FW: Bridging

From Kathleen Bell…  If you have any questions, DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.  Send an email or call Kathleen, her email is Kathleen.bell@spectrum-health.org.

 

 

 

Girl Scouts of Michigan Trails

Rockford Neighborhood Webmaster

Leader, Junior Troop 1996

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From: kathleen.bell@spectrum-health.org [mailto:kathleen.bell@spectrum-health.org]
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 3:00 PM
To: jane@rockfordgs.com
Subject: Bridging

 

Jane, can you forward this to the leaders.

 

Girls should be dressed in appropriate Girl Scout attire.  If they do not have a sash or vest, be sure that their clothing is neat; not too frilly AND they should have their pins on.

 

Leaders should also be dressed appropriately with their pins etc.

 

Girls should arrive around 6-6:15 so they can be put together in Troop order. 

 

Parents can wait outside of the room while the scouts get organized.  Too many people make it crazy.

 

My Troop will be reading parts of the ceremony, but I would prefer the Leader of the Troop to read their names.  It would be preferred to have your co-leader participate so one person can read the name while the other passes out the patch/vest/sash.

Then the Scout will cross over the bridge and be greeted by the next level.

    For example, when the daisy bridges they will be greeted on the other side of the bridge by the Brownies.  Therefore, when the daisy's are called (Troop by Troop -not all at once) ALL Brownies should go to the opposite side of the bridge and be prepared to shake the daisy's hand using the GS handshake; yes that is a lot of shaking but it we should encourage unity etc.

 

this will be the basic process for all of the troops. 

Remember, photos after the bridging event and not during.  We have a lot of girls to bridge and we need to be timely.

 

At the end, all scouts will form a circle around the room, we will sing make new friends and that will be the closing.

Any question, pleas call me after 9PM. 

My mother in law is not doing very well and I will be visiting her.

Kathleen

Kathleen E. Bell  RN MSN OCN

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Radiation Oncology Services

Spectrum Health

100 Michigan MC#009

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Office number 616-391-3558

Fax number    616-391-1286

 

 

Quick update on Girl Scout stuff

Quick update for leaders

Hopefully this catches you before the Holiday weekend. I hope you have a safe and special Memorial Day weekend and I hope to see you in the parade!

A few notes:
Karen Micklatcher has been named the new CEO for Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Council. Karen has been the CEO for Girl Scouts Michigan Trails, so we should be in good hands. She is very excited to begin this new journey and will be working with the current CEOs and staff in the other three councils to bring together the plan for realignment.

The Pajama Ball is a go!! Yea! We have heard from council that they will continue to take registrations right up to the event. Thanks so much for getting the word out. So, if you had girls who forgot to get in their forms or who still want to invite a friend, the mall and GSMT want them! If you have girls in your troop who want to go, but you don't, contact me. There are several troops who are going and can probably take in another girl with them.

Early Bird deadline is coming up! Forms are due to Kelly by June 1. Let's get all the paperwork in on time and then relax!

Are you coming back next year? I hope so. Beth and I have enjoyed working with you and hope to continue. But if you're not coming back, please, please, please contact Beth or I and let us know. We need to know what is going on with your troop. Did you find a new leader? Maybe you are combining troops? Are you on the fence and need to recruit a co-leader? Maybe you have too few girls returning and need to combine troops. Please contact one of us so we can help you out! Don't wait till the fall; let us know now so we have the summer to help work things out.

--
Beverly Dickinson
Rockford Neighborhood Girl Scouts
874-8926
304-2615 (cell)
beverlyd@charter.net

GS Bridging Info from Kathleen Bell

From Kathleen (kathleen.bell@spectrum-health.org) …

 

OK, the bridge is "almost done", there are a few details..... BUT, I need to know if I have received everyone's information...

 

Click on this link, http://rockfordgs.com/calendar/calendar_items/2008_05_29_bridging_list.pdf, for the responses that I had regarding the Bridging event.  You will notice that there are some blanks. If you could read the information over for accuracy I would appreciate it and provide me with the missing data. It would be nice to know if I could have a best guess on the family and guests.

 

I appreciate the volunteers for the helping out with the food. I will get you your assignment

 

We are planning on setting up an area for "photo" opportunities, as it is too difficult with the flow to stop and get a picture etc during the ceremony. So please tell your parents and this is for the leaders too; photos after the event.

