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Girl Scouts of
Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.
4780 Cattlemen Road
Sarasota, FL 34233
941-921-5358
800-232-4475
www.gsgcf.org
We Wish to Thank Our Following Community Parnters:
Partner Agency
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 Issue: # 6 | February/2011 | |
Dear Girl Scout Families and Friends,
Welcome to Cybernews - the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida's online newsletter keeping you informed of all the great things being done by and for Girl Scouts.
Go Green! Please share this newsletter as a great resource for other volunteers, parents and families to get involved this year. We will be updating our website frequently, along with the girl program book and adult learning calendars. If you would like to receive this newsletter, click the Join Our List button on the left. Don't forget to stay in touch via social media - fan or friend us at  . |
CEO Corner
Message from the CEO
We had a wonderful celebration of Girl Scouting at its best on Saturday, January 29th at our annual meeting. Congratulations to all award recipients. A special thanks to all the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida who participated as hostesses, honor guard, members of the girl led panel, emcees and one special song leader. For names of those honored click here .
Girl Scouts of the USA and Dove®, the leading personal care brand, partner to deliver Girl Scout leadership and self-esteem programming to millions of girls nationwide and abroad with the release of the latest Girl Scout leadership journey, It's Your Story-Tell It! This leadership journey uses a storytelling theme in a fun and relevant way for girls to better understand themselves and their potential. Building a strong sense of self is an underlying goal of the series, which was made possible in part by a generous grant from Dove. The Journeys are central to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Each level of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience takes girls on a journey - a voyage to someplace new, with adventures and discoveries along the way. These adventures strengthen a girl's ability to discover herself and her values, connect with others locally and globally and take action to make the world a better place. To lean more click here . . .
Sincerely,
Sue
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destinations Grant Funds Available
There is great news to share! GSGCF is a recipient of grant funding from GSUSA that will provide funding beyond the traditional $250 per girl to enable girls to attend GSUSA destinations. Financial assistance equivalent to the event fees or travel costs, whichever is smaller and based on a maximum of $1,500 per girl, will be awarded to 2 to 3 girls who will be selected through a competitive process.
So get going to www.studio2B.org/destinations, select the destination you want to attend; then following the directions for the destination of your choice, get your application in to the council (keep a copy for your records and for the grant application). While the 2nd chance deadline passed, there is still room in some of the destinations. Remember that GSGCF is hosting a destination to Alaska and there is still room for you as of this post!
To apply for the grant funding, complete the following by March 15:
- write a short essay (no more than one page) relating why financial assistance is needed to ensure your participation in a destination and how you will share the leadership lessons with other Girl Scouts when you return home
- complete the Girl Financial Assistance Form
- attach your destination application
- submit all to d-Pass Grant, Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc., 4780 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, FL 34233 or via e-mail with attachments to debbiem@gsgcf.org.
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Summer Camp News Make your plans for summer now! Camp registration for summer and day camps opened on February 9 via e-biz, mail and fax. Sessions are filling fast so get registered early for best selections. Financial assistance is available to help girls who qualify attend one week of camp. The deadline for applying for financial assistance is March 15 (must be registered member as of March 1) - make your decision early and get in your application. Camp Cattlemen Day Camp on the Move We are excited to announce that Camp Cattlemen Day Camp is moving to Camp Honi Hanta, offering girls a true outdoor experience. The best news is you don't have to drive them there. We will be offering before (beginning at 7:30 a.m.) and after care (lasting until 5:30 p.m.) at the Gulfcoast Event and Conference Center and then busing girls to Honi Hanta for the day. This move allows your daughter so many more opportunities including, participating in canoeing/kayaking, archery and the low ropes course when age appropriate. Plus she will be eating lunch each day in the dining hall relieving you of the daily lunch packing duty. An overnight will be offered on Thursday nights allowing girls to be a little more adventurous as they sleep in a cabin or tree house and cook out over a fire. Of course all of your camp favorites will be back including Wacky Water Wednesday which will be expanded to water time every day, arts and crafts, story time and tons of hands-on activities. For more information please visit our website at www.gsgcf.org or contact Melissa Mason at melissam@gsgcf.org or (941) 921-5358 ext 336.
