APRIL, 2016
GirlFriends is a publication of Girl Scouts of Nassau County
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GirlFriends is a publication of Girl Scouts of Nassau County
VOLUNTEER:
Your Girl Scout spirit shines like the sun... The 2016 Adult Recognitions Awards Ceremony was held on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at LIU Post campus. Five hundred family members, friends, staff, Board members, Troop members and volunteers attended the event. At this event Council distributed over 160 awards for Thanks, Honor, Appreciation, Continuing Service, and our new GSNC Spirit Award. Congratulations to all of our amazing recipients! Top Right, the Azzara family receiving the GSUSA Thanks Badge. Top left, West Hempstead/ Franklin Square Association including Denise Voda, Ann Marie Spensieri-Fidis, Terry Bodnar, Jen Comacho, Eleanor Molina and Laura Esposito receiving the GSNC Spirit Award. Bottom left, Robotics coaches including Julie Matteini, Constance Conroy, Eileen Sill, James Colwell, Barbara Blonairz, Paul and Michelle Iannuzzo receiving the GSUSA Honor Pin. Below, the 2016 Adult Recognitions Award recipients.
It’s Registration Time! Girl Scouts is more than just an extracurricular choice; it’s about being a member of an organization that benefits girls for a lifetime. Every girl carries something special from Girl Scouting into her adult years. Activities and events are designed to make learning fun, whether imparting values or teaching life skills. A Girl Scout develops strong values, social conscience, respect for herself and others and conviction about her own potential and self-worth while having fun and making friends in a supportive environment. We invite you to continue the FUN, FRIENDSHIP AND FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITIES. Re-registration forms will be distributed this spring to your daughter’s Leader. Make sure you reserve a spot in the Troop with a $30 fee. Don’t forget, girls can decide to use their Troop funds to re-register, just as Juliette Low intended many years ago!
WARM Association recently hosted a “Frozen” style recruitment event for girls at Meadow Drive School in Albertson. The girls really warmed to the occasion!
20 Ways to Say
THANK YOU!
S
howing appreciation for volunteers is a must. After all, our volunteers are ah-mazing! They do it all for the girls and often work extra hours on top of busy schedules and hectic lives. We love them for it and, well, Girl Scouting wouldn’t be the same without them. VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
THANK YOU, GIRL SCOUT VOLUNTEERS! Every day, Girl Scout volunteers bring girls experiences filled with fun, friendship, discovery, and so much more. That’s why we join with Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, to celebrate the contribution of volunteers during National Volunteer Week in April. (This year it runs from Sunday, April 10 through Saturday, April 16.) With love, patience, and a deep dedication to enriching the lives of girls everywhere, these incredible volunteers give of their time every day to mentor girls, inspire them, and help them discover the world around them and the spark inside them. We think that’s pretty awesome!
Inside the VRC (Volunteer Resource Center)
Check out the newest kit in the VRC!
Junior Jeweler Badge Kit
To reserve a kit or get help in planning Troop meetings, contact Cathy Ciccone, MVP Volunteer Resource Specialist by emailing cicconec@gsnc.org.
Let’s be sure to shout it from the Girl Scout rooftops! We know that everyday little things to show appreciation can go a super-long way. So with your help, we have compiled this list of fun and clever ways to say “Thank You.”
1. Send a card
13. Decorate a mess bag for your Leader
2. Have a surprise party
14. Compose a recipe book with contribu-
3. Make a Troop memory book with each girl’s picture, favorite memory, etc.
4. Make a booklet of thank you pictures 5. Make a plaque 6. Call and say “Thank You!”
tions from all the girls in their own words and pictures- give it to your Leader with samples
15. Smile! 16. Put together a talent show to entertain your volunteers and parents
7. Give a plant
17. Host a picnic
8. Send flowers
18. Do something special for Leader
9. Nominate your Leader for a GSUSA adult recognition
Appreciation Day – April 22nd!
