National

Recruit Parents to Help Your Girl Scout Troop!

You know those parents who always step up, lend a hand, and bring the fun to your Girl Scout troop? Wouldn’t it be amazing if more followed their lead and signed up to volunteer?

Girl Scout troop leader Richel Newborg is never short on volunteers, but not because she’s lucky—she puts in the effort to bring them into the fold. After reading her tried-and-true tips on Girl Scouts of Northern California’s blog, The Trailhead, we knew we had to spread her wisdom throughout the Movement. Check out Richel’s advice in her own words below, follow her lead, and watch as your troop gets all the support you could ever need!

1. Set an expectation that everyone volunteers and we are in this together.

My first opportunity to let parents know I need their help is when new members join the group. We always welcome each new member and their family at the girls’ first troop meeting. I introduce key members of our troop leadership and I let parents know that they will be asked to volunteer for at least one thing. Usually I list in writing which things I know I’ll need help with and a brief description of what duties are involved. This way parents are free to select what interests them.

Some of these jobs might be helping pack for the camping trip, cookie mom, bringing snacks, or cutting out pieces for SWAPS. Your troop will have different positions depending on how you expect your year to unfold, so customize your own list according to your needs. Let everyone know that by pitching in and helping even with a small task means no one is responsible for all the work and it balances out across the board. It’s an important lesson for the girls to learn too.

A few jobs you might need filled in your troop are:

  • Troop Treasurer
  • Cookie Volunteer
  • Initial Cookie Check-Out Assistant
  • Snack Planning
  • Carpool Drivers
  • Camping Lead
  • SWAPS Volunteer
  • Recruitment Supporter
  • Community Outreach
  • Event Planning (bridging ceremonies, holiday parties, Court of Awards, etc.)


2. Use a family talent survey and require every family to fill one out.

This is a survey where parents are asked about their own Girl Scout background as well as what talents and tasks they may be able to help with. From this you can learn a lot about who’s on your team! When my girls’ parents completed their surveys, I quickly discovered we had tons of parents with camping gear and the skills to go with it. We also learned 10 parents were CPR certified and 2 worked in the medical field. Go through your roster and make sure every parent has responded, and remind non-responders that this is one way you can get to know them and learn how they all can support the troop.

3. Plan a family event and then fit the job to the personality.

When you host a fun family event, you’ll quickly learn a lot about the parents in your troop. It’s true that some folks love to be in front of kids, some have great teaching skills, while others are terrified, and don’t know what to do. At our family events we make sure to have a mix of activities, games and teambuilding-type activities that everyone participates in with their girls.

This gives everyone an opportunity to have fun together and you’ll quickly know everyone’s personalities from how they participate.

4. Ask parents personally for their help.

In the age of social media and email, avoid the mistake of asking for volunteers by a broadcast email. That approach almost never works and will only cause you frustration. It’s also important that you refrain from complaining publicly about a lack of volunteers in your troop. Honestly, nothing scares off helpers faster than someone that’s complaining!

Instead address parents in a small group or in a one-on-one conversation. Make sure you speak with a positive tone and avoid being confrontational. Campouts, BBQs, and events that are geared to be “mixers” are a perfect time to ask, because parents tend to be relaxed and not stressed about their other obligations. Don’t feel like you have to fill every role by the end of your first month of meetings. Some people may need to get to know you and your group before they step up.

5. Once someone says yes, follow up and set them up for success.

As soon as you can, you’ll also want to contact the volunteer to give them all the information they need to be successful. You’ll also need to let them know if there is any training specific to their position that they will need to attend or complete such as a council background check.

For instance a dad that wants to take the lead on camping trips needs to not only register as an adult and get a background check, he’ll also need to take your council’s required training. A mom who said she wants to help with cookies might need to attend an online training or come to a Service Unit meeting to get information on how a Girl Scout Cookie sale works. Since some of these trainings can be done online and some must be done in person, it’s important to provide them with this information. Check with your council for the best online resources, and to find out about in person trainings.

