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QUICK LINKS
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Volunteer Positions Available!
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Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is looking for individuals that have a strong dedication to enriching the lives of other adults through the sharing of knowledge and experiences. These individuals should be a self-starter, passionate facilitator, eager to promote positive influence at the service unit and council level, who understands the importance of facilitating classes according to the outlines and has great communication skills.
Learning Opportunities include:
- adult leadership
- camping
- outdoor specialties
- leadership enrichments
- team enrichments
- health and safety
The facilitation team will meet following the Annual Meeting on January 26th.
If you or someone you know is interested in attending this meeting, or becoming an adult facilitator, please contact Nicole King, Manager of Volunteer Learning Services; 941-921-5358 ext 318, or nicolek@gsgcf.org. |
| Adult Learning News |
Have you been to our council's website lately? If not, you should! We have recently added a link to some helpful information under the Adult Learning tab to assist both new and experienced Daisy, Brownie, and Junior leaders. It is the Quick Start for Troop Volunteers. This resource is an online toolkit highlighting the 10 essential elements for creating the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. http://www.gsgcf.org/parents/adult-learning
For more information about Adult Learning Opportunities, please contact Nicole King, Manager of Volunteer Learning Services at: nicolek@gsgcf.org or
941-921-5358 ext 318. |
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DAY OF SERVICE
Emergency Preparedness Opportunity for Girls |
Much has been in the news about the importance of emergency preparedness! So, we wanted to give you some ideas of how your service units can direct their efforts in honor of Martin Luther King Day of Service 2013.
We are excited to let you know about a project girls can get involved with in partnership with the American Red Cross! Please help spread the word to girls about the Martin Luther King Day of Service (January 31, 2013). Here's the scoop!
The American Red Cross is inviting local Girl Scouts to contact their local Red Cross chapters and develop fire-safety preparedness and other readiness plans, and to educate their communities on these initiatives.
Home fires are America's biggest disaster threat. Most of the nearly 70,000 disasters the Red Cross responds to each year are house and apartment fires. In an effort to reduce fires and reach more people with information about how they can prevent fires, the Red Cross has asked the Girl Scouts for their help.
The Girl Scouts are a natural fit to support these preparedness activities. In 2012, Girl Scout troops in Oshkosh, WI partnered with the Red Cross and other service organizations on the MLK Day of Service; they've now signed on to do fire safety canvassing in 2013. These activities can also support Girl Scouts earning their "Girl Scout Way" badge, since they will be "leaving a place better than they found it" by educating others and/or creating kits. (The activities can help Daisies earn their Rosie Petal.)
How can you participate? Contact your local Red Cross by visiting www.redcross.org and entering your zip code. Find out how you can support the Red Cross especially if they are planning a project for the 2013 MLK Day of Service. We recommend that you reach out to your local Red Cross chapter for an opportunity to discuss where their need is greatest and how best to support any activities planned.
After the MLK Day of Service, we ask that you share your story of their involvement with us at www.gsgcf.org. . |
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The White House Equal Futures App Challenge |
Do you know any Girl Scouts who use apps on their smartphones, tablet computers, or other mobile devices? If you do, the White House has a fun and educational challenge for them! The Equal Futures App Challenge asks girls to create an app that promotes civic education and/or inspires other girls to serve as leaders in our democracy.
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We're here to help
you make it happen.
Check out our website for important dates and information
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We Wish to Thank Our Following Community Partners:
Partner Agency
Girl Scouts of
Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.
4780 Cattlemen Road
Sarasota, FL 34233
941-921-5358
800-232-4475
www.gsgcf.org
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January / 2013 | |
Dear Service Unit Leadership Volunteers.
Welcome to TEAM TALK (formerly Cybernews) - the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida's online newsletter keeping administrative volunteers informed of all the great things being done by and for Girl Scouts.
Go Green! While there may be some sections of this email you need to email or share, save paper and avoid printing. Have you checked out our website lately, we made enhancements and we are featuring a new activity calendar and other great features - take a peek! Don't forget to stay in touch via social media - fan or like us at  . |
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JOIN THE CHALLENGE!
Did you know that we are only serving 4% of the potential girl membership throughout the council? Yes, that's right....96% of girls living in our communities are not Girl Scouts. We can grow our family of Girl Scouts just by asking. Service Unit's around the country are joining the challenge and Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast has plans for successful winter recruitments.
All service unit teams, individual adults and girls, are being challenged to help Gulfcoast grow. Between January 1 and March 31, 2013, everyone is being challenged to make a stride towards membership growth.
Fun and exciting incentives are being offered to service units, adults, and girls that achieve desired benchmarks. Check out the many layers of incentives being offered. Monthly updates will be provided to all service unit teams, so you can monitor your service unit's progress and route for your fellow service units teams.
Remember, that together....
we can meet the challenge! |
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Save the Date
February 8, 2013 is National Girl Scout Cookie Day! This is our chance to spread the word of all the great skills girls are learning and amazing things girls are doing through the Girl Scout Cookie Program. While we won't have Cookies "on the ground" just yet, this is a great opportunity to spread the news and celebrate the Cookie Program.
Here are a few ideas on how troops in your SU can get involved with National Girl Scout Cookie Day:
- Tell your stories! Share the wonderful things girls are working toward through the Cookie Program. Spread the word on Facebook, YouTube, by email, and any other way you can. (Don't forget to keep the council staff in the loop so we can share the news, too!)
- Watch for more information about how you can get involved on Pinterest, too!
