FW: Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Guidelines Regarding H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)

Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Guidelines Regarding the H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) 

GSMISTS is monitoring the H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) situation closely and taking appropriate steps based on guidelines established by the Michigan Department of Community Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The health and safety of our girls is always our highest priority. We are not public health experts, but we advise anyone working with Girl Scouts to keep abreast of the latest recommendations. You may want to look at the following links: 

·    Michigan Department of Community Health H1N1 Influenza Information

·    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention H1N1 Influenza Information

·    CDC Good Health Habits for Preventing the Flu

You may also find additional helpful resources through your local county health department.

Please make sure all involved with your Girl Scout activities are practicing the following recommendations:

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water.  When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes and gel sanitizers. 

2. Do not touch your face, especially eyes, nose and mouth, with your hands.

3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

4. Encourage anyone who is not feeling well to refrain from participating.

Information for Girl Scout events  

At this time most Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore events and sessions are moving forward as planned. However, as cases of H1N1 increase in certain communities and health officials deem safety to be a concern for our events, we will make the necessary decisions to protect the girls. If cancellations are necessary, we will inform participants and communicate the information to our membership through our web site and e-mail updates.

As always, participation in Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore activities is the decision of each individual girl and her family. Consistent with our standard event cancellation and refund policies, if you choose to have your daughter not attend an event that has not been cancelled for safety concerns, we will not issue a refund. If circumstances change and we do cancel an event, all registrants will receive refunds. Some cancelled events may be rescheduled, and we will provide updates about those events through the web site and e-mail updates.

We always stress good health practices at our events and camps, including frequent hand washing and covering one's mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. The food preparation and serving process, as well as cleaning at Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore camps will continue to meet the standards of the Michigan Department of Health for licensed childcare facilities. These procedures will be enhanced as necessary in accordance with recommendations from the Michigan Department of Community Health as circumstances change.  


Yours In Girl Scouting,

Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore

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[leaders] Girl Scouts Diversity training

Fellow leaders,

Since I sent that email last week about diversity training, I have had a number of emails. The main questions boil down to "How do I know if I need this training?"

In a nutshell, you need this training. Ideally, you need it sometime this year.

If you took the Bridging to Unity diversity training offered in Big Rapids in May, you do NOT need Dimensions of Diversity.

However, if you took Michigan Mosaic at Leader/Daughter campout OR took the series of 3 enrichments OR took the diversity training to be a delegate, sorry, you still need this training. Girl Scouts is continuing to stress the importance of diversity training for their leaders.

If you are a new leader, struggling with the other training requirements, get them done first. This training can be done later.

If you have had an in-depth diversity training through work or another volunteer experience, contact Kim Dyer directly at council and ask her if yours qualifies. She has the final call on that. You can reach Kim at 784-3341 or kdyer@gsmists.org.

Please note that these are council requirements. And yes, I need the training too.

Will we bring it to Rockford? Please don't plan on it. We are trying to bring the Troop Management 101 and the camping and the first aid/CPR to Rockford. There are limits. If there are not enough sessions at Council (and I confess that I have not looked), we will see what we can do.

Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!
Beverly

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

Please visit www.rockfordgs.com for the lastest info on Rockford Girl Scouts.

To unsubscribe to this list, send an email to leaders-unsubscribe@rockfordgs.com.

[leaders] Fwd: Dimensions of Diversity at GRSC Tuesday night - more welcome! SUDs, please share with your volunteers.

Fellow Rockford leaders,

If you need Diversity training this year (and you do if you have not had GS diversity training before) and you are not stuck with sick children, there are openings for this Tuesday night at the Grand Rapids Service Center. Read down to see more information.