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Be a Camp Trailblazer
Do you love attending summer camp? Are you always talking about it with your troop and friends? This year we have an added incentive for you to help us spread the word about Girl Scout camp. Be a Camp Trailblazer and help make this summer at camp the best ever!
What do you have to do?
- Promote summer camp at three different places. Ideas to consider: troop meetings, service unit meetings, community booths, on your school's morning announcements, host a slumber party and promote camp to your friends. Be creative! I am sure you can think of many other places.
- At least one promotion must be outside of Girl Scouts. If you need help with ideas contact melissam@gsgcf.org.
- Submit an email describing what you did to get the word out; approximate number of people who attended or saw your promotion, your name, age and t-shirt size to melissam@gsgcf.org.
If you need promotional materials like postcards, let Melissa know.
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GSUSA New Program Roll Out!
Girl Scouts of the USA is in the process of introducing new and revised program resources, with the goal of a Movement-wide transition to new resources by September 2012.
In September 2011, Girl Scouts can begin using the new The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting handbooks! This new badge and handbook series will be one of two sources for the national program portfolio. The other being the Journeys. All other Girl Scout books and resources will gradually be retired as supplies are depleted. Until that time, all Girl Scout products are available and should continue to be used.
Be sure you and volunteers or girls interested are signed up to receive this newsletter and other news items to stay abreast of the latest on the new materials!
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Girl Scout and Boy Scout Night with the Baltimore Orioles
Announcing Girl Scout and Boy Scout Night with
the Baltimore Orioles
March 18, 2011 at 7:05 p.m.
Tickets are $17 per person. $5 of every ticket sold through the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida will be donated back to our council.
Help welcome the Orioles to Sarasota and join us for a night of baseball fun for troops, families, and friends! A limited supply of "Scout Badges"
will be handed out.
For more information, click here for a flyer and form.
Please return completed form with full payment.
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Girl Program
New Events
Girl Scout Day at Florida Gulf Coast University
Come join the Eagle Fans at Alico Arena for an exciting night of Women's Basketball. Stand on the court and high five the players when they get introduced, enjoy poster making, chances to win t-shirts, restaurant gift cards, and food! Wear your Girl Scout Uniform and hear your troop announced during the game!
GSLE Outcomes: C1, C2
Recognition: NA
Location: Alico Arena on the Campus of Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. , Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565
Grade Level: All
Date: March 6, 2011
Time: 4:15 pm
Fee: $5 /girl $5/adult
Minimum: 5 girls 4adults
Maximum: 100 girls 50 adults
Contact: Jessica Paulmann at jpaulmann@fgcu.edu
Slip, Slide, and Splash
Back by popular demand! Join us for Family Fun Day at Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral. We had so much fun last year that we decided to offer this special day again for the entire family. The park will be open just for Girl Scouts! This is a great opportunity to celebrate the Girl Scout year by inviting the families in the troop to spend the evening having fun.
GSLE Outcomes: (D1, C1, C2, C3, C5)
Recognition: NA
Location: Sun Splash Family Waterpark, Cape Coral
Grade Level: All, plus their families
Date: April 16, 2011
Deadline: April 8, 2011
Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm
Fee: $7.00 per person. There is a additional $2.00 parking fee collected at the gate.
Note: E-biz registration is not available for this event.
Minimum: 700 Maximum: 1,650
Contact: Amy Gainey, amyg@gsgcf.org
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Upcoming Program Events
All Grade Levels
Family Fun Night & PJ Party Feb 20/21
Lee Page E-4
Everblades Sleepover March 12-13
Lee Page F-4
Local Food Tour:
Gerladson Community Farm March 19
Bradenton Page E-4
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Upcoming Program Events
Girl Scout Daisy & Brownie
Better Together!
Healthy Easting Lunch Feb 26
Arcadia Page E-6
Spring Break Camp Cattlemen March 7/11
Sarasota Page F-2
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Upcoming Program Events
Girl Scout Juniors
Healthy Easting Lunch Feb 26
Arcadia Page E-6
Spring Break Camp Cattlemen March 7/11
Sarasota Page F-2
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Upcoming Program Events
Girl Scout Cadettes
Equipping & Advocating Girls
on theJourney Weekend Feb 25/27
Sarasota Page E-3
Better Together!
