May 27, 2016
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Office will be closed Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day.
Summer office and shop hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Final weekly On My Honor newsletter until August.
Upcoming Girl / Troop / Family Events
reminders and deadlines
  


       Important REMINDERS and DEADLINES


Check the online calendar for many more events!



The Program Guide is full of great opportunities for girls!

 


What are you doing this summer?

Thursday, June 2, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Xtreme Party World, Evansville
Deadline: Registrations must be received by noon on Tuesday, May 31.


 Troop Camporee, June 11-12.  Deadline to register is TODAY.
 Resident Camps, various lengths and dates between May 26 and July 8. Deadline to register is June 17.
 Adventure Day, July 16. (Deadline to register is July 11.)
Schedule your own adventure at Camp Koch

Dates and locations vary throughout council. 


Saturday, June 18, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Camp Koch, Cannelton


Friday, June 24- Saturday, June 25
Vincennes University, Vincennes 


Saturday, July 9, 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Burdette Park, Evansville


Monday, July 11- Friday, July 15, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
University of Southern Indiana


Free Evansville OttersTickets
Thanks to a generous donor, GSSI has vouchers for free tickets to any 2016 Evansville Otters home baseball game. contact support@girlscouts-gssi.org to request your voucher. 







Pets, Pets, and more Pets!
Visit our GSSI's Facebook and Twitter accounts to vote on your favorite photo by June 2. 


Art in the Outdoors Girls' Choice Badge
As you know, this year's winning Girls' Choice badge topic is Art in the Outdoors. GSUSA is now putting the finishing touches on the badge booklets, which will be available in the Girl Scout Shop on Friday, June 3, at a cost of 99 cents per download. Badges will be available in Katie's Korner Council shop. Printed booklets will be in council stores on June 30.

Fun Community Service
Looking for a fun way to give back to the community?  How about serving residents at a local nursing home?  We have lots of Activities that are welcome at most area homes. In particular, Braun's Nursing Home is looking for troops to host activity visits or becoming Pen Pals with their guests.  Contact Lindsay at 812-423-6214, 909 N 1st Avenue, Evansville, 47710.

Volunteer Learning

Save the dates for Fall Learning opportunities for ALL volunteers

All Council Team (A.C.T.) Volunteer Kick-off - These celebration/meeting/training sessions are critical.  All service unit and troop leadership teams should attend.
Tuesday,September 20, 6:00-8:00 p.m. - Evansville 
Thursday, September 22 6:00-8:00 p.m. - Jasper

Volunteer Retreat- This will be a fun weekend of fellowship and learning. 
November 11-13 - Camp Koch

CEI Update 


Excitement is building and we need your help by June 3!

As discussed at Year-end Service Unit meetings, there are three things that troop leadership teams can do NOW to ensure a smooth transition in August.



Volunteer Resources
Year-end gifts
Thank you, volunteers!  Every year at May service Unit meetings, we deliver small tokens of appreciation.  If you did not receive yours, contact your Troop Support staff specialist.

Honor/Golden Honor Troop
This award recognizes troops that achieve the Essential Elements of a Girl Scout troop and provide overall excellence in troop management and programming in a given year.  To achieve this honor, leaders and girls must work in partnership with each other, other troops, Service Team and council staff.  Submit the application by June 15.  Troops are recognized in the fall. 

Use of Debit Cards for Membership Renewal
For several years, Girl Scout member groups have been allowed to obtain debit cards in conjunction with their bank accounts.  This is a convenient way to renew memberships for the entire troop.  The details of the policy are in Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 5, Managing Group Finances.  Contact support@girlscouts-gssi.org if you have questions.

Membership Fees
As you heard at the GSSI Annual Meeting and year-end service unit meetings, the National Board of Girl Scouts of the USA  has made a decision to increase the annual membership fee to $25, starting October 1, 2017, for both girl and adult members.  Read the letter from GSUSA CEO, Anna Maria Chavez, regarding the increase, or review the FAQs.
Blog  Visit our blog

Change can be exciting and good, yet scary and hard, ...
Not changing could be worse.

Which direction are we choosing as Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana?

Read the blog to find out more!

(Note: Blog is NOW updated.)
Pat on the Back
GSSI has so many great volunteers and staff who are generous with their time and talent! A big thank you goes to:
 
To ALL of our volunteers for making it possible to give girls an amazing leadership experience! 

Congratulations and a special Pat-on-the-Back to the recipients of our 2016 GSSI Volunteer and Community Awards. 

Would you like to give a "Pat-on-the-Back" to a special person who went that extra mile or stepped in to help without being asked? Send an email to Margaret with the name of the volunteer or staff member and how she/he helped out.
Cookie Program Updates
2017 Cookie mascot


Help choose 2017 Cookie Program recognitions
Your opinion matters to ABC Interbake as a decision is made about cookie recognitions.  Leaders and parents, encourage your girls to vote for their favorites.   Recognitions are on display in the council office.

 
Katie's Korner Retail Shop
Only a few days left for the 20% off Winter Merchandise sale!

Coming in June - CLEARANCE sale.

Starter kits are available for order now.

Katie's Corner Council Shop
223 NW 2nd St. Evansville
812.421.4970 or 800.757.9348


Shop hours:  Monday-Thursday, 9:00am to 5:30 pm, Friday, 9:00am to 5:00 pm.

Shop online or contact shop@girlscouts-gssi.org if you have any questions.  

On my honor, 
I will try to serve God and my country, to help others at all times, 
and to live by the  Girl Scout Law.
Girl Scouts of SW Indiana | 812.421.4970 | www.girlscouts-gssi.org