6. Recognize the volunteer right away.

Once someone says they will help, make sure you thank them. I like to write a personal note and hand it to them at the next meeting. Also at the next troop meeting, in front of all the parents and girls, announce the new volunteer’s role. Then ask everyone to thank him or her for stepping up and helping support the troop. This makes the newcomer feel great about volunteering and makes it a bit tougher to back out! It also lets the girls know they have a team supporting their Girl Scout experience throughout the year!

Follow these tips and keep a positive attitude and you’ll quickly learn that there are many parents that want to help!

National

Talking to Your Kids About Natural Disasters

In times of natural disaster, it’s everyone’s responsibility to come together to support and provide aid and comfort to those directly affected. And although it’s simply human to get caught up in the harrowing news coverage, it’s also important to note that the youngest members of our families and communities—your children—are watching and taking all of this in, too.

“Of course we all want to stay abreast of current events,” says Girl Scouts’ developmental psychologist Andrea Bastiani Archibald, “but when kids see footage of boys and girls their own age or even people who look like their grandparents in dire situations, it can be confusing and frightening.” But rather than brushing off catastrophic events as “nothing to worry about” or something that didn’t really happen, Dr. Bastiani Archibald suggests discussing the disaster in an age-appropriate way with your daughter. “Limit her access to the news, but if she’s already seen or heard about it, let her lead the conversation,” she suggests. “Stay calm—kids, especially younger ones, take their emotional cues from parents—and ask her what she thinks happened. But most of all, ask how she’s feeling. If she says she feels sad or frightened for the people affected, it’s absolutely fine to tell her that you feel sad and frightened for them, too. These feelings are nothing to be ashamed of, and knowing that you feel similarly will help her feel less alone.”

Respond to her questions as best you can with age-appropriate, short answers and limited information. Very young children might not have many or any questions, but older girls might ask about the particular type of weather or natural disaster. Do your best to use words your daughter might already know, like storm, rain, and wind—but explain that these are much stronger and heavier than usual and quite rare.

Let her know that you’ll always do everything you can to keep her safe. And although you don’t want to give her false assurances that a natural disaster like the one she’s witnessing could never happen in your region, it’s also not helpful at this moment to dwell on the fact that it could. If she’s old enough to understand, let her know about the emergency preparations and procedures already in place for your family, your community, and even her school that could keep her out of harm’s way in case of an emergency. These plans are a “just in case” and will likely never be necessary, but her safety is your top priority, and so you make sure you’re prepared for any situation.

If your girl asks about family or friends who were directly affected, answer honestly but in short, direct answers. “If you’ve been in touch with loved ones in the area of the disaster, let your child know that and reinforce the positive—that they’re safe—if there’s positive information to report,” says Dr. Bastiani Archibald. “In the case that you’re still trying to reach family and friends, let her know that you’re doing your best to connect with them and that there are good people on the ground in the affected area who are helping those in need. In fact, your loved ones might be busy helping take care of others right now.”

Beyond that, it’s helpful to explain to your girl what you and your community have already done or plan to do to help the people hardest hit in the disaster. Perhaps you’ve sent money to an aid organization to help families in need, or maybe a family member has traveled to the scene to offer medical assistance. “If your daughter is old enough, you might even want to have her help you research ways to lend a hand and give back,” says Dr. Bastiani Archibald. “We know donating money is often best, so she could play an active role in fundraising or researching organizations accepting donations. Additionally, she could look into alternative ways of helping—like fostering pets who may have been displaced in the disaster.”

Talk to her about the kinds of things people might need in the months and even years after a disaster. Perhaps a school that was heavily affected could use new books to stock its library. Or a Girl Scout troop in the disaster zone might appreciate replacement outdoor gear, art supplies, or even just notes of friendship and support in the months to come.

Getting involved, giving back, and making a difference are actions we all can and need to take when disaster strikes. Involving your daughter will not only potentially expand the impact you can make but also teach her about empathy and give her a sense of her power to do good in the world.

Leadership

Lifetime Girl Scout Membership: Benefits and Value.

Lifetime Membership

Believe in the power of G.I.R.L.

Transform leadership in action as you support and stay connected to the largest leadership development organization for girls in the world! Join as a lifetime member today, and make an enduring pledge to believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™.

