Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida
www.gssef.org                                                                                                December 18, 2014

Mark Your Calendar!   dates

You don't want to miss any of the great things happening at GSSEF.calendar

  

Cookie U: January 10
Samoas 40th Birthday Party Bash: January 17
2015 Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program: January 22 - February 15
Mall Madness: February 28 - March 1

Annual Thin Mint Sprint: April 12

   

GSSEF Winter Break:

Council Service Centers and Retail Stores will be closed December 24 - January 4   

Council Service Centers and Retail Stores will be closed December 24, 2014 - January 4, 2015. We will re-open on January 5. If you need any items from the service centers or the store, please be sure to make those arrangements prior to December 24. Also, please note that staff will be off during the winter break.  


Save the Date:

Volunteer Weekend: April 10-12    

 
sale

Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program starts January 22

The 2015 Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program is almost here!

This year's theme is There's Something Amazing Inside.

The 2015 Girl Scout Cookie Sale introduces a new cookie ... Rah-Rah Raisin! Also, for the first time, we will be piloting a gluten free cookie Toffee-tastic! on a limited basis. Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, a girl can find amazing ways to help others and make a true impact in her community and far beyond. She'll show you how amazing she really is! To learn more, click here. 

    

 online 

Online Cookie Sales - New This Year!
This Cookie Sale, in addition to the already popular and successful door-to-door and booth sales, we are excited to announce girls will be able to sell Girl Scout Cookies through the Digital Cookie Program. For additional information, click here.
  
samoas
The Making of Samoas Airs on Television
Tune in for a Behind the Scenes Look
Just how are Samoas made and how do they make it into Girl Scout Cookie boxes? Food Factory USA will be airing a segment this Saturday with a behind the scenes look at the making of one of America's favorite Girl Scout Cookies, Samoas. Be sure to tune in to this fun segment on Saturday, December 20 at 9:30 p.m. on the FYI Network.
Program Spotlight spot
Looking for Your Next Fun Program?
GSSEF offers a full calendar of Girl Scout Programs all year long. You are sure to find a program to match your girl's interest and curiosity. Programs range from healthy living to STEM to the outdoors and much more.
                                                                                  
Find Programs:
Online Program Calendar

We post program updates frequently on Facebook, so stay connected and like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
rookie

               

You'll go from being a Cookie Rookie to a Cookie Expert in one day.
Are you a Cookie Rookie?   

If you said yes ... keep reading!

If you and your girls are Cookie Rookies, we have the perfect program for you next month. On January 10, GSSEF will host Cookie U for Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadettes in two locations.

It's ideal for first-timers because Cookie U teaches girls a ton of customer service techniques, cookie-product know-how, good cookie booth behavior, goal setting skills, money handling tips and sensational sales ideas, too. Here, girls will taste, try and team up for a great experience!

Cookie U is open for girls to register and attend without the entire troop because we know not all girls (in a troop) will be at the booth together. And, most girls want to try some individual selling to friends, neighbors and teachers. Adult classroom volunteer facilitators will provide the required girl/adult ratio at Cookie U.

Plus, parents can attend an on-site presentation and Q&A with council staff members at no additional charge.

Program times for each location is 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Click here for all of the details.


 senior

New Senior-Level Program: Exploring the World of Law

Saturday, February 28, 2015

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (lunch is provided)

Ward Damon, Attorneys at Law of West Palm Beach


Just for Girl Scout Seniors! This free one-day program offers a unique dive into the world of law for Girl Scouts considering a legal career or who are interested in a day of new experiences and connections.

 

Ask yourself:

  • All the laws that govern us - how did the come about?
  • How are judges are selected?
  • What are the requirements for becoming a lawyer?
  • Who developed the jury system? Why?
  • What the difference between civil law and criminal law?
  • Did you know there are free lawyers for people who need help and can't afford it?
  • What are the biggest trials in history? Why were they so sensational?

Plus, take a look into the careers that connect to or support the legal system. Such as law enforcement or court reporting. Even discover some up-and-coming specialties for new lawyers.

 

Space is very limited. Pre-registration is required. No walk-ins will be permitted. Email lsullivan@gssef.org with your interest or confirmation by January 9, 2015.

 
edition
C.S.I. Girl Scout Edition
Junior Detective/Cadette Special Agent Workshop  
January 31, 2015

The River Center Burt Reynolds Park
805 N. Highway 1, Jupiter, FL 33477  

 

For additional information, click here. To register, click here.
 

 

 mall 

Mall Madness  

Can you believe we'll be celebrating 10 YEARS OF MALL MADNESS! Not only can you shop 'til you drop, you'll have even more crazy fun at this one-of-a-kind program. It's Madness all night long at Coral Square Mall in Coral Springs on February 28 - March 1.  For additional information, view flier here.

Mall Madness General Admission 
General admission is $30.00 and includes a patch. To register, click here. 
 
outdoors
Vote for the New Outdoor Badges
The votes are in! Outdoor Recreation will be the theme of the next set of Outdoor Badges - one each for Brownies through Ambassadors. Now you can vote on the type of badge activities you will get to earn next year. Cast your vote online for the badge activities by clicking here. You have until December 31.

Girls of all grade levels can vote. Parents please help your girl to complete the poll.

 
End-of-Year Troop Reporting Analysisreporting
If yours was one of the 683 troops participating in the 2013-2014 End-of-Year Troop Reporting process, THANK YOU!! It was just amazing to read about the incredible impact each of you is having on the girls you serve and, as a result, the amazing work the girls are doing to build their own skills and to provide service to others.   
 

