Karlene Hoefener of O'Fallon Named September Pearl of the Month

 

Karlene Hoefener of O’Fallon is the September 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.

Even though her own daughters are grown, Karlene continues to mentor Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts and has helped numerous girls earn their Gold Award. She has also coordinated Product Sale Programs for her Service Unit for many years and provides great communication for volunteers and girls to make sure the program is a success. More recently, she has also moved into the Day Camp Director position and secured volunteers for programs, crafts, and every detail while continuing to recruit future volunteers. Karlene is always willing to help and she demonstrated that quality earlier this year when she agreed to help with an outreach program at Fulton Junior High and volunteered to help process registrations at the council office during an employee’s unexpected medical leave. Like many other volunteers, she devotes much of her personal life to Girl Scouting.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Receives $4,000 Grant From the Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) has received a $4,000 grant from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis to fund STEM programs and financial assistance for girls in East St. Louis.  Girl Scouts’ goal is to send 50 East St. Louis girls to STEM Camp next summer where they will not only experience science and technology, but be able to explore nature and the outdoors as well. 

STEM and robotics are a key component of GSSI’s commitment to giving girls opportunities and guidance in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).  By participating in three different robotics leagues at three different age levels, GSSI aims to engage more girls across southern Illinois in STEM, so that they can explore valuable career options, build critical thinking and technical skills and sustain a lifelong interest in topics that many girls drift away from by middle school.

“Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is very grateful to receive this grant from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis to provide girls in East St. Louis with STEM opportunities,” said Emily Stanley, GSSI STEM Manager.  “Engaging girls in STEM in fun, creative ways helps keep their interest in these valuable career fields, as well as develop their confidence, teamwork and problem solving abilities.”   Stanley added that through valuable partnerships with Boeing and other generous funders, GSSI’s STEM program  serves more than 1,800 girls.

GSSI’s STEM program continues to be a progressive and forward-thinking initiative that has grown exponentially in recent years.  In 2009, GSSI had just one robotics team.  In 2014, GSSI hosted 24 teams.  GSSI has dedicated staff and volunteers who develop the STEM program through research, collaborator cultivation, training and hands-on experience.

GSSI strives to offer diverse and high-quality STEM programming, such as simple circuit wiring, programming robots, exploring forensics and more.  To ensure that all girls have the chance to take advantage of these future-building opportunities, GSSI has integrated STEM activities into its outreach programs – which bring Girl Scouting to girls in underserved populations, such as low income neighborhoods, housing projects, rural communities and even detention centers. 

Remember to Have Online Membership Renwals Complete By 11:59 PM ET

 

 

Please be remember that the current Girl Scout Membership year ends in Personify on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014 at 12 a.m. ET.  This means that online membership registrations for Troop Leaders renewing 2015 proformas through troop management should be completed before Monday, Sept. 29 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

• Troop Leaders will not have access to their troop(s) in eBiz for the full day on Tuesday.  
• On Tuesday, when Troop Leaders click on the ‘My Troops’ tab in eBiz, a specialized maintenance page will appear that only affects troop management.
• Active 2015 Troop Leaders will be able to access their troop(s) on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014 and will see all active 2015 troop members.
• Family Managers will be unaffected and will continue to see their family members.

 

New Outdoor Experiences Coming to GSSI Starting Jan. 2014

 

 

 

GSSI is pleased to share that our Program Department has developed many camp and outdoor experience programs for our girls and volunteers. You like to camp? You like extreme adventures? You like archery, swimming, canoeing and rock climbing? Well if you do, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois has an outdoor experience for you!!! Below is a list of a few that will be featured in the 2015 Girl Scout Program Book which will be on-line in December. Prices are reasonable...starting at $7.

 

Camping and having an outdoor experience is an important part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. GSSI is committed to providing girls and volunteers a first-rate camp and outdoor experience where they can attend camp, learn leadership skills and build friendships that will last a lifetime. GSSI Staff, BODs, and volunteers want more girls to go camping, more girls to love to camp and more girls to have a fun and rewarding outdoor experience.

 

For more information, contact Outdoor Program Manager Anne Townsend at 800.345.6858, ext. 2114 or e-mail atownsend@gsofsi.org. 

 

Coming Soon!

