Girl Scouts of Nassau County Girlfriends February 2023

Girlfriends

Girlfriends is a publication of Girl Scouts of Nassau County

Opportunities for Girl Scouts

ast year, I was asked by a Girl Scout, “What was Juliette thinking?” when she created Girl Scouts. My answer was that Juliette was trying to create opportunities for girls. In 1912 Juliette was quoted saying on a call to her cousin, “I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight!” What confidence and ambition in that statement! Juliette’s vision for the girls of Savannah, America, and the world changed their lives. Juliette and other visionaries like Frances Hesselbein, our former chief executive officer, Girl Scouts of the USA who passed away on December 11 changed our Movement. Frances was our national CEO from 1976 to 1990. She was 107 years old and embodied Juliette’s vision. It is because of Frances that we have a focus on leadership development, Girl Scout Daisies, STEM content, and programs that “reflect contemporary concerns.” Frances was also instrumental in broadening the diversity of our membership by intentionally creating a more inclusive organization. Frances was ahead of her time. I had the opportunity to meet her in 2018 and was awestruck. I challenged myself to build a similar legacy.

In November, GSUSA challenged council CEOs and board chairs to look through a “Girl Scout-first” lens and understand the issues and trends that are most relevant to her today, just as Juliette and Frances did. Girl Scouts of Nassau County champions several Girl Scout-first lenses, including over 50 girl delegates, our Girl Leadership Committee of the board, and for the second year, our Conversations with Cadettes program. I challenge all of us to continue to look through that lens and consider these six trends shared with me by GSUSA:

1. Equity and Inclusion: When discussing with younger girls, you might describe it as “feeling included and being treated fairly.”

2. Health and Wellness: Younger girls might relate better to feeling good in our brains, hearts, and bodies.

3. Education and the World of Work: What can girls be and do?

4. Technology: From social media to screen time to STEM—How are girls feeling about devices, connectivity, being online, and everything in between.

5. Sustainability and the Environment: From what we consume to how we behave and the choices we make; how do girls feel about the health of the planet?

6. Civic Duty and Social Responsibility: How are girls feeling about the impact they personally can have on the communities they see?

—RMB

Explore the six trends listed with girls, families, and other volunteers. Then scan the QR code below to share what you have discovered.

In 2023, we will continue to listen to and understand our Girl Scouts—understand that they are all not the same—and try to align our priorities with what is most relevant to them.

Troop Click

Check out Troop 863 with big smiles after learning all about space exploration at our Defying Gravity event. Looks like they had a blast and can’t wait to learn more!

Scan the QR code to read more about Frances.

Celebrate World Thinking Day with Your Troop

Each February 22, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides across 150 countries celebrate World Thinking Day. It’s a day of international friendship and a time to stand up for causes that could improve the lives of girls around the globe.

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), which all Girl Scouts are a part of, has celebrated World Thinking Day since 1926. WAGGGS is the largest voluntary movement dedicated to empowering girls and young women in the world. Learn more about WAGGGS!

https://bit.ly/worldcentres-wagggs

So how can you get Girl Scouts involved? Your troop can earn the World Thinking Day Award! The 2023 World Thinking Day theme is “Our World, Our Peaceful Future: The environment, peace, and security.” With this award, girls in every Girl Scout level can explore environmental problems and learn how they can work with nature to create a more peaceful and secure future for girls everywhere. You may be thinking, “My girls are too young for that” or “That’s not really my troop’s thing.” We encourage you to keep an open mind and explore what these awards have to offer!

Find the World Thinking Day Award activities in the activity guides here: https://bit.ly/world-thinking-dayways-to-participate

Girl-led Tip: See if your troop is interested in this award by bringing the activity guide to your troop meeting. Discuss the activities with them and see what they say!

Silver Award Corner

Beinga Girl Scout troop leader

is one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. Guiding young women and helping them find their voice and discover their passions has been incredible to witness. Especially when they are earning their Silver Award. My troop’s Silver Award projects ranged from social media, mental health, and women’s history—all topics that were important to them. Their projects covered the uncredited women in the women’s history movement, like Alice Paul, how social media affects teenage girls’ mental health. The project included a survey and a pledge for girls to take, and finally how social media affects young girls body image. Resources were shared to help them if they are struggling as well as a pledge.

After all seven girls in my troop earned their Silver Awards, my troop, co-leader, and I all learned a few things that we would like to share with our sister Girl Scouts and troop leaders:

l Start early—the Silver Award is a marathon, not a sprint. Giving girls enough time to complete their Silver Award will make it easier and less stressful for everyone involved.

l Dedicate a meeting to earning the Silver Award and what it entails. Review the requirements and examples of Take Action vs. community service projects with the troop.

l Invite sister Girl Scouts who have earned their Silver Award to speak with your troop about their process and how they selected their projects. Have questions ready for them.

l Have a parent meeting to explain the value and requirements of the award.

l Have a parent liaison to help you.

l Listen to the girls in your troop—let them select their journeys. Vote on it as a troop.

l Dedicate meeting time for check-ins for the groups.

