Pumpkin Carvers Needed for the 18th Annual Haunted Playground!

We were asked to spread the word for the 2012 Haunted Playground...

"Pumpkin Carvers Needed!

It's that time of year again, when a chill in the air means Fall is coming and also time for pumpkin carving for the Haunted Playground. We need Pumpkin Carver Volunteers for the 18th Annual Haunted Playground to be held on Oct. 20th 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. 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. I’ll give you some additional information as I get the responses.
There will be awards given out for 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!

Scariest Regards,

Pumpkin Pete!"

Pumpkin Pete can be contacted at peterbrayton@verizon.net

Math MovesU - 10/21/12

GSEM has put together a full day event for Juniors and Cadettes that focuses on hands-on activities that use math. 

"Learn about different types of careers, participate in hands-on activities and have fun! "

These workshops will be led by women in industry and academia. 

Who: Scouts in 4th-8th grade
When: October 21, 2012  9:30 a.m-4 p.m.
Where: Middlesex Community College, Bedford
Cost: $20 - includes lunch
Deadline for registration is October 7th

Flyer is here

Haunted Halloween Party - 10/21/12

Calling all Ghoul Scouts! It's a Haunted Halloween Party!

Who: All ages
When: October 21, 3-5 pm
Where: Moose Lodge
Cost: $8

Registration is due to you leader by October 16th. THIS IS A HARD DEADLINE!!
This is a DROP-OFF event!
Flyer is here

Leader Meeting Minutes - 9/18/12

Attendees: Service Unit (SU) Coordinator: Amy Kelly [73897, 71901], SU Secretary: Debbie Nearing [73891], SU Recording Secretary: Alycia McGoldrick [73904], SU Cookie Coordinator: Kerstin March [71898], Lisa Alexander [85193], Cheryl Carr [71888], Jan Wise [73894], Susanne Rech [85336], Kristin Lamont [85193, 81880], Janice Gulbicki [71905], Karen McCullough [71905], Ruth Kennedy [73899], Christine MacInnis [71900], Stephanie Musgrave [71868], Kate Mahoney [71868], Barbara Duff [71902], Michelle Rosenthal [71902]

Items requiring attention are marked in red
ASAP!! Items requiring IMMEDIATE attention are preceded by "ASAP!" and marked in red

Intro/Announcements
Meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm!  Pledge and promise were recited.
Early Bird patches were available for those that re-registered their troops last June.
Ultimate Program Guides were available for those that did not receive them in the mail - same info is available on-line.

Service Unit Housekeeping
Registration update - If you haven't registered for the upcoming year, to do so as the Leader you must complete it by 9/29.  After that date, parents will have to individually register their girls.
If you have girls transferring into or out of your troop - they must first be registered with their current troop.  Transfer then need to happen through the Registrar - Anne Valade.  She can be contacted at annevalade@comcast.net
Anne has agreed to stay on as the Registrar since we don't have anyone to take her place, but technically the position is open.  She would love to have someone shadow her before she steps down.  The paperwork portion has fundamentally gone away and the focus is on placing girls into troops after Fall and Spring registrations.

Don't forget to fill out the Troop Volunteer Agreement Form (on-line), if you didn't do so when you registered.  This is required each year!

Also need Little and Batch school coordinators.  This job primarily involves recruiting new Daisy leaders, and forming new Daisy troops.  This also primarily happens after Fall and Spring registrations.

There will be a new Scout Registration Event on Friday 9/28 from 6-7:30 at Celebration Kingdom on Concord Street.  The event is open to all ages and the girls can bounce while their parents register them - spread the word to those who might be interested!

This will be Amy's last year as Service Unit Coordinator.  If you are interested (or think you might be), please contact Amy: kellys@majekelly.com.

This will be Alycia's last year as Recording Secretary and Blogger.  If you are interested (or think you might be), please contact Alycia: alycia.mcgoldrick@gmail.com.

Want to check out the Service Team before you volunteer for anything? The next meeting will be posted in the Monday email and anyone is welcome to attend.

Annual Troop Finance reports and a copy of the most recent bank statement are due by October 1st if you did not turn yours in at June's Leader meeting.  Forms can be found on-line at www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/forms.
 Council Updates
There are many religious awards and program available to girls through council.  Check out the info on-line.

Girl Scout of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEM) has been selected as a Boston Marathon Charity Partner.  This means that GSEM has received 15 Marathon entries.  Entrants do not need a qualifying time, but will be required to raise at least $4,000.  Applications will be accepted beginning in September and more info should be posted shortly.

S.H.A.R.E. is still being collected - and we are close to our goal.  There are envelopes available if you still need them.  Towns that meet their goal are eligible for up to 10% back to the Service Unit.

Volunteer Essentials and Safety Activity Checkpoints have been updated.  You can find these in the Resource Library and Forms section of the website. 

Wednesday Webinars are new to GSEM for Leaders.  The webinar is free, but registration is required.  Each webinar will run from 12-1 p.m. and be repeated from 7-8 p.m.
Sept 19 - The Quick and Easy Guide to the Fall Product Sale
Oct 17 - Healthy, Fit and Fun!
Nov 14 - Include All Girls: Inclusion Strategies and Resources
Dec 19 - This is Not Your Mother's Cookie Sale!
Jan 16 - Volunteer Recognitions: The Who, What, How and Why of it

Don't forget that Activity Forms are now online and are required for risky activities that are not council run.  Check the Safety Activity Checkpoints to determine if one is needed.

