April 2015
Volunteer Spotlight.................................1 Oakland Park Service Center Information .....................................................1
Programs at a Glance
We’d love to hear what you’re doing with your girls! Send us an email or post on Facebook! Feel free to contact Melinda Glasco with comments, pictures or ideas at mglasco@gssef.org. All of the Linking Leaders issues are archived in the Volunteer Vault here for easy reference.
Light Up Your Summer .................. 2 Gold and Silver Awards Deadline is Approaching ...... 2
Volunteer Spotlight Every month, we showcase a volunteer who exemplifies the Girl Scout mission and serves as a role model for other leaders.
Take a Journey In a Day ........ 3 Feeding Florida Together Food Drive April 1-30 .............. 3 Cookie Money in Action ...... 3
Adult & Leader Highlights Green Grapevine Forms .......................................................... 4-7
Adult Training .......................................... 8 Volunteer Weekend ................... 9
Membership
Membership Update ............ 10
Take The Lead. Be an Early Bird ................................................. 10 Tips for Early Bird Preparation ...............................................11 Add new Girls To Early Bird! How You Get The Girl ............11 Revised Travel Forms Now Available .......................................................11
T
he Oakland Park Service Center will be closing for repairs beginning Thursday, March 26 through Monday, March 30. This closure includes regular GSSEF office hours and evening and weekend use of the building. The Retail Store will be closed on these dates as well. You will be able to connect with staff members by email and cell phone during this time. The Service Center and Retail Store will Tuesday, March 31. Thank you for your cooperation.
Submit Troop or Volunteer News here.
Calendar
Calendar.......................................12
Oakland Park Service Center Information
Membership
Early Bird Incentives .................10
Adult & Leader Highlights
Spring Has Sprung at Our Retail Stores ..................................................... 3
M
eet Maggie Mansito, a brand new volunteer in the Pinetree Service Unit who started her Girl Scout volunteer career this year. She began by helping at the troop level and then stepped in to the role of Troop Cookie Mom. When she found out that Pinetree Service Unit needed a team member, she stepped up again for the Cookie Sale as the Service Unit Product Sale Manager! She had a great time at the South Delivery site where she helped facilitate the delivery of those initial 7,400 cases of cookies to the eager troops that came on Saturday from all over Broward and West Palm Beach … and then again on Sunday! It was a tiring but very satisfying day, and Maggie was a critical team member that made the whole process go smoother. Thank you so much for your dedication to the girls!
Programs at a Glance
New Program Staff Contacts .............................................................. 2
Spotlights
Spotlights
Page 2
New Program Staff Contacts Lammy Askar, Director of Program, aaskar@gssef.org Catalina Cano, Regional Program Manager, ccano@gssef.org Meredith Slaymaker, Regional Program Manager, mslaymaker@gssef.org Diana Mills, Program Registrar, dmills@gssef.org
Light Up Your Summer
Prices range from $6 per person for campfires, up to $70 per girl for longer overnight sessions. Register here for one of our session and make this summer the best one she’s ever had!
Membership
Is there a camp that catches your eye that you’d like to volunteer for? Now is your time to shine! GSSEF is seeking dedicated adult volunteers and older girls to work alongside our Camp Director to facilitate Summer Camp programs. Camp sessions will be held on weekends throughout June through August. We're looking for volunteers to assist with day programs as well as overnight weekend camp. Interested? Contact the Director of Program, Lammy Askar, at aaskar@gssef.org.
Adult & Leader Highlights
For younger girls, we have an Alice In Wonderlandthemed Campfire, a Teddy Bear Tea Party Day Camp and Be A Princess Weekend Camp. There’s a session for girls who love the wonders of water at H2Ohhh Mini Weekend Camp, and the girls who love making art from the heart at Crafty Creators Weekend Camp. For families, we are offering a Stars & Stripes BBQ Day Camp and loads of other themed campfires, so everyone can come and enjoy the outdoors together. There’s even more … so if you’re seeking something spooky or crave the thrill of competition – GSSEF Summer Camp sessions have got it for girls! We also have a session where Senior and Ambassador level girls can earn their Program Aide award. Click here to discover all of the details.
Programs at a Glance
S
pring has sprung and summer is coming! We have packed June, July and August full of sessions for girls at every grade level. You can count on finding your favorite one-day programs for mothers and daughters and fathers and daughters.
