Thursday, October 31, 2013

Robotic Gems Visit GSSI During United Way Staff Campaign

Left to Right: GSSI Director of Membership Tamika Coats with
Akayla H., Jordan S., and Diavion B of the Robotic Gems

GSSI staff were honored to have a Q&A session with three members of the Robotics Gems, who were featured in United Way of Greater St. Louis' 2013 fundraising campaign that included a widely-viewed video, social media promotions, as well as posters and billboards placed throughout the greater metro area.

Each year, GSSI hosts a staff campaign in support of the various United Ways throughout its 40 1/2 county jurisdiction.  As part of this year's events, DiAvion B., Akayla H., Jordan S. and several of their family members paid a visit to GSSI's Corporate Service Center on Oct. 22, where they also connected to staff at the Regional Service Center in Mt. Vernon via web conference. 

The three girls shared their experiences as a first-year Girl Scout robotics team, how they learned to work together as a team and what it was like being in the spotlight due to the United Way feature. 

Last year's Robotic Gems squad was made up of five Girl Scouts from Avant Elementary School in Washington Park.  Although the girls were in the same class, they did not know each other well before joining the robotics team.  This year, the girls have moved on different middle schools, but have committed time in their busy schedules to serve as mentors and teammates for a new Girl Scout Robotics team at Avant School. 

"The robotics program changed how I think about how you can help other people and chance the world," said Akayla, who plans for a future that involves law and engineering.

"Being a team brought friendship between all of us," said Diavion.  "Now we know how to get to know new people." 

"I think we're all leaders," added Jordan. 

The Robotic Gems will compete in the FIRST Lego League (FLL) tournament at Carriel Jr. High in O'Fallon on Dec. 7.  The theme of this year's FLL challenge is "Nature's Fury."  Learn more about FLL.











Wednesday, October 30, 2013

GSSI Council Shop Updates - November 2013

PWP and GWP!!! In-Store Council Shop Specials
Stop by a GSSI Council Shop and take advantage of the in-store purchase with purchase (PWP) or gift with purchase (GWP).  Spend $50 and purchase up to five (5) of these great items for $5 while supplies last!




Or spend $50 and receive one of these free gifts while supplies last!




MYSTERY MONDAYS!  
For the next 7 weeks (starting Nov. 4), check out our Mystery Monday Deal of the Day!  Each Monday through December 16th, GSSI Council Shops will offer a “mystery” item at a deep discounted rate.  Call or stop by on Mondays for the deal of the day!

What's New? 

Upcoming Shop Specials

Shop in-store in the month of November for these great deals! 

Nov. 18-27 – “Turkey Surprise Sale” – Pick a turkey “surprise” and receive up to 15% off your purchase on regular and clearance items…excludes GSUSA uniforms, uniform components and GSUSA insignia.   

Dec. 16-23 – 10% off all in-stock gift items including all in-stock apparel (excludes GSUSA uniforms, uniform components and GSUSA insignia).

Free standard shipping on online orders over $50 from Nov. 26 – Dec. 3

GSSI Council Shop Extended Hours

GSSI Council Shops will be open from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on the following Saturdays:
Nov. 9, 2013
Dec. 7, 2013
Jan. 11, 2014
Feb. 8, 2014
April 12, 2014
May 3, 2014

Visit GSSI’s Mobile Shops at these upcoming Council Events:
Nov. 24 –Girl Scout Night at the Lights – Belleville, IL
Dec. 14 – Cookie College – Centralia, IL 


November Journey of the Month






Girl Scout Senior: Mission Sisterhood

Receive $1 off the featured Journey book and $1 off the accompanying award when both are purchased.  

GSSI Council Shop Contact Information:
Corporate Service Center: Beth Ross: 618.692.0692, ext. 1129 • e-mail: bross@gsofsi.org 
Regional Service Center: Marilyn Border: 618.242.5079, ext. 2103 • e-mail: mborder@gsofsi.org


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Ask Membership: Is There a Volunteer Recruitment Program?

Dear Membership,
My troop LOVES the Girls Guiding Girls to Girl Scouts (4G’s) recruitment program! They are so good at getting other girls to join Girl Scouts that we have had to form a new Girl Scout troop for our program level. While forming the new troop I recruited new Girl Scout leaders. Is there any type of 4G’s program for adults? –Love Bringing Girls and Adults to Girl Scouts

Dear Love Bringing Girls and Adults to Girl Scouts,
Thank you to you and your girls for helping to bring the Girl Scout program to more girls! The Membership Department recognizes that many leaders are recruiting new leaders so we created a program similar to 4G’s just for you. The Legacy Leaders Leading a Legacy (4L’s) is a way to reward registered adult Girl Scout volunteers who recruit at least one adult who is not currently registered as a Girl Scout for 2013-2014 membership year.