Watch for Updates on Dates, Times & Locations!

 

 

Winter Survival Campout for Juniors and Cadettes

Brownie Ready, Set, Go Camping!: overnight camping experience for Brownie Troops

Spring Equinox Campout: overnight camping experience for Cadettes- Ambassadors

Daisies Discover Camp (multiple sessions at our camps)

Scouting for Wildlife (with Crab Orchard): weekend campout for Cadettes– Ambassadors

OWL Weekend (with Volunteer Services) for adults

Archery, swimming, Canoeing, and Rock Climbing sessions at various camps

Zombie Apocalypse Training: survival skills program at Camp Cedar Point for Juniors/Cadettes

Bike Southern Illinois for Juniors

Junior Forest Ranger Program for Daisies

Wilderness Challenge: overnight camping program for Cadettes- Ambassadors

Brownies, Fairies, and Godmothers: overnight camping experience for Brownies

Hunger Games: day program for Juniors/Cadettes

Extreme Adventures: overnight campout for Seniors and Ambassadors

Paddle Thru the Stars: evening canoe program for Juniors and Cadettes

Ozark River Expedition: overnight campout for Cadettes – Ambassadors

Paddle Wars: canoe fun for Juniors

Fall Fest: annual event for all levels at CCP

Trailblazer: weekend campout for Cadettes - Ambassadors

 

 

　

　

Girl Scouts Participate in "Summer of Service" Project

Troop #130

GSSI had 61 girls from 13 troops participate in this summer’s Council-Wide Community Service Project, "Summer of Service." Girls gave back to their communities with projects such as planting a garden, supporting the military, visiting a nursing home, volunteering at a local clothing pantry, helping out at church with Vacation Bible School, making a bench for Camp Chan Ya Ta and various kinds of cleanup.  For completing their community service, girls earned a special patch.

 

Thank you to  the following troops for their generous hard work and dedication this summer! They did an awesome job!

Troop #17 and Leader Kathy Arend; Troop #130 & Leader Jennifer Melton, Troop #235 and Leader Jennfier Morgan; Troop #451 and Kathy Arend; Troop #529 and Leader Cindy Wallace; Troop #726 and Leader Crystal Westmoreland; Troop #2161 and Leader Jenni Passig; Troop #2243 and Leader Lynne Wolfe; Troop #8043 and Leader Heather Barclay; Troop #8324 and Leader Tina Witherby; Troop #8548 and Leader Betsy Back; Troop #8552 & Troop #8553 and Leader Jaime Watkins.

 





Troop #8552



Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Representatives Discuss Leadership Programming with Congressman Shimkus

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois representatives met with Congressman John Shimkus Tuesday morning at his Maryville Office to provide an update on Girl Scouting and seek his support of the Child Protect Act.

During the meeting, the Girl Scouts also shared with the Congressman various girl programs that are helping to build leaders for America. These girl programs included, Be A Friend First (anti-bullying), healthy living, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math).

Pictured: (from left) Linda Manley, GSSI Board of Director vice chair; Congressman John Shimkus, 15th District of Illinois; Villie M. Appoo, GSSI Chief Executive Officer; and Emily Stanley, GSSI STEM Manager

GSSI's 2015 Annual Meeting & All That Glitters Scheduled



Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois' 2015 Annual Meeting and All That Glitters Award Ceremony will be March 28 at Rend Lake Resort in Whittington, IL.

Special rate hotel rooms are available now!  Hotel has singles, two queens and king bed options.  All rooms are available for $75 a night.  When booking a room, reference Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois or Group Block #4169.

Rend Lake Resort: 11712 East Windy Lane, Whittington, IL 62897
Phone: 618.629.2111

More information will be announced as available.

Cookie College Helps Girl Scouts Study Success

GSSI's Cookie College Program is a hands-on workshop that allows Girl Scouts to learn professional and personal skills from area businesswomen.  Topics covered include customer relations, marketing, financial literacy, business management and more!   Knowledge and experienced gained at Cookie College helps prepare girls for a Girl Scout Cookie Program and to implement the five skills that Girl Scout Product Programs help develop: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics.

