Talk like a G.I.R.L.!

As volunteers and Girl Scout parents, you know that in Girl Scouts, girls learn to take charge by taking action. They don’t just stand by, they step up. They learn by doing and see failures as opportunities to try again. For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts has been preparing girls to empower themselves by developing skills relevant to real-life situations. But sometimes, knowing how to talk about all of the amazing things Girl Scouts do can be hard!

For tips and talking points to help you convey the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ spirit when you talk about Girl Scouts, click here to download G.I.R.L. 101.

It’s Cookie Time!

This cookie season, show cookie customers how the iconic Girl Scout Cookie Program (the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world!) prepares girls in their communities to lead, learn, and succeed. All while making it possible for them to embark on amazing adventures, form a lifetime of memories, to unleashing the power of G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ to change the world!

When talking to cookie customers about the program and why girls participate, make sure to:

• Tell them about all the things you are learning by selling Girl Scout Cookies, like goal setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.
• Share your sales goals and what the troop plans to do with its cookie proceeds in the coming year. — Knowing how troops use cookie money is what customers really want to hear about when they consider supporting your sale and stocking up on cookies!

Remind them that 100 percent of cookie proceeds stay local. The money raised through the cookie sale helps your council power unique, amazing experiences for girls year-round. And the best part? The girls get to decide what they will spend their hard-earned cookie cash on—it is their world!

Are you ready to Participate? Here’s how… Do it NOW!

• Troop leadership and girls are registered for 2019.
• All troop leaders complete the T-3 form found in the VTK.
• All Troop Cookie Managers (TCMs) complete the T-10 form found in the VTK.
• Troop Cookie Managers receive annual cookie training and sales materials from their Service Unit Cookie Manager.
• Smartcookies ordering and reporting system access will be given once a troop has completed the T-3 and T-10 forms. Access and newly registered girls will be uploaded into the Smartcookies system once weekly until the initial order deadline and bi-weekly thereafter.

Important Dates:

• September 15 – Girls begin taking Initial Cookie Orders
• September 16 – Cookie Kickoff
• October 5 – Troop Initial cookie orders DUE
  • *PRO TIP: Girls continue taking orders between initial order and Depot Day. Get additional orders filled through weekly planned orders at the Cupboards.
• October 19-23 – SU DEPOT DELIVERIES – The Cookies are here!
• October 19 – Booth Sales Begin
• November 5 – Manic Monday with WJZ TV
  • Meet at 6:15 am in front of Jimmy’s Restaurant located at 801 S. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231
• December 15 – Cookie Sale Ends

Highest Awards Updates

New Girl Scout Gold Award Review Committee Forming!

The Gold Award Committee is a volunteer committee that supports and guides girls in earning the highest award in Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Gold Award. Committee positions include Proposal Reviewers (2 per county), Mentors for each county, and Workshop Facilitators. Committee members can be current Girl Scout adults, or community members with an interest in supporting our girls through the Gold Award process. We are also seeking Gold Award Girl Scouts who are Ambassadors or older, and who have earned their GS Gold Award within the past 5 years. Please complete the application on the link provided and a member of the GSCM staff will contact you shortly.

Click here for the application.

Wanted:  Gold Award Girl Scout Recipient

We are looking for a Gold Award Recipient that would be interested in being a speaker at the GSCM Silver Award Celebration on October 6, 2018, Camp Ilchester.  Please contact bwhaley@gscm.org for more information.

Girl Scout Gold Award Workshops

As of 10/01/2018, attending a Girl Scout Gold Award Workshop will be MANDATORY for all girls planning to earn this prestigious award. The workshop is highly recommended for adults mentoring girls through the Girl Scout Gold Award process. Registration is required.

Girl Scout Silver Award Workshops

As of 10/01/2018, attending a Girl Scout Silver Award Workshop will be MANDATORY for all girls planning to earn the prestigious award. The workshop is highly recommended for adults mentoring girls through the Girl Scout Silver Award process. Registration is required.

