Volunteer Connection
In This Issue
Puppies, Tie-dye, Legos ...
Long Range Property Plan
Don't miss out!
Regional Family Giving Coordinators needed
Girl Power! exhibit -- free admission
2nd Annual Living History Timeline
Commemorative Coin
Girl Scouts in the News
Wurzbach Parkway Progress
Shop News
Get Connected!
Dates to Remember
now-September 29

Volunteer Service Center, Girl Scout Shop & Resource Center open School Year Hours
now-May 31, 2014

Gonzales Long Range Property Plan Town Hall Meeting
September 17

Trainers' Gathering
September 17

Volunteer Opportunities Open House
September 18

Kerrville Long Range Property Plan Town Hall Meeting
September 19

Long Range Property Plan Town Hall Meetings
continue
September 24-October 17

Service Team Makeup Training
September 28

Tie-dye Girls: Life in Color!
October 3

Bricks 4 Kids
October 5

National Religious Awards Series begins
October 13

Monster Mash
October 25

The Great Escape
Adult Weekend
November 15-17

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September 13, 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!
Tie-dye,  Legos�, Monsters and more ...
choose one or choose them all! 

Tie-dye Girls: Life in Color! 

5:30-6:30 p.m., Oct. 3 (Kerrville) -- open to girls in grades K-8 

Drop by to create your unique work of art in bright and bold colors. In just a few easy steps, create wondrous patterns and unique designs to show off at any event! T-shirts and bandanas will be provided. Bring a friend and sign them up for Girl Scouts, too! Get the details and registration form here.   


Bricks 4 Kidz

10 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5 -- open to girls in grades K - 12

Kids learn best through activities that engage their curiosity and creativity. They learn, they build while they play with...LEGO� bricks! This program is built around model plans, designed by engineers and architects, with exciting themes such as space, construction and amusement parks. Get the details and registration packet here.

 

Nature Explorers -- Juniors 

6:30 p.m., Friday, October 11-9:30 a.m., Saturday, October 12 (Kerrville) -- open to girl sin grades 4-5 

Travel to the beautiful Riverside Nature Center (RNC) located on the banks of the Guadalupe River in Kerrville for an exciting evening of outdoor exploration! Activities include taking a night hike along the river, using the tools of a scientist, making a craft and learning lots about nature and wildlife! Get the details and registration packet here.

 

National Religious Awards Series

1-4 p.m., Sundays, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Jan. 12, Feb. 9 (must attend all dates) -- open to girls in grades 2-12 

Interested in learning about the National Religious Awards? Join the Interfaith Committee as they guide you on your journey while earning a National Religious Award. Get the details and registration packet here

 

Columbus Day

9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 14 -- open to girls in grades K-12

In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue! Let's honor Columbus and spend the day cooking classic American children's dishes, as well as learning more about his exciting journey. Get the details and registration packet here.

 

Monster Mash

6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, October 25 -- open to girls in grades K-5

It's now the mash, it's now the monster mash. Goblins and ghouls, mummies and vampires come to the witch's lair where you will learn how to make magic potions and spells. Make Halloween decorations and play games. Get the details and registration packet here. 

Adult Learning News & Happenings

Trainers' Gathering!
Calling all trainers and potential trainers -- join us at the 
Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 17

Come join us for our first gathering of the new Girl Scout year! Our theme will be Making Connections: How to Create Great Training Relationships. Spend time getting to know your importance as a council trainer and how to make positive lasting impressions on other volunteers.

 

Volunteer Opportunities Open House

Interested in volunteer opportunities with Girl Scouts? Don't miss this open house! Maybe you have a very busy schedule but still want to volunteer? This is the place for you. It doesn't matter if you have one hour or 20 hours to give, there's a project or program waiting.

 

Join us from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18 at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center for an open house. The evening will consist of a short orientation, tour of the facility and menu of volunteer opportunities to choose from. RSVP by Monday, September 16 to Pamela Riles (210-349-2404/1-800-580-7247 ext. 219).

 

Service Team Training

If you missed the service team position training, here's another opportunity! Join us for the makeup training from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, September 28 at the Sally Cheever Leadership Center. Below are the positions to choose from -- please complete an adult learning registration form and submit to the Volunteer Service Center by September 23.

 

Service Unit Director: 9-11 a.m.

Service Unit Administrative Assistant: 10-11 a.m.

Service Unit Membership Coordinator: 10-11 a.m.

Service Unit Adult Learning & Recognition Coordinator: 10-11 a.m.

 

Don't miss The Great Escape -- Adult Weekend!

Adult weekend is back with a new exciting format that is sure to have something for everyone. This weekend will be where Leadership Lounge meets Trainers' Gathering and more. There will be traditional training, new fun enrichment classes, the great outdoors and, of course, just plain fun with friends. So save the date -- Friday, November 15 to Sunday, November 17 at Camp La Jita in Utopia -- and look for more details in the coming weeks! I can't wait to ... see you there!


Save the Date 

What: Trainers Conference

When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, January 11, 2014 

Where: West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center,
5622 W. C�sar E. Ch�vez Blvd., San Antonio, 78232 

Join us for a day of learning, fun, and camaraderie! More information to come!