When you become a lifetime member, your dues are used to support the Lifetime Membership Endowment Fund, which supports programming for girls in STEM, the outdoors, entrepreneurship, and life skills—areas essential for preparing them to lead a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success.

Who can join as a Lifetime Member?

Lifetime membership is available to any individual who accepts the principles and beliefs of the Girl Scout Movement, pays the one-time lifetime membership fee, and is 18 years of age or older.

As a lifetime member, you will:

  • Unleash the power of G.I.R.L. in YOU as you become one of more than 60 million G.I.R.L.s taking the lead to accomplish amazing things every day!
  • Turn your commitment into girls’ success with a welcome letter and lifetime member certificate signed by the chair of the Girl Scouts of the USA Board of Directors!
  • Show off that Girl Scout pride with a lifetime membership card!
  • Stay up-to-date on the latest Girl Scout happenings with the bi-monthly Girl Scout alumnae e-newsletter!
  • Keep the power of G.I.R.L. close to your heart with your purchase of a lifetime membership pin!
  • Have fun and connect with other G.I.R.L.s at various events!

For more information about purchasing a Lifetime Membership, please contact our Customer Care department

Uncategorized

Preparing for a Hurricane

Many people tend to wait until the last possible moment before preparing for a hurricane. Making it stressful and nearly impossible to get everything you might need. With a little planning you can be better prepared for a hurricane. Having a hurricane kit ready, getting your home secured (if you decide to stay home) and knowing what do in case of power outages can make a big difference.

Have Your Hurricane Kit

Having a kit of supplies that you could take with you if you are forced to evacuate can also be useful if you are able to stay in your home, but are still affected by the storm (as in power outages).

Some recommended items to include are:

  • Non-perishable food (enough to last at least 3 days)
  • Water (enough to last at least 3 days)
  • First-aid kit (include any prescription medication you may need)
  • Personal hygiene items and sanitation items
  • Flashlights (have extra batteries on hand)
  • Battery operated radio (again, have extra batteries)
  • Waterproof container with cash and important documents
  • Manual can opener
  • Lighter or matches
  • Books, magazines, games for recreation
  • Special needs items: pet supplies and baby supplies

You should keep your kit in a bag that can be easily taken with you if you need to evacuate.

Get Your Home Ready

If a hurricane is coming, you may hear an order to evacuate (leave your home). Never ignore an order to evacuate. Even sturdy, well-built houses may not hold up against a hurricane. You may also hear an order to stay at home. Sometimes, staying at home is safer than leaving.

If you do plan to stay home, here are a few things you can do to prepare your home for the storm:

  • Clear your yard. Make sure there’s nothing that could blow around during the storm and damage your home. Move bikes, lawn furniture, grills, propane tanks, and building material inside or under shelter.
  • Cover up windows and doors outside. Use storm shutters or nail pieces of plywood to the window frames to protect your windows. This can help keep you safe from pieces of shattered glass.
  • Be ready to turn off your power. If you see flooding, downed power lines, or you have to leave your home.
  • Fill clean water containers with drinking water in case you lose your water supply during the storm. You can also fill up your sinks and bathtubs with water for washing.
  • Homeowners who depend on well water should draw an emergency water supply in case power to their electric water pumps is interrupted.
  • Lower the thermostat in your refrigerator and freezer to the coolest possible temperature. If your power goes out, your food will stay fresh longer.
  • Make sure your gas tank is full far in advance of an approaching storm. Most people wait until the last minute, and rush to get extra gas for cars and generators…causing gas stations to run out of gas.
  • If you need to evacuate, have an evacuation plan ready. Find out where the nearest shelter is and the different routes you can take to get there if you have to leave your home

Power Outages

In the event a storm should leave you without power, there are a few things to consider that can help you be ready and stay safe outside of your normal hurricane preparedness.

  • Report any power outages to your service provider.
  • Have extra cash on hand in the event no ATMs in your area are accessible or working.
  • Charge your cell phone and limit use after power is out.
  • Losing A/C can be the most uncomfortable side effect of losing power during a storm. Try to prevent as much light from entering and warming the house by covering up your windows on the inside.
  • During severe weather or power outages, turn off as many appliances and electronics as possible. After the power is restored, wait five to 10 minutes before turning them back on.

