Encampment – The Great Outdoors

An email will be sent out tomorrow with the final schedule for each troop’s activities for Saturday, June 1^st!  It is looking like Mother Nature will be on our side thus far so we are not going to think rain for Saturday!  Please pay careful attention to the final email we send out as this will contain important last minute information with reminders and/or updates you will need for Encampment.

Fly Up Program

We will be putting together the programs for Fly Up next week and ask that you watch for emails asking you to confirm girls in your troop eligible to participate.  Also, if you have a girl in your troop who has completed her Bronze, Silver or Gold Award and needs to be recognized at Fly Up, please let Lisa Coroa-Bockley know ASAP.

Memorial Day Parade Information – May 27

The Memorial Day parade is Monday, May 27^th rain or shine at 10 a.m.  Troops should arrive at the meeting house on the common and line up according to levels with Daisies first.  Girls can take turns holding their banner.  Remember Leaders to remove the pole from the banner so it’s not as heavy.  Wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, Girl Scout uniforms for the girls, Girl Scout pins for the Leaders, and bring a first aid kit with the girls annual permission form showing their emergency contact information in the event of an emergency on the parade route.  Girls should carry a water bottle or an adult could pull a wagon with water for the girls.  The parade will stop for a few minutes for the HS band to play and girls can take a little rest drink their water.  We remind Leaders to remind the girls to be respectful and that North Reading Girl Scouts do not hand out or carry balloons any longer in the parade and we absolutely do not throw candy into the crowds as it’s a safety issue.  Parents are allowed to walk with the girls in the parade and any girl can participate without a troop or her Leader. 

 

Encampment – The Great Outdoors

Just a reminder that if your troop is participating in low ropes at Encampment, you can either pay the extra $5 per girl to reimburse the NRGS by one check handed in at check-in the day of Encampment or by submitting it to Amy Kelly at Venmo @amy-kelly-78.  These are the troops and the amounts owed for your reference:

Troop 62458 $70.00   Troop 69171 $30.00   Troop 62803  $70.00           Troop 86279 $25.00

Troop 62550 $50.00   Troop 69175 $45.00   Troop 85336  $25.00

As soon as we find out what the weather will be for next weekend, we will send out the final schedule for Saturday’s activities.  There will be one final Encampment email with important reminders which will be sent out early next week.

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!

Don’t forget to check our Facebook Leader page and our NRGS blog website in the coming weeks for new information at www.northreadinggirlscouts.blogspot.com. 

Last Call for Photos for Older Girl Fly Up Slideshow

May 15^th is the deadline to send in your photos for the Slideshow.  If you have not yet sent in your photos to Mary Lasdin, please take the time by Wednesday to do so.  Send your 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, 71901.2 and so on.  If you need help scanning older photos, let Mary know. 

 

Daisy Annual Fly Up Event

The Daisy Fly Up Invitation is now attached here.  Fly Up is scheduled for Monday, June 17^th, at the Aldersgate Church at 6:30 p.m.  We would ask that all girls arrive by 6:15.  Daisy Fly Up will be less than an hour and we will have refreshments after the ceremony.  We would ask each troop to collect a supply of bathroom toilet tissue and Glade air fresheners from your girls to donate to the Aldersgate Church in lieu of a monetary donation for the generous use of their space for Fly Up.  We can answer any Fly Up questions at our May Leader meeting.

May Leader Meeting - Please send a rep from your Troop

We ask ALL troops participating in the Encampment be represented at the May 15th Leader meeting.  If a Leader cannot attend, please send one of your adults registered to attend.  We will be discussing Encampment and this is your opportunity to get answers and also we will be handing out information for Encampment. 

An email will be going out in the morning with packing lists, maps and site assignments for troops participating in Encampment! If you are sharing a site with another troop and not a certified camper, make sure you coordinate with the certified camper if planning to cook your troop’s meal on a campfire.  We will give you whatever information we think you will need ahead of time, and the remaining information will be handed out at the May 15^th Leader meeting, and upon arrival at camp on the day of Encampment.  We always have to wait for Mother Nature to decide on the weather to see what our final schedule of activities will be that weekend.

Encampment – The Great Outdoors

We now have 117 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. 

Annual Troop Finance Report DUE IN JUNE

Annual Troop Finance Reports for Troops 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. Troops should include Amy Kelly’s email address (kellys@majekelly.com) as the NRGS Treasurer to receive a copy as well. You can access the new Annual Finance Report form online!  These are due by June 30^th.  

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!

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.