Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida

www.gssef.org                                                                                                         December 3, 2015
                                                                    
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Mark Your Calendar!    calendar-banner-yellow.jpg
You don't want to miss any of the great things happening at GSSEF. 
   
2016 Cookie Boss and Cookie Entrepreneur: January 9
Gold Award Workshop: January 10
2016 Mall Madness: February 27 - 28
2016 Thin Mint Sprint: April 3 - Halpatiokee Regional Park, Stuart; April 9 - Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, Hollywood; April 10 - Okeeheelee Park, West Palm Beach 
Girl Scout Alumnae and Friends of Girl Scouting Cruise: June 3 - 6, 2016 

Save the Dates
2016 Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program: January 21 - February 14
2016 Emerald Awards: February 20
2016 Volunteer Weekend: March 11 - 13

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GSSEF Staff Meeting: December 10 
Council Service Centers and Retail Stores will be closed on Thursday, December 10th due to a staff meeting. Please make arrangements prior to December 10th if you need any items from the service centers.

GSSEF Winter Break Schedule
GSSEF will be closed for Winter Break: December 18, 2015 - January 3, 2016
GSSEF winter break is quickly approaching and we wanted to provide you with information regarding Council and staff availability. Both Council Service Centers, including the Retail Stores will be closed from December 18, 2015 through January 3, 2016. We will re-open on Monday, January 4, 2016. All staff will be off for the winter break. Any documents that require council staff assistance or approval - such as requests for insurance certificates, travel applications and troop money earning activities - are due no later than December 9th. Please make sure you plan accordingly.

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Girl Advisory Applications due December 10
Applications are now being accepted for 2016 girl advisory members to the GSSEF Board of Directors. The deadline for application(s) is December 10, 2015. Girls  must be at least 14 years of age and a currently registered Girl Scout. To complete the application, click here.
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What's New and Exciting with the 2016 Thin Mint Sprint?
There are many new and awesome features that will surely make the 2016 Thin Mint Sprint 5K the best one ever. Check them out here:

1. Three great locations! Register and pick the location most convenient for you:
- April 3rd - Halpatiokee Regional Park, Stuart
- April 9th - Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, Hollywood
- April 10th - Okeeheelee Park, West Palm Beach

2. Virtual Registration!
Can't make one of the race days? Show your support by registering for the race as a virtual participant and your shirt will be mailed to you.

3. Race Teams! Why register as a team?
- A healthy lifestyle is easier and more fun to maintain with friends, family, or co-workers.
- Show your Girl Scout spirited side. We encourage you to dress up with your team - we're talking matching outfits, tutus and crowns! Take some time to show off your team spirit at the photo booth. Also, be on the lookout to pose with our cookie mascots and our traveling photo frame.

Incentives for troops to register as a team:
*Register with five or more girls from your troop and enter into a drawing to be the 2016 Rah Rah Racin' Troop Team
*The winning team will receive an official Rah Rah Racin' Troop Team t-shirt for all team members
*The winning team's photo will be featured on all social media outlets on race day
*All Girl Scout troops who register five or more girls will have their troop recognized in the GSSEF E-News and Linking Leaders

Incentives for companies to register as a team:
*Register with five or more colleagues and enter your company into a drawing to be the 2016 Rah Rah Racin' Corporate Team
*The winning team will receive an official Rah Rah Racin' Corporate Team t-shirt for all team members
*The winning team's photo will be featured on all social media outlets on race day
*All corporate teams will be recognized in the GSSEF E-News.
 
Registration is open: 
Get ready...get set and register today here. 
  
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Remember to Shop AmazonSmile this Season and All Year-long
This will give you something to smile about. While you are shopping online this holiday season, you'll also be able to support GSSEF. Simply use the AmazonSmile link here and  Amazon will donate .5% of your total purchase price to GSSEF. You have access to the same gifts and items as you do on Amazon. Your purchases now, and throughout the year, will help to increase support of GSSEF. Thank you for your support.
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We have Something Worth Sharing
Cookie Sale Program Dates: January 21 - February 14, 2016   
To help your troop have the best possible Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program experience, be sure to attend your Service Unit Cookie Training. This is where you'll receive invaluable  information about the sale and the important role that you have in guiding girls throughout the sale. Also, you'll learn about this year's girl rewards and you'll be able to sample some of the delicious cookies.


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Troop Initial Cookie Order Reward for the 2016 Cookie Sale Program 
Check out what troops can earn when placing a qualifying initial cookie order by clicking here. Whether you're a returning troop participating in the sale program or a new troop, you can earn rewards for girls and troop leaders. Troop Initial Orders are due December 12. 
 
Questions? Contact Denise Fiorelli at dfiorelli@gssef.org.
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Cool Girl Scout Gear All Year-Round
Have you made a visit to one of our retail stores lately? There is plenty of new merchandise to check out. Our stores have everything you need to make it your best Girl Scout year ever! Questions? Email Jodi Potter at jpotter@gssef.org.

 
Our Online Store is Always Open
Remember you can also shop anytime by visiting our Online Store that is open 24/7.

 
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Get Ready for the Cookie Season with the New All-In-One Cookie Kit 
This Cookie Kit tote bag really makes it easy for you to get ready for the Cookie season. The kit has everything you need to Bling Your Booth including a Cookie Tote, Cookie Car Magnet, Cookie Table Cloth, two Cookie Pencils, two Cookie Pins and a Cookies and Milk Table Runner. The all-in-one Cookie Kit tote bag is only $49.99. Limited quantities are available so be sure to shop early. Buy in December and receive a free plush pal animal*. *While supplies last. 
 
 
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FunDay Monday Dates:  December 7 and December 14
Here's a way to start your week off with a bit of fun. There are two remaining dates that we'll be sharing a special weekly Girl Scout merchandise item on Facebook, Twitter and our new GSSEF App. To receive the special offer, you'll have to say the word that will be revealed in the post to receive the discount at either retail store location. FunDay Monday dates are:  December 7 and December 14. So be sure to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. To download our App, visit your App store.  
  
                     
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Program Spotlight
   
Online Program Calendar 
Check out programs by visiting our online Program Calendar here. Also, download the new GSSEF app from your app store for timely program alerts.  

Online Program Flyer Gallery 
Check out available program flyers on our Program Flyer Gallery web page here. You will be able to easily view and print available program flyers. Program flyers include the program's description, grade level, location and registration links or information.     
 
Program Contacts
Lammy Askar, director of program - aaskar@gssef.org 
Catalina Cano, regional program manager -  ccano@gssef.org 
Meredith Slaymaker, regional program manager - mslaymaker@gssef.org 
Diana Mills, program registrar - dmills@gssef.org 
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I Can't Wait for My Next Girl Scout Adventure!

Shout out to Troop #27002. These Girl Scouts participate in year 'round community service projects at the Quantum House.  On this occasion, the troop provided a wonderful lunch for the residents of the Quantum House! The girls also spent time with the children with a make and take craft - candy cane ornaments! Way to go girls!






Shout out to Girls in Troop #20962 for spending time at a local mall working on their Comparison Shopping  Badge. What a fun way for these girls to learn a life-long skill and become consumer savvy while shopping.    









Shout out to Troop #10514. This is their seventh year participating in this community service  event. The troop and other local Girl Scouts partner with Samaritans Purse (OCC) and make boxes of love for orphans. The boxes include school supplies, hygiene supplies, toys, stuffed animals and lots of love. Each girl that attends brings a filled plastic shoe box. This year they had a total of 657 boxes made during the event!
 
    

We'd Love to give You a Shout Out
Do you have photos from your troop or service unit activities that you would like to share? We'd love to give you a shout out. To submit them, complete this short form here. Thank you.    

Take a look at more photos of Girl Scout Adventures 
Check-out GSSEF'S Flickr page.
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Volunteers Needed to Help Plan Volunteer Weekend 2016  
Volunteers at the Survivor-themed 2015 event chose to go with the theme Glamping in 2016. What is Glamping? It's glamorous camping, of course, and we're going to do it Girl Scout-style.

But in order to make this weekend the best yet, we want your input and your help! If you're interested in joining the planning committee for this sure-to-be fantabulous, mah-velous and oh so glamorous event, email Gabriella Gaita at ggaita@gssef.org and let her know you want to join in on the fun. Please respond no later than December 10th so that the glam-planning can begin.
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End of Year Troop Report Analysis
If yours was one of the 645 troops participating in the 2014-2015 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.

Among the highlights:
Local Girl Scouts provided more than 87,202 hours of community service as part of their Take Action projects. This is OUTSTANDING and represents a 49% increase over last year's 58,642 hours!

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 valuable 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.

Please take some time to read the 2015 End-of-Year Troop Report here.
 
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