Girl Scout Leader Meeting Minutes 10/23/18

Agenda for Leader Meeting

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

LAR – 7:30 p.m.

Meeting start time: 7:30 pm

In attendance:

Debbie Nearing, Lisa Ayer, Jo Gibson, Denise Kung, Rebecca Lowe, Anne Valade, Amber O'Driscoll, Laura Cherwek, Kerri Antonuccio, Kristen Pemberton, Lisa Coroa-Bockley, Erin Sewer, Amy Kelly

GSEM information will be posted directly to blog separately - hidden codes prevented Monday email from going through to all Leaders - Monday email was resent Tuesday afternoon after Debbie found out no one received it but her

• Salute and Pledge to the Flag and Promise –

·         Led by Brownie Girl Scouts Elizabeth Ayer and Julia Pemberton

• Registration & Early Bird patches available on table – Debbie

·         215/254 last year 85% girls and 113/149 last year 76% adults with 26 troops

·         We lost several troops last year to sports-our numbers are down

·         Troops still needing to pick up patches: 66232, 69184, 78188, 85336, 71868

• Troop Directory Update Information – Debbie

·         Correct and Edit any errors directly on the paper and initial

·         An updated directory will be distributed through the Monday email

·         Troop directory to be used strictly for Girl Scout purposes only

• Fall Product Sale – Denise

• 5 more troops participating this year
• As of last Friday, we have exceeded last year’s sales by $1700 -
• Correction to minutes after the meeting - the numbers in the fall product system were not accurate.  We are very close to last year’s numbers of $15,000 in fall product sales.  An update will be given at the November Leader meeting.
• All sales must be put in by Thursday, October 25th

• Past and Upcoming Events and New Ideas

·         Halloween Party Success - Jo Gibson

·         116 girls attended, and many gave positive feedback

·         Nursing facility parade was very quick as residences weren't in the hallway like they were in previous years. This will be addressed directly with staff for future visits with NRGS

·         Thank you to all those who helped run the event

·         Great job being a sister to every Girl Scout at the event - Ava Colbert, Hood School 5th grader - gave her prize-winning selection to another GS

·         Spooky Tales – Anne/Amy        

·         This event is being postponed for lack of participation

·         Watch for it at a later date in the year

·         Rock Climbing – Lisa Ayer

·         Please turn in your permission forms now for this 11/17 event

·         We have about 13 girls signed up

·         Most girls for afternoon session - considering moving to one session

·         CookieFest  – Jo

·         First Ever Cookie Fest is on December 1st at Bentley Arena

·         Information from GSEM will be on the blog

·         Jo will be away - Lisa Ayer will give out Troop Cookie kits at November Leader meeting in Jo’s absence

·         Troops should send someone to pick up their cookie kits

·         Cookie season will start in December

·         Cocoa and Caroling –

·         Kristen Pemberton and Amy Solomon will co-chair the event.

·         Debbie to reach out to Amy S.

·         Date and Location TBD

·         He and Me Field Day –

·         Amber O’Driscoll will chair the event.

·         Date TBD

·         International Festival for World Thinking Day in February –

·         This event needs volunteers to run - Jo Gibson willing to assist someone

·         The date will be around February 22nd as part of World Thinking Day

·         First time event was run on Girl Scout Sunday in March

·         In the past Amy Kelly's troop created a plane and they pretended to fly to each destination. Each girl presented information about one country

·         World Thinking Day theme in 2019 is Leadership

·         Amber to research Leadership theme ideas

·         Lego Challenge, Home Depot craft building kits – NEW IDEAS – Denise

·         Lego Challenge- have teams try to solve a problem using a Lego structure they build themselves.  The library has Legos we can use.

·         Date TBD

·         Lisa Ayer to investigate Home Depot craft building kits for troops

·         NEW IDEA – STEM Robotics Demo by NRHS – Denise

·         Brownies – Engineering Badge; and Daisies – Rollercoaster Badge

·         Amber to investigate contact information for Robotics

·         Encampment Spring - Dates will be June 8-9; 15-16 only dates doable for EDs

·         Looking at Camp Maude Eaton and Camp Runels – Lottery??

