Sunday, February 26, 2017

GSSI's OOPS! Robotics Selected as Connect Award Finalist at FIRST Tech Challenge State Tournament


Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois' OOPS! Robotics was selected as the Connect Award 3rd place finalist at  the the FIRST Tech Challenge Illinois State Tournament on Feb. 24-25 at Elgin Community College. 


FTC is designed for students in grades 7-12 to compete head to head, in an alliance format against other teams. Teams design, build and program their robot using a variety of programming languages and sound engineering principles, then plan strategies for competition. Awards are given for competitive performance as well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.

The Connect Award is presented to the team that most connects with their local STEM community. To win, a team must submit an engineering notebook with a strategic plan which highlights the team's goals and the steps they will take to reach those goals.  The team must also provide clear examples of the connections they have been developing within engineering, science and technology communities. 

Oops! Robotics is coached by Kristi Smith and Mary Buchanan of O'Fallon and consists of middle and high school girls from Belleville, Granite City and O'Fallon.  Team members are Katherine Buchanan, Mary Buchanan, Mackenzie Butchee, Allie Huller, Kimberly Melton, Chloe Schlosser,  Kailee Schlosser, Amber Smith, Leah Walton, Allison Zaiz and Megan Zaiz. 

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Emily Baima from Collinsville Has Earned the Girl Scout Gold Award



Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Emily Baima from Collinsville has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can receive. 

For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, called Mammal Enclosure, Emily built an enclosure to aid in the rehabilitation of small mammals at TreeHouse Wildlife Center. Based on the needs of the center at any given time, the enclosure could also be used to accommodate temporary or permanent residents. Emily knew how TreeHouse Wildlife Center relied on volunteers for projects, and her project would be a worthwhile contribution that would benefit the facility for years to come.

Through her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Emily learned the importance of following through with a project to achieve the end result. “I learned that persistence pays off,” said Emily. “Projects don’t always go as planned, but if you take initiative to solve a problem, the end result is worth it,” she added.

Emily is the daughter of Scott and Tammy Baima. She is currently a senior at Collinsville High School. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Emily has been a Girl Scout for 13 years.

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 5 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.

Monday, February 20, 2017

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Sponsors First All Girl Scout LittleBits Global Chapter



Girl Scouts has always introduced girls to new and exciting programs that enhance their knowledge and skills, piquing their interests in new activities and ideas.

Today, Girl Scouts is leading the way in engaging girls in the growing fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Not only do girls get to investigate possible career paths for their futures, but they also develop valuable skills such as problem solving, innovation and collaboration.


GSSI offers girls a variety of STEM programming, including hosting robotics teams in three leagues and holding two STEM-themed summer day camps. Regularly occurring STEM programs give girls hands-on experience in activities such as plant and animal science, aerospace and rocketry, physics and chemistry, engineering, geology, coding, forensics and more.


One recently introduced GSSI program is littleBits. Headed by STEM Program Manager Emily Stanley, littleBits design challenges offer girls the chance to learn about the engineering design process and develop critical thinking skills.


littleBits are easy-to-use electronic building blocks that allows girls to create prototypes and inventions. With the growing interest in the STEM field in the scouting community, the littleBits program is a wonderful way to introduce those girls to these certain fields of interest while building their love for the program and field through these hands on activities. Currently, GSSI is the first and only Girl Scout sponsored littleBits Global Chapter.


“Any girl that is interested in finding her inner inventor can try her hand and play with the littleBits”, said Stanley. “Not only are these programs a wonderful way for the girls to start learning how to use the blocks and get a feel for them, but they’ll also get hands on experience and actually build a prototype out of recycled materials and take it home at the end of the day.”


Stanley added, “GSSI has seen remarkable growth in the number of girls served through our STEM programs. In 2009, we served just over 1,200 girls in STEM. In 2016, we were up to 3,000.”


Following this trend, she expects interest in the new littleBits program to continue grow.  Recurring programs featuring littleBits design challenges are being planned for the future and GSSI Day Camps will also be offered the opportunity to use LittleBits for their programming.

