Gir Scouts of Nassau County Girlfriends April 2025
Girlfriends is a publication of Girl Scouts of Nassau County
Volunteers,
you are not just a part of our organization—you are its backbone. Each year, we take this time to recognize and thank you because without your invaluable contributions, we could not impact the lives of as many Girl Scouts as we do. Volunteer Appreciation Week is celebrated from April 20-26. Since 1974, it has been a time to honor those who have made a difference in the lives of others. You are the bridge between our staff and our Girl Scouts, and a bridge between our communities. Your efforts build lasting relationships, lifelong friendships, and mentoring opportunities.
Fostering community engagement is what makes us stronger. For us, communities include our service units and the towns and villages that make up those service units. Communities also include folks with shared interests—like our camp community—or who share a language, heritage, or background. Every community has traditions and customs they celebrate and pass on to future generations. Each community needs to be engaged in a relevant and meaningful way. GSUSA shares six tips for a “mindset for success” in their community engagement guide:
1: Humility—understanding you don’t have all the answers, and you may not have the same lived experience as others
2: Curiosity—to reframe challenges and ask the right questions
3: Patience—success takes time, persistence, and consistency
4: Willingness to learn—setting aside assumptions and listening to those you wish to engage with
5: Trial and error—learn and iterate through constant feedback
6: Embracing partnership—openness to and recognition of what others bring to the table
Let’s delve into the power of giving and connecting this Volunteer Appreciation Month. Our Bubbles and Bridges patch program is a unique opportunity to explore with your Girl Scouts how we see ourselves, relate to others, and understand who we are. It’s a journey of self-discovery and empathy, and we invite you to participate.
As we look toward the future, let’s make 2025 a year to recognize and celebrate our connections. Let’s celebrate your incredible impact on building inclusive and caring communities. Your dedication and hard work drive our success, and we are deeply grateful for your contributions. You should be proud of the difference you make in the lives of others. Thank you. —RMB
Spring Renewal for Girl Scout Year 2026!
Hey Girl Scout, what an amazing year it’s already been! Now get ready for another one filled with unforgettable field trips, energizing community projects, and new passions to share with forever friends. Let’s do it again. Renew today at gsnc.org/renew or contact us at customercare@gsnc. org and we will be happy to process the renewal for you.
EARLY BIRD
Renew between April 1 and June 30, 2025 to receive our Early Bird patch. Renew by April 30, 2025 and receive an invite to GSNC’s 2nd Annual Summerfest. Learn about additional incentives at gsnc.org/renew.
Let’s Celebrate the Volunteers Who Make it All Possible!
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month! This is a month dedicated to celebrating and honoring the amazing Girl Scout volunteers whose hard work continues to spread and support the Girl Scout mission. Volunteers lead, support, and encourage girls to be the best version of themselves— from Girl Scouting, to school, to their family and friends, and beyond! We want to express our gratitude for our volunteers’ strong commitment to the Girl Scout mission and to the lives of their Girl Scouts!
Want to thank the special volunteers in your life? Here are some ways to recognize and celebrate their hard work:
● Express your gratitude with homemade “thank you” cards for your Girl Scout volunteers.
● Girls take the lead. Host a party during one of your troop meetings! Invite your caregivers to join in the celebration, prepare some delicious treats, and share some words of appreciation to your volunteers.
● Give your volunteers an award that recognizes the part they play in your Girl Scout journey. This can be a handmade certificate for Most Creative Activity Planner or Best Trip Planner!
It’s Almost Bridging Season!
Bridging is an important transition in a Girl Scout’s life. It’s a time to recognize and celebrate achievements and the new adventures that lie ahead as Girl Scouts move onto the next level of Girl Scouting. Celebrating this transition should be fun and personalized to every individual troop and most importantly, designed by the girls! Most ceremonies include a flag or opening ceremony, reciting the Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law, crossing a bridge, the Girl Scout handshake, presentation of certificates and other awards, and an ending ceremony. Other popular additions include refreshments, songs, sharing memories, and discussing plans for the next Girl Scout year.
If you have any questions about bridging ceremonies, you can schedule an appointment with our Volunteer Training and Resource Associate. See link and QR code below.
