The Timeless
Girlfriends
Power of “Friendly and Helpful”
December 2025
is a publication of Girl Scouts of Nassau County
As we close out the year, one phrase from the Girl Scout Law particularly resonates: “friendly and helpful.” While our Law was updated in 1996 to emphasize values like responsibility and making the world a better place, the simple directive to be “friendly and helpful” remains essential for today’s girls.
In this current era, friendliness extends beyond simple courtesies, such as holding a door or sending a thank-you note. It is an active commitment to inclusion. It means reaching out to those who may feel left out—whether in the school cafeteria or on a digital platform. It requires us to be genuinely welcoming and aware of others’ feelings, fostering a sense of belonging for every girl.
Similarly, helpfulness is more than just assisting a peer. Today’s helpfulness is a call to action and advocacy. It includes considering what is best for the environment, making space at the table for voices not as strong as our own, and consciously choosing Take Action projects that benefit the community as a whole. It reminds us to be empathic and to listen for understanding.
Marking my ninth year as your CEO, I look forward to navigating 2026 with you. By living up to the ideals of “friendly and helpful,” we sustain our legacy while remaining innovative, creative, and curious. This focus on empathy and action will guide us as we move ahead! —RMB
PS: Based on membership focus group feedback, we are excited to announce that the new Girlfriends release schedule will be on the first of the month in March, June, September, and December. Issues will now be twelve pages instead of six. Stay tuned for the next exciting issue!
Key Cookie Dates
January 5, 2026: Girl Scout Cookie Program begins (both online and in person)
January 10, 2026: Cookie Rally
February 19, 2026: Booth sales begin
March 26, 2026: Girl Scout Cookie Program ends (both online and in person)
Please watch for posts on the OLC (member.gsnc.org) and the GSNC website (gsnc.org) for the most up-to-date cookie program activities and information.
Invite a friend to register as a Girl Scout and become part of your troop’s adventure! The new member and each Girl Scout in your troop will get a new patch for their uniforms.
Add one or more new girls to your existing troop between December 15, 2025 and March 30, 2026 and each girl in your troop will receive the Add a Friend patch. For more information, contact us at customercare@gsnc.org
Dear Juliette,
What’s a Tagalong?
Dear Member,
Tagalongs are Girl Scout families and friends. At the start of the Girl Scout year, GSNC requires all troops to submit tagalong insurance. Tagalong insurance provides coverage for all nonregistered children and adults who may attend Girl Scouts of Nassau County troop activities. Troops will not be approved for Local Day Trip or Overnight Trip requests without submitting tagalong insurance. The fee for this insurance is $5 and is effective from October 1, 2025–September 30, 2026.
To submit your troop’s tagalong insurance, please visit bit.ly/gsnc-tagalonginsurance-2026.
Sincerely, Membership Experience
FREE Birthday Patch with $15
Purchase at the GSNC Shop!
Valid for any Nassau County Girl Scout with a birthday in December, January, or February.
All troop leaders who visit the VRC will receive a FREE fun patch for your leader vest! If your Girl Scout tags along, she’ll receive one as well!
Volunteer Training and Resources
Volunteer Resource Center (VRC)
The VRC is your one-stop shop for all your Girl Scout troop-planning needs!
Schedule an in-person appointment with GSNC’s Volunteer Training and Resource Associate for guidance on a wide variety of Girl Scout topics, such as troop activities, badges, awards, and ceremonies! The VRC is a great place to sit down, ask your burning Girl Scout questions, share your ideas, and receive feedback.
Schedule your appointment today!
Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/VRC-appt.
Materials for Loan
The VRC has an ever-expanding lending library to support Girl Scout volunteers who are planning troop activities.
l Ceremonial items for investitures, and flag and bridging ceremonies
l Cookie booth items to level up your cookie booths
l Teaching aids that can support and enhance troop activities
l Badge kits to help earn that next badge
l Journey-in-a-weekend kits, so girls can make a difference in their communities and prepare for Highest Awards
l Games that can be used alongside other troop activities or fill up that extra time at the end of your troop meeting
To browse our lending library and reserve your VRC materials, scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/VRC-request
The VRC offers training and workshop opportunities for Girl Scout adults AND older Girl Scouts! Stay tuned for our upcoming training and workshop schedule in the new year!
Outdoor Training Information
Under the guidance of trained adults, Girl Scouts may take a hike, build a campfire, and sleep under the stars— all for the first time—so cool!