To learn more about GSSI’s littleBits program or other STEM activities, please contact Emily Stanley at 800.345.6858 or
estanley@gsofsi.org


Recent photos of GSSI Girl Scouts taking part in a LittleBits Design Challenge:




Feature by GSSI Intern Nicolle Patton

Thursday, February 16, 2017

2017 Girl Scout Cookie Program: Cookie Delivery Basics




What should I expect at cookie delivery?


Each delivery site is a slightly different, but here are the basics:
  • Arrive at your assigned or chosen time.
  • Be sure to use a vehicle large enough to hold all of your cookies at once. See the chart below for general guidelines on how many cases will fit in your car. Please note that this is accurate if your car is free of car seats, strollers and the like. If you need multiple vehicles to pick up your order, be sure to arrive and get in line together.
  • You are required to get out of your car and count the cookies as they are loaded. Your troop is responsible for the cookies that you sign for.
  • If there is an error, notify a worker immediately. If you get home and find an error, contact your Service Unit Product Manager.

How much will my car hold? 

Compact Car: 1-35
Standard Car: 35-50
Standard Wagon: 50-75
Standard Pick Up: 100
SUV/Mini Van: 75-150
Standard Van: 150-200


Why are receipts important? 

  • Providing a receipt each time cookies exchange hands keeps a record of who is financially responsible for those cookies.  Protect yourself, protect your troop and protect your Girl Scouts - always give a receipt.
  • Always date the receipt; include the troop number and girl’s name.
  • You and the parent should sign the receipt.  Keep one copy and give the other to the parent.

Delivery to Girl Scouts and families
  • Follow these easy steps to ensure a successful delivery to your parents and girls!
  • Notify parents of the date, time and location that they can pick up their order.  Give yourself enough time to get home, unload the cookies and prepare the orders.
  • Sort all cookies and orders before you let any parents pick up cookies.  This will help you identify a problem with your order before anyone picks up.
  • Prepare cookie receipts for each girl.  When parents pick up, have them count and verify their order.  Complete a receipt for every cookie transaction.  Provide each girl with a money envelope with their balance and the date it’s due.
  • Remember, parents are responsible for all cookies that they sign for.  You must write a receipt each and every time cookies or money exchanges hands.  Keep your receipts in a safe place with the parent permission slips.
  • If you have a girl with separated parents, be sure that the parents pick up their separate orders.
  • You should collect money from the girls for their initial order within two weeks.
  • At this time, you can collect the girls’ Goal Getter cards so you can pick up their orders at the cookie cupboard.

Delivery to customers
  • It’s important to deliver the cookies to the customers as soon as possible.  Booth sales begin February 24, 2017, and if customers see that other people have their cookies before they do, they may be upset.
  • As girls deliver cookies, they should collect any remaining payment at that time and put inside their money envelope.
  • Checks should be made payable to the troop.
  • Check out GSSI's website for helpful resources and marketing materials for girls.
  • All cookies are $4 per package, except for Toffee-Tastic and S’mores which are $5 per package, and they should not be sold at any other price.
  • Girls should turn in money to troop leaders often and shouldn’t hold a check for over a week.  The troop leaders should make frequent deposits.
  • When girls deliver cookies, they should ask the customers if they would like to order additional packages as the ones they ordered are likely to be gone within a short time.  They can also promote upcoming cookie booths the troop is hosting. 

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Caitlin Lloyd from O'Fallon has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award


Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Caitlin Lloyd from O’Fallon has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can receive.

For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, called Suite Dreams, Caitlin worked with The Women’s Safe House in St. Louis. She repainted two rooms at the facility in bright colors to make the atmosphere cheerful and hopeful. She also organized groups to make fleece blankets and held a book drive that collected 500 books for the organization. Last, Caitlin built a bookcase so that the books that were donated were easily accessible for the residents.

Through her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Caitlin learned valuable life skills that she will be able to use throughout her life. “I definitely learned the importance of persistence and dedication,” said Caitlin. “There were times when I felt the project was overwhelming and I might not finish. However, I took each part one step at a time to stay on schedule,” she added.

Caitlin is the daughter of Matt and Kristen Lloyd. She is a junior at O’Fallon Township High School. Caitlin has been a Girl Scout for 12 years.

