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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

 

 

 

Find us on Facebook 

 

 

We Wish to Thank Our Following Community Parnters: 

 

 

Publix 

 

United Way

Partner Agency

 

BackIssue: # 7March/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 Find us on Facebook.
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Sue Stewart, CEO
CEO Corner

Message from the CEO

 

Girl Scouts Caught in the Act of Doing Good

This  time of year is wonderful for Girl Scouting, when we see so many girls visible in each of our communities participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Thanks to all parents, guardians, grandparents and our adult volunteers who coach and inspire girls to be "Cookie Entrepreneurs" and positive community ambassadors for our program.

 

This year we celebrated "Girl Scouts Doing Good" at cookie booths. Girls were recognized and rewarded by "Secret Shoppers" and were identified as meeting and exceeding criteria such as:

  • Girls are easily identified as Girl Scouts
  • Girls are polite and friendly
  • Booths are decorated, neat and tidy
  • Girls can describe their goals, answer customer questions about the cookies and take a leadership role at the booth
  • All girls are demonstrating teamwork

 

I personally purchased a box of cookies from every Girl Scout who demonstrated our values and I took time to speak with each girl about her reasons for being a Girl Scout. I continue to be amazed by their courage, confidence and character, their community service and their dreams for their future.

 

Whether you are a parent, customer or Secret Shopper, please take time to stop and congratulate all Girl Scouts for their involvement in Girl Scouting Cookie Boothand the Cookie Program. There is still time to show appreciation to girls you interact with at "walk-a-bouts". Thank them for the positive example they set. In the life of a Girl Scout and her family, the cookie program is a time commitment that pays current and future dividends.

 

Great job MacKenzie, Amber and Mia and to all the Girl Scouts in our council who make us proud.

 

 

Sincerely,
 

Sue 

 

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Heart to Heart Award Recipient

 

Congratulations to Stephanie Anne Turner 
S. Turner
The Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) of Manatee County's United Way annually recognizes local women who have been instrumental in making a difference in our community.  Categories for recognition include women who give of their time, talent or treasure and a young woman of tomorrow.  We are very proud to announce that one of our own, Girl Scout Stephanie Anne Turner, Senior Troop 158, was selected as this year's recipient of the "WLI's Tomorrow" award.
  
A big thank you to Stephanie for all of her hard work and community service.  We are so proud you are a member of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast and we are excited about what tomorrow will bring for you and those fortunate enough to know you!
 
 

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April Region Meeting    

   

Volunteer Appreciation Reception

A volunteer award and appreciation reception will be held in each region to honor all of our outstanding and much appreciated volunteers. Please join us as we say thank you for all you do to help shape the lives of the girls affected by your volunteer work. Click here for the reception dates, times, and locations. We hope to see you in April.  Please contact Amanda Jacob, Director of Volunteer Management at [email protected] with any questions.

 

Click on the link below to RSVP

http://aprilvolunteerappreciation.eventbrite.com/  

 

 

  

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Annual Girl Scout Recognition Ceremony
  

It's that time of year again- time to recognize our girls for all of their outstanding accomplishments over the past year! Recognition is an important part of Girl Scouting and we want to make sure every girl receives the recognition she deserves.  The Annual Girl Scout Recognition Ceremony will be held this year on May 15, 2011. 
 
 

Girl Recognition Forms are on our webpage and need to be filled out here with the names of girls in your troop or individual girls who will be receiving recognition this year (accomplishments that will be recognized can be found in the Program Book under the Girl Recognition Ceremony on the last page).  You must have the current address of each girl and the correct spelling of each girl's name. If we do not have the correct addresses, we cannot send invitations to the ceremony. Be sure to include leader and co- leader information and phone numbers on the roster so we can send invitations to them as well! This form and the roster must be entered here no later than April 1, 2011. We want to recognize all girls, but forms turned in after the deadline will have to wait until 2012.
 

As a reminder, for each $100 Family Support Plan (FSP) donation a complimentary girl recognition ad will be placed in the program distributed at the event.  It is not too late to make your donation and be included.  Please contact Megan Fasig, Fund Development Manager or call 800-232-4475 ext. 408 to make your donation.  

 

If you have any questions regarding the ceremony or need assistance submitting the recognition form, please do not hesitate to contact Amy Gainey, Program Specialist, at [email protected] or 800-232-4475 ext. 402.

 

 

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Summer Camp News
 

Summer Camp Is Quickly Approaching!

