Mandy Bizaillion of Scheller Named May Pearl of the Month

 

 

GSSI is pleased to announce Mandy Bizaillion of Scheller is the May 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 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.

While balancing career and family, Mandy finds time to create energetic, creative, and educational activities for her troop of 25 girls in multiple grade levels. The troop is active in the community through events and community service projects. Perhaps one of her most successful initiatives, was the recruitment of High School girls to serve as "Intern Assistant Leaders" to work with her troop. The younger girls adore the older role models and the extra hands help Mandy to deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience effectively and efficiently.

To nominate a volunteer from your area for a Pearl of the Month award, please fill out the form on the following page and e-mail it to volunteer@gsofsi.org.

Baby Basics Council-Wide Community Service Project Collects 2,600 Items For Families in Need

During this spring’s "Baby Basics" Council-wide Community Service Project, troops collected 2,600 baby items ranging from diapers to toys to formula and donated them to local agencies that help mothers in need. This service project ran from March 1 – April 30 and 575 girls from 81 troops participated.

Patches will be mailed to the address provided on the patch report form in mid to late June. Please contact Erika Hankins, Program Specialist, with any questions at 800.345.6858, ext. 2108 or e-mail ehankins@gsofsi.org.

Diocese of Springfield Catholic Committee on Scouting Invites GSSI Members to June Meeting

 

GSSI members have been invited to the Diocese of Springfield Catholic Committee on Scouting meeting on June 6. The meeting is 1-3 p.m. at Villa Maria Catholic Life Conference & Retreat Center in Springfield, IL and will discuss a Catholic Camporee in September, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting Membership Initiative and training updates. The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting is a group of Catholic lay people who give guidance, vitality and leadership to the spiritual programs that are available to both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in the Diocense of Springfield.

For more information, please contact Kyle Holtgrave, Chair, at 217.698.8500, ext. 154 or e-mail KHoltgrave@dio.org

2016 ACE Adventure Resort Trip Deadline Extended

ACE is the place to go for adventure! Join GSSI on an exciting trip to West Virginia. Experience a full day whitewater rafting on the New River Gorge with a grilled riverside lunch then hang back and spend time on the lake with water trampolines and the "Blob". You will also get to choose your own additional activity. Do you want to zipline, rock climb, paddleboard or maybe go horseback riding? The choice is yours. Price includes charter bus transportation, lodging for 3 nights, 9 meals, whitewater rafting, lake activities and choice of second activity. 

Date: July 19, 2016 at 6 a.m. to July 22, 2016 at 3 p.m. 

Registration Closes at 11:59 PM ET on Oct. 15, 2015!

Location:  ACE Adventure Resort - Oak Hill, West Virginia 

Payment Schedule: 
Deposit of $50 is due with online or mailed registration.

Balance due as follows:
$450 (girl) or $485 (adult) due in single payment by October 29, 2015

OR make 3 additional payments as follows:
$150 (girl or adult) due October 29, 2015
$150 (girl or adult) due February 25, 2016
$150 (girl) or $185 (adult) due May 26, 2016

For more information, please contact Program Manager Mary Buchanan at 800.345.6858, ext. 1115 or e-mail mbuchanan@gsofsi.org.

GSSI & Kaleidoscope, Inc. Gathering Information For Camp Property Assessment & Planning

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) has been gathering data and having discussions for their Camp Property Assessment & Planning initiative with the assistance of consulting company Kaleidoscope, Inc.  The company was contracted to help evaluate camp properties and ensure that resources are being optimally used to provide a premier camping and outdoor experience for girls and volunteers.  GSSI’s Property Task Force recommended Kaleidoscope, Inc., for their considerable expertise in assessing and planning for camp properties since 1984, including working with numerous non-profits and eight Girl Scout councils.

Three Town Hall Meetings facilitated by Kaleidoscope were held for GSSI’s girl members, volunteers, Board of Directors members and staff to discuss camp properties and what girls would like and benefit from the most during camping and outdoor experiences.

On May 12, 66 adults and 13 girls attended a Town Hall Meeting at First Baptist Church in Collinsville.  On May 13, a meeting was held at Camp Wassatoga in Effingham and had 36 adults and 18 girls attend.  On May 14, a final meeting was held at First Presbyterian Church in Carbondale and was attended by 48 adults and 12 girls.  See Town Hall Meeting Photos 

In addition, GSSI has been conducting a survey about camp and council properties which closes May 22.  To date, 378 girl members and 706 adults have taken the survey.  The surveys were distributed through e-mail and social media.  While paper copies were made available, none were requested.