·         8^th Runels; 8^th Maude Eaton or 15^th Runels our choices for now

·         Update to the minutes - GSEM informed us that the 14th-15th is not available for Runels.  Also, the lodge is booked for the 8th in Andover

·         Considering 1st-2nd as a second option and 8th-9th as first at Runels

• Community Service Events for NRGS

·         Republican Committee – October 30^th at Kitty’s 7 p.m. flag ceremony

·         If interested, let Debbie know – Jeff Yull in charge of Event

·         Amber to post on Facebook

·         Veteran’s Day Ceremony – Monday, November 12^th at 11 a.m. flag ceremony

·         Correction to the minutes - Veteran’s Day Ceremony is Sunday, November 11th at 11am at the Common

·         Any troop wanting to bake or donate baked goods are welcome

·         Any troop wanting to make a patriotic poster is welcome as well

·         Service Project at Lazarus House – T-shirt fundraiser - Anne/Amy

·         Lazarus House is a shelter in Lawrence.

·         They have volunteer opportunities for all ages. Examples: creating decorations for the dining room, collecting for their needs, working on site.

·         At Lazarus House each family or person gets a room. The director is starting to re-do each room. They have Amazon wish lists for things they need and Amy Kelly and Anne Valade’s troop is selling t-shirts to help fund their service unit project there.

·         Two specific needs they have that can be immediately addressed at the Troop level are toothbrushes and men’s winter gloves.  

·         T-Shirt Fundraiser - Troop 71901

·         Great gift giving ideas - Flyers on Blog with ordering information

·         Mystic Valley Elder Services Emergency Closet

·         Accepts donations of new sheets, new towels, and unopened hygiene items for seniors in need

• GSEM Events

·         Mass STEM week and Girl Scouts - Monday 10/22 to 10/26/2018

·         GSEMA: New award that recognizes outstanding young people. Based on community service - See blog

·         2019 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

·         GSEMA can nominate up to 9 girls - 7 middle and 2 high school level

·         November 4^th Volunteer Conference – Event full for girls and closed for adults

·         Rebecca Lowe will talk in November about what she learned

• Next Leader Meeting –November 15^th at 7:30 p.m. in the LAR

·         Rededication/Investiture Ceremony for all new Leaders

·         Each new Leader will receive a pin and a tab as voted at our ST meeting

·         Each Leader in attendance will receive a NRGS volunteer pen

·         Most replied NOT to do a December Leader meeting again this year - busy time

Meeting End: 8:55

Minutes taken by Rebecca Lowe, NRGS Service Unit Secretary

Read and Edited by Debbie Nearing, SU Coordinator

Fall Product Sale Message from NRGS Program Mentor

There is just one week left of the Fall Product Program! Here’s what you need to know to stay organized and prepared:

• October 22: Ensure you’ve submitted a Troop Coordinator and Troop Bank Account form. This is the last day to register girls as members for Fall Product Program participation.
• October 22: Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador troops that forego earning recognitions can earn an additional 2% for a total of 17% when they unanimously agree, and signed opt-out forms are required.
• October 25: Last day of the Fall Product Program! Please ensure orders and recognitions are reviewed and entered in Unify (by the 25th), and paper magazine order forms are submitted to me, your SU Fall Product Program Mentor, by November 5. All orders must be entered by the 25th. Late orders will NOT be accepted.
• November 15-16: Nut and candy paper orders are expected to be delivered to me (SUFPPM). You will need to arrange pick-up with me. Please expect to come pick up your products on the day they arrive; if you cannot come yourself, please be prepared to send someone else from your troop to pick up.  More information coming on this when I receive a confirmed delivery date from GSEMA. I will have a signup sheet for time slots.
• November 16-21: Girls are to deliver paper nut and candy orders to customers (just in time for Thanksgiving gifts!).

NEW THIS YEAR: Customers receive 50% off shipping on nut and candy orders over $30. Take advantage of this great opportunity!

Stay up-to-the-minute on all GSEMA Product Program news, events, and deadlines by downloading Team App. Launch Team App, sign-up, and search for “GSEMA Product Program” to become a member of our team.

Please let me know if you have any questions; I am happy to help! Thank you for all your hard work and all that you do for girls.

Denise

Service Unit Fall Product Program Mentor

NRGS T-Shirt Fundraiser by Troop 71901

NRGS Senior Troop 71901 has designed a t-shirt to show your NRGS Pride!  Orders will be taken through November 10^th.  Proceeds will go to defray the costs for a troop Service Project at the Lazarus House as well as a trip abroad next year. All questions should be directed to Amy Kelly.  Great gift idea. Orders will be in by the first week of December.  See order form here.

