Volunteers

Facing reality,

we find that roughly 10% of the people do about 80% of the volunteer work;

roughly 20% of the people do about 10% of the volunteer work;

roughly 70% of the people never volunteer to help at all;

they supply the complaints.

Small Craft Boater Safety

What: Small Craft Safety Class Who: Rockford Girl Scouts When: Monday, May 12, 2008 from 9 am to 1 pm (video and book portion) Wednesday, May 14, 2008 from 9 am to 1 pm (Pool portion) Where: Fedeson's house Cost: $50 Instructor: Jenn Beaumont, GSMT To register: Send Training Request form http://gsmt.org/pdfs/training_registration.pdf with $50 to : Jane Fabiano-Turner 8191 Northland Dr. NE Rockford, MI 49341

You must attend both sessions. Be prepared to swim 100 yards and tread water for 1 minute.

If you commit to planning or participating in a canoe event in 2008 or 2009, Jenn may be able to cover the cost of the class thru a grant. You will be reimbursed after the class.

Sorry for the late notice.

Jane

Girl Scouts of Michigan Trails Rockford Neighborhood Webmaster Leader, Junior Troop 1996

Girl Scouts - Upcoming Event Registration deadlines

Leaders,

FYI – the following events have registration deadlines this week:

Early Bird Swimming Event will be held on May 10^th – deadline to register is May 1st

Leader Banquet will be held on May 12^th – deadline to register is May 2^nd

Please use the neighborhood event registration form and send it (along with payment) to Sandy Feutz. Thanks, Beth Reedy Rockford Neighborhood Manager

CPR Training MAY 1

FYI – following is information on CPR training. This is being offered through Alticor Security. Please contact Joanna Hodges to register for this event. This training is recognized by GSUSA.

 

CPR Training Information:

 

I have 20 seats open for this CPR training. Reviews of the Alticor Security Training Team have been fantastic. Please contact me if you would like to attend. Thanks!

 

When: Thursday May 1 from 5:30 - 9:30

Where: Alticor/Amway World Headquarters Center for Excellence - this is a little brick school like looking building across the street from Amway.

If

you are going to mapquest directions, Alticor/Amway's address is 7575 Fulton Street East, Ada Michigan 49355

Cost: Absolutely free!

 

Deadline: 3:00 Monday April 28

 

Send me an email or give me a call to register!

 

Joanna Hodges

787-4890 (work)

Happy Leader Appreciation Day

You're a special person who takes the time to share.

And helps whenever needed with care beyond compare.

Thank you for your kindness and all the things you do.

The world's a better place because of volunteers like you.

Happy Leaders Day!

Leader Appreciation Day

Leaders,

As you may have heard, April 22 is Earth Day and we appreciate our earth. Well, April 22 is also Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day.

Beth and I just wanted to take a minute of your day and tell you again how much we do appreciate you. We've been leaders and cookie moms and event planners and troop treasurers and all those many things. We do know that we say it's all about the girls. But there wouldn't be much for the girls without all you leaders!

Thank you again. We hope you can come to the leader banquet on May 12 for some food and fun and pampering.

-- Beverly Dickinson Rockford Neighborhood Girl Scouts

Girl Scout Leader Day Ideas

April 22

The purpose of Leader's Day is to recognize all the women and men who serve as Girl Scout volunteer leaders. These women and men act as positive role models and help girls to meet today's challenges and to become tomorrow's courageous, confident women full of character and ready to "make the world a better place."

Girl Scout Leaders give so much - time, talent, patience, caring, consideration, understanding, etc. Knowing they are appreciated means the world to them, especially when appreciation is expressed by "their girls." Show your Girl Scout Leader how much she is appreciated all the time, but especially on Girl Scout Leader's Day, April 22.

