June & July 2015
Volunteer Spotlight.................................1 Shoutout to St. Lucie County Troops ....................................................................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.
Spotlights
Spotlights
Summer Camp ................................. 2-3 Wet ‘n Wild Celebrates Girl Scouts ....................................................... 4 Send Your Girls Off to Camp With A Camp Bag ....................... 4
Adult & Leader Highlights Green Grapevine - CPR .... 5
Lindsey Brown Honored as Julia Jackson Award Recipient ....................................................... 6 Adult Learning ............................... 7-8 Save The Date - Volunteer Weekend ..................................................... 8 Troop Leaders - Share Your Story ..................................................................... 8
Membership
Membership Update ................ 9
Only Six More Days To Be An Early Bird ..................................................... 9
Calendar.......................................10
Shout out to St. Lucie County Troops A special thanks to Troop #40098, Troop #40116, Troop #40182, Troop #40210, Troop #40272, Troop #40718 and Troop #41221 for the awesomely creative basket donations for the recent Gems of STEM luncheon. The attendees loved them and helped us raise money during the silent auction. Pictured are the four honorees: Jessica Fernandez, Juliette Lomax-Homier, Sue Zheng and Cyndee Shevak.
Calendar
Submit Troop or Volunteer News here.
Don Brooks, aka “The Cookie Man,” is a valuable asset to the Leo Service Unit, serving as their Cookie Manager for many years now. From coordinating initial delivery to helping with computer problems, Don is consistently organized, attentive to detail and always there to ensure Leo troops have successful cookie sales. This year Don stepped up to manage one of the cookie drop-off locations and devoted an entire weekend to distributing cookies to Troop Leaders and parents from all parts of our council, all while in the midst of planning and preparation for his daughter’s wedding! He is a model of patience who reflects organization and a sincere willingness to resolve issues. Don also serves on the Leo Camporee committee and on many other service unit event committees and sub-committees. Leo is grateful to have such a dedicated volunteer in Don Brooks!
Membership
Lifetime Membership Available .................................................... 9
Every month, we showcase a volunteer who exemplifies the Girl Scout mission and serves as a role model for other leaders.
Adult & Leader Highlights
End-of-Year Reporting Requirements ................................... 5-6
Volunteer Spotlight
Programs at a Glance
Summer Funshine .......................... 3-4
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Summer Camp Summertime is here ... but where are you? Join GSSEF at one (or two, or three or all!) of our fabulous summer camps! GSSEF Summer Camps incorporate everything summer in one place! Making memories are a staple of the summer months, and GSSEF wants to help you have fun with these activities. There’s a little something for all age and comfort levels. Check out the sessions here (and scoop up your patch!) to claim your spot!
Ignite Your Summer Day Camp - All ages
June 13 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. - Cost: $35 per girl - Register here
13 Location: Camp Welaka 10205 SE Girl Scout Camp Road, Tequesta, FL 33469
Programs at a Glance
Come and kick off your great big summer! This one-day session will be jam-packed with fun and games for everyone. Lunch and snacks are included. Girls should wear sneakers with socks. Girls should bring: water bottle, one-piece swim suit, a towel, tote bag and a hat or visor. Highly recommended to wear and bring sun screen, too.
Me and My Mom Day Camp - All ages
June 14 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. - Cost: $20 per person - Register here
14 Location: Camp Welaka 10205 SE Girl Scout Camp Road, Tequesta, FL 33469 Songs Skits and S’mores Campfire - All ages
June 19 from 6 – 9 p.m. - Cost: $6 per person - Register here
19 Location: Camp Telogia 6501 Holmberg Road, Parkland, FL 33067
Membership
Come one, come all! Everyone is invited to sit around the fire for an unforgettable evening of summer fun. Yes, everyone! Register moms, dads, brothers, cousins, friends and neighbors, too! Bring what you like but water bottles, insect repellent and folding camp chairs are highly recommended. Fire, yummy s'mores and activities supplied.
Adult & Leader Highlights
Open to Girl Scouts with the ladies they LOVE! Loads of togetherness-fun ... What a treat to unplug and enjoy a day to build new memories. Don't forget to pack your picnic lunch. Female adult registration is required. One female adult may accompany up to two girls. Girls should wear sneakers with socks. Everyone should bring: water bottle, one-piece swim suit, a towel, tote bag and a hat or visor. Highly recommended to wear and bring sun screen, too.