Cadette Exploration (Maude Eaton)

Did You know girls can participate in Girl Scout programs and activities without being in a troop? There are hundreds of opportunities for girls to meet new friends, practice independence, and make their own adventures. Girls in grades 6-8 will learn more about the many unique opportunities available to them. Drop-off event.

Here are the event details:

Date/Time:  Sunday, October 21, 2018, 4pm-6pm

Location: Camp Maude Eaton (Andover)

Facebook link here.

Indoor Rock Climbing at Boston Rock Gym!!

Saturday, November 17, 2018

At Boston Rock Gym

78G Olympic Ave, Woburn MA

Two times available:

1-3pm and 3:30-5:30pm

Join us as you test your skills and have a blast learning how to rock climb at this indoor facility. It is great fun for girls of all skill levels!

Experienced Boston Rock Gym instructors are available to belay the girls and encourage them in a supportive, non-competitive environment.

Girls should wear sneakers (no sandals or crocs).

This is a drop-off event. Parents of new Daisies are welcome to stay. Siblings or girls who are not registered Girl Scouts are not permitted to attend.

Anyone climbing at Boston Rock MUST sign a waiver. Only a parent or legal guardian can sign a waiver for their daughter. Please complete the waiver beforehand here .

Please give this registration form (here) to your Leader before Oct 23, 2018

Checks should be made payable to “NRGS”

DEADLINE: OCTOBER 27^TH

Any questions, please contact:

Lisa Ayer at 781.820.1928 or lisa.ayer7@gmail.com.

New Year, New Information

Today begins the new membership year!  If you have a girl in your troop who has not reregistered for the 2018-2019 membership year, she is not allowed to attend meetings or field trips with the troop until she registers. 

Please be sure that you have signed your volunteer agreement, that you distributed new annual permission forms to each girl member for updated information, and that you have checked your Cori status.  Cori’s are good for 3 years.

Starting today, October 1, GSEMA will now be covering non-member insurance for volunteer-led events! This will eliminate the need to mail a check, wait for processing, and pay a minimum of $5 when you may only need $0.33 worth of coverage. An updated process for requesting non-member insurance has been added to the new edition of Volunteer Essentials.

 

October Volunteer Leader Meeting

Tues., October 23,  at 7:30pm
Flint Library Activity Room

Girl Scout National Proficiency Badge Logs and Charts

Girl Scout badges are a great way for a girl to explore her interests and learn new skills—and to remember every adventure and show the world what she’s accomplished. Simply select your grade level on the link, and click to download the log and chart for FREE!

These logs and charts replace the current ones included in the Girls' Guide to Girl Scouting. The age level logs and charts are best printed on 11x17 paper but can be printed on any size paper by adjusting your print option. Details may be hard to read on 8.5x11. Find the link here.

Volunteer Wilderness First Aid Training

In order to take girls hiking/camping in areas where they would be more than 30 minutes from medical care, you must have Wilderness First Aid.  GSEM is offering this training October 20 and 21 and they hope that it will fill completely so that more girls can go further into the woods and higher up in the mountains!  First Aid/CPR Certification is a prerequisite! These are the links to register: GSEMA link here and  Facebook link here

Girl Scout Leader Meeting Minutes 9/17/18

North Reading Girl Scouts

September Leader Meeting 9-17-18

LAR

Meeting start: 7:40

In attendance: Debbie Nearing SUC, Barbara Jones 69175, Dara Nussbum 69171, Anne Valade 71901, Kristin Pemberton 69171, Erin Genova 67417, Jill Libby, Amber O’Driscoll 76211, Joanne Gibson 62548/69175, Karianne Bekier 82418/62803, Kerri Antonuccio 62803, Noelle Rudloff 67419, Lisa Ayer 62798, Rebecca Lowe 62550, Denise Kung 62798, Kim Lambert- Council

Pledge and Promise

Debbie introduces service team members

o   Lisa Ayer – Blog Manager - Melissa stepped down, thank you!

o   Jo Gibson – SU Membership Promotor – Kerrianne stepped down, thank you!

o   Rebecca Lowe – Recording Secretary – minutes at each meeting, thank you!

o   Denise Kung – Fall Product Manager – Anne stepped down, thank you!

o   Karianne Bekier – Facebook Administrator with Jo Gibson, thank you!

o   Me – SU Coordinator – but my last year – looking for someone to mentor

o   Jo Gibson – Cookie Manager and Hood School Coordinator, thank you!

o   Amy Kelly – Treasurer, thank you!

o   Amber O’Driscoll – Batch School Coordinator, thank you!