Click here for award workshop dates.

Girl Scout Bronze Award

As of 10/01/2018, troops are required to report the completion of their Girl Scout Bronze Award prior to being eligible to purchase their awards.  Click here to get the form.

Coming soon! Online access to SU Roster 24/7

Starting 9/25, all Service Unit Managers will have online access to view their Service Unit Rosters anytime through a new technology called Looker.  Service Unit Cookie Managers will have seasonal access to Looker. There is no more waiting around for the bi-weekly excel roster; you will always have the most up-to-date information when you need it. We will be sending more details about Looker in the next couple of weeks.  We will also offer a training webinar on how to access and view reports.

Events just for Adults

Alumnae Camp In – October 5-7 at Camp Conowingo

Relive your summer camp days at our Girl Scout Alumnae & Adult Camp-In at Camp Conowingo! The GSCM Alumnae Association invites former Girl Scouts, troop leaders, volunteers, camp counselors, and staff members to hike down memory lane during this long weekend of camp activities with your sister grown-up Girl Scouts!

Activities include:
Hiking
Canoeing/Kayaking
Arts & Crafts
Campfire Sing-a-long
Girl Scout History Chat
Tie-Dye
Paint Twister
Capture the Flag
And more!

Sleeping accommodations: Campers can choose from bringing their own tent, or staying in a glen shelter, yurt, platform tent, teepee, or cabin. They can also request their bunkmate.

Registration fee includes: Accommodations, meals, activities, camp t-shirt, special gift, and wine reception.

This event is for guests 21 and over.

Click here for tickets.

Adults Only Leadership Series with the CEO — How to talk to girls about…

GSUSA’s Chief Girl and Family Engagement Officer, Andrea Bastiani Archibald, will be among the featured speakers who will be talking with parents and volunteers about Raising Awesome Girls at the November 8, 2018, Leadership Series with the CEO. She and other panelists will give parents tips on how to have conversations with their girls about some of the difficult issues—depression, suicide, child abuse, and drug use/addiction—that they, their friends or classmates may be dealing with. Many times adults aren’t sure how to talk with their children about what to do or say when a friend or family member is impacted by the opioid crisis, a violent crime or loss of a loved one.  The panelists will share insights that will help adults talk about these topics with their children.

Adult Learning Opportunities

Adult Learning Roundup

Who: Adult Leaders and Volunteers
Cost: Varies depending on courses selected
When/Where: October 13, 2018, Camp Woodlands
To Register: Click the individual links below
Questions: Email membercare@gscm.org

Sign up today for the Adult Learning Roundup and get several trainings completed in one day! Click here for the schedule.

Junior Grade Level Training – http://bit.ly/2Qakfdt
Intro to Girl Scout Leadership – http://bit.ly/2MU5uh9
Trips & Travel with your Troop! – http://bit.ly/2wQh6Yl
Making ‘Cents’ of your Troop Finances – http://bit.ly/2CriA0r
Letterboxing – http://bit.ly/2NkMUhA
Bronze Award – http://bit.ly/2NmxUQl
Girl Scout History & Traditions – http://bit.ly/2Npb8Ht
Conflict Resolution – http://bit.ly/2NpSdfy
Tent Camping – http://bit.ly/2M6iYRD
Geocaching – http://bit.ly/2NnKTB5

Introduction to the Volunteer Toolkit for Troop Leaders and Co-Leaders

Troop Leaders and Co-Leaders, meet your personal digital assistant – The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK).

Discover how VTK can make the process of running a troop easier and more efficient. Learn how you can plan your year plan, download activities, track attendance and recognitions, and even communicate with parents.

Register now

New from Juliette’s Closet

New year, new shirt! Get it now at both GSCM store locations! They are navy blue and come in sizes S – XXL.

Don’t forget: Fall hours now in effect!

Juliette’s Closet at the GSCM Program Center