Please take some time to read the 2014 End-of-Year Troop Report.

Among the highlights: Local Girl Scouts provided more than 58,000 hours of community service as part of their Take Action projects. This is OUTSTANDING!!!  

Troops are offering, and girls are participating in amazing program and are earning badges and other awards across our key initiatives areas of Healthy Living, STEM, Financial Literacy, Outdoor Education and Global Citizenship. Please know that this information is so incredibly valuables and the time each troop leader took to share it is much appreciated and will be used to continue to grow our program offerings in the future. 

 

Click here to read the report.

 

          
Looking for a Great Holiday Gift?   ring  
 
Click on the ring to purchase your chance drawing tickets. Only 300 tickets will be sold.
Just in Time
Chance drawing tickets are now available for this beautiful emerald and diamond ring donated by Diamante Atelier.
The ring has been appraised at $21,675 and contains a 1.99 carat emerald and .9 carats of diamond. The emerald is a natural stone and is GIA Certified.   

   

The winning ticket will be drawn at the Emerald Awards 

event on Saturday, March 14. The winner does not need 

to be present.    

 

ONLY 300 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD! Purchase your tickets in time for the holidays here. If you have a question, email Mandy Allen at aallen@gssef.org.  

 

 supports 

Support GSSEF While Holiday Shopping  

And All-Year Long

While you are doing your holiday shopping this year, you can also support GSSEF! Through the AmazonSmile*  program,  Amazon* donates 0.5 percent purchases back to GSSEF. You have access to the same gifts and items as you do on Amazon. 

  

To start shopping, click here or on the 'Get Started' button in the box to the right. Then shop as you normally would! Please share this link with your family and friends and use it every time you want to make a purchase at Amazon*! Your purchases now and throughout the year will help to increase support of GSSEF.


*Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSmile and the AmazonSmile logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

 

Girl Scout Gear All Year Roundstore
Have you made a visit to one of our stores lately? We invite you to do so. There is plenty of new merchandise such as the 30th Anniversary of Daisy Girl Scouts collection. Our stores have everything you need to make it your best Girl Scout year ever! You'll find Girl Guides and Journeys books, official uniforms, pins, T-shirts, badges and fun patches. And more.

Take a look - 2014 Fall Retail Store Circular
Browse GSUSA's Online Fall Catalog
Questions, contact Jodi Potter at jpotter@gssef.org.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, to stay connected about retail specials. You'll also find new merchandise arrivals and specials on the Store web page.
arrivals
 To view full size, click on image.
New Arrivals - Cookie Merchandise
With the Cookie Sale getting closer, our retail stores are featuring a collection of new fun Cookie merchandise. These items are a fun way to spotlight Girl Scout Cookies and create excitement and enthusiasm in girls and adults. They also make great holiday gifts. 








spend

Happy Holidays
We invite you to stop by and visit one of our retail stores for a variety of holiday gift giving ideas. Our retail store staff is happy to help you find that perfect gift. And as a special bonus, we have a gift for you with purchase. When you spend $50, you'll receive a free collectible ornament.     





bash
You're invited to the Biggest Cookie Party Ever!  
Celebrating the 40th Birthday of Samoas 
When: Saturday, January 17
Where: Both Girl Scout Retail Stores
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate the 40th birthday of Samoas with a  birthday bash at our retail stores. As part of the celebration, there will be specials on Girl Scout merchandise. While you are shopping, go ahead and indulge in some Samoas cookies with us. There will be Samoas fun for everyone. For additional information, click here.
 
finance
Appointment of Vice President of Finance

As some of you may be aware, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida's current Vice President of Finance Greg Kissel will be retiring at the end of December. Greg has graciously served on our Board from 1991 to 2008 and then joined the council in January 2009. During the time Greg has been with GSSEF, he has been an invaluable leader of the finance team and has made a significant impact on the organization as a whole. His contributions to our mission are unmatched, and he is recognized by his colleagues and our Board for his leadership abilities. Greg is also a very well respected member of the local and non-profit community, and he will be sorely missed.

Vice President of Finance,
 Jeff Vanier

 

Our search for a replacement commenced this past August. After undergoing an extensive search process we are proud to announce the appointment of Jeff Vanier to the role of Vice President of Finance.  

 

Jeff joins the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida with close to 20 years' experience in finance and operations over half of that with non-profits.

 

Jeff began his journey on December 1 and looks forward to overseeing the council's finances and serving to carry out the mission and abiding by the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

advise
Seeking Girl Advisory Member      
GSSEF is now accepting applications for girl advisory members to our board of directors. It is for the 2015-2016 term. Applicants must be at least 14-years-old. The application deadline is January 8, 2015.

 

To complete an application, click here.

 

            

back 
Calling all Girl Scouts
  Please email your Girl Scouts Give Back story and photo to sbeigh@gssef.org.  

contactRegistration Questions
To update membership records, contact our Council Registrar at mjoseph@gssef.org.
next
I Can't Wait for My Next Girl Scout Adventure!
Troop #10717
Made soft fleece lap blankets for patients at Cleveland Clinic Hospital.
Troop #20056
Donated toys to Kiting for Kids, using their Fall Product Sale proceeds.
Troop #20503
Visited the Regents Park Nursing Home in Boca Raton. Watch this video.
Check-out more photos on GSSEF'S Flickr page. Do you have photos from troop or service unit activities that you would like to share? We'd love to give your troop or service unit a shout out here or on social media. To submit, complete this short form here.
stay
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When sharing on social media, use the hashtag #GSSEF.

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