The program is Saturday, Nov. 15 at Kaskaskia College in Centralia.  A session for Daisies and Brownies will run from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Daisies will earn their Talk It Up badge and Brownies will learn their Give Back Cookie Badge.   A session for Juniors-Ambassadors will run 1-4 p.m.  Juniors will earn their Marketing badge, Cadettes will earn their Cookie CEO badge, Seniors will earn their My Portfolio badge and Ambassadors will earn their Research & Development badge.

The registration deadline for all attendees is Oct. 15.  The cost is $10 per girl, including badge and $1 per adult.

To learn more, contact Product Program Assistant Katie Grayling at 800.345.6858, ext. 2107 or e-mail kgrayling@gsofsi.org. 

Girl Scouts Invited to Catholic Renewal Day in Belleville on Nov. 8

Did you know the local Girl Scout Catholic Committee annually hosts a renewal for each age level of Girl Scouts. During the renewal day the Brownies complete some of the requirements for their “Family of God” religious recognitions while the Juniors work on their “I Live My Faith” and Cadettes “Mary, The First Disciple” formerly the Marian Medal. All of the requirements for any one of these recognitions cannot be completely finished in this one day. Additional work outside of this renewal day will be necessary.

 

 

 

While a Girl Scout does not have to be Catholic to attend this day of religious reflection, most discussions and the prayer service include a Catholic perspective and a Catholic theme. In fact sometimes a reconciliation service and Mass are a part of the day’s activities.

 

This year the renewal date is Saturday, November 8th and it will be held at St Peter’s Cathedral Grade School, Belleville. Enter the school at the middle doors off the parking lot.

Brownie renewal costs $6 per girl; $8 if registering after October 27. Leaders are free. Your registration fee includes hall rental, snack and program supplies. Each girl is required to purchase a book which costs extra. Consult the registration form for book prices.

The older girls’ (Junior, Cadette, and Senior) program costs $15 per girl/adult; $20 if registering after October 2. One adult is free for every registering troop. Your registration fee includes hall rental, a light lunch, am and pm snacks, and program supplies. The program concludes after Mass and clean up Saturday (about 6 p.m.) Each girl is required to purchase a book and they do cost extra. Consult the registration form for book prices.

Please complete the appropriate form for your age level. Registration deadline is October 27, 2014.

If you would like more information or have questions about the event or other Catholic religious recognitions for girls or adults, please contact Chris Lay at 618.345.3937, Rita Schaefer at 618.979.5270 or Gary Landoll, at the Office of Youth Ministry, 618.235.9601.

 

Girl Scouts of all Councils and all Dioceses are welcome to attend this event.

 
 Registration Form

September Girl Scout Registration Nights

Flora Girl Scout Registration Night

September 18 & September 19
Community of Christ Church
Girls K-8
For more info, contact
Paula Burrow at 618.662.9556

Crawford & Jasper Counties Girl Scout Registration Night

Sept. 20 from 1-4 p.m.
Willow Hill Park
Old Fashion Carnival
For more info, contact:           
Debbie Parker/618.544.2584
Mdparker3@frontier.com 

Jefferson County Girl Scout Registration Night

Sept. 16, from 6-7:30
Girl Scout Little House, Mt. Vernon
For more info, contact:
Julia at 618.315.5276




Many towns had previous registration nights - see the list below to find contact information for yoru area or call 800.345.6858 to find a troop near you.

Alton Area Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:
Darcy Rowlandkdrowlandnm@sbcglobal.net


Anna-Jonesboro Girl Scout Registration
For more information contact:
David & Melissa Waun/618.614.0451
davemojo@frontier.com

Bartelso Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:
Rose Detmer /618.660.9894


Belleville Girl Scout Registration
For more information contact:
Michelle Glascock/772.8085


Breese Girl Scout Registration
For more info, contact
Rose Detmer/618.660.9894

Brighton Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:
Trisha Clevenger
trishacmc@hotmail.com

Carbondale Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Elisha Zlotnicki /924.3117
lishannzgscouts@gmail.com

Carlyle Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:
Rose Detmer /618.660.9894

Carrier Mills Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:           
Jennie Smith/618.387.2345
Redeyefrogs3@gmail.com

Carterville Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Debra Horn/618.727.0002

Casey Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Becky Smith/217.932.5571

Charleston Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Miranda/217.246.0848charlestongirlscouts@yahoo.com

Chester Girl Scout Registration
For more info, contact:              
Lesa Woods /618.242.5079
lwoods@gsofsi.org

Clay City Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:

Beth Reed 618-676-1866

Collinsville Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:
Mary Lucas        
Mljordan23@yahoo.com /618.531.2359

Allyson Burr

Mamaburr84@yahoo.com/618.344.7854

Columbia Girl Scout Registration

For more information, contact:
Shayne Elie/618.795.0651
elie1031@charter.net

Crab Orchard Girl Scout Registration

For more information, contact:
Jessica Sowers/618.242.5079
jsowers@gsofsi.org

Crawford & Jasper Counties Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:           
Debbie Parker/618.544.2584
Mdparker3@frontier.com 

 

Creal Springs Girl Scout Registration
For more information, contact:
Jessica Sowers/618.242.5079
jsowers@gsofsi.org

 

Cypress and Buncombe Girl Scout Registration
For more information, contact:        

Heidi Stapleton/618.771.3998

Du Quoin Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:
April Stanley/618.318.3374

 

Edgar County Girl Scout Registration

For more information, contact: 
Amanda/217.712.0160
cadk2005@gmail.com

Edwards County Girl Scout Registration

For more information, contact:
Tammy Krouse                
618.445.2859

Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Girl Scout Registration

For more information, contact:

Arti Clemons/800.345.6858

aclemons@gsofsi.org

Franklin County (North) Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Alicia Dixon /439.6030

Germantown Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Rose Detmer /618.660.9894
rdetmer@sbcgobal.net

 

Goreville Girl Scout Registration

For more information, contact:

Angie Benard/618.889.1437

Heidi Stapleton/618.771.3998

Grafton Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:
Diana Herman
ngneer98@yahoo.com

Granite City Girl Scout Recruitment

For more info, contact:
Arti Clemon
aclemon@gsofsi.org

Grayville Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Janice Clevenger/618.383.1899
Jamie Short/618.383.4840

Greenville Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Allison Smith /618.979.6059
Amanda Doll/618.531.8202


Hamilton County Girl Scout Registration
For more info, contact:     
Christina Parr/618.895.4697

Harrisburg Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Jennie Smith/618.387.2345
Redeyefrogs3@gmail.com

Herrin Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Debra Horn/618.727.0002

Highland Girl Scout Registration

For more information, contact:
Dawna Miller    
dawnamb@yahoo.com /618.531.2359
Kathy Arend
karend84@charter.net/618.344.7854

Jasper & Crawford Counties Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:           
Debbie Parker/618.544.2584
Mdparker3@frontier.com 

Jefferson County Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:
Julia at 618.315.5276

Jerseyville Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:
Jennifer Kallal
Jenniferkallal@yahoo.com

Johnston City Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Jessica Sowers/618.242.5079
jsowers@gsofsi.org


Lawrence County Girl Scout Registration
For more info, contact:                
Tammy Brunson /928.4344

Marion Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Jessica Sowers/618.242.5079
jsowers@gsofsi.org

Marshall Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Jonni Turner/217.251.6738
Anastasia7102@yahoo.com

Mattoon Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Katina/217.235.6268
Su521gs@gmail.com

Medora Girl Scout Registration
For more info, contact
Tasha McQuay/618.729.9155

Mulberry Grove Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Allison Smith /618.979.6059
Amanda Doll/618.531.8202


Norris City Girl Scout Registration
For more info, contact:   
Jennie Smith/618.387.2345
Redeyefrogs3@gmail.com

O’Fallon Shiloh Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
gsserviceunit201@aim.com

Pinckneyville Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:           
Mary Lou Portell /618.318.0392
maryloucma@hotmail.com

Pocahontas Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Allison Smith /618.979.6059
Amanda Doll/618.531.8202

Prairie Du Rocher Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Lesa Woods /618.242.5079
lwoods@gsofsi.org

Randolph County Girl Scout Recruitment

For more information, contact: 

Lesa Woods /618.242.5079
lwoods@gsofsi.org 


Red Bud Girl Scout Registration
For more information, contact:
Lesa Woods /618.242.5079
lwoods@gsofsi.org

Richland County Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Mary Lou Spieth /204.6528