Healthy Easting Lunch Feb 26
Arcadia Page E-6
Legislative Days March 19/21
Tallahassee Page F-6
Money Makes Sense March 21- April 25
Sarasota Page F-7
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Upcoming Program Events
Girl Scout Seniors & Ambassadors
Equipping & Advocating Girls
on theJourney Weekend Feb 25/27
Sarasota Page E-3
Better Together!
Healthy Easting Lunch Feb 26
Arcadia Page E-6
Legislative Days March 19/21
Tallahassee Page F-6
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New Innovative Series Pathway
Cookies Make Cents
Have you ever asked someone not involved directly in Girl Scouting what our movement is all about? If you have, you've probably heard that the public perceives our leadership development organization to be about "cookies, crafts and camp." While we are not only about cookies, crafts and camp, Girl Scouts certainly does celebrate those traditional aspects of our movement. It is also true that many of the girls that our Innovative Program Team serves in Series and Event Pathways through public schools and after-school programs would like to be part of our cookie program.
To give these Girl Scouts the opportunity to be part of the cookie program, our council has recently partnered with two volunteers from Florida Bank to develop a new financial literacy Series Pathway called Cookies Make Cents. This is a six-week Series Pathway that supports Juniors and Cadettes in participating in the cookie sale while also benefiting from a complimentary high-quality money management curriculum. Our first site to pilot this program is a group of 20 girls from Booker Middle School in Sarasota.
There are other groups of girls throughout our council region that would like to sell Girl Scout cookies through the Cookies Make Cents Pathway, but we need volunteers who have already been through cookie training to step forward to serve as program facilitators. If you are a Girl Scout volunteer, friend or parent with experience with our cookie sale (or willingness to learn) and are willing to donate 2-3 hours/week in February and March towards working with a group of 10-20 girls in your community, please contact Julia Onnie-Hay, Innovative Program Specialist, at (941) 921-5358 ext. 316 or juliao@gsgcf.org.
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Troop Happenings
A big thank you to Troop 319 who made 200+ tissue paper flowers as a service project. The flowers were distributed on Valentines Day to the Ameritis and Life Care Center Nursing Homes in Bonita Springs. Also each girl attending the recent Sweetheart Dance received a flower.
Kudos to Troop 524 who completed their Brownie Quest Badge with a community service project. The girls held a coat drive and collected more than 70 jackets which were donated to the Children's Advocacy Center in Sebring. What a great way to make a difference!
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Entrepreneurship & Scholarship Opportunity 
The Girls Going Places® Entrepreneurship Program is a program created by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY designed to:
- educate girls about the benefits and advantages of entrepreneurship and financial independence; and
- recognize and reward girls who demonstrate budding entrepreneurship, financial independence, and service to their communities.
Girls Going Places® (GGP) involves two components:
- An annual award program (runs from September to February every year)
- Entrepreneurship Conferences held in various cities by local Guardian agencies.
2011 Award Program
We are pleased to announce the 2011 Girls Going Places® Award Program, designed to reward enterprising and community-minded girls, ages 12 to 18.
Guardian grants prizes to 15 girls who demonstrate budding entrepreneurship; are taking the first steps toward financial independence; and are making a difference in their schools and communities. Every year, prizes totaling $30,000 are granted to three top winners and 12 finalists to further their entrepreneurial pursuits or save for college.
The 2011 Award Program year runs from September 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011. To enter download the Entry Form, Official Rules, and Frequently Asked Questions documents available at www.girlsgoingplaces.com.
Entrepreneurship Conferences
A local conference will be held on May 4 at FGCU, Fort Myers. Five spots have been reserved for Girl Scouts. If you are interested in attending, contact Amy Gainey for more information via e-mail or phone at (941) 921.5358, ext. 402 |
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Florida Creativity Weekend VIII
Build connections -- to people, to ideas, to action, to ourselves, and across generations. Together we can become the bridges to creative, constructive thought and action. We are all creative; we just to express it differently. Come join us to explore your own particular creativity in your work, your family, the arts, problem solving, your charity work, your teaching, and any other endeavor that you do.