NEW! Trainer of the Month Spotlight -- Janell Neal

Janell is a volunteer council trainer from Wilson County. She has 25 years experience as a Girl Scout and 15 years as a trainer! Janell is an exceptional trainer with expertise in many areas such as Troop Leadership Essentials and the grade level essentials courses. One of Janell's greatest strengths is organization and spreading her love for Girl Scouting through her trainings. Janell is an early enthusiastic riser and her favorite animal is the monkey. Janell loves her trainer friends and being able to spread the mission of the Girl Scouts. You're fabulous!

Questions regarding all things adult learning may be directed to Pamela Riles (210-349-2404/1-800-580-7247 ext. 219). 
Long Range Property Plan

In August 2012, GSSWT's board of directors established a volunteer-led Long Range Property Plan (LRPP) Committee that was tasked to develop a long-term property plan for the council's 21-county jurisdiction. In June 2013, the LRPP Committee presented the findings and recommendations to the board.

 

Visit girlscouts-swtx.org/property for more information on the long-term property plan.

  

Upcoming town hall meeting dates are as follows:

See future dates here.

Don't miss out! 

null The deadline is Monday, September 16 for all Gold Award Alliance recipients -- including those who have received the Golden Eagle of Merit, the Golden Eaglet, Curved Bar, First Class and the Gold Award -- to be included in GSUSA's first-ever Gold Award Alliance Directory!

 

Questionnaires have already been sent out to the highest achievers, but if you are a Gold Award Alliance recipient and did not receive your questionnaire, there's still time. Just contact the publishing partner, Harris Connect (866-874-7479).

 

Only Gold Award Alliance recipients will have the opportunity to purchase a copy of the directory, which will be published in February/March 2014. In addition, a new Gold Award Alliance pin (pictured above) is being introduced that can be purchased with the directory for a nominal extra fee.

 

The Gold Award Alliance Directory represents an elite group of women who have achieved the highest award in Girl Scouting since its inception in 1916. The directory will feature not only names and contact information of recipients to help friends reconnect, but also inspirational personal stories about these exceptional women. See more details about the Gold Award Alliance Directory.
Regional Family Giving Coordinators needed

The Family Giving campaign is GSSWT's new campaign scheduled to officially begin in October - the SHARE campaign is no more! This is an exciting opportunity to build a culture of philanthropy around our girls, and family giving provides a way for your family to make an investment in your daughter and her Girl Scout experience.
 
We need volunteers like you to help develop the Family Giving campaign. This is your chance to make a difference and have your voice heard! We want enthusiastic, influential and reliable volunteers who can be our advocates at service unit meetings and parent meetings as Regional Family Giving Coordinators.

Regional Family Giving Coordinator responsibilities will look like this:  

  • Give input on campaign materials
  • Give input on incentives
  • Present "ask" presentations at GO Team meetings, service unit meetings, service unit events, parent meetings, etc.
  • Includes showing the video, referencing our materials and presenting a gift envelope
  • Work with service units to achieve Family Giving participation goals 

As a Regional Family Giving Coordinator you are not expected to hold fundraising events in order to earn financial support for family giving as the purpose of the campaign is to engage individual families through a personal contribution.
 
For more information or to sign-up, please contact Brooke Johnson (210-349-2404/1-800-580-7247 ext. 211). 

Girl Power! exhibit -- don't miss it!

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. 

 

The display has been extended to Sunday, September 29. Come experience the enduring values and traditions of this iconic organization as told through personal stories, photographs, artifacts and memorabilia. 
2nd Annual Living History Timeline
hosted by The Texas Time Travelers 

Have you ever wanted to step back into history? Perhaps your favorite historical event is the Civil War or Indian history. Would you like to be able to visit with a Civil War soldier, a Buffalo soldier, soldiers from World War I or II or someone from the Texas Camel Corp with Camels? This is your chance! All proceeds to benefit The Warriors Roadtrip Network Education Fund.

10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday, September 20

9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, September 21

9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday, September 22  

 

All Girl Scouts who attend on Saturday and Sunday in uniform will receive free admission! Without a uniform, admission is $5/adult and $3/children.

 

Directions: West side of San Antonio, at the crossroad of loop 1604 and Hwy 90 West, go south on 1604 for 2 miles, turn right on FM 143 and then left on to Cagnon Rd. Cross the river and look for the "See History Come to Life" sign on the left.

 

For questions or to make arrangements for your troop to camp out, contact Chris Smith (210-639-0458).  

Girl Scout Commemorative Coin 

Still don't have the 2013 Girl Scouts of the USA Centennial Silver Dollar? Well now's a good time to buy, because you'll get free standard shipping on your entire order! This is a great opportunity to be a part of Girl Scout history, since this is the first time the United States Mint has produced a commemorative coin dedicated to a girls' organization. Let's make sure we don't have to wait another 100 years for the next one! Buy yours today before they run out.
Girl Scouts in the News  

KENS5, September 6, 2013 

Local Girl Scout honored with citizenship award

A local Girl Scout is the proud recipient of a citizenship award.

 

Third-grader Anzleigh B. braved the crowds at the Citizens to be Heard public meeting August 28. The Colonial Hills Elementary student waited more than six hours to protest the proposed parks budget. Read the full story here.

 

Way to go, Anzleigh!

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.
Girl Scout Shops
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Shop hours @ Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center changing to
school year hours
 Clock
(school year hours, September 1-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. 

Shop @ West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center Hours

Please call 210-319-5775 for shop hours and open Saturday dates

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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.