The 2012 Fall Training Calendar is now on the GSEM website.  Registrations close one week prior to the training. 

The Girl Scout Shops in Middleboro, North Andover, and Waltham are looking for volunteers.  If you are interested, contact Erin Olsson at eolsson@girlscoutseasternmass.org

Sue Asselin from GSEM joined to give an update on a policy change for the 2013/2014 year going forward.  At the 2011 Convention, it was decided that councils can charge a council program fee at registration.  This program fee will go towards program development, camp maintainance, scholarships, training, etc.
For the 2013/2014 registration year - the program fee with be $10 and the registration fee will increase to $15.
There was a question about whether S.H.A.R.E. will continue as this fee supports the same things.  Sue will get back to us on that.  If you have any questions about this fee, contact sue at sasselin@girlscoutseasternmass.org.

Town Update
The Service Team has decided that for this year, the focus will be on fewer Service Team run events.  There will still be a few that serve to fund the Town-wide Fly-ups, but any others will try to focus on the "back to basics" of scouting.  Rough idea of the year's calendar:
Sept - older girl camping, Registration event
Oct - Halloween party
Nov - Father/Daughter Event (Square dancing or Sports event - Cheryl Carr going to see if her troop is interested in running this again), Celebration Kingdom Holiday Shopping event - kids can bounce while parents shop the vendors on-site
Dec - Christian Community Service Take a Tag
Jan - MLK Day Ice Skating
Feb - World Thinking Day Event - Theme: Together We Can Save the Children.  Will plan on forming a committee at the next Leader's meeting
Mar - Poconos trip
Apr - Gymnastics event

Past Events
Older Girl Encampment: Sept 7-9, a small group of older girls went camping at Camp Favorite down at the Cape.  The weather was beautiful and the girls had a great time canoeing and swimming.  The attendance was lighter than anticipated and if you signed up but didn't end up going, there will be an additional payment required to help cover the cost of the unused sites.  Kerstin will contact you.

Future Events
Registration Event - Friday 9/28 from 6-7:30 at Celebration Kingdom on Concord Street. The event is open to all ages and the girls can bounce while their parents register them - spread the word to those who might be interested!

Halloween Party 10/21, 3-5 p.m. at the Moose Lodge.  Cost is $8 per girl.  Open to all ages, but typically Daisies, Brownies and Juniors.  This is a drop-off event and pre-registration is required!  Forms due back at the next Leader's meeting and this is a firm deadline!!  Flyer is here

Poconos Trip for Juniors and up 3/8-10 to Woodloch Resort.  There will be more information but we wanted to get you talking about this early.  3/8 is an early release day which will allow troops to get an early start.  Cost to be about $149/per person per night.  Cost includes 3 meals a day and lodging for 4 people per room.  Activities include: nightly entertainment, bumper cars, go carts, indoor pool, Wii game room, rock climbing and badge earning activities (Cupcake Wars, Scavenger Hunt, Beading, Name That Tune, Family Fued, Zumba).  The Girl Council is looking into arranging buses to help with the cost and ease of attending.
Check out www.woodloch.com for more info.  Amy will post her daughter's .ppt presentation that was shared at the June Leader's meeting.

Fall Product Sales
Shauna Wagner came to kick off the Fall Product Sale.
Sale runs 9/28-10/28.
Troops receive 15% of product sales.  Cadettes and up can opt out of recognitions and receive 17% of product sales.
Theme: What can a Girl Do?, mascot is a flamingo.
There are magazines and candy and nut options.  It was pointed out that the magazine sale duplicates the Middle School fundraiser and the candy and nuts duplicate the Little school fundraiser - however the Fall Product Sale options are dictated by GSUSA and we don't have a choice on what we sell.
The order entry system is the same as that used by the Cookie sale, but the login will be different.
If you want to participate in the Fall Sale, contact Shauna Wagner six.wags@hotmail.com
Products are delivered before Thanksgiving...perfect timing for holiday gifts! 

Next Leaders Meeting is 10/16, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, Room 14

Leader Meeting Dates 2012-2013

The following are the dates for 2012-13 Leader Meetings:
September 18
October 16
November 27
January 15
February 12
March 19
April 23
May 21
June 18

We hope to see all of you there to share your ideas with others and get your questions and concerns answered by other experienced leaders!

Fancy Nancy Daisy Event - 5/24

Calling all Daisies!
Join your friends in an afterschool Fancy Nancy event with a story, activities, a snack, and a patch!
When: 5/24/12, 4-5:30
Where: NRHS Cafeteria
Cost: $8 per girl

See flyer for complete details

Arbor Day Event in the Transcript!

What a beautiful day - and a great turn-out for this Garden Club event!  I see leader (and Garden Club member) Ruth Kennedy's smiling face there in the background...thanks for putting this together for us!

Younger Girl Encampment - Check out some great photos of smiling faces!

The weather cooperated for the Younger Girl "Back to Basics" Encampment and the girls had great fun with all of the activities.

A note from Encampment Director Kerstin March:
"We had a glorious day and chilly evening, but everyone went home with all fingers and toes intact, no frostbite reported. It was a busy day, and I appreciated the good humor of all when faced with a few last-minute location changes due to one of our sites being in use until later in the day.

I thank all of the girls and leaders and parents who came and took part with enthusiasm and energy and I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I did! I also thank all the parents for allowing your girls to come and try camping.
I'd especially like to thank the following people who helped make it a success:
My Co-Director, Deb Nearing, who did a lot of behind-the-scenes prep work and gave me plenty of guidance.
Our committee; Amy Kelly, Susan West, Kristin Lamont, Barbara Gravel, Julia Slavin...loads of good ideas and advice.
Our junior volunteers; Katherine Lasdin, my girl Friday, Daisy ringleader and song mistress; Jessica Kelly, stealth clue planter extraordinaire and chief patch sorter; Keanna Lamont, huge helper for her mom's two troops; Lucy March and Frankie Elliott, gimpers and sing-along support for Katherine.
Barbara Gravel, who designed and fabricated the fabulous scavenger hunt.
Anne Valade, who helped with hiding the clues and was the Four Winds fire pit expert.
Mary Lasdin and Amy Kelly, who helped out whenever needed, especially with fire pit coverage.
Nurse Carrie Bryk, who was kept busy all day and still managed to have a great time.
To Troop 71872 and 73950 for officiating with the Opening and Closing Ceremonies!"

Here are some photos for you to enjoy!

Laserquest Fun!

The scouts (and friends) who attend Laserquest had a great time during vacation week!  As a Leader, make your life easier by taking advantage of programs that are planned for you (either through town, or through Council)!

Leaders Meeting Minutes - 4/11/12

Attendees: Service Unit (SU) Coordinator: Amy Kelly [73897, 71901], SU Recording Secretary: Alycia McGoldrick [73904], Little School Coordinator Barbara Gravel [71876], SU Cookie Coordinator: Kerstin March [71898], SU Registrar Anne Valade, Karen McCullough [71905], Sue Kirby [73899], Janice Gulbicki [71905], Lisa Alexander [85014/Stoneham], Karen Mericantante [85335], Susanne Rech [85336], Sandy Griffin [71900], Kristin Lamont [85193, 71880], Susan West [73950]
Items requiring attention are marked in red
ASAP!! Items requiring IMMEDIATE attention are preceded by "ASAP!" and marked in red

Intro/Announcements
Meeting was called to order at 7:40 pm

Council Updates
New and updated program information can be found at http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/
including updated information on the 100th Anniversary Camporee.

Spring Registration is open on-line at http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/aboutus/member-reg.html.
If there is someone who is not on your troop roster but should be, contact Anne Valade.
If there is a girl who needs to transfer out of one troop into another, register her with her current troop and do the transfer after.

Troop Finance Reports We will be collecting Finance reports beginning at the next Leader's Meeting.  For the form and instructions on how to fill it out: http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/forms.html?cat=6718

Notable Upcoming Council Programs
Civil War Living History Program The Framingham History Center is putting on a Civil War Living History Encampment - 5/4-6, 2012.  This can be a troop camping trip or a family camping trip.  More info can be found at www.framinghamhistory.org. 
$6.25 per girl, patch included.
The flyer is here.

Footsteps of American Saints Program For girls in grades 2-5.  May 3, 2012 from 4-6 pm in Waltham.  Girls learn about the lives of American saints - including:  Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Saint Agnes (the patron saint of Girl Scouts), and Saint Katherine Drexel.
$15 per girl plus a Food Pantry item, patch included.
The flyer is here.

Mad Scientist Daisy/Brownie event on 4/29/12, 2-3:45 pm in Bolton.  Explore the scientific method and have fun!
$9 per girl - super patch piece included.
More info here

Brownie Pet Badge for grades 2 & 3 on 4/28/12, 10am-12pm in Norfolk.  Earn your pet badge, learn about "pocket pets" (mice, gerbils, hamsters, etc...).
$13 per girl, badge included.
More info here

Pocket Pets and Other Critters for Juniors on 4/28/12 (may also be on 6/2/12), 1pm-4pm in Norfolk.  Learn about small pets, and handle some of them!
$15 per girl.
More info here

Kids4Trees for girls K-5, 6/9/12, 9:45am-1:30pm at Franklin Park. Learn about trees and the enviroment with Smokey the Bear and Woodsy the Owl.  Learn about Olympic values, staying healthy and pursuing your dreams from Olympic athletes.
Free.
More info here

Celebrating 100 years of Scouting for all ages, 5/12/12 10am-5pm, 5/13/12 12pm-5pm in Danvers.  Crafts, games, songs, and a fashion show.  This is a drop-in event with activities that repeat throughout the day. 
$5 per girl.
More info here

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for all ages, 4/26-29/12 at the Wang Theater.  Special Girl Scout Friends and Family discount. 
Go to www.citicenter.org/alvin and use the code GSCOUTMA.

100th Anniversary Camporee, 6/1-3 (for 4th grade and up). Deadline for registration is 4/1. Sign up now with just 1 person to hold the spot and add the rest of your group later.
Sunday from 12-4 is a festival open to families. Cost is $10 is you went to the camporee, $12 if you pre-register, and $15 if you are a walk-in.
If your troop is planning on going to the Camporee (and there appeared to be at least 5 troops going), send Amy Kelly an email - she wants to know.
If you are not certified for encampment, GSEM will pair you with a troop that is. Don't let the lack of time for squeezing in the training keep you from this event!

Sundown Singalog for all ages, 5/18/12, 6-7:30 pm in Waltham.  Girl Scout songs and s'mores around the campfire
$7 per girl.
More info here

Some useful email addresses for Council:
Award, Bronze: bronzeaward@girlscoutseasternmass.org
Award, Gold: goldaward@girlscoutseasternmass.org
Award, Silver: silveraward@girlscoutseasternmass.org
Camp: camp@girlscoutseasternmass.org
Camporee: camporee@girlscoutseasternmass.org
Cookies: cookies@girlscoutseasternmass.org
Events: events@girlscoutseasternmass.org
Membership: join@girlscoutseasternmass.org
Program: program@girlscoutseasternmass.org
Registration: cessupport@girlscoutseasternmass.org
Volunteer: volunteers@girlscoutseasternmass.org
Other: info@girlscoutseasternmass

Town Update
Email Blasts

We have started using email blasts to the parents to make sure that they are aware of events that are being offered.  The Fairy House event went out via a blast and the attendance jumped from 25 to 75 girls in a very short time.

The plan is that the Leaders will receive the info about events at the Leaders Meeting.  Then, on the 1st of the month, parents will receive a single blast with all of the monthly flyers for that months events that pertain to their child.  All will have the option of not receiving the blasts.

The hope is that this gives all girls the access to all of the opportunities.  Also - if the Leader cannot do an event due to a conflict - maybe a parent will step forward to help out.

NR Transcript

It is great to see photos of the scouts in the Transcript.  Keep it up!  Also - remember that good press for local businesses who help us will only encourage them to help other troops in the future!

S.H.A.R.E. (Support Her Activities, Resources, and Experiences) fundraiser has started. This is a Council run drive to raise money to fund programs, training classes, camp maintenance, etc.  Envelopes were distributed at the meeting and are available from Anne for all troops.  Please explain the fundraiser to your parents and pass the envelopes along.
This year, the Girl Council is planning a Share Her Artistic Renderings Exhibit on 5/22 from 6:30-8pm (tentative). 
Girls will be asked to create "art" - to display at the event. The art can be anything: painting, drawing, sculpture, baking, sewing, jewelry, photography, etc...
Entry ticket to the art exhibit will be the S.H.A.R.E. envelope. Ask parents to return the envelopes anyway, even if not attending the exhibit.
There is likely to be a bake sale as well.  Please let Anne Valade know if your troop wants to contribute to the bake sale.
If your troop is going to participate, please let Anne Valade know (for space planning).
Girl Council - is a group of 6th grade and up Scouts who are looking for more involvement. Anne Valade meets with them and they work on putting together events and give ideas to the Service Team. Girl Council is working on the following:
- Art Exhibit for S.H.A.R.E.
- A Fancy Nancy event for Daisies - May or early June, right after school
- Activities for Younger Girl Encampment - they will be attending to help
- Daisy Fly Up - date will be posted as soon as possible

Cookie Info Cookie recognitions should be in by the end of the month.  Last year's cookie credits need to be used before the end of June (on bright pink paper).  A trip to the store during Encampment is a great time to use them up!

Past Events
The History of Scouting Exhibit in the Children's Room of the library was taken down.  Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see it.

Daisy/Brownie Fairy House Event was a great success - 75 girls signed up!  The girls did lots of activities and Leaders said that their girls had a great time.  The weather was great, which helped with the building of the Fairy houses...but no one counted on all the ticks!  It is going to be a rough season...

Future Events
LaserQuest Event and Gymnastics for vacation week. 
Arbor Day Event - 4/27/12
Fancy Nancy and the Delectable Cupcakes event for Daisies, 5/24/12, 4-5:30pm at the High School Cafeteria (tentative).  There will be a story, snack, craft, and Bingo if time allows.  Flyer soon...

Daisy Fly-up 5/29/12, 6:30-7:30 pm at the IRP Pavillion (tentative).  We have split the Daisies off for Fly-up to make the events more manageable and enjoyable.  Flyer soon...

Younger Girl Encampment for K-5th, 4/28-29 at Camp Cedar Hill. 

100 Year T-shirts Flyer for ordering will be coming soon - and t-shirts should be available for the parade.

Memorial Day Parade - ~ 1 mile slow walk along the parade route. Troops generally make and carry a banner that represents the troop for this. The banner gets re-used for Fly-up and can be used for the troop's lifetime.
Back to Basics - The Service Team has decided that next year's events will go back to the basics: World Thinking Day, Juliette Low Birthday Party, etc...  Please bring your ideas (Peace Corps Volunteers, Drummers, Folk Dancing) to our attention - or better yet, join us for the summer planning meetings!

Early September Older Girl Overnight for 6th and up.  Will be a tent camping overnight at Camp Favorite in Brewster.  No activities will be planned - this will just be an opportunity for troops to go camping!  Date is forthcoming....

Next Leaders Meeting is 5/15, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, Room 14

April Vacation Gymnastics Event - 4/17

Who: K-3rd grade Scouts
When: 4/17, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $7 per girl.  Includes participation patch
This is a DROP-OFF event.