 

Also,  the ceremony will go something like this.  Our Troop was reviewing a few examples; but just so you have an idea.  I will also

send out a final copy of the program for your review.

 

Color guard-we randomly pick who will do this part as we have had great response.  I would prefer to include at least one daisy and one brownie. 

Pledge of Allegiance

GS Promise

opening remarks

Bridging

 

            Daisy

            Brownie

            Junior

            Cadette

            Senior

 

Award Acknowledgement

    Bronze

    Silver

    Gold

 

Closing Remarks

 

Kathleen E. Bell  RN MSN OCN

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Radiation Oncology Services

Spectrum Health

100 Michigan MC#009

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Office number 616-391-3558

Fax number    616-391-1286

 

GS Year End & Happy Trails Event Reminders

June 1 is right around the corner and the deadline for submitting your year end paperwork and early bird registration forms if your are taking part in the Camp Anna Behrens Happy Trails Early Bird Event.

Just a reminder when completing your Troop Registration forms, please make sure that you include the correct through year at the top of each form --I am still receiving forms for this current year along with Early Bird for next year and don't want to mix them up.

The forms all use code numbers that need to be completed on all forms: Council code = 459 Report Code (Service Unit) = 022 Registration Area = 003 These are found at the top of your membership dues summary and the lower right hand corner of each registration form. Please double check that each of these are filled out.

I have had leaders ask what it means to adhere to Safety Wise ratios for the Happy Trails Early Bird Event. In your blue Safety-Wise book, on page 69, the ratio of adults to girls are listed for each age level for meetings and events. For the camping, these ratios are as follows:

2 Adults to every: 5 Daisys 12 Brownies 16 Juniors 20 Cadettes 24 Senior

Add one moare adult for each additional: 3 Daisys 6 Brownies 8 Juniors 10 Cadettes 12 Seniors

So, if you are taking 6 Brownies to camp, you need 2 adults. Take 15 Brownies and you will need 3 adults.

Remember all troops must turn submit 2 copies of their Annual Report, latest bank statement and detailed cash report by June 1 whether you are participating in the early bird event or not. Questions regarding the reports should be directed to our neighborhood managers Beverly Dickinson and Beth Reedy.

Kelly McLellan Registrar Rockford Neigborhood Girl Scouts

GS Survey for all leaders and girls!

In an effort to learn what programs your leaders and girls are interested in for the fall of 2008, a survey has been created. It should take about 2 minutes to complete and council would appreciate the input! Thank you all for participation.

Go to www.rockfordgs.com, click on the survey link.

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

GS - Year End Paperwork Reminder

It's GS year end time and I have been fielding a lot of questions from leaders regarding year end paperwork -- hopefully this email will answer your questions!

Q: What paperwork do I have to turn in? A: The following paperwork is required by all troops by June 1: Annual troop report Detailed cash report -- income/expenses for your troop for the year Copy of your troop's latest bank statement

Two copies of each needs to be submitted. Please also keep a copy of each for your own records. Annual troop reports and a sample cash report form can be found on our website at www.rockfordgs.com under the forms section.

Q: Can I turn in registration forms at the same time? A: Yes! Please remember to include a troop dues summary (yes -- this is required each time you submit a GS membership registration form :-). Each of you will answer the top line as "re-registering" as your troop number is already on record. Please check your forms carefully especially the pre-printed adult forms -- the position code on all the forms is listed as a 14 and will need to be updated appropriately for the leader and co-leader of your troop. Don't forget to review that the racial and ethnic info is completed on all forms and the box in the lower right hand corner is completed. Detailed instructions on how to complete the forms can be found on the neighborhood website under leader info. All cash payments should be converted to a troop check. Please understand that I cannot be responsible for any cash left in the box on my front porch. Cookie dough marked with the girl's name can also be used for registration fees.

Q: If I want to go to Camp Anna Behrens in August, what do I have to submit? A: In addition to the above paperwork, please include the coverletter check list and event registration form that was in the Early Bird Registration packet you received in April. Please don't wait until the last minute to submit your forms! If there are problems with the forms that will cause them to kick out of the registration process at council, you will need to correct these BEFORE June 1 to earn this reward.