Gold and Silver Award Project Deadline is Approaching Calendar
T
his is a reminder – if you are working on an approved Gold or Silver Award project, the deadline to complete them is in one week. Completed project submissions are due Wednesday, April 1 by 6 p.m. at either the Jupiter or Oakland Park Service Center. Please address your project submissions to the attention of Lammy Askar, Director of Program. Questions? Contact Lammy Askar at aaskar@gssef.org.
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Take a Journey In a Day
E
Feeding Florida Together Food Drive - April 1-30
Cookie Money in Action
E
Share your
story!
Spring Has Sprung at our Retail Stores
Mood Necklace $12
ur Retail Stores are filled with bright colors letting us know that spring has arrived. Spring into action and see what might make the perfect Easter basket treat!
Flag Ceremony Patch Jumbo Pencils $1.75 $1.50
Leader’s Day Volunteer Patch Patch $1.75 $2.50
Slap Bracelets $4.50
Mini Metallic Tattoos Notebooks $4.50 $3.25
Calendar
O
Membership
ach year, girls do amazing things with the money they earn from the Cookie Sale Program. Now that the Cookie Sale is over, we want to hear how your plan to put your cookie money in action. We will use the stories we collect in our marketing and public relations efforts throughout the year. Please send your stories to Melinda Glasco, Director of Marketing Communications, at mglasco@gssef.org.
Adult & Leader Highlights
D
id you know that that 938,211 South Floridians struggle with hunger? With the support of our Girl Scouts, we can help combat hunger! Join us throughout the month of April for our council-wide community service project to collect food donations for agencies in need. All girls that participate in the Feeding Florida Together program will receive a patch! Click here for a list of food items needed and for drop-off information.
Programs at a Glance
xplore the ‘It’s Your Planet, Love It!’ Journey all in one day on Saturday, May 2 at Camp Nocatee. Girls are being exposed to ideas and discussions on the environment every day and everywhere. At Journey In A Day, girls at each grade level have an opportunity to learn about gradeappropriate environmental issues such as clean water and air, noise pollution, global warming, soil contamination and agricultural processes. Each girl will participate in age appropriate workshops to complete their grade-level leadership awards. Spritz on some sunscreen, plan a picnic lunch and pack up for a fun-filled, environmental awareness day! Check out the flier here for more information or contact Catalina Cano at ccano@gssef.org or Meredith Slaymaker at mslaymaker@gssef.org.
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Green Grapevine - Forms Dear Green GrapevineI read the email about changes to the MVP structure. My question is, with those changes in mind, to whom do I send my troop travel form? We have a trip we want to take this spring, and I want to be sure to get it approved. Thanks - Ima Wondering
Have a q uestion se e answ you’d like to ere Gre en G d in the rapevine ? Email volu nte er@gs sef.org
W
e’re glad you asked! We’re happy to clarify. We want you to get your troop’s trip approved, too! Since the changes to the MVP structure affect not only the submission of the troop travel forms, but a few others, hopefully you’ll find this chart helpful. These are our most commonly used forms. All forms and reference documents listed in the chart can be found in the Volunteer Vault here. If you have any questions, please email volunteer@gssef.org. Note
Troop - Group Travel (Trip) Application
Troop Development Coordinator – LaSwan Dinson, ldinson@gssef.org
Will depend on destination. Follow procedure and timeline for submission in Volunteer Policies and Procedures.
It is important to meet the deadlines noted. Failure to do so may result in denial of your trip. A trip must be approved in order to utilize funds from the troop treasury and ensure girls are covered by Girl Scout insurance. Troop Leaders may also want to have a Hold Harmless Agreement for each girl while traveling in case of emergency. This optional form can be found in the Volunteer Vault.
Commonly referred to as a “Travel Application” or simply, “Travel App”
Calendar
When/Deadline
Membership
Submit To
Adult & Leader Highlights
Form
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Green Grapevine - Forms Continued Note
Additional Insurance Application for Extended Troop Travel
Troop Development Coordinator – LaSwan Dinson, ldinson@gssef.org
Will depend on destination. Follow procedure in Volunteer Policies and Procedures.
Parent/ Guardian Permission Slip
Maintained by Troop Leader travelling with the girls for the duration of the activity.
A new permission slip must be signed prior to each Girl Scout activity occurring outside of the regular troop meeting.
Permission to Travel Form for Minors
Keep original for duration of trip. Submit a copy to Troop Development Coordinator – LaSwan Dinson, ldinson@gssef.org
Needed for international trips including cruises. Submit a copy for each girl with your Troop-Group Travel (Trip) Application.