Summer camp is a fabulous way for girls to make new friends, develop confidence and character and make lasting memories!  For all camps the Financial Aid deadline is March 15th and the form is available on our website at www.gsgcf.org.  Remember to register early for all sessions of camp, as camp will fill quickly and that you can use cookie dollars to pay for summer camp!

 

Camp Honi Hanta Resident /Sleep-away Camp offers one week, three night and two week sessions.  A typical session at camp includes meals in the dining hall with a special Wednesday night cook-out, opening and closing campfires, arts and crafts, canoe/kayaking, archery, ropes course, and activities specific to the session your daughter attends.  Sessions include horse back riding, movie making, drama, animals, cooking and leadership skill building.

 

Girls  have the opportunity to live in a unit with other girls the same age and work together to plan many of the activities throughout the session .

 

Camp Honi Hanta Day Camp - transportation provided from the Girl Scout Headquarters in Sarasota.  Day camp is a great way for your daughter to try-out summer camp and experience all the fun without staying overnight.  Upgrades for this summer include lunch provided in the dining hall, opportunities to participate in canoeing/kayaking, archery, arts and crafts, a cook-out and an optional Thursday overnight for the adventurous.  You can drop your daughter off at camp or she can take the bus from Sarasota.

 

Camp 5th Avenue at the Collier Scout House

We have an exciting summer planned especially for your girls!  We will have seven, fun-filled, themed weeks of camp from bringing a pet to camp, a snow day in the middle of summer, living in the time period of American Girls, to making a  movie.   Along with centers such as:  spa, crafts, games, songs, and an awesome field trip each week!

 

This camp will be a perfect place for girls to discover new things, share about themselves, and connect too many new friends. Of course girls can bring friends with them whether they are active in Girl Scouting or not. 

 

For more information on either camp please click here or contact us at (941) 921-5358.


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Girl Program

 

UpProgramUpcoming Program Events
Girl Scouts offers too many exciting programs to list!  To learn more about these programs in full detail visit us online at www.gsgcf.org, review the updated Program Opportunites Book and register on-line.  
  
  
NewEventJust Added - New Event
   

3rd Annual Charlotte Stone Crabs Girl Scouts Night Sleepover     

Come join the Charlotte Stone Crabs for their 3rd  annual Girl Scouts night sleepover. Scouts will be able to enjoy the game with family and friends, while earning a patch and free hat. Everyone will be able to enjoy BB McCoy, our break dancing bat boy and entertainment for the night! After a night of  fun and entertainment, breakfast will be provided.  Click here for more information and the order form.

 

GSLE Outcomes:

Recognition: Charlotte Stone Crabs Girl Scout Night Patch

Location:  Charlotte Sports Park        (Port Charlotte, FL)

Grade Level:  K-12 and families

Date: May 27, 2011

Deadline: May 20, 2011

Time: 5:30 PM

Fee:  View Level Scout Pack $15/person

            Package without Sleepover $10/person

Minimum:  30 girls/ 10adults    Maximum: 200 girls/100 adults                     

Note:  Camping equipment and supplies needed

Contact:  Eric Schmidlkofer (941)206-3510 or [email protected] 

  
  

  

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Family Support Plan 


Family Support Plan: Corporation Matching Gifts and Volunteer Hours Match

The Family Support Plan (FSP) allows parents an opportunity to not only support Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida (GSGCF) with a financial contribution but a portion of each donation goes to support the troop and service unit.  Many companies have matching gift programs through which they match dollar-for-dollar employees' donations or have grants available for employees who volunteer their time. Employer matching gifts increase the impact of your personal support and mean more resources that GSGCF can provide for girls, troops and service units to enjoy. 

 

What do I need to do to get my gift matched?
 
The employee must initiate the matching gift process.  Check with your company's human resources department for company matching opportunities. The process is usually a simple one which entails obtaining and completing the proper form(s), and following the company's guidelines for submission.  GSGCF will verify any necessary information; and once all of your company's matching gift guidelines are met, they will issue the matching funds to GSGCF. 

 

Here are just a few companies that currently participate in company matching:

  • Bank of America
  • Groutmasters of Manasota, Inc.
  • Illinois Tool Works Foundation
  • Regions Bank
  • Sam's Club
  • State Farm
  • Walmart  

If you have questions or need more information, please contact Megan Fasig, Fund Development Manager at 239-561-1800 ext 408 or [email protected].

 

Thank you for helping us reach our Family Support Plan goal in 2011!

