Volunteer Connection
In This Issue
National youth program seeking local applicant's
Early Bird
Have you taken the pledge?
Adult Enrichment Sessions
Helpful Hints
Facilitators Gathering
Camp Metro Info Nights
Celebrate National Volunteer Month
Celebrate Volunteers & Fiesta
Resident Camp Physical Night
Camp it Up!
WSGSLC Shop open
Upcoming Programs
Girl Power!
Volunteer Assessment
Girl Scouts Do Great Things!
National Girl Scout CEO featured in PBS documentary
Wurzbach Parkway Progress
Shop News
Get Connected!
Dates to Remember
Volunteer Service Center, Girl Scout Shop &
Resource Center open School Year Hours
now-May 31
 
Girl Power! ITC exhibit
now-July 14
 
Girl Scout Shop at
West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center
operating temporary hours
now-April 30
 
Facilitators Gathering
April 16
 
National Volunteer Month Celebration
April 17
 
Camp Metro Info Night
April 17
 
Texas Cavaliers River Parade
April 22
 
Camp Metro Info Night
April 24
 
Resident Camp Physical Night
April 24
 
Battle of Flowers Holiday (offices closed)
April 26
 
April 30
 
Staff Development Meeting
(offices closed)
May 1

Razzle Dazzle Accessorize
May 4
 
May 9
 
aMAZE Yourself
May 11
 
May 13
 
Memorial Day
(offices closed)
May 27

CPS Energy

H-E-B

SWBC

Valero

Wells Fargo

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Girl Scout Greats
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April 11, 2013

Here you'll find timely information about program, adult learning opportunities and other general news to keep you connected to GSSWT! Volunteer Connection is sent weekly. Stay in the know and keep an eye on your inbox for great Girl Scout information!
National youth program seeking local applicants --
hurry, deadline is Monday, April 15

Ever wondered how things work in Washington, D.C.? 

Join the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's (CHCI) High School Latino Leaders in D.C. this summer and find out! This program provides Latino high school students the chance to spend a week in Washington, D.C., exploring the city and the role it plays in our nation's past, present, and future.

The program is completely free of charge to students! Travel, lodging, meals and activities will all be covered through the support of State Farm Insurance Companies and CHCI. The program will take place on July 14-19, 2013 in Washington, D.C. Get complete details here (scroll to the bottom of the page).

The Early Bird gets the ... Patch!

Early Bird patch Early Bird registration gives current Girl Scouts and troops/groups the opportunity to register early for the upcoming Girl Scout year (October 2013 through September 2014) before the fall rush! Re-register today! Please note that dues have increased to $15/member, $195/graduating girl lifetime membership dues and $375/lifetime membership dues.

 

Learn about Early Bird incentives and important information regarding the membership dues increase here.

Have you taken the pledge?!
Forever Green Girl Scouts Forever Green (GSFG) enables Girl Scouts, as a Movement, to track significant, collective, positive impacts on our environment.
 
Making a difference starts with you! Here's how:
Adult Enrichment Sessions

Join us as we kick off a series of enrichment sessions at the West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center (5622 W. C�sar E. Ch�vez Blvd., San Antonio, 78237). Most sessions are FREE (certification classes have a fee) and all are open to adultsCome learn how to manage your stress, manage your finances better or become certified in first aid and CPR. Registration is required -- click on each item below for more details and the registration form.

Questions? Contact Pamela Riles at 210-349-2404/1-800-580-7247 ext. 219.

Helpful Hints for Finance Reports

Summer is coming and troops that have not attended the new Money Manager course may have questions about completing the summer finance report. We are here to help. The finance report is now an excel spreadsheet and available on GSSWT's website. Looking for complete details? Get 'em here

 

Detailed finance report instructions are provided in the new Money Manager course -- see upcoming dates below:

Questions? Contact Trisha Kealoha, Finance Report Specialist (210-349-2404/1-800-580-7247 ext. 260).

Facilitators Monthly Gathering

If you missed the monthly gathering in March, here's your next chance to come join in the fun and fellowship. The Facilitators Gathering will be held on from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16 at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership CenterYou don't have to be a current facilitator to attend, join us if you're interested in becoming a facilitator!

 

Questions or want more info? Contact Pamela Riles (210-349-2404/1-800-580-7247 ext. 219). Hope to see you there!

Info Night for Camp Metro

Join us from 6-7:30 p.m. on any of the following dates to learn more about Camp Metro summer camp sessions:

  • Wednesday, April 17
  • Wednesday, April 24

Info night (all dates) will be held at both the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center and the West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center.

 

Register for camp at one of these special Camp Metro info nights and receive a camp backpack for your Girl Scout camper! Staff will be on hand to help you register for any camp sessions listed in the Camp It Up! 2013 Summer Fun Guide, as well as answer any questions your family may have about your daughter's participation in Girl Scout camp.

Questions? Contact Melissa Soliz, GO Team Manager (210-319-5775 ext. 401).
Celebrate National Volunteer Month

Thank You On Wednesday, April 17, join us at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center as we celebrate YOU -- our wonderful Girl Scout volunteer! There will be food, fun and fellowship from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in the AT&T conference rooms. 


Stop by to have a little snack for breakfast, join us for a light lunch or snag a dessert in the afternoon. We look forward to seeing you!
 