—Troop leader, Karla

Please Update Your Preferences!

As we begin the new year, it is important to review and update your Girl Scout member communication and photo/media release preferences in the MyGS portal. This ensures that you receive the most up-to-date information on new programs, what’s happening at GSNC, Girl Scout Cookie season, and membership.

To review and update the preferences for your household, log into your MyGS account at https://mygs.girlscouts.org/. Once you are logged in, navigate to “my household,” then edit the profile for each member in your household including your Girl Scout(s). The communication and photo/media release preferences can be found all the way at the bottom of each individual’s profile page.

If you wish to learn more about each preference, you can click on the title of the preference for detailed information. Once you update your preferences, don’t forget to save your changes.

If you have any questions, please email us at customercare@gsnc.org.

It’s Not Too Late to Be a Cookie Boss and Participate in the Cookie Program!

Get

ready

The sale ends on March 8, 2023 for both in-person and online sales. There are so many reasons to join the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world—and having fun is the most important!

to contact all friends and family, far and wide, because the Digital Cookie shipped option will be available starting February 27!

The new Raspberry Rally will also become available for purchase starting February 27. As a reminder, the new cookie can only be purchased online via Digital Cookie’s shipped option. Like other councils, Girl Scouts of Nassau County is only allotted a specific quantity of the Raspberry Rally cookie, so don’t wait—get ‘em before they’re gone!

Even before the shipping option became available, Girl Scouts have gone Bright Ahead to reach their goals this Girl Scout Cookie season! To thank you for your patience and to applaud you on your resilience, we are happy to announce that Girl Scouts of Nassau County will be offering a promotion for all shipping orders made during the first 48 hours it becomes available. Stay tuned to learn more!

A good time was had by all at our recent cookie rally at the Samanea Mall. There were crafts, a photo booth, cookie booth preparedness lessons, financial literacy, cookie selling skills, and of course cookie cheers and happy smiles!

Legacy Award Brunch

Thursday, March 30, 2023 | The Heritage Club at Bethpage | 9:30 AM-12:00 PM

Girl Scouts of Nassau County is proud to recognize those champions in our community who best embody the Girl Scout mission in their careers and through their volunteerism to support our girls locally.

Last spring, GSNC announced the creation of two new awards—Legacy and Impact—to formally honor our tenured volunteers and emerging leaders. This year’s Legacy Award will be given to an individual who embodies what it means to be a true leader—working to pave the way for a positive future for Nassau County girls and their families. This year’s Impact Award will recognize three emerging leaders under 40 who are currently giving back and making contributions to the Girl Scout mission and local community to become future GSNC Legacies.

We are pleased to announce the following 2023 award recipients: IMPACT AWARDEES

Attend our brunch to celebrate these special women. To purchase sponsorships, print journal ads, or tickets, please visit: https://bit.ly/ gsnc-legacyaward brunch

We look forward to seeing you on

Deandra Denton Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University

Elizabeth Garcia Evergreen Charter School

Melanie Sinesi Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone

LEGACY AWARDEE

Valerie T. Terzano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC NYU Langone Hospital Long Island

March 30!

Hi, my name is Jordyn. I am a Girl Scout Cadette from Troop 647, Great Neck. During the 2022 cookie season, I was one of the top sellers in Nassau County. I sold over 2,000 boxes.

The first step I took was setting a goal. I always went to every booth sale I could, came early and stayed late if we were allowed. If anyone else in my troop or neighboring troop wanted to walk around selling cookies, I said “yes!” I also had a rolling suitcase to bring the cookies with me.

However hard I worked, I could never have done this without the help and support of my family. The most important thing to remember is to always try your best and have fun! —Jordyn

Summer Camp Registration Is Open!

Visit gsnc.org/camp to learn more.

Camp Build Createskills.memories. Make new friends.

Blue Bay 2023 GirlScoutsofNassauCountyhasacampexperienceforyou!

Camp Blue Bay Open House

Meet the Summer Camp Directors!

Enjoy a drive with your family to East Hampton to visit our beautiful Camp Blue Bay and learn about our facility and summer camp programs. Our Summer Camp Directors and volunteers will be available to answer any questions you may have. Finally, take a self-guided tour of our camp grounds.

Saturday, May 6 or Sunday, May 7, 2023 10:00 am-3:00 pm

Camp Blue Bay

103 Flaggy Hole Road, East Hampton, NY 11937

Camp Information Nights

Camp Information Nights will give you the opportunity to meet with representatives from Camp Blue Bay in person to learn more about our summer camp programs.