 

 

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Fundraising Event

  

 

This Second Annual Denim & Pearls event on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 6:00 PM, is a casual, adult evening out with friends to support Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida.  Guests will enjoy a lighted hayride through camp, a rib eye steak or grilled chicken dinner cooked by Publix's grilling team, beverages from Gold Coast Beverage Distributors, dancing to the music of BluesPig, and S'more cooking over campfire!

 

Denim and Pearls

 

Proceeds support the council's efforts across ten counties, from Manatee to Collier County and out east to Highlands County.   

Reservations are $50 per person. Please call 800-232-4475, Ext. 322 or send an email to [email protected] to attend!

 

 

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Product Sales

 

Girl Scout Cookies... On Our way to One Million!

cookies

There is just one weekend left to this year's Girl Scout Cookie program.  Girls are out and about at booths around the council, and in local neighborhoods.  We are already very close to surpassing our council goal of one million packages of Girl Scout cookies.  Help us end the season with a bang!  Remind customers to stock up on cookies now before sales end on March 13, 2011.  Cookies freeze well, make great gifts, and are only available for a limited time. 

    

 

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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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Adult Resources
  

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is taking another step into cyber-space with the launch of a Meetup Site to add another opportunity to share information, support and resources.  This site is all about adults and will be what you make it through your suggestions for in-person meeting throughout the council or teleconferences on the topics you suggest.

 
Girl Scouting could not happen without the commitment of adults-just like you-who serve girls through the different volunteer opportunities available at our council, as parents or as friends and supporters of Girl Scouts. Whether you choose to work directly with girls or indirectly by supporting those adults who do, as a Girl Scout volunteer you get the opportunity to awaken in girls their personal leadership abilities and the promise to develop to their full potential.

 

We know that your commitment and actions will make a difference in a girl's life. In fact, research shows that the influence a caring adult has on a child will last a lifetime.

 

Click here to join the GSGCF Meetup group to receive and share experience, tips and support with other volunteers, parents and staff. All suggestions are welcome.

 

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Shop Talk

 

  

COMING SOON.............

Changes are happening in your local Girl Scout Shops.  We are busily preparing our shops for new merchandise to hit our stores specifically for Cookie Point Redemption time.  Girls redeeming their cookie points will find a wide selection of merchandise.

 

We will have NEW product lines like "Tale Towns" by Ganz as well as great new themed  lines from GSUSA.  We will be introducing Camp Girl Scout merchandise, new 100th anniversary  product, and some fun cookie themed items as well.  We will continue to carry many items with the "Peace" motif theme which are quite "HOT" right now.

 

To make way for the new merchandise, we will be placing many items on SALE and we invite you to come in and check us out!

 

We will also be offering a "Camp Care" Package this year for both Day and Resident Campers.  The pack will be filled with essential items for campers as well as some FUN surprises as well.  Last year, the package sold for $32.  This year, the package will be $25.  We ask that the item be purchased three weeks prior to your camper attending camp so that we may ensure they receive their "surprise" timely.

 

Please contact your local Girl Scout Shop for additional information. 

 

 

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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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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.

 

 

 

Orioles 

 

 

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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Lee County Residents

  

 

Funds Available for Electric Bills

 

The Lee County Department of Human Services has funding to assist low-income households with their utility bills.  Due to the recent cold weather, funding has been released for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help with electric bills for heating and electric costs. 

 

Total household gross income must be at, or below, 150% of the poverty level. Households having a difficult time paying their electric bill that have already received LIHEAP should still call to see if they are eligible for assistance. 

 

LIHEAP is available in two sections:

LIHEAP Regular - Not for deposits or to prevent disconnection.  This is a once-per-year benefit and the maximum benefit is $300.00.    

�LIHEAP Crisis - Available for deposits/re-connection or to prevent disconnection.  The maximum benefit is currently $600.00 and available twice per year; once during the winter season (Oct 1 - Mar 31) and once during the summer season (Apr 1 - Sept 30).  Electric bill must either show a past-due amount, or be a final or disconnect notice.  

 

Applications for LIHEAP are taken by appointment only.  Please call 533-7900 on Friday mornings after 8:00 AM and follow prompts 1, 5, and 2 for an appointment. 

 

  

 This information provided by
 
The Lee County
Human Services Information Network

A partnership between Lee County Human Services, United Way 211, and the Southwest Florida Community Foundation

 
....to provide a forum for information exchange and coordination among providers and the community to enhance the availability and delivery of human services....

 

"The Lee County Department of Human Services, United Way 211, and the SWFL Community Foundation do not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, events, activities, product, or process disclosed in this email. The views, findings, conclusions, recommendations, or opinions of the originators expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the above entities"

 

 


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.