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

> Subject: Dimensions of Diversity at GRSC Tuesday night - more welcome! SUDs, please share with your volunteers.
> Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:45:47 -0400
> From: "Kim Dyer" <KDyer@gsmists.org>
> To: "Kim Dyer" <KDyer@gsmists.org>
>
> We have enough people registered to host Dimensions of Diversity this
> Tuesday night at GRSC in Training Room from 6:30-9:30 p.m. More are
> welcome to attend. Registration fee is $5. Register online at
> https://www2.e-council.net/code/onlinereg/?council=450; or if E-Council
> closes the event over the weekend, just call or e-mail Beth Petersen at
> bpetersen@gsmists.org, ext. 120, to let her know you're coming and pay
> at the door.
>
> This is a great session you will truly enjoy. Sweet snacks are included
> with the price and packet! This is a required adult learning session
> for all GSMISTS volunteers. I hope you can make it! This session is
> also available by special request.
>
> Kim Dyer
> Sr. Adult Development Manager
> Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore
> Toll Free 866-566-7434 Grand Rapids Direct 616/784-6669, ext. 142;
> 616/784-3341; FAX 616/784-8187 or Muskegon Direct 231/744-4776, ext.
> 207; FAX 231/744-5874
> Grand Rapids Service Center, 3275 Walker Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544
> or Muskegon Service Center, 1217 River Road, Muskegon, MI 49445
> Website www.gsmists.org
> Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who
> make the world a better place.
>
>
>

Please visit www.rockfordgs.com for the lastest info on Rockford Girl Scouts.

To unsubscribe to this list, send an email to leaders-unsubscribe@rockfordgs.com.

[leaders] Upcoming Rockford Events

Leaders,

A couple of upcoming events.

Daisy Gingerbread Event will be on Tuesday, November 10 at the Freshman Center. Sandy Dean's troop has volunteered to help (Thanks!) and several leaders mentioned they would be able to talk to parents. This event is for girls that have no troop yet, Kindergarten and 1st grade. We'll be sending flyers home through school and posting info in the library, newspapers, etc. If you are interested in helping, please let me know.

Santa Parade Training:
The Santa parade is December 5 in Downtown Rockford. If you are interested in participating, you must attend the training on November 9. Here's the link from our website.
http://www.rockfordgs.com/calendar/calendar_item.php?&id=157
In past years, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce has send the registration form directly to you. In order to save postage, they will not be sending it this year. The registration form is on our website, linked to the calendar listing.

Public Museum events:
Several leaders were asking about these at the last leader meeting and for those new leaders, let me explain. The Public Museum of Grand Rapids has great events for Girl Scouts. They cost about $7 per girl (check details to make sure) and do an entire Try-it, Badge, or IPP in one session. They are very hard to find in It's a Shore Thing. But they are all on our website! Go to the calendar link
http://www.rockfordgs.com/calendar/calendar.php
and look around. The first Junior event is November 14 and the first Brownie event is Manners Here and Now on December 5. If your Brownie troop is NOT doing the Santa Parade, this is a great alternative with the museum all decorated for the holidays. The registration form is linked on our website. You send the registration straight to the museum, NOT to us and NOT to council. Usually these fill up fast, but this year they are getting no response due to the poor listing in Shore Thing. So take advantage of this and GO.

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

<p>Please visit www.rockfordgs.com for the lastest info on Rockford Girl Scouts.</p>
<p><b>To unsubscribe to this list, send an email to leaders-unsubscribe@rockfordgs.com.</b></p>

[leaders] Service Project

The adult day care center, Care Resources, is in need for things for their Bingo store. The members LOVE the small shampoo bottles and other bottles that you get at hotels. If you have some and would like to donate them, please bring them to the next leaders meeting on November 9^th. I will deliver them.

 

Thanks,

Jane

 

Rockford Service Unit

Troop 1996

 

Girl Scouts Commemorative Coin Legislation Passes Senate

By Coin Update Staff on October 21st, 2009

On October 19, 2009, the Senate unanimously passed legislation that will authorize the production of Girl Scouts Commemorative Coins in 2013. Just a few days earlier, the bill had been passed by the House of Representatives. All that remains for the bill to become law is the President's signature.

