Gold Award Development Day (Boston)

Please join us for an exciting afternoon in Boston centered around helping you develop skills that will be necessary for both achieving your Gold Award and for future success! You will be working with women at State Street Bank, in various degrees of their careers, on topics such as: networking, presentation skills, project management, and the all-important; how to dress for success. Lunch will be provided. Please note, this is not Gold Award Orientation, but a day to hone your skills around project leadership. This is a girl only event. Adult chaperones will be provided.

Date:	Dec 07, 2014
Time:	12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Program Level:	Senior, Ambassador
Grades:	9, 10, 11, 12
Category:	Awards
Location:	State Street Bank Boston, MA
Fee:	$15.00 (girl), $0.00 (adult)

Pre-registration required.  www.hergirlscouts.org/program

The GSEM Stem Conference is announced!

Saturday March 15th
9:00 - 5:00
Sheraton Hotel in Framingham
Open to member and non-member girls in grades 6 - 12!
$45 members
$70 non-members
Register today at these links:

Seniors/Ambassadors:  http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/search.html?textfield=stem&agelevel=Any%20Age&category=Any%20Category&zip=Enter%20Zip%20for%20Nearby%20Locations&date_st_month=&date_st_year=&id=13817

Cadettes: http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/search.html?textfield=stem&agelevel=Any%20Age&category=Any%20Category&zip=Enter%20Zip%20for%20Nearby%20Locations&date_st_month=&date_st_year=&id=13361

There is a world of possibility open to girls who study Science Technology, Engineering or Math! Without chemists, there would be no clean water or medicine. Without physicists, no astronomers! Right now, women only hold 24% of the STEM-related jobs in the United States, but that can change! If you are in grades 6-12, we want to know: What STEM career excites you? At the 3rd Annual STEM Conference and Expo, you can choose a workshop track based on your interests, and spend the day learning and exploring through hands-on activities. Our dynamic workshop presenters, who are leaders in their STEM fields, are excited to share their knowledge with you! So, if you are interested in learning more about a specific topic, join us! Track choices may include: Chemistry, Physics and Human-Computer Interaction. During the Expo, you will network with people from Massachusetts businesses and universities with a STEM focus. It is a fun, lively atmosphere where you will observe live demonstrations and participate in experiments. Bring your enthusiasm and be ready to imagine yourself changing the world through STEM! Special patch included. This is a drop-off event. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack will be provided. Open to non-member girls in grades 6-12. Non-members will need to register by emailing program@girlscoutseasternmass.org. Non-member price $70

Caroling on the Common Sunday, December 14th

Save the date for Girl Scout Caroling on the Common! Sunday, December 14th at 3:00. Cocoa, cookies and caroling.....what could be more fun!! Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells! Jingle all the way!

Pumpkin Carvers Needed!

We were asked to spread the word for the 2014 Haunted Playground...

"Pumpkin Carvers Needed!

 Fall officially starts tomorrow and you know what that means! It's time for the 20th Annual Martins Pond Haunted Playground! We need Pumpkin Carver Volunteers for the Annual Haunted Playground to be held on Saturday Oct. 18th from 5:30 - 9pm! Let me know if you are interested and what your name, address, and how many pumpkins you want to carve and I’ll drop off the pumpkins a week before the event at your doorstep. If you have any brownies, scouts, pixies, or hobgoblin troops that wish to carve, please let me know how many will be carving and if you need them by any special date (Please try to carve close to the date of 10/18th if possible ). I’ll give you some additional information as I get the responses.
There will be awards given out for best carvings for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place (really nice trophies!). The event will be judged right before the haunted playground gets started by Pumpkin Pete himself! Then on Sunday, you can pick up your pumpkin anytime before Noon at the park and proudly display it in front of your haunt...I mean home.

Scariest Regards,

Pumpkin Pete!"

Pumpkin Pete can be contacted atpeterbrayton@verizon.net

Please remember that if your Girl Scout is helping for a service project she cannot enter the contest.

New GSEM Regional Leader Meetings

Join the GSEM at their new Regional Leader Meetings.  This is a way for different towns in a region to interact and share ideas.  The first meeting will take place at Camp Rice Moody on 10/8/14 from 7-8:30.

Fall Product Sale starts Friday!

The sale last for one month.  If you have any questions, please contact Kerstin March here or Ruth Kennedy here.

North Reading Registration Event 9/24/14

The North Reading Girl Scouts will be hosting a registration event at the Library Activity Room on 9/24/14 from 6:30 to 8:30.  Come find out about Girl Scouts and sign your daughter up for a fun year of scouting.  Any questions, please contact Barbara Gravel here.

Leader Meeting Minutes 9/11/14

North Reading Girl Scouts

Leader Meeting Minutes 9-11-14

Moose Lodge Hall – New Round Table Format

In attendance: Kristin Puliafico, SUC and 85118; Debbie Nearing, Corresponding Secretary & 73891; Anne Valade, Treasurer; Melissa Audier, Blog Manager & 73894; Kerstin March, Service Team Member and Cookie & Fall Product Manager; Sarah Stetson, 76213; Lynne Alley, 85336; Kate Mahoney, 71868; Stephanie Musgrave, 71868; Bridget Easler, 76212; Mary Hatton, 78181; Christy Damphousse, 85122; Rosa Maldonado, GSEM Representative for North Reading Service Unit

Meeting called to order: 7:35 pm

Pledge of Allegiance

Girl Scout Promise

Kristin Puliafico, NRGS Service Unit Coordinator

Opened the meeting and welcomed a Representative, Debbie, from the Moose Lodge who asked to speak for a few minutes about the 2015 International Moose Youth Awareness Program being held April 30-May 4, 2015 in Orlando, Florida.  HS Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors are eligible to apply and each year the Moose recommends two high school students to attend the Program.  More information can be found by contacting the North Reading Moose and asking for Debbie Cacciapuoti. 

In Barbara Gravel’s absence, Kristin, announced that there will be a New Girl Registration Event on Wednesday, September 24^th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm to be held at the Library Activity Room.  We are in need of older girls to attend who can run a few activities or do a craft with the younger girls coming in to sign up with their parent.  If you have girls who need community service hours and are in grades 5-12, please contact Kristin Puliafico at kscott1104@aol.com.   

There are about 5 or 6 troops who have volunteers stepping down this year, leaving the troop without a Leader. We are planning a Transition (troop formation) Meeting for all parents of the girls in these troops, and letters will be coming in the mail directly to each family affected.  More information will be forthcoming very soon.  The tentative date for this meeting is October 6^th. 

Reminded Leaders that they should have their troops or girls re-registered online by September 30^th to be able to participate in the new scouting year which starts October 1^st.   

Rosa Maldonado, our Service Unit Representative from GSEM

Explained that there have been many changes once again at Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts by restructuring the Membership Department.  Basically, Troop Pathway Specialists are now Recruitment Specialists, Recruitment Specialists are mobile (laptops and cell phones for all!) and Recruitment Specialists have been assigned Service Units.  The 5 former areas were realigned in July to form 15 regions.  We are Region 9 and our region includes North Reading, Reading, Andover, North Andover, Lynnfield, Peabody, Danvers, Lawrence, and Methuen.  They are hoping by reorganizing staff to support adjacent Service Units, they anticipate the ability for more sharing of resources between volunteers.  They will be introducing three regional meetings per year, with the first regional meeting on October 8^th at Camp Rice Moody in Reading, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. for volunteers to get the training and support they need.  They suggest you register online for this meeting and carpool if able.

GSEM is also looking for adults and girls age 14 to 18 to become Regional Delegates.  There is an application online at the GSEM website, www.girlscoutseasternmass.org. 

Also spoke briefly about GSEM’s newly appointed CEO, Pat Parcellin and her qualifications. 

Kristin Puliafico, SUC

Handed out an Events Calendar for the new Girl Scout year 2014-2015 for events and meetings we hope to hold.  Of course, the events will only run if we have enough participation and volunteer adults to help us run them! 

Our first event is being held on Saturday, October 18^th and it’s a Girl’s Bowling Event.  The flyer is on the blog and the sign up deadline for this event is October 10^th. Contact person is Lisa Coroa-Bockley and her contact information is on the flyer.

The NRGS Service Unit has also decided that we will try choosing a few events from the program guide to offer to NRGS to attend as a group.  Of course, there will be limits to how many can attend so watch the NRGS blog at www.northreadinggirlscouts.blogspot.com. 

There will not be a Halloween Party this year as the troop who has been running it for many years, was not able to do so this year.  However, there are a lot of Halloween type field trips and programs being run by GSEM if you look in the Ultimate Program Guide mailed out a few weeks ago to every family with a registered Girl Scout.  Remember, individual girls can sign up for these programs and workshops; it does not have to be a “troop” event!

Speaking of Ultimate Program Guides, check out page 8 in the Guide to see all the membership benefits and discounts you can receive for different field trips, events, etc., when you register with your Girl Scout membership!  There are a few FREE events being run by GSEM as well, check out page 46, Gifts to Give; page 49 Greater Plymouth Food Distribution Center, and page 50, Holiday Cookies and Cards, which are FREE community service projects! 

Don’t forget to check out the Amazing Race Event being held in Salem this year on November 8^th.  These events fill up quickly so register early. 

Anne Valade, Treasurer

Spoke about new Leader orientation.  If anyone has a new adult volunteer who needs to be trained, please contact Anne at annevalade@comcast.net.  She will be putting together dates as to when she will be holding Orientation training.

Anne and Rosa also spoke about some tips and rules for Leaders to remember:

• Leaders need new level essentials training when they bridge to a new level of Girl Scouting
• Every troop needs at least two registered adult volunteers at each meeting or event
• Troops must have one adult trained in First Aid/CPR
• Each registered adult volunteer must be CORI’ed through GSEM if spending any time with the girls in the troop
• Troops must have one adult trained in lodge or basic camping to camp
• Every field trip or event away from your regular meeting place needs a troop activity form submitted to GSEM.  If the event is not a “dangerous” type event, you will be approved right online when you submit the form.

Debbie Nearing, Corresponding Secretary

Talked about the changes coming to the Monday emails.  Since we have a wonderful blog and blog manager, Melissa Audier, we decided to have Leaders check the blog weekly instead of sending out a weekly Monday email with the same information posted on the blog.  Emails to Leaders will be sent on an as needed basis.  The NRGS blog will be updated regularly with any upcoming and important information. 

Debbie mentioned the possibility of another Encampment in the near future since the June Encampment went so well with the younger girls, mostly who participated this year!  Leaders who attended thought it went well and girls enjoyed it.

Items that were discussed for future meetings:

• Badge workshops for levels or even town wide
• Troop level meetings were recommended by a Leader
• Kerstin and Anne would like to run a small troop camping event to give Leaders who never camped a taste of Girl Scout camping
• An updated troop directory will be sent to Leaders as soon as we have new troops formed

After updating the Leaders, we had a round table discussion with the Leaders in attendance at which time Leaders were able to ask any questions they had pertaining to their individual troop needs as well as issues of concern and how they could handle them.  This was a really informative discussion and Leaders seemed to enjoy the topics.  These open forums will be continuing at our future Leader meetings.  They will not be included in the minutes!!!

Kerstin March, Cookie & Fall Product Manager

Spoke about the Fall Product Fundraising Sale and handed out the kits to troops wanting to participate.  The Fall Products Sale goes from September 26 to October 26 this year.  NRGS will again be asking for troops or individuals to donate cans of peanuts to the Food Pantry to include in the Thanksgiving baskets!  If you would like to participate in the sale, please contact Kerstin at march.family@verizon.net.   We enjoyed lots of yummy samples of the fall products before ending our meeting.

The next Leader meeting is Thursday, November 13^th at the Moose Hall at 7:30 pm.  An investiture/rededication ceremony will be held at this meeting for all new and current Leaders and hopefully the CCS Gift Bag tags will be ready for distribution to troops!  We may even have donated troop supplies from troops who are moving on.

We hope to see you at the October 8^th Regional Meeting in Reading.  J

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm.

Minutes taken and Submitted by Debbie Nearing, Corresponding Secretary

in the absence of Ruth Kennedy, Recording Secretary

Local North Reading GS Bowling Event

The event will take place on October 18 from 11 - 1 at the Candlewood Lanes, 35 Main St., North Reading.  It is $10 per Girl Scout and includes bowling, pizza and fun patch.  Please see flyer here.

International Dance Festival

Calling all dance lovers! Immerse yourself in a full day of dance at the longest-running international dance festival in the United States: Jacob’s Pillow, nestled in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts.

Whether you are a first time visitor or past attendee, join us on June 25, 2015 for our 3^rd Annual Girl Scout Day.  Enjoy a personal guided historical tour, explore the dance Archives, watch videos of past performances, and view the photographs and artifacts on exhibition. Attend an optional ticketed performance of professional dancers from across the world in the historic Ted Shawn Theatre or intimate Doris Duke Theatre. To end the event-filled day, spread out your blanket, unpack your picnic dinner, and enjoy a free performance featuring students of The School at Jacob’s Pillow Ballet Program on the breathtaking outdoor stage. Earn Jacob’s Pillow Dance Fun Patch. Additional activities and programming to be determined. Visit http://www.jacobspillow.org/your-visit/your-visit/girl-scouts.php for more information or call Patsy Garcia at 413.243.9919x141.

Camping Training Being Offered This Fall!

If you are interested in taking the Camping Training through GSEM, check out the dates of these trainings this fall at http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/aboutus/calendar.html.  Once you are trained you will be able to take your troop camping on their own or at the next encampment!

Summer Girltopia Journey Weekend

NRGS Seniors and Ambassadors! (9th-12th graders)--

Winchester's Service Unit is thinking about offering a Girltopia Journey weekend and is looking for a weekend that would work for most girls who may be interested.  This event would be open to any current 9th-12th grader needing to complete one or two Journeys before working on their Gold Award Project.  This is not a North Reading Girl Scout event.  The cost of the event is $30 and would cover lodging, food and supplies.  The majority of the Journey would be hopefully completed that weekend, except for the take action journey project.

If interested, please discuss with your Leader or complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/83R97PH   

Any questions, please contact Elli Goeke at troop77026@gmail.com.

Lion King Tickets!!!! Sponsored by the Concord/Carlisle Service Unit

The Lion King is coming to the Boston Opera House from Sept 9, 2014 thru Oct 12, 2014, and the Concord/Carlisle Service Unit has arranged for group discounted tickets for Girl Scouts and their families and friends.

These are the 2 different ways to get tickets, so read carefully.

Tickets for the Sunday Oct 5, 2014 Matinee at 1pm   -   PAYMENT DUE THURSDAY, JUNE 26 - BY 3PM -

Although all matinee performances are sold out to the general public, I am holding a block of seats for this matinee performance only.  The seats are Mezz Right Center and Left Center, rows L, M, N.  If you go to the Ticketmaster site they will NOT appear as available (because I have them reserved), but you can see where they are.  The cost is $100 per ticket.  If you were to buy them online on your own, they would cost $138 per ticket, if they were available, which they are not.  To get some of these seats, you need to send a check for $100 per seat to me at my home address or send me a Paypal payment.  If you are interested in tickets for this show, e-mail me IMMEDIATELY at swalkerma@hotmail.com  and I will send you my address or Paypal info.   Note: Although I have 75 seats reserved, Concord and Carlisle Girl Scout families will have 1^st priority if I get too many requests.  UPDATE _ STILL HAVE 40 MATINEE SEATS AVAILABLE!

The cutoff for my receiving your payment for this matinee performance only is 3 PM ON JUNE 26, SO DON’T DELAY.   THERE WILL NOT BE ANY EXCEPTIONS OR EXTENSIONS.   Any unsold held seats will be released after this date.

Tickets for non-matinee performances – ANY show you want   –   Available until Aug 31 -

I do not have any seats reserved for this method – you purchase your seats from whatever is available. This means the longer you wait, the less selection you have.  The prices are different for different performances, with not all seat locations offered at the discount.  Prices start at $63 for some of the shows.   To purchase tickets at our group rate, you use a special version of the Ticketmaster system and will need a Broadway in Boston login.  If you created one for purchasing tickets for Wicked last year, you can use it again.   There is an 8 seat limit per account, so if you need more than 8 tickets, contact me (or create another account).

Step 1:  go to this page and select a show date.  You must go to this specific page, NOT the regular

Ticketmaster page.    https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=baabos&o=81386730&g=3304

Step 2:   Enter the Special Offer Code         CONCORDGS

Step 3:  Log into your Broadway in Boston account.  If you created one for purchasing tickets for Wicked last year, you can use it again.  You can also create a new account.  You must have an account to get these tickets.  To create an account you only need to provide a name and e-mail.  

Step 4:  Select your number of tickets and price point.  The system will then offer you specific seats, which you can accept or select different ones.  If you pick "Best Available" you will get the more expensive seats.   I suggest you open up a separate Ticketmaster window and pretend you want to buy tickets.  If you do this you can mouse over seats and see where they are and what they normally sell for.   The full price Ticketmaster site is:   http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/8835/820969?brand=baa      

Step 5:  Once you have the seats you want, press “Continue” and you will be prompted for your credit card information.  You must pay for the tickets at this time.  You will get electronic tickets that you must print out yourself.  These are your only tickets to the show.

General info:

-  Use the interactive Opera House seating chart to see the view from different locations:  http://www.bostonoperahouse.com/SeatingChart.htm 

-  To see what full price tickets are, go online and check for specific seats.      http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/8835/820969?brand=baa

- e-mail me with questions:  swalkerma@hotmail.com

- This is NOT an official Girl Scout event.  Adults are responsible for their own children and transportation. 

- And no, there are NOT any patches this time.

Final Leader Meeting/Social - Thursday, June 26

Barbara Gravel has graciously agreed to host the end of year Leader social on Thursday, June 26, at 7:00 pm.  She lives at 16 Patriot Way (first left off Spruce Road).  Please park on the street on the same side as her house.  The final deadline for troop financial reports is this night!  We hope you will come and share some refreshments and drinks provided by the Service Team members.  Please RSVP to  North Reading Girl Scouts by June 23rd if you will be attending as the Service Team would like to bring refreshments and adult beverages, and we would like to know how much food and drinks we will need to bring.

 

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Service Project - Watering the Town Hall Gardens  WE NEED YOUR HELP, PLEASE!!!!

We need volunteers to help keep the gardens watered all summer long!  Ruth Kennedy sent every Leader an email for you to sign up for a week through Volunteer Spot!  Please consider taking a week this summer to help water the plants as these vegetables will be harvested and given to the Food Pantry families in need all summer long.  You will need to carry about 10 one gallon jugs full of water to the site as there is no water source at Town Hall and we are not allowed to use the water in the Town Hall for watering these plants.  Please, Please, Please Leaders...we only have one week assigned thus far!!!  It's a long, hot summer...we are particularly looking for help from August 13-26th when Ruth will not be able to be there for back up!  Weeks begin on a Sunday.  It would be a shame if the plants failed as this was a wonderful Gold Award Project initiated by a fellow Girl Scout two summers ago.  Please contact Ruth Kennedy at ruthekennedy@gmail.com with any questions!  

Canobie Lake Park Girl Scout Day!

Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies... attention all Scouts!  Canobie Lake Park Scouts Day is scheduled for SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2014 where Scouts can Buy 1 Get 1 FREE when in uniform! Visit www.canobie.com/specials.phpfor complete details and for a full list of all of our upcoming specials.

Whale Watch!

4 hour Whale Watch leaving Plymouth Harbor for Girl Scouts

Saturday May 31st @ 9am there is a 4 hour whale watch leaving Plymouth Harbor for Girl Scouts and it is on the Pilgrim Belle Cruise Lines next to the Mayflower.  They have offered it to Plymouth Girl Scouts at cost. $13 per person.  Normally $43. The boat holds 250.   They were hoping Plymouth was going to fill the boat but only 60 have signed up.  This is now open to all Scouts and troop volunteers from all towns.  Please contact Pilgrim Belle Cruise to reserve your spots and mention you are from Plymouth Girl Scouts!!!

