Food Pantry month

March is the North Reading Girl Scouts month to collect for the food pantry Please see the flyer about "Painting the Town Green!"  here.  You can find flyers asking for contributions to leave with neighbors here.

Girl Scout Sunday 3/8/15

Please see flyer here.

GSEM event - STEM Conference and Expo March 15

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!  Open to Seniors and Ambassadors! 

Grades 8-12 - Register online at 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

GSEM Snowshoeing/hiking events (Waltham)

Now that we have plenty of snow, take advantage of this...several dates in February to choose from!  Bring your troop, or bring your daughter to snowshoe and have hot chocolate at Cedar Hill girl scout camp.  Register online at http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/search.html?textfield=outdoor+fun&agelevel=Any+Age&category=Any+Category&zip=Enter+Zip+for+Nearby+Locations&date_st_month=&date_st_year=&image.x=0&image.y=0

Maple Sugaring Event 3/11/15

Please see flier and permission form here.  Permission form is due to your daughter's leader by March 1.  This event is open to Daisy, Brownie and Junior North Reading Girl Scouts only.

Daisy 30th Birthday Party 3/8/15

A fun-filled afternoon of games, crafts and more!  Permission slips due to your daughter's leader by February 27th.  Please see flier with permission slip here.

GSEM Closed due to storm until 2/5/15

All GSEM stores, offices and cookie cupboards are closed today and tomorrow due to the storm.  They will reopen on Thursday 2/5/15.

Gymnastics Event

Save the date—the gymnastics event will be held this year at Reading Gymnastics in North Reading on Thursday, April 23, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. Please see the flyer here and the permission slip  here.  This event is for any age level but typically Daisies, Brownies and Juniors participate.  They will be able to accommodate 85 girls in one session and have the ability to open up another room if we need more so there will not be a limitation on the number of scouts who can attend!  Contact is Debbie Nearing at bcednearing@comcast.net for this event.

World Thinking Day February 22, 2015

This is a great opportunity to learn about our world during the international "World Thinking Day" on February 22. This is a WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) initiative that dates back to 1926. There are special patches the girls can earn by participating in certain events. The World Thinking Day patch goes on the FRONT of their uniform (like a badge), rather than the back, like a participation patch. WTD patches are earned. There are also pins,all available at the Girl Scout Store. Visit this site for information and ideas. There is an activity pack you can download. Your own celebration can be as simple as reading an international story while enjoying some international snacks. Happy World Thinking Day!  http://www.worldthinkingday.org/en/home

Bling Your Booth

Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass's 2015 Cookie Season: Social Media Campaigns.  Please see flyer here about the GSEM Facebook contest for creatively decorated cookie booths!

Andover YMCA Synchronized Swimming Patch Day

Join the fun on SUNDAY, February 8th 3:00-5:00 PM.  Its free for Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass.  Get more information here.

Disney on Ice - Frozen

Disney on Ice - Frozen (Boston) Open to Family Members

Do you want to build a snowman? With Frozen on ice, you almost can! The ice skating spectacular brings the hit Disney film to life, featuring songs like "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" and "Let It Go." Meet sisters Anna and Elsa on an adventure as they meet Olaf, Sven, Kristoff, and the trolls. Get your Disney On Ice: Frozen tickets at special Girl Scout Pricing and experience the magic for yourself! Tickets include a processing fee of $2 per ticket. Tickets will be left at will call. The name given at time of purchase must be the person picking up with a photo id. Seats are in the LOGE section.
To register for this program, you must register adults and girls/children for this event using the respective registration links below. Please order all registrations for this event under one account (troop leader's name or parent) so that confirmations can be sent to one point of contact. The register button below will bring you to a general page for all similar events.
http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/search.html?textfield=Frozen&agelevel=Any Age&category=Any Category&zip=Enter Zip for Nearby Locations&date_st_month=&date_st_year=&id=14242

Date:	Feb 16, 2015 and Feb 20, 2015
Time:	7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Program Level:	Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador, Adult
Grades:	K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Category:	Arts & Theater
Location:	Boston Boston, MA 02113
Fee:	$44.00 (girl), $44.00 (adult)

Leader Meeting Minutes 1/8/2015

Present:  Debbie Nearing-73891, Kristin Puliafico-85118, Jane Kelley-85337, Lindsay Felix-78211, Amy Salomon-69175, Joanne Gibson-69175, Melissa Audier-73894, Victoria Labriiola-69176, Amber Driscoll-76211, Kristen Pemberton-69171, Barbara Gravel-69184, Ruth Kennedy-73899, Marnie Littleford-78181, Karen Manzi-76211

Maple Sugaring Event:  on a half day in March.  Audubon Ipswich River Sanctuary.  Details are not completely worked out and will be coming soon. 

March Food Pantry Month:  Lindsay Felix's troop to organize food drive for March.  Various options on how to participate.  Drop off at the NR Food Pantry on Saturday, March 28. Time TBA.  If you can't be there at that time, there will be various locations around NR to drop off food.

Lindsay is putting a video together to be shown on NORCAM that will feature NR Girl Scout troops.  Any troop can submit a short 20-30 second video of their troop asking for donations during GS Food Pantry month.  Please make sure that if you choose to send a video that all the participating girls have a parent signed video/photograph permission form.  Thank you!

Melissa Audier's troop "Making Games"  badge workshop for Brownie troops.  Check the blog for more details.  http://northreadinggirlscouts.blogspot.com/

Some Community Service Ideas:

McLaughlin House-Home for adults with brain injuries.

Meals on Wheels "tray decorations" - North Reading Senior Center

Visiting a senior center

Birthday Wishes - organize a birthday party for a homeless child https://www.birthdaywishes.org/

Helping Our Troops - care packages for our troops (http://www.masslocalheroes.org/) or contact NR Veteran's Serivces for ideas/needs

Project Linus - making blankets for children in hospitals

MSPCA - collect towels, blankets

Letters to soldiers - contact Susan Magner at NR Veteran's Services

MLK Day Ice Skating at Burbank Arena, 9:30-11:30am (w/ Reading Girl Scouts)

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!

"Door to Door" cookie sales are winding down.  All girl orders must be in SNAP by Jan. 19.  Visit the Girl Scouts of Eastern MA website for details and LOTS of other information. 

http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/cookies/

Girl Scout Cookie Town Delivery

Bedford, MA 

Saturday, Feb. 7th, Time to be announced

Spring 2015 Fly-up - Tentatively in June.  Date and location to be determined.  Fly up is for all girl who are transitioning from one Girl Scout level to another (Daisy to Brownie, Brownie to Junior, etc)

Girl Scout Sunday, March 8, 2015

Any girl who attends services at their church or temple on Sunday (or Saturday) can receive a patch.  NR Girl Scouts is always looking for a person to "lead" the organization of Girl Scouts at various churches.  If you would like to help at your place or worship, please contact Kristin Puliafico.  kscott1104@aol.com

Discussion relative to Troop Banners.  All troops are encouraged to make a banner to be carried during the Memorial Day parade, and used at various ceremonies moving forward such as Fly Up (when girls move from one level of scouting to the next:  Daisy to Brownie, Brownie to Junior, etc).  While it isn't required, it is suggested.  Also, keeping the banners somewhat "generic" is advisable, such as don't say "Brownie Troop" when your girls will eventually become Junior Girl Scouts and probably won't want to carry a banner identifying them as "brownies".   Pinterest has many examples of banners.  Please ask a seasoned troop leader if you are unclear or would like guidelines.

Next Meeting: February 12

Brownie Badge Workshop "Making Games"

The North Reading Girl Scout troop #73894 will be running a Brownie Badge Workshop for the badge "Making Games".  It will be held on Saturday, February 28th, from 1-4 at the Library Activity Room.  Please see here  for the details and the permission form.  Cost is $5.  This is a drop off event.  Any questions, please contact Melissa Audier audier@verizon.net 978-276-0431.

Thank you from Meals on Wheels!

The following letter was sent to the North Reading Girl Scouts to thank them for the Holiday cards that were made and donated to the Meals on Wheels program last month, during the Holiday Sing-A-Long.

The 2015 Aleppo Shrine Circus Scout Day

Reading Girl Scout's Ice Skating event

The Reading Girl Scouts are hosting an Ice Skating Event on Monday, January 19th at the Burbank Ice Arena.  Please find the link to their flyer here.

Audubon Society's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary has scouting programs year round.  Check out their Scouting Maple Sugar Program here or their Scouting flyer with different programs here.

 

Pats Peak Scout Weekend

SCOUT PROGRAMS AT PATS PEAK

Add some WINTER FUN to your calendar!

Day Trips & Overnight Campouts

SKIING / SNOWBOARDING / SNOWTUBING

ANNUAL SCOUT WEEKEND

March 7 & 8, 2015

Pizza Meal, Participation Patches & Merit Badge Classes!

JOIN THE FUN!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Leader Meeting Minutes 11/13/14

North Reading Girl Scouts

Leader Meeting Minutes 11-13-14

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; Barbara Gravel, Registrar & 69184; Amber O’Driscoll, 76211; Kate Mahoney, 71868; Stephanie Musgrave, 71868; Lisa Coroa-Bockley, 85121; Lisa Alexander, 86279; Kim Baker, 69176; Lindsay Felix, 76211; Kristen Pemberton, 69171; Cindy DeWolfe, 85336; Bridget Easler, 76212; Joanna Maguire, 78188; Marcy Nelson, 76213; Amy Salomon, 69175; Mays Hanegraaff 78188; Theresa Craig, 85336; Andrea Bauer, 85337; Patti Harrington, 85122; Reverend Rachel Fisher, Aldersgate United Methodist Church

Leader Meeting called to order: 7:33 p.m.

Kristin Puliafico, NRGS Service Unit Coordinator

Opened the Leader meeting and welcomed our Guest Speaker, Reverend Rachel Fisher from the Aldersgate United Methodist Church in North Reading

Reverend Rachel Fisher, Aldersgate United Methodist Church

Rev. Rachel Fisher shared with the group regarding two items relevant to the Aldersgate Church (235 Park St), where she has been the Pastor for twelve years. 

·         The first item was to state the church’s missional identity as a place to house outside community-building groups, such as the Scouts, for little or no cost.  The church itself met for the first 3 years of its existence at the Little School until the church building was erected.  Because of this, the church always wishes to return the same favor and welcome to the community. 

·         Secondly, she shared that within the past year an adult child of a long-standing church family has returned home after completing incarceration, classified as a Level 3 Sex Offender.  The church has wrestled deeply with how to extend the grace of God to this individual and his family while keeping the community safe.  To that end, the church has drawn up an extensive and thorough Behavioral Covenant by which this individual must abide in order to participate.  He has been easy to work with and compliant on every detail, knowing that this is one of the only groups which has welcomed him.  The church is confident that, due to this heightened awareness, it is much safer than it was a year ago - even with this new member in its midst.  Church leaders are mindful of the many outside groups that meet in the church, and will work diligently to assure good communication about the safety of the building and grounds when there are meetings with children present.

The overall intention of Rev. Fisher’s visit was to build a bridge for open communication on this difficult subject – regarding Scouts or as it relates to the community generally – and to reiterate the offer to house any group that may need safe, affordable meeting space.  She can be reached at 978-790-6492 or aldersgateumc@gmail.com 

Pledge of Allegiance

Girl Scout Promise

Investiture/Rededication Ceremony – About 11 new Leaders were in attendance at the meeting and received their Girl Scout Pin after Leaders participated in a “Because I said Yes” Ceremony to dedicate and rededicate themselves to Girl Scouting. 

Introduction of NRGS Service Team Members

Members of the Service Team addressed themselves to the Leaders –

·         Kristin Puliafico as Service Unit Coordinator (runs the meetings and oversees all of North Reading Girl Scouts including the Service Team),

·         Debbie Nearing as Corresponding Secretary (sends out emails and flyers and sends out correspondence to Leaders and parents),

·         Melissa Audier as Blog Manager (manages the blog and posts information and flyers to our blog at www.northreadinggirlscouts.blogspot.com) ,

·         Barbara Gravel as Registrar (handles registration and places new girls into troops), and

·         Anne Valade as Orientation Facilitator (handles training the leaders and answers questions about managing the troop) and as Treasurer (handles all the money coming in and out of NRGS). 

Service Team members missing from the meeting were:

·         Ruth Kennedy as Recording Secretary (takes the minutes of Leader and Service Team meetings),

·         Kerstin March as Fall Products and Cookie Manager for NRGS (handles the fall product sale and everything to do with the cookie season)!!!

*Reminders from the NRGS Service Team*

·         The Service Team directory is on the blog which will give you contact information for each of the members on the Service Team.  You also should have a troop directory that was sent out via email which shows all the troops and the leaders’ contact information.

·         ALL LEADERS must sign a Volunteer Agreement.  This can be found on the GSEM website.

·         Every troop needs to have an 01 Leader and an 02 assistant Leader. 

• Every troop needs one trained Volunteer and at least one additional registered adult at each meeting or event.

·         Every troop needs to have at least 2 trained Leaders.  Council states at least 1 but if that trained leader cannot attend an event with the troop, then the girls cannot attend.

·         Leaders must take Girl Scouting 101 (online), Orientation training either through Anne Valade or Council (GSEM) and Essentials training for the level they are working with.  Some Essentials level trainings are online.

·         There are trainings available on the GSEM website for First Aid & CPR and Camping

• Each registered adult volunteer must be CORI’ed through GSEM if spending any time with the girls in the troop

Business

Cookies – In Kerstin’s absence, Kristin Puliafico talked about the upcoming cookie sale.  Cookie selling kits have been handed out at the Cookie Advisor trainings and the cookie sale begins on December 12^th.  Contact Kerstin if you did not get your cookie kit.  Kerstin will be in touch with the Cookie Advisors about signing up for booth sales.   You can get more detailed information about cookies from your cookie advisor.  Girls can go door to door with actual boxes of cookies.  Remember that an adult must accompany every Girl Scout who sells door to door.  Cookie delivery is February 3^rd but we do not have a time, just that the pick-up will be at Rockingham Park in Salem, NH!  Contact is Kerstin at march.family@verizon.net.

Caroling on the Common – December 14 from 3:00 to 4:30, Anne Valade talked about this event being a “girl” event with enough adults for each troop to attend for safety guidelines.  There will be a half hour of singing, a short walk from the Common to the Congregational Church for cocoa and cookies, and a Service Project for girls to make holiday cards to give to the Senior Center’s Meals on Wheels.  Girl should bring a flashlight. Registration forms and flyer can be found on the NRGS blog and can be turned in at the December 4^th Social or dropped off to Anne.  Melissa Lally will be emailing song books to each troop in advance so troops can learn the carols.  Contact is Anne at annevalade@comcast.net. 

Registration Information – Barbara talked about a Recruitment Night for second graders coming up.  No date is set yet.  We are looking to recruit 2^nd grade Leaders as well as we have 4 girls with no troop as the existing troops are large enough.  If a parent approaches you to join your existing troop, remember we have a chain of command to follow and they must contact Barbara Gravel to register.  To be considered a “Troop”, there must be a minimum of 5 girls registered to that troop.  It’s never too late to register!  Contact is Barbara at barbgravel@msn.com. 

Mitten Tags for CCS – Debbie Nearing handed out mitten tags and bags for toiletry/household type family items.  The information for the date to be returned is on the back of the mitten tag and there was an instruction sheet also supplied as well as a reusable holiday bag to fill for your “adopted” family.  These items are NOT to be wrapped and the mitten tag should be secured on the bag prior to drop off to identify the family. 

We still have 8 mittens that need a home.  If you did not attend the meeting and would like a mitten, please contact Debbie ASAP.  If you have a mitten and would like another or are a family and would like a mitten, we would be glad to give you another.  We don’t want to let down CCS so we are hopeful we can fill all 35 of these bags!  Contact is Debbie at bcednearing@comcast.net.

Leader’s Holiday Social – December 4^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Ginger Gourmet.  The NR Service Unit will fund the appetizers and Leaders are responsible for their drinks.  An evite was sent out; please respond by 11/27.  Caroling on the Common registration forms will be collected at this meeting.  Adults only!!!  Contact is Kristin Puliafico at 978-664-3259 or kscott1104@aol.com. 

Journey Moment – A Journey moment is an activity or game from one of the Journey books that you can use at a troop meeting or any other time you have Leaders or girls.  We did a journey moment where we tossed a ball to random Leaders in a circle.  When you had the ball, you said your name and the level of scouting you had, and what was your goal for this year.  It was a lot of fun!

Round Table Discussions

We had a table for Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, and one for Cadettes and up where Leaders talked about anything they wanted to know.  Questions were answered and information was shared by level.  This was a lot of fun.

For the upcoming Meetings

We are working on putting reference books for all levels in the NR Library – more to come on this

Look for more information coming soon on Mystery Workshops

We will be bringing back monthly Leader meetings as opposed to every other month!!!

More Open Forum Round Table discussions

Door Prizes were drawn and free troop information and donated supplies were available for Leaders to take.  

Thanks to Kristin Puliafico for her wonderfully baked frosted trefoil sugar cookies!

Meeting adjourned:  9:15 p.m.

Minutes taken and Submitted by Debbie Nearing, Corresponding Secretary

in the absence of Ruth Kennedy, Recording Secretary

Caroling on the Common!

Sunday, December 14, from 3 to 4:30 join other Girl Scouts for caroling, refreshments and making holiday cards for recipients of Meals on Wheels.
See flyer here for details and the permission slip, due to your leader by December 4th.