Q: Where do I send the forms? A: Forms can be mailed or dropped off to my home at: 6851 Rex Drive, Rockford, MI 49341-8620. Directions: Petersen Valley Subdivision off Old Northland Drive between Belding Road and Kuttshill. From downtown Rockford: Fremont Street south towards the High School. Fremont changes names and turns into Northland Drive. Continue past the Freshman center, bus garage, around the large curve, and just past the small gravel pit on the right side of the road is Petersen Valley (blue sign at subdivision entrance). Right on Petersen Valley, Right on Rex Drive, 3rd driveway on the left -- cream colored ranch w/blue shutters & "for sale by owner" sign on front porch. Please place your paperwork in the Incoming Paperwork file in the box on the front porch. Additional registration forms are also available in the box.

Q: How will I know that you received the forms? A: Once the forms are received, I will be sending out confirmation emails to the leaders so that you know that they have been received. If you don't receive an email within 2 days of dropping off your forms, please contact me right away.

If you have any questions, you can reach me in the evenings between 6 - 9 pm at 863-0350.

It's been a great year working with each of you and I'm looking forward to seeing you again in the fall!

Kelly McLellan Rockford Neighborhood GS Registrar

Upcoming Events

Good morning. Just a couple of things about which I wished to remind you!

We had our leader banquet last night. It was great! Thanks to Genesis Salon for the hand massages and mini-manicures, facials, color analysis, and more. There were no official minutes, but here are a couple of notes.

Pajama Ball at the Mall: Registrations are due to Council by this Friday, May 16. Don't be late! I'll be there with both my troops!

Relay for Life is this weekend, May 16 - 17. 3 pm to 3 pm. Christy Bergman is still open for volunteers. Girl Scouts will be doing a variety of fun and easy community service jobs to help other agencies raise money to fight cancer.

Annual Report & Early Bird Registrations (and all assorted paperwork): Due to Kelly by June 1, 7 pm. You can also turn them in at Relay on Saturday morning, 9 - 12 at the Girl Scout tent to Beth Reedy. Or you can turn them in at Bridging.

Two Memorial Day events: These are a great way to get community service (be sure to put it on the Annual Report). But more importantly, it is a way to have your Scouts honor the first part of the Girl Scout Promise "... do my duty to God and my Country." Help them remember what Memorial Day is other than an extended weekend in May.

Flag placement
Thursday, May 22 at Blythefield Memory Gardens from 4:00 to approximately 6:30 pm. After the flag placement ceremony, troops and families are welcome to stay for hot dog cookout (no charge). Girls need to wear uniforms.

Call Nancy Yeager at 874-7815 to register. There is no cost and no "formal" registration, but she needs to have an idea about how many girls are coming so there will be enough food.

Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26 starting at 9 am. Girls should meet in front of Pederson Funeral Home. The parade route ends at the cemetery. You do not have to do this as a troop. Many girls sign up individually.

Registration is due to Sandy Feutz by May 20. Cost is $1.00 if you want a patch/free otherwise. Questions: Call Sandy at 874-2874

Finally, Bridging is May 29. Kathleen Bell sent out an email yesterday with details for that. Make sure to get her the names and correct spelling of your girls that are bridging and/or earning awards!

I'll be out of town till Monday. So if you have important questions about any of these events, do NOT just reply to this message. Go to the person listed on the event.

Thanks so much!

--
Beverly Dickinson
Rockford Neighborhood Girl Scouts
874-8926
304-2615 (cell)
beverlyd@charter.net

Journeys are coming

FROM GSUSA -

The Journeys Are Coming! 1. Customize! Journeys provide "sample sessions" to give girls and volunteers ideas about sequencing experiences, discussions, and earning awards so that the "whole" feels like one big adventure. The adult books corresponding to the journeys contain many examples and encouragements to engage volunteers in creating the journey experience with girls. The journey will be much more fun and relevant as girls make it their own!

2. Stretch! Sample sessions in the journeys have been created to show how it is possible to have a Girl Scout leadership experience in 6-8 gatherings. Many girls and volunteers will quickly find there is more they will want to do! Those who have more time in Girl Scouts (a whole troop year perhaps!) can make the journey longer. The journey books are filled with tips for out to stretch out the experience. As their imaginations take hold, girls will have many more ideas about how to extend the journey with guidance from volunteers.

