Linking Leaders E-Newsletter February 2015

February 2015

New Volunteer Spotlight............1

Veteran Volunteer Spotlight..............................................................1

Programs at a Glance

Wet’n Wild Programs .................... 2

Volunteer Spotlight Every month, we are showcasing a new and a veteran volunteer who exemplifies the Girl Scout mission and serves as a role model for other leaders.

More Programs Headed Your Way ............................................................................. 2 Need More Cookies?............... 3 Bling.Your.Booth ................................... 3 Cookie Money in Action ........4

Share Your Guiding Light ....... 4

Adult & Leader Highlights Green Grapevine Troop Treasury? ................................ 5

February Adult Training .. 6-7 Save the Date - Volunteer Weekend April 10-12 ............. 8

Shout Out to Sea Star Service Unit .............................................. 8

Membership

Membership Update ............... 9

Service Unit Registrar Training ............................................................. 9

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my became a new volunteer in the fall of 2013 when she started a Daisy troop for her daughter, Elizabeth. This past spring when Amy heard that the Jupiter Service Unit team was doing succession planning to fill next year’s leadership roles, she stepped right up and offered her time and support as the incoming Registrar. One would expect this to be an intimidating position for a newer leader, but Amy is amazing! She is organized and efficient, fun and personable. And best of all, there is no waiting list in the Jupiter Service Unit. With Amy's help and dedication, they’ve been able to find a troop for every girl. Way to go, Amy!

THEY’RE HERE

Calendar....................................10 See pg. 3

Calendar

Plan to Be a 2016 GSSEF Early Bird ..................................................... 9

Veteran Volunteer Spotlight

Membership

2015 Adult Awards – Nominations Open ...................... 8

A

nnie has been an enthusiastic Troop Leader in the Wetlands Service Unit for the last five years where she started a Daisy Troop. Last year, she stepped up to the Service Unit Recruiter position helping all the new volunteers and leading successful troop forming and placement activities.

Thank you Annie for all of your dedication to Girl Scouting and for promoting the leadership experience in the Wetlands Service Unit! We are so thankful!

Adult & Leader Highlights

Cookie Eating Contest .............. 4

New Volunteer Spotlight

Programs at a Glance

Mall Madness Just Got Bigger! ................................................................... 2

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.

Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight

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Mall Madness Just Got Bigger!

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days

e're adding even more mania as we celebrate 10 years of Mall Madness! When you register for Mall Madness by January 27, you'll be entered into our 10 Days of Giveaways drawing for your chance to win!

Already registered, no problem! You're in! Each registration transaction for Mall Madness from December 1, 2014 to January 27, 2015 will be placed in a drawing to win. What will your prize be? Maybe a gift card for food to keep you going all night.

Perhaps a gift card to Claire's to help you shop ‘til you drop. The possibilities are endless! Each day from February 1-10, one lucky girl or troop will be randomly selected from registered participants to win one of our 10 Days of Giveaways prizes. Keep checking Facebook every day at 10 a.m. to see if you're the winner. On day 10, your chances are tripled - we're giving away THREE prizes.

GIVEAWAYS

Wet ‘n Wild Programs

Girl Scout’s Slumber Splash Bash Celebrate the start of summer with the exclusive overnight event, Slumber Splash Bash! It includes use of Wet ‘n Wild’s rides and attractions, themed entertainment and an all-you-can-eat breakfast.

Adult & Leader Highlights

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irl Scouts of all ages love Wet ‘n Wild. While their mission is to give Girl Scout troops quality fun, they also have a passion for education. With their exclusive events and programs, you can take learning and excitement to another level! For more information on programs, group rates, etc. contact Amber Pandohie, Youth Sales Representative, at (407) 2483000 or amber.pandohie@wetnwildorlando.com. Check out the upcoming events and programs:

Programs at a Glance

YOU MUST BE REGISTERED FOR MALL MADNESS BY JANUARY 27 TO PARTICIPATE IN 10 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS. Register here. Financial assistance is available here.

