Leader Meeting Minutes 12/11/13

Present:  Ruth Kennedy, Kristin Puliafico, Debbie Nearing, Barbara Gravel, Kelly Desousa, Stephanie Geiser (council), Kerstin March, Melissa Audier, 

Event Planning for upcoming school year:

• Ice skating/bowling in January
• Bingo for GS/Adult or maybe "Bring a Friend" in February
• Storytelling at Camp Rice Moody in March
• Food Pantry Month is March
• Girl Scout Sunday is in March 9.  Girl Scout Shabbat is March 8.
• Gymnastics Event in April during vacation week for younger Girl Scouts
• Chopped cooking competition for older girls in April, location to be determined.
• Memorial Day Parade in May
• All Town Encampment June 13-15 at Camp Runnells, Pelham, NH  (mark your calendars for a FUN WEEKEND!)

For leaders needing Girl Scout Camping certification, please check GSEM's website for upcoming sessions.  Those with younger troops who are only staying for the daytime activities, you do not need camping certification, but you should have a "first aid certified" person with your troop at all times.  A parent who is a RN or other medical person, would qualify.  More information on this in the coming months.  Please ask a service team member if you have any questions.

Here is a fun quiz to take to see if your girls are ready for encampment:

http://www.girlscoutsaz.org/summer-camp-camper-quiz

COOKIE UPDATE:

Sales being Friday, Dec. 13.  All orders must be in by January 13.  Cupboards close March 5 (all booth sales complete by this point).

Booth sales are still booking.  Lots of openings at both Stop and Shop and Walmart.  Check Monday Email for the latest schedule.  Contact Kerstin March with questions:  march.family@verizon.net

Gluten free cookies are a PRE-ORDER (buyers must purchase up front).  Orders must be sent to Council by Dec. 31.  Gluten free cookies will be delivered to Council (must be picked up there- they are not part of town wide delivery) on January 23.  These are $5 per bag, but the troop makes $1.50 profit per bag.  This is the first year GSEM is trying this, so please be patient and ask questions if you have them.  Thank you.

For those planning to hold a Cookie Booth, check the GS Store in N. Andover for the optional "Cookie Booth Bag" of items to help with your sale.  $25 per bag.

Don't forget "Cookies for a Cause" sales!

Square Dance Update:

Square Dance in November 23:  two sessions with 59 girls total.  Positive feedback from those who attended.  The event broke even financially.

2nd grade Batch troop (disbanded troop of Daisies) - there are a few 2nd graders who do not have a troop.  Ruth Kennedy/Sue Kirby's troop of 8th graders held a meeting for the 6 Brownies at the Library (with Barbara Gravel's help.  All the girls had a nice time.  If other troops want to help out holding a meeting for these 6 girls, please contact Barbara Gravel.

Guidelines for Financial Assistance

The North Reading Service Unit has guidelines in place to help families who may not be able to afford the GS registration fee, uniform expenses, and expenses related to NRGS town activities and events.  Leaders should contact a member of the service team with their questions or concerns on this new policy.