Questions? Contact Pamela Riles (210-349-2404/1-800-580-7247 ext. 219).
Celebrate Volunteers & Fiesta at the
West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center

Join us from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 at the West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center for a Community & Volunteer Fiesta Dinner. We'll celebrate our wonderful Girl Scout volunteers and kick off Fiesta week! Friends, families and neighbors are welcome to enjoy this free Fiesta celebration with food, music, activities for children and giveaways! We look forward to seeing you!

 
Questions? Contact Steven Acton at 210-319-5775 ext. 418. 
Resident Camp Physical Night

5-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 24

$10/person 
(payable by check or cash at event)
Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center

(811 N. Coker Loop, San Antonio, 78216)

 

GSSWT is again offering Resident Camp Physical Night. Bring a copy of the immunization record.

 

Remember, this is a first-come, first-served event. This event is also open to the boys in your family. Medical professionals donate their time and all proceeds benefit the Resident Camp Scholarship Fund. Crafts and activities available on the patio.

Camp it Up! 

Camp it Up! Ready to plan your summer fun? Download Camp it Up! Your 2013 Summer Fun Guide now and look for it in your mailbox -- one has been mailed to every Girl Scout household! 

 

Questions? Contact Becky Jennings (210-349-2404/1-800-580-7247 ext. 241).

Girl Scout Shop at West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center open

The Girl Scout Shop at the West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center is open -- the following hours are temporary for the month of April and are subject to change without notice.

  • Monday,  2-8 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 12:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, 12:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, 2-8 p.m.
  • Friday, 1-5 p.m.
  • 3rd Saturday each month, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Upcoming Programs

Razzle-Dazzle Accessorize

12-2 p.m., Saturday, May 4  -- open to girls in grades 4-12
Learn how to be your own fashionista. Trends come and go, but accessories are the key -- create your own variety of different materials. Join us for a show-stopping good time! Get complete details and the registration form now.

  

aMAZE Yourself 
10 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, May 11 -- open to girls in grades 6-8
Think about the twists and turns in your everyday life ... through fun and friendship, discover the tools to navigate through life's maze. Find the power to make the world a better place -- starting with a personal journey. Get complete details and the registration form now
Have you visited Girl Power?

The Institute of Texan Cultures, in partnership with GSSWT, presents Girl Power!, an exhibition heralding the next century of Girl Scouting. Visit ITC's website for hours and admission. 

 

Come experience the enduring values and traditions of this iconic organization as told through personal stories, photographs, artifacts and memorabilia. The exhibit will be on display through July 14.

Volunteer Assessment

We know that volunteers want to do the best job they can, and that they rely on the feedback and assistance of council staff and administrative volunteers. Each year, to better understand and work with every volunteer, we ask you to complete a self-assessment survey to reflect on your performance and provide written documentation and feedback to the council about your personal experience with the organization.


This year there's an online assessment tool! The assessment tool developed is for all volunteer positions at the troop, service unit and regional level. Your answers and participation help the council gather the data to make necessary changes to address volunteer needs and plan re-appointments or position changes that best utilize each volunteer's skills and passions. It's a simple, easy-to-navigate survey -- get it now!

Don't have access to a computer? Visit the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center or the Mobile Leadership Center (when in your area) and utilize the volunteer computers. A representative from y
our GO team may also be able to assist you in completing the online survey. We encourage online entry so the results can be gathered quicker, but paper surveys are available -- contact a representative from your GO team.

Thank you -- you are helping us serve you better! We appreciate your time and participation and want you to know it will lead to higher quality volunteer experiences, increased volunteer satisfaction and greater rates of retention! 
Girl Scouts Do Great Things!

Doggie Olympics -- 10 a.m., Saturday, April 20
Bob Beard Elementary School, 8725 Sonoma Pkwy, San Antonio, 78023
 
Here's your chance to win gold with your pooch! Girl Scout Troop 592 is holding this fun event to collect stuffed animals for the San Antonio Fire Department to give to children who need comfort. Dogs of all sizes, shapes, breeds, mixes and abilities are welcome!

Entry fee per dog: One new medium-sized stuffed animal (or $10 donation onsite for purchase of a stuffed animal), which will be donated to the San Antonio Fire Department.

There is no fee to just come and watch! The first 50 participants to check-in on the day of the event will receive a goodie bag (check in begins at 9:45 a.m.).

Activities include seven competitive events, a photo station and a small concession stand (with Girl Scout cookies)! Get more details and register now
 

Cleaning the Coast! WORD

Troops 2017 and 1087 worked with the WORD (Water Oriented Recreation District) of Comal County as part of the WOW journey to clean the coast of Canyon Lake and learn about water. In total, 56 volunteers cleaned up 2,707 pounds of trash and 18 tires!

National Girl Scouts CEO featured in PBS documentary

Girl Scouts CEO Anna Maria Ch�vez is featured in the PBS documentary series MAKERS: Women Who Make America! The series tells the remarkable story of the most sweeping social revolution in American history, as women assert their rights to a full and fair share of political power, economic opportunity and personal autonomy.

Anna is in great company with other esteemed women who are profiled in the series (Oprah, Condoleezza Rice and Gloria Steinem, just to name a few). The segment focuses on Anna as a trailblazer for girls as the CEO of Girl Scouts, and beautifully hones in on the message of ToGetHerThere.
 

Wurzbach Parkway Progress

Keep an eye out for heavy equipment transportation in our area as construction on the Wurzbach Parkway extension continues to progress. 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.
Shop News

Camp T-shirts on sale!

School Year Hours (now-May 31)
Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Second Saturday: 9 a.m-3 p.m. 
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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.