This is a mind-full opportunity to explore, apply and enjoy creativity and innovation in all walks of life. It is a time to learn by doing, to experience new ways of thinking, and to use new and different methods to solve problems in a community of interesting and caring people.
February 25-27, 2011 at the Gulfcoast Event and Conference Center
Reduced rate, $75 for all adult Girl Scout members (Fee includes registration, material for conference, workshops all weekend, and meals at conference.)
For more information visit www.FLCreativity.com Or email flcreativity@aol.com
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Dr. Elinor Crawford College Scholarship Fund Application Deadline March 1, 2011
Dr. Elinor Crawford College Scholarship Fund of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. application is available on the council website. The completed application, including required attachments and letters of recommendation, must be received at the council headquarters in Sarasota by March 1, 2011 (postmarked by February 28, 2011 if mailing). Scholarship awards will be presented at the Girl Recognition Ceremony on May 15, 2011. Award notification letters will be mailed to applicants by April 1, 2011. Please contact Marie Graziosi by email marieg@gsgcf.org or (941) 921.5358 ext. 338/800.232.4475 for assistance.
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Product Sales
Girl Scout Cookies are Here!
Girl Scout Cookie sales are under way and going strong. Girls can be spotted at cookie booths around the council, as well as visiting local neighborhoods for Cookie Walkabouts. Walkabouts (or "Red-Wagon Sales") are a great way for troops to supplement cookie booth sales by going door-to-door after cookies have arrived.
Don't forget to check out the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Facebook page to get more Cookie Tips of the week, and share your tips with other troops. Starting Today, we are on our way to 1 million packages of Girl Scout Cookies!
 | | Cookie Locator |
Need help finding Girl Scout cookies? Customers can satisfy their cookie cravings and find cookie booths near them by visiting the Cookie Locator. Cookie Locator allows customers to enter their zip code and find a list of cookie booths in the area.
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Membership Updates
Add a Girl Incentive Program
There are many girls in our communities who still have not had the opportunity to take part in Girl Scouts. We challenge you and your troop to recruit girls to become part of Girl Scouting. Help spread the word on what Girl Scouts has meant to you and what it can mean for others!
Program runs from February 1 - March 31, 2011. Click here to find out more.
"Special offer for the duration of the Add A Girl Program ~ register three or more new girls into your troop between now and March 31st and receive a choice of: one night at a Girl Scout House of your choice
or $15.00 in program bucks.
Has the troop ever wanted to explore other parts of our council? This is your opportunity to travel within the council and see the unique attractions in each County. Is there a program coming up that the troop is interested in attending? The troop will be able to apply the $15.00 dollars in program bucks to that program. Program bucks and overnight rental must be redeemed by July 31st. Participating troop will receive a certificate for either choice in the mail to staple to their registration form."
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Region Meeting Survey
Your Opinion Matters
Another round of region meetings is complete! If you attended a region meeting in December I hope you were as inspired as many volunteers and staff were during the great cookie training. The goal of region meetings is to inspire, educate and engage volunteers to "embrace the journey".
A special thanks to the volunteer & staff committee who helped to plan and organize the meetings. We want future region meetings to be even better so please take a few minutes to provide us feedback on how we can enhance the region meeting experience for you by completing the below survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RegMtgCookie
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Adult Awards
Outstanding Volunteer, Outstanding Leader, and Green Angel nominations along with requests for Certificates of Appreciation are due March 1, 2011 (must be in the council headquarters).
If you are interested in nominating someone, please see the awards coordinator in your service unit or the service unit manager. Additional information on the requirements for the awards is available in Adult Awards in Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. found on the website. |
Upcoming Conference Call
Don't miss the last volunteer support conference call focused on early bird registering online. It is scheduled for March 15, from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Yes, online registration will be available and we want to make sure you are prepared and have your questions answered before you click the submit button. Use the below link to register and receive the call in phone number and pin number.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VSC-2010-2011
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Flag Ceremonies
Flag Ceremony Workshops
A group of Girl Scout Alumnae from Sarasota, known as the S'Mores, have graciously offered to provide flag ceremony workshops to troops in Sarasota or those willing to travel to Sarasota. For more information, contact Mary Ellen Felker at (941)929-7368.