Scout Days

STEM Aqua Lab Teach tomorrow’s engineers and scientists how mass, weight, inertia and velocity make Wet ‘n Wild’s rides such a rush! Afterwards, experience the in-park Aqua Lab and apply physics concepts to a real world setting in the waterpark!

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he January through May 2015 Program Supplement is now available on our website. You’ll be able to sign up for all types of awesome programs including a Magical Family Campfire in Ft. Pierce, WHO, WHO Can Sleep at the Zoo in West Palm Beach and a Let’s Glow Crazy Masquerade in Oakland Park. Click here to start browsing.

Calendar

More Programs Headed Your Way

Membership

Earning patches has never been this fun! Scout Days provide the chance to complete projects and earn badges in a fun environment. Enjoy an hour and a half of exclusive classes with Wet ‘n Wild’s certified lifeguard staff.

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Need More Cookies?

Already need more Samoas or Thin Mints?

Follow these steps to replenish your supply:

Placing a Pending Reorder from Agent Warehouse or Mobile Cupboard in eBudde Troops may place a pending reorder for additional cookies through eBudde anytime after initial orders have been submitted. Pending reorder pickups begin January 23 and continue throughout the Cookie Sale. A revised reorder schedule will be emailed January 27 to all Service Unit Product Sale Managers and Troop Leaders. It will include locations, hours and cupboard numbers.

Calendar

Get loving fans to form lines around the block to visit your booth!

Wouldn’t that be A-M-A-Z-I-N-G? All you have to do is grab that big imagination, get creative. Your troop could win $150, a Nickelodeon Suite stay, custom patch and bragging rights! Click here for all the details on what you need to do and how to enter.

Questions? Contact Denise Fiorelli at dfiorelli@gssef.org or (561) 427-0180.

Membership

Bling. Your. Booth.

Adult & Leader Highlights

Please follow these steps to enter a pending reorder into eBudde.

1. On the following page, find the number of the cupboard you are processing reorders from.

2. Log in to eBudde as the Troop Leader.

3. Click on the Transactions tab.

4. Click on the blue Add a Transaction button.

5. The Date should be the date you are entering the transaction.

6. The Pick-up is the date of the scheduled cupboard where you are picking up cookies.

7. The Transaction type should be Normal.

8. Under Second Party, select Cupboard.

9. Next to number, put the Cupboard number that you located. Mobile Cupboard locations and Agent Warehouse location #’s are listed on the Reorder Schedule.

10. The troop is getting cookies, so change “Remove Product” to “Add Product.”

11. Add the number of CASES of each variety that the troop is getting from the Cupboard.

They can only order from the cupboards in cases.

12. When the main transaction screen appears, click the blue Save/Print button.

13. Print the Transaction Receipt and take this to the cupboard when picking up your reorder.

14. Click the Okay button to complete in the transaction box screen that now appears.

15. Take the printed copy of the pending order to the cupboard when picking up your reorder.

Programs at a Glance

Pending reorders must be submitted the day prior to picking up cookies by 2 p.m.* This guarantees that the troop’s reorder will be available and ready to be picked up. Reorders received after 2 p.m. will not be guaranteed. Reorders may also be picked up without a pending reorder being placed in advance, at any scheduled mobile cupboard or agent warehouse that is listed on the schedule. Understand these reorders will be available on a first-come, first served basis and may not be filled completely. Each mobile cupboard or agent warehouse will have Cookie Troop Reorder Forms available that you will need to fill out at the time you are picking up. The Troop Leader or designated party picking up the reorder takes the pink copy of the Cookie Troop Reorder Form and the mobile cupboard or agent warehouse keeps the white, yellow and goldenrod copies. *Reorder cupboards scheduled for Monday need the pending reorders entered that previous Saturday as the warehouse is not open on Sundays.

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Cookie Money in Action

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Cookie Eating Contest

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ho’s feeling hungry? Come gobble up some Girl Scout cookies while you enjoy the South Florida Fair* at the annual Cookie Eating Contest on January 31 at 2:30 p.m. Email Steffi Beigh at sbeigh@gssef.org if you’d like to participate. Also, please share this with any of your friends and family. The more, the merrier (limited spots available)! *No admission cost

Programs at a Glance

ach year, girls do amazing things with the money they earn from the Cookie Sale Program.

