Volunteer Connection
In This Issue
2012 Special Meeting
Own a Piece of Girl Scout History
Mother & Daughter Tea
Website Redesign
Join the 100 Years of Celebration
100th Anniversary Bear
Competition & STEM Opp
I Want to Rock the Mall Contest
Girl Scouts Do Great Things!
Shop News
Get Connected!
Dates to Remember
 Girl Scout Shop & Resource Center open School Year Hours
Now-May 31 

AAAC
Mother & Daughter Tea
February 25

Special Meeting
March 3

2012 National STEM
Video Game Challenge
Entries due
March 12

Offices Closed --
Staff Development Meeting
April 11

I Want to Rock the Mall
Contest Entries due
April 20

Offices Closed--  

Battle of Flowers Holiday 

April 27

   

Offices Closed --
Memorial Day

May 28



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February 17, 2012

Here you'll find timely information about programs, adult learning opportunities, and other general news to keep you connected to GSSWT! Volunteer Connection will be sent weekly every Friday. Stay in the know and keep an eye on your inbox for great Girl Scout information!
2012 Special Meeting -- Saturday, March 3 
On Saturday, March 3, Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas will hold a Special Meeting from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in lieu of the Annual Meeting at St. Philip's College, 1801 Martin Luther King Drive, San Antonio, 78203, in the Watson Fine Arts Building.

Proposed bylaws will be voted on by delegates at this time, so please review the documents below for more information regarding GSSWT bylaws:
What to Expect
  • Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the front of the auditorium in the Watson Fine Arts Building.
  • A continental breakfast will be available at no cost to those who register.
  • The Girl Scout Shop will be open with a limited quantity of items available for purchase.  
  • NOTE: The Volunteer Recognition Event will be held at a later date in May -- look for details to come.

Register now! RSVP by Saturday, February 18.

Own a piece of Girl Scout history
while saving the planet! 

Reusable BagDitch the paper and plastic -- pick up one of these reusable bags from your local H-E-B store today! H-E-B and Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas have partnered to create and sell reusable bags to commemorate Girl Scouting's 100th anniversary. Art depicted on the bags was created by Girl Scouts from Texas to honor 100 years of Girl Scouts.

The reusable bags are now available exclusively at all H-E-B stores in Texas, and proceeds from bag sales will benefit all Girl Scout councils across the state. These bags are only available until May, so grab yours before they're gone! Can't find them in your local store? Ask an H-E-B employee where they display reusable bags, and keep an eye out on our page for locations where the bags have been spotted!
African American Advisory Committee
Invites You 
Ida B. WellsPull out your fancy dress, pretty shoes, hair bows, gloves, and favorite hat and join Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas' African American Advisory Committee for the Annual Mother and Daughter Tea. This event is open to all girls ages 5-17 and their parent/guardian and will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25 at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center (811 N. Coker Loop, San Antonio, 78216).

In observance of Black History Month and in honor of the Year of the Girl, the contribution and membership of African American women in Girl Scouts will be the topic of discussion.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 22 to Lucy McArthur (210-349-2404/1-800-580-7247 ext. 232). Participation is limited to the first 100 registrants. 
Website Redesign in the Works         
It's no longer good enough to have a static website -- it must evolve as technologies change, as well as when peoples' needs change. GSSWT realizes its website needs continuous improvement to capture your attention, have new information, and engage you. Therefore, we invite you to give us your feedback as we embark on the journey to the website redesign.

In a perfect world, what would you like to see added to the website? What are the successes of the current site? What are the failures? Provide your feedback now.

Thank you for taking the time to provide your input, it is most appreciated.
Join the 100 Year Celebration!       
Girl Scout's 100th AnniversaryIt's your history -- tell it throughout your service unit. Still have that vintage Brownie beanie? How about a unique Girl Scout pin? Show them off by identifying a location within your area to host a 100th anniversary exhibit or display. Interested but need help in organizing? The council's 100th Anniversary History Committee has ideas for you! For more information or to submit secured locations for an exhibit or display, please contact Linda Jurman.
Girl Scouts' 100th Anniversary Bear 
Build-A-Bear Workshop will introduce the limited edition commemorative 100th Anniversary Girl Scout Bear on March 16. These bears would make a great gift for a volunteer or your Girl Scout's birthday!

Build-A-Bear Workshop will also host special Girl Scout events at their affiliate store locations. While quantities last and for a limited time only, for $16, each Girl Scout will earn at least one badge and her 100th Anniversary Bear. Badges include Being my Best, Scouts' Manners, or Scouts Math Quiz. The event is scheduled for two hours and requires the purchase of at least six bears. Outfits and accessories, which include Girl Scout Bear uniforms, sashes or vests, are sold separately. (100th Anniversary Bear sold separately without attendance to Build-A-Bear Workshop event; however, does not include patch.)

Please contact Anthony Cardenas, 210-525-0901, at the North Star Mall location or Christina Alvarado, 210-694-0287, at the La Cantera location for more information or to schedule your event today.

The "Girl Scouts" name, mark and all associated trademarks and logotypes, including the "Trefoil Design," are owned by Girl Scouts of the USA. Build-A-Bear Workshop is an official GSUSA licensed vendor.
Competition & STEM Program Opportunity
for Girls  

2012 National STEM Video Game Challenge Girl Scouts of the USA is proud to be an outreach partner with the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and E-Line Media to introduce the second annual National STEM Video Game Challenge open to Girl Scouts! This challenge invites game makers to show their passion for playing and making video games and aims to motivate children's interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Up for grabs is almost $200,000 in cash and prizes, with multiple ways to win! The entry period is open through March 12. Finalists will be selected by a distinguished panel of judges and winners will be announced in the spring of 2012 at a major public event.

For more information on how Girl Scouts can enter the Youth Prize competition (middle school & high school) look here!

Challenges like this support Girl Scouts' already strong commitment to STEM activities that are relevant to everyday life. Whether they're discovering how a car's engine runs, becoming math whizzes, or learning about careers in STEM fields, girls are moving forward into the future. Please look here for more information on all of our science offerings.

This challenge also complements the Entertainment Technology Badge, where girls can dig into video game development! If you have girls earning this badge, encourage them to enter the STEM Video Challenge as well!
I Want to Rock the Mall YouTube Contest       
K12 and Girl Scouts invite you to write and record an original song about Girl Scouts and you could win a trip for you and a chaperone to Washington, DC to sing at Girl Scouts Rock the Mall: 100th Anniversary Sing-Along on June 9. Get more information here.

Ready to enter? Upload your video response to the video below before April 20!
Girl Scouts & K12 I Want to Rock the Mall
Girl Scouts & K12 I Want to Rock the Mall

Girl Scouts Do Great Things!
Don't Text While Driving Jefferson High School Gamma Sigma Girls President Venus Rich has created Don't Text and Drive: Pledge to Stay Alive as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project. The project focuses on saving lives by asking drivers to sign a pledge promising not to text while behind the wheel, a cause aimed at the elimination of distracted driving. You can join the cause by connecting through Facebook. Read more about the cause here, and watch the video:
Don't Text and Drive Pledge to Stay Alive! -- Girl Scouts Gold Award 2012
Don't Text and Drive Pledge to Stay Alive!
Girl Scouts Gold Award 2012
 
Shop News

Girl Scout Shop News

Open School Year Hours Now-May 31

Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Second Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. 

Get Connected! 
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GSSWT's Vision Statement
Our vision is to be a high performing, girl-focused staff with the desire and skill set to provide the highest standard of support that enriches, empowers, and energizes the local Girl Scout Movement. In doing so, we create a lifetime of inspiration through Girl Scout experiences that are so relevant and inclusive every girl will want to be a part.