Issue: 63January 31, 2012
enews masthead

Welcome to 2012-The Year of the Girl! There is a lot in store for Girl Scouts everywhere and we can't wait to celebrate with you.

 

SPOTLIGHT:

This morning on Good Morning America, Katie Couric hosted a 5 minute segment on the Girl Scouts and our 2012 "Year of the Girl" campaign.  GSEP girls from Parkway Northwest High School in Philadelphia are featured telling the compelling story of girl scouting.  This is an ongoing campaign to get the message out about building girls of Courage, Confidence and Character.  Click here to view the complete interview.

Katie Couric_1.31.12

We Want Your Feedback:

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania

Social Media Strategy

 

Overview:

GSEP will be making a few adjustments to our social media activities, as part of an effort to streamline and clarify our online communications. While some of these changes will take place in the near future, additional changes will continue to evolve throughout 2012. Please see below for an outline of the expected changes.

 

Twitter:

In February, 2012 GSEP will be launching a new twitter handle, @GirlScoutsEPenn, which will communicate on behalf of all GSEP departments and areas. The account will be updated on a daily basis, with the goal of tweeting two to three posts a day. We will be announcing this change on Twitter and asking our current followers (@GSEPThinMints, @GSEasternPA) to continue following us on our new handle.

 

Facebook:

Beginning in January, 2012 we will revive our current Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania fan page with refreshed content and more frequent posts. Volunteers and members are permitted to maintain their own private groups, but the public-facing GSEP fan page will serve as the official voice of GSEP on Facebook. We will work to update our Facebook page a few times a week and will link the page to Twitter to help achieve that goal. We will share programming information, event updates, photos, and other varied content.

 

Blogs:

In February 2012 we will be migrating three of our four blogs into one GSEP blog (The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting, GSEP Property Blog, Engaging Older Girls). To help manage content, posts will be categorized (i.e., Cookies, Camp, Program, etc.) and archived by date. The blog will be accessible via the GSEP website by clicking on the designated blog link. GSEP staff will update the blog frequently and will coordinate with volunteers to submit content.  

 

The Nuts About Cookies blog (GSEPThinmints.blogspot.com) will continue to be active throughout cookie season.  

 

Feedback:

As we prepare to make these social media changes, we want your feedback. We ask that you share your thoughts and opinions on our proposed plan by Friday, February 3rd, 2012 with Maggie Barla, Director of Marketing and Communications.

 

RETAIL CORNER

Cookie Merchandise is available for purchase at our online store. Click here for the popular items this season.

Sock

 

Please note - all shops and service centers will be closed February 20, 2012 in honor of President's Day.  All shops will be closed on March 12, 2012.   

 

 

Cookies:

Bling Your Booth 
The 2012 Cookie Program is off to a great start! Don't forget about the "Bling Your Booth" contest. We will be seeking one winner in each of the following categories:

  1. What can a cookie do?   How does your Cookie Booth reflect the 2012 Cookie Program Theme, "What can a cookie do?"
  2. Operation Cookies From Home: How does your Cookie Booth promote our "Operation Cookies From Home" initiative?
  3. Taste the Tradition: How does your Cookie Booth celebrate 100 years of Girl Scouting?
  4. Open: Put your marketing skills to the test and think outside the box to come up with a one of a kind Cookie Booth! 

Rules:A troop may submit one entry per category by submitting a photograph of the troop's cookie booth along with a completed submission form by March 15th, 2012 at 5:00 PM. Click here for the online Bling Your Booth Submission Form.


Judging: GSEP Staff members will select two finalists in each category. These finalists will be featured on our GSEP Thin Mints Facebook page for fans to cast their votes for the winners. Voting begins on March 20th and ends on April 20th, 2012. The photographs with the most "likes" in each category will be our winners.