Remember: showing your leader appreciation doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming, it just needs to be sincere. Try and come up with something special and particular to your troop leader; ask her family or friends for ideas, but remind them to keep the secret, so your Leader Day surprise is a surprise. Ways to thank your Troop Leader:

a.. Have the girls cook and pack a cold picnic dinner, then provide babysitting that evening out for troop leader. b.. Make a homemade "country" goodie baskets for your troop leader. Baskets could include: applesauce, herb vinegar, pumpkin bread, candy. presented in a dishtowel lined reusable basket. c.. Create a Troop Leader Survival Kit with bath oil for a luxurious bubble bath; finger nail file for a manicure; tea bags for a leisurely cup of tea, chocolate (no explanation needed), etc. d.. Put "I Love Girl Scouting" stickers on plastic canvas, put lace around the edge and finish it with a magnet on the back. e.. Give her a teddy bear wearing a sash the color of Girl Scout level of the leader's troop f.. Give a "Gumby" key ring for being flexible or another small gift that goes with the job performed or personality. g.. Give a special patch or flower to a leader (Trefoil shop has great leader gifts!). h.. Take her out to lunch at a restaurant. i.. Special refrigerator magnets make good "Thank You's." j.. Give a small seedling plant in a plastic pot complete with ribbon decorating it. k.. Make a necklace out of rolls of lifesavers - for being the "Lifesaver" of your troop l.. Write a special personal note on cute stationery to thank the troop leader. m.. Make a handmade or computer made certificate of thanks. n.. Give flowers or balloons. o.. Have a leader-daughter bowling party to thank daughters for their behavior during the year. p.. Present a tin soldier on a wooden base for those "Steadfast" community team members.

Other inexpensive Gifts to Say "Thanks":

A little Bee - for "beeing" you! A Needle - for being "sew" nice! A toy Top - for being "tops" Aspirin - for resolving a "headachy" situation Baby's Pacifier - for being a peace maker White Out - for clearing up "mistakes" A Fan - for cooling off a "hot" situation Cracker Jacks - for doing a "cracker-jack" job A Battery - for "charging" up the team or community Tacks - for being "tactful" Magnet - for "attracting" new volunteers or girls Rubber Band - for really "stretching" Pencil Lead - for getting the "lead" out! Elmer's Glue Award - for keeping things together Paper Clip - for "clipping" along and getting things done An Eraser - for clearing up mistakes A Ruler - for "Measuring" up Staples - for being a "staple" in the community Note Paper - for always being "write" there when you are needed Alka-Seltzer - for resolving an "upsetting" situation Piece of Blue Ribbon - for doing a "blue-ribbon" job Matches - There's no "match" for you or for "lighting" up the community Cleanser (Comet, etc.) - for really doing a "clean-up" job or taking care of the "dirty" work Safety Pin - For keeping it all "together" Nail - for really "nailing" things down

More ideas for thanking your Troop Leader:

a.. Call the leader and say thank you b.. Send a thank you card c.. Contact your leader's boss or place of work and see if they will recognize her in a newsletter or at a staff meeting d.. Have your Girl Scout create a card e.. Do a good deed for the leader and her/his family f.. Lend support at a troop activity, if you don't already do so g.. Make a banner to hang at the leader's house h.. Create a yard sign for your leader's yard i.. Host a tea party for the leader and troop j.. Create a scrapbook of troop activities k.. Give a framed picture of the troop to the leader with a thank you card l.. Plan a surprise party m.. Write a poem of thanks n.. Share a story of how the leader had impacted your daughter or have your o.. Girl Scout write her own story of how the leader had helped her p.. Give your leader a plant or offer to plant flowers for her q.. Have a troop picnic . . . and the leader just gets to come along, no planning or work required of her r.. Homemade cookies or treats are always a great gift s.. A gift card to a local restaurant is a nice gift t.. Have your Girl Scout tap into her creative side and make a gift for her leader u.. Create a coupon or coupon book of helpful ideas like free weeding of a plant bed, v.. free babysitting one night, free car wash, etc. w.. Give movie tickets x.. Call the radio station and have a song dedicated to your leader y.. Make up a troop cheer and at a troop meeting close to April 22, do it for your leader and give her a thank you card z.. Coffee anyone? Give a coffee shop gift card OR a bag of great beans aa.. Make a video of the troop saying "thank you" and sharing favorite troop Memories ab.. Plan a surprise breakfast for the leader and her family ac.. Put a thank you in your leader's House of Worship bulletin ad.. Create a troop display for the local library and thank your leader in it ae.. Do a service project in honor of your leader af.. Write a "Letter to the Editor" thanking your daughter's leader for her efforts and mentorship ag.. Create a troop recipe book; have each girl submit her favorite recipe for it ah.. Put an ad in the local paper honoring your leader ai.. Use your imagination . . . create your own surprise!

The Pope and GS

A tid bit about the Pope's visit to Washington, DC:

Washington Post - United States In deference to the pope's antiwar sensibilities, the White House skipped the usual review of the troops in favor of a lineup of Boy and Girl Scouts

Bridging Poem

(Ruthann Stephenson...edited by Carol Lee Spages)

From Daisy Girl Scouts dressed in blue When everything is fresh and new, We learn our Promise and our Law And grow strong as we grow tall.

As Brownie Girl Scouts eager to learn, We try new things and Try-its earn. We make the world a better place With big Brownie smiles upon our face.

In Junior Girl Scouts, we venture on, Exploring our backyard and beyond. In a circle of friendship, hand in hand. We're helping people wherever we can.

Girl Scouts 11 to 17 can really achieve; There is much to do and so much more to see. They can earn the Silver and the Gold While making new friends and keeping the old.

Little girls into women grow, Sharing with others all they know. Adult Girl Scouts are there to lead And lend a hand where there's a need.

From level to level, step by step With sister Girl Scouts, our futures we prep.

We meet the challenges each level brings, And then we're on to bigger things.

Centenary Celebration

100 years of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting
http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/about/100years

>From 2010 to 2012, 10 million girls and young women are invited to join in the celebrations of the birth of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting.

So why are we celebrating for three years? These years mark the 100th birthday of Girl Guiding, which was founded in the UK in 1910, and the 100th birthday of Girls Scouting, which was founded in the USA in 1912.

Many more countries founded Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting between 1910 and 1912:

Founded in 1910: Canada, Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom
Founded in 1911: Australia, Bangladesh (then part of India), India, Ireland, Netherlands, Pakistan (then part of India)
Founded in 1912: Cyprus, Italy, Norway, United States of America, Zimbabwe

During the three year period from 2010-2012, all of WAGGGS' activities will come under the banner of the centenary theme.
Tell us what you think!

As we plan for the centenary celebrations, we would like to hear from you about
What you think really matters for girls and young women worldwide?
What will be the most important thing in their lives in 2010?
What will girls and young women hope for?
What will influence choices they make about their careers?

You can discuss these and other issues important to you in our new discussion forum early in 2007.
Send us your photo

What photograph symbolizes Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting for you? Send your favorite Guiding picture to bernadette@wagggsworld.org.

What one word describes Guiding?

Decide what word or phrase best sums up 100 years of Girl Guiding or Girl Scouting for you? Use the poll on the left hand side to tell us your opinion.

Have you got other ideas about words which sum up the centenary of Girl Guiding? Tell us your favorite words by leaving a comment below.

How will you celebrate?

We would like you to share with us how you would like to celebrate the centenary of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in your country.

GS leader meeting Mon April 14

Welcome back from Spring Break!

"Celebrate" by coming to a leader meeting Monday, April 14. Final diversity enrichment at 6:00. Social Hour at 6:30 and business meeting promptly at 7:00.

I will have "My mom's the Greatest Leader" patches available for $.60 each, if you want one for your daughter.

Here's the agenda for the meeting. Agenda: Rockford Neighborhood Leader Meeting April 14, 2008 Introduction: Neighborhood Campout: Kelly McLellan Recognitions: Beth Reedy Treasurer's Report: Sandy Feutz Service Team Sign up: Beverly Dickinson Cookie Sales Report: Julie Savara Sewing: Kim Kurkjian Leader Banquet: Beth Reedy Patches – Mom as leader: Beverly Dickinson

Early Bird Registration: Beverly Dickinson

Event Wrap up Luau: Amy Zeboor Program Aide Training: Troop 1786 fundraising: Jodi Fedeson

New Events: Goodwill Drive: Kim Kurkjian An Evening at the Spa: Beth Reedy Swimming: Sue Arend Backpacking: Sarah Ek Bridging: Kathleen Bell Memorial Day Parade: Sandy Feutz Relay for Life: Christy Bergman/Nedra Harju

Summer Tuesdays: Beth Reedy Day Camp: Tina Schmutz

Council News: Vicky Pratt Party for Planet Summer Trails Pink Pajama Mall Party

-- Beverly Dickinson Rockford Neighborhood Girl Scouts

Safety Wise

New Print and Posting Date for Safety-Wise is Spring 2009 A new edition of Safety-Wise will be released in spring 2009. In order to fully prepare the document for the impact of the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience and to accommodate the valuable recommendations of council volunteers and staff, the publication process has been postponed. Girl Scouts of the USA regrets any inconvenience this delay may have on the work of councils and their service to girls. This new timeline will ensure a superior product to help councils and volunteers make adventure happen in Girl Scouts. Some changes will take effect October 1, 2008, and they are clearly noted on the attached update. Girl Scouts of the USA believes councils will be enthusiastic about some of these changes and want to share them immediately with volunteers to use with the current Safety-Wise. The new edition of Safety-Wise will be available both electronically and as a print resource. Prior to the spring 2009 release, ordering procedures will be announced to councils.

The new Safety-Wise will include activity checkpoints for the following: Zip line* Tree climbing* Canopy cruising* (* will use the same activity checkpoints used for challenge courses, climbing and rappelling) Fencing Geocaching Segway Skateboarding Sail Skateboarding Skate Skateboarding Kite Skateboarding Ice fishing Scuba diving Snorkeling Surfing These checkpoints will be available to councils June 15, 2008. Some councils may choose not to implement them until Safety-Wise comes out in 2009.

Relay for Life

Hi all,

Relay is quickly approaching so I was hoping to get a list of girls who wish to volunteer at our next Leader Meeting, April 14th. Thanks for your help with this great cause Take care,

Christy Bergman

Top Cookie Salesperson

Sat Apr 5, 2008 5:27 am (PDT) Now that is a LOT of cookies!

10-year-old could be one of top sellers in the nation By David Berlin UNION-TRIBUNE San Diego, CA

April 5, 2008

CHULA VISTA - When you hear Madison Perno's presentation, it's hard to imagine this unassuming 10-year-old is a shrewd cookie-selling machine.

"Hi, my name is Madison and I'm selling Girl Scout cookies," she starts out. "There's a sugar-free chocolate chip cookie and a Lemon Chalet Cream cookie. They're $4 a box and five for $20," she continues, innocently enough. You don't realize you're speaking to the next Warren Buffett until you find out that Madison sold 3,311 boxes of Girl Scout cookies between January and March, more than 30,000 other Girl Scouts in San Diego and Imperial counties.

"I sold them everywhere," said Madison, who lives with her family in Chula Vista. Literally everywhere: Supermarkets, banks, military bases, car dealerships, schools and door-to-door.

At $4 a box, multiplied by 3,000, that means Madison grossed about $12,000 for her troop. Not bad for a fourth-grader.

Kathy Cloninger, chief executive office of Girl Scouts of the USA, said Madison may be one of the top cookie sellers in the nation. For most girls, selling a few hundred boxes is an achievement.

"I think the program is the nation's largest and best entrepreneurship and business program for girls," Cloninger said.

If Madison had a business plan, it was to play the numbers game, making her pitch to as many people as possible. She heard her share of nos, said her father, Bill Perno, but she heard just as many yeses.

"She's a 10-year-old with 10-year-old energy and it was a really rewarding experience listening to her give her presentations," Perno said. "It was a lot of quality time for us as we walked door to door in the neighborhood and we were holding hands.

"I think it's really important as a parent just to be able to participate and go with her to see her talking with people, communicating with people and getting those life skills that are so important in today's world," he said.

Cloninger, who is based in New York City, was in San Diego to purchase Madison's final box of cookies on Wednesday in a ceremony at the San Diego Girl Scout headquarters at 1231 Upas St., next to Balboa Park.

"People think that the national Girl Scouts organization benefits a lot from the cookies, but it really doesn't run through the national organization," Cloninger said. "It all stays in the local area. So the troops get to decide what they want to do with their troop portion."

Eighty cents from each box goes to the troop, and the rest goes to the local Girl Scout Council and also pays for the cost of making the cookies.

One local troop in Rancho Peñasquitos put its cookie money in a CD and made even more money. Now it plans to take a cruise in Alaska, according to Mary Doyle, director of communications with the Girl Scouts San Diego-Imperial Council.

Madison's troop, which meets at Chula Vista Hills Elementary School, is still deciding what to do with its proceeds.

There are eight types of Girl Scout cookies, sold only during the first three months of the year. So if you want them in July, you have to buy a few extra boxes and freeze them, Madison said.

Thin Mints are the most popular cookie, and are best enjoyed when crushed up and sprinkled on top of vanilla ice cream, she said.

This was Madison's fourth year selling cookies and third year being a top seller. As a reward, top sellers are flown by helicopter to a ceremony on the deck of the USS Midway aircraft carrier and congratulated by admirals and generals for a program called "Operation Thin Mint."

"Operation Thin Mint is when you buy extra boxes of cookies, you donate them to the Girl Scouts, and the Girl Scouts send them overseas to the men and women in the military to give them a taste of home," Madison said.

This year, Madison sold 903 Operation Thin Mint boxes and as a result, she has a binder full of letters from troops abroad, thanking her for the cookies.

One letter was from South Korea, others came from the Middle East. This year Madison's cookies were even sent to service members in the Arctic Circle and Antarctica.

Her binder is also filled with photos of her with generals and admirals and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, from last year's top-seller ceremony on the Midway. More impressively, Madison was able to recall what seemed like dozens of names of people in her photos on the spot.

As for being the next Warren Buffett, Madison has her own ideas.

"After high school, I am planning to go to college and I am going to be a lawyer when I grow up," she said.

New Print and Posting Date for Safety-Wise is Spring 2009

FROM GSUSA:New Print and Posting Date for Safety-Wise is Spring 2009 A new edition of Safety-Wise will be released in spring 2009. In order to fully prepare the document for the impact of the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience and to accommodate the valuable recommendations of council volunteers and staff, the publication process has been postponed. Girl Scouts of the USA regrets any inconvenience this delay may have on the work of councils and their service to girls. This new timeline will ensure a superior product to help councils and volunteers make adventure happen in Girl Scouts. Some changes will take effect October 1, 2008, and they are clearly noted on the attached update. Girl Scouts of the USA believes councils will be enthusiastic about some of these changes and want to share them immediately with volunteers to use with the current Safety-Wise. The new edition of Safety-Wise will be available both electronically and as a print resource. Prior to the spring 2009 release, ordering procedures will be announced to councils.

Girl Scout April Newsletter

The April Newsletter is now available on the website at http://rockfordgs.com/leader_pages/minutes_news.htm. There is lots of great information, so be sure and look at it.