2011 NATIONAL CONVENTION

In early November, 15,000 Girl Scouts of all ages arrived in Houston for the 52^nd National Council Session.   Kicking off the 100^th anniversary of the Girl Scout Movement was a key theme throughout the week, in addition to the beginning of the Year of the Girl.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania sent a large delegation that included nine girls, twenty two Delegates, two alternates and 35 official visitors.  GSEP's Delegates were well prepared for their sessions by attending three trainings over the summer in Eastern Pennsylvania.  The Delegates, who were selected by the Board Development Committee, represented all geographic areas of Eastern PA. 

The girls who traveled to Houston attended the Girl Scout Leadership Institute (GSLI) along with 1,200 Girl Scouts from around the world.  Each girl selected leadership workshops which were planned by an all girl team from the host council, San Jacinto.  The GSLI ran concurrently with the National Council Session at the Houston Convention Center.  Both groups met together for special events like the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.  It was at these Ceremonies where the attendees heard Katie Couric and Robin Roberts speak.  At another session Frances Hesselbein spoke to the attendees.  One of the highlights was the transfer of power from GSUSA's CEO Kathy Clonninger to our new CEO, Anna Maria Chávez.  Chávez provided us with an inspirational introduction to who she is and where her focus will be placed with GSUSA. 

The GSEP Delegation was busy and engaged from early morning until late in the evening.   Just like the favorite Girl Scout song - many new friends were made, and old friendships rekindled. 

During the National Council Sessions, the delegates who represented 92 countries listened to the proposal rationales, and ultimately voted on three proposals.  More information will be available regarding these proposals at future delegate meetings.  GSEP's delegates were thoughtful, representative of the members, and fully engaged in the process.  The culminating events on Saturday evening were concurrent 100^th anniversary bashes - one for the girls under 21 and one for the over 21 crowd.  Both had plentiful food and music and then at the end of the evening everyone walked outside to enjoy a spectacular fireworks display with the Houston skyline as the backdrop. 

A very tired, hard worked and happy Delegation arrived home in Philadelphia on Sunday evening, proud to be representing Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania at this once in a lifetime event. 

GSEP Gold Award Winner Highlighted at National Convention

Darragh Friedman of Malvern, Chester County, was one of 11 girls nation-wide to receive the Young Women of Distinction Award at the 2011 National Convention in Houston, Texas. Darragh's Gold Award Project was selected as one of a few to be highlighted at the convention.

Darragh directed and produced a 30-minute documentary film, " The Voices of the Time before they are Silenced - The Holocaust".

The film focused on telling the overlapping stories of four Holocaust survivors currently residing in the Philadelphia region. Her film captured first-hand accounts of one of the biggest world tragedies of the 20th Century. Darragh's film debuted at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute and was reproduced for local high schools and colleges for educational purposes.

Throughout her work, Darragh learned that completing the project wasn't about her earning the Gold Award. In reality, she learned that she was merely a vessel to tell the amazing stories of four Holocaust survivors. Currently Darragh attends Temple University. Her career goal is to succeed in the global entertainment industry as an entertainment lawyer and producer.

AT&T Employee Matching Gift Initiative

AT&T has announced a special matching gifts initiative just for AT&T employees in honor of our Centennial.  If AT&T employees make a gift to Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania or to GSUSA between now and Dec. 31, 2011, AT&T will match their gifts dollar for dollar up to $500,000. Employee gifts made to Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania through the 2012 United Way/Employee Giving campaign will also be matched. 

AT&T Employees can visit the company intranet, AT&T Insider, or tSpace to learn more (search Girl Scouts Centennial) for details.

Green Teaching Workshop Available

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is offering a workshop open to anyone who works with young people. It provides a lot of hands on instruction for activities to do with kids. To find out more about the program click here.

 Registration is ongoing for Fall 2011.

Also check out the collaboration between PHS and GSEP patch program:  Planting Seeds, Growing Lives. This program, which allows Girl Scouts to earn a special PHS patch, encourages Girls Scouts of all ages to build relationships and transform their communities. The tenets of the program are growth, exploration, and leadership.  Click here to download the workbook. 

eBiz Online Registration System Update

As of October 1st, a Troop Leader can no longer use Troop Hub to re-register members of her troop for the 2011- 2012 membership year.  Instead, the parent/guardian of the girl has the ability to re-register electronically through eBiz, or by submitting a paper Girl Member Registration form. Volunteers can re-register themselves electronically through eBiz, or by submitting a paper Adult Member Registration form.
               
The program listing is now working properly on the Program Activities & Events area of GSEP's eBiz website:  http://gsusa.ebiz.uapps.net/vp/ProgramActivitiesEvents.aspx. 

This allows individuals (signed in or not) to view a list of the available programs the Council is offering.  By clicking on the Event Name, then selecting Add to Cart, the user can add products to his or her cart; once logged in, he or she can purchase the items.  Please let your leaders know that the following registrations must be completed in order for a Troop Leader to be able to view the Troop Hub and register girls for programs:

• The Troop Leader must be currently registered and identified as an "01" in Personify.
• The girls and adults from the troop must be currently registered.

If these requirements are met and you are still having problems viewing the Troop Hub, please email the eBiz Help Desk at ebiz@gsep.org.This problem is a system issue that will be fixed by GSUSA in December.  In the meantime, GSUSA has given us a manual, work-around solution.  If you are one of those troops who cannot see all of your members, please email ebiz@gsep.org.  Be sure to tell us your troop number and provide us with a list of the girls who are missing from your troop list in Troop Hub so that we can add them with the work-around.  Paper registrations are also accepted for programs.

GSEP is seeking applications and referrals

for Board Members, Board Development

Committee Members, Girl Advisors to the

Board of Directors, and Girl Delegates. 

The deadline for applications is December 21,

2011.  Click here for additional information and application

forms.