 

Prizes: One winning troop will be selected in each category. Winning photographs will be featured on www.gsep.org and the winning troops will receive 20 tickets to Coco Key Water Resort in Mt. Laurel, NJ. At Coco Key Water Resort, your troop will enjoy a day packed with fun water activities, exciting water slides, and an arcade!

 

2012 in 2012 Prize Announced!
 
Each girl that sells at least 2012 packages of Girl Scout cookies will be entered into a drawing to receive a very special prize. A report will be generated from Snap™ to determine all qualifying girls-no entry form needed. 

The winning girl will receive four tickets to one of four destination tours
 (Washington, D.C. tour not included)!

 

Where are girls listed in Snap?

For troops to view the girls listed in snap, they will need to click on the COOKIE icon, then select "Transfer Order." If they choose a "Troop to Girl" transfer, the girls will be listed in the box on the right-hand side of the screen.

 

Upload of Girls into Snap

Today girls have been uploaded into snap from our membership database. If you notice that there are discrepancies between the actual girls in your troop and the girls listed in snap, please follow the procedure outlined below:

  • Contact your Service Unit Cookie Manager with the discrepancies. Please include when your girl membership registrations were turned in if there are girls missing.   
  • Service Unit Cookie Managers will notify their respective Product Program Manager with a simple email including the following information:
    • Troop Number:
    • Names of girls missing from Snap:
      • Approximate time-frame that the registrations were turned in
      • Were these electronic registrations via eBiz or paper registrations?
    • Names of girls that are listed in Snap that should not be:  

Upon receiving this information, the Product Program team will work with the Registration Department as well as our Membership Department to correct the discrepancies. We will be uploading girls from our membership database into snap weekly.  

 

Girl Scout Week and Girl Scout Sunday: March 11th-17th, 2012
 
Girl Scout Week is a celebration of the day that the Girl Scouting movement was founded-March 12th, 1912! Girl Scout Week has been celebrated in March since 1954, and this year the celebration will run from Sunday, March 11th through Saturday, March 17th.

 

Printed bulletin covers and inserts highlighting Girl Scouting and Girl Scout week may be ordered using the GS Sunday Order form. Deadline for print orders is 3:00 pm, Friday, February 10th. Completed orders will be available for pickup at our service centers after February 20th. You will be notified when your order is ready. Orders received after February 10th will be filled only if print overages permit, and will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Save the Date

Maple Sugaring Day - February 25th, 2012

Calling all girls Grades 1-5.  Come to Camp Tweedale, Saturday February 25th (Snow date February 26th) and learn how maple sugar was processed and used by Native Americans and Pioneers.  Hands-on activity stations and crafts bring its history to life.  This program lasts for approximately 3 hours and time slots will be assigned prior to the event.  Earn a Special GSEP Maple Sugaring Patch.  Cost is $10 for girls and $5 for adults.   For any questions please contact Outdoor Program Manager:  Michele Bement via email or at 610.791.2411 x-1603.

 

World Thinking Day - February 22nd, 2012
 
The suggested activities for earning a World Thinking Day patch complement GSUSA's leadership Journeys, and are now available on the GSEP website. World Thinking Day not only gives girls a chance to celebrate international friendships, but is also a reminder that GSUSA is part of a global community-one of nearly 150 countries with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The World Thinking Day Patch requirements are located here
.

 

Pot of Gold - March 3rd, 2012

 Pot of Gold will be held March 3rd from 8am-5pm at Spring Ford 9th Grade Center, located at 400 S. Lewis Road, Royersford, PA 19468. This one-day event will focus on topics that a leader can use to enhance the experience of her troop. The cost is $20.00; registration information and class details will be announced in February. If you have any questions, please contact Devon Miller.

 

"Girl Scouts 1912-2012" Exhibition in Allentown - March 3rd, 2012

On Saturday, March 3, 2012, 1:00 PM, the Liberty Bell Museum, Allentown, will host a kickoff event for their exhibit "Girl Scouts 1912-2012." The exhibit and event were created by the History Committee of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. Come listen to and share stories of the Girl Scout Journey with Girl Scout founder, Daisy Low and Girl Scout alumnae. Learn about the new Girl Scout Way badges. View the Girl Scout and other museum exhibits.   For questions or further information, contact [email protected].