19. Send a handmade card, or create a scroll with a thank you proclamation signed by the whole group
10. Give a gift certificate 11. Write a poem or song 12. Make an audio or video recording of all the girls singing and/or each one saying “thank you” in her own way
20. Hold a recognitions ceremony at your Troop or Association
Go the Extra Mile and
EARN A FAMILY PARTNERSHIP PATCH For over 100 years, we’ve given girls a safe and inviting place, free from pressure and full of encouragement. With Girl Scouts behind them, they can try new things, find what they love, and grow into the women they want to be. A recent Girl Scouts of the USA Research Institute study on the impact of Girl Scouting on its members found that Girl Scouts are more confident, develop a stronger sense of self and have higher academic achievement than girls not participating in Girl Scouts. You can help make this opportunity available to every girl in Nassau County regardless of her familiy’s ability to pay membership fees. When you make a donation to Family Partnership you are investing in a girl’s future and exposing her to programs and activities that will help her succeed. When you contribute $25 - $39.99, your daughter’s Troop will receive a 10% rebate. And, when you make a donation of $40.00 or more, her Troop will receive a 15% rebate and your family will receive a “Thanks for Going the Extra Mile” patch for each Girl Scout. For additional Family Partnership information contact Dianne Auci at aucid@gsnc.org or 516.741.2550 ext. 216.
2016 Have you seen the new Girl Scouts of Nassau County Camp Guide? It’s more than you think…sure it includes Blue Bay Summer Sleepaway
Council Camp Programs
Camp and Summer Fun Day Camp at Wantagh Park. But did you know it also has information about Summer Adventures Troop Camping and Weekend Council Programs,
Girl Scouts
both of which require no training for adults?
2016 of Nassau
County has a CAM
P experienc
e for you.
..
Got you thinking? Visit www.gsnc.org/camp to learn more. Questions? Contact Laura at
Council Camp
Registration Form
Programs
BissettL@gsnc.org or 631.604.2201.
Parent/Child Overnight Camp Brochure
2016 FINAL_REVIS
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12/16/15
August 27-28, 2016
12:48 PM
September 10-11, 2016
Parent/Child Overnight If you and your daughter(s) cherish quality time together, this is the perfect opportunity for you. At the Parent/Child Overnight, you may choose to take part in a variety of planned camp activities, enjoy a local attraction, or just relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of East Hampton. Bring along your lunch for Saturday. Dinner, evening snack and Sunday breakfast will be served in the Dining Hall. Be sure to register soon, as the event fills quickly. We can accommodate up to 200 people in platform tents. Limited indoor space (dormitory style Troop Houses) is available upon request. Who: All registered GSNC girls with a parent/guardian Date: Saturday to Sunday, August 27-28, 2016 or September 10-11, 2016 Time: 9:00am Saturday to 11:00am Sunday Where: Camp Blue Bay, East Hampton Cost: $30.00 per person Questions: Contact Laura Bissett-Carr at: BissettL@gsnc.org or 631.604.2201
Troop Camp Training All in One Weekend Interested in completing your required Troop Camp Training in one weekend? Pack your bag and join the Girl Scouts of Nassau County trainers for a fun-filled training weekend. Participants need only bring an overnight bag, sleeping bag and willingness to learn. We’ll do the rest. Training includes Trip Training, Outdoor Pre-Plan and Mandatory Overnight – all in one. Who: Adults interested in completing outdoor training Date: May 20-22, 2016 Cost: $25.00 per person (includes food and training materials) Register: www.gsnc.org/training Questions: Contact Laura Bissett-Carr at: BissettL@gsnc.org or 631.604.2201
Child’s Name: Parent’s name: Address: City, State, Zip: Phone: E-Mail: # attending _____ x $30.00= $________ Tents or Troop House Please place with:
Mail to: Camp Blue Bay 103 Flaggy Hole Road East Hampton, NY 11937
“What’s in Store”
Congratulations to this year’s top sellers in GSNC’s
Celebrating Bronze, Silver and Gold Looking for a way to congratulate your Girl Scout on her highest achievement? Would you like to thank a Leader, advisor or mentor for helping her get there? The GSNC Shop has the perfect gift for all. Take a look at some of this year’s newest award gifts. To see more gifts check out www.girlscoutshop.com/BADGES-PINS-AND-AWARDS/ GOLD-SILVER-BRONZE-AWARD-GIFTS
and Memories Program
All of the girls were invited, with an adult guest, to the very special (and yummy!) CEO Brunch at The Swan Club in Roslyn on December 5. Girls who sold 50+ subscriptions or 150+ nut/snack items also participated in a fun-tastic “Made in Brooklyn” tour. And, our tippy top sellers, Kimberly F. (Troop 2454, Merrick), Isabella I. (Troop 2185, Massapequa) and Melanie M. (Troop 941, Bellmore) each selected a camera or Kindle for their special reward for selling over 75 subscriptions or over 200 nut/snack items. This year GSNC Troops earned over $45,000 in proceeds through the Mags&Munchies program which helped their girls do great things early in the year. For a complete list of top sellers, check out our blog.