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 5 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

OOPS! Robotics Wins Motivate Award, Qualifies for State Tournament



Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois robotics team, OOPS! Robotics, won the Connect Award and was a finalist for the Motivate Award at the FIRST Tech Challenge regional qualifying tournament at Decatur Hope Academy on Feb. 11.  The team also advanced to the FTC Illinois State tournament, which will be held Feb. 24-25 at Elgin Community College Spartan Events Center.  


FTC is designed for students in grades 7-12 to compete head to head, in an alliance format against other teams. Teams design, build and program their robot using a variety of programming languages and sound engineering principles, then plan strategies for competition. Awards are given for competitive performance as well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.


The Connect Award is presented to the team that most connects with their local STEM community. To win, a team must submit an engineering notebook with a strategic plan which highlights the team's goals and the steps they will take to reach those goals.  The team must also provide clear examples of the connections they have been developing within engineering, science and technology communities. 

The Motivate Award is given to the team that best exemplifies the essence of FTC competition through team building, team spirit and enthusiasm.  The team must demonstrate respect and gracious professionalism throughout the tournament and be able to articulate the individual contributions of each team member.

In addition to their achievements at the Decatur regional, OOPS! Robotics also qualified for the Missouri State Tournament earlier this season.  That tournament will be held March 4 at Missouri S&T University in Rolla. 

Oops! Robotics is coached by Kristi Smith and Mary Buchanan of O'Fallon and consists of middle and high school girls from Belleville, Granite City and O'Fallon.  Team members are Katherine Buchanan, Mary Buchanan, Mackenzie Butchee, Allie Huller, Kimberly Melton, Chloe Schlosser,  Kailee Schlosser, Amber Smith, Leah Walton, Allison Zaiz and Megan Zaiz. 


OOPS! Robotics receives funding from Afton Chemical, Christone Enterrpises, Best Buy, Boeing,  The Monsanto Fund and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming is an important component of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.  GSSI provides girls of all age levels with the opportunity to participate in engaging STEM activities that include writing code, wiring circuits, conducting physics and chemistry experiments and more.  The organization is always looking for community and business partners to help girls gain exposure to and experience with these growing fields. For more information, please contact Program Manager Emily Stanley at 800.345.6858, ext. 1111 or estanley@gsofsi.org. 


Monday, February 13, 2017

Your Troop Can Host a Girl Scout Cookie Booth!




The Girl Scout Cookie Program has been transforming girls into G.I.R.L.s (Go-getters, Innovators, Risk-takers, Leaders) since 1917, when Muskogee, OK saw the first-known sale of cookies by Girl Scouts. 

Cookie Booths have been a common sales technique since the early 1950's, when Girl Scouts were setting up stands in the malls that were emerging across the country. 

At a Cookie Booth, Girl Scouts sell cookies at area venues – popular areas include area stores, their churches, local community events, etc. It's a great way for girls to practice their leadership and financial literacy skills while working together as a team. 



Council-Wide Cookie Booth Weekends:
February 24-26 - National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend (troops - place orders by 2/15)
March 4-6 (troops - place orders by 2/28)
March 10-12 (troops - place orders by 3/7)







Helpful Hints to Volunteers: 


Where Can a Troop Have a Cookie Booth?

Troops can hold cookie booths at local businesses, their place of worship, community events, gas stations, etc. Troops should contact all venues for permission before setting up their booth. 

Due to high demand for these spaces, Service Unit Cookie Managers will schedule the following venues: Wal-Mart, Rural King, Lowes', Flying J, Love's and Travel Centers. 

The information for these sites will be uploaded into eBudde as Council Booth sites, but troops can secure any other business or location in their own Service Unit area. Troops must stay within their Service Unit jurisdiction; however that does not mean that troops have to stay in the town they are from. 
Selling in another Service Unit is only allowed with written approval - troops must fill out a form and submit with a seven day grace period for approval. Troops must also visibly display their troop number and service unit at their booth location.


Enter Your Cookie Booths Into eBudde 

Troops need to enter their cookie booth information in eBudde under "My Sales."   Customers are looking for Girl Scout Cookies - help them and help your troop by making your cookie booth easy to find!  Information entered into eBudde helps GSSI direct customers to your booth, makes it easy for local media to share and lets people use Girl Scouts' national Cookie Finder app to buy cookies. 

Enter the Cookie Troop 100 Challenge for a chance to win up to $3,000! 