Dude! That’s My Dad Day Camp - All ages
June 20 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. - Cost: $20 per person - Register here
20 Location: Camp Welaka 10205 SE Girl Scout Camp Road, Tequesta, FL 33469
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Open to Girl Scouts of all grade levels with the "dudes" who adore them! Loads of togetherness-fun ... from crafts and songs, to fishing and canoeing. Don't forget to pack a picnic lunch. Male adult registration is required. One male adult may accompany up to two girls. Girls should wear sneakers with socks. Everyone should bring: water bottle, one-piece swim suit, a towel, tote bag and a hat or visor. Highly recommended to wear and bring sun screen, too.
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Summer Camp Continued Dinner and S’mores Campfire - All ages Get out of your kitchen and have dinner with us! You can register anyone else, too - moms, dads, cousins, brothers and friends! Use classic outdoor cooking techniques to make a scrumptious dinner. Then follow it up with fireside s'mores. Adult registration is required, but annual membership is not. Water bottles, insect repellent and folding camp chairs are highly suggested. June 20 from 6 – 9 p.m. - Cost $10 per person - Register here
20 Location: Camp Telogia 6501 Holmberg Road, Parkland, FL 33067 This is the mini-sized version of our most popular resident camp session ever! Now you can get wonderfully wet and have a super-soaked blast in just two nights! All meals, snacks, s'mores and beverages are included. Girls should pack two one-piece swimsuits, two towels, water/swim shoes, hat or visor, sneakers, socks, insect repellent, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle. June 26 at 12 p.m. – June 28 at 10 a.m. - Cost: $70 per girl - Register here
26 Location: Camp Welaka 10205 SE Girl Scout Camp Road, Tequesta, FL 33469 Fall down the rabbit hole with us! Our Wonderland is waiting for you. This campfire will have you smiling like the Cheshire Cat. Adult program registration is required, but annual membership registration is not. Water bottles, insect repellent and folding camp chairs are highly suggested. June 27 from 7 – 9:30 p.m. - Cost: $6 per girl - Register here
27 Location: Camp Telogia 6501 Holmberg Road, Parkland, FL 33067
Adult & Leader Highlights
Campfire in Wonderland - D, B
Programs at a Glance
H2Ohhh Mini Weekend Camp - B, J, C, S, A
Stars and Stripes Family BBQ - Everyone’s Invited!
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July 3 from 1 – 6 p.m. - Cost: $14 per person - Register here Location: Camp Welaka 10205 SE Girl Scout Camp Road, Tequesta, FL 33469
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Sum Funshmer ine
Girl Scouting doesn’t have to stop when school is out. Troops can continue Girl Scout 2014 activities throughout the summer, even if it’s just once a month. Summer Funshine 2015 provides an opportunity to do some things your troop didn’t have time or resources 2016 to do during the school year and is an excellent opportunity to introduce bridging Girl Scouts to the troop. In addition, the program encourages retention of our girl members.
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Summer Funshine is Here!
Membership
It's the perfect weekend for a celebration of Ol' Glory! All family members invited to register! Kick off your holiday weekend with a special afternoon session filled with crafts, songs, canoeing, swimming, fishing, archery and delicious BBQ. Don't forget the fireside s'mores, too. The afternoon will be jam packed with fun and games for everyone. Be sure to wear red, white and blue! Dinner and dessert are included. Girls and boys should wear sneakers with socks. Everyone should bring: water bottle, one-piece swim suit, a towel, tote bag and a hat or visor. Highly recommended to wear and bring sun screen, too.
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Summer Funshine Continued
To earn the Summer Funshine patch or bar, troops must complete the following requirements: 1. Participate in three activities (one per month) during June, July and August. Your activities must include: a) A community service project (i.e. food drive, recycling project, beach clean-up) b) A family activity (i.e. year-end picnic) c) A troop choice activity (i.e. a fun day, attend a summer program as a troop, work on a badge or interest project)
All applications are due to your Regional Program Manager by September 30.
Wet ‘n Wild Celebrates Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts’ 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.
Scout Day
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!
Membership
Earning patches has never been this fun! Scout Day provides the chance to complete projects and earn badges in a unique and fun environment. Enjoy an hour and a half of exclusive classes with Wet ‘n Wild’s certified lifeguards.