Dreaming of summertime and Camp Blue Bay? Reminisce about your camp days while lounging around wearing our Camp Blue Bay Sweatshirt ($25), Pajama Pants ($20) and Charm ($5)
Ever see a Troop who is a booth sale “ninja”? Find one of the following Troops at a booth sale, and you’ll see how it’s done! These Troops had the highest Mags&Munchies booth sale revenues for their level, so they each had early access to securing a Council Cookie booth site: Daisy: WARM Troop 1735 Brownie: ELLM Troop 2182 Junior: Seaford/Wantagh Troop 3121 Cadette: The Plains Troop 3635 Senior: Hardscrabble Troop 3178
Girl Scouts of Nassau County appreciates the efforts of all of the girls and their families who were “Spotacular” and reached new heights with the Mags&Munchies…and Memories program. We would also like to recognize our dedicated Troop Leaders, Mags&Munchies Troop Managers and the Mags&Munchies Association Chairs and Volunteers who expertly handled Association training, record keeping and product/reward distribution. For a complete list of all those who volunteered check out our blog.
Awards Corner 100th Anniversary of the Gold Award
On February 6, 2016 Girl Scout Cadettes learned “How to Separate Themselves from the Pack” from Instructor Janet Damarest,
Juliette Low pinned her first girl achieving the Highest Award in Girl Scouts, at that time the Golden Eaglet of Merit, in the year 1916. The year 2016 will be a celebration of all things Leadership. GSNC has developed the 100th Anniversary of the Gold Award Patch Program: Flight to Leadership for all Girl Scout levels to earn. It can be downloaded from the www.gsnc.org website. Click on Volunteer Resource Center, Council Patch Programs, then 100th Anniversary of the Gold Award. It is a fun way to discuss what leadership is and inspire girls to earn the high awards.
New Webpages by the End of April:
Junior
Girl Scout Bro
nze Award
Please check out the Bronze, Silver and Gold Award pages at www.gsnc.org. They all have a new look! A Toolkit has been developed for each award with clear information on the process and standards that are required to complete each of these awards.
TOOLKIT
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who is a professional storyteller, actor, author and Professor of Organizational Management. There was no time to prepare. This workshop was all about improvisation! The girls were on and off stage for two hours playing games meant to hone their public speaking skills. They learned to be mindful of their mannerisms, to project their voices and to “work the room;” that’s when the fun began and new friendships developed!
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The deadline for High School Seniors, class of 2017, to submit their Gold Award Proposal to Council for review is October 1, 2016. FYI: if you wait until October 1 to submit, it will take longer to get an interview because of the volume of girls.
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Ambassador Leader who has girls bridging to Adult Girl Scouts? It’s a great feeling of accomplishment that your girls stayed the course and were not afraid to be Girl Scouts through middle school and high school. What a wonderful achievement on both your part and that of the girls. Congratulations! What will you do with your time, now that you have seen your Girl Scout Troop to completion? Why not consider becoming a Gold Award Mentor? It’s a great way to stay involved directly with the girls without the responsibility of running a Troop. Please contact Patte Conway at conwayp@gsnc.org for an application.
Save the Date: GSNC’s Gold Award Ceremony Monday, June 27, 2016 will be held at the Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY
Over 70 Girl Scouts ranging from Daisies to Cadettes from the Port Washington Association attended two Mock Town Hall Meetings with the Town of North Hempstead. The girls learned about the history of town government, how board meetings work, and the roles of elected officials. They discussed a mock topic: should plastic bags be banned in town. Some girls got to play the roles of the officials and others expressed their opinion for or against the proposed law. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD
Reminder: All High School Juniors
Steps 1. Build your Girl Scout Junior • Bronze is team worked on as a Troop/Team • Each girl needs to so she can gain be responsible for one specific piece • Independent Leadership skills of the project Girl Scouts , need to build a team to work andGirl Scouts with her ol ho of Nassau
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Park Association’s Brownie Troop #1537 scored a touchdown with their recent “Super Bowl” themed cookie booth sale. Way to go girls!
110 Ring Road West Garden City, NY 11530 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to GirlFriends, 110 Ring Road West, Garden City, NY 11530 GirlFriends (USPS 135-280), is published quarterly with a special issue in August. Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc. 110 Ring Road West, Garden City, NY 11530 Periodicals Postage Paid at Garden City, NY 11530. Wanda Jackson President & Chief Volunteer Officer
Tribute
to remember
FUND
Donna Ceravolo Executive Director/CEO Deborah Goldsmith Chief Operating Officer Donna Rivera-Downey Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Anna Lenz Judith Etienne Graphic Design and Production Coordinators Designed by Anna Lenz Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc., an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Agency, is a member of Long Island’s United Way, Village of Freeport CDA, United Community Fund of Great Neck, and The Community Chest of Port Washington.
In Memory of: April 17 Girls Go the Distance Walkathon and Activity Fair Old Bethpage Village Restoration April 22 Leader Appreciation Day May 16 Annual Meeting LIU Post May 20-22 All In One Camp Training Weekend Camp Blue Bay June 27 Gold Award Ceremony Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point
April, 2016
• Issue 2
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What happens when you sign up for a Girl Scout program or event, and then you do not attend
George Blaha (father of JoLynn Tripp, long-time volunteer, Leader, Service Team Member and former CAV, West Hempstead/Franklin Square Association) GSNC Board and Staff Carol Ann Witte (former New Hyde Park Leader and camp-site director) North Broward Preparatory School Fifth Grade Team Anne Ciganek (mother of Martha Naples, former GSNC Staff and current Living History Committee Member) Joanne & Jim Surless; GSNC Staff; Dorothy, Vicki & Ellen; Lydia & Robert Slatic Archibald O. Donadelle, Sr. (father of Diane Hairston, Leader Troop 1718 Roosevelt Association, member of UMOJA and HLTF) GSNC Board and Staff
Once upon a time there was a wonderful science program for Girl Scouts that was going to be held at a special college in NYC. Girl Scouts of Nassau County (GSNC) was able to send 50 girls to this program! Invitations to register went out and over 100 girls wanted to attend, but 50 were turned away. A bus was hired , programs and activities were planned, and lunch was waiting! Reminders went out a few days before with all the last minute details. On the morning of the event only 35 girls showed up. Calls were made to the 15 missing girls … “Oh, we forgot.” or “Oh, she’s got a sporting event today.”
In Honor of:
When you register for a GSNC program, event or activity and do not attend you may be preventing another girl from having her own great experience, and that is just sad. Many programs have waiting lists. Sometimes when parents/Leaders see that a program is full, they don’t even sign up for a waiting list.
Barbara Palermo (for all the work she does to promote scouting) Rosann Fleischauer
From time to time life intervenes and plans must change*. However, we are finding that too often some adults are signing up girls for programs/activities that they think the girls will want to do, without checking with the girls or their families. They rush to register to guarantee a place, and sometimes another girl who can attend, gets shut out. Be a Sister to Every Girl Scout! Think before you rush to register! *Refunds are given for some programs when there is documentation that a girl is ill.*
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Jadis Figueira (mother of Jan Figueira, GSNC Staff) GSNC Board and Staff; Lucy Effron
Congratulations to: Alicia and Brandon Ray on their nuptials (Brandon Ray GSNC Board Member) GSNC Board and Staff