H.R. 621: Girl Scouts USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Act was introduced on January 21, 2009 by Jack Kingston of Georgia. The purpose of the Act is to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of the Girl Scouts of America. Juliette Gordon Low had organized the first two Girl Scout troops in Savannah, Georgia on March 12, 1912.

Up to 350,000 silver dollar coins would be produced and issued during the calendar year beginning January 1, 2013. The Act recommends production of coins at the West Point Mint to the extent possible. Each coin would bear a design emblematic of the centennial of the Girl Scouts of America. Required inscriptions include the face value, the year "2013", "Liberty", "United States of America", and "E Pluribus Unum".

The final design for the coins will be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation withteh Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the Commission of Fine Arts, and review by the Citizens Coinage Adisory Committee.

All coins will carry a surcharge of $10 per coin. This amount will be paid to the Girl Scouts of America for program development and delivery.

 

[leaders] GS leader minutes

Leaders,

Please check the following link to the Minutes from the October 12 Leader Meeting.

http://www.rockfordgs.com/leader_pages/minutes_news.htm

Information on Fall Product, upcoming events, helping with the Christmas Tree, Santa Parade, training for new and current leaders, and MORE.

Thanks!
Beverly

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

Please visit www.rockfordgs.com for the lastest info on Rockford Girl Scouts.

[leaders] Fwd: Camp Survey for Girls

Did your daughter or girls in your troop attend summer camp? Or did she not because of specific reasons?

Follow the following link to the GSMISTS website to give their opinions about summer camp! The first 100 to respond will be in a drawing to win a free week at camp!

Each month there will be a new survey allowing girls' voices to be heard!

http://www.gsmists.org/camp-and-facilities
--
Beverly Dickinson
Rockford Neighborhood Girl Scouts
874-8926
304-2615 (cell)
beverlyd@charter.net

> Subject: Camp Survey for Girls
> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:36:02 -0400
> From: "Vicky Pratt" <VPratt@gsmists.org>
> To: <beverlyd@charter.net>,
"Beverly Dickinson" <dickinbe@gvsu.edu>,
"Nancy Walenta" <walentan@yahoo.com>,
"Peggy Clocklin" <peggyclocklin@comcast.net>,
"Rosemary Mills" <grkmills@sbcglobal.net>,
"Sarah Stobie" <foresthillsgs@comcast.net>
>
> http://www.gsmists.org/camp-and-facilities
>
> Have your girls follow the above like to the GSMISTS website to give
> their opinions about summer camp! The first 100 to respond will be in a
> drawing to win a free week at camp!
>
>
>
> Each month there will be a new survey allowing girls' voices to be
> heard!
>
>
>
> Vicky Pratt
>
> Membership Manager
>
> Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore
>
> Grand Rapids Office
>
> 3275 Walker Ave. NW
>
> Grand Rapids, MI 49544
>
> Toll Free 866-566-7434
>
> Direct 616-784-3341 or 800-442-1401, ext. 146
>
> www.gsmists.org
>
> fax 616-784-8187
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Please visit www.rockfordgs.com for the lastest info on Rockford Girl Scouts.

[leaders] GS meeting - Mon, 10/12/09

Leaders and guests,

Just a quick reminder that the next Rockford GS leader meeting is Monday, October 12. We will be meeting as usual at the Rockford United Methodist Church.

6:00 - Fall Product Training (one hour)
6:30 - Social hour (no, you can't attend fall product training and social hour. But if you're not attending fall product training, come early and pick up stuff, meet friends, check out the recycle stuff, etc)
7:00 - Business meeting
8:15 - Service Team meeting

This is the Reuse/Recycle event. If you have books, uniform parts, craft supplies, patches, badges, parts for a try-it/badge/ipp, etc that you don't need, bring them along. However, don't assume I will take home whatever is left!

Remember to check and see if you troop has too many Shore to Shore books. One per troop and I'm running short.

Also remember to see if you have too many GS pins. Only the traditional OR the contemporary if you are Junior or higher, not both.