On April 1, a new Property Assessment & Planning committee was assembled, which includes the following members:

Board of Directors Chair Linda Manley from Highland and Board members Sarah Anderson from Mt. Vernon, Sandra Evans from Alto Pass, Richard Huntington from Mt. Vernon,  Diane Siemer from Teutopolis and Angie Zahn from Trenton.   Other volunteers are Jane Childers from Carbondale, Cheryl Heimerman from O’Fallon, Jodie Herbstritt from Belleville, Karlene Hoefner from O’Fallon, Marci Malnar from Anna, Dawn Quicksall from Effingham, Darcy Rowland from Godfrey and David Waun from Jonesboro.

Kaleidoscope, Inc. is working with this committee, along with GSSI’s Property Task Force, a part of the Board of Directors that has been gathering information for several years.

In addition to assisting with GSSI’s Town Hall Meetings and property survey, Kaleidoscope representatives also visited each of GSSI’s six properties with Director of Property Jonathan Stanley and Director of Program Angie Suhre.

Next, Kaleidoscope will take compiled information to discuss in conjunction with the Property Assessment & Planning Committee during meetings in June and July.

GSSI is committed to providing experiences that appeal to a wide variety of our membership of all ages and abilities. We are committed to providing every Girl Scout an affordable and accessible outdoor opportunity so that all girls may experience the wonders of nature, explore their natural environment, learn outdoor skills and develop leadership skills.

Cindy Travis of De Soto Wins Five Cases of Girl Scout Cookies in 5 for 5 Drawing

Cindy Travis of De Soto took home five cases of Girl Scout Cookies as the winner of our 5 for 5 drawing for customers who bought five or more boxes during this year's Girl Scout Cookie Program. Thank you to everyone who participated!

More 2015 Girl Scout Cookie Program Stories:

Soldiers Send Thank You for Gift of Caring Cookies
2015 Girl Scout Cookie Program Top Sellers
GSSI Donates 1120 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies 

GSSI Holds Third Property Town Hall Meeting in Carbondale

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) held the third of three Property Town Hall meetings May 14 at First Presbyterian Church in Carbondale.  Approximately 60 girls, volunteers, parents and Board of Directors attended the town hall meeting to share their thoughts on GSSI camps and what they would like to have for girls to have a first-rate camping and outdoor experience. 

Photo ID:  Girl Scout Alexis Jones from Carbondale shares her views on camping and outdoor experiences at Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ Property Town Hall meeting held at First Presbyterian Church in Carbondale on Thursday evening.  Approximately 60 girls, volunteers, parents and Board of Directors attended the town hall meeting to share their thoughts on GSSI camps and what they would like to have for girls to have a first-rate camping and outdoor experiences.

GSSI Hosts Second Property Town Hall Meeting at Camp Wassatoga in Effingham

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) held the second of three Property Town Hall meetings May 13 at Camp Wassatoga in Effingham.  Approximately 60 girls, volunteers, parents and Board of Directors attended the town hall meeting to share their thoughts on GSSI camps and what they would like to have for girls to have a first-rate camping and outdoor experience.  The final Propety Town Hall meeting will be held Thursday evening in  Carbondale.

 Photo ID:  Girl Scout Lilly Flowers from Effingham shares her views on camping and outdoor experiences at Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ Property Town Hall meeting held at Camp Wassatoga in Effingham on Wednesday evening.  Approximately 60 girls, volunteers, parents and Board of Directors attended the town hall meeting to share their thoughts on GSSI camps and what they would like to have for girls to have a first-rate camping and outdoor experiences.

GSSI Golf Classic Raises Nearly $25,000 for Girl Scouting

GSSI Board Member Sharon Mayo 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) held its 26th annual Girl Scout Golf Classic on May 11 at Gateway National Golf Links in Madison.  The event raised nearly $25,000 to help provide quality programming, maintain and improve camps, train volunteers and provide financial assistance. 