Hold Harmless Agreement
Keep original for duration of trip. Submit a copy to Troop Development Coordinator – LaSwan Dinson, ldinson@gssef.org
Troop Money Earning Application and Evaluation
Troop Development Coordinator – LaSwan Dinson, ldinson@gssef.org
Completion of this form is optional and if used should be kept by the Troop Leader travelling with the girls for the duration of the trip. Application must be submitted six weeks prior to event. Evaluation must be submitted upon conclusion of activity.
Only needed in certain high risk situations, or trips lasting longer than three days/two nights. Remember that when there is a day trip, including change of meeting location, troop field trip or participation in Service Unit activities you must also submit the roster and event details via email to the Troop Development Coordinator. Leaders may also want to have a Hold Harmless Agreement for each girl while traveling in case of emergency. This optional form must be notarized if used. For more information, see instructions on the forms & in Volunteer Policies and Procedures.
Calendar
When/Deadline
Membership
Submit To
Adult & Leader Highlights
Form
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Green Grapevine - Forms Continued Note
Troop Disband
Troop Development Coordinator – LaSwan Dinson, ldinson@gssef.org
Submit this form and accompanying items when the troop disbands.
Accident Report – Girls
Director of Volunteerism – Heather Hileman, hhileman@gssef.org
Must be submitted within 48 hours of the accident.
Accident Report - Adults
Your assigned Volunteerism Manager (contact info for all MVP team members can be found on the About page of www.gssef.org)
Must be submitted within 48 hours of the accident.
Silver Award
Director of Program – Lammy Askar, aaskar@gssef.org or mvpteam@gssef.org
Interest forms can be submitted anytime. Final reports with completed scrapbooks are due April 1 each year.
Gold Award
Director of Program – Lammy Askar, aaskar@gssef.org or mvpteam@gssef.org
Interest forms can be submitted anytime. Final reports with completed scrapbooks are due April 1 each year.
Financial Assistance Application
Troop Development Coordinator – LaSwan Dinson, ldinson@gssef.org
Financial Assistance is designed to aid currently registered girl members, or girls seeking membership in Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida jurisdiction, by providing supplemental resources to households and families.
See instructions on the forms and in the Volunteer Policies and Procedures for additional information. See instructions on the form for additional information. See instructions on the form for additional information. Go to the Girl Award page under Program on www.gssef.org for additional information. Go to the Girl Award page under Program on www.gssef.org for additional information. Financial Assistance allocations are subject to availability within the council’s annual budget. Applications are held confidentially by the council and are not shared with third parties.
Calendar
When/Deadline
Membership
Submit To
Adult & Leader Highlights
Form
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Green Grapevine - Forms Continued When/Deadline
Note
Volunteer Applications and Background Checks
Volunteer Intake and Recruitment Coordinator – Maritsa Benoit, mbenoit@gssef.org
Anytime! The more volunteers you have, the better.
Girl and Adult Health Histories
Maintained by Troop Leader
Should have on hand for each Girl Scout activity.
End-of-Year Troop Reports
This is an online form. Just click SUBMIT, and we’ll take it from there.
Due July 31 each year.
Only registered VOLUNTEERS may take responsibility for girls, transport girls and chaperone overnight trips. See the Volunteer Essentials manual for more information on the differences between Adult Members and Volunteers. These files are confidential and only shared with medical personnel in the event of an emergency. Link to online form will open in late April. Troop Leaders are required to submit this report annually.
