Linking Leaders Enewsletter - January 2015

January 2015

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

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

Registration for Cookie U .... 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.

Mall Madness ......................................... 2 More Programs Headed Your Way ........................................................... 2 Samoas Birthday Bash ............ 2

New Volunteer Spotlight

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How The Cookie Crumbles ............................................................ 4

Veteran Volunteer Spotlight

Online Cookie Sale Program is Here! .................................................................. 3

Plain is Boring.

Bling. Your. Booth ................................ 4

Adult & Leader Highlights Green Grapevine Company Donations? ............ 5

2015 Adult Awards – Nominations Open Soon .. 5 January Adult Training ............. 6

Membership

Membership Update ............... 7

Seeking Girl Advisory Members to Board ..................... 7

Happy Girl Scout Year! ............ 7

Calendar........................................ 8

f you were one of the 683 troops participating in the 2013-2014 End-of-Year Troop Reporting process - thank you! Take some time to read it here. Among the highlights: Girl Scouts provided more than 58,000 hours of community service. OUTSTANDING! Troops are offering, and girls are participating in amazing program and are earning badges and other awards across our key initiatives areas of Healthy Living, STEM, Financial Literacy, Outdoor Education and Global Citizenship. Please know that this information is so incredibly valuable, and the time each troop leader took to share it is much appreciated and will be used to continue to grow our program offerings in the future.

Calendar

President’s Volunteer Service Award ............................................................. 7

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End-of-Year Troop Report Summary

Membership

Save the Date - Volunteer Weekend April 10-12 ............. 5

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onique Reed is a second year leader and brand new Assistant Service Unit Volunteer Manager in Aquila Service Unit.

Monique brings Girl Scouting to girls at Samuel Gaines Academy K-8 in Fort Pierce.

We’re happy to welcome Monique to the service unit leadership team and appreciate all she does for our girls!

Adult & Leader Highlights

CSI - Girl Scout Edition ............. 4

elena Thompson is a troop leader from Vero Beach. She has been a volunteer with Girl Scouts for eight years. Her troop is very busy, constantly enjoying programs, service opportunities and much more! Velena is an asset to our council. Thanks, Velena!

Cookie Merchandise is Here ..................................................................... 3

Programs at a Glance

End-of-Year Troop Report Summary.........................................................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.

Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight

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Register Now for Cookie U - January 10

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ame Day! Great Event! Two Locations! Our annual Cookie U is open to troops or individual girls that are Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadettes. Come for the girl-centric business courses in marketing and finance, share amazing ideas, get inspired and graduate with your degree in Cookie Awesomeness! Earn and receive selected national leaves or badges (depending on grades) and our event patch, too! Registration deadline is January 5, however registration may close sooner should the program reach capacity.

Cookie U North Daisy - Register here Cookie U South Daisy - Register here Cookie U North Brownie - Register here Cookie U South Brownie - Register here

Cookie U North Junior - Register here Cookie U South Junior - Register here Cookie U North Cadette - Register here Cookie U South Cadette - Register here

Mall Madness

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More Programs Headed Your Way

Membership

an you believe we’ll be celebrating 10 YEARS OF MADNESS at the Coral Square Mall on February 28 - March 1?! You won’t want to miss the rockin’ good time as girls shop, dance, compete and bond with friends.

Registration is now open, but you better act quickly. VIP admission is already sold out. General admission is $30 and includes a patch. Make a MAD dash to your computer and register here!

Adult & Leader Highlights

FOR ADULTS: Cookie Sale Q&A for parents from 9:30–10:30 a.m. The Retail Store will be open with tons of cookie season must-haves items and much more beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Programs at a Glance

Saturday, January 10 Registration opens at 8 a.m. at both locations, classes begin at 9 a.m. and end at 12 p.m.

Cookie U North: The Pine School, 1300 SE 10 Street, Stuart, FL 34996 Cookie U South: Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory, 500 E. Chaminade Drive, Hollywood, FL 33021

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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.

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ou’re invited to the biggest cookie birthday party! Join us on January 17 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in both Retail Stores. Celebrate with us and receive special prices on Girl Scout Cookie merchandise and eat yummy Samoas while you shop!

Calendar

Samoa’s Birthday Bash

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Cookie Merchandise Is Here!

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e’ve got something for everyone that loves and sells Girl Scout Cookies.

Magnets $6.95

Stickers $5

Cute Adult T-shirt $16

Awesome patches and pins! From $.80 - $2

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Membership

n addition to the already popular and successful door-to-door and booth sales, girls will be able to sell Girl Scouts Cookies through the Digital Cookie Program.

Parents will receive a “Kick-Off” email at the beginning of January 2015 that will include a link to the Digital Order Card. We will be using the email address for the parent that is listed in eCouncil. It is important to note – if a parent did not list their email when registering their daughter, they will not receive the information and the instructions to set their Girl Scout up to participate in the 2015 Digital Cookie Sale. If a parent wishes to add an email address to their daughter’s registration, please ask your Service Unit Registrar to enter this in eCouncil for you.

The “Kick-Off” email will include instructions for parents on how to easily set up a user name and password in the Digital Order Card system. From there, parents will work with their Girl Scout to create and customize her own website with her personal cookie goal. It will also allow you to send out cookie emails to potential customers.

Adult & Leader Highlights

Online Cookie Sale Program is Here!

Programs at a Glance

Cookie Bag $4.95

Bracelets $6

Calendar

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CSI – Girl Scout Edition

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ecome the next Clever Science Investigator at the CSI Girl Scout Edition program held on January 31 at the River Center in Jupiter. Junior Detectives and Cadette Special Agents will participate in different sessions that include forensics, observations, investigating investigation, following the clues to solve a mystery and so much more! For the registration form, click here.

How the Cookie Crumbles

Of the $2.99 in revenue generated from each box of cookies sold, $2.60 goes directly to the girls, in the form of troop proceeds, girl rewards and the delivery of Girl Scout program. That’s 87 percent!

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 and Bling. Your.

Booth. The best part is 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.

Calendar

Plain is Boring. Bling. Your. Booth.

Membership

So how much from each box of cookies goes directly to the girls? $0.70 troop proceeds Plus $0.09 girl rewards Plus $1.81 delivery of Girl Scout program Equals $2.60

Adult & Leader Highlights

Here’s how it all breaks down: $4 sales price of a box of cookies Minus $1.01 cost of a box of cookies Equals $2.99 profit on each box of cookies Minus $0.70 average troop proceed on each box of cookies Minus $0.09 average cost of girl rewards per box of cookies Equal $2.20 council revenue after troop proceeds and girl rewards per box of cookies Minus $0.03 average cost of promotion and advertising per box of cookies (yard signs, collateral and advertising) Equals $2.17 council net revenue per box of cookies According to our 2012-2013 year-end audited financial statements, 83.6 percent of all council expenses were program expenses and only 16.4 percent were management and fundraising.

Minus $1.81 spent on Girl Scout program Minus $0.36 spent on management and fundraising expenses Equals $0.00

Programs at a Glance

Other than the cost of cookies, 100 percent of all funds raised through the Girl Scout Cookie Sale stays right here to support Girl Scouting in our local community.

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Green Grapevine - Company Donations?

Dear Green GrapevineI just found out my company provides financial donations based on my volunteer service. Can I designate the money to our troop? What do I need to do?

Thanks - Lynn Meabuck

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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dult members who are employed by a company offering a matching gift/companysponsored grant program (for employees or spouses) benefiting nonprofit organizations may apply for such funds on behalf of a troop/group. After completing the individual company’s application process, the adult member must submit the Matching Gift/Company-Sponsored Volunteer Grant Designation Form to Lauren Mathers, Fund Development Administrative Assistant at lmathers@gssef.org. The Matching Gift/Company Sponsored Volunteer Grant Designation Form must be submitted to the Fund Development Administrative Assistant, via email, within seven days of the request. Include the company’s application, if available. The Matching Gift/Company Sponsored Volunteer Grant Designation Form, can be found on the Volunteer Vault here.

