Friday, February 6, 2015
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Troop 105 Creates Blessing Bags        

All of the Junior girls of Troop 105 helped put together Blessing Bags that were filled with toiletry items and snacks for those that came to the Giving Heart Community Thanksgiving Feast. A Richmond tradition since 2005, this event offers a free celebration of Community,
welcoming all to the table for food and fellowship. Special emphasis is placed on identifying - and including - the homeless, elderly individuals, working class families, local military servicemen and those who otherwise would be alone during the Holiday. Approximately 3,000 guests and volunteers join together yearly to make this a wonderful and heartwarming event.
 

Operation Christmas Child        

In November 2014, Junior Troop 3791 of Stafford hosted a Packing Party in support of Samaritan's Purse, "Operation Christmas Child." Operation Christmas Child changes children's lives all over the world through the power of a simple gift.

This year, Troop 3791 hosted a packing party for other Girl Scouts to join in the fun. When all was said and done, the girls delivered 43 boxes to a nearby drop off site. They were very proud to be a part of an event where girls could give a gift of hope, kindness and love to children. The troop plans to make this an annual event.    

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS 

GSCV Emergency Phone Number   

GSCV has recently been receiving an increased number of non-emergency related calls to our emergency number, (804) 254-3292. We ask that you please restrict calls only to those of an emergency nature, which is outlined below. If you need to speak to a staff person regarding any non-emergency topic, please wait until the next business day to do so, or to send an email to your Membership Consultant. Below is the purpose of this number that is posted to our website:

 

A GSCV official is always available to provide assistance, support and direction to volunteers and girls involved in emergency situations. The procedures below outline the steps to be taken in the event of an emergency or serious incident. The council's emergency number is (804) 254-3292.

 

Use of the emergency telephone number is restricted to callers needing assistance in handling accidents, emergencies or fatalities related to the safety and well being of Girl Scouts or Girl Scout volunteers. Priority will be given to calls of this nature only.  Responses to calls related to other topics, issues or concerns will be referred to the appropriate staff or volunteers, and handled the next business day during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

2015 Annual Meeting    

As a reminder, the Annual Meeting will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. All Annual Meeting attendees must register via COMAR, including delegates, alternate delegates, association chairs, members of the Board of Directors, registered past council presidents, Board Governance & Nominations Committee members, GSCV staff, other participants and visitors. In addition, all elected service unit delegates and alternate delegates must register in COMAR to accept their elected position prior to registering for the Annual Meeting. Also, any Board nominations from the floor must be submitted to the Board no later than Friday, February 13, 2015. Submit requests for an Annual Meeting attendee packet or Board nominations from the floor to [email protected].

Association Meetings

The final February Association Meetings conference call information is now available on our website

Council Service Fee Information   

As you know, the cost of membership for Girl Scouting is $15 annually. What you may not know is that all of that $15 goes directly to GSUSA and is not kept at the local level. At this year's Annual Meeting, GSCV will be proposing a council service fee to be voted on by the association delegates that would add $3 to the girl membership fee to be kept at the council level for access to girl programming, which allows more girls to participate in the program of Girl Scouting. For more information, please see these FAQs

2015 GSCV Scholarship     

The 2015 GSCV Scholarship application is available on the GSCV website. This is a competitive scholarship for graduating high school seniors who have been a member of the organization for at least the past three years. Please contact Sheila Johnston at [email protected] if you have any questions. 
PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES

Happening On COMAR

NEW ON COMAR

Leader's Guide Series: Girl Scout Brownie Journey - closes February 17 

First Aid/CPR/AED Training Certification 2/21/15 - closes February 16 
First Aid/CPR/AED Training Certification 3/18/15 - closes March 12 
First Aid/CPR/AED Training Certification 4/21/15 - closes April 15
Troop Camping Essentials 4/17-19 w/Prep on 3/30 (Ashland) - closes March 27
Outdoor Cooking - closes April 14 

REGISTRATION CLOSING SOON  
Welcome to Girl Scouting @ GSCV HQ- closes February 16
Junior Jeweler at Visual Arts Center - closes February 21
First Aid/CPR/AED Training Certification 2/28/15 - closes February 25
Welcome to Girl Scouting (Rappahannock) - closes February 25
Welcome to Girl Scouting (Ashland) - closes February 26   

GSCV Camp is (A)LIVE! 

