JUNE 2020
at home
GirlFriends is a publication of Girl Scouts of Nassau County
gsnc
Be Prepared
W
e are in the midst of historic times and as you know, Girl Scouts have a special place in history of rising to the occasion and helping those in need. Back in October 1918 when Girl Scouts of Nassau County was just starting, there was a flu pandemic. This pandemic not only struck the United States but it also struck the world. Girl Scouts were on the front lines! Girl Scouts made sandwiches and cookies, they sold war bonds, and maintained victory gardens. “Small things count”, stressed the pamphlet published by the National War Garden Commission in 1919. The pitch for victory gardens made gardening a civic duty. Victory gardens began during World War I and encouraged everyone to grow food wherever they could. Girl Scouts not only maintained these gardens but earned the Invalid Cook Patch which had girls learn to make food for the sick. Imagine that all of this was happening at the very same time Girl Scouts of Nassau County was being founded. The first troop in Lynbrook was formed sometime that year. I am sure those who lived through 1918, never would have imagined just over 100 years later, we would be faced with a similar pandemic. A lot has changed in the world since then. We have more resources, including ways to communicate instantly and remotely. But we continue to follow the Girl Scout Promise and Law, we continue to be prepared and to be helpful. We were prepared as much as possible but more importantly we were swift in making sure the safety and well-being of our Girl Scout members— girls, their families, volunteers and staff were of paramount importance throughout. During our “pause” or self-isolation period, Girl Scouts of Nassau County shifted to Girl Scouting at Home. Girls had the opportunity to participate in virtual programs with their fellow Girl Scouts and their
Mary
Our recent Girl Scout staff meeting
families. There were story times, crafts, Simon says, and even gardening. Girl Scouts had the opportunity to do a council-wide friendship circle through social media and say thank you to our volunteers for National Volunteer Month. Some girls continued to work on their Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards. And we can’t forget Camp Blue Bay! There was Blue Bay spirit week which included building a tent at home. All Girl Scouts took the opportunity to say thank you to our local hometown heroes—all of the doctors and nurses, postal workers, restaurant workers, EMTs, lab techs, sanitation workers, police, fire departments, pharmacists, grocery store staff and so many more . Girl Scouts isn’t Girl Scouts without our volunteers. We continued to support our Girl Scout volunteers with lots of videoconferencing and phone calls. All the associations held their annual meetings via videoconferencing and their smiling faces were a delight to see. We had a virtual Board of Directors meeting and a
HOMETOWN HEROES THANK YOU POSTER ENCLOSED! virtual Council Annual Meeting. We continued to shop online and those Girl Scout bandannas came in handy. Our staff stayed connected with daily updates, fun check-ins, and even a bingo staff meeting. Most importantly during this collective crisis, we came together. We learned to work, communicate, support and engage with each other in new ways. We also learned to share our love, share grief, comfort each other, and celebrate our hometown heroes remotely. Only time will tell what part of our virtual life will continue, what gathering will look like for us, and how we will grow as a council and a movement. As we continue to heal, we will think of ways to honor those we have lost, celebrate those who helped us, and build from this unique experience. One thing is for sure, Girl Scouts of Nassau County is here to stay and will be stronger than ever. Girl Scouts—here for good!! #GirlScoutTough —Rande
For more on Girl Scouts in 1918 see: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/during-the-flu-pandemic-of-1918-dcs-girl-scouts-offered-more-thancookies/ 2020/03/30/15354e26-728d-11ea-85cb-8670579b863d_story.html