Open positions

o   SU Coordinator –Debbie Nearings’ last year - someone to mentor this year

o   Secretary – Monday emails and correspondence

o   Little School Coordinator – presence on site and help Jo as SUMP

o   New Troop Mentor – Thank you to Kristen Pemberton who stepped up after our Leader meeting

Early bird patches are available-  if you didn’t pick up please pick up from Debbie Nearing  ASAP or come to the October Leader meeting to grab them.

Fall product

Unify is the new online system

Go online to gsema.org- complete both the volunteer form to agree to be the fall product coordinator

and the bank account info form

Leaders will receive an email and so will their Girl Scouts and daughter

You can use Unify to create a video, text message to send to your contacts

Product can be ordered online or through the packet

Goal set with your troop to decide how much money to raise and what they plan to spend it on

Any troop that wants to do additional fundraising must participate in both Fall product and cookie sales

Product for sale- candy, nuts, tumblers, seed starter kits, magazines, and candles

Any paper forms for magazines must be turned in to Denise

Fall sale is one month long

Junior troops and above can opt out of incentives to increase their profit by 2%

Encourage your troop to turn in forms and money early so you have time to input information

November 5th is when they will debit from your troop account

Troop coordinator needs to email Denise Kung denise_kung@hotmail.com

November 17th or 18th product will be delivered so it needs to be picked up from Denise from the library on the day it is delivered.

There is also an app this year: Gsema fall product program

Events

Halloween party- October 2-4pm at The Moose Daisies, Brownies, Juniors

Parade through the Nursing Home on North Street

It’s a drop off event except new Daisy parents can stay

Deadline for Halloween forms is October 10th

Spooky Tales- juniors and up event

Girls can create, read a story, or play a recording

It will take place in the historic district

Turn in forms to the leader meeting October 23rd

Encampment- dates open up 11/15. We are looking at a June weekend at Camp Runnels

Kim Lambert (council staff)- volunteer conference on November 4th in Framingham

New training being offered- wilderness first aid. You need this training if you’re taking girls more than a half hour away from medical aid for camping or hiking.

Annual back to troop email should come out this week from GSEM

Indoor Rock Climbing event- Lisa Ayer is planning this for Saturday November 17th  with 2 sessions for 1 to 3 and 3:30-5:30.  Event for Daisies, Brownies and Juniors.

Flyer forthcoming

Cost $20 per girl

Reminders for new membership year starting October 1

o   Girls need to be re-registered in the troop before 10/1 to participate; Girls registered for ’17-’18 may participate in meetings/events only until 9/30

o   Annual Girl Permission Form – New form required each year for each girl

o   Volunteers – Adults must be over 18 and registered and Cori’ed to assist, and need to complete the annual online volunteer agreement

o   Troop Leaders – Each troop needs 2 unrelated adults to run a troop and they need to be registered, Cori’ed and trained – Volunteer Essentials online

o   Safety Activity Checkpoints – Check the safety guidelines at www.gsema.org

o   Leaders must complete a Troop Activity Form unless a GSEM event or on GSEM property – follow Volunteer to Girl Ratios found on the GSEM website

o   Troop Bank Accounts – Need 2 registered/Cori’ed adults on the account; preferably one should be a Leader with the Treasurer

o   Check the blog at www.northreadinggirlscouts.blogspot.com and our FB Leader page and the GSEM website at www.gsema.org for up to date events and info

Next Leader Meeting – Tuesday, October 23^rd at 7:30 p.m. in the LAR

Meeting End: 8:50

Minutes taken by Rebecca Lowe and reviewed by Debbie Nearing

Fall Products Sale starts this FRIDAY, Sept 21st

Through the Fall Product Program girls practice entrepreneurship through the sale of nuts, candies, chocolates, magazines (digital, print, and renewals), organic vegetable kits, gift cards, donation opportunities, and new this season: Tervis tumblers and specialty candles! Girls also develop key life skills including goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.

By participating in this program, girls are able to earn funds and plan the adventures of their dreams early in the membership year!

Troops earn 15% of every dollar of product sold.

