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FROM THE CEO
Dear Girl Scouts, Volunteers, and Staff:
As we enter March with springtime right around the corner, I sit here in my office very grateful for the heavy rain that is coming down outside! Although I certainly love the "70 degrees and sunny" weather we typically have in central and southern California, we need the rain. This is the first substantial rain I have seen in Ventura since I moved here last April. I certainly hope this rain helps alleviate some of the drought.
Last month, we held the grand opening of our new Ventura office, and what a great event! Ventura Mayor Cheryl Heitmann, State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, Brad Hudson, a staff member representing Congresswoman Julia Brownley, and representatives of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce joined me and our Board Chair Heather Vesterfelt, in the ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 7. We showcased the new retail shop, and our new "Girl Scouts on the Go!" vintage trailer mobile program center. In addition, Janet Lunt and our Heritage Committee Members did a fabulous display of the history of the Girl Scout Council - both from Tres Condados and Monterey Bay. The historic displays in our office will periodically rotate, so I invite you to stop in when in the area to check it out!
We also kicked off the cookie season last month, and WHAT a season we are having! I can't wait to share the news about the final outcome when we wrap-up the sale, but I can assure you it will be good news. This is because of all of your hard work! I pitched in at the cookie drop at the Ventura Fairgrounds, and had a great time. I am always in awe of the hard work our volunteers do in support of the Mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character! The Cookie Sale would not be a success without your support. According to early reports from Desiree, we will easily meet our budgeted goal, but we will very likely exceed that goal. What does that mean? It means we will be able to bring Girl Scouting to more girls! In addition, the gluten-free cookies were a HUGE hit as we quickly sold out, and are still receiving requests for more which we cannot fulfill. I suspect ABC Bakers will definitely bring that sweet treat back next year as a permanent item on the list!
Thanks to Camille and her team, as well as Service Units and Troop Leaders, the council's membership numbers are still above same-time last year. This is great news! Again, it is the hard work and dedication of so many people that make this possible.
Please join me in welcoming Lori Riis-Vestergaard as Controller on our GSCCC team. Lori brings a wealth of accounting and auditing experience to her position. A former employee of Deloitte and WellPoint, Lori is also a long-time Girl Scout and volunteered as a Troop Leader for many years. After only a week on staff, she is a welcomed and valued member of our team. I know some of you are interested in additional troop banking options, and Lori has that on her agenda to address. You can expect to hear more from her on that front in the near future.
The GSCCC Annual Meeting will be held April 5, 2014, at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. Registration is now open in the Event Calendar. Council members 14 years and older are invited to attend. If you are a non-voting member, there is a fee for the buffet lunch. We hope you can join us as we provide an update of our council, and install our new Board, Service Unit Delegates and National Delegates.
As we all get ready to celebrate Girl Scout Week, remember what Daisy Low once said, "Scouting rises within you and inspires you to put forth your best!" Thanks to all of you who give back so much so that we can allow our Girl Scouts to be inspired and believe that they can do anything that they wish to do!
Happy Birthday, Girl Scouts!
Sincerely,
Gina |
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 COOKIE SALE PROGRAM Thank you to all Troop and SU Cookie Chairs, Troop Leaders, parents and girls who are out selling rain or shine. Keep it up!
Cookie Sale Date Reminders
- February 14-March 16 - Cookie Boothing
- March 16 - Last day of Cookie Sale
- March 26 - Final payment withdrawn via ACH
Cookie Credits from last year will expire on 3/31/2014. To view your balance go to www.valutec.net click Card Balance in the upper right corner of the screen, enter your card number and select Gift Balance. If you would like to know what your cookie credits can buy go to:
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HELP GIRLS & ADULTS JOIN GIRL SCOUTS AT YOUR COOKIE BOOTH During Cookie season, the public is more aware of Girl Scouts than any other time of the year. We want more girls and adults than ever before to experience the fun and excitement of Girl Scouts by joining now.
You can help us spread the word by distributing fun "I Can't Wait To" cards and stickers during your Cookie Booth sale. Each Troop will receive instructions and 25 cards. Watch this video for more information and tips. www.girlscouts.org/recruitmentstickers
LEGO-ROBOTICS ARE FOR GIRLS TOO!
First Lego League (FLL) in Girl Scouts is for 4th to 8th grade girls. Whether you have an existing troop or a new group of girls in your area, all you need is an interest in robotics, fun, competing and sharing.