 

The Liberty Bell Museum is located at 622 W. Hamilton St., Allentown. The exhibit will be on display February through April. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 12-4 PM.

 

The Century of the Girl Expo - April 21-22, 2012  

This special weekend honoring the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting will include events for girls of all ages.  The Century of the Girl Expo features a wide range of interactive exhibits, national and local speakers, workshops for both girls and adults, and other activities relating to leadership, arts, the environment, outdoor education, science, technology, math, healthy living and community service.  Don't miss out on the fun!

 

The Century of the Girl Expo will also include an adult track, filled with engaging seminars, for parents, troop leaders, and member of the community.

 

A celebration this big requires lots of help! As we get closer to the event date, we will be looking for volunteers to help us in a variety of different ways. Stay tuned for a complete list of volunteer opportunities to be posted on The Century of the Girl webpage.

 

Please note that all current and updated information regarding all of the 100th Anniversary Events can be found on our homepage. Registration for these events is now open-be sure to REGISTER NOW to take advantage of early bird discounting!

 
Advanced Outdoor Skills and Fun - April 27th-29th, 2012

More information about this event will be coming your way in March!  Please note that in order to attend you do need to be current in your Outdoor Training to participate in this event. If you are not, there will be Outdoor 102 and Outdoor 103 offered during the first few sessions, which will allow you to participate in the advanced sessions later in the event. If you have any questions, please contact Devon Miller.

 

 

Dotti's Dare - May 25th - 27th, 2012

Dotti Martin, a longtime Girl Scout volunteer and former staff member, passed away in January 2010. The the Dotti Martin Educational Scholarship/Destination Fund is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Dotti's Dare event where girls can experience a themed weekend of activities and learn about Dotti's life. To sign up for this event click here.

 

PICTURE PLACE

Girls Understanding Technology and Science

Members of Brownie Troop 9576 and Junior Troop 9315 from the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, SU 543, pose for a picture after taking part in the events for GUTS, Girls Understanding Technology and Science, presented by the University of Pennsylvania Engineering students in December.  Three members of the Older Girl Troop 91531 volunteered for the day's events as guides for the different groups leading them to the different venues.  All the troops meet on different evenings at the Glavin Playground, 2600 Westmorland St., in Philadelphia.

 

 

Special Gold Award Ceremony

US Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick and Morrisville Mayor Rita ledger (left) and PA Representative Steve Santasiero (right) attended the Gold Award Ceremony for 7 girls in Oakville Troop 21292.

 

 

 

To unsubscribe, click the "Safe Unsubscribe" icon below.

 

Share your stories! Send photos and details about your troop programs and activities to [email protected]. We will do our best to include your news in an upcoming issue of E-News, but space limitations prevent us from posting all submissions.

 

E-News Hard Copies: If you know of a Leader or Service Unit Manager who does not 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. 

 

Spread the Word! Be sure to forward this e-mail to fellow volunteers, friends and family! Just click the "Forward" link below. Encourage them to subscribe by clicking the "Join Our Mailing List" button above, in the right-side panel.

 

In This Issue
SPOTLIGHT
Social Media Update
Retail Corner
Cookies
Girl Scout Week
Save The Date - Upcoming Events
Picture Place
Berks Service Center Update
Spark
Message For Non-Campers

Berks Service Center Update

The permits are almost finalized for build out at the new Berks Service Center.  Look for future updates on the status of the build out and a grand opening date. 

 

 

SPARK

The new SPARK is available on the GSEP website and will be mailed out soon.  Registration is now open on the GSEP website for resident and day camp.

 

 

 

Non-Campers

We want to hear about outdoor program from girls that are non-campers.  Please help us reach out to these non-camper girls and ask them to take our survey.