Linking Leaders E-Newsletter October 2017

October 2017

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

Programs at a Glance

Adult & Leader Highlights

Membership

Membership

Get Ready for Back to Troop...... 10 Get your Starter Kit and receive an Emoticon Bag for Free............10 Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthday Bash.........................................................10 New Girl Activity Shirts...................11 New Adult Uniforms........................11 Fall Retail Store Hours.....................11

Growing up Natasha Ramsay was not a Girl Scout, but after seeing her cousins and all the fun they had, she knew that if she ever had a daughter, she would be one.

As soon as her daughter turned five she became a Daisy.

Natasha hadn’t thought about starting her own troop but when her girl started Kindergarten she did. This was the start of her distinctive Girl Journey. Natasha has served as the Secretary of her Service Unit (Atikah), won a Volunteer of Excellence Award, and has facilitated a number of GSSEF programs. Her dedication continues with a strong commitment to Girl Scouts and sharing the experience with her daughter, other girls and adults.

Adult & Leader Highlights

Girl Scouts Year Begins..................5 Post-Hurricane GSSEF Update...5 Post-Hurricane GSSEF Update (cont.).........................................................6 New Travel Applications................7 New Travel Applications (cont.)......................................................8 Fall Product Sale................................9

Volunteer Spotlight

Programs at a Glance

Movie Mania..............................2 High Awards Deadline...........3 #BeHEALTHful.........................3 Galactic Girls.............................4 Patch Up for Safety..................4 Cozy Feets & Covered Seats.....4

We’d love to hear what you’re doing with your girls!

Send us an email or post on Facebook! Feel free to contact marcomm@gssef.org with comments, pictures or ideas.

All of the Linking Leaders issues are archived on the Training page for easy reference.

Spotlights

Spotlight

Calendar.................................12 Calendar

Submit Troop or Volunteer News here!

2 Page

Movie Mania Movie Mania returns to the Big Screen

Registration opens October 2 at 10 a.m. at http://www.gssef.org/events.

For questions, contact Customer Care at customercare@gssef.org.

Adult & Leader Highlights

Who: This program is open to registered Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors and registered female adults. No tagalongs or male chaperones permitted.

When: Nov 21-22, 2017 Where: Cinepolis Deerfield Beach at Deerfield Beach Mall 3984 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 Cost: VIP Admission - $33.00 per person. General Admission - $28.00 per person.

VIP check in: 8:30 p.m. General Admission check in: 9:00 p.m.

Event ends 5:00 a.m.

Programs at a Glance

This up all night movie lock-in party is sure to bring out your inner movie hero! WOW! Enjoy music from a great DJ, choose from several movies (both new releases and some great kid-friendly classics) and party the night away!

There will be an exclusive showing of Coco at midnight. In between the big screen attractions, feel free to purchase delicious snacks from the concession stand. POP! Pass the pop-corn, please! For additional information, see flyer.

Membership Calendar

3 Page

High Awards Deadline Girls who have completed the 5th, 8th or 12th grades have until Monday, October 2, 2017 to submit their final report for the completion of their Bronze, Silver and Gold Award project. If you have any questions, please contact Meredith Slaymaker, Director of Member Experience at mslaymaker@gssef.org.

#

Daisies: Health and Food Knowledge Badge and Strong Girls Health Kids Patch Brownies: My Best Self Badge and Strong Girls Healthy Kids Patch Juniors: Staying Fit Badge and Strong Girls Healthy Kids Patch Cadettes: Eating for Beauty Badge and Mental Health Awareness Patch Seniors: Women's Health Badge and Science of Style Badge Ambassador and Adults: First Aid/CPR Certification

All participants will need to bring a sack lunch.

Confirmations will be available closer to the event which will include details on what to bring, what to wear and where to park.

Membership

Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes and Seniors: $20 per girl Ambassadors and Adults: $40 per person (includes certification)

Adult & Leader Highlights

Our brand new signature program is quickly approaching at TWO great locations.

Join us on October 14, 2017 for this exciting program, jam-packed with hands-on badge earning activities that take girls towards healthier minds, bodies and spirits.

