Winter Vacation Camping at Camp Wabasso

GSEM Event - Winter Vacation Camping at Camp Wabasso – Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors

Get the most out of your winter vacation week at Camp Wabasso! Spend two days downhill skiing or snowboarding and an evening of tubing at a local ski resort with other teens. Back at camp, enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hanging out by the campfire and other activities. All lodging, equipment rentals, lessons, food and transportation from Waltham are included. 

This four-night overnight program starts at 1 PM on February 15 and ends at 4 PM on February 19. Drop-off event. Go here to register now - don't let this great program be cancelled! 

Lead your Way – Girl Leadership Conference

GSEM Event - Lead your Way – Girl Leadership Conference – Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors

Focus on developing leadership skills that you can use for college, the workforce and everyday life.  Don't miss this opportunity to be mentored by inspiring, professional women who have blazed their own leadership journey. The conference features workshops for girls and adults, a panel discussion and a talk with keynote speaker, Jasmina Aganovic, the president of Mother Dirt, a company that develops biome-friendly products. A wide range of workshop topics includes financial literacy, goal setting and female empowerment, among others. A panel discussion will be held during lunch (included). This event also features special guest, singer/songwriter Casey McQuillen, who will be presenting from her "You Matter" concert tour.

Date: Sun Jan 31 2016, 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM     Location: Simmons College in Boston   Fee: $45 a person ( financial aid is available)   Register on GSEM website   

Leader Meeting Minutes 1/13/2016

Leader Meeting Minutes, Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Town Hall Room 14

In Attendance: Debbie Nearing 73891, Anne Valade, Michelle Gerokoulis 62796, Lisa Ayer 62798, Kerri Antonuccio 62803, Mays Hanegraaff 78188, Amy Solomon 69175, Jo Gibson 69175, Bridget Easler 76212, Kristin Puliafico 85118, Denise Kung, Kerstin March

Meeting Start 7:35pm with the Pledge of Allegiance and GS Promise

Anne: Did anyone mention the possible change in the Promise to their troop? What do the girls think? Should they take "try" out of the Promise? National Convention is October 2017. This is where they talk about any changes that will be made.

Kerstin: Any cookie questions? Initial order needs to be submitted by the 19th. The function opens the 15th. Remember to save instead of submit.

Anne: SHARE: Support Her Activities Resources Experience. Every Girl Scout family will get a mailing about SHARE. Please support the program if you can. The funding helps programs, trainings and fixing up and updating properties. Cedar Hill has been completely redone. Maude Eaton is getting platform tents. Council is looking for delegates. The position requires going to 3 meetings a year, one in October, January and a late spring meeting. Delegates learn what is new to Girl Scouts so you can share the information. Recognition committee: a committee that reviews nominations and criteria. This is done online with a few meetings.

Anne: Events: Martin Luther King Day Skating held by Reading Girl Scouts at Burbank Arena, 1/18 9:30-11:20am. $5 admission and includes a patch. $15 cap for families.

                     Funtastic event by Reading Girl Scouts, Daisy to Juniors held on 1/30 in 2 sessions.

                     NRGS International Cultural Event: Sunday March 6, 2-4pm at the Moose Lodge. Focus will be on the 4 world centers of Girl Scouting: USMexico, England, India and Switzerland. Girls will move                              station to station with a passport and collect stamps from participating countries. We are looking to bring in entertainment, food, dance etc. If any troop has someone interested in sharing their                                  culture please let Debbie or Anne know asap. Flyer will be coming soon. Committee meeting directly following tonight's meeting.

Would anyone like to run a mother/daughter event?

Debbie: encampment committee will be announcing their next meeting date soon. They are working on a theme. Typical cost is $15 for overnight or $6-7 just for the day. Would you like to join the encampment committee? If you plan on going, look into camp trainings as they fill up fast. Check into ratios for adults per girls.

Anne: Check out the new GSEM website, they changed their address: www.gsema.org.

Anne: future events: March is GS birthday month, GS Sunday is March 6th. We send a letter to all churches and any girl attending services in uniform will receive a patch. NRGS provides the patches. We need volunteers at each church to hand out patches and take a photo of the girls that attend. Flyer to come for GS Sunday.

March is also GS Food Pantry month. Would anyone like to organize food pantry collections?

Amy Kelly's troop is running a roller skating event on a half day in March.

This is a friends and family event at a roller rink in Beverly. She will collect food for the pantry at the rink. Flyer coming soon.

April: gymnastics at Reading Gymnastics, over school vacation. We typically have 1 session for 60 girls. Cost could be $7 per girl and includes a patch. Jo Gibson will be running this event.

April is Leader Appreciation Month! Let's recognize the Leaders!

May or June: Fly-Up, is run by 8th grade troops. They have certain tasks: food, décor, program, stage, slide show and clean up etc. Fly Up meeting will directly follow the Feb. 10th Leader meeting. Flying Up is moving one level to the next. Bridging is fulfilling requirements and moving up one level to the next.

Memorial Day parade is in May. Do you have a banner? Information will be forthcoming soon about what you need for size of banner, etc.

Has anyone checked out the blog? Questions and comments are welcome.

Ipswich River Sanctuary is running a Maple Sugar Scout Jamboree on Saturday, February 13, 1-4pm. Bring your troop and whole family for lots of fun activities. $10 per person. Call Angela for more info. or to sign up: 978-887-9264, ext. 7703.

Kristin: We have 3 Caroling patches left. The Caroling event can be seen on youtube.com Search for North Reading Girl Scouts.

Kerstin: There are lots of booth sale dates and COBS available. Any cookie questions?

8:50pm adjourned

Bridget will be taking notes at the February 10th meeting.

Kristin Puliafico

Ipswich River Wildlife Sactuary Scout Sugaring Jamboree 2/13/16

The Sanctuary is very excited this year to be holding a Scout Sugaring Jamboree for boy and girl scouts on Saturday February 13^th from 1pm – 4pm at the sanctuary.  There will be sugaring tours, a toasty fire, winter games and activities, a chance to work on badges, and of course – maple syrup taste tests!

See the flier here for more information and to sign up your troop please call Angela Walsh at 978-887-9264.

NRGS International Cultural Event 3/6/16

NRGS International Cultural Event – don’t miss this first ever NRGS Event on Sunday, March 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Moose Lodge – Flyer can be found here.

Leader Meeting Minutes 12/14/15

In Attendance: Debbie Nearing 73891, Anne Valade, Bridget Easler 76212, Joanna Maguire 78188, Joanne Gibson 69175, Marianne Bekier 62803, Julie Galvin 62802, Kristin Puliafico 85118, Lisa Alexander 86279, Mays Hanegraaff 78188, Kristen Pemberton 69171, Cindy DeWolfe 85336, Denise Kung 62798, Ruth Kennedy 73899, Kerri Antonucci 62803, Kerstin March, Amy Kelly, Melissa Audier 73894

December 14, 2015, Room 10 Town Hall

Meeting start 7:33pm

Anne introduces herself to the new leaders and everyone else does as well. New pins were handed to new leaders. Please sign in on the sign up sheet. There is a green bag in the back of the room for questions and comments. The parking lot for questions is hanging on the wall. All questions will be answered at the end of the meeting. Tea and cookies were served.

Kristin- The Caroling on the Common event was well attended and everyone had a great time. We had 50 girls and the event was videotaped by Norcam. The Youtube link will be provided to view soon. The girls made cards for Veterans and sang karaoke at the UCC. Lots of items were dropped off for the NR Food Pantry. Thank you to Kerstin March for taking them all to the FP. Thank you to all the bakers for the event and to everyone that helped out. Thank you to Kerstin who cleaned the kitchen and made the cocoa.

Amy- Registration Update: Amy is the registrar if you have any questions for her. All loose people have been moved in. Many changes are coming to Ebiz, updates and it will be faster.

Kerstin: Cookie Update: The sale has started. Troops are having successful booth sales. Cookies are NO LONGER returnable at the cupboard. GSEM will send an email 3 days before they will take the cookie money out of your account. Make sure you have enough to cover it. GSEM is updating their website today. All information is on there. Deadline for COBBS is tomorrow 12/15. Booth sales at the mall are not listed yet. You have till February to opt out of incentives. If you opt out, you will loose out on cookie credits. Booth sales: Spilt the number of boxes sold by the number of girls working the booth. Make sure everyone gets credit for working the sale.  Any questions, please ask Kerstin. There are plenty of openings for booth sales. It's nice out. Get out and walk the neighborhood with the girls to sell cookies! Troops can think about what they would like to do with their cookie profits. They can donate money after they have earned it to wherever they choose. You can NOT solicit for donations for any cause at a booth sale. You can only donate from your profits. You CAN accept donations to your troop at a booth sale but not through a donation jar. A good idea is to have a box to collect cookie donations if people would like to buy the cookies and donate them.

Anne: Event flyers are in the Monday emails and on the blog.  Anne received a post card from Let's Get Sewing. Sewing classes for age 7 and up. Call Donna 351-201-0708 or email Donna@letsgetsewin.com This is in Danvers on route 114. They may offer Scout programs.

Lisa- Upcoming events: Lisa still has Halloween patches. Me & My Guy event, possibly in late spring. There is a sign up sheet for volunteers. World Thinking She & Me International Tea. The meeting is tonight after the Leader meeting.

Debbie: Encampment: There will be an encampment meeting in January, date to be announced. The Relay for Life is on the same day as encampment. But the Relay ends at 11pm.Troops can still come Saturday morning. This is at Camp Runels June 3-5. Daisies are welcome for the day but can not sleep overnight due to the one Daisy/one adult policy. A nurse will be on staff. For troops to sleep over, you need 1 camp certified adult and one first aider adult. They need to be different people. Stay for the day or overnight. The activity schedule will be available in May. If you would like to join the encampment committee please contact Debbie. There is a water front and only 1 indoor cabin. Kerstin is our lifeguard and she is canoe certified as well. First Aid person does not have to be done through GSEM. Lodge training is March 12 at Cedar Hill in Waltham. Troop Tent Training is April 15-16 & 16-17 in Waltham. If you are thinking of camping, register ASAP as they fill up fast. Troop camp training never expires.

Anne: Anne mentions that GS is considering changing the Promise from " I will try my best" to taking TRY out. If it changes, it will change nationwide. Ask your girls what they think.

Ruth- Batch Coordinator/ Fall Products- Ruth received a nice thank you note from the Food Pantry for the 137 cans of peanuts the girls collected for the Thanksgiving baskets. They are very thankful for the Girl Scouts and the Leaders for doing all we do.

Any questions?

Meeting adjourned: 8:35pm

She & Me Tea Committee meeting starts

Kristin Puliafico

Photos from Caroling on the Common! 12/13/15

A Big Thank You from Christian Community Services/North Reading Food Pantry

We recently received this note of thanks:
"Sincere thanks to each of the 13 troops for the contribution of 137 cans of honey roasted peanuts.  We appreciate your thinking of us, especially during busy holiday season.  Our families love the "little extras" that they find in the baskets we distribute to them.  Each of you is a credit to the town of North Reading. We have a lot of caring neighbors and you girls are at the top of the list.  You have learned to care for others and we thank you for your support.  We also want to thank each troop leader for the guidance given to these girls.  We are proud of all of you.
Happy Holidays, 
Lelah Costello, 
Volunteer"

 

Field Trip Idea - Lets Get Sewin'

Lets Get Sewin' offer sewing classes for children ages 7 and up.  They are located at 240 Andover St. (Rt.114), Danvers, MA  
phone: 351-201-0708  
email: donna@letsgetsewin.com
website: www.letsgetsewin.com  

 

Reading Girl Scouts – Night of Tradition for Brownies & Juniors and Friends and Family Ice Skating Event

Reading Girl Scouts have a couple of upcoming events they would like to share with our Service Unit.

12/18/15 - Night of Tradition for Brownies and Juniors.  5:30- 8:30 pm for $8 ($10 if late sign-up) - Cheaper than a babysitter. You can find the flyer here.

1/18/16 - Reading Girl Scout Annual Friends and Family Ice Skating, 9:30 - 11:20 am, Pay at the door, no advance registration.  You can find the flyer here. 

Please contact Michelle Kramer with any questions: 781 789-6774,  michellekramer@verizon.net

GSEM Event - January volunteer network ONLINE meeting

Adult Girl Scouts -- troop volunteers and service unit team 

members -- you are invited to network, share good news, and hear 

updates from GSEM in the comfort of your own home. 

Join us for an online meeting on January 28 from noon-1 PM or 

7-8 PM.  Don't miss this great opportunity to reconnect with other 

dedicated volunteers.  Register on the GSEM website here .

Food Pantry Collection for Toiletry Items

We are doing this instead of the “mitten” CCS toiletry bags which we have done for the past five years.  Each level of Girl Scouting has different toiletry items to collect.   

 Toiletry items can be brought to us at the Caroling Event, dropped off at the Leader meeting on 12/14 or dropped off directly to the Food Pantry or one of the local drop off locations in town. Please be sure to identify your GS troop on the bag before dropping off.   

 You can find the flyer with the different levels and what toiletry items to collect here.

Leader Meeting Minutes - 11/12/15

Leader Meeting Minutes

Thursday, 11/12/15

Room 10, Town Hall

In attendance: Anne Valade, Acting Service Unit Coordinator, Debbie Nearing 73891, Kristin Puliafico 85118, Lisa Alexander 86279, Kristen Pemberton 69171, Michelle Gerokoulis 62796, Amber O'Driscoll 76211, Marnie Littleford 78181, Victoria Labriola 69176, Melissa Audier 73894, Dawn Gaunthier 71890, Cindy DeWolfe 85336, Jenn Casoli Vant 85337, Joanne Gibson 69175, Lisa Ayer 62798, Kerstin March, Cookie Manager,

Meeting Started: 7:35pm

Anne introduces herself and Debbie as acting Service Unit Co-Coordinators. Tonight is the investiture and rededication ceremony. The ceremony starts with the Pledge of Allegiance and a Leaders’ Promise, A Charge to Leaders, and the Girl Scout Promise. Anne gives new Leaders Girl Scout pins.

Anne: The Girl Scout pin is the official uniform, everything else is optional. Wear it at meetings and events as well as any place you want to show that you are a Girl Scout member.  The pin shows the example to girls and tells everyone you are a leader should they need assistance at an event. Please wear your pin. Thank you for volunteering and making a difference in the life of a girl.

Old Business:

The Halloween party hit capacity and was successful. Lisa is looking for feedback and comments or feedback? Everyone was very happy and had a great time. There were a few photos of girls left behind. Lisa also has Halloween patches if anyone did not get one. Debbie will put it in the leader email.

Star Gazing: 17 girls attended and it went well. A cloud blew in but the girls still had a nice presentation. Wednesday night is open to the public for free. This is located at Merrimack College in Andover.

Food Pantry Flyer: We will be collecting for the Food Pantry during Christmas time. This year we are focusing on household cleaning, health and beauty. The flyer will be sent out in the Monday email. Each level will be assigned a particular category. Please return items to the December leader meeting or to the Caroling event.

Kerstin: Fall Product wrap up, The products will be delivered on the 20th. Ruth is looking for volunteers to help sort. 139 cans of peanuts will be going into the Thanksgiving baskets at the Food Pantry. 15% of sales goes to the troop or 17% if you opt out of prizes, Service Unit gets a little profit from council from what our town sold.

Anne: Cookies are going up to $5 a box. This is on the radio and people are positive about it and looking forward to cookie season. 90 cents a box goes to the troop or .95 cents if you opt out of prizes. The whole troop has to agree to opt out of prizes.

Debbie: The encampment committee met and picked Father's Day weekend, June 17-19. Debbie submitted the application last night. Camp Runels is the #1 choice followed by Camp Cedar Hill. More information to come in January. The distance is the same. Runels has a waterfront and Cedar Hill has a Girl Scout store and ropes course. The theme and activities will be based on the location. Would anyone else like to join the committee?

Lisa: Events, Caroling 12/13, World Thinking Day (no date yet), Me and My Guy or She and Me. Lisa would like to form a committee and plan for the spring.

New Business:

The Service Team introduces themselves to new leaders. Anne mentions the Parking Lot. Please put questions on sticky notes and place on the PL and we will answer all questions at the end of the meeting. There is also a green bag in the back for any comments, questions or concerns.

For our meetings that are held in Room 10 at the Town Hall, please come to the side door of room 10. Sign in your name and troop number on the sign in sheet. Leaders could also send a parent to the meetings to gather information if they can not attend.

Kerstin: Cookie information, Kerstin sent an email out for troop training on 11/24.

Sale starts 12/12 officially.

There are no booth sales at Stop & Shop before Christmas.

Leaders are welcome to attend the training about the sale with your cookie person.

Lemonades are 10 years old!

Girls can sell to JUST family over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The last day of the cookie sale is March 4th.

Order forms are due January 19.

Make sure to watch your money at booth sales.

Daisies should not handle money.

Sign up for mall cookie booths COBS through council. Check the website in January for dates.

If you would like to set up a booth sale in North Reading elsewhere or out of town, please let Kerstin know.

THERE WILL BE NO CUPBOARD RETURNS THIS YEAR!

Remind your girls to go door to door.

The payment system is different this year, and it's ok to collect money up front.

Opt out is for Cadette level and up.

There is no limit to how many booth sales you can have in North Reading through Kerstin. If you have a sale in another town, please let Kerstin know.

Kristin: Caroling on the Common December 13, 3:00-4:30pm. We are meeting on the common for the sing-a-long and will walk over to the Congo Church for cocoa, cookies and card making for Veteran's. Would you like to help at the event? Please contact Kristin. The Caroling flyer will be in the Monday email.

Anne: Leaders please make sure to tell the troop and parents about every event. Girls can go as an individual even if their Leader or other troop members cannot attend.

Troops can have a Facebook page, but please keep it "SECRET" so the public can not see it.

Did you know?

North Reading troops can use Camp Rice Moody for meetings for free. Melissa will put the sign up form on the blog.

Camp Rice Moody also has a projector for troops to use and borrow.

Membership stars: is everyone familiar?

For every year a girl registers as a Scout, she earns a membership star. You can give this in September when you register. Each level has a different color disc behind the star. You could have a rededication ceremony and give them their stars each year. All stars get carried forward to the new level uniform.

Are there any questions?

The program guide is constantly being updated. Check online for updates.

The next meeting is December 14th at the Town Hall.

Watch your Monday email for the flyers.

Meeting adjourned 8:50pm