Event Sponsors:

Junior Level

The Korte Company

TheBANK of Edwardsville

Brownie Level

Siemer Milling Company

Daisy Level

Anesthesia Services of Alto Pass, LLC

Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery

Plocher Construction

Lunch Sponsor

Argosy Casino of Alton 

Dinner Sponsor

Mathis, Marifan & Richter LTD

Longest Drive Sponsor

Good Samaritan Regional Health

Silent Auction Sponsor

Angie Zahn, Broker, Strano & Associates

Beverage Sponsor

Anheuser Busch & Pepsi Mid-America 

Additional Sponsors:

Teams

Anderson Hospital 

Anesthesia Services of Alto Pass, LLC

Ann Fischer Athas

TheBANK of Edwardsville

Eckert’s Country Market

First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust

Dr. Paul Fischer, DDS

The Korte Company

Sharon Mayo & Candis Isberner

Paintsmiths of St. Louis

Phillips 66, Wood River Refinery 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Tee Sponsors

ADR Auto Repair

Anderson Hospital

Anesthesia Services of Alto Pass, LLC

TheBANK of Edwardsville

Basler Electric Company

Birkenmeyer Properties, LLC

Bloomsdale Excavating Co., Inc.

Cedar Creek Dental

CompuType Computer Services

Family Physicians

Gori Julian & Associates, P.C.

Highland Rural King, Inc.

Hill Law Offices

Jim’s Formal Wear

Keeley & Sons

The Korte Company

Louer Facility Planning

Midwestern Pub & Grill

Phillips 66, Wood River Refinery

Plocher Construction

Roberts Ford-Chrysler-Jeep

Siemer Milling Company

Strano & Associates 

Terra Properties/Safe-N-Secure Self Storage

Tri Ford, Inc.

Villie M. Appoo

In-Kind Donations

Chick Fritz Distributing

Eaton’s B-Line Business

Gateway National Golf Links

Good Samaritan Regional Health

Chuck and Cheryl Heimerman

Hilton Garden Inn

Terra Properties/Safe-N-Secure Self Storage

Lindsay Wandrey

United Rentals

The Woodlands Golf Club

Angie Zahn, Broker, Strano & Associates Realtors

Donation

Sandra Maxwell

GSSI Holds Town Hall Meeting in Collinsville

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) held its first of three Property Town Hall meetings on May 12 at Meadow Heights Baptist Church in Collinsville.  Approximately 100 girls, volunteers, parents and Board of Directors attended the town hall meeting to share their thoughts on GSSI camps and what they would like to have for girls to have a first-rate camping and outdoor experience.  Two more town hall meetings will be held Wednesday evening in Effingham and Thursday evening in Carbondale.  Girls and volunteers can still register for upcoming Property Town Hall  meetings by signing up on Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ website at www.gsofsi.org

Photo ID:  Girl Scout Rowan Dothager from Staunton shares her views on camping and outdoor experiences at Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ Property Town Hall meeting held at Meadow Heights Baptist Church in Collinsville on Monday evening.  Approximately 100 girls, volunteers, parents and Board of Directors attended the town hall meeting to share their thoughts on GSSI camps and what they would like to have for girls to have a first-rate camping and outdoor experiences.

United Way of Crawford County to Host Days of Caring in June

GSSI is a Proud Partner of United Way

Kila Lindstrom of O'Fallon and Dena Davis of Highland Names Pearls of the Month

GSSI is pleased to announce that Kila Lindstrom of O’Fallon and Dena Davis of Highland are the April Pearls of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes Girl Scout volunteers who have delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefi t 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. 

Kila Lindstrom has taken the leadership skills she built as a girl member and put them to use, first as a co-leader and now a leader of a Brownie troop. She keeps girls’ interests in mind when planning fun and educational outings. She is also serving as a Service Unit Delegate and has trained volunteers in CPR/FA/AED through her job at the YMCA. In fact, while at work, she saved the life of a local volunteer’s husband and he has since made a full recovery. Kila continues to demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities and is a great mentor to girls.

Dena Davis is in her first year as Service Unit Manager, a role she was voted into by her fellow volunteers. In this time, she has made a huge impact by building camaraderie among the leaders. She encourages all leaders through training, mentorship and supporting other Service Unit positions. She also makes sure all leaders have their required training and camp training completed. Dena also organizes the annual outdoor swim event as a bring-a-friend recruiting opportunity. 

To learn more about GSSI's Pearl of the Month Award, please contact Volunteer Services Manager Amanda Kaemmerer at 800.345.6858, ext. 1142 or e-mail akaemmerer@gsofsi.org. 

Soldiers Send Thank You for Gift of Caring Cookies

We are so grateful for the men and women in our U.S. military for their courage, honor and service to our great nation.

This happy moment was made possible through the generous support of our "Gift of Caring" program during this year's Girl Scout Cookie Program. Special thanks to southern Illinois nonprofit Mission of Moms for helping us share our appreciation for these American military heroes.

Share this photo on Facebook to show customers how their Gift of Caring donations makes an impact!