Ready to take your troop on their first camp adventure? Visit gsnc.org/camp to learn more.
Physical coupon must be submitted at the time of purchase; this offer is valid only at the GSNC Shop and expires February 15, 2026. COMING THIS JANUARY: Our 2026 Camp and Outdoor Guide!
The GLC is Baking up Something Big!
The Girl Leadership Committee (GLC) has been busy gathering, brainstorming, and sharing ideas for this year’s big project. At their first few meetings of the year, the group explored ideas chock full of creativity and teamwork to plan something amazing. Like any good recipe, it takes just the right ingredients—and they’ve been carefully stirring up something special.
While details are still under wraps, one thing’s certain: we are baking up something big. Just like cookies fresh from the oven, the best surprises are worth the wait. Stay tuned!
Our Community Service Leadership Initiative (CSLI) team has had a great time helping others! Here is what some of our members had to say about the experience:
I’m excited about helping other programs like the Panther Pantry. I enjoyed organizing the donations and had a great time painting pictures for decorations. I love being part of an organization that is aimed at helping others, big and small. —Mia R.
My first year as part of GSNC’s CSLI program was in 2024–25, and it was great! My favorite community service projects were working with younger girls during Halloween and helping out and making ribbons at Adelphi University’s food pantry with Erica, an Adelphi alum. My take on CSLI is giving back and giving your time and hours for things that matter the most is so rewarding. I got to interact with other girls within my GSNC community from other troops and it was amazing to see all of us giving 100 percent of our time from our busy schedules to engage with others. Thank you Amy, Lauren, and Maria for a great CSLI year. Can’t wait for the next one. So excited! Zoey O.
Last year, as part of the CSLI team, l helped plan and create a Halloween event where girls got to come in and trick or treat at our tables. I finally got to use my skeleton dog that was in my room! The event helped me understand the planning side of volunteer work, and how much work goes into each event. By discussing my thoughts and ideas with other people, it also allowed me to further develop my teamwork skills. Zoe M.
Community service is such an important part of being a Girl Scout. I have learned so much and so many people have helped me and my development. Having the opportunity to participate in community service allows me to give back and help others. Anaya L.
CSLI
Upcoming Council-Led Programs
The following programs have been organized by GSNC staff and are offered on specific dates. For more information, or to register, visit gsnc.org/programs.
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at St. Joseph Hospital
Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 5:00 pm–6:00 pm
ebQdfc All levels
Junior Camper Badge Troop Overnight
December 6–7, 2025
Q Juniors
Virtual Cookie Boss Training
Thursday, January 15, 2026 through Friday, January 30, 2026
ebQdfc All levels
Highest Awards Expo
Saturday, January 24, 2026
fc Seniors and Ambassadors: 10:00 am–11:30 am
Qd Juniors and Cadettes: 12:00 pm–1:00 pm
Candy Chemistry Lab: The Science of Sweets
Saturday, January 31, 2026
e Daisies: 10:00 am–11:30 am
bQ Brownies and Juniors: 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
Save the Date for Our
Legacy Award Luncheon 5th
Thursday, April 30, 2026
The Heritage Club at Bethpage 11:00 AM–2:30 PM
Girl Scouts of Nassau County is proud to recognize champions in our community who best embody the Girl Scout mission in their careers and through their volunteerism to support our girls locally.
We are pleased to announce the 2026 award recipients:
LEGACY AWARDEE
Carrie Meek Gallagher
Chief Executive Officer, Long Island Power Authority
IMPACT AWARDEES
Catherine Azzara, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
Raven Brewington
Information Technology and Services Manager, Northwell Health
Melanie Pavlidis
Partnership Marketing Manager, Addepar
To purchase tickets or sponsorships, scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/gsnc-legacy-2026.
Hi! My name is Allie M., and I am a proud member of the Girl Scout Gold Award Class of 2024. As a rising junior, I have no doubt that earning my Gold Award helped me succeed in college, specifically in the first year. During your first year at college, it is crucial to know how to make positive connections with not only peers, but also professors and administrators. Throughout the process of earning your Gold Award, you need to reach out to, work with, and trust many adults, which will help set you up for a successful future in college. Another skill that is crucial in college is leadership. Not only do leadership roles look good on your resume, but they also help fulfill you with a higher level of responsibility. Your Gold Award will help you learn how to lead groups of people, while also learning how to listen to others’ ideas and opinions. At first, earning the Gold Award may seem a little intimidating, but after you get the ball rolling, it’s fun and provides you with a sense of purpose. You will also have the opportunity to apply for scholarships, which I strongly recommend doing. My final message to you would be to just do it!