Mayflower II State Pier

77 Water St. Plymouth

508-747-3434

www.pilgrimbellecruises.com

If they fill the first cruise they will offer a second trip at 2pm.  Can't think of a better way to end a scouting year.  This is rain or shine dress appropriately for weather.

The whales are abundant right now looks to be a great time.

 

 

North Reading Girl Scout Community Service Project!

Service Project to benefit "Camp to Belong"  All are invited to participate!

 "Camp To Belong" works to reunite siblings who have been separated by foster care, adoption or other out-of-home care. The week of camp provides these brothers and sisters the opportunity to spend time together, have fun, create and share memories and bond together. Campers also meet other youth who have experienced similar life situations and learn that they are not alone."  While at camp, the children create scrapbooks of the time they share with their siblings.  We are asking North Reading Girl Scouts to donate scrapbooking and arts and craft supplies.  Specific items they are looking for are:

 

8 x 8 Scrapbook pages, Fun summer camp Stickers, Family (brother/sister) stickers, Acid Free glue sticks or tape, Rainbow Loom bands, kits, and containers

Markers, Colored Pencils, Crayons, Paper, Stamps, Paint

 

Please bring your donations to Kristin Puliafico (177 Central St.) before August 1st.  She will deliver them in time for camp!

Thank you for your consideration and support of this NRGS Community Service Project.

 

 

Watering the Town Hall Gardens - Service Project

The vegetable gardens are in the ground!  We need volunteers to help keep the gardens watered all summer long!  Ruth Kennedy is putting together an email to be sent to each Leader.  It will come from her for you to sign up on Volunteer Spot!  Please consider taking a week this summer to help water the plants as these vegetables will be harvested and given to the Food Pantry families in need all summer long.  You will need to carry about 10 one gallon jugs full of water to the site as there is no water source at Town Hall and we are not allowed to use the water in the Town Hall for watering these plants.  Please contact Ruth Kennedy at ruthekennedy@gmail.com with any questions!

 

 

 

Memorial Day Parade IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

We wanted to remind all Leaders and parents about the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26th at 10 a.m.   The parade starts are 10 a.m. from the Third Meeting House on the Common.  Girls, troops, parents wanting to participate should arrive by 9:45 to start lining up by level by troop starting with Daisies first.  If a troop or her Leader is not participating, girls are still welcome to march in the parade with a parent or by joining in with another troop!

 

There are a few important reminders and tips we wanted to share in case this is your first time marching in the parade as a member of the North Reading Girl Scouts.

• we no longer carry latex balloons in the parade*
• it is NEVER allowed to hand out or throw candy or food to the sidelines**
• girls should wear their Girl Scout uniform, sash, vest or pins
• comfortable footwear appropriate for marching should be worn
• girls should apply sunscreen before marching and carry a bottle of water
• leaders should carry a first aid kit with annual permission forms if marching as a troop

Marching in the Memorial Day parade is a big day for many and an honor for us to be able to participate.  We would ask that the girls march in a respectful manner as they represent our Organization. 

 

**The Parade Committee has asked that NO one throw candy into the crowds for many safety reasons, which include children stopping along the route to pick up candy and not paying attention to bikes and vehicles in the parade, as well as small children picking up candy that could be a choking hazard or cause an allergic reaction. 

 

*The NRGS made the decision to no longer carry balloons after a Cadette Girl Scout years ago did her Silver Award project on "when balloons fly, animals die".  She taught us about the dangers of latex balloons to not only small children but also to animals when they are released out into the atmosphere and then pop.  We would ask that you respect these Committee rules if you are marching as part of the Girl Scout Organization.  We cannot control what other Organizations do, but we would like to abide by the rules.

 

Thank you for being part of North Reading Girl Scouts, and we wish you a safe holiday weekend!