For example, they’ve purchased police badges for the canine officers, taken cruises and trips to Savannah, purchased supplies for children’s hospitals and donated to animal welfare agencies.

We want people to know that the simple purchase of a box of cookies makes a difference to their community. We want them to know that through Girl Scouts, girls learn how to make the world a better place – one girl, one dollar and one cookie at a time. We want to hear about your cookie money in action. We will use the stories we collect in our marketing and public relations efforts throughout and after the Cookie Sale Program. Please send your stories to Melinda Glasco, Director of Marketing Communications, at mglasco@gssef.org.

Adult & Leader Highlights

Share Your Guiding Light

Calendar

Write or draw your own Girl Scout message inside this Guiding Light and bring it into one of our two Retail Stores by February 23 and add it to our Guiding Light display. By participating, you’ll receive 20 percent off a single item. Questions? Contact Jodi Potter at jpotter@gssef.org. Special discount expires on February 23, 2015.

Membership

World Thinking Day is February 22 and there are lots of activities girls can do to participate. The light of a candle has been used for years by Girl Scouts around the world to feel connected to one another. Here’s a way to connect, share and show the world your Girl Scout spirit!

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Green Grapevine - Troop Treasury?

Dear Green GrapevineI want to explain the troop treasury to the parents in my troop.

I’d like to sum up how it operates, who maintains it and what role they have. Any tips?

Thanks - Ivana Samoa

Have a q ues se e answ tion you’d like to ered in th e Gre en Grapevin e?

Email volu nte er@gs sef.org

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reat question, especially at this time of year! We’d explain it this way…

Troop funds are generated to help support program activities planned by girls. These funds may be obtained through troop dues, council‐sponsored product programs, special money‐earning projects or troop sponsorship. All funds are maintained in the Troop Treasury; Troop Leaders and account signers are the guardians of money belonging to the troop and are charged with safeguarding all monies collected in the name of Girl Scouts.

The balance of the Troop Treasury should be known by the girls in the troop. Knowing what they have in the bank helps them plan events and activities and helps them set the achievable goals.

Additional guidance on our council’s financial policies and procedures can be found here.

If you have specific questions about the Troop Treasury, you can email volunteer@gssef.org.

Calendar

Good record keeping is especially important at cookie time! Be sure to get signatures for any cookies given to girls or parents and be sure to make deposits promptly and in advance of any scheduled ACH withdrawals. If you have any issues, please let the council know. We will work with you to resolve any issues you may encounter.

Membership

Here are some tips for keeping troop financial records as transparent as possible: •Monies are to be used only by the troop for troop activities •Issue receipts for Troop Treasury transactions •Keep all deposit slips and receipts •Blank checks should not be signed in advance •Record checks and debit card transactions carefully •Deposit money promptly •Keep detailed records of income and expenses – records must be open to girls and parents •Balance bank statements promptly •Keep parents and girls informed about the Troop’s Treasury •Do not “borrow” troop money for any reason •Complete and submit your Troop End-of-Year Report (due July 31)

Adult & Leader Highlights

Parents/guardians have a right to know what happens to troop money. Leaders should establish a system (newsletter, financial report, regular parents’ meeting) to keep parents informed about how troop money is being used. Troop financial records should be open for parental or council inspection at all times. Leaders should also provide the parents with a copy of the End of Year Troop report which recaps the activities and accomplishments along with the troop’s financial information.

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February Adult Training Highlights

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he Spring 2015 adult training calendar is now open. Questions about adult learning?

Email volunteer@gssef.org.

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 a required for all new leaders within 60 days of appointment. An email with login information will be sent prior to class.

February 9 at 7 p.m. - Class Location: Online 9 To register, click here - Cost: FREE but required pre-registration February 23 at 7 p.m. - Class Location: Online 23 To register, click here - Cost: FREE but required pre-registration

The Bronze Award

New Leader Café Meet staff members in person and get the answers to your questions. This is an open forum for you to ask those questions, get advice and where to find the most up-to-date information.