I promise it will be worth it in the end!
Get Ready—Girl Scout Cookie Season Begins on January 5, 2026!
Be Brave. Be Fierce. And have fun selling the new Girl Scout Cookie— Exploremores™—a delicious rocky road ice cream-inspired cookie filled with flavors of chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond crème begging to be dipped in a cold glass of milk.
Become a cookie boss and run your own business. You will learn some leadership skills as you sell cookies: setting goals, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics! Here are some ideas to get your business started:
l Text or call friends and family
l Digital Cookies
l Door-to-door deliveries
l Family cookie stands
To learn more about the Girl Scout Cookie program, check out the Cookie Dashboard on the OLC or our website at gsnc.org. Please contact customercare@gsnc.org if you have any questions.
l Connect with your community
l Cookie booths
Sweet Lessons During Cookie Season
Gift of Caring
Every donation counts.
Make your mark with this patch when you obtain donated cookie packages
Earn this exclusive GSNC Operation Cookie/Hometown Heroes pin when you secure 50+ donated cookie packages.
Brave, Fierce, Fun Coming to the Cookie Rally on Saturday, January 10, 2026!
1 inch diameter
Be on the lookout for more information to register and get excited to bring home the 2026 Cookie Rally patch!
Become a Cookie Boss
Training will be available online between January 15–30, 2026. Girl Scouts will learn everything they need to about cookies! They’ll become a Cookie Boss and earn a patch once they complete the training.
Operation Cookie Pin 2026
Our GLC Chair, Madison, during her Daisy and Brownie days!
I can distinctly remember the day my troop set up our Girl Scout Cookie booth beneath the escalator in the Roosevelt Field Mall. At first, we were unsure how to make a sale and were quite shy in trying to get adults to buy our famous Girl Scout Cookies.
However, after a few unsuccessful sales attempts and with some guidance from some of our troop’s leaders, we soon had some positive sales that got me and my fellow Girl Scouts excited. Soon, we were on a roll and approaching shoppers of all ages with ease. Those unsuspecting shoppers had to endure three or four Daisies animatedly trying to sell them cookie boxes. Within two hours, we barely had any boxes left.
Looking back, and on a serious note, selling Girl Scout Cookies did in fact help prepare me for my role as the Girl Leadership Committee (GLC) Chair. As a chair, you sometimes have to step out of your comfort zone and approach adults who may seem intimidating. Talk about a sweet lesson learned!
—Madison B., GSNC Girl Scout and GLC Chair
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 bimonthly.
Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc.
110 Ring Road West, Garden City, NY 11530
Periodicals Postage Paid at Garden City, NY 11530.
Melanie Sinesi
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. and The Community Chest of Port Washington.
Dates to Remember
December 1 National Women Supporting Women Day
December 23 GSNC Shop closed for inventory
December 24– GSNC Service Center and Shop
January 3 closed for holidays
January 15 Referrals for Board Development Committee and Board of Directors due
January 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
March 12 Happy Birthday Girl Scouts!
Girlfriends
December 2025 l Issue 6
TRIBUTE FUND
In honor of:
Maureen C. McPartlan (longest running Girl Scout—85 years Nassau County) — Dale Oswald
Raise a Glass
to Girl Scouts of Nassau County Fall Fundraiser
Thank you to all our community partners, guests, and sponsors!
A lovely time was had by all at our “INN-ternational” evening of food, wine, and music on November 20. We are very appreciative of everyone who supported GSNC.
Be the Change. Be like Juliette.
In celebration of the U.S. Mint’s release of the Juliette Gordon Low Commemorative Coin earlier this year, Girl Scouts of Nassau County is proud to announce the launch of our new individual giving campaign—Be the Change, created in honor of Juliette’s visionary spirit. Be the Change officially launched on October 31st—Juliette’s birthday—and will culminate on April 30, 2026, the day of our 2026 GSNC Legacy Awards Luncheon.
As a token of appreciation, all participating donors will receive exclusive GSNC Be the Changebranded items based on their respective giving level—special keepsakes that symbolize your support to help GSNC ensure a girl-led future.
And remember, every gift—no matter the size—helps create more opportunities for girls to lead, learn, and thrive. Please consider donating today and be the change that inspires tomorrow.
To learn more, visit bit.ly/gsnc-be-the-change.