Girls will earn badges in sessions led by teams of health experts from Baptist Health South Florida at the Coral Springs location and Palm Beach Children’s Hospital at the West Palm Beach location. Nurses, doctors, dietitians, exercise physiologists, and mental health specialists will lead fun and educational programs about making healthy food choices, healthy eating, exercise, mental health and more. Daisy through Senior Girl Scouts will earn one badge and one patch each, and Ambassador Girl Scouts and Adults will have the opportunity to register for CPR certification. Plus, visit the booths at our health fair for interactive demonstrations with different healthcare providers.

Programs at a Glance

#

G S S E F ‘17

For more information, contact Customer Care at customercare@gssef.org.

Calendar

For more information, check out the #BeHEALTHful flyers for each location: Coral Springs #BeHEALTHful program sponsored by Baptist Health South Florida West Palm Beach #BeHEALTHful program

4 Page

Galactic Girls

GSS

Saturday, November 4, 2017 - Two Locations!

South Florida Science Museum & Aquarium - West Palm Beach Hallstrom Planetarium - Ft. Pierce $10.00 per person Register now.

2017

Program registration closes on October 28 or on reaching capacity, whichever occurs first.

Broward Sheriff’s Patch Up for Safety GSSEF has teamed up with the Broward Sheriff’s Department for a FREE and interactive educational event on October 20, 2017 geared towards BROWNIE and JUNIOR Girl Scout troops that teaches participants the skills needed to meet the requirements for the Girl Scout Safety Award Pin and First Aid Badges. Check out the flyer to all the details. To register for this event, contact 954-831-8236 or FireRescue_PublicEducation@sheriff.org.

Check out some new girl program and adult learning offerings. Brand new partner programs are regularly being added to the GSSEF Activities Calendar. Be sure to check out the great opportunities to get your troop out and about this Fall.

The Adult Learning Calendar has also been updated with trainings for brand new volunteers and experience leaders alike.

Check out the Activities Calendar.

Membership

New Programs and Adult Learning

Adult & Leader Highlights

Questions? Contact Customer Care at customercare@gssef.org.

Programs at a Glance

Galactic Girls rule the skies! Join us on November 4, 2017 at THREE out-of-this-world locations as you sit back, relax and observe the night sky full of bright stars, galaxies and mystery. Learn about stars and constellations and listen to multi-cultural folklore and mythology. In this program, you will learn about astronomical discoveries and the women who helped make them. Women in Science have made amazing discoveries about our solar system. Enjoy themed crafts and snacks. Glow-in-the-Dark program patch included. Check out all the details so you don’t miss this out-of-this-world adventure!

EF

Cozy Feets and Covered Seats Calendar

There is a new Council-Wide Community Service Project for October. Look for more information on Cozy Feets and Covered Seats coming soon.

5 Page

A New Girl Scout Year Begins October 1 Don’t get locked out – Renew now!

A new Girl Scout year begins on October 1st. If you have not renewed for next year then you will be locked out of your MyGS community, including access to your troop roster, and Volunteer Toolkit on October 1st. In order to ensure uninterrupted access to these features, renew your membership and role as troop leader today!

Please note: With our membership registration system, adults that renew membership and select a role that requires a background check will be automatically prompted to complete a background check if they are due for an update. Per GSUSA, background checks must be renewed every three years.

If you have any questions, or need help renewing your membership for next year, please contact customercare@gssef.org.

Membership

If you need to update your background check simply follow the automatic prompts (and be sure to look for an email from theadvocates@verifiedvolunteers. com in your inbox and SPAM folders to complete the process). You will not have access to your MyGS community until the background check is complete.

Adult & Leader Highlights

The process is fast and easy! Follow these five easy steps: 1 Go to www.gssef.org and go to your MyGS community (click on the yellow MY GS in the upper right corner of the homepage).

2 Click the Member Profile button in the drop down menu. Enter your login credentials. If you need help with your login, please contact customercare@gssef.org.

3 In the upper right hand corner, make sure you have selected Next Year in the drop down box.

4 S elect Renew, from the drop down under the Renewal Choice column to renew your membership and position as troop leader to ensure uninterrupted access to MyGS and Volunteer Toolkit features. If you hold multiple positions, including multiple troop leader roles, be sure to select Renew for each one.

5 Enter payment information, review your order and print your itemized receipt.

Happy New Year, you’re all set!

We can’t wait to have you join us for a great new year of Girl Scout adventures!

POST-HURRICANE GSSEF PROPERTY UPDATE Calendar

We hope all of our members stayed safe during the hurricane and that your recovery and repair process is going smoothly. We are pleased to share that the Jupiter Service Center and Retail Store, Broward Administrative Office and the Broward Pop-Up Shop sustained no damage and have been operating business as

6 Page

POST-HURRICANE Continued usual since last week. Additionally our new GSSEF Administrative Headquarters in Lake Worth was equally as lucky and only has some minor landscaping repairs. The construction and on-site work is continuing as planned.

Although on our camp properties we did see some damage, we are very lucky to have avoided the type of damage that a direct landfall might have created.

Camp Nocatee in Clewiston sustained a significant number of downed trees. Camp Ranger Steve Woodby estimates that 40% of the trees fell due to the sustained, high winds. Two cabins at Site 3 were severely damaged by falling trees. Steve is in the process of contacting tree service contractors for quotes and timelines to cut and remove these trees and others that block roadways and sites.

Troop Camp Training (TCT), originally scheduled at Camp Nocatee, will now be offered at Camp Welaka on October 14-15, as Camp Nocatee will still be closed.

Our adult volunteers will be able to register for this training via the GSSEF website next week. We will also be able to keep the planned work day with the FPL/Next Era “Women In Energy Group” on Saturday, October 14th , as well as proceeding with the new Council-led Camporee for Brownie and Junior grade-levels scheduled for October 21-22. No Service Unit events were affected in this timeframe.

Calendar

Please keep in mind that the timelines for reopening our camp properties are tentative based on the current information we have. As work is completed, we will share an exact date of re-opening. If you have questions about any of the properties, please reach out to Cindy McHeran at cmcheran@gssef.org.

Membership

Camp Welaka in Jupiter sustained minor damage throughout the property.

Examples include six bathroom and shower doors blown, two bathroom doors destroyed beyond repair, one shower wall destroyed, twelve broken windows, two roof turbines damaged beyond repair and two metal cabin roofs damaged.

Unfortunately, we must also temporarily close Camp Welaka while repair and replacement work takes place. At this time, we anticipate re-opening Camp Welaka in mid-October.

Adult & Leader Highlights

Although the Ranger’s House, Founder’s Hall, Cook’s Cabin and other buildings at the front of the property lost power during the hurricane, power was restored to that area on September 18th. Additionally, the majority of electrical transformers that feed power to the camp sites were damaged beyond repair. Several power poles fell down and will require replacement. This is the responsibility of Glades Electric, who estimates that all repairs will be completed and power should be restored in approximately six weeks. Due to this, GSSEF must temporarily close Camp Nocatee, and anticipate re-opening at the beginning of November. The only Service Unit that had a Camporee scheduled during this time is Phoenix. That Service Unit team has already been contacted and has opted to move their event to an alternate county park.

Page

7

New Activity-Specific Travel Applications Have Launched We are pleased to launch new activity-specific travel applications for troops. We have created separate fillable PDF travel applications for a Temporary Change of Meeting Notification, Day Trip and Overnight TroopTravel (used for simple overnight trips to international travel). Per GSUSA and Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida Volunteer Policies and Procedures, all troop/group travel and activities must be approved by the CEO designee to protect girls and registered volunteers participating and to meet insurance requirements.

We’ve outlined when to use each form below. Travel applications can be found in the FORMS section at www.gssef.org, or by following the links below.

Temporary Change of Meeting Location A Temporary Change of Meeting Location is defined as an activity taking place at a time or location different from the regular troop meeting location/time. Notification is required to confirm the activity is Girl Scout related so that the Girl Scout Insurance is available to members in the event of an accident during the meeting.

This form must be submitted prior to the start of the meeting. A separate form will need to be submitted for each meeting change occurrence. If you need to update your troop record with a new regular/permanent meeting location, please notify your Member Support Specialist.

Day Trip Travel Application

Please complete and submit this form a minimum of 14 days prior to the date of the day activity or trip.

Overnight Troop Travel Application

Membership

A Day Trip is defined as an activity that takes place in one day and does not take the place of a regularly scheduled Troop Meeting (ex. Visiting the fire station, participating in a beach clean-up). Complete this form for day-long activities taking place outside of your regularly scheduled troop meeting location.