Save the Date – Volunteer Weekend April 10-12 Volunteer 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 lots of 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!

Calendar

There’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 from January 9 – 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.

Membership

2015 Adult Awards – Nominations Open Soon!

Adult & Leader Highlights

Unsure if your company provides matching gifts? Check with your HR department, they just might! You can also ask parents in your troop if their company provides this benefit. They may be able to apply on the troop’s behalf. For any questions regarding the matching gift/companysponsored grant policy, please email lmathers@gssef.org.

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January Adult Training Highlights

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he Spring 2015 adult training calendar will open January 1. Be sure to check out all of January’s classes here. Questions about adult learning? Email volunteer@gssef.org.

Open NOW – CPR/First Aid at Oakland Park Service Center

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ake sure your troop is ready for their next outing by getting First Aid/ CPR Certified.

January 24 at 9 a.m. - $40 - Register here Oakland Park Service Center, 4701 NW 33rd Ave., Oakland Park, FL 33309

Spring Troop Camp Training Registration is Open

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

Registration for our spring sessions is open; register early to save your spot!

Troop Camp Training - Basic (TCT required by one adult in order to go camping)

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March 7 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Only $20 - Register here Camp Welaka, 10205 Girl Scout Way, Tequesta, FL 33469

TCT - Intermediate (TCT required by one adult in order to go camping)

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ntermediate Training will introduce tent camping, knife skills, knots and advanced cooking.

Completion of TCT Basic or approval from council is a pre-requisite. Food and supplies included.

March 7 at 9 a.m. – March 8 at 11 a.m. (overnight) Camp Welaka, 10205 Girl Scout Way, Tequesta, FL 33469 Only $30 - Register here

Adult & Leader Highlights

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asic Training will certify you to camp with your girls at any GSSEF camp property or similar facility. Fire building, basic cooking, safety issues and other necessary outdoor skills will be the focus. Lunch and supplies are included. Information will be sent to you prior to the event.

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Membership Calendar

Submit Troop or Volunteer News here.

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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6,000

14,000

Membership Update

12,000

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SSEF’s girl membership goal for the 2015 membership year is 10,000 13,120 and the adult membership goal is 5,800. Over 8,500 8,000 65% of girls and 4,380 adults have already registered for the 2015 Girl Goal Scout year. We continue to plan recruitment and community 6,000 events to recruit and register more girls and families. Your help is 4,000 needed to reach our membership goals. Contact the membership 2,000 team to assist 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 Rhonda Netzel at rnetzel@gssef.org

5,000 4,000

76% 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

Seeking Girl Advisory Members to GSSEF

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

Board

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SSEF is now accepting applications for girl advisory members to our Board of Directors.

It is for the 2015-2016 term. Applicants must be at least 14 years old. The application deadline is January 8. To complete an application, click here.

President’s Volunteer Service Award

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t’s a new Girl Scout Year! Please ensure your own membership registration is current for the 2014-15 year. Remind other registered adult volunteers in your troop as well, so their membership and volunteer status continue uninterrupted.

Calendar

Happy Girl Scout Year!

Membership

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SSEF offers the opportunity for our members to earn the President's Volunteer Service Award. This prestigious national award is given by the President of the United States and honors our members who have demonstrated a commitment to volunteer service. Adults, girls and troops can earn this award. GSSEF serves as a certifying organization for the award and the window is now open to submit your hours. Please click here for instructions on how to submit your volunteer hours for 2014. The deadline to submit is February 1 so don't delay! For questions, contact Maritsa Benoit at (954) 513-3769 or mbenoit@gssef.org.

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January S

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Happy New Years Spring Adult Training Calendar Open

GSSEF Offices Reopen

Board of Directors Application Deadline

GSSEF Offices Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Cookie Sale Program Begins

Cookie U

CPR

CSI Girl Scout Edition Girl Scout Cookie Eating Contest at the South Florida Fair

February S

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President’s Volunteer Service Award Deadline

Cookie Sale Program Ends

Mall Madness

Calendar

World Thinking Day