More information? Contact Pat psoulliereo@girlscoutsccc.org
MY PROMISE, MY FAITH
Everything in Girl Scouting is based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law. The Girl Scout Law includes many of the principles and values common to most faiths. Thus, while a secular organization, Girl Scouts has, since the movement began, encouraged girls to take spiritual journeys via their faiths' religious recognition.
Girls of all grade levels can now earn the My Promise, My Faith pin developed by Girl Scouts of the USA. This pin, which girls can earn once a year, complements existing religious recognition and allows all girls to further strengthen the
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Click here for more information |
connection between their faith and Girl Scouts. A girl earns the My Promise, My Faith pin by carefully examining the Girl Scout Law and directly tying it to tenets of her faith. Requirements for this pin are included in The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for all levels.
Questions? Contact Camille cjaque@girlscoutsccc.org |
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VOLUNTEERS
NEW LEARNING FACILITATOR TRAINING MARCH 8 - ARNAZ PROGRAM CENTER - VENTURA
Like to work with adults and help them learn new skills? Have a flair for leading and training? Then join Girl Scouts for a New Learning Facilitator Training. Participants will learn how to train adults, facilitate meetings and provide much needed GSUSA training. This is the first step in a progression towards becoming certified to lead Outdoor Training, Program Aide Training, Grade Level Trainings and more. NLF trainings led by our outstanding volunteers, will be coming soon for the Central and Northern regions. Visit the GSCCC event website for more registration information.
TRAINING REQUEST FORM Adult GS Volunteers are encouraged to request training via the Training Request form. Check the GSCCC events calendar first to see if training is currently offered. If not please utilize this form to request training. Volunteers can use the form to request Outdoor Training, New Learning facilitator Training, First Aid CPR training and PA Training. All trainings are scheduled based on Volunteer Learning Facilitator availability. Questions? Please contact
JOIN THE DAISY CHAIN New Daisy leaders will receive a starter packet with easy instructions for the first four meetings. Ask Membership Managers or Service Unit Managers about the starter kit. When the packet is completed, new Daisy Troops will receive one Journey book of their choice.
BROWNIE CIRCLE New Brownie leaders now have a started packet too! Just what the Brownie Elf ordered to be able to join the mix of Girl Scouts. Also, check out Quick Start on the GSUSA website for more ideas for new Daisy, Brownie and Junior troops. Questions? Contact Camille
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PROGRAM
DAISY, BROWNIE AND JUNIOR OPPORTUNITIES
GOLDIEBLOX™ KITS AVAILABLE NOW
Fun kits will inspire the next generation of female engineers and help Daisies work on a journey and Brownies complete the inventor badge! Construction toys help girls develop spatial skills and get them interested in math and science.
Check the GSCCC website, DIY KIT section for more info! Or email staff directly at programs@girlscoutsccc.org
BRONZE AWARD
The updated Bronze Award Guidelines are available on the council website. Please review the full guidelines before starting the troop Bronze Award project. Here are a few guidelines to know before starting the BRONZE: 
- Girls in 4th and 5th grade can work on a Bronze Award
- The troop leader approves the Bronze Award.
- Girls must complete one Junior Journey before starting the project.
Contact programs@girlscoutsccc.org with questions |
CADETTES, SENIORS AND AMBASSADORS
SILVER AWARD This is an exciting time of year when girls are planning and working on Silver Awards. Here are a few tips for this exciting project:
- Girls 6th to 8th Grade can work on the Silver Award.
- Girls must complete one journey prior to starting work on the project
- The Silver Award project must be done in the local community (beyond the Girl Scout community)
Please review the Silver Award Guide for full details.
GOLD AWARD UPDATES Hurrah! NO MORE PAPER! Girls now can now apply online for the Gold Award. All information is available on the Gold Award page on the council website. Additional questions can be forwarded to mygoldaward@girlscoutsccc.org
APPLY TO ATTEND THE GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP
INSTITUTE AT NATIONAL CONVENTION OCTOBER 2014!
The Girl Scout Leadership Institute (GSLI) is where a lot of the magic of convention happens! It is a triennial conference that provides girls 14 and older with three days of leadership skill-building activities tied to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE).Girls who will be 14 years of age or older at the time of the GSLI (by October 16, 2014) are eligible to apply to attend.
For more information please visit the 2014 GS National Convention/GSLI website. A call for applications will be announced next month.