- Use the day as an opportunity to help girls prepare for an amazing booth sale. Have a troop cookie celebration or help host a celebration for a younger troop.
- Encourage each girl to invite one new girl to join Girl Scouts. Cookie time is the perfect time to jump into Girl Scouting!
- Check out the National Girl Scout Cookie day patch, too!
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 Help Troops Start OutCookie Season on The Right Foot!
The 2013 GSGCF Cookie Program begins on January 11th
with pre-orders. Here are a few reminders that can
help your troops get started off on the right foot:
- All girls participating in the Cookie Program must be registered Girl Scouts and have a parent permission form for the Cookie Program. Troop leaders can check eBiz's Troop Management to make sure everyone is registered.
- Girls may begin taking pre-orders on January 11th. Sticking to the start date is one way Girl Scouts show they are "honest and fair."
- The Cookie Program is so much more than just cookies. Girls are learning great skills they'll use for the rest of their lives. Everyone (troop volunteers, parents, customers and girls) can brush up on the 5 Essential Skills at www.girlscoutcookies.org. While there, be sure to learn about the Girl Scout Activity pin too!
- There are TONS of online resources to help guide troops through the Cookie Program. Be sure to share tools for troops like www.littlebrownie.com or www.girlscoutcookies.org. There are Girl Scout Cookie Facebook pages, Pinterest boards and ideas galore on other sites, too!
- Don't forget about the National Cookie Sleepover. It airs on January 12, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. and will be available for ongoing viewing afterwards. It would be a great tool for a Cookie pajama party for troops.
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A New Year Brings an Opportunity
For Some Mid-Year Reflection
Girl Scout Volunteers sign up for a variety of reasons but most agree they are trying to make a difference in the lives of young girls in their communities. While some troops are just getting started many more are at their mid-year point. Encourage leaders to review what they are proud they have been able to accomplish with girls so far, and what they still want to make sure girls receive from this year's Girl Scouting experience. You can share at a service unit meeting, ask volunteers to write themselves a letter, seal in envelopes and collect to mail in May or even have round table discussion at service unit meetings by program level, or position title (coaches-leaders etc.). Helping volunteers understand that their role is more important than just showing up each week and having fun but is truly impacting a girls life can go a long way to ensuring that those volunteers feel successful and good about continuing to be a part of Girl Scouts in your service unit.
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Membership Updates
We want to congratulate the following service units who have already achieved their membership goals for the 2012-2013 Girl Scout membership year!
- Manatee 1
- Sarasota 14
- Collier 13
As you review the numbers and see how many more girls are needed to attain goal, please consider the It's Not Too Late! winter recruitment challenge underway through March 31st. There is still plenty of time to reach out to non-Girl Scouts and introduce them to the awesome sisterhood and incredible leadership building organization that is the Girl Scout movement. Membership specialists will be reaching out to each service unit to see what strategies could be implemented to help Gulfcoast grow in membership.
We thank you all for your dedication and commitment to Girl Scouting!
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COACHES CORNER
Helping Leaders Deal With Sensitive Issues
As leadership team volunteers helping leaders to know what to do when a tragedy or crisis hits close to Girl Scouting troops is an important role you play. We recently lost a sister Girl Scout over the holiday season and we have heard that some of the children of the school shootings were Girl Scouts sisters. Families everywhere are dealing with their children's questions and concerns. It is quite possible that leaders may get questions from girls in their troops.
Encourage leaders to speak with parents: about how they have shared with their daughters, asking parents what response they would feel appropriate or even asking parents if they feel having the girls make cards or send letters would be helpful. Older girls may want to do more or even consider take action projects if their passion is felt. Keeping parents aware of what it happening in the troop meetings is always the perfect suggestion.
If any leaders after speaking with parents, ever feel a need to get some trained support with any challenging or difficult event or activity the council staff will be happy to help locate the professional support. A special permission slip would be required whenever there is a sensitive topic or issue.
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Required Training For New Leaders
and Co-Leaders and Travel Approval
Training requirements for new leaders and co leaders:
- Volunteer application: www.gsgcf.org/volunteers/join
- Background screening (emailed online portal instructions upon receipt of application)
- Volunteer Orientation with your membership specialist or trained volunteer
- Troop Pathway Training (within three months of starting): www.gsgcf.org/activities
To Leave the Meeting Place:
Less than 100 miles/no overnight
- Review Volunteer Essentials and Safety Activity Checkpoints www.gsgcf.org/volunteers/resources
- Send an email to Service Unit Manager that you have reviewed the top two, troop number, date, time and location
More than 100 miles or overnight
Camping with Girl Scouts
As SUM's and Coaches please ensure your new leaders and co-leaders understand the above training requirements. Additionally remind experienced volunteers so they can speak clearly about the requirements.
PLEASE NOTE: Girl Scout Adventures is no longer needed for leaving the meeting place or as a prerequisite for Outdoor Skills Weekend. For questions contact Nicole King, manager volunteer learning services, nicolek@gsgcf.org.
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New Girl Scout Shop Hours - Share The News!
Effective January 1, 2013; the council shops will have new hours.
Check out our CLEARANCE SALE going on this month.
We are clearing out to make way for
NEW MERCHANDISE set to arrive in February.
Start your New Year our with incredible deals! |
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Girl Scouting builds girls of Courage, Confidence and Character who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA and serves over 10,000 girls in ten counties including: Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier. For more information about the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida visit www.gsgcf.org.
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