The flyer has more info and the required release form

Leader Meeting Minutes - 3/20/12

Attendees: Service Unit (SU) Coordinator: Amy Kelly [73897, 71901], SU Secretary: Debbie Nearing [73891], SU Treasurer: Julia Slavin [71872], SU Recording Secretary: Alycia McGoldrick [73904], Little School Coordinator Barbara Gravel [71876], SU Cookie Coordinator: Kerstin March [71898], SU Registrar Anne Valade, Batch Coordinator [Janice Sarno [85121], Sue Kirby [73899], Brenda Wilde [65374], Christine MacInnis [71900], Cindy Russell [73917], Karen McCullough [71905], Janice Gulbicki [71905], Barbara Duff [71902], Kristin Lamont [85193, 71880], Ruth Kennedy [73899], Sue Asselin [GSEM Council]
Items requiring attention are marked in red
ASAP!! Items requiring IMMEDIATE attention are preceded by "ASAP!" and marked in red

Intro/Announcements
Meeting was called to order at 7:45 pm

Council Updates
New and updated program information can be found at http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/
including updated information on the 100th Anniversary Camporee.

S.E.T. in the City Event for HS girls (Science, Engineering, and Technology) on 4/28.  This event takes place in Boston, includes breakfast, lunch, bus transportation to the different activities...all for just $10.  Check the flyer for more info.

All Together Celebration/Workshop on 4/28 from 10-5 at UMASS Boston. Luncheon, Keynote Speaker Mel Robbins, Workshops, Vendors, and a free Duck Tour pass - all for just $55.  Check the flyer for more info.
100th Anniversary Camporee, 6/1-3 (for 4th grade and up).  Deadline for registration is 4/1.  Sign up now with just 1 person to hold the spot and add the rest of your group later. 
Sunday from 12-4 is a festival open to families.  Cost is $10 is you went to the camporee, $12 if you pre-register, and $15 if you are a walk-in.
If your troop is planning on going to the Camporee (and there appeared to be at least 5 troops going), send Amy Kelly an email - she wants to know. 
If you are not certified for encampment, GSEM will pair you with a troop that is.  Don't let the lack of time for squeezing in the training keep you from this event!

Check out April vacation camps on www.girlscoutseasternmass.org

More trainings (especially encampment) are being offered. Check www.girlscoutseasternmass.org for up to date offerings.
Note on encampment training: If you are lodge certified and attend an overnight with a troop that is Tent Certified AND YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMPFIRE, you can be grandfathered into Tent Certification!
Town Update
The Promise Circle made the front page of the North Reading Transcript!  Over 100 girls and leaders attended this event! A big thank you to the Girl Council for organizing this!

Last meeting we talked about providing a 100th Anniversary patch to every registered Girl Scout.  Unfortunately, due to the cost and the low attendance at events, this isn't going to happen.

Elder Services is asking that when we use the room on the 2nd floor of the 3rd Meeting House that we try to keep the noise level down.  Apparently, they have had some days when the scampering of little feet overhead has been very distracting.

We are still looking for Outstanding Volunteer/Parent/Leader nominations. Please encourage leaders, co-leaders, parents, etc...to let us know if there are folk that are making a difference and going above and beyond for the girls. We want them to be thanked!  These recognitions will be awarded at Fly Up. Send Amy Kelly an email. 

S.H.A.R.E. kicks off on 4/1.  This year, the Girl Council is planning a Share Her Artistic Renderings Exhibit.  Girls will be asked to create "art" - to display at the event.  The art can be anything: painting, drawing, sculpture, baking, sewing, jewelry, photography, etc...
The exhibit will be held at the High School with each troop having a space to display their art.  There is likely to be a bake sale as well.  Girls will be asked to bring items for the bake sale.
Admission to the exhibit will be the S.H.A.R.E. envelope.  The event will be in mid to late May and a full flyer will be available at the April Leader's Meeting.
[S.H.A.R.E. is an annual Girl Scout fundraiser to offset the expenses of the various programs that GSEM runs for the girls.  Annually, GSEM spends $290/girl to maintain camps, develop and run programs, develop and run trainings, etc... and looks to the families of scouts to help support their efforts.  The $12 registration fee goes completely to GSUSA, none of it to GSEM.

Girl Council - is a group of 6th grade and up Scouts who are looking for more involvement. Anne Valade meets with them and they work on putting together events and give ideas to the Service Team. Girl Council is working on the following:
- Art Exhibit for S.H.A.R.E.
- A Fancy Nancy event for Daisies - May or early June, right after school
- Activities for Younger Girl Encampment - they will be attending to help
- Daisy Fly Up - date will be posted as soon as possible

Cookie Info
Cookies are done for the year - but if you need any last minute boxes, Janice Sarno has some left!
Recognitions should arrive in late April.
Town-wide, we sold more boxes than last year (overall GSEM saw an increase in sales).
The top selling girl in North Reading sold 541 boxes!

Past Events
Birthday Party Karaoke event - there were low numbers, but the girls really seemed to have fun. 

Mother/Daughter Daisy Tea on Girl Scout Sunday was also nice.  The feedback is that the Juliette Low impersonator was a little long-winded for the Daisy age group.  FYI - the Juliette Low impersonator was funded by a grant from the Cultural Council.  We can use them for next year's World Thinking Day drummers?

Let Julia Slavin know if you need more Girl Scout Sunday patches.

We will continue to collect food donations for the Food Pantry throughout the month of March.  You can drop off at the Food Pantry or with Julia Slavin. 

Future Events
There is a History of Scouting Exhibit in the Children's Room of the library.  Contact the library and try to combine this with a tour of the library for a really fun and informative outing!

Daisy/Brownie Fairy House Event will be on 4/1, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Camp Maude Eaton. Cost will be $5.  The flyer has the details.
ASAP! Deadline for registration is 3/23!

LaserQuest Event for 4th grade and up will be on 4/18, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Laser Quest in Danvers. The cost is $15/girl. Each girl will get to play (2) 20 minute games. There is a limit of 60 girls and it is first come, first served for sign ups. 
Note: We are opening this event up to friends and family.
See flyer for more info.

Gymnastics for K-3rd will be on 4/17, 1:30-3:30 p.m.  The cost is $7/girl.  See flyer for more details and the required release form.

Younger Girl Encampment for K-5th, 4/28-29 at Camp Cedar Hill.  Deadline for registration extended to 4.1
The activities will cover the basics of Girl Scout Camping: games, songs, campfires, S.W.A.P.S.
There will be a meeting for the Leaders that will be attending Encampment - look for the email. 
If you are not trained and can't get the training in time, we can pair you with a troop that IS trained so that you don't have to miss this!

Memorial Day Parade - ~ 1 mile slow walk along the parade route.  Troops generally make and carry a banner that represents the troop for this.  The banner gets re-used for Fly-up and can be used for the troop's lifetime.

Registration Update
Our trusty Registrar is stepping down at the end of this year.
Our Little School Coordinator is stepping down at the end of this year.
Anne does plan to hold a Daisy Registration event this spring to help get a head start on the fall and potential leaders!
Looking for volunteers who will step in to these positions.  The main focus is placing girls into troops and/or forming new troops each fall.  Most of the registration process has gone paperless and doesn't require involvement by the Registrar.

Hot Topic of the Evening:  Where are all the girls? 
We just aren't getting the numbers this year at the events...why?
We are thinking about blasting flyers to all parents and leaders for which an event would be relevant.  Do we have too many emails?  Do people read their emails?  We will need updated email addresses from leaders for their parents.

Sue from Council said that the research shows that people don't read their emails - but they do read their text messages.

We used to do paper flyers at the Leaders Meetings - but our attendance at the Leaders Meetings is down too!

LEADERS: Event info should be passed on to the girls and the parents even if you can't attend.  One of your parents might step up to take the girls.  It could be a Mother/Daughter event (like the tea was).  The Service Team is getting feedback from parents that they were never told about events!  Please pass information along!!
Note: Flyers should state whether the event is a drop-off event or not...

Next Leaders Meeting is 4/11, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 10

GS Promise Circle

Thanks to all who joined us in celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting on Monday the 12th!  There were lots of girls and former scouts to make it an event to remember.

Arbor Day Event at IRP - 4/27

The Garden Club is inviting the Girl Scouts to participate in the Arbor Day celebration.  The girls will lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance and then will recite some poetry about trees. Each girl will have the chance to put a shovel full of dirt along the base of the tree that will have been pre-planted by the town (too big to plant without a backhoe). 

Where: meet at IRP gazebo
When: April 27th, 6 pm

Each participating girl will receive an Arbor Day patch from the Garden Club.
Please RSVP to Ruth Kennedy so she'll know how many patches to purchase and so she can distribute the poems in advance. RSVP at:  ruthekennedy@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

Younger Girl Encampment 4/28-29!

The Spring Younger Girl Encampment is finally here!  Join us for a weekend of fun, friendship, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Where: Camp Cedar Hill, Waltham
When: Saturday April 28th, 10 a.m to Sunday April 29th, 11 a.m.
Forms and payment are due by March 20th!! Don't delay!

Daisies can join the fun for Saturday, Brownies and Juniors can stay overnight.
Cost is $6 for Saturday only or $15 for overnight, per girl.

The flyer is here

New Library Exhibit on the History of Scouting! (no longer available)

- This exhibit has been replaced.  Thanks to all who visited and learned about the History of Scouting!

Come check out Troop 71876's History of Scouting display at the Flint Memorial Library!
On Tuesday, the display will be up in the Children's room on the 4th floor, in the back where the bulletin board is... We don't yet know how long it will be up - but we're hoping for a good, long stretch. 
Bring the whole family - there are coloring pages and word searches to add to the fun!

Thanks to Troop 71876 for all their hard work!

North Reading Promise Circle - Pass the word!

UPDATE!  We'll be hosting a North Reading Promise Circle on Monday the 12th at the High School Gym. Please pass the word to past and present Girl Scouts! Arrive by 6:45 pm so that we can get set up to recite the pledge and promise at 19:12 to commemorate Scout's 100 years!

Fairy House Event for Daisies and Brownies - 4/1/12

Join Troop 73897 for a Fairy House Program.  Dress up like a fairy and participate in lots of activities for a fun filled afternoon!

When: April 1st, 1:30-3:30 pm
Where: Camp Maude Eaton
Cost: $5 per girl
Registrations are due by March 13th
For more information, check the flyer

Have great ideas? Share them!

If you've found a craft idea, an activity, an outing, etc... that you think would be perfect for scouting, share it with your other leaders!

Send an email to the Service Team and we'll get it up onto the blog so that all can benefit.  We can even scan it for you!

Leader Meeting Minutes - 2/15/12

Attendees: Service Unit (SU) Coordinator: Amy Kelly [73897, 71901], SU Secretary: Debbie Nearing [73891], SU Treasurer: Julia Slavin [71872], SU Recording Secretary: Alycia McGoldrick [73904], Little School Coordinator Barbara Gravel [71876], SU Cookie Coordinator: Kerstin March [71898], Amanda Heffernan [71888], Cindy Russell [73917], Janice Gulbicki [71905], Karen McCullough [71905], Susan West [73950], Karen Mericantante [85335], Kristin Lamont [85193, 71880], Ruth Kennedy [73899], Dawn Gonthier [71890], Kristin Puliafico
Items requiring attention are marked in red
ASAP!! Items requiring IMMEDIATE attention are preceded by "ASAP!" and marked in red

Intro/Announcements
Meeting was called to order at 7:37 pm

Council Updates
New and updated program information can be found at http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/
including updated information on the 100th Anniversary Camperee.

As we receive information about other towns' offerings, we will pass them along (via the blog and Monday Leader email) if we feel it is relevant.

Council wanted us to know what a great job we are doing.  Their feedback to us is that North Reading has the highest % of possible girls registered in the area (341 girls).  We currently have the most Cadettes we've ever had, and over 150 Daisies and Brownies!  We doubled our Fall Product Sales and doubled participation.  We had a terrific last spring with S.H.A.R.E.  Whatever we are doing right, we should keep it up!

100th Anniversary Camporee
If you know that you are going, at least register 1 girl by 3/1...that saves you a spot.  If your troop is planning on going, send Amy Kelly an email - she wants to know.  If you know that you can't come on Friday, send an email to the email address on the info sheet and ask to be a Saturday arrival.  They're planning on a big opening ceremony on Saturday morning, but they'll allow you to come on Saturday.  On Sunday, they're extending the day to include a midway in the afternoon (for an extra fee) - there will even be hot air balloon rides (for an extra fee).

April Vacation Camps are open for K-8th grade scouts.  They are fun day camps if a scout needs something to do that week.

Summer camp sign-ups have started.  The local options are Camp Rice Moody in Reading (good for younger girls), and Camp Maude Eaton in Andover (good for older girls).

Council is looking for Volunteer Recognition Nominations. Please encourage leaders, co-leaders, parents, etc...to let us know if there are volunteers that are making a difference and going above and beyond for the girls. We want them to be thanked!

More trainings (especially encampment) are being offered.  Check www.girlscoutseasternmass.org for up to date offerings.

Sundown Singalong at Camp Maude Eaton - 4/18 for all ages.  Looks like a new offering that could introduce the girls to the traditional songs.

Town Update
There are still open slots on the Meals on Wheels sign ups.  Check the blog!

There is a Younger Girl Encampment Committee meeting after this meeting.  It was suggested that the Committee look into getting the Low Ropes Course for the girls.

Fly up this year is going to be HUGE (there are 57 Daisies and ~100 Brownies!). 
We have decided to split Fly Up this year and do a Daisy Fly Up (Girl Council has volunteered to run it).  Date TBD.
Older Girl Fly Up is tentatively 6/20 (note, if there are no snow days school will be out)

Girl Council - this is a group of 6th grade and up Scouts who are looking for more involvement.  Anne Valade meets with them and they work on putting together events and give ideas to the Service Team.  Girl Council is working on the following:
- Town Wide Promise Circle on 3/12...they're trying to organize a location for all Scouts past and present
- Designing a 100 year banner for the parade
- A Fancy Nancy event for Daisies
- Art Exhibit for S.H.A.R.E. - Scouts will create art for display, the ticket to view the event will be the S.H.A.R.E. envelope
- Activities for Younger Girl Encampment

Mary Lasdin has offered to run a 1st Aid/CPR training class if there are enough interested leaders.  Contact Mary Lasdin for more info at lasdin@comcast.net.

Cookie Info
Cookie Delivery is complete - though it was not without its problems.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED OUT!
Cookie orders can continue to be taken - check with Kerstin if you need cookies as she is dealing with distributing the Round Up cookies.  If she can't get you the cookies, the orders will be fulfilled through the Cookie Cupboard. 
As an FYI - according to the GSEM website, over 75% of the price of a box of cookies goes to Girl Scouts...meaning that the bakers earn less than $1 per box.
Data entry is due by and cookie money must be available for debit by 3/9.
The Cookie Cupboard will stay open through 3/9. 
After 3/9, the Cookie Selldown begins.  For the Cookie Selldown, you can buy the cookies at $2.50 per box, but you must still sell them for $4 per box.  This gives your troop $1.50 profit per box, but this does not add to the girls' recognitions.
Any questions - contact Kerstin March march.family@verizon.net .

Past Events
Meet and Slide Snowtubing at Amesbury Sports Park.  Only one troop went - but they did have fun!  The snow was REALLY fast and so they were only able to go down in singles (not allowed to make chains).  We can try again next year to generate more interest...

Future Events
Friends and Family Ice Skating will be at Burbank Arena on 2/22 (Feb vacation week) from 12:30-2:30 pm. Cost is $5 per person (Scouts get a patch) and $3 for rentals. There is a limited supply of rentals.  See flyer for more information.
We will take sign-ups at the door.
Don't forget to bring a Food Pantry item or two!

Pat's Peak Scout Ski Deal - March 3rd and 4th are Scout Weekend for Friends and Family. $38 for 3-10pm lift ticket, rentals, and 5-10pm tubing. See flyer for more details.
Please keep in mind that equipment rental will be first come, first served - so try to arrive early so that you don't end up without equipment!
Note - there isn't a lot of interest for this out of the Girl Scouts...
100th Birthday Karaoke Party for all levels will be held on March 10th at the M.S. Cafetorium from 6:30-8:30.
See flyer for more details.
The deadline for singing signups is March 1st (so that they can make sure to have the right music).
Don't forget to bring a Food Pantry item or two!

NRGS is looking into providing a 100th Anniversary patch to each girl in town.  More info will be provided at the next meeting.

Mother Daughter Daisy Tea will be on March 11th- We will be bringing in the Juliette Lowe actress for this event.  Cost will be $5/couple.  Daisy troops will be coordinating the snacks.

Girl Scout Sunday is 3/11
See flyer for more details.
Food Pantry items will also be collected that day at St Teresa's.

There will also be a "Mass of Thanksgiving" at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on March 18th.  See flyer for more details.

March is Girl Scout Food Pantry Month -
Drop off of collected items will be on March 18th at the Town Hall gym from 11-1.  Tours will also be available for troops that want them.
There are flyers available:
I promised a Girl Scout
I'll come back later - Coloring flyer
I'm picking up now
The Food Pantry has made improvements, including the addition of refrigeration.
Become a friend of the Food Pantry on Facebook if you want to help and they'll post when they have critical need of items.

Daisy/Brownie Fairy House Event will be on 4/1, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Camp Maude Eaton.  Cost will be $5.  Flyer will be posted on the blog and sent out in the Monday mail when available.  Sign ups will be collected at the March Leader's meeting.

Laser Quest Event for 4th grade and up will be on 4/19, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. as Laser Quest in Danvers.  The cost is $15/girl.  Each girl will get to play (2) 20 minute games.  There is a limit of 60 girls and it is first come, first served for sign ups.  Sign ups will be collected at the March Leader's meeting. 
Note: if we get the 60 girls, it will only be North Reading Girl Scouts playing.  If we don't get the 60, we will open it up to friends and family.
See flyer for more info.

Gymnastics for K-3rd will be on 4/17.  Flyer and more info is forthcoming.  Look for it on the blog and in the Monday email update.

Other ideas for the (mostly older) girls:
Elite Freestyle in Reading (781-942-9898, across from Home Goods) has offered, free of charge, to teach a karate class.  This includes a short discussion of self defense.  It was noted pretty much every karate place will do something like this in order to get kids to try a class.

Lowell Textile Mills offers programs at a cost of ~$16 per girl.  Older girls would get an opportunity to do t-shirt printing and learn about silkscreening.
From an email:
"Sew Glam involves  learning the tricks behind today’s hottest fashion trend known as self-made glamour. 
For this Interest Project learn sewing and embellishing techniques to unleash your creativity as you transform fabric and clothes into custom designed outfits, accessories and bedroom decor. Some supplies you would have to bring would be a pair of jeans to embellish,  clothing to remake for the Learn and Do (1or2) you choose and decide which Share activity (1,2,3). You can use the GSEM website to read the aforementioned requirements. We supply the rest of the  materials and instruction to complete the activity. The cost is $12 per girl, 3 1/2 hours long.

For the screen printing class, the troop will decide what design they want to use and create this design on a screen, as the screen design is drying,  they will learn about ancient and colonial printing techniques. They will then screen print on a T-shirt, tour the museum and identify the evolution of printing. All supplies are included in this program, cost is 1$16 per girl, 3 1/2 hours long."
For more information about their offerings, contact Kathleen Hirbour at khirbour@athm.org.
There is a book of "Interest Projects for girls 11-17" that has more info on the steps mentioned above.

Cinnamon Rainbows, up in Hampton Beach, offers 2 hour surf camps for girls at $35/girl.  Check out www.cinnamonrainbows.com

Whitewater rafting out in Charlemont is usually offered through council but can also be arranged through Crabapple Whitewater www.crabapplewhitewater.com ($55/girl) or Zoar Outdoor www.zoaroutdoor.com ($57 and up/girl).

There was a Girl 2 Girl conference at Simmons College in January - one of troops went and it was a great experience. This is open to girls in the 6th grade and up. Look for it next year on the GSEM website under Programs.

Another troop took advantage of the Scuba Diving program offered by council and loved it.  It is offered at the Beverly YMCA at a cost of $42/girl.  Check out GSEM's website and search Programs for "scuba".

Hot Topic of the Evening:  Last month we discussed Troop Finances.  Amy reported that she approached her parents about the 1/3 paid by parents, 1/3 paid by the girl, 1/3 paid by the troop - and it was enthusiastically received!
Meeting concluded at 8:50 - and an Encampment Committee meeting followed.