Salem Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Cyndi Addison /618.267.9638
emariongs@gmail.com

Shiloh Registration

For more info, contact:
Susan Heide-Wexell
Gs.susan.heidewexell@gmail.com
618.855.4501 or 618.622.9542

Sorento Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Allison Smith /618.979.6059
Amanda Doll/618.531.8202

Sparta Girl Scout Registration

For more information, please contact:
Lesa Woods /618.242.5079
lwoods@gsofsi.org

Staunton/Livingston Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:
Toni Goodwin/618.692.0692
tgoodwin@gsofsi.org

Tunnel Hill Girl Scout Registration

Heidi Stapleton/618.771.3998
Desiree Choate/618.926.2112 


Wabash County Girl Scout Registration
For more info, contact:
Tracey Cheesman           
618.240.4741

Waltonville Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:                
Vanessa Worthington/618.242.5079

White County Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact: 
Joyce Given /618.384.8723
Jeff Given/618.384.8722

Wood River/East Alton/Roxana Girl Scout Registration

For more info, contact:
Darcy Rowland
kdrowlandnm@sbcglobal.net

Pinckneyville Troop #8842 Adopts Area Soldier

 

 

Pinckneyville Troop #8842 has a tradition of "adopting" area military members who are serving overseas.  Most recently, they have connected to soldier David Phoenix.  The troop was able to take David out to dinner before he was deployed to Afghanistan, where they sent him letters and care packages.  During the Girl Scout Cookie Program, they even sent 53 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies he was able to share with his company.  The girls, along with their leaders Patti Bardle and Amber Skinner, enjoy being able to show their support for our American Troops - sometimes communicating with up to three soldiers at a time. 

 

 

 

 

 

See 2012 article about Troop #8842 in the DuQuoin Evening Call

 

Earn Your Girl Scout Gold Award During Its 100 Year Celebration!

 

 

In 2016, Girl Scouts everywhere will be celebrating the 100^th Anniversary of the Girl Scout Gold Award! How awesome would it be to be awarded your Gold Award on its centennial?!

 

Completing the Girl Scout Gold Award can take up to two years, so now is the time to start the process. To get started, first work on Senior or Ambassador Journeys.   Girls who did not earn their Girl Scout Silver Award need to complete two Journeys at these levels.  Girl Scout Silver Awardees need to complete just one.  The next step is to attend a Girl Scout Gold Award Training. There are trainings held throughout the council, see the schedule of remaining dates below or visit our website, www.gsofsi.org to check for updates.

 

For more information, contact Program Manager Julie Schloss at 800.345.6858, ext. 1119 or e-mail jschloss@gsofsi.org.

 

 

2014-15 Girl Scout Gold Award Training Dates

 

 

Cost: $5 for girls (no charge for adults) Min/Max: 10/25  Submit Program Registration form and payment to: #4 Ginger Creek Parkway, Glen Carbon, IL, 62034

 

Training Dates:

Corporate Service Center, Glen Carbon:

Thursday Sept. 25, 2014 6:30-8:30 p.m. Deadline: Sept. 3, 2014

Tuesday Oct. 28, 2014 6:30-8:30 p.m. Deadline: Oct. 6, 2014

Morrison-Talbott Library, Waterloo:

Monday Nov. 17, 2014 6-8 p.m. Deadline: Oct. 27, 2014

 

Camp Wassatoga, Effingham:

Monday Oct. 27, 2014 6-8 p.m. Deadline: Oct. 6, 2014

Herrin Library, Herrin:

Thursday Nov. 20, 2014 6-8 p.m. Deadline: Oct. 30, 2014

 

Intent and Final Interviews

Girls wishing to present their initial proposal or final project must submit the appropriate paperwork at least two weeks before the intended meeting date/time.

Intent Interviews will be held (assigned times begin at 6:30 p.m.):


Oct. 1, 2014 (submission deadline 9/17)
Dec. 3, 2014 (submission deadline 11/19)


Final Report Interviews will be held (assigned times begin at 9 a.m.):

 November 1, 2014 (submission deadline 10/16)
February 28, 2015 (submission deadline 2/14/15)

Locations: Corporate Service Center, Glen Carbon; Camp Wassatoga, Effingham; Camp Cedar Point, Makanda