April 22 is Earth Day!
How can I join the OLC?
Dear Member,
The OLC is a member-only, private communication platform for GSNC troop leaders, caregivers, and service unit volunteers. To gain access to the OLC, please complete the following steps:
1. Email Customercare@ gsnc.org with the subject line: Request Access to the OLC.
2. You’ll receive an invitation to join the OLC through your email address.
3. Follow the instructions in the email you receive from “Forumbee.”
GSNC offers a variety of different resources to support our volunteers! Here are just a few:
● Make an appointment and sign up for Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) Office Hours.
● Materials for loan such as badge kits, Journey in a Weekend kits, games, ceremonial items, and more!
● A free, virtual training library full of guided training to help you and your troop along your Girl Scout journey—check it out on gsLearn!
Sign up for VRC Office Hours: bit.ly/gsnc-vrcoffice-hours-2025
Our Girl Leadership Committee Appreciates
their Volunteers
From Caralinn B.—
Lydia Becker has been serving the Girl Scouts of Nassau County since 2010. She has filled all the roles—from troop leader, “Mags&Munchies mom,” “cookie mom,” delegate chair, and service unit volunteer manager. She led two Girl Scout troops in Floral Park. She is also my mom. I’ve seen her spend countless hours on Zoom meetings and complete work on the computer late at night. Every year she works so hard to plan a Girl Scout Cookie drop site that runs as smoothly as possible. Most importantly, she cares so much about every girl. She puts as much passion into our projects, including our Gold Awards and Journeys, as we do.
From Charlotte P. —
I want to thank Debbie Prial for being a Girl Scout volunteer. She is always helping with our troop, service unit, and council. I love when she gets new programs started, like Galentine’s Day. And thanks for being my mom.
From Asha G.—
The volunteers in our troop do all they can to support and nurture our Girl Scouting experiences! I am grateful to my troop leaders, who provide me with the guidance and resources I need to complete Journeys and badges. One of my troop volunteers, Sam, played a pivotal role in my journey to earning the Girl Scout Gold Award by taking me on a litter clean up on the beach, which inspired my project to focus on water sustainability. Thank you to all our Girl Scout volunteers!
Why Are You a Girl Scout Volunteer?
We asked some of our longtime volunteers why they support Girl Scouts. Here’s what they said...
It was the girls’ enthusiasm that inspired me to continue as a leader. Each girl was unique and brought different skills, elements, and ideas to the meetings. They made suggestions of what community service we should do and where we could go...I can honestly say I learned from them just as much as they learned from me.
My inspiration comes from wanting to make a positive impact on the next generation. I see volunteering as an opportunity to give back to the community and help guide young women toward achieving their fullest potential. I am motivated by the values of inclusivity, leadership, and kindness that Girl Scouts embody. It is rewarding to be part of a group that helps girls discover their passions, build strong friendships, and grow into confident individuals who can make a difference in the world.
Lynn McDonnell, Bay Service Unit
Girl Scouts has taught me to have the courage to research ideas to help the girls be more well-rounded, the confidence in teaching the girls to be part of a better future for themselves and others, and the character it takes to be someone who gives back to their community, their country, and the world.
—Elinor Molina, West Hempstead/Franklin Square Service Unit
I had a great experience as a Girl Scout growing up. I had great leaders, we went camping almost every season, and we did things that you maybe wouldn’t normally get to do as a family. Even though I never had any children of my own, I wanted to make sure that girls in my community get different opportunities and the benefits of Girl Scouting outside of their families and school.
—Madeline Pearson, ELLM Service Unit
Cadette Troop Leaders: Are Your Girl Scouts Earning Their Silver Award?
Here are some helpful tips:
l Download the GSNC Silver Award Toolkit.
l Each Girl Scout earning their Silver Award must complete a final report by September 30 of the year they graduate 8th grade.
l Leaders complete the Leader Silver Award Approval form electronically. There is a section to pre-order the Silver Award pins, patches, and certificates.
l More information can be found on our website: gsnc.org/silver
3 Girl Scouts from Troop 3700 earned their Silver Award with their project: Help Her Bloom.
Birthday Patch
With $15 Purchase!
