The GSSA Weekly from Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama

May 26, 2016 

 


Welcome to GSSA Weekly, the council's e-newsletter. 
 
At right, Girl Scouts of Troop 8189 made "! Am" portraits, expressing all the characteristics they appreciate about themselves.  These images help girls feel comfortable expressing their unique attributes, and are a great boost to self-confidence!

Great portraits, and great work, Girl Scouts!
 
See a larger version on our GSSA flickr.com site

Want to see your Girl Scouts featured in GSSA Weekly?  
E-mail the photo with event information to communications@girlscoutssa.org.
  
Jeralynn Servos's Gold Award Take Action Project: Providing Books through Food Pantry 

Jeralynn's Gold Award Take Action Project, "Give a Book, Build a Future!" was created to provide books to children and families who cannot afford them and to promote early reading. 

While the parents are being interviewed about their situation at Prodisee Pantry, a volunteer reads to their children. The children are able to take the books home with them, along with the food they receive. She contacted all her local public, school, and church libraries to see if they would help by donating books. The support was overwhelming, and more than 2,000 gently used books were donated.
How did you come up with your idea? I can remember always being read to before bed by my parents, babysitters, or friends. I loved spending time with them while hearing a good story or while looking at the pictures in a book. I still enjoy reading and want other children to be able to have these same memories. After researching the effects of reading to young children and seeing all the positive outcomes, I decided this would be the perfect project for me to do.
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Quick Links
Gators After Dark -- Fathers and Daughters are Welcome, Too

Come gator-sniffing on the delta!  There are only 16 more spaces on the 9:30 cruise, and we would like to fill the boat with Girl Scouts and their moms or dads!  Click on the image below for more information.
GSUSA Increases Membership Dues in 2017-18 

GSUSA announced that they are increasing the membership dues effective October 1, 2017 to $25. This does NOT affect the current Early Bird registration or the upcoming 2016-2017 year registration.  Please see GSUSA CEO Anna Maria Chavez's blog for more information and FAQs.

Native Plants Patch from National Garden Clubs

Discover, Connect, and Take Action by earning the National Garden Clubs Native Plants Patch for Girl Scouts.

This program encourages partnerships between Girl Scouts and local National Garden Clubs to teach Girl Scouts about native plants in their area.

Girl Scouts of all age levels are eligible to earn this patch, and NGC encourages this pursuit as a way to learn more about the environment, gardening, plants, trees and the impact that we, as individuals have on our planet.

This patch will be worn on the back of the uniform.

Check Out Our Silent Auction Benefactors and Our Great Sponsors! 

Join us in Montgomery on June 10 for a fun and relaxing evening of pampering, including manicures, massages, paraffin wax treatments, savory appetizers, exciting silent auction items and martinis inspired by Girl Scout Cookies! 

AMAZING Sponsors include: Wind Creek Wetumpka, Virginia College, Alabama Power, AmeriFirst Bank, The UPS Store, Kohl's, Carly B. Wilkins Law Firm and Kristina Turner.

DELICIOUS food treats provided by: Jennie Weller Catering, Designs by Debbie, Taziki's Café, Newk's, McAlister's Deli, Papa Rocks, Eastside Grille, and more!

FANTASTIC Silent Auction items provided by: Georgia Aquarium, Cloverdale Playhouse, Vintage Year, Peppertree Steaks N' Wines, Montgomery Biscuits, Blue Apron, Fredtography, High Ridge Spirits, Mathnasium, NOW Fitness and more!

TASTY Cookie Pairing Contest Participants: A&P Social, Blackfinn Ameripub, Central Restaurant and Charles Anthony's at the Pub

This annual adults-only event is led by the On My Honor Girl Scout Alumnae Association to raise funds to support Girl Scouting in southern Alabama. 




Congratulations, Girl Scout Graduates  

It is that time of year when Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March #1 wafts through the air.   There are graduation parties and newly-minted graduates deciding what the next step is in their life journey.   Having spent 30 years at a university, I know that it also means a very large graduation ceremony with way too much food, lots of family, photos, and hopes for good weather.
When you look up the definition of commencement, it is a beginning or a start.   Other words used to define it are an opening, a launch, an initiation, an inception, or in Alabama terms, a kickoff.   As we reflect on what all the Girl Scouts who are graduating this year, we look back on the many things they have accomplished.    We have seven Gold Awardees graduating this May.   We have thespians, musicians, athletes, and all of these girls can do anything, as illustrated by the fact they are still participating in Girl Scouts.
We wish the Girl Scout graduates of 2016 a future filled with changing the world, one day at a time, one person at a time, and a journey filled with courage, confidence, and character

New Programs & Updates
 
Both Service Centers and the online shop will be closed on Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day.

 Archery Certification in Pell City (6/14) is being offered by NASP
   
Upcoming Deadlines 

Event
Location
Date
Deadline
FA/CPR/AED Certification (Volunteers)  
 Montgomery
5/26
online study
Gators After Dark (Mom/Dad/Daughters Registration)  
 Spanish Fort
6/11
5/26
 Camp Scoutshire Woods
6/12-17
5/31
DWY Disney Party! (open to participants in DWY)  
 Mobile
6/16
6/3
 Mobile
6/22
6/3
webinar
6/2 & as needed
RSVP 
 Camp Scoutshire Woods
6/19-24
6/6
FA/CPR/AED Certification (Volunteers)  
 Montgomery
6/9
online study
 Montgomery
6/10

 Kamp Kiwanis
6/26-7/1
6/13
 Kamp Kiwanis
7/5-9
6/20
Sail Away Camp (C S A)  
 Kamp Kiwanis
7/9-16
6/24
 
Other Opportunities
Because we want our girls to have many learning (and fun!) opportunities, we offer this additional calendar for programs that are not presented by our council. Some of these programs are presented by our volunteer Troops and Service Units, others are put on by groups in the communities we serve. Calendar listings do not imply endorsement by the council.  This calendar is available on our Events & Programs page 
Please contact the volunteer listed in the program for more information and program status. 
Newly Listed Events: