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
A
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 [email protected]. All of the Linking Leaders issues are
archived in the Volunteer Vault here for easy reference.
Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteer Spotlight
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2
Mall Madness Just Got Bigger!
W
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
G
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 [email protected]. 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!
T
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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3
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 [email protected] 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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4
Cookie Money in Action
E
Cookie Eating Contest
W
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].
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
[email protected]. 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!
Page
5
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
G
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 [email protected].
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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6
February Adult Training Highlights
T
he Spring 2015 adult training calendar is now open. Questions about adult learning?
Email [email protected].
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
Calendar
Let us take you on a Journey! We will explain the easy how-to’s for engaging girls on selecting a
Journey, setting a timeline, getting started, introducing the “Take Action” element of the process
and finally – showing off some of the various Journey activities, too. Getting into a Journey is
really a snap, when you have the right tools.
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
Page
7
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.
7
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
7
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 [email protected].
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8
Save the Date – Volunteer Weekend April 10-12
V
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!
T
Shout Out to Sea Star Service Unit
T
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 [email protected] 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
Page
9
Membership Update
G
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 [email protected]
In Palm Beach County, contact Kristal Mize at [email protected]
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 [email protected]
In South Broward County (Sunrise, Weston, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood,
Hollandale, Miramar, Southwest Ranches, Plantation, Davie), contact
Laura Rivera at [email protected]
Question
s about m
embership
Contact
Rhonda L
?
a
ng
Director
of Memb Netzel,
rnetzel@g ership, at
ssef.org.
Service Unit Registrar Training
A
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 [email protected] by February 26.
9
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
2
Plan to be a 2016 GSSEF Early Bird!
Calendar
P
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
[email protected]. Early Bird re-registration will begin on April 15. Stay tuned for announcements
of this year’s exciting new incentives!
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10
February
S
M
T
W
T
F
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
M
T
W
T
F
S
TCT Basic
Service Unit Training
TCT Intermediate
TCT Intermediate
Service Unit Training
Girl Scout
Anniversary
Adult Nominee
Deadline
Calendar