February 9 at 6:30 p.m. - Cost: FREE but pre-registration required - To register, click here 9 Class Location: Davie Dunkin Donuts, 9700 State Road 84, Davie, FL 33324

Troop Essentials for Daisy/Brownie/Junior Level (class format)

Membership

Troop Essentials grade level training offers grade-level specific information on how to set-up your troop, from deciding when, where and how often to meet and how to manage troop finances. This class will inform and inspire you in your new role as a Troop Leader. Please note: This is recommended for new Girl Scout Leaders within 60 days of your appointment.

February 17 at 6 p.m. - Cost: FREE but pre-registration required - To register, click here 17 Class Location: Oakland Park Service Center, 4701 NW 33rd Ave., Oakland Park, FL 33309

Adult & Leader Highlights

All about the Bronze Award! Girl Scout Juniors have the ability to achieve the first of the highest Girl Scout Awards. This class will prepare you to assist the girls on their journey through the Bronze Award. We will review requirements, provide resources, examples and tips and tricks.

February 7 at 3 p.m. - Cost: $3 - To register, click here 7 Class Location: Panera Bread, 771 Village Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33409

Journey Jumpstart for Daisy/Brownie Level

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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.

February 18 at 6 p.m. - Cost: $3 - To register, click here 18 Class Location: Davie Dunkin Donuts 9700 State Road 84, Davie, FL 33324

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February Adult Training Highlights Continued Troop Essentials: All Grade Levels 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.

February 18 at 6 p.m. - Cost: FREE but pre-registration required 18 Class Location: Harmonia Masonic Lodge, 1896 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. #200, West Palm Beach, FL 33409 - To register, click here

Journey Jumpstart for Junior/Cadette Level 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.

February 18 at 7:30 p.m. - Cost: $3 - To register, click here 18 Class Location: Davie Dunkin Donuts, 9700 State Road 84, Davie, FL 33324

Spring Troop Camp Training Registration is Open

TCT Basic – March 7 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Cost $20 - To register, click here Location: Camp Welaka, 10205 Girl Scout Way, Tequesta, FL 33469 Completion of Girl Scout Troop Camp Training (TCT) training is required by one adult volunteer in your troop in order for your girls to go camping. Learn fire building, basic cooking, simple knot tying, safety issues and other necessary outdoor skills. This will prepare you to camp at any GSSEF camp property or similar facility. TCT – Basic is a full-day experience. Lunch and supplies are included. Information on what to wear, bring and know before you come will be sent to you prior to the event.

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Calendar

Submit Troop or Volunteer News here.

Membership

TCT Intermediate – March 7 at 9 a.m. - March 8 at 11 a.m. - Cost $30 To register, click here Location: Camp Welaka, 10205 Girl Scout Way, Tequesta, FL 33469 Love tent camping? Ready to take your troop’s camping to the next level? The Intermediate level training prepares you for tent camping and includes outdoor cooking, knot tying and knife skills. Food (lunch, dinner and breakfast) and supplies are included. Completion of BTC Basic or test-out approval from council is a pre-requisite. Information on what to wear, bring and know before you come will be sent to you prior to the event.

Visit the A dult Lear calendar ning here for all classe s.

Question s about adult lea r ning?

Email volu nte er@gs sef.org

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Adult & Leader Highlights

Love camping? Want to go camping with your troop? Then Troop Camp Training is for you!

Registration for our spring sessions is open! For more information, email volunteer@gssef.org.

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Save the Date – Volunteer Weekend April 10-12

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olunteer Weekend is an opportunity for registered adult volunteers to network, socialize and choose from diverse workshops for personal enrichment. You’ll get to explore and experience Camp Nocatee, make new friends and learn new things you can share with your girls. More details will be shared soon. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us next April!

2015 Adult Awards – Nominations Open Soon!

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Shout Out to Sea Star Service Unit

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Membership

he GSSEF Sea Star Service Unit conducted an impressive county-wide park clean-up campaign where girls and troops cleaned and improved 15 parks in Martin County. This effort was organized by volunteer Kim Johnson. Now, the Sea Star Service Unit has been nominated by Martin County’s Keep Martin Beautiful for the 2015 Environmental Stewardship Award, in the Youth category. The awards ceremony is February 4 at Piper's Landing Yacht Country Club in Palm City. Congratulations to the Sea Star Service Unit on this important recognition for your hard work!