Valid for any Nassau County Girl Scout with a birthday in April, May, or June.
Physical coupon must be submitted at the time of purchase; this offer is valid only at the GSNC Shop and expires June 15, 2025.
Apply for the Virginia Wills Gold Award Scholarship
Virginia A. Wills loved being a Girl Scout and enjoyed leading activities with her troop. She wanted girls to see all the options available to them and how important service was by helping people in need. Virginia’s daughter, Elana Wills, has generously donated $1,000 in her mother’s name to be awarded to one Gold Award Girl Scout a year. Find the application at gsnc.org/gold
The requirements are as follows:
l Current graduating high school senior who earned the Gold Award in 2023, 2024, or 2025, or a college freshman who will be honored at GSNC’s 2025 Gold Award Ceremony
l Accepted to a college/university/trade school
l Has a dynamic Girl Scout history
l Demonstrates community service Deadline: April 17, 2025.
South Shore Craft Brewery, Oceanside, NY
Visit gsnc.org/cookies-on-tap for more info
*Must be 21 or older to attend.
Girl Scouts of Nassau County needs your support to ensure every girl has the opportunity to participate in the magic of Girl Scouting. Consider donating today and invest in a girl’s future by supporting Family Partnership. In turn, your gift will help provide financial assistance for membership fees, uniform components, books, badges, and supplies for those in need.
For the 2025/26 membership year, if a family donates $25.00 to GSNC’s Family Partnership campaign, each registered girl in the household will receive our new Family Partnership Participant patch, and the troop will receive a 15% rebate credit for use in the GSNC Shop.
To donate, you can scan the QR code, visit bit.ly/gsnc-family-partnership-2025 or, when renewing or registering as a new member, you can add your contribution at the final payment screen.
Thank you for your support! Your donation makes a difference in the lives of Girl Scouts across Nassau County.
Girl Scouts of Nassau County
AwardLegacy Brunch 4th
On March 12, the Girl Scout community and partners came together at at our fourth annual Legacy Award Brunch to celebrate community champions who best embody the Girl Scout mission in their careers and through their volunteerism. Congratulations to our honorees— Stacey Sikes, Erica Gibson, Amanda Ieraci, Rebecca Martinez, and DHL Express.
Our CEO, Rande Bynum, discussed the future of Girl Scouts as she conversed with featured guest speaker, Dawn Harmon, CPA, Director, Long Island Market Area, Reworld (formerly Covanta).
Special thanks to all of our sponsors and donors whose contributions help us advance the Girl Scout mission.
SAVE THE DATE for our Raise a Glass annual Fall Fundraiser on Thursday, November 20!
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.
Andrea Elder-Howell, Esq.
President and Chief Volunteer Officer
Randell Marie Bynum
Chief Executive Officer
Cassie Colgan
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
Anna Lenz
Senior Creative Manager
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, Inc. Village of Hempstead CDA, United Community Fund of Great Neck, and The Community Chest of Port Washington.
April 22
May 14
May 26
June 14
June 18
Dates to Remember Girlfriends
Girl Scout Leader’s Day
Annual Meeting Nassau Community College
Memorial Day Council offices closed
Summerfest (Renew your 2026 membership by 4/30/25 to attend)
Gold Award Ceremony
April 2025 l Issue 2
Join us in congratulating
Laura Bissett-Carr, who has been appointed Chief Mission Delivery Officer at GSNC. Leveraging her extensive experience and expertise, Laura spearheads programs (general, product, and outdoor), volunteer support (customer care and volunteer training and resources), and safety and risk management.
Over the last 25 years, Laura has worked in a variety of roles throughout GSNC, gaining experience in programming, risk management, and operations. Under Laura’s tenure, she has ensured that Camp Blue Bay’s American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation has been maintained, worked on GSNC’s Covid-19 protocols, and helped streamline processes for Product Programs.
TRIBUTE FUND
In memory of:
Maureen C. McPartlan (longest running Girl Scout—85 years Nassau County)
—Dale Oswald
Solution to the maze from the front page
Girl Scout Riddle
Why are socks just like Girl Scouts?
Answer: Because they are always prepaired!
Laura Bissett-Carr, far right at the 2024 Gold Award Ceremony.