The 4L’s perks for the recruiter include the following:
• Free t-shirt for the recruiter (one per recruiter).
• The proud feeling of sharing Girl Scouting with other girls in your community.
• Entry into a drawing for a special prize.
The 4L’s form must be filled out  and the newly recruited volunteer must register using the 4L’s registration form by December 15, 2013 in order to participate in the program.  Additional forms can be found online and/or obtained from your Membership Development Manager. Please contact your MDM with any questions. -Membership

Friday, October 25, 2013

Amy Taylor from Herrin Named October Pearl of the Month


Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Amy Taylor from Herrin has been named the October Pearl of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience.  Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

Amy is Product Program Manager, event planner and committee member representing West Williamson County Service Unit 90.  She helped plan and conduct a Spa Camp, which included staying at camp for a week.  She helps with almost all camp events and participates in camp clean-up days.  Most recently, Amy served on the Camp Cedar Point 60th Anniversary committee, which helped plan and implement an alumnae reunion at the longtime summer resident camp to raise funds for GSSI.  Amy is a strength to her Service Unit and is known for always being ready to say “yes!”

The mission of Girl Scouting states:  Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.   Girl Scouts is the world's pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls - all girls - where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.  In partnership with committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives - like strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

Today’s Girl Scouts not only enjoy camping and crafts, but they also explore math and science and learn about diversity, good citizenship, leadership and teamwork.  Girl Scouting is the place where girls experience the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912. 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit organization supported by various United Ways throughout the region.  Girl Scouts is a Proud Partner of United Way.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Paige Schwoebel from Belleville Earns the Girl Scout Gold Award




For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, called A True Lifesaver, Paige increased the awareness and the importance of CPR and AED equipment for 3,000 students and faculty at Belleville East High School. Since she is trained as a CPR/AED instructor she knows the importance of these life-saving skills and wanted to make sure others at her school campus could save a life by knowing these skills as well. She met with the high school principal and nurse and presented a plan to have the locations of the AEDs put on the large map outside of the high school. She also included CPR/AED information in the school agenda that each student gets at the beginning of the year. Paige created a CPR/AED powerpoint presentation and shared it with the entire high school faculty. Finally, she assisted with conducting CPR classes at the high school and held CPR classes at her church. 

“I learned that I can do anything I put my mind to, even if it takes a lot of time and effort, as long as it is something I strongly believe in,” Paige said. “I will always be thankful that I completed my Girl Scout Gold Award because it taught me how to better manage my time, how to be professional and how to give back to the community.” 

Paige has been a Girl Scout for 12 years. She plans to attend either Drake University or Creighton University to major in Pharmacy after she graduates from Belleville East High School next summer. She is the daughter of Michael and Karen Schwoebel. Her Girl Scout Gold Award Project Advisor was Cheryl Heimerman. 

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, recognizes a Girl Scout's commitment to excellence as she develops skills and values to meet present and future challenges in her life. To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador must design and carry out a project that fulfills a need within a girl’s community, creates change, and is sustainable. The project must be completed with a suggested minimum of 80 hours of work. Only about 6 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

October 2013 Volunteer Training Opportunities


GSSI Training and Enrichment Course Schedule 2013-2014
Improve YOURS.E.L.F with more events like REFRESH featuring the PB&J Workshop and favorites like Organize Your Stuff, Fun Girl Scout Songs, Help I’m a New Leader and much more.  Please refer to the website calendar located at www.gsofsi.org for more information including times, registration deadline, and applicable fees.  Go to registration form.



S.E.L.F. (Saturday Enrichment Learning Fairs)
October 12 - Camp Torqua
November 9 – Carmi (NewBeginning Church)
November 16 - Camp Wassatoga
February 15 – Collinsville(Meadow Heights Baptist Church


Troop Camp Training
October 20 – Camp ChanYaTa
October 20 – Camp WhisperingOaks
November 3 – Camp Cedar Point
November 17 – Camp Wassatoga

CPR / FA / AED Certification
October 19 – Trenton

Archery
October 20 – Camp ChanYaTa
October 20 – Camp WhisperingOaks
November 3 – Camp Cedar Point
November 16 – Camp Wassatoga(following the SELF event)

O.W.L. – Outdoor Weekend for Learning!
May 3 - Camp Cedar Point (Small Craft Safety –Canoe, Wilderness and Remote First Aid, Troop Camp Training, Archery, Advanced Outdoor Cooking, Knots & Knives, GPS and more).

Trainings by Request
As always, additional courses are available by request to best suit volunteer needs and schedules!  Please use the Training by Request form available on the GSSI's website, www.gsofsi.org.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Help Girls Prevent Bullying By Volunteering For Girl Scouts' BFF (Be a Friend First) Series




Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois offers Series programs to girls over a 4-6 week session. We are looking for volunteers to lead the sessions. These take place during the school day, at after-school programs, and in other formats. Experience working with middle school aged kids is helpful, but not necessary. All curriculum and training is provided. The BFF (Be a Friend First) Series is focused on bullying, self-esteem and healthy communication. Opportunities are available in many communities throughout southern Illinois.


Other Volunteer Opportunities:

STEM Series Volunteers
Help girls develop skills in science, technology, engineering and math!  Girl Scout series are offered in a variety of formats in several locations throughout southern Illinois.  Learn more about GSSI's STEM program...

Office / Administrative Volunteers
We are seeking volunteers available to work at GSSI Service Centers in Glen Carbon or Mt. Vernon during the office hours of 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.  Assist with the behind the scenes work that helps to bring the valuable Girl Scout program to girls in our community.   Hours are flexible based on your schedule. Duties may include data entry, preparing mailings, answering phones, etc.

Retail $hop Volunteers
GSSI's Council Shop is looking for volunteers to assist with operations during the regular hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, as well as the occasional Saturday morning. Duties would include stocking inventory, creating and maintaining displays, managing inventory, contacting customers and researching vendors.

Does your workplace offer an Employee Volunteer Program?
GSSI is looking to build partnerships with companies and organizations that offer an Employee Volunteer Program. If you work for or know of a workplace that offers a program like this, please contact Amanda at akaemmerer@gsofsi.org and we will take care of the rest!


To volunteer with GSSI, please contact Volunteer Services Manager Amanda Kaemmerer at 800.345.6858 or by e-mail at akammerer@gsofsi.org. 


Links:

GSSI Volunteer Opportunities

GSSI Event Calendar

VolunteerMatch.org

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Taylor Koonce from Dupo Has Received the Girl Scout Gold Award




Taylor Koonce from Dupo has received the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can receive.  Taylor completed her Girl Scout Gold Award project during her senior year at Dupo High School in 2013. For her project,  Learning Green, Taylor educated people living in her community about environment issues and ways to be eco-friendly. In addition,  with the help of her Air Force Junior ROTC unit, she repaired an outdoor classroom that community members use.

Although Taylor said things didn’t always go as planned, everything worked out well in the end. “If you search, there are always people willing to help. And, I learned that while being a leader, sometimes you delegate things and sometimes you need to get down in the dirt with your team.” Taylor also credits the successful completion of her Girl Scout Gold Award project because of  help from Michael Conley, John Solomon, AFJROTC Unit IL-941, Sandy Nelson, Kendra Koonce and Michael Koonce.

Taylor has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and received the Girl Scout Trifecta Award for earning her Girl Scout Bronze Award, Girl Scout Silver Award and Girl Scout Gold Award. Taylor plans to attend Michigan State University where she will  major in Biosystems Engineering. She is the daughter Kendra and Michael Koonce.

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, recognizes a Girl Scout's commitment to excellence as  she develops skills and values to meet present and future challenges in her life. To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a Girl Scout  Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador must design and carry out a project that fulfills a need within a girl’s community, creates change, and is sustainable. The project must be completed with a suggested minimum of 80 hours of work. Only about 6 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.


Tuesday, October 1, 2013

GSSI Council Shop Update - October 2013

Don’t miss out on our Fall Fun Patch Extravaganza!!! 
All fun patches are 10% off in October (in-store promotion only).  See NEW fall fun patches and more... 

BACK TO TROOP IS IN FULL SWING!!!


New for Volunteers!  Official Looks and Stylish Sportswear





Upcoming Shop Specials

Shop in-store in the month of October for these great deals!
-          10% off fun patches
-          $17 – ALL Girl’s Guides
-          Journey Book Sets
·         Buy 1 @ $15
·         Buy 2 @ $26 ($4 savings)
·         Buy 3 @ $33 ($12 savings)


GSSI Council Shops Extended Hours:

GSSI Council Shops will be open from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on the following Saturdays:
October 5, 2013
November 9, 2013
December 7, 2013
January 11, 2014
February 8, 2014
April 12, 2014
May 3, 2014

Visit GSSI’s Mobile Shops at these upcoming Council Events:
October 19 – Fall Fest – Makanda, IL
October 19 – Haunted Camp Torqua – Edwardsville, IL


October Journey of the Month



Girl Scout JUNIOR: Agent of Change
Receive $1 off the featured Journey book and $1 off the accompanying award when both are purchased. 

Please note both Council Shops and Service Centers will be closed on October 3 and October 16.

GSSI Council Shop Contact Information:
Corporate Service Center: Beth Ross: 618.692.0692, ext. 1129 • e-mail: bross@gsofsi.org
Regional Service Center: Marilyn Border: 618.242.5079, ext. 2103 • e-mail: mborder@gsofsi.org


Go to GSSI’s Online Shop – Free Standard Shipping OCTOBER 11 - 15 for orders over $50.