Register soon to get your spot in the program you want! 

Don Quixote

February 20, 2015 @ 7:00pm 

Carpenter Theatre

Adapted from the famous Cervantes tale of the aging, yet forever valiant (if not aloof) knight and his faithful squire Sancho Panza, Nicolas Beriozoff's Don Quixote tells the playful story of two young lovers, the spirited maiden Kitri and her opportunistic Basilio, who, through a series of humorous events meet Cervantes' hero en route to the altar.

 

Filled with the bright colors of sunny Spain, bravura, high-flying jumps, and sizzling spins, Don Quixote is set to one of the most well-known ballet scores ever written in the work of Ludwig Minkus, and its choreography, originally set by the masterful Marius Petipa and adapted for Richmond Ballet by Beriozoff in 1985, is strong, sassy, and overflowing with energy.

 

Place an order for your patches through the Girl Scout shop. Ticket link. 

A Stronger YOU

Women's Basketball A-10 Championship

Sunday, March 8, 2015 @ 11am

Richmond Coliseum

You hear about it every day. Youth and fitness is a hot topic in our country.  It is important for kids of all shapes and sizes to stay active.  While encouraging more activity amount our youth, we think enjoying the activities you choose and preventing injuries are important too. Surrounding the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament, held in March, at the Richmond Coliseum, The Atlantic 10 Conference has put together a special opportunity for Girl Scouts. 

 

This patch-earning program that will introduce Girl Scouts to the importance of trying all kinds of sports and preparing their bodies to enjoy exercise (eating well, stretching, wearing the right clothing, etc.).

 

Special Guests Include:

  • Female athletes from: VCU and University of Richmond sports teams
  • Female basketball players from A-10 schools
  • Athletic trainers from A-10 schools who will talk to the girls about the importance of balanced diet, stretching, and preparing physically for being active and injury free.

Girls who participate will receive a custom A-10 patch, a free snack from sweetFrog, a free ticket to the final game of the A-10 Women's Basketball Championship Game, and a t-shirt!

 

Mark your calendars NOW and watch your email for more details including how to register and the cost!  

Treasure Island

Virginia Repertory Theatre

Coming Soon to COMAR

Backstage Pass

March 14, 2015 / 1:30p-6:30pm

This program for Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes includes a performance of Treasure Island by the Virginia Repertory Theatre and a special Girl Scout program afterwards.

 

Curtains Up/Lights Out� for Treasure Island

March 27-28, 2015 / 5:45p - 10:00am

Curtains Up/Lights Out� for Juniors and Cadettes includes a performance of Treasure Island by the Virginia Repertory Theatre and a special sleepover program just for Girl Scouts.  

PRODUCT SALES
Cookie Crumbs
It is officially Girl Scout Cookie Season! Stay tuned for the exclusive product sales newsletter, Cookie Crumbs, to hit your email Tuesday, February 10! It will be packed full of information that you need to know about this year's cookie sale, including a link to the cookie book!
ADULT TRAINING & EVENTS

Adult Awards     

Do you know of anyone who has given outstanding service, above and beyond the expectations of their position? You may want to nominate that person for one of the GSUSA Awards. These awards are given out at our annual Council Awards event. The deadline for these awards is April 1 and these awards include:

  • Appreciation Pin: outstanding service in one geographic area; nomination form + 2 letters of endorsement
  • Honor Pin: outstanding service in two or more geographic areas; nomination form + 3 letters of endorsement
  • Thanks Badge: outstanding service benefiting entire council or GS Movement; nomination form + 4 letters of endorsement
  • Thanks Badge II: must have previously received the Thanks Badge; same requirements as Thanks Badge

Check out this information and more about the Adult Awards on our website. Please contact Wendy Mataya at [email protected] if you have any questions on how to submit nominations paperwork.  

GSCV SHOPS

Winter Shop Hours for 2015

Mon - Fri 9 to 5

Sat 10 to 2

Sun Closed

 

Reminder: The GSCV Retail Shop is now located at the new GSCV Headquarters at 4900 Augusta Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230. 

Fun Patch Catalog    

Visit the all new Spring 2015 Fun Patch catalog here: https://comgirlscouts.org/images/stories/PDF/Shop/HiResSpring2015FunPatchandMoreBrochure.pdf.  

Cookie Time!     

Stop sign magnets and signs $5 each while supplies last! These are an in-store exclusive!