If you have something checked out from the library, please return it. There is a waiting list for Brownie and Junior journey books.

If you have any questions, give me a call! Hope to see you there.

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

Please visit www.rockfordgs.com for the lastest info on Rockford Girl Scouts.

[leaders] Girl Scout newsletter and announcment

Dear Rockford leaders,

Jane has put together the newsletter this month and it looks great! Thanks so much. Here's the link. http://rockfordgs.com/leader_pages/minutes_newsletters/Newsletter_200910.pdf

Our next leader meeting is October 12, 2009. There will be some VERY important announcements at this meeting. Please make sure someone from your troop is there.

NOTE FROM BEVERLY TO LEADERS.

Let me start by stating that I love Girl Scouts. I have never regretted becoming a leader or part of the service team or the Service Unit Director. I have learned and grown and watched many other leaders learn and grow. I have made so many friends.

However, I regret that I simply cannot continue the way it is. I am stating here that if I don't receive some significant help by the Monday, October 12 leader meeting, that will be my last leader meeting and I will step down as Service Unit Director.

(This is especially bad for the new leaders to read. To those new leaders, I apologize. Please be assured that Rockford really is a wonderful service unit. There are many caring, dedicated leaders who truly care about the girls and Girl Scouting. I have faith that we can and will pull this off.)

Rockford is a big unit with almost 600 girls and 50 troops. I know you have already stepped up by being a leader and many have stepped up further by becoming part of the team. Many of you have served for years and, rightfully so, have stepped back to allow others to take their turn. Some leaders continue on helping the Service Unit even though their daughters have grown up and are adults!

Yet our service unit remains sadly, woefully understaffed. Here is a list of positions that we desperately need to be filled.

 Recruitment Manager – to help find troops for all those girls who have expressed interest. We had over 75 girls express interest since school night for Scouting. Some have not even been contacted because no one has been able to help me and I have not had time.
 Fall Product Manager – only one leader has stepped up and she is a brand new leader. Council requires a co-manager with this. Previous managers will mentor and so will Vicky, our council liaison. We have already missed the council manager training. The Council Manager, Susan Tamme, will be coming to our meeting to do our service unit training.
 Cookie Manager – that time is rapidly approaching
 Event Manager – this is what I wanted to do with my daughter. Jessica is doing her best. But she is only 14. So far, instead of this being the bonding time that we had hoped, we have ended up in tears because of lack of time and interest from other leaders.
 Event Coordinators – those willing to actually run the planned events.
 School Organizers for Meadow Ridge and Crestwood – you guessed it that these are the girls who have not been contacted.

This should not be the first time that you've heard this (except for the new leaders). I have asked before and I have heard from many that you don't have time. I know that you are stretched. But, to put it bluntly, what do you think I am doing? When no one helps, the job still has to get done. And if you don't have ½ an hour, how do you think I can find all the time added together?

I cannot be all the above positions as well as director. I spent all day Sunday on Girl Scouts and never even got to my actual troop and never got done all that needed to be accomplished. (And when I say all day, I mean about 10 hours.) I promised my family that I would only do this for one more year if I had the help that I needed. I don't have that help and I have to put my family first.

I'm not asking for someone to take over all of this. I asking for each person to think if you could, or you know of someone who could, take one small part. Just one small part. And with many small parts, it becomes manageable. All the above jobs can be shared. Co-product managers, co-recruitment managers, co-event managers, co-service unit director!

I don't want to quit. I truly don't. But something has to change. So please, help.

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

Please visit www.rockfordgs.com for the lastest info on Rockford Girl Scouts.

[leaders] GS leader meeting October 12, 2009

Leaders,

Please note that the next leader meeting is Monday, October 12, 2009. Next week, NOT tonight. I believe the original dates did list this evening but where changed.

A newsletter will be out tonight with details.

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

Please visit www.rockfordgs.com for the lastest info on Rockford Girl Scouts.