GSEM Service Event 2/4/18

Reading Service Unit Event for Sunday, February 4, 2018:

Forever Girl Scouts, friends and current Girl Scouts are invited to make hats for children in homeless shelters this coming Sunday (prior to rooting for our Patriots to win the Super Bowl).  We will be gathering at Camp Rice Moody from 12:30 - 3 pm.

Please find the flyer here.  Please share with all your friends.  We will get lots of hats made, make new friends, chat and snack!

World Thinking Day

As a Girl Scout, you are part of a special group of girls that stretches across the world. On February 22 of each year, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from 146 countries celebrate World Thinking Day. (That’s one big celebration!) World Thinking Day is a way to celebrate with girls all over the world by doing the same activities. The 2018 World Thinking Day theme is “Impact.” Making an impact means having a strong effect on something or someone. This World Thinking Day, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides will think about what it means to make an impact on the world—and celebrate being part of the global sisterhood that is Girl Scouts + Girl Guides. Check out this website with Making Friends for some great troop ideas – www.makingfriends.com/world-thinking-day.  Then honor your girls with the WAGGGs pin for their vest. 

GSUSA Raytheon Cadette, Senior, Ambassador STEM Pilot Program

GSEM is excited to announce they have been accepted by GSUSA and Raytheon as a partner council to pilot the new Computer Science Journeys for Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors! Neither STEM experience nor access to computers are required to participate.  They sent an invitation email to troop leaders yesterday.  Interested Cadette, Senior, Ambassador, and multi-level troops (grades 6-12) please complete this brief form by January 19.  If chosen, your troop will receive a $100 Amazon gift card to support troop-related program expenses.

Want to participate? Here's how:

• The troop completes six one-and-a-half-hour Journey sessions between February 2 and April 1.
• The troop volunteer completes an information form before the start of the program and a post-program survey.
• Each troop member completes a session tracker after each meeting and a post-program survey.

Ice Skating Events!! 1/15 and 1/20

Reading Girl Scout Ice Skating – January 15^th MONDAY!!!

Reading Girl Scouts and Joshua Eaton's Grade 5 Junior Troop 85448 invite you to their annual skating day on Monday 1/15/2018 from 9:30-11:20 at the Burbank Ice Arena in Reading MA! See flyer here -- no advance registration needed, open to all from all towns, and not limited just to Girl Scouts! $5 for ages 5-65;/$15 max per family/under 4 and over 65 free! 

Winchester Girl Scout Ice Skating - January 20th

Winchester Girl Scout's annual ice skating evening on Saturday, January 20th from 6-6.50 PM.  The event will be held at Flynn Arena (300 Elm St, Medford) -- open skate will follow from 7-8:50 PM.  Cost: $5 per person with a max of $12 per family (4 & under and 65+ free).  GS Fun Patch included!  They would love to see girls from other towns also join us as well! Please see flyer here.

Cookie Info.

It's simple to order cookies from a cupboard:

1. Submit a Planned Order in Smart Cookies by 10 PM any Sunday during the cookie season. (Note: A completed order will appear as "Not Approved" until order is picked up at the Cookie Cupboard.)
   
2. Pick up the order the following Tuesday-Saturday from the Cookie Cupboard of your choice, or the one closest to your home:
   Andover Cupboard
   143 Abbot Street at Camp Maude Eaton
   Open: Tues, Thurs, Fri: 10 AM-4 PM | Wed: 12-6 PM | Sat: 9 AM-12 PM
   To contact this cupboard call 844-727-2884.

GSEM is thrilled to announce an exciting new incentive!   Girls who sell 500+ packages of cookies will be entered into a drawing to win two tickets to Taylor Swift at Gillette Stadium! After reaching 500 packages sold, one additional drawing entry will be made for each additional 100 packages sold. The name of one lucky winner will be drawn at the 500 Club Celebration at Canobie Lake Park on May 20, 2018.

 

FUNTASTIC Event - an afternoon of crafts, fun and games! 2/3/18

Reading Service Unit Event for Saturday, February 3, 2018:

Funtastic Event  – Grades K through 5!!! Check out the flyer here.

Liquid Starch Slime, Valentine Yarn Monsters, Paper Heart Friends, Love Bugs, Butterflies, Friendship Bracelets, Face Painting, Sports and Games and More! Camp Rice Moody $12 per girl. Troop Leaders should submit troop member registrations with all payments by Thursday Jan. 22nd to: Carla Nazzaro, 32 Red Gate Lane, 781-942-1530.  Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.  Each troop is responsible for their scout-to-adult ratio.  Please make checks payable to:  Girl Scout Troop #71279 

Night Of Traditions 1/5/18

Reading Service Unit Event for Friday, January 5, 2018:

It's time for the annual Night of Tradition!  Sorry this is late...we just received this from Reading on New Year’s Eve.

We are excited to share a night full of new activities and traditions this year! We hope you will join us for our Girl Scout Night of Tradition on January 5th from 5 to 8 pm at Camp Rice Moody in Reading! We are excited to say that this year's event is open to Girl Scouts and friends of all ages (K-12).

Like last year, each girl will take home a sample of the original Girl Scout cookie to share with friends and family. Each girl will bring home a song book of songs they learn and some new ones to teach themselves! And of course each girl will receive a fun patch!

This year, girls will be making a painting to express their creativity like Juliette. Girls will also be participating in a service project and a unique candle ceremony. As well as some other special activities!  We hope you will join us for this year's Night of Tradition.To register, complete this form or see the attachment.  Please register by January 2nd. After that date, the registration fee will increase from $12 to $15.

Disney on Ice GSEM SCOUT Event!!!

We are so excited to announce the scout show dates/times for Disney On Ice Presents Dream Big at Agganis Arena at BU playing in Boston from December 22  - January 1!

We are so happy to let you all know that in addition to the official Disney On Ice scout night on December 29^th at 7pm, we are also offering special scout pricing for additional performances for those who are unable to attend the show on the 29^th! However, please be aware that the scout clinic and patches are not included with the additional performances.

Here’s how it works:

·        Click the link below that is under the scout council that you belong to

·        Once taken to the page, please ready EVERYTHING under where it says “Pay Separately. Go Together” as it as specific instructions for this show

·        The magic of this purchase page is that it allows each family to purchase their tickets and then share with other friends and family who can then purchase their tickets yet still sit with the group all together!!!

·        Your tickets will arrive via email 48 hours before the performance

·        Enjoy the show!

 

Disney On Ice Presents Dream Big - Girl Scouts of eastern Massachusetts:

https://www.fevo.com/discovery/Disney-On-Ice-Presents-Dream-Big--Girl-Scouts-of-eastern-Massachusetts-deAUxyrF

Volunteer Camping Training Dates Just in!!

Dates for spring tent & lodge training are open for registration Now...these will fill up fast!!!  Email Kim Lambert at klambert@gsema.org with any questions. If you want to camp with your troop or attend Encampments in the future with your troop and stay overnight in a lodge or tent, you will NEED this training. 

Camp		Date
Maude Eaton, Andover	Tent training	May 19 - 20, 2018
WIP, Leicester	Tent training	April 28 - 29, 2018
Cedar Hill, Waltham	Lodge training	21-Apr-18
Cedar Hill, Waltham	Tent Training	April 28 - 29, 2018
Runels, Pelham, NH	Tent training	May 5 – 6

 

The North Reading Girl Scout Service Unit

 

 

Veteran's Day Ceremony update

North Reading will honor Veteran's in a ceremony on November 11 at 11am at the Batch School due to the possibility of cold weather.  Girl Scouts are invited to come and join the Boy Scouts in leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.  They also have the opportunity to pass out programs, bring a patriotic poster to hold and bring baked goods for the post ceremony.  Girls can come as a troop or with your family but please stand together as a group once the ceremony begins.

Caroling at the Court Event 12/10/17

The Caroling Event date has been set for Sunday, December 10th from 3 to 4 p.m. and will be held this year at the North Reading Peabody Court Elderly Housing (to the left of the Batch School across from the HS track field).  You can find the flyer here.  The girls will be sharing their holiday spirits/treats with the residents at this housing complex.
We will have over 100 people singing - 52 Girl Scouts and their families! We'll be splitting into three groups to carol in three different areas of the Peabody Court complex, and then joining the residents for refreshments OUTSIDE. **Please DRESS WARMLY!!**

Parking: The Peabody Court residences are located next to the Batch but are most easily accessed from Peabody Street, behind the Batch. Please park on Peabody Street and WALK down the short hill to the residences. Peabody Court is the name of the street going down the hill from Peabody Street. Please DO NOT park in residents' parking spots on Peabody Court. Parking is also available on Hill Street or at the Union Congregational Church.

Rain plan: In the event of rain, we will gather for caroling and refreshments in the Fellowship Hall at the Union Congregational Church. The residents of Peabody Court are invited to join us there, as well.

Kindergarten Daisy Troop Formation Welcoming Meeting

Calling all new Kindergarten registered Daisy parents.  You are invited to attend our formation meeting on Thursday, November 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at the Third Meeting House on the Common.  (This is the large white building that sits on the hill at the top of the Common).  Please enter through the door on the left side of the stairs and proceed to the second floor.  We will be discussing the troop formation process including leadership, the meeting time, frequency, and meeting location.  We hope you can make it and we look forward to meeting with you. Please respond to rmaldonado@gsema.org if you are able to attend.  It should not be longer than an hour.

 

 

Fall Service Project – Reading Service Unit

On November 5th from 1-3 pm at Camp Rice Moody, the Reading Service Unit will be falling for service as they have done for the last 4 years.  They invite all Forever Girl Scouts, current Girl Scouts and friends to attend.  Check out the flyer here for more information and contact Michelle Kramer directly with any questions at girlscoutalumnae@gmail.com.

Veterans Day Event, Saturday, Nov. 11th, at 11 am on the NR Town Common

Girls should wear their vest/sash and stand together as a group for the Veteran's Day Ceremony.  Girls do not need to attend as a troop!  We are asking the person in charge of Veteran’s Affairs for Veteran’s Day services whether the Girl Scouts can help and we will keep you informed.

Girl Scouting Empowerment Party – FREE Event

Attached is a flyer that Ambassador Troop 73899 put together for the Empowerment Party they are hosting for Daisies and Brownies on Sunday, November 5th from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. in the Library Activity Room.  If your girls are really interested in attending, they need to contact Zoe ASAP at zkennedy@gmail.com. There is only a limited number who can attend and time is of the essence. 

Trick or Treating at Care One in Wilmington TIME SENSITIVE

Kimberly Pierce who is the Activity Director at Care One in Wilmington reached out to us today to see if there are any troops who would be available to trick or treat at their facility on October 30th.  Please contact Kim at  KPierce@care-one.com ASAP if your girls are able to participate. We don’t have a time, you will have to coordinate that with Kim.  This is a great fun way to expose the girls to other communities if they have not already done so.  Although this isn’t a true service project because the girls are getting candy, they will be brightening up someone’s day!  If you could please let Debbie know at bcednearing@comcast.net if you are attending so we know, we would appreciate it.

 

 

 

 

North Reading GS Leader Meeting 10/10/17 minutes

North Reading Girl Scouts

Leader Meeting Minutes

October 10, 2017

Present: Kim Lambert (Council Volunteer Support Specialist), Debbie Nearing, SU Coordinator (73891), Anne Valade, SU Fall Products Coordinator, Jo Gibson Hood School Coordinator and SU Cookie Coordinator (62548 and 69175), Joanna Maguire (78188), Kerri Antonuccio, SU Membership Promoter (62803), Alison Nimer (82416), Katelyn Stevens (82416), Karianne Bekier (62803/82418), Linda Marino (62804), Amy Salomon (69175), Mays Hanegraff (78188), Amber O’Driscoll, Batch School Coordinator (76211), Julie Galvin (62802), Jenn Vant (85337/76212), Jessica Barabani (62803), Denise Kung, Recording Secretary (62798)

Meeting Started at 7:40 pm

Pledge to the Flag and Promise

The Service Unit Team members introduced themselves

·        Debbie Nearing – Service Unit Coordinator and Corresponding Secretary

·        Amy Kelly – Treasurer

·        Joanne Gibson – Town Cookie Coordinator, Hood School Coordinator

·        Anne Valade – Fall Sale Coordinator

·        Kerri Antonuccio – Service Unit Membership Promoter

·        Amber O’Driscoll – Batch School Coordinator

·        Melissa Audier – NRGS Blog Manager

·       Denise Kung – Recording Secretary

Tips and Reminders:

Debbie asked leaders to update the troop roster (which reflects number of girls registered and troop meeting date & location). The service unit tracks this information for all NR troops and you will all receive a directory by November 1^st to be used to meet with other troops or plan events together.  Directory should only be used however for NRGS purposes.

Girls must be registered for fall sale and cookie incentives, for insurance coverage, etc. Girl members who are 18 years old cannot serve as a volunteer. 

October 1^st is the beginning of the new membership year. There is financial aid for families (check the box when you apply online to request it).

Parents who are involved with the girls in any capacity must be registered and CORI’d (cookie sales, Museum of Science overnight, help with transportation, etc.). It takes 2-3 weeks for the background check to get done. Adult membership is $25.

Fall Sale product packets were available for troops that didn’t get them yet.

How the fall sale works: you can go door to door or sell online (people who order on the website pay shipping).

What is sold: candy, nuts, magazines, community share nut tins (donated to food pantry), and organic seed planters.

Orders will be delivered by Nov 17^th. Once sorted, Anne will notify you to pick up both products and incentives. Anne still needs email contact info for all troop fall sale coordinators.

Cookie sales will be starting up soon. We will know more about the cookie varieties, when the sale starts, and the new system being used for cookies (not SNAP) at the November meeting after Jo goes through the training.

We are hosting a Daisy Discovery Event on Sat, Oct 14^th at Town Hall 3-4pm. This event introduces any girls interested in scouting to GS, not just Daisies. Jo is running the event as a mock meeting. Please stop by if you get a chance to help out and lend your support. There will be crafts.

Upcoming Events:

Jo collected registration forms/money for Halloween Party. After the party, there will be a walkover to the Royal Meadowview Nursing Home by walking behind the Moose. We will do a costume parade and hand out crafts to the members of the nursing home. Girls should dress in costume. New Daisy Moms can stay with their daughter.

Caroling Event update (Amy Salomon). Amy is looking into venues where we can sing and mingle with members of our community.

The Ultimate Guide is a great resource for parents and girls. It lists family and girl activities, group discounts. If there are events you want to do as a troop, this can help you with goal setting for cookies and fall sale.

Required trainings for leaders – Troop Pathway Orientation (can be done online through LEAD Online website) and Leader Essentials, (in person), check online at GSEM or the Ultimate Guide for locations and dates.

First Aid and CPR training is optional for a Leader, but very useful. The Ultimate Guide will list any special required trainings for activities.

Required permission forms for events can be found on the GSEMA website under Safety Checkpoints. Make sure any field trip is on the approved GSEM list for an insurance binder. See GSEM’s Safety Activity Checkpoints for details on the activities that are considered “high risk” and therefore require a Girl Scout Activity Form.

Debbie reviewed girl-to-adult ratios for each age level. This information is also on the GSEMA website.

Troop Meeting venues:

Camp Rice Moody has a beautiful new outdoor pavilion and picnic tables, plus an indoor facility, for you to host troop events. It’s near the YMCA in Reading.

Another venue is Peter Sanborn Place behind the Mandarin in Reading. It’s for the elderly/disabled and they would like to invite girl scouts to host events or meetings to be held in their community center. They have a beautiful room with hard wood floors. Kim Manzelli is the contact.

Anne mentioned the Masons building as another possibility.

Meeting House on the Common, local Churches and the Library Activity Room are others.

There are meeting in home applications on the GSEM website which must be completed annually if you meet in your home.

Spending troop funds each year, what to charge for dues:

Cookie and fall sales are great ways to earn money for your troop, and a great way to have your girls go through the process of setting goals, choosing what they want to do with their money, selling and then spending their money. Many troops can pay for extra field trips and special events this way, and keep dues nominal. You can always start by asking for a certain amount up front to help cover your meeting costs, before the sales begin. Then if you need to, you can ask for a supplemental amount later in the year. Make sure you ask the girls to choose what activities they want to do (you can select a small subset to offer younger girls). This helps to make it girl-led.

Troop money should be spent from year to year on girls in the existing troop for field trips, badges, pins, uniforms, and registration fees.  As the girls get older, they can save up for larger trips but not at the Daisy/Brownie levels. This is so that girls who earned the money or whose parents paid dues in the troop have an opportunity to spend the money if they should leave the troop down the road.

Uniforms: sashes or vests are optional. Parents can choose one or the other based on their own financial situation. Vests are more expensive.  A Girl Scout uniform is actually just the 2 pins, GS pin (Daisy, Brownie or GS) and WAGGGs.

At the November meeting, we will have a rededication ceremony for leaders and to hear more about cookies.

Meeting Adjourned: 8:50 p.m.

Minutes taken by Denise Kung,

Edited by Debbie Nearing

Daisy Discovery Day 10/14

Girl Scout Registration

     North Reading Girl Scouts is hosting a Daisy Discovery Event on Saturday, October 14th from 3pm-4pm at the Town Hall Gym.  This event is for girls in kindergarten who are new to scouting.  Girls will participate in activities they may experience at a troop meeting, while adults have the opportunity to ask questions about the program and receive instructions to complete the online registration.  If you have already registered, your daughter, you are encouraged to attend the event and bring a friend!  Whether you’re a girl looking for fun and friendship, or an adult looking for a way to make a real difference in a girl's life, Girl Scouts is for you!

     Beyond troop membership, Girl Scouting offers hundreds of programs to satisfy a range of girls’ interests, including outdoor adventure programs, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), community service, art, music and more. Scouting provides girls with opportunities for fun and friendship while fostering the development of leadership skills and self-esteem. 

     Registration for girls in grades 1-12 is also going on at this time.  Families are invited to learn more about North Reading Girl Scouts and how to register girls and adults by visiting www.northreadinggirlscouts.blogspot.com. You can also follow directions found here.  You can email specific questions to girlscouts306@gmail.com.  

NASA wants you to help test new space science badges!

Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador troops! How would you like to:

• Learn about space science and engage in scientific inquiry!
• Receive a NASA badge test pilot patch----- designed solely for participating troops!
• Be a part of history, as you help develop a new badge!

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has teamed up with SETI Institute, ARIES Scientific, University of Arizona, and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific to create a new series of space science badges in collaboration with NASA! Daisy, Brownie, and Junior troops from Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA) have had great success participating in the pilot program. Now, GSUSA would like the assistance of six Cadette, six Senior, and six Ambassador troops from GSEMA to provide feedback on the new badge activities.

If selected, your troop will be expected to complete all the badge activities and participate in the evaluation of these materials within an allotted time frame. Click here to apply before October 6!  https://girlscoutsusa.ca1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_br75hcEegug60zb&Q_JFE=0  Troops will be notified of their selection by November 1st!

NYC & Rockettes Trip

NYC & Rockettes Trip

Find a flyer here for the Nash-a-way Service Unit's NYC & Rockettes’ trip.  This has a short deadline so please read and forward it to your parents right away. Open to all Girl Scouts. Two registered adults per troop.  Please send only one troop check. Ticket payment due ASAP to Gloria Ackroyd, Nash-a-way Service Unit, 257 Hoyts Wharf Rd. Groton 01450. Email is gmackroyd@verizon.net.