For additional information on power outages and home safety, visit CDC-Natural Disasters and Severe Weather

Academics

Earn Your Labcoat

Earn Your Lab Coat is a new program created by the Citrus Council Program Team to give young women the opportunity to explore the fields of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Girls will have unique behind the scene experiences to expand their knowledge and inspire them to think outside the box. Girl Scouts of Citrus Council has arranged several events with STEAM related partners in the Orlando Area such as SeaWorld, Universal Orlando Resort, the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds, Sea Life, and City of Orlando Wastewater Division.

The program is for Cadette-level Girl Scout members only and is design to be completed within a 2 year period. However, for the pilot program, girls will complete the entire program in a year. Girls who complete the entire program will receive a Girl Scouts branded lab coat and a special patch to commemorate their experience!

 

This incredible opportunity is valued at $350, but Girl Scouts selected for the pilot program will receive a special discounted price of $125.00! This cost includes all program expenses, meals and materials. Transportation to and from the main event locations is not included. Payment is not required at this time. Those girls selected will be required to make a $50 deposit to secure their space in the program by October 4.

This event only has 40 spaces available. All grade levels of Cadettes are encouraged to apply. This is not a troop event, but all girls from same troop can apply. Girls will be selected based on merit of their application process, so please read all questions and complete them in their entirety. Any submission not completely filled out will not be considered.

Deadline to apply is Tuesday, September 26 at 11:00 p.m. No late entries will be accepted. Girls who are selected will be notified via email on Thursday, September 28th by noon.

Please Note:

This is an amazing program and we are requesting only girls with a serious desire to learn and grow in a STEAM based program to apply. Also, those girls selected must commit to the entire program and participate in all scheduled events listed below.

SeaWorld Overnight Adventure – November 11, 2017

Behind the Scenes Day at I-Drive 360 – December, 2017

City of Orlando-Waste Water CON2 Field Trip- January 13th

Day Experience with Universal Orlando Resort-March date TBD

Special Graduation Ceremony- May date TBD

Outdoor

Let’s get your girls outdoors! Training, tips, and resources.

Let’s plan to get your girls outdoors this year! Whether you’re seasoned campers or are just beginning your outdoor journey, there are resources and training opportunities to support volunteers at every level.

Resources:

Girl Scout Outdoor Progression Chart

Get Outdoors Videos:

Developing Outdoor Skills in Girls
Taking the Journeys Outside
Planning Your Troop’s First Campout
Introduction to Campsite Set-Up
Introduction to Cooking Outdoors
How to Leave No Trace Outdoors
Introduction to Fire Building
Outdoor Songs and Games

Q&A: Are you ready to take your girls camping?

Do I need to take a first aid kit when taking the girls camping?
Yes, you should have a basic first aid kit with you at all times when you’re with the girls. Even during troop meetings.

Do I need a First Aid trained adult to accompany us on our camping trip?
Yes, you’re required to have a Basic First Aid/CPR trained adult with you any time you’re taking the girls on an activity/outing outside your normal meeting place and time.

When do we need to have someone that is qualified in the Girl Scout Outdoor Skills training?
If you are sleeping in a structured building such as a lodge or cabin and not having a camp fire or doing any outdoor cooking, including a grill, you do not need to have a Girl Scout Outdoor Skills trained adult with you.

If you are sleeping in a structured building such as a lodge or cabin and plan to either have a campfire or do some outdoor cooking, you do need to have a Girl Scout Outdoor Skills – Cabin or Tent (OS – I or OS – II) Camping trained adult.

If you plan to sleep in a tent no matter where and no matter what the activity or cooking method, you do need to have a Girl Scout Outdoor Skills – Tent (OS II) Camping trained adult.

Are there patrol boxes (pots & pans, bowls, utensils, knives, etc.) available for us to use when staying at any of the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council properties?
No, you should refer to the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council Property Guide for a complete list of what items are supplied and what items are suggested that you bring.

