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!

The  Summer of the Girl 2012 Camp Guide
is finally here! Keep an eye out for the printed version, landing in a mailbox near you soon. For now, take a look at the activities offered during the  Summer of the Girl 2012!

Please note that the deadline for the Scholarship Form has been extended to Thursday, April 12 (from Friday, March 30).

This is a large file and full color -- you may want to use black ink to print.

The Volunteer Advisory Steering Committee (VASC) aims to create a transparent environment between the work of the council and its membership.

Let's talk! What is working? What is not? What do you need for resources and support? What leadership opportunities do you want to see? In what ways can service unit team positions, meetings or structure be improved?

Join one of our volunteer facilitators as they lead Community Conversations throughout the council. You are welcome to attend any of the meetings and bring ideas as we strive to support all volunteers. Meetings are as follows:

• 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 28 -- Uvalde Girl Scout House, 609 Dean Street, Uvalde, 78801 
• 6:00 p.m., Thursday, March 29 -- Schertz United Methodist Church, 3460 Roy Richard Drive, Schertz, 78154 
• 6:30 p.m., Friday, March 30 -- Mira Sol Activity Center,
  9 Manning Road, Waring, 78074 
• 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 31 -- Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7575 Tezel Road, San Antonio, 78250 
• 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 4 -- The Neighborhood Place,
  Edgewood -- El Hogar de los Vecinos, 3014 Rivas Street, San Antonio, 78228 
• 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 9 -- Floresville Girl Scout Office (Wilson Co.), 600 State Hwy 97 E, Floresville, 78114 
• 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 12 -- Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center, AT&T Conference Rooms, 811 N. Coker Loop, San Antonio, 78216 

The Catholic Committee invites Girl Scouts to St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church (1602 Thousand Oaks Dr., San Antonio, 78232) at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 25. Join Bishop Cantu in celebrating Catholic Girl Scout Sunday. Many girls will receive their religious awards at this time.

The Recognizing Excellence staff awards will recognize up to six staff members each quarter for one of the following categories: customer service, commitment, flexibility, teamwork, leadership, and creativity and innovation.

 

Nominations from staff and volunteers for the first quarter will be accepted through March 30 for awards presented in April 2012. A group of board members select the award recipients each quarter. At the end of the year, one staff member will be selected as GSSWT's Best of the Best.
 
Read about previous award recipients and nominate a staff member here!

As part of Chemists Celebrate Earth Day (CCED) activities, the San Antonio Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is sponsoring an illustrated poem contest for students in Kindergarten-12th grade. Winners of the San Antonio ACS Section illustrated poem contest will advance to the ACS National Illustrated Poem Contest! 

 

Write and illustrate a poem using the CCED theme, Rethinking Recycling -- It's Easy to Be Green! Your poem must be no more than 40 words. Contest deadline is Friday, March 30. Read complete details here. 

 

Questions? Contact Svitlana Kroll (210-313-7263). 

Keep an eye out for heavy equipment transportation in our area the next few months, as construction on the Wurzbach Parkway extension continues to progress.

 

Please drive slowly when entering the grounds near the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center, as trucks will be coming and going quite often through the lot. West Coker Loop provides the only access to a construction area at Salado Creek, but this will not be a permanent access road once construction is complete. In the meantime, however, transport of 10 to 20 large bridge beams will pass near the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center between 10 and 11 a.m. each day.

 

Construction on Wurzbach Parkway is scheduled for completion in 2015. For more information and weekly updates on the construction, sign up for the newsletter here.

 

Thank you for your patience, and for taking care to drive safely when traveling to and from our headquarters!

Landmark Inn in Castroville

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the USA, long-time Girl Scout Estella Reyna Kierce has put together a memorabilia display spanning more than nine decades of Girl Scout history. The exhibit (free of charge), located at the historical Landmark Inn on 402 East Florence Street in Castroville, will be open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. now through March 31.

 

Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center in
San Antonio

It's your Girl Scout history -- come read and enjoy photos of 100 years in the USA and 88 years in San Antonio and surrounding areas outlined by decades on beautiful green banners! These banners, the work of the 100th Anniversary History Committee, are on display at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center near the lobby. Enjoy the scavenger hunt, available in the Resource Center, while you travel down memory lane.         

Patrick Heath Public Library in Boerne
Come experience "100 years of Girl Scouting," on display now through March 31 at the Patrick Heath Public Library in Boerne, located at 451 N. Main Street. The collection will be on display during regular library hours. On March 29, Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas's own Juliette Gordon Low impersonator will be on site from 2:00-6:00 p.m. to share stories with visitors at the display.

 

Remember--
You can still share our history in your area. 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 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.

Give the Green Light ToGetHerThere 

Visibly show your support for the promise of all girls and their leadership potential by lighting your residence and place of business with green exterior lights for the month of March to commemorate 

Girl Scouting's 100th Anniversary!

 

 

Go beyond -- take the ToGetHerThere Pledge and visit togetherthere.org to determine how you can make a difference in the future of American leadership.
Calling all Girl Scouts! For the month of March, Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas is asking all alumnae to change their Facebook profile pictures to a photo of them as a young Girl Scout in uniform.

Comal County Judge Sherman Krause (pictured) presented a proclamation declaring March as Girl Scout Centennial month at the Commissioners Court in New Braunfels on Thursday, March 22 to GSSWT board member Kathleen Krueger and GSSWT staff member, Annalissa Franco (pictured). Thank you, Comal County, for your support of Girl Scouts!

The outpouring of support for the people affected in the wake of the devastating tornadoes in the United States last week has been remarkable, and Girl Scouts across the country are always eager to help in many different ways. We know, however, sending funds is often the best way to help after natural disasters like these.

 

Below is a list of ways individuals and troops can contribute.

• American Red Cross 
• Salvation Army 
• Team Rubicon 
• Samaritan's Purse 

Save Energy-Join Earth Hour 

To encourage sustainable behavior change, reduce carbon dioxide footprints, and save energy and money, you are invited to participate in a symbolic Earth Hour event by turning off lights from 8:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 31. Go beyond the hour -- replace incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR® qualified or other energy-efficient bulbs.

What are you doing to be forever green? We want to know! Post your pictures and ideas to GSSWT's Facebook page. Happy Saving! 

Learn more about Forever Green here.