Help every girl get excited about her future as a Girl Scout. Get her started in your troop with a new patch on her uniform!

Add one or more new girls to your existing troop between now and April 30, 2023 and each girl in your troop will receive the “Add a Friend” patch.

For more information, contact us at at customercare@gsnc.org

Parents, bring along your camper to learn about a typical day at camp and get answers to any questions you may have.

l Thursday, March 2, 2023

l Monday, March 20, 2023

7:30 pm-8:30 pm

Register online at gsnc.org/programs

Resources and Support for Girl Scout Adults!

The Volunteer Training and Resource team is committed to helping Girl Scout adults feel empowered, confident, and knowledgeable about their leadership with Girl Scouts!

Join the team on Tuesdays during our virtual office hours for adults who are looking for support and want to meet to discuss their Girl Scout ideas and questions. The Volunteer Connections series, hosted by the Volunteer Training and Resource team, includes live meetings on the second Monday of each month, podcast episodes available on demand on the last Thursday of each month, blog posts, and a monthly emailed newsletter. For additional support, follow the Volunteer Connections group on the Online Community (OLC)!

To find more information about all the available resources for adults, check out the Training and Resources page.

https://bit.ly/gsnc-volunteer-training

To register for upcoming live meetings, scan the QR code or go to https://bit.ly/gsnc-events Questions? Email us! customercare@gsnc.org

Every Savannah Speedway Race Needs a Pit Crew

Savannah Speedway is an event in which girls transform a solid block of wood into a car. Their scientific ingenuity, woodworking abilities, and innovative car designs are tested on the track! This event wouldn’t be a success without the volunteers who dedicate their time and energy into making this event happen by leading Service Unit races in their own communities.

How does this event differ from other traditional volunteer roles? Let’s hear from some volunteers who’ve been a part of Savannah Speedway in their community.

“ I would strongly encourage anyone to volunteer to help out with Savannah Speedway. Having been both a Cookie Manager and a leader for two troops, I can honestly say Savannah Speedway is a truly different experience. When you are in a volunteer position that allows you to interact with so many different people who interpret the event in different ways, it broadens your own way of thinking. It’s just an overall great event to be involved with. Plus, nothing can beat the smile on the face of a girl as she brings her car in for the first time and the pride that she has in it as she watches it race! That gets to me every time!” —Beth

Haft, Seaford/Wantagh

“Being a part of Savannah Speedway lets you interact more with the girls. You’re not only interacting with your troop, but with your association. After doing Savannah Speedway, I’ve run into many people around the neighborhood who recognize me and come up to me to say hello.” —Laura

Becker, Elmont

“We love how families come out together to cheer on the girls. It’s truly a family-oriented event. It’s a great opportunity for more dads, uncles, and brothers to get involved with Girl Scouts.”

—The Gioia Family West Hempstead/Franklin Square

How you can be involved:

l Lend your sanding tools or share your woodworking knowledge at a car building workshop.

l Show off your public speaking skills and best car jokes as emcee.

l If you have a large vehicle, offer to transport the tracks and other supplies.

l Ensure fairness and sportsmanship at your Service Unit’s race.

Connect with your community to help girls thrive! Reach out to your Service Unit about how you and your family can be part of this unique and impactful event.

TRIBUTE FUND

In memory of:

Mary E. Lynch (Glen Cove)

—Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Mary and Daniel Abbruzzese, Cristyne Nicholas, Michele Paton

Nicholas Labate (spouse of Garden City Leader

Dale Labate)

Dates to Remember

February 15

February 22

March 3-5

March 8

March 12

March 30

April 22

Opens!

World Thinking Day

National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend

Girl Scout Cookie Program ends

Happy Birthday Girl Scouts!

Legacy Brunch Heritage Club at Bethpage

Girl Scout Leader’s Day

Girlfriends

February 2023 l Issue 1

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

With the generosity of National Grid, Girl Scouts of Nassau County has created a storytelling series. The series illustrates the power of storytelling through various approaches. Some of the workshops include: the art of verbal storytelling, poetry storytelling, comedic storytelling, storytelling through art, and telling stories with digital media. By showing our Girl Scouts different ways to tell their stories, they learn to authentically express themselves and cultivate their sense of self. Learning to share stories creates the opportunity to learn about other’s experiences which in turn, encourages inclusion and personal growth.

Girl Scouts of Nassau County

Doris F. Van Bellinghen (Hempstead Leader and Community Organizer)

Girl Scouts of Nassau County and Doris Knox

Andrew M. Simko (Bellerose Troop Leader)

Girl Scouts of Nassau County and Alice Clancy

Troop Click

After learning about pocketknife safety, Troop 2348 practiced their newfound skills. They used carrots to review how to hold a knife and tested their skills by making heart-shaped soap. Way to go, Girl Scouts!