How to Order Cookie Booth Cookies 
  1. Log in to eBudde 
  2. Go to the Transaction tab 
  3. Click Add a Transaction 
  4. In the Pickup box, choose a date and time. NEW - Cupboard Hours of Operation will now be shown when placing booth cookies. 
  5. In the 2nd Party box, Cupboard needs to be selected. In the next box, choose the cupboard in which you plan on picking up your cookies. 
  6. Enter your troop order. Make sure you put your order in as cases unless you are filling Goal Getter or Girl Delivery cookies. 
  7. Click Save/Print. Please take this receipt with you when you pick up the cookies



No Cookie, Cookie Booth

Troops can even set up a cookie booth without the actual cookies!   Use media coverage around National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend to collect donations to send cookies to the U.S. Military through Operation: Sweet Treats donations. There is no inventory to manage and sales count towards girl rewards and troop proceeds! 
  1. Contact your local place of worship or mom and pop stores in your community. You may not contact any businesses listed on the eBudde booth scheduler. 
  2. Set up the date and time to attend. 
  3. Customers support your troop and Operation: Sweet Treats; you collect funds for those donations at the booth. 
  4. Enter your No Cookie, Cookie Booth in eBudde as a non-council sponsored cookie booth. 

To get ideas on where to hold your cookie booth or to find out some best practices, contact our Product Program team at nutsandcookies@gsofsi.org or hop on Leaders Lounge to hear from experienced GSSI volunteers. 

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Girl Scout Week 2017 is March 12-18



Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will join nearly 3 million Girl Scouts throughout the United States in celebrating the 105th Anniversary of Girl Scouting March 12-18. 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will celebrate the 105th anniversary by participating in a variety of local activities and events. Girl Scouts often celebrate the occasion in their communities by participating in such events as flag ceremonies at their schools, birthday party celebrations and community service projects with their troops while others will create displays highlighting Girl Scout history.

2016 Girl Scout Week Proclamation Signing in Du Quoin

“The Girl Scout law and mission statement both focus on making the world a better place and during our 105 year history, our girls and volunteers have continued to live by this standard,” said Sarah Durbin, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. “Girl Scouts are passionate about making their communities and the world a better place, and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience gives them the courage, confidence and character to follow their dreams,” Durbin added.

Girl Scout Sunday (March 12) kicks off Girl Scout Week and is when many Girl Scouts receive special religious recognition awards for researching and exploring their religious culture and practices. Many girls will proudly wear their Girl Scout uniforms to their religious services to kick-off the week’s events. 

“Girl Scouting is committed to being a vital part of our communities. During Girl Scout Week, we salute and thank all those who continue to offer their support to Girl Scouting. The positive influence Girl Scouting has on young people is dependent on our dedicated volunteers and supportive community members,” said Durbin. “During Girl Scout Week, we renew our commitment to ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to grow strong and realize her full potential. But we need your help! We invite everyone – men and women – over 18 to volunteer with Girl Scouts. You don’t have to be a troop leader; even if you can only donate one hour of your time once a year, you’ll be making a great difference in the lives of girls.”

Granite City Girl Scouts in 1947

It’s been 105 years since the first Girl Scout troop meeting, and Girl Scouting has evolved from 18 members to nearly 3 million nationwide. Today, Girl Scouts of the USA is the largest voluntary organization for girls in the world. Its sole focus is to meet the needs of all girls (ages 5-17) from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

After returning to the United States from England, Juliette Gordon Low made a historic phone call to her cousin in March 1912, “Come right over! I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, all America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight.” The “something” was Girl Scouts, and the first group of girls embarked on Low’s vision. Low was determined to help expand opportunities and learning for the average American girl. At a time when many girls’ paths in life were limited to their social standing, Low’s vision was to establish an organization where any American girl could expand her personal horizon by having fun, while exploring new interests and contributing to society. 




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.

Friday, February 10, 2017

Help Your Community Spring Clean & Earn a Special Patch




Spring Clean Up 
March 1 – April 30, 2017 

GSSI Girl Scouts are invited to help their communities spring clean. Girls may complete a minimum of 5 hours cleaning up their community (trash pick-up, planting flowers/trees, beautifying public spaces in the community, etc.). This community service project runs March 1 – April 30, 2017. 