3. Link! Through the It's Your World-Change It journey series, Girl Scouts at each level will be engaged in exploring some of the same themes. Consider, all the ways that girls networking together can increase the benefits of the journey. Are Ambassadors in the region interested in advocating together? Imagine every Girl Scout Senior in the region creating and exhibiting a unique vision for GIRLtopia. As Cadettes navigate the maze of relationship issues, what could they teach Juniors? What if Brownies link up on some of the steps of their quest? As Daisies in one area of the council engage in "growing something" how could they benefit from a family field trip to meet Daisies doing something similar in another area? These are just a few ideas of how expanding the connections Girl Scouts can make will contribute to powerful journey experiences around the country.

4. Explore Stories! Stories inspire girls (and adults!) to put values into action. The journey series engages girls in stories-real and fictional-of girls and women taking action in the world. Make use of these stories and expand upon them whenever you can-in any way that you and girls will enjoy. Stories, after all, capture the imagination and motivate. Ultimately, girls will create their own stories on the journey, meeting new people and taking action in the world. What other stories are going on in the region, and how can girls connect to them? What can girls find in stories-in art or life-that add to the feelings and ideas along this adventure?

5. Leadership and You! As a volunteer in Girl Scouts, your experiences-and your view of leadership-will influence and inspire girls Use the reflection exercises in your journey guide to think about the three keys to leadership (Discover, Connect and Take Action) and how you can best apply them as you team up with Girl Scouts on their leadership journey.

FW: Girl Scout Bridging Provide information B4 May 26

In order to have your scout name beautifully noted on the certificate, our Troop needs to know their names. Please send it to either of these accounts:

kathleen.bell@spectrum-health.org

tbasarabski@marykay.com

Please read below some key points to know for this event.

What: Neighborhood Bridging and Award Recognition Event

Who: All Girls who are bridging to the next level AND those who have completed their award criteria.

Where: Rockford Freshman School

when: 6:30 -8 PM may 29, 2008

Why: to celebrate the accomplishments of our scouts!

Porta will be making/decorating our celebration cake. Thank you again Porta!

Old Orchard is providing our drinks, thanks again Tracie

American Greetings will be providing a variety of character plates and napkins;

We are asking for volunteers to participate in the flag ceremony and attend to the cake and drinks. It will help to have an authority to optimize the sharing of the goods.

We are planning on having an area, that will be designated for pictures. this can be done either before or after the event.

I have been asked if Leaders can acknowledge their Troop accomplishments by a flower, bridging patch or even a sash/vest switch out; it is OK but I need to know what it will be so that the program can reflect this AND others can prepare their scouts so know one is left out.

I will be gone to Philadelphia from May 14-16 and then Washington DC from May 23-26, therefore the sooner the better.

Kathleen E. Bell

Swimming Event

From Sue Arend...

We have had to cancel the swimming event for tomorrow because we didn't get enough girls to sign up.

Thanks,

Sue

Girl Scout Annual Troop Reports

Please send 2 copies of your annual report to our registrar when you register your troop.  We didn’t realize, but the neighborhood needs to keep one for our records AND we need to send one on to Council.

 

Thanks,

 

Beth Reedy

Rockford Neighborhood Manager

May Newsletter

The May Newsletter is now available.

A couple of updates:

PAT Training will be held at OLC. Please send registration forms to Council

Bridging time is 6:30 to 8:30 pm

The deadline for the Think Pink Pajama Ball has been extended to May 16^th.

Have a great day! Jane Girl Scouts of Michigan Trails Rockford Neighborhood Webmaster Leader, Junior Troop 1996

GS Early Bird Swimming Party

The Party is on May 10^th from 4 to 6 pm at NRMS pool.

The registration deadline for the swimming party has been extended to May 8^th.

If you have any questions, please contact Sue Arend at sarend@comcast.net.

FW: Hello

Please contact Mel at council if you are interested…

 

Hello Ladies,

I am emailing you to see if you or anyone else you know may want to sell cookies during the tulip time parades? The parades are Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. All the parades start at 2;00 however the cookie booths should be open no later than 12;00. All cookies are on consignment and yes you may sell your extra if you would like. I think this is an awesome opportunity and we will sell a lot of cookies. Please check around anyone interested leave me a voice mail at 784-3341 ex.144 first ones to book will have a great sale!

 

Melodye Rantz

Product Sale Director

Girl Scouts of Michigan Trails

616-784-3341 or 800-442-1401

melodye@gsmt.org

 

 

Every Cookie Counts!