Friday, October 25, 2013
Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth Friday News

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Emporia Troop #739 Receive Visionary Award Recognition
Girl Scout Seniors from Troop #739 in Emporia, VA were recognized by their local paper, Independent-Messenger, for the completion of their Take Action project to receive the Senior Visionary Award. The troop identified a variety of issues that matter to girls and women, researched quotes and phrases that encourage girls to think about visionary leadership. They then organized an artistic display of those words of encouragement. To view the whole article, click here.
GS NEWS BRIEFS 

Girl Scouts Speak Out! - GSUSA

 

GSCV is in need of Retail Shop Volunteers - GSCV 

 

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards - GSCV    

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Important Announcement Regarding the GSCV Office   

In an effort to use council resources wisely, GSCV Board and Staff are exploring options for a centrally located Service Center in the Richmond area. During 2013 mid-year budget preparations, it became apparent that the Mechanicsville office building will require significant building expenses in the coming years. Our goal is to eventually provide a location that combines enhanced girl and volunteer services with needed administrative space while incorporating program and volunteer training resources. Options currently being explored include:

  • Sale of the Mechanicsville office;
  • Maintaining ownership and leasing the Mechanicsville office;
  • Lease of new space that will increase Girl Scouts' visibility, volunteer access and provide girl-centric program opportunities.

These options allow GSCV to make best use of our existing resources while planning the most effective delivery of our mission in our second 100 years.

 

Stay tuned to Friday News for additional information and updates as details become available.

Bank Account Conversions 

Please note that bank account conversions will be suspended between October 1 and December 1 so that the account openings and closings will not disrupt Fall Product Program collections and payments. 

Important Announcement About Troop/SU Camping Procedures and Pricing
November 15, 2013 

Effective November 15, 2013, GSCV will be implementing a new reservation process for troop and service unit camping on Girl Scout properties to include a price change. Reservations will be made via COMAR to ensure an instant reservation, since availability of camps will be seen on COMAR. A non refundable $1.00 deposit per person will be required at the time of reservation with the remaining $19.00 due 30 days prior to the camp date. The new price of $20.00 per person will be all encompassing of the facilities and equipment on the properties, meaning no more a la carte pricing. For more information, click here.

Now Accepting Applications for National Council Delegates  

The GSCV Board Governance & Nominations Committee is now accepting applications for the positions of 2014-2017 National Council Delegates. Our National Council Delegates will represent Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia at the National Council Session to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, October 16-19, 2014. The deadline for submissions is November 15, 2013. For position description and application information, click here.

PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
Happening On COMAR
REGISTRATION CLOSING SOON
Sears Booth Sale 10/26/13 D - closes October 25
VASWCD - Living in Your Watershed - closes October 26
Visual Arts Center-Junior Scribe Workshop - closes October 29 
Sears Booth Sale Sat 11/02/13 C - closes November 1
Sears Booth Sale Sat 11/02/13 D - closes November 1
Sears Booth Sale Sun 11/03/13 B - closes November 2
Girl Scout Night at Arena Racing Pre-Show - closes November 3  
Virginia Thanksgiving Festival

Date:   November 3, 2013

Time: Noon - 4:00 p.m. 

Cost: $5 parking donation

Location: 12602 Harrison Landing Rd., Charles City, VA 23030 

Come back in history on the first Sunday in November as the Virginia Thanksgiving festival recreates America's First Thanksgiving. Nowhere can you find a more exciting, more educational or more enjoyable way to add to holiday traditions than a beautiful fall day at Berkeley Plantation. For more information visit www.virginiathanksgivingfestival.com.  
Arena Racing
November 9, 2013 
Arena Racing is an event for the entire family! Drivers race half-scale cars around a 1/10-mile banked track, inside the Richmond Coliseum. There are kid's races, great music, spectator contests, and awesome prizes! Purchase your reserved seating tickets for just $12 each from Arena Racing. There is also a pre-race program for Girl Scouts who have a ticket from Arena Racing. Girls need to register on COMAR for this opportunity to get closer to the cars; learn more about racing, engines, safety, and marketing; and to meet the drivers. Proceeds benefit GSCV. Please purchase your tickets by November 5.
Journey Jump Start Days
November 16, 2013; December 7, 2013 
Did you know that we have not one, but two different Journey Jump Start Days planned for Juniors?  We will be doing Get Moving at Mary Munford Elementary in Richmond on November 16 and aMuse at  Prince Edward Elementary in Farmville on December 7.  Girls will Discover, Connect and leave inspired to Take Action.  Go to COMAR and search for keyword Journey to learn more.
PRODUCT SALES
Fall Product Program Important Dates
September 16, 2013Fall Product Program Began
October 4, 2013Orders were due to Troop Volunteers
October 7, 2013 Orders were due into Nut-e by noon 
October 26, 2013Cupboards Open
November 9, 2013Cupboards Close & Sale Ends
Troops Accepting Credit Cards
Many troops have asked about the possibility of accepting credit cards for payment of nuts and candy during booth sales. Currently troops are not authorized to accept credit cards for payment at booth sales. GSCV is continuing to evaluate vendors who provide mobile payment devices. Because this is a very serious consideration, we want to be sure the vendor chosen will meet the volunteer needs for this service. When an appropriate vendor is chosen, information will be provided to all troops about the specifics of the program.
Fall Product Sale Goal Getter
Between now and November 2nd, any Girl Scout participating in the Fall Product Sale who sells an additional 15 nut/candy items or 3 ONLINE magazine subscriptions will be eligible for our Goal Getter VIP Experience! Download the order card for information about this year's prize. We promise it's a big one! Still have questions? Click here for FAQs. 
Save the Date!
Who: Girl Scouts, family, & general public
What: Girl Scout Cookie Craze 2014
When: January 25, 2014 from 2pm-8pm
Where: Greater Richmond Convention Center
Why: Cookie Craze will help Girl Scouts, family, friends, and Girl Scout cookie lovers kick-off the Girl Scout Cookie season!
ADULT TRAINING & EVENTS

Attention All 01s, 02s, Administrative Volunteers, and Trainers!

There's a great recruitment opportunity available! If you invite someone to join GSCV as a volunteer and they complete their membership form and volunteer application, you can enter to win a $500 gift certificate to  Keswick Hall at Monticello for each person you refer! Look for an email from GSUSA sent Thursday, October 17, 2013 for all the details!
GSCV SHOPS

Celebrate Juliette's Birthday!

October 31, 2013 marks our founder, Juliette Gordon Lowe's birthday! Purchase the patch at the GSCV shop. 

 

Guide Books and Leader Guides 

*Guide Books and Leader Guides will remain on sale until December 31st! Every girl deserves her own guide!  

*Guides Original Price $22.50, Sale $18

*Leader Guides Original Price $15, Sale $12

Sale price available for in-store purchases only and is not available for previous purchases. Call the shop at 804.746.0590 x355 with questions.

Important Announcement
  • Mechanicsville Shop will be closing at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, October 31 for Training.  Fredericksburg Shop will be closing at 1:00 p.m.
  • Both Council Shops will be opening late on Tuesday, December 10. Mechanicsville at 11:30 a.m. and Fredericksburg at 1:00 p.m.

Be sure to check out the Retail Shop Volunteer opportunity!