The GSSA Weekly from Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama

June 30, 2016 


 


Welcome to GSSA Weekly, the council's e-newsletter. 
 
At right, members of Troop 8605 had a great time at the Distinguished Young Women Disney Party with their DYW of Delaware.  They danced, sang and played games and were obviously having fun!

Click here or on the photo to see a larger view.

Want to see your Girl Scouts featured in GSSA Weekly?  
E-mail the photo with event information to [email protected].
  
Alabama Bicentennial Patch!

The Alabama Bicentennial patch is designed to help Girl Scouts learn about our great state!  All age levels of Girl Scouts may earn this patch.

The Bicentennial patch was developed in association with Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama and may be earned from July 2016 until July 2019.

Have a great time learning about Alabama the beautiful.  Click here for patch requirements.

This, and other fun badges and patches, may be found on our GSSA Council Badges and Patches page on our website.

Thin Mint Sprint is ON! Join Us August 20 in Mobile
Join us for a fun Saturday morning on the USA Campus in Mobile.  The Thin Mint Sprint 5K Run/Walk, Fun Run and Health Expo has something for everyone!  Plus FREE Thin Mint Cookies! Register today!


Price Increase on some Shop Items starting July 1

GSUSA has raised the wholesale and retail price on some of our shop items, as of July 1.  These include Polos, Scarves, Volunteer Pins, Metal Award Pins, Girl's Guide to GS binders, Level-Specific Award Pins, and Troop Crests, plus a few other items. 

If you are planning to purchase any of these items for the upcoming Girl Scout year, please consider purchasing them now to avoid the price increase. Visit your local council Service Center shop, or our online shop to make your purchases.  Remember, all profits stay local to help our Girl Scouts in southern Alabama. 

A New Phase for CEO Liz Brent, and for GSSA

It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement as the CEO of Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama.   For those of you involved many years ago, you may remember that I was hired as the first CEO of GSSA at the point of the merger discussions.   What I found was, although there were many issues to address merging councils, the joy of working with girls, and the many wonderful volunteers and staff made the hard parts of the task very rewarding.
I have served as the CEO for the past nine years, and believe this is one of the best jobs on the planet.   I believe the leadership experiences girls gain from their Girl Scout experience is unparalleled.
As some of you know, I have had a "commuter" marriage for the past nine years, flying to Kansas City one long weekend a month to be with my husband.   After a 30-year career in higher education and nine years in Alabama, it is time for me to move into a new phase of my life, allowing others the opportunity to experience the joys of working with girls and shaping tomorrow's leaders.
The current plan is that I will serve until the Sept. 30, which marks the end of our fiscal year.   Know that I will always cherish the nine years I have spent with the many wonderful girls, volunteers, parents, and staff of GSSA.  
New Programs & Updates
 
Both Service Centers and the online shop will be closed on Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

Both Service Centers and the online shop will be closed on Wednesday, July 27 for staff meeting.
   
Upcoming Deadlines 

Event
Location
Date
Deadline
Summer Scouts (grades 2 - 6 and parents/guardians)  
Headland
7/7-9
7/1
 webinar
7/7
RSVP
Interesting in Becoming a Troop Leader? (Potential & Current Volunteers)  
 Mobile
7/7

FA/CPR/AED Certification (Volunteers)  
 Montgomery
7/14
online study
FA/CPR/AED Certification (Volunteers)  
 Montgomery
7/28
online study
  
8/1
 
 webinar
8/4
RSVP
 Mobile
8/20
8/13 early registration
 
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.