To get started, troops need to:

1. Designate a Troop Fall Product Program Coordinator (TFPPC) for your troop, and have her complete the Troop Fall Product Program Coordinator agreement
2. Submit a Troop Bank Account Form
3. Email our Service Unit Fall Product Program Mentor (SUFPPM), Denise Kung, at denise_kung@hotmail and send her your troop # and coordinator contact info.
4. If you have not yet picked up fall sale materials for your troop, contact Denise to pick those up. This includes paper order forms for in-person selling, magazine order forms, and a list of key dates and deadlines to be aware of.

Please contact Denise with any questions about the sale. 
 

Spooky Trails Along Dark Trails

Leaders,
This fun event is back! The last time it was run, the girls had a great time!
 
Your troop is invited to create a spooky story, read one from a book, or play one from a disc. Girls are encouraged to make their characters come to life and dress the part.
Each troop is asked to select an area within the Historic District (outdoors) to tell their story. It’s ok if multiple troops select the same location.
Possible locations:
   The steps of the library
   In front of the Damon Tavern
   Near the Barn next to the Putnum House
   The Putnam House and its grounds
   The building on the common
   The gazebo on the common
   On the steps of the Congregational Church
In the event of rain, all stories will be told in the Library Activity Room. This is a troop event and leaders/registered adults are expected to stay with their girls.

Please complete the attached flyer here and return at the October
Leader Meeting. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Information is on the flyer.

Hope to see all of you there!

Fall Product Sale is here!

The Fall Product Program begins on September 21st----- are you ready? No matter your experience, the Fall Product Program is a quick and simple way to fund your troop's activities and adventures. Samples of candy and nuts will be on hand and information will be handed out to troops interested in selling at the September Leader meeting. See your email for further information.

Looking for a few good G.I.R.L.s

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

North Reading Girl Scouts has troops forming for incoming 2018-2019 Kindergarten classes:

Hood School - Troop #67417

Little School - Troop #67418

Batchelder School - Troop #67419

Registration is also open for any girl Grade 1-12 who is interested in joining GS. Please contact Joanne Gibson for details (joanneg@gmail.com)

See the flyer here.  

Haunted Halloween Party!

The North Reading Girl Scouts is hosting a Haunted Halloween Party on October 21st at the Moose Lodge from 2pm to 4pm.  Please also note that the girls will participating in a Halloween parade at the Sunbridge, Meadowview, Nursing Home in NR as part of a community service.  They will walk in costume from the Moose Lodge next door to the Nursing Home for the last 45 minutes and then back to the Moose to be picked up.  This is considered a neighborhood walk and thus is included as part of the annual permission form which every girl MUST sign prior to the start of each new membership year or October 1.

Click here for the girl annual permission form: http://www.gsema.org/content/dam/girlscouts-girlscoutseasternmass/documents/Annual-Girl-Permission.pdf

This event is for Daisies, Brownies and Juniors.  Please see the flyer here for the full details and permission form.  All forms are due back to your troop's leaders by October 10th.  Please make checks out to "NRGS", the cost is $10/child.  Any questions please contact Joanne Gibson at joanneg@gmail.com.

Girl Scout Daisy Discovery Day

North Reading Girl Scouts is hosting a Daisy Discovery Event

Saturday, September 8th, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Flint Memorial Library Activity Room.  

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, 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 northreadinggirlscouts.blogspot.com or www.gsema.org   You can email specific questions to girlscouts306@gmail.com.

 

September Volunteer Leader Meeting

Mon., Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m. 
Flint Library Activity Room

Girl Scouts Back to School Bash!

Join us for our first Girl Scouts Back To School Bash!

Enjoy games, activities, giveaways,  and s’mores.

The event is for Girls K-12 and their families.

Don't miss the Fun and RSVP Today! 

Date:  09/16, 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

Location:  Maude Eaton,  141 Abbot Street, Andover Ma 01810 

RSVP Required: http://evite.me/Sqh2kEJpXK

Please help us share this event, share with friends and family:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1689921644470131/

Help us with our council service project and bring a gently used book for the Haverhill Promise or any food item below for the United Way Thanksgiving Project and be entered to win in one of our giveaways.• Stuffing • Canned Green Beans • Canned Corn• Canned Red Beans • Cranberry Sauce • Gravy mix • Corn bread mix • 16oz Bag of Rice