Academics

Toyota’s Making Lives Easier Scholarship Program

Girl Scouts live by the motto “be prepared,” and this includes being financially savvy. Fortunately for Girl Scouts, the good folks at Toyota Financial Services (TFS) not only offer support through financial education programs such as theDriving My Financial Future Tip Sheet , which helps prepare girls for their future, they also offer the Making Life Easier (MLE) scholarship program. MLE provides $1 million in scholarships annually to students affiliated with select nonprofits (including Girl Scouts of the USA) who both show high academic achievement and have a record of giving back to their community.

Scholarship applications are due October 31, 2017.

Eligibility. Applicants must:

  • be between the ages of 16 and 26 as of the application deadline date and be members, alumni or staff of one of the listed non-profit partners* (volunteers are eligible only if they also meet organization requirements of being member, alumi or staff)
  • be high school seniors, graduates, current postsecondary undergraduate, or graduate students
  • have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent degree by September 2018
  • plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate or graduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, professional school or vocational-technical school in the United States for the entire 2018-19 academic year
  • have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)
  • be in good standing in the community and at school (i.e. not on disciplinary or academic probation)

Review application process details and begin to apply here!

Short and Sweet

So many ways to save in the Citrus Shop!

Make the most of Back to Troop with great ways to save on Girl Scout essentials! Think: Starter Kits, Volunteer Resource Kits, Co-Leader gifts, and more!

Today through September 5, enjoy free standard shipping with purchases $99 or more. PLUS, have you seen the Buy Now, Save Later coupon? Spend $75 or more before October 16 to receive a $10 off coupon, good between November 1 – November 22, 2017.

Visit the Citrus Shop Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (open until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays) or shop online anytime at shop.girlscouts.org.

Uncategorized

Join the Citrus Singers!

Audition to join the Citrus Singers, a very active group of Girl Scout musical performers (who just released a must-watch parody music video) with shows across Central Florida!

AUDITIONS: The Citrus Singers Girl Scouts Chorus is now adding members to the group for their fall and holiday shows, and future video shoots.   3rd grade Brownie thru Ambassadors.  This is a great opportunity to perform around the Central Florida area for community, sporting, and scouting events!

MISSION: To instill confidence in girls thru public musical performance!

WHO: Any Girl Scout 3rd grade BROWNIE or ABOVE who can sing in pitch and has an enthusiasm to perform.

SHOWS:November & December we will perform holiday songs at a number of Central Florida venues. In the spring we will learn and perform pop and patriotic songs. September and October shows are optional for new additions.

AUDITION DATE: LIVE auditions will take place on Sunday September 10th 5pm – 7pm by appointment at 1355 Bennett Dr.  #269   Longwood, FL 32750.  Email Susie@RealeRealtyCFL.com for appointment time and details.

Have the singer prepare two songs: pop, holiday or musical theatre selections, each about 1-2 minutes long (such as a verse and a chorus, or the last half of the song, etc…). Pick any songs that can be sung with confidence, preferably memorized. (Remember… with any audition… just because it’s their favorite song doesn’t mean it’s one that is best suited for their voice…).  They must use a karaoke/back up music track that does not have the lead vocal on it.  Try YouTube.

VIDEO auditions are also being accepted. Email Susie@RealeRealtyCFL.com for details on how to submit your video audition.

ABOUT: Chorus rehearses 3-4x per month in October and November, usually on Saturday or Sunday late afternoon such as 4p– 6:30p (TBD). The Chorus currently rehearses in Longwood and downtown Orlando. Girls sing as a group with mics and a P.A. and most will have the opportunity for a small solo part(s). Some girls will sing harmonies and there will be some light movement. This is more of a beginners show choir than a formal choral ensemble (see performance videos).

The singer must sing in pitch and should have an interest in performing.   They can be new, but should be enthusiastic about participating.

The Citrus Singers are also now shooting music videos!

For this holiday session we will learn 9-10 holiday songs to perform, plus the National Anthem which we will perform at the Citrus Bowl.

For live audition appointment time or questions please email Susie@RealeRealtyCFL.com

 

 

ALSO NEEDED:   Adult Chorus Directors in Volusia, Lake and Osceola Counties.

Featured

In a World of Boys’ Clubs, Give Her One…

Although your daughter likely goes to school with boys, and might play Saturday morning sports and share the local playground with them, the realities of her day-to-day life are anything but the same as those of her male peers.

In fact, studies show that in coed learning environments, boys receive more praise than girls when they call out in class, making girls less likely to raise their hands. Furthermore, boys are allowed to problem solve on their own during class time, which fosters independence, whereas teachers tend to step in and “help” girls, leading girls to question their own abilities.

And outside of school? More than one in ten U.S. girls report being catcalled before their 11th birthday—and a whopping 85 percent report gender-based street harassment before they turned 17. Not only does this make girls see their worth in terms of their appearance but it also makes them more self-conscious and cautious overall when out in public. Add to that the fact that the worlds of tech, advertising, major league sports, politics, finance, and so many other fields are still considered “boys’ clubs”—sending not-so-subtle signals to girls about which industries or activities are for girls and which aren’t—and the world starts looking a whole lot less equal for your daughter.

The fact is, 99 percent of your daughter’s life is experienced alongside boys, where she either has to fight for attention or dodge the unwanted kind. Not only can that get exhausting but it can also lead your daughter to keep her head down and stop seeking attention completely. And when this is her day-to-day norm, it’s easy for her believe dynamics like this are normal or acceptable. Scary, isn’t it?

So, what can you do to raise a smart, confident daughter who’s equipped to succeed in this world? Make sure she’s getting some high-quality time surrounded by girls and girls only.

Now, we know this concept raises some questions. Isn’t putting girls in an all-girl environment basically like telling them they can’t compete with boys or do the same things boys can? In short, no.

Girls are already mixed in with boys in so many areas, but because of society’s stereotypes about girls and the ways girls are treated—either consciously or subconsciously—by the people in their lives, girls are less likely to take risks or engage in competition in environments where boys are present. They’re also more likely to shy away from science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities and sports for fear of being seen as less than feminine, or because they’ve been conditioned to believe that boys will simply be better at those things.

All-girl environments—be they all-female sports teams, regular slumber parties, or even her Girl Scout troop meetings—work as a type of oasis in her world. When there are no boys to be compared to (or to compare herself to!), she can discover her passions, stretch her limits, and shine her absolute brightest without the social pressures of being seen as too girly, too masculine, or really too anything.

Essentially, she’s allowed to be herself and learn her own strengths on her own terms. She can build the bravery, confidence, and resilience that come with taking risks, struggling, failing, and trying again. She can learn to innovate and problem solve without anyone assuming she can’t do it on her own. And she can carry these experiences and skills with her into the wider world, where they’ll bolster her and help her rise to new limits despite any barriers in her way.

And as for the theory that girls in all-girl environments just end up getting catty and tearing one another down? Quite simply, it’s wrong.

Here’s the thing: the harmful stereotype of girls and women being backstabbing “mean girls” has existed for hundreds of years. But girls are more likely to be ultra-competitive with one another in environments where there’s only one or two spaces for them to take the lead. In all-girl environments? Every leadership opportunity in every area will be given to a girl, so girls learn to champion one another and collaborate rather than feel threatened. The friendships she’ll forge through these groups will form the basis of a powerful network of women who can support one another as they grow.

And these benefits—a greater sense of confidence, a higher comfort level with taking risks, the ability to claim every space as a space where girls and women belong, and the support and encouragement of a strong female network—truly will help your daughter throughout her life. Studies show that girls who take part in certain all-girl activities go on to have more successful careers, experience higher levels of education, and be happier in life in general.

What can you do to give your daughter the benefits of the girls’ club? Set up playdates with female schoolmates early and often. Point out examples in real life and in the media where girls have joined together to support and lift one another up. Get her involved in an all-female activity like Girl Scouts, an all-female dance or sports team, or a STEM class filled with girls. Invite the neighborhood girls or perhaps her female cousins over for regular slumber parties or weekend day trips, exploring your local area and the adventures it has to offer. Not only will she have fun and make memories to last a lifetime but she’ll also grow stronger, more capable, and more confident than you ever dreamed.

[Article originally appeared on GirlScouts.org]