Leader Meeting Minutes 3/18/2019

Agenda for Leader Meeting

Monday, March 18, 2019

LAR – 7:30 p.m.

In attendance:  Debbie Nearing, Jo Gibson, Lisa Ayer, Keri Antonuccio, Anne Valade, Rebecca Lowe, Amy Kelly, Kristen Pemberton,

Salute and Pledge to the Flag and Promise – Debbie

Opening Meeting:

• Encampment Registration/payment collections. All forms due April 1st
• Amazon Robotics Tour –

-10 girls attended.

-toured where they create the robots

• Powderpuff Derby Event – Lisa A. and Kristen P.

·         Update and collect any new registrations

·         ST to take vote after Leader meeting for food expenses

                        GS Food Pantry update - Amber

                        Home Depot donated 200 project kits. These will be used for a future event.

                        GS Sunday – Patches distributed, and extra patches collected

·         Photos in Transcript – St. Theresa’s submitted last Monday

• Memorial Day parade – Monday, May 27^th rain or shine – flyer soon

• Fly Up for the Spring for 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, 8^th, 10^th, 12^th grades

·         Grade 8 troop Lisa Bockley to run the event

·         Possibly Tuesday, June 8th

• Guidelines for running an event - Debbie

    -Debbie will provide a blank expense sheet to post on the blog

    -Blank event forms will be added to the blog for volunteers running events

GSEM Updates:

• Early Bird Renewal is April 1- June 7: Full details on incentives and deadlines for Early Bird Renewal season will be forthcoming.  
• Lifetime Membership Special Offer: For a limited time only in April 2019, volunteers with 10+ years of experience will be able to purchase a significantly discounted Lifetime membership of $200. This will be available as an option when renewing your membership. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.
• Volunteer Directory: We've created a simple volunteer directory to help you connect with other volunteers in your town, region, and council who have self-identified expertise in skills or topics of interest. Please note that GSEMA staff have not reviewed or verified volunteers' statements regarding their certification status. Join the GSEMA Volunteer Directory today. The directory will be updated monthly and posted to LEAD Online.
• Adventures in Storytelling: This is an exciting program for all levels where girls will get to write and illustrate their own book with 2019 Newbury Award winning author Meg Medina. Older girls will also get to learn about editing and marketing their books. Saturday 6/15 3 to 5 pm for Daisies and Brownies 10-2 for other ages.  Camp Cedar Hill.

Next Leader Meeting: Wed., April 10^th at 7:30 p.m. at the LAR

Meeting End Time: 8:45pm

Ready, Set, Go Camping Badge Workshop

REMINDER – Ready Set Go Camping workshop is this Friday, April 26^th for those who signed up to attend!

Jo-Ann’s give back to Girl Scouts

Jo-Ann’s will give GSUSA a minimum of 2.5% of every eligible transaction until 8/31/2020 for a donation of at least 1.5 million to unleash the power of G.I.R.L. (Go-Getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, Leader) in every girl.  Use Girl Scout Rewards to save 15% on your total purchase and to help support Girl Scouts in their efforts to provide experiences that empower girls.  Girl Scout Rewards is for anyone currently associated with Girl Scouts.  This includes, leaders, volunteers, lifetime members, staff and parents of Girl Scouts!  Check out the attached flyer here.

Memorial Day Parade Information – May 27

It’s not too early to start thinking about the Memorial Day parade which is Monday, May 27^th rain or shine at 10 a.m.  There is a flyer attached here which shows everything you need to know about the parade.  If your troop is a new Daisy troop or a level troop who may need a new banner, you will want to read the dimensions for a banner.  Also, feel free to go on Pinterest, or google ideas for Girl Scout banners.  Just remember that you don’t want the banner too heavy for the girls to carry, too long for them to trip on while walking the route, something that’s weatherproof in rain, and something that will hold up for years.  It’s the girl’s decision as to whether they create one banner and have it all 12 years or until they disband, or if they create a new banner after each level.  The banner will be used for parades if your troop marches and also at Fly Up ceremonies when processing in to the auditorium.   Have Fun!!!

Honor Guard Needed for Flag Ceremony

Jeff Yull is once again looking for a few Girl Scouts or a troop to act as Honor Guards and to conduct a Flag Ceremony on Candidates Night on Tuesday, April 30^th at 7 p.m.  Please contact Jeff Yull at jeffyull@verizon.net ASAP if you have girls interested.  We have the flags and white gloves for the girls to participate.  It will not be any longer than 5 or 10 minutes.

Daisy Annual Bridging and Fly Up Event - TBD

We have decided to hold a separate Daisy Fly Up in May or June.  We will have more information in the next couple of weeks for the Daisy Fly Up Ceremony.  Daisy Leaders, please let us know of any dates that you know of in May or June that will have conflicts.  We can do a week night at 6:30 p.m. or a weekend afternoon.  Daisy Fly up is usually less than an hour.

Photos Needed for Fly Up Slideshow

Please send 5-12 photos from your troop to Mary Lasdin at lasdin@comcast.net by May 15^th to be included in the slideshow.  Mary would like you to label the photos if possible with your Troop # in order of your favorites.  For example, troop 71901.1, then 71901.2 and so on.  If you need help scanning older photos, let Mary know.  

Older Girl Annual Bridging and Fly Up Event

The flyer for the annual Fly Up and Bridging Ceremony is HERE.  Please note that girls are welcome to dress for the “Under the Sea” theme and should also remember to wear their Girl Scout sash, vest or pins as well as the Leaders should wear their pins.  The Fly Up and Bridging will be held at St. Theresa’s Parish Hall on June 18^th at 6:30 p.m.  Troops in 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, 8^th, 10^th, and 12^th grade should have received an email from Lisa Coroa-Bockley asking you to sign up for a task.  We also need to know in the next week if your troop will NOT be participating in Fly Up. 

Girl Scouts for Life – Become a Lifetime Member!

April is National Volunteer Month, and GSEMA is showing their appreciation for those who have been serving Girl Scouts for the long run.  Through April only, Girl Scout lifetime membership will be available at a special 50% discount—from $400 down to $200.  Time is running out!!!

Encampment – The Great Outdoors

We now have 118 girls registered to attend the Encampment!  We are starting to order supplies and patches so we will not be able to add any new girls to attend for the day after this week.  The Encampment is at Camp Runels in Pelham, NH and runs from May 31^st Friday night at 4 p.m. to June 2^nd Sunday morning at 10 a.m.  The site plans have been established and will be sent out to the Leaders in the next few days along with camping lists for the girls and troop.   Questions?  Please reach out to Debbie Nearing or Joanne Gibson.

Volunteer Recognition Luncheon & Years in Girl Scouting

 Join us on May 4 at the Sheraton in Framingham to celebrate our largest group of GSUSA and GSEMA formal volunteer recognition honorees! Register online.
 
Also, if you or someone you know should be receiving their 20, 25, 30+ year membership pin (for girl and adult years), please let us know and join us on May 4 to celebrate!

2019 Gold Award Celebration

Save the Date for the 2019 Gold Award Celebration on June 14, at the Massachusetts State House. Register today!

Bronze and Silver Award Final Report Reminder

This year, GSEMA has moved forms online to improve volunteer experience and collect more data on how girls develop as leaders throughout our footprint. To access these reports please visit the Bronze Award and Silver Award webpages. The final deadline for those bridging up to a new grade level is September 30!

Early Bird Renewal is Now Open

Troops that qualify will receive a $50 program credit for up to 12 girls renewed, and a $75 program credit for more than 12 girls renewed. Program credits can be applied toward any GSEMA program registered through eBiz or DoubleKnot. Troop leaders will receive an email by August with details about how to claim their program credit. Additionally, all troop leaders and assistant troop leaders that renew their membership by May 10 will receive a $10 training credit (excludes Outdoor Basics training) or a $10 shop coupon.

To qualify: Troops must renew 75% of their girl members by May 10, register or renew 2 adult members, have no product program debt, and submit an Annual Troop Finance Report by June 30.
 
TROOPS DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER ALL GIRLS FOR THE NRGS SU TO EARN OUR INCENTIVE--INDIVIDUAL GIRLS COUNT !!!!!
Service units who renew: 

• 50% of all NRGS girls by June 7 will receive $300
• 65% of all NRGS girls by June 7 will receive $400
• 75% of all NRGS girls by June 7 will receive $500

In addition, the service units with the highest percentage of girls renewed will receive:

• Top 5: Limited edition custom 2’x6’ vinyl banner
• Top 3: Option to submit encampment request two weeks early
• Top 1: A La Carte Program in your community (up to ~$250 value)

To qualify: Service units must renew a minimum of 50 girls by June 7, have an active service unit bank account, renew or register at least 2 Service Unit Leadership Team members, and submit the Annual Service Unit Financial Report by June 30.

If you have girls who already know they are coming back next year, please encourage their parents to register them ASAP and before June 7^th.  If Troops are paying for the girls to register and also have commitments from the girls that they are returning, we would ask that you also don’t wait and please register by June 7^th.  The money we receive ultimately goes back to our girls in North Reading!  Start asking girls NOW, please don’t wait and miss out on these discounts.  We need 112 girls to reach our 50% goal, 145 girls for our 65% goal and 167 for our 75% goal!

Annual Troop Finance Report

Annual Troop and Annual Service Unit Finance Reports are now online! Troops can attach the previous finance report excel files or their own system of tracking as detailed documentation. This streamlined process will allow for easier submissions and better record keeping. If you are a Service Unit Treasurer who collects troop finance reports in your area, there is an option for troops to include your email address to receive a copy as well. You can access the new Annual Finance Report form online!

Volunteer Directory

We've created a simple volunteer directory to help you connect with other volunteers in your town, your region, and the council who have self-identified expertise in skills or topics of interest. Please note that GSEMA staff have not reviewed or verified volunteers' statements regarding their certification status. You can choose to join the GSEMA Volunteer Directory. The directory will be updated monthly and posted on LEAD Online.

Safety Guidelines

If you’re considering planning an overnight trip in 2019, we can help! Get your planning started with the easy-to-follow, step-by-step Safety Guidelines for Activities. If you need assistance with paperwork, safety protocols, or emergency preparedness plans, contact us.

Big Apple Circus Scout Day

As many of you know, the circus is in town! Betsy has arranged a Scout Day with the Big Apple Circus. The advantage of attending Scout Day (other than hanging out with your fellow Girl Scouts of course) is: a discounted ticket price, and completion of badge requirements for the animal themed badge in your troop level.  Here is what you need to know:

Big Apple Circus Scout Day: Friday April 19th (Good Friday)

4pm-6pm (show); 6pm-7pm (badge requirement program)

Cost: $15/ticket; friends and family of scout welcome

All Scouts will receive a Big Apple Circus Patch, and a badge earning packet.

The tickets for this show are also open to the public, so tickets are first come first serve.  There are two options to purchase tickets:

OPTION 1: Individual Sales:  Go to the Big Apple Website, click on Tickets which brings you to ticket master. Upon purchasing your tickets on Ticketmaster, enter the code "SCOUTS" to receive the discount.  *If multiple families in your troop purchase tickets this way, you will most likely NOT be sitting together. If you wish to purchase seats for your group together, use option 2 or 3.

OPTION 2:  Group Sales:  Call Group Sales at 212-257-2330. This option will guarantee your troop sits together. 

We hope to see you at the circus!  Sara Addesa & Betsy Nunes, Peabody Girl Scouts