Adult & Leader Highlights
Girl 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! Check out the upcoming events and programs:
Programs at a Glance
2. It is not necessary for every girl to attend each activity, but each girl must participate in at least one activity to be eligible for the patch/bar. Patches and year bars can be purchased at the council Retail Store. Please keep an eye out for notification of when the patches are available. A patch and year bar will be available for first time participants. Girls who have already earned the patch will only need the year bar.
For more information on programs, group rates, etc. contact Amber Pandohie, Youth Sales Representative, at (407) 248-3000 or amber.pandohie@wetnwildorlando.com.
Light up your summer at camp with a special Girl Scout Camp Bag, available in both Retail Stores while supplies last. The Camp Bag includes a Girl Scout camp T-shirt, Girl of the Year water bottle and Girl Scout hair ties. All items come in a green camp bag for only $24.95. Check it out here!
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Send Your Girls Off to Camp With A Camp Bag
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Green Grapevine - CPR? Dear Green Grapevine, Which CPR and First Aid classes satisfy the certification requirement? Can I take an online class? I found one that's really inexpensive. I’d like to take the class over the summer, so I’m ready this fall. Yours Truly, Brooke N. Bones Great questions! The answer can be found on page 53 of the Volunteer Essentials Manual, which we've excerpted below: You can take advantage of first-aid/CPR training offered by chapters of the American Red Cross, National Safety Council, EMP America, American Heart Association or other sponsoring organizations approved by your council. Try to take age-specific CPR training, that is, take child CPR if you're working with younger girls and adult CPR when working with older girls and adults. Caution: First-aid/CPR training that is available entirely online does not satisfy Girl Scouts' requirements. Such courses do not offer enough opportunities to practice and receive feedback on your technique. If you're taking a course not offered by one of the organizations listed in the previous paragraph or any course that has online components, get approval from your support team or council.
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Online End-of-Year (EOY) Troop reporting is here! All troops are required to submit an End-ofYear finance and Troop Activity report each year by July 31. Previously these reports were paper-based. They have now been combined in to one convenient online form. When you are ready to complete the report, there are a few things you'll need. Below is a list of things you should have handy: •Your eCouncil log-in information; this will help you access your member number and those of other key people in your troop. If you need assistance with your log-in, please email Maritsa Benoit, Volunteer Intake and Recruitment Coordinator, at mbenoit@gssef.org. •A saved bank statement; this can either be downloaded and saved from your bank's website or scanned and saved to your computer. You will be asked to upload your troop's June bank statement to complete the report.
Membership
End-of-Year Reporting Requirements
Adult & Leader Highlights
Important - Per this GSUSA policy, any class that is conducted and certified entirely online does NOT satisfy the training requirement. Certain blended classes (those that offer both an online and in-person component) may be acceptable. Please contact your Volunteerism Manager for approval before completing any blended class to ensure it meets the training requirement. Traditional classes, conducted entirely in person, offered by the organizations cited above are acceptable. Please note: Red Cross blended CPR/First Aid DOES meet the training requirement outlined in the Volunteer Essentials Manual. And remember, Troop Treasury funds can be used to pay for adult training. You’ll need a first-aider on trips, so ensuring you have a qualified, certified adult, is necessary. As always, be as transparent as possible with parents and girls when utilizing troop funds. Should you have a question regarding whether or not a class meets the training requirement, please contact your Volunteerism Manager, or email volunteer@gssef.org.
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End-of-Year Reporting Requirements Continued •A photo of your troop doing something fun; we want to see you in action! •A calculator; no worries, the math is simple! •About 30 minutes to dedicate to completing the report, maybe less. The system does require the report be completed in one sitting and unfortunately does not allow you to save work and finish later. If you've got everything you need and you're ready to begin, you can access the form here. If there's anything missing, the system will highlight these fields and prompt you to enter the information before allowing you to submit the form. The form is user friendly and you can't break it! When you click submit, your report will be sent via a secure server to council. The bank account and routing number data is encrypted for your protection. You will receive a confirmation email indicating successful completion of the form.
Lindsey Brown Honored as Julia Jackson Award Recipient
Membership Calendar
Lindsey starting her journey with Girl Scouting 18 years ago as a Brownie Girl Scout. She successfully earned both her Silver and Gold Awards before starting her own Junior troop after graduating high school. She goes above and beyond for her girls and fellow volunteers alike, encouraging local troop leaders to take an active role with their girls and teaching girls to think beyond next week and begin preparing for their futures. Her creative out of the box thinking and helpful spirit is appreciated by all who come in contact with her. Pictured: Lindsey Brown with Dawn Borrow, last year’s Julia Jackson Award recipient.
Adult & Leader Highlights
At their recent Gems of STEM luncheon, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida presented St. Lucie County Troop Leader Lindsey Brown with the Julia Jackson Leader Award. This award honors and recognizes a Girl Scout Troop Leader who demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities and works toward accomplishing the mission of Girl Scouting and is named after the Gems of STEM founding event chair Sydney Liebman’s mother, who was a model Girl Scout Troop Leader. Criteria for the award include a Troop Leader who: •Motivates and inspires her Girl Scouts, as well as other adult volunteers, to accomplish more than they think they can; •Inspires a high level of commitment from both her Girl Scouts and adult volunteers when taking on new initiatives by providing a fun and enriching experience; •Empowers her Girls Scouts by providing positive reinforcement and belief in each of them; •Creates a compelling vision for the future and helps her Girl Scouts understand their role in achieving it; •Seeks volunteer opportunities for which her Girl Scouts can participate, teaching the importance of selfless giving back to their community; •Actively shares responsibility, authority, information and credit when working towards the achievement of a goal (such as Girl Scout Cookie Sale financial planning); •Sets a high standard of integrity by leading through example and maintains high personal standards.
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Adult Learning Archery An archery certified adult is required for your girls to experience this fantastic sport. You'll learn how to set up and operate a safe short-term archery program, how to teach new archers, how to maintain program equipment, and learn common shooting errors and correction, which may also help your own skills. After taking this class, you will be able to treat your troop (or other troops) to an archery experience. Please bring a bagged lunch.
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Saturday, June 6 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Cost: $50 – Register here Location: Camp Welaka, 10205 Girl Scout Camp Road, Tequesta, FL 33469
Canoe Training Interested in taking your troop on local quiet water trips? This course is designed to give you the skills to deal with various flat water boating situations. Focused on safety for canoe Troop Leaders and methods of basic water rescue, we will practice a variety of rescue situations as well as demonstrate the equipment necessary to provide a positive and safe experience. Class is open only to GSSEF registered adult volunteers. Completion of this class will certify you to canoe on council camp properties and approved flat water canoe trips. Please bring a lunch.
Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13 - Cost: $35 – Register here
12 Location: Boy Scout Camp Elmore, 3301 SW 142 Avenue, Davie, FL 33450 The classroom session will be held on Friday at the Boy Scout Camp Elmore at the Leader Cabin from 6 - 8:30 p.m. Class materials will be distributed here. The skills session will be held at the Boy Scout Camp Elmore on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Participants must complete both portions and must pass the swim test for certification. Please bring a lunch.
Take the first step in your leadership experience by getting informed of the policies and procedures of Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. Know the do's and don'ts of GSSEF! Volunteer Essentials - Orientation training is a required for all new Troop Leaders and must be taken within 60 days. Pre-registration is required. An email with login information will be sent prior to the class. Tuesday, June 9 at 7 p.m. – Cost: Free – Register here Location: Online Monday, June 22 at 7 p.m. – Cost: Free – Register here
22 Location: Online
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Membership
Volunteer Essentials
Adult & Leader Highlights
Saturday, June 6 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Cost: $35 – Register here Location: Camp Welaka, 10205 Girl Scout Camp Road, Tequesta, FL 33469. Course materials will be mailed to review and study prior to the class. Swim and subject matter tests and skills session will be held at Camp Welaka.
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Adult Learning Continued End-of-Year Troop Reporting Workshops Join us for a workshop designed to familiarize you with the new End-of-Year troop reporting form, review the items you’ll need to complete it, and answer any questions you may have about the process. An email with login information will be sent prior to class.
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Thursday, June 4 at 7 p.m. – Cost: Free – Register here Location: Online
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Tuesday, June 9 at 12 p.m. – Cost: Free – Register here Location: Online Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. – Cost: Free – Register here
17 Location: Online
Monday, June 22 at 12 p.m. – Cost: Free – Register here
22 Location: Online
Thursday, July 9 at 7 p.m. – Cost: Free – Register here Location: Online Monday, July 13 at 7 p.m. – Cost: Free – Register here
13 Location: Online
Tuesday, July 21 at 12 p.m. – Cost: Free – Register here
21 Location: Online
Check out our Adult Learning Calendar here for a complete listing of classes. Questions about adult learning? Email volunteer@gssef.org.
Save the Date for Volunteer Weekend – March 11-13, 2016 Come GLAMPING with us for a weekend designed just for you, our adult volunteers! More information will be shared as the event nears.
Membership
Save The Date - Volunteer Weekend
Adult & Leader Highlights
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Troop Leaders - Share Your Story
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Who loves delicious Girl Scout Cookies and awesome good deeds? Everyone does! Help Girl Scouts spread the word. Tell GSUSA how you and your troop are using your cookie earnings this year to do something amazing in your community and make the world a better place—all while helping to inspire more support from cookie customers. The more they know about how their purchase impacts the community in awesome ways, the more they’ll buy! Just click here and fill out the form for a chance for you and your girls to be featured during National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend (February 26–28, 2016) and throughout the year on the GSUSA blog, Facebook and Twitter pages and more.
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Membership Update
6,000
14,000 12,000
GSSEF’s girl membership goal for the 2015 is 13,120, and the adult 10,000 membership goal is 5,800. Over 9,935 girls and 4,849 adults have already registered for the 2015 Girl Scout year. 8,000 76% of Goal
Lifetime Membership Available
5,000
84% of 4,000 Goal
6,000 3,000
4,000 It’s that special time of year when girls are earning awards, graduating from high school and preparing for their future. One 2,000 2,000 way to ensure girls stay connected to Girl Scouts as they begin their Goal Goal journey to adulthood is through a discounted Lifetime Membership. 5,800 13,120 Girls who are registered members in the 2015 membership year and graduate high school or the equivalent during that year are eligible to Girl Adult become Lifetime Members at the reduced cost of $195 (a savings Membership Membership of $180 from the regular Lifetime Member dues). Girls interested in securing their Lifetime Membership in Girl Scouts at the reduced rate must return the registration form here with payment to Mileneda Joseph, Council Registrar, by September 1, 2015. For more information, click here to view the Girl Scouts Lifetime Membership brochure and register here.
Questions about Lifetime Membership may be directed to Mileneda Joseph, Council Registrar, at mjoseph@gssef.org or (561) 427-0193 Monday through Thursday.
Only Six More Days to be an Early Bird! Early Bird Registration continues through May 31! Don’t let this year’s incentives fly by your troop. Troops re-registering by May 31 may be eligible for an additional 1-cent per box of Girl Scout Cookies sold during the 2016 Girl Scout Cookie Sale and complimentary Troop Leader and Co-Leader registration for the 2016 membership year. Click here for the flier.
Reasons Why Troops Participate in Early Bird:
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For more information about Early Bird re-registration, contact Rhonda Netzel, Director of Membership, at rnetzel@gssef.org.
Membership
•Troop Leaders can re-register the troop via e-Council, the GSSEF online membership database, in one fast and easy transaction using the troop debit card. •Early Bird Re-registration ensures girls a place in the troop and allows the Troop Leader to know how many new girls she can add next year. •Troops may utilize funds from the troop treasury to easily re-register everyone with the money earned together all year long. Check out the •For families that do pay for their girl to be re-registered as an Early Bird individual or within her troop, we find that there are fewer financial 2015-16 patch! burdens in spring than in fall (i.e. school uniforms, supplies, etc.) •There are also exciting incentives for each qualifying troop … and a patch!
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June S
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Last Day of School Martin County
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End-of-Year Workshop
Archery
Last Day of School Broward, Palm Beach Volunteer Essentials and St. Lucie Counties
End-of-Year Workshop
Canoe Training
Canoe Training
Ignite Your Summer
Volunteer Essentials
End-of-Year Workshop
Me and My Mom Day Camp
Songs, Skits and S’mores Campfire
End-of-Year Workshop
Dinner & S’mores Campfire Dude! That’s My Dad Day Camp
H2Ohhh Mini Weekend Camp
Campfire in Wonderland
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Stars and Stripes Family BBQ
Independence Day
Volunteer Essentials
GSSEF Offices Closed for Fourth of July Week
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End-of-Year Workshop
EOY Troop reports due
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End-of-Year Workshop