Program Department 
Council ‘Take Action’ Projects 
#4 Ginger Creek Parkway 
Glen Carbon, IL 62034 


A special patch will also be available. To order the patch, fill out the patch information on the participation form and mail it with a check for $2 per patch. All patches will be given out at upcoming Service Unit Meetings and will go to the troop leaders. Please also forward any photos of your troop participating for our council website. Please put your troop number on the back of the photo or e-mail to patchprogram@gsofsi.org. All participating troops will be acknowledged on our GSSI Blog.

Please note:  This information is also available on our website

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Kaitlyn Barnett from Troy has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award



Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Kaitlyn Barnett from Troy has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can receive. 

For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, called Camp for Everyone, Kaitlyn wanted all Girl Scouts and other members of her community to have the opportunity able to fully enjoy camping and outdoor activities. Kaitlyn took on several projects to make Camp Torqua in Edwardsville more accessible. She added a rock trail and sidewalk that connected the lodge to the restrooms. In addition, Kaitlyn installed a concrete ramp to the campfire ring and a threshold for the restrooms at the area known as Pumpkin Patch at the camp.

Through her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Kaitlyn learned valuable life skills that she will be able to use throughout her life. “Through this project, I have learned that I am filled with an abundance of patience and determination,” said Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn is the daughter of Thomas and Melissa Barnett. She is a junior at Triad High School. Kaitlyn has been a Girl Scout for 11 years.


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 5 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Register Now for GSSI's Annual Meeting!



GSSI's 8th Annual Meeting will be held Saturday, April 1, 2017 in the Main Room of the Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon.  Along with our annual business meeting and Adult Awards ceremony, there will be a guest speaker, silent auction and mobile shop on site. Brunch is included in the entry fee. We hope to see you there!  





Hotel Information:
Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn is off of Interstates 57 and 64.  This modern hotel is 1.2 miles from the Times Square Mall and 3.9 miles from downtown Mt. Vernon and the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts.  Subdued rooms come with desks, flat-screen tvs with cable channels, coffeemakers, fridges and microwaves.  There is also free wifi. Amenities include a free buffet breakfast, an American sports grill and cafe where kids age 12 and under eat free. There is a gym, business center, indoor pool and whirlpool, plus free parking.  

Rooms for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Annual Meeting attendees are $99 for either King size or two Queen beds.  Overnight stays for March 31 and/or April 1 can be booked in GSSI's block now through March 20.  

To make your reservation, please call: 1.618.244.7100.
Group Name: GSI

Monday, February 6, 2017

February Program Newsletters Online Now



GSSI's Program Newsletter has now been split in two in order to better provide grade level relevant information!

Read the February 2017 Program Newsletters: 

Daisies/Brownies/Juniors: February 2017
Features include: upcoming programs, Valentines Day crafts and facts. 

Cadettes/Seniors/Ambassadors: February 2017
Features include: upcoming programs, Program Aide Training dates, Girl Scout Awards information and a Valentine's Day craft.

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Military Appreciation Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program





Show your appreciation for the U.S. Military by sending service members Girl Scout Cookies! 

You can make your gift by visiting a Girl Scout Cookie Booth near you or by donating through Digital Cookie (find a participating Girl Scout) through March 19. GSSI will then send all of the donated cookies to military organizations to distribute, including to military members serving overseas. 

Last year, GSSI was able to donate 18,869 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to current military members and veterans.  We are so grateful to be able to share our appreciation for these American heroes through the generosity of our customers.  

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Join Us in Celebrating Black History Month!



Girl Scouts has a long history of being inclusive and serving as a platform for all girls’ voices, regardless of their background. So, it’s not surprising that the first African American Girl Scout troop was founded in 1917—just five years after our inception. This February, in honor of Black History Month, join us as we celebrate all girls as well as historical G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ hard-hitters who inspired true leadership and courage.


Just a Few of the Amazing 
African-American Women in History!

Dorothy Vaughan. Image via the Human Computer Project

Josephine Holloway.  Image via GSUSA.
Admiral Michelle J. Howard.  Image via Navy.mil

Katherine Johnson.  Image via NASA.




Watch for more bios and let us know how your troop is celebrating Black History Month on our social media platforms:  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram