. Individual adults, adults and registered girls, or adults with troops may attend and receive training while girls learn outdoor skills with trained camp staff. All adults must be registered members, have proper clearances, and have completed Outdoor 101. Registration for four Outdoor 101 sessions--August 21 and 30, September 1 and September 7--is reserved for those attending the Outdoor Skills and Fun Weekend. CONTACT: Jill Sober at 610.791.2411, ext. 1504.
Saturday, August 21 - 9:30am-12:30pm  
Valley Forge Service Center (Chester County)
Monday, August 30 - 6-9pm
Shelly Ridge Service Center (Montgomery County)
Wednesday, September 1 
6:30 -9:30pm: Lehigh Service Center (Lehigh County)
Tuesday, September 7
6:30-9:30pm: Valley Forge Service Center (Chester County)
 
Other Outdoor 101 sessions are open to all volunteers attending regular Outdoor Education Classes. Register on E-Council
Tuesday, August 31
6:30-9:30pm: Camp Tohikanee (Quakertown, Montgomery County)
7-10pm: West Grove (Chester County)
Thursday, September 9
7-10pm: Morrisville (Bucks County)
Saturday, September 11
9:30am-12:30pm: Valley Forge Service Center (Chester County)
Monday, September 13
6:30-9:30pm: Christiana Lyons Club (Lancaster County)
Thursday, September 23
7-10pm: Morrisville (Bucks County)
 
20th Annual Adult Camping Weekend--August 20-22
Camp Tweedale (Oxford, PA)
There's still room! Adults of all ages are invited for a weekend of laughter, relaxation and Girl Scout memories. Cost is $50/person for the weekend and $40/person for Saturday only. Download the registration form.

Original E-Council URLs Reinstated
Earlier this summer, a change to the URL for E-Council was announced. Due to technical difficulties, the original URL for volunteers to review troop and other membership data has been reinstated: http://www1.e-council.net. For Program and Training registration and Property reservation, the updated URL for the E-Council portal is https://www1.e-council.net/code/onlinereg/?council=253
 
Online Training for Field Data Entry
Service Unit Managers, Registrars and '01' Troop Leaders may complete online training for Field Data Entry. Course duration is approximately one hour. Email ecounciluserrequests@gsep.org to participate. Registrants will be provided course-access information within 2 weeks; access expires in 7 days. Upon completion of the course, participants will be notified of their security update and given access information for E-Council.
 
Fall Adult Learn and Lead (F.A.L.L.)--How The West Was Fun!
October 1-3 at Camp Tweedale (Oxford, Chester County) 
One of GSEP's premier learning events for volunteers includes workshops on how to implement Journeys for each age-level. All required Leadership training, Medic First Aid, and Outdoor Education will also be offered. Additional workshops on crafts, traditions, and more will provide ideas to enhance Journeys. Register early for best selection of workshops and sleeping arrangements. Click here for complete program schedule and registration form. DEADLINE: September 10. CONTACT: Dale Moelter at 610.933.7555, ext. 1498.
 
Members Sought for Website Advisory Committee
Based on three years of volunteer feedback and Customer Service Focus Groups held last year, GSEP is re-designing its website. Before "going live," the re-design team is giving GSEP members a chance to preview the new website and share their opinions and suggestions. Committee members should be available to meet one evening in early-September at either the Lehigh Valley or Shelly Ridge Service Centers and have internet access to review updates. Professional experience with the internet and information technology is desirable but not required. To participate, email Creative Director Rosemarie Jones with name, phone number, and Service Unit.
 
Property News
Camp Tweedale Earns American Camp Association Accreditation  
With a score of 100%, Camp Tweedale earned its American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation this month, which demonstrates that the site is in full compliance with rigorous industry and governmental standards (click for more information). Camp Director Brenda Silkman and GSEP Program Director Melanie Doll were instrumental in the process. Two other GSEP campsites (Camp Wood Haven and Camp Mosey Wood) hold accreditation.
 
Agreement of Sale Completed for Parcel at Camp Laughing Waters
The GSEP Board of Directors has completed an agreement of sale for a portion of the Camp Laughing Waters property in Gilbertsville (Montgomery County). Officials from Upper Frederick Township approached GSEP in advance of eminent domain proceedings to obtain a 7.9-acre parcel of the property, which is needed to complete reconstruction of a nearby roadway that the Township is preparing to re-open. The parcel sits across the road from the main Camp Laughing Waters site and is not used for any girl or member programs or activities.
 
Eminent domain is the state's power to appropriate or take over private property for a public use. In accordance with the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, the owner of any appropriated land is entitled to reasonable compensation, which is typically defined as the property's fair market value. If the owner is not agreeable to the state's good-faith offer to purchase, the state reserves the right to file a court action to secure the property title. (learn more about eminent domain)
 
GSEP was agreeable to the Township's purchase offer and thereby given the right to review the price and concept before actual taking of the property. The negotiation was reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors, which will ensure a smooth and orderly transfer.
 
Property Committee Town Hall Meetings 
The GSEP Property Committee continues its series of Town Hall Meetings to report on the status of the Council's Property Assessment. All are invited to attend, and a report of the findings is available on the website.
  
Chester County Government Services Center, Room 171
601 Westtown Road, West Chester
Wednesday, August 25: 7-9pm
 
Valley Forge Service Center
100 Juliette Low Way
Saturday, September 11: 10am-Noon
 
Direct ongoing questions and feedback to the Committee's dedicated mailbox.
Product Program
Girl Scout Cookie Program Extended through August 31! There's still time to get a jump-start on funds for the 2010-11 Program Year. Girls may sell cookies individually or at events sponsored by their troop, Service Unit, and the Council. Girls and troops earn 70 cents in proceeds for every box sold with additional incentives for sales of 500, 850 and 1,250 boxes or more. Proceeds are only applied to sales of new cookies taken from current GSEP inventory; Peanut Butter Sandwich and Peanut Butter Pattie varieties are not available. CONTACT: Amanda Harrity at 215.564.2030, ext. 1023.

2010 Nuts About Reading: Design a Plan, Build Your Future!
An easy jump-start for Program Year funding! Nuts About Reading has new features this year, including increased proceeds, incentives, online ordering and training, and more. Full details on the GSEP Product Program page. Nuts About Reading runs from September 13 through October 25. Troops planning outside fundraising must participate in both the Nuts About Reading and Cookie Programs to qualify for additional fundraiser approval. Outside fundraising cannot compete with Council Product Programs and is not permitted while they are underway.


Nuts About Reading Booth at Temple Football Girl Scout Day! Troops can register to staff a Council-sponsored table at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on September 18. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. See event details in the Program Partner Activities of this issue of eNews. CONTACT: Lindsay Guyer at 215.564.2030, ext. 1043.


Interest Patrols Earn a Different Kind of Silver 
Mean Green Canoe Team Brings Home a Trophy 
For 33 years, GSEP's Mean Green Canoe Team (below) has paddled to the finish at the General Clinton Canoe Regatta in Bainbridge, NY over Memorial Day Weekend. This year's 22-member Team competed in five races--a 3-mile sprint, 4- and 6-girl relays, the 10-mile endurance, and the 15-mile endurance, from which Diana and Lynn Green brought home a 2nd-place Silver Trophy. More than three-decades young, the Mean Green Canoe Team practices every Sunday from late-March through Memorial Day, refining their paddling, back paddling, and drawing strokes on the Schuylkill River in Linfield (Montgomery County). Girls entering grades 8-12 are welcome, and no experience is required. Save the date now for the Team's first organizational meeting on Tuesday, March 1 at 7pmCONTACT: Barbara Curtin at 610.896.7365.  
 
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Heritage Patrol Shines at Musikfest
To kick off its Silver Anniversary, the GSEP Heritage Patrol (below) continued its 25-year tradition of year-round programming and activities with its annual participation at Musikfest in Bethlehem, where it helps showcase local history and hosts a week-long Historic Krafts'n'Kids for children ages 6-12. To showcase early-American folk art, older girls help the youngsters make crafts that children their age would have enjoyed more than 100 years ago. The Heritage Patrol invites girls ages 11-18 to study local history, participate in community events, share their knowledge with younger girls, and collaborate with organizations to preserve local heritage. One of its many signature programs is Burnside Plantation Day in Bethlehem (Lehigh/Northampton Counties) on November 13. Visit the Girls Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Heritage Patrol website for a full schedule of activities, registration forms and deadlines, and costs. CONTACT: Betsy Cutler at 610.395.2721 or Heidi Landis at 610.694.8052.

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Issue: 49
CONTENTS
Adult Development
Property News
A Different Kind of Silver
Let's Read! Let's Move!
Program Partner Activities
2011 Take The Lead Nominations
What's In Store
Trefoil Society Luncheon
Governance News
  LET'S READ!
 LET'S MOVE!
 
A Challenge From
the First Lady
First Lady and Girl Scouts of the USA's Honorary National President Michelle Obama has called on Girl Scouts to read and exercise as part of United We Serve's launch of Let's Read. Let's Move. The initiative
is designed to combat childhood obesity, reduce summer learning-loss, and improve access to healthy, affordable food and runs through October 1. Girls can track their progress using GSUSA's simple tracking system.