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Health Form Update
The Health Form is now Program Consent Form
The health form has been replaced with an updated version entitled Program Consent Form on the council website. For the remainder of the 2010-2011 membership year, you may use either version of the form with full implementation of the Program Consent Form occurring in the 2011-2012 membership year. Either the program consent form or the health form for each girl must accompany you every time you leave your meeting spot including to council programs, field trips and overnights.
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Chili's Give Back Day!
March 7th is the Next
Chili's Give Back Day to Girl Scouts!
Meet up with friends...to enjoy great food and fun!
Join us as Chili's proudly supports local Girl Scouts by donating 10% of your purchase to help build tomorrow's leaders today!
Mark your calendar!
March 7, 2011 April 11, 2011
May 9, 2011 June 13, 2011
July 11, 2011
You must present flyer at the time of purchase at one of these participating locations:
Participating Chili's Restaurants:
3715 1st Street, Bradenton
6125 Exchange Way, Bradenton
5851 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota
4131 Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
4289 Tamiami Trail, Venice
1471 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte
8901 College Pkwy, Ft. Myers
9310 Ben C. Pratt/6 Mile Cypress Expressway, Ft. Myers
1760 NE Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral
2703 SE Hwy 70, Arcadia
821 US 27 North, Sebring
4251 9th Street N, Naples
2431 Tarpon Bay Blvd, North Naples
Hope to see you there!
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Shop Talk
Announcing: NEW Hours for GSGCF Girl Scout Shops
Beginning January 4, 2011, your local Girl Scout Shop has NEW hours of operation to better serve your needs. We have extended our hours during the week and will be opened alternate Saturdays each month to provide better access to the shops.
Both shops will maintain the SAME basic hours each week. The only exceptions will be in the case of special events and you may find those listed on our website as well as listed in this article.
Our hours will be as follows:
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Beginning February 2011, Sarasota will be opened the 1st Saturday of each month and Ft. Myers will be opened the 3rd Saturday of each month. Saturday hours will be 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday Dates through June 2011 - Open 9:00 AM - 1 PM (except where noted)
SARASOTA Ft. MYERS
2/19/11
3/5/11 3/19/11
4/2/11 4/16/11
5/7/11 5/21/11
6/4/11 6/18/11
* Please note Council shop(s) will be closed on the following dates:
May 27, 2011 Memorial Day
June 10, 2011 Ft. Myers closes at 1:00 PM
June 24, 2011 Sarasota closes at 1:00 PM
Special Shop Events Announced
The following Shop Events are scheduled through June 2011. The shop will travel to the following areas on the following dates and times.
4/29/2011 Shop travels to Immokalee
5:00 PM- 6:00 PM
5/15/2011 Girl Scout Luncheon and Award Ceremony
Charlotte Harbor Events and Conference Center 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
6/11/2011 Collier Girl Scout House
9:00 AM -1:00 PM
6/12/2011 Charlotte Girl Scout House
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
6/25/2011 Sebring Girl Scout House
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
6/26/2011 Arcadia Girl Scout House
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Mark your calendars for the 2011 Evening Shopping Event
This year, we will be hosting the 2011 Evening Shopping Event on a SPECIAL night; Wednesday, June 15, 2011 from 5:30 PM -9:30 PM. Last year's event was so successful; we decided to open on a night solely dedicated to celebrating the success of this year's upcoming Cookie Program.
Each shop will have refreshments, raffles, and much more. Stay tuned to future editions of Cybernews for more information and SPECIAL offers.
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All programs sponsored by the council have specific program outcomes so you can be sure that your Girl Scout gets the full Girl Scout Leadership Experience every time she participates. Because no girl is the same, customizing the Girl Scout experience and letting the girl choose how she participates in Girl Scouts gives her control over her Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Each program and activity she participates in will encourage her and help her gain confidence in her skills and ability to be the girl she wants to be. Girl Scouting builds girls of Courage, Confidence and Character who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA and serves over 10,500 girls in ten counties including: Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier. For more information about the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida visit www.gsgcf.org.
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