Membership
Submit To
Adult & Leader Highlights
Form
Calendar
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Adult Training Volunteer Essentials Take the first step in your leadership experience by getting informed of the policies and procedures of Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. This class is required for all new leaders within 60 days of appointment. An email with login information will be sent prior to class. April 1 at 7 p.m. - Class Location: Online 1 To register, click here - Cost: FREE but required pre-registration April 14 at 7 p.m. - Class Location: Online
14 To register, click here - Cost: FREE but required pre-registration April 29 at 7 p.m. - Class Location: Online
29 To register, click here - Cost: FREE but required pre-registration Orienteering 101
Pins and Recognitions Ever wondered what different pins girls and leaders can earn? What DO they stand for and how can you and your troop get them? Let us tell you all about it! April 21 at 7:15 p.m. - Cost: $3 - To register, click here 21 Location: St. Bonaventure Parish Center, 1301 SW 136th Ave., Davie, FL 33325
Adult & Leader Highlights
Did you know your smartphone now has a compass? Never be lost again! This class will teach you basic Orienteering skills, how to orient yourself in relation to a starting position using a compass and a pace-wheel. You will follow and learn to set up a fun treasure hunt (Orienteering Course) for your next troop outing! April 25 at 10 a.m. - Cost: $3 - To register, click here 25 Location: Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise, FL 33326
Troop Essentials (For Daisies, Brownies and Juniors) Membership
Troop Essentials offers grade-level specific information on how to set-up your troop, from deciding when, where and how often to meet and how to’s on managing troop finances, to working with parents and planning engaging troop activities. This class will inform and inspire you in your new role as a Troop Leader. April 21 at 6 p.m. - Cost: FREE but pre-registration required - To register, click here 21 Location: Oakland Park Service Center, 4701 NW 33rd Ave., Oakland Park, FL 33309
Journey Jumpstart Calendar
Let us take you on a Journey! We will explain the easy how-to’s for engaging girls on selecting a Journey, setting a timeline, getting started, introducing the “Take Action” element of the process and finally – showing off some of the various Journey activities too. Getting into a Journey is really a snap, when you have the right tools. April 27 at 6 p.m. (Daisies and Brownies) - Cost: $3 - To register, click here 27 April 27 at 6 p.m. (Juniors and Cadettes) - Cost: $3 - To register, click here Location: Davie Dunkin Donuts: Pine Island Plaza, 9700 State Road 84, Davie, FL 33324
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Volunteer Weekend Volunteer Weekend - Registration Closes April 1 This is an opportunity for registered adult volunteers to network with others and learn new skills. We’ll be offering super-fun themed activities, a chance to explore Camp Nocatee, canoeing and archery contests, info sessions and a special workshop on conflict resolution, presented by Dr. Eivina Muniute-Cobb on Saturday tailored just for Girl Scouts. Dr. Eivina Muniute-Cobb has guided organizations, teams and individuals to attain the desirable results in employee retention, organizational culture, performance improvement and conflict resolution. Among her areas of expertise is leadership and team development, critical thinking development, ROI measurement of HR and training programs and strategic planning. She held an executive position for a number of years at the community based mental health center in South Florida. Dr. Muniute-Cobb is a doctoral graduate from Florida International University in Adult Education and Human Resource Development. She received a Master’s degree in Industrial Psychology from Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania. Camp accommodations, food and commemorative T-shirt are included in the registration cost. April 10 at 7 p.m. - April 12 - Cost: $35
Registration is open to registered adult volunteers only. Please register by grade level of your girls. Multi-level troop volunteers may choose their grade level. Specific info with what to bring, what to wear etc. will be sent via email prior to the event. Registration deadline is April 1. To register for Daisies, click here To register for Cadettes click here To register for Brownies, click here To register for Seniors, click here To register for Juniors, click here To register for Ambassadors, click here
Adult & Leader Highlights
10 Location: Camp Nocatee, 4009 Flaghole Road, Clewiston, FL 33440
Volunteer Weekend - Day Only Session
April 11 at 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (No overnight camping) - Cost: $25 - To register, click here
11 Location: Camp Nocatee, 4009 Flaghole Road, Clewiston, FL 33440
Membership
This session is an opportunity for registered adult volunteers to network with others and learn new skills. We’ll be offering super-fun themed activities, a chance to explore Camp Nocatee, canoeing and archery contests, info sessions and a special workshop on conflict resolution tailored just for Girl Scouts. Activities, lunch and T-shirt are included in the registration cost.
Registration is open to registered adult volunteers only. Registration deadline is April 1.
Calendar
Visit the A dult Lear calendar ning here for all classe s. Question s about adult lea rning? Email volu nte er@gs sef.org
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Membership Update
G
SSEF’s girl membership goal for the 2015 membership year is 13,120, and the adult membership goal is 5,800. Over 9,507 girls and 4,742 adults have already registered for the 2015 Girl Scout year.
6,000
14,000 12,000
5,000 10,000 8,000 72% of
Goal
82% of 4,000 Goal
6,000 3,000 4,000
Take the Lead. Be an Early Bird
E
arly Bird re-registration begins April 15! Now is the time to prepare your troop for Early Bird re-registration; that special time of year when currently registered girls and adults re-register for the upcoming membership year … and earn exciting incentives!
2,000
2,000
Goal 13,120
Goal 5,800
Girl Membership
Adult Membership
Questions? Contact Rhonda Netzel at rnetzel@gssef.org. Need your e-Council user ID or password information? No problem! Contact Mileneda Joseph, Council Registrar, at mjoseph@gssef.org.
Early Bird Incentives
W
e are so excited to introduce the following incentives for participation in this year’s Early Bird. Troop Leaders commit their time, patience and guidance to girls throughout the year. To say thank you and show our commitment to your continued participation in a leadership position, this year’s incentives include something for you!
Troops participating in Early Bird and re-registering 80 percent of their currently registered girls by April 30 will be eligible for the following incentives:
Troops participating in Early Bird and re-registering 80 percent of their currently registered girls by May 31 will be eligible for the following incentives:
Calendar
Check out the • 2015-16 Early Bird Patch (all girls, Troop Leaders and Co-Leaders) Early Bird • Additional 1-cent per box of cookies sold during the 2016 Girl Scout 2015-16 patch! Cookie Sale • 1 – Troop Leader re-registration ($15 value) Question s about m • 1 – Co-Leader re-registration ($15 value) embership Contact Rhonda L ? ang Netz Director e l, of Mem rnetzel@g bership, at ssef.org.
Membership
• 2015-16 Early Bird Patch (all girls, Troop Leaders and Co-Leaders) • Additional 3-cents per box of cookies sold during the 2016 Girl Scout Cookie Sale • 1 – Troop Leader re-registration ($15 value) • 1 – Co-Leader re-registration ($15 value)
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Tips for Early Bird Preparation • Login to e-Council to review the troop roster to ensure all girls are registered for the 2015 membership year • Confirm email addresses for girls and adults and update as needed • If a girl has moved out of the area or to a different troop, contact your Service Unit Registrar to move her record out of your troop roster • All roster changes must be completed by April 3 • The number of girls used to determine the 80 percent retention total for each troop will be based on the number of girls in the troop roster on April 3
Add New Girls to Early Bird! How You Get The Girl! New this year! GSSEF wants troops to add NEW girls during this year’s Early Bird period. It’s simple; Troop Leaders will use this link to register new girls in existing troops between April 15 – May 31. Don’t look at this idea and Shake It Off! For every new girl added to an existing troop during Early Bird, Troop Leaders will be entered to win TWO TICKETS to Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour at American Airlines Arena on October 27, 2015 with chauffeured car service to and from the show. This will be the concert that only exists in your Wildest Dreams! At GSSEF, we want to fill up the Blank Space in your troop with a new Girl Scout this spring. #EarlyBird #TaylorSwift #AddMoreGirls
Revised Travel Forms Now Available GSSEF has revised and updated two forms for volunteers to use when traveling with girls: Hold Harmless Agreement and the Permission to Travel Form for Minors. We know it’s time for all of the fabulous end-of-year trips the girls have been planning. Use the optional Hold Harmless Agreement when planning travel of any kind. The Permission to Travel Form for Minors is required for minor children under the age of 18 traveling from the U.S. to any foreign country, when not accompanied on the trip by her parent(s). You will want to build in time to get the required documentation, signatures and notarization before the trip. Adult volunteers should keep these original forms, as well as any accompanying documentation “on their person” for the duration of travel. A copy of the completed form must be submitted to the Troop Development Coordinator, LaSwan Dinson, with the Troop’s Travel Application, which are kept in the troop’s master file. You may reach LaSwan Dinson at ldinson@gssef.org or (954) 513-3761.
Membership
The Permission to Travel Form for Minors is a critical document for cruises. As you may know, ship’s registries are from foreign countries and are rarely registered in the U.S. So this means boarding a cruise ship, regardless of the destination, means you are on foreign soil. It’s very important that adult volunteers understand how to gain proper parental permission and protect themselves, so they can travel with confidence. Volunteers can access the Harmless Agreement form here and the Permission to Travel Form for Minors here.
Calendar
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April S
M
W
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Feeding Florida Together Food Drive Begins Gold and Silver Award Reports Due Volunteer Essentials
Volunteer Weekend
Volunteer Essentials
National Volunteer Week
Volunteer Weekend One-Day
GSSEF Annual Meeting
Camporee Lottery Early Bird Re-registration Begins
Pins & Recognitions
Orienteering 101
Troop Essentials
Journey Jumpstart
Volunteer Essentials
Feeding Florida Together Food Drive End
May S
M
T
W
T
F
S Journey In A Day
GSSEF Offices Closed for Memorial Day
Calendar
Early Bird ReRegistration Ends