'YOUR TIME IS NOW!'
Pennsylvania Governor's
Conference for Women
October 14
GSEP is a supporting organization of the 7th Annual Pennsylvania Governor's Conference for Women, being held Thursday, October 14 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, with the theme "Your Time Is Now!" Keynote
speakers are financial Chair and CEO
Ellen Alemany, author Kelly Corrigan, and playwright/activist
Eve EnslerClick here to register before September 10 for a special rate of $125/person; enter Promotional Code PATSU2.
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PROGRAM PARTNER ACTIVITIES

GIRL SCOUT DAY AT TEMPLE FOOTBALL 
 September 18
12 noon
Lincoln Financial Field
When the Temple Owls face the University of Connecticut, girls enjoy photo opportunities, pre-game arts and crafts, and an exclusive Girl Scout Day Patch!
Tickets start at $12/person. View the flyer for more information. CONTACT:
Emily Krombach at 215.204.7270.
 
NUTS ABOUT READING 
 AT THE TEMPLE GAME
Troops may also register to staff a Council-sponsored Nuts About Reading booth at the event. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. CONTACT: Lindsay Guyer at 215.564.2030, ext. 1043.  
 
 
FREE HORSE SHOW FOR GIRL SCOUT JUNIORS
October 16
The Pennsylvania National Horse Show invites Girl Scout Juniors (grades 4- 5) to attend the show free of charge on Saturday, October 16 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Exhibition Center in Harrisburg. Girls can attend up to two classes to work towards the Horse Fan Patch; topics may include horse care, clothing and function, equine careers, tack, and tack parts. Girls visit the exercise ring, stables, blacksmith, and a horse ambulance; attend an autograph session; and enjoy face painting and temporary tattoos. Free for Girl Scout Juniors and $5 for adults. Pre-registration required by September 30; call 508.698.6810, ext. 13. After September 30, call for space availability. 
 __________
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 
 
2011 Take The Lead

The tradition continues. Nominations are being accepted through
 Friday, September 17 for the 2011 Take The Lead Award, which honors women of courage, confidence and character whose breakthrough leadership and accomplishments make the world a better place. Email takethelead@gsep.org for a nomination form.
Save These Dates for
 the 2011 Award Events
Philadelphia: March 1
Berks County: March 15
Lehigh Valley: April 27 
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WHAT'S IN STORE   
 
 Run, Don't Walk, to Your Nearest GSEP Shop! 
 
Through August 31, all GSEP clothing is 50% off regular prices, including polo shirts. Camp Clothing is excluded; no additional discounts can be applied.  
New Girl Scout-branded T-shirts are now available! Click here for Shop locations and hours, or shop online.
 _______________
SAVE THE DATE:
 
Trefoil Society Luncheon
September 25
The GSEP Trefoil Society's annual luncheon will be held Saturday, September 25 at The Inn at Towmencin in Kulpsville (Montgomery County). Membership is open to all Adult Award recipients whose recognition has been approved at the Council or National level. Invitations will be mailed by the end of August. The gathering raises money to support the Society's mission of promoting the growth and development of girls.  CONTACT: Carla Hickey at 610.791.2411, ext. 1505.
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GOVERNANCE NEWS 
 
SAVE THE DATES
 2010-11 Delegate
Council Meetings
 Everyone welcome. Delegates required.
 
FALL 2010
Thursday, October 14
Shelly Ridge Service Center
(Montgomery County)
7pm 
 
Saturday, October 16
First Presbyterian Church
3231 W. Tilghman St.
Allentown (Lehigh County)
9am
Valley Forge Service Center
(Chester County)
2pm
 
SPRING 2011
Thursday, April 7 
Shelly Ridge Service Center (Montgomery County)
7pm 
 
Saturday, April 9
First Presbyterian Church
3231 W. Tilghman St.
Allentown (Lehigh County)
9am
Valley Forge Service Center
(Chester County)
2pm
 
CONTACT:
Olivia Selinger at 215.564.2030, ext. 1040.
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Edited by: Betsy Taube
 
Share your stories! Send photos and details about your troop programs and activities to Betsy Taube, Director of Communications. We will do our best to include your news in an upcoming issue of eNews, but space limitations prevent us from posting all submissions.
 
eNews Hard Copies: If you know of a Leader or Service Unit Manager who does not receive or have access to a computer and would like to receive eNews, contact Loretta Rudzinski at 866.564.2030, ext. 1049 to arrange for a mailed copy. 

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Shelly Ridge Service Center | 330 Manor Road, Miquon, PA 19444 | Tel. 888.564.4657 | Fax 215.564.6953
Mailing address | PO Box 27540 | Philadelphia, PA 19118