Adult & Leader Highlights

here’s nothing quite like the power of a thank you. For volunteers who work tirelessly in Service Units and Troops on behalf of girls, GSUSA offers official awards to recognize them and say thank you. We have an easy-to-use online nomination packet to guide you through the process. The link here will provide descriptions of each of the National Adult Awards as well as previous recipients. We want to help you nominate and award your friends and volunteer colleagues in 2015. The nomination period is open until March 15. Recipients will be informed in April. Our council pays for, and provides, the actual award pins for recipients at these levels: The Appreciation Pin, The Honor Pin, The Thanks Badge and The Thanks II Badge. GSSEF also coordinates certificates for individuals and business receiving the Community Award. However, the nominations are in your hands. We have a volunteer committee and a member of our staff who can help you at any point, as you think about who you would like to nominate. Please contact Joanna Menard at jmenard@gssef.org at any point throughout the process. Begin thinking now and making a list of who you think deserves a big thank you for their contribution to our world of Girl Scouting.

Calendar Calendar

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Membership Update

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6,000

14,000 12,000

SSEF’s girl membership goal for the 2015 membership year is 10,000 13,120 and the adult membership goal is 5,800. Over 8,800 girls and 4,475 adults have already registered for the 2015 Girl Scout 8,000 67% of Goal year. We continue to plan recruitment and community events to 6,000 recruit and register more girls and families. Your help is needed to 4,000 reach our membership goals. Contact the membership team to assist 2,000 at a recruitment or to suggest a recruitment location.

In St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee and Indian River Counties, contact Stephanie Vernot at svernot@gssef.org In Palm Beach County, contact Kristal Mize at kmize@gssef.org

5,000 4,000

77% of Goal

3,000 2,000

Goal 13,120

Goal 5,800

Girl Membership

Adult Membership

In North Broward County (Coral Springs, Parkland, Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, Oakland Park, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, Coconut Creek, Margate, Wilton Manors and Tamarac), contact Jeanette Jones at jjones@gssef.org In South Broward County (Sunrise, Weston, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Hollandale, Miramar, Southwest Ranches, Plantation, Davie), contact Laura Rivera at lrivera@gssef.org

Question s about m embership Contact Rhonda L ? a ng Director of Memb Netzel, rnetzel@g ership, at ssef.org.

Service Unit Registrar Training

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ll Service Unit Registrars are invited to attend the annual Early Bird Registrar Training. These training sessions have been developed to review the Early Bird registration process, provide tools for registrars to assist troop leaders with the Early Bird registration process and review processes for year-around recruitment, data-entry and access to Service Unit and troop reports and rosters. RSVP to Rhonda Netzel at rnetzel@gssef.org by February 26.

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Monday, March 2 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (dinner included) Location: Jupiter Service Center, 1224 W. Indiantown Road, Jupiter, FL 33458 Monday, March 9 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (dinner included) Oakland Park Service Center, 4701 NW 33 Ave., Oakland Park, FL 33309

Membership

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Plan to be a 2016 GSSEF Early Bird!

Calendar

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reparations are underway for the implementation of the 2016 Early Bird membership re-registration program. Troop leaders should start preparing now by reviewing troop rosters to ensure all registered girls are on your troop roster in e-Council. Requests for roster changes may be sent to your Service Unit Registrar or Mileneda Joseph, council registrar at mjoseph@gssef.org. Early Bird re-registration will begin on April 15. Stay tuned for announcements of this year’s exciting new incentives!

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February S

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President’s Volunteer Service Award Deadline

S Bronze Award Adult Training

New Leader Cafe Volunteer Essentials

Troop Essentials

Cookie Sale Program Ends

Journey Jumpstart Troop Essentials

Mall Madness

World Thinking Day Volunteer Essentials

March S

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S TCT Basic

Service Unit Training

TCT Intermediate

TCT Intermediate

Service Unit Training

Girl Scout Anniversary

Adult Nominee Deadline

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