STILL TIME TO JOIN THE SAVANNAH TRAVEL TRIP - SUMMER 2014 C/S/A
6th grade Cadettes and above are invited to join the fun on an amazing journey! Experience the southern charm and architecture of Savannah, visit cool historical sites and the first Girl Scout Headquarters. Participate in the programs at Juliette Low's Birthplace. Girls will make new friends and lifelong memories! Visit the GSCCC Travel page for more information. Questions: programs@girlscoutsccc.org
DISNEY CHANNEL LOOKING TO FEATURE YOUNG STEM ACHIEVERS Disney Channel "Make Your Mark" project profiles young people between the ages of 11-16 who have overcome great challenges,
made a difference in their community, or excelled in a special areas. The goal of the program is to motivate viewers, increase awareness of various issues and to inspire others to become active and make their own mark on the world.
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ALL PROGRAM AGE LEVELS
SPRING PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS! The calendar is always evolving and being updated throughout the year with new and exciting program opportunities including:
- Artist Legacy Badge Workshop with Art Trek! - B/J/C/S - Santa Barbara - 3/2/14
- Artist Legacy Badge Workshop with Art Trek! - B/J/C/S - Avila Beach - 3/23/14
- Artist Legacy Badge Workshop with Art Trek! - B/J/C/S/A - Watsonville - 4/5/14
- Home Scientist Brownie Badge Workshop - B- Arnaz 4/5/14
- Hearst Castle Tour - B/J/C/S/A - San Simeon - 4/26/14
Register and view updated council program offerings at www.girlscoutsccc.org/events
Program questions: programs@girlscoutsccc.org
CELEBRATE THE ANNIVERSARY OF GIRL SCOUTS - MARCH 12, 2014!
There are many ways to celebrate the anniversary of Girl Scouts. Talk about the history of Girl Scouts at a troop meeting, eat cupcakes, try something new and troops can Make Your Own Badge or stand on your head like Juliette Gordon Low would do each year on her birthday! But whatever is planned, make it FUN! Check out additional ideas and an interactive quiz on the GSUSA website or Click here for a week's worth of ideas and activities!
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ARNAZ PROGRAM CENTER
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
- First Aid Badge Workshop - March
- Home Scientist Badge Workshop - April
- She and Me Overnight and My Family Badge Workshop - May
Make a reservation and come camp with your troop at Arnaz! Camp in a tent a yurt or cabin! Make s'mores, cook outdoors, take a hike, observe the night sky, and even give Archery a try!
Contact staff to inquire about reservations at CampArnaz@girlscoutsccc.org
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SHOP TIL YOU DROP
NEW SATURDAY SHOP HOURS: 10:00am - 2:00pm
First Saturday of the Month Shop Dates thru June
- March 1, 2014
- April 5, 2014
- May 3, 2014
- June 7, 2014
Cookie Credits Expire March 31, 2014! Don't forget to spend these earned credits in our shops, or as a registration fee for one of our upcoming events.
COOKIE BOOTH-IN-A-BAG:There are still a few bags available in both shops. The kits are $40.00 plus $3.00 tax. The Cookie Booth-in-a-Bag contains all of the items you need to make your booth and car stand out: re-usable tote bag, cookie car magnet, GSCCC tablecloth, 24" x 36" yard sign, window marker, crepe paper and balloons. Items are not available for purchase separately, but are not dated, so they can be used year after year. Please contact Rebecca Jones at rjones@girlscoutsccc.org
or 800-822-2427 x 9782 to place an order, while supplies last!
 NEW PINS: Distinguished Volunteer and Distinguished Leader pins are now available. Distinguished Leader and Distinguished Volunteer are approved, purchased and awarded by the Service Unit Recognitions Chair and Service Unit Team. For details on how to nominate a volunteer for one of these awards. Please review the guidelines in the Adult Awards Guide 2014 located on the GSCCC website. The price for each pin is $3.50 and can be purchased at both shops or by emailing Rebecca Jones at
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VOLUNTEER POLO SHIRTS: New white Volunteer shirts have arrived and are available in both shops. Men's: $16.00 each - Women's: $14.00 each.
TROOP LEADER OR SUM T's: If you missed out on purchasing either of these shirts, you have another opportunity! Pre-orders for both shirts are due to Rebecca Jones by March 15. Estimated delivery date for shirts is the week of April 14. All orders must be pre-paid. Please click here for Troop Leader and SUM shirt order form.
Visit the 2014 Virtual Spring Catalog There are lots of fun new items including GirlSports, fun patches and apparel.
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