Adult & Leader Highlights

Use this form if, for example, your troop meeting date falls on holiday and is rescheduled; you find out your meeting location is double-booked and an alternative location is used to meet, or maybe the community center where you usually meet is under repair and this week you choose to meet in the leader’s home, but in all cases will return to your regular meeting location for your next meeting.

This application may be used for all overnight travel, except camping on GSSEF properties. The packet includes a checklist for each type of trip. Use this application for a(n):

• Simple Overnight Trip

Submit your overnight travel application a minimum of 3 weeks in advance of trip.

• Extended Trip

If the trip is longer than 2 consecutive nights, (3 consecutive nights, when one of the

Calendar

2 consecutive nights or less (3 consecutive nights, when one of the nights is a federal holiday, such as Memorial or Labor Day).

Page

8

New Activity-Specific Travel Applications Continued nights is a federal holiday, such as Memorial or Labor Day).

Submit your overnight travel application and all documentation listed below a minimum of 6 weeks in advance of trip.

You’ll also need to submit: • GSSEF Enrollment Request for Extended Girl Scout Insurance (with payment)

• International trip

Includes cruises and troop trips overseas.

Submit your overnight travel application and all documentation listed below a minimum of 90 days in advance of trip.

International trips also require that you submit: • GSSEF Enrollment Request for Extended Girl Scout Insurance (with payment) • Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida Permission to Travel Form for Minors (must be Notarized prior to submission) • GSSEF Hold Harmless Agreement • International Troop Trip Roster Adult & Leader Highlights Membership

A few things to keep in mind, which apply to all Girl Scout travel: • Submit your travel application and any required supplemental documentation via email to your Member Support Specialist by the deadline indicated on the form (and listed above). Each travel application form has a handy drop down listing with their email address.

• A new permission slip must be signed prior to each Girl Scout activity occurring outside of the regular troop meeting. These are held by the Troop Leader travelling with the girls for the duration of the activity and are not submitted to Council. Permission slips can be found in the FORMS section of www.gssef.org. We recommend printing a few of them so you always have a supply ready to go.

• The proper girl/adult ratio must be maintained for a troop/group to participate in programs, activities and travel.

• Registered volunteers should consult both “Volunteer Essentials” and the GSUSA “Safety Activity Checkpoints” prior to planning a day trip or travel to ensure proper activity/program safety requirements and ratios are met. You’ll need to confirm these ratios on your travel application. These documents can be found in the FORMS section of www.gssef.org as well.

• A volunteer certified in CPR/First Aid (“First Aid-er”) is required to attend all troop trips.

If an accident or injury occurs, complete and submit an Accident Report within 48 hours of the incident. The Girl Member and Adult Member/Volunteer accident report forms are now fillable PDFs as well! They can be found in the FORMS section of www.gssef.org.

If you have any questions about the new troop travel forms, please contact your Member Support Specialist. A listing of Member Support Specialists can be found here.

Calendar

An additional travel form for use when camping on GSSEF properties will be launched with the new property reservation process. Look for that email in a few weeks!

9 Page

Fall Product Sale Starts October 1st Welcome to a New and Super Heroic Fall Product Sale Program October 1 – November 15 The Fall Product Sale program can empower the girls while also giving you and your troop the tools to have fun while learning and earning! Watch them have fun while they reach their goals. As their fearless troop leader, you can help bring out the girls inner-hero so they can fearlessly achieve and exceed their troop goals.

Did you know that the Fall Product Sale Program is a complete all-inclusive program?

The 59-minute quick-start program is a fun meeting component. The program comes with a special patch for all the participants (and a $20 gift card for all the leaders!) and the guidelines can be found in the flyer here.

Each troop that reaches $1,000 per troop in sales will receive an additional 4 cents per cookie box sold during the cookie program. See the flyer here.

Membership

Thank you leaders for your time and support to make this the best-ever Girl Scout year.

Adult & Leader Highlights

The Fall Product Program includes badges and patches which makes for the perfect very first program a new troop or a current troop can participate in.

Calendar

10 Page

Get Ready for Back to Troop It’s that time of year when office supply stores are full of parents and students buying notebooks, pens and crayons for a new school year. Don’t forget that besides new school supplies, you’ll also need all your Girl Scout gear because your next Girl Scout adventure is ready and waiting for you!

To help you get started, the GSSEF Retail Stores are running a Back to Troop promotion. Spend $75 or more on a single transaction now through October 28, 2017 and earn a $10 coupon. The coupon will be valid on one in-store purchase of $25 or more November 1 through November 21, 2017.* Due to the interruption caused by Hurricane Irma, we’re extending the in-store coupon until October 28, 2017. *Please Note: The $10 coupons given out at stores can only be used at the store that issues the coupon. $10 coupon codes that are sent to customers who shop online can only be redeemed online at www.girlscoutshop.com. Customers cannot use instore coupons online and online coupon codes cannot be used at the GSSEF council stores.

Starter or Essentials Kits A great item to add to your shopping list is a Starter Kit or Essentials Kit that has everything you need to get your Girl Scout year started right.

And it includes a super cute Emoticon drawstring bag while supplies last. For additional information, see flyer here.

Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthday Bash Membership

Stop by either of the Retail Store locations on Thursday, October 28 (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) and help us celebrate Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday. It’s a great time to check out all the awesome new merchandise in the store.

Select a Juliette Gordon Low patch with a surprise discount inside and receive up to 30% discount on your entire purchase. In store only, no phone orders and one per customer. See store for details.

Just because we’re closed doesn’t mean you can’t shop ‘til you drop 24/7 online.

Calendar

Missed us? No Worries!

11 Page

New Activity Shirts for Girls Wear your Daisy spirit on your sleeve! In soft knit with inside yellow trim. Ribbed spread collar and V-neck. Short sleeves. Yellow daisy and Girl Scout Daisy imprint on right sleeve. Comfortable fit. Polyester birds eye knit. Sizes: XXS-L - $28 Way to sport your spirit, Brownies! In soft knit with inside brown trim. Ribbed spread collar and V-neck. Short sleeves with Brownie elf symbol and Girl Scout Brownie imprint on right sleeve. Comfortable fit. Polyester birds eye knit. Sizes: S-PXL - $28 A casual top that's just for Juniors! Green activity shirt in soft knit with inside plum trim.

Ribbed spread collar and V-neck. Short sleeves. White profiles and Girl Scout Junior imprint on right sleeve. Comfortable fit. Polyester birds eye knit. Sizes: S-PXL - $28 Keep your cool in this lightweight top! In soft knit with green inside trim. Ribbed spread collar and V-neck. Short sleeves with green trefoil and Girl Scouts imprint on right sleeve. Comfortable fit. Polyester birds eye knit. Sizes: S-3X - $30

New Official Items for Adults Official Adult Casual Scarf Now adults have an official casual scarf. Green triangular scarf with navy trim with Girl Scout shorthand and Girl Scout Volunteer screenprint. Polyester/cotton. $12 Official Traditional Logo Scarf Slide Complete the look by slipping your scarf through this elegant three-hole scarf slide.

Gold-tone nickel metal. $16

Membership

Official Navy Shirt New official casual shirt option for any volunteer or leader.

Button-front placket featuring long sleeves that roll up to fasten with button tabs. Embroidered Service mark on right sleeve. Princess seams. Polyester woven 2-way stretch.

Easy-care. Add the flag and adult insignia scarf and your pins to show you belong.

Available sizes: XS-5X - $48-$52

Fall Retail Store Hours Calendar

Don't forget! In September and October the GSSEF Retail Stores will be open every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Page

12

OCTOBER S

M

Fall Product Sale Begins Cozy Feet & Covered Seats Council Service Project begins

1

High Award Deadline

8

W

T

T

S

F

2

3

4

5

6

7

9

10

11

12

13

14 #BeHealthful

15

16

22

23

29

30

Girl Scouts Lead The Way Luncheon

17

18

19

24

25

26

Patch Up for Safety

20 27

21 JGL Birthday Bash @ Retail Store

28

Cozy Feet & Covered Seats Council Service Project Ends Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthday

31

(Founder’s Day)

NOVEMBER S

M

W

T

T

S

F

1

2

3

8

9

10

11

Galactic Girls

4

5

6

7

12

13

14

Fall Product Sales Ends

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Movie Mania

22

23

24

25

Movie Mania

26

27

28

29

30

Calendar

GSSEF Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule Closed 22-24