What's Happening Around the Council: September 2016

See our September "Around the Council" Photo Album

SU 54 Perry County held a “Spa-Tacular” Registration Event! Girls enjoyed making friends, hanging out together and enjoying some spa sessions.

Clinton County Girl Scouts held their second annual “He & Me” Fishing Derby at the Jaycee Park in Breese. Trophies were given for the longest and shortest fish, as well as the most fish caught.

GSSI Girl Scouts have been invited to participate in the One Stop Community Christmas service project. This year the Girl Scouts have been asked to collect 1,500 puzzles for kids of all ages. Miranda Zerbst, Service Unit Manager for SU 522 - Eastern Coles has offered to arrange pick ups of puzzle donations from other Service Units that want to participate. You can reach Miranda at at mzerbst@firstmid.com or 217.246.0848 (phone or text).

Thank you to Cabelas for donating lifejackets and for volunteers Sarah & Jason Dothager from SU 107 - South Macoupin County for working to secure this donation.

Troop #8597 had a sleepover at the Anna Arts Center, where they learned how to paint on canvas and earned their Public Speaker Badge. Troop #2921 from Nashville tagged migrating monarch butterflies at Crab Orchard WIldlife Refuge.

Several GSSI troops, including #130, #356, #431, #513, #8349 and #8350 participated in the “March to the Arch” walk in memory of victims of 9/11.

Thank you to Financial Choice Loan Company for donating school supplies to Girl Scouts in DuQuoin.

GSSI’s Outdoor Program team, Anne “Cupquake” Townsend & Stephanie “Rockcat” Jaros recruited some new college-aged volunteers at the RSO Fair at Southern Illinois University.

Troop #8034 made “Under the Water” posters decorated with rock, sand and tiny colored shells.

Clay County’s Service Unit team and GSSI’s STEM Department worked together to wow girls during the Appleknocker Festival in Flora with fun science, technology, engineering and math activities.

Troop #2596 from Mattoon troop took their extra money and bought almost $300 in baby supplies to donate to the local pregnancy care center. Girl Scout Cadettes KayLee M. and Rebecca N. recruited five new Daisies at the registration night in Wood River.

Girl Scouts from SU 42 East Williamson County were a patriotic part of the Veterans on Parade event in Marion.

DuQuoin Troops #8144, #8843, #8123 had a lock-in together to kick off the start of the new year! Everyone had a blast playing games, eating snacks, making crafts and watching movies.

Make Sure Your Area is Represented! E-mail Erin Johnson at ejohnson@gsofsi.org to share what your troop is up to! While not every submission can be published, we will make an effort to reflect the diverse interests, activities and areas that make GSSI so great.

Around the Council May 2016

Many troops participated in GSSI’s Pawsome Pets council-wide community service project - watch an upcoming issue of  Link to Leaders for photos and news! 

Troop #8661 from Goreville had two girls bridge to Cadettes and 10 girls bridge to Juniors.

Troops #248 and #168 from Belleville/Swansea sent Girl Scout Cookies to Army Unit 985th MCT in Kuwait, where adult volunteer Sgt. Ortiz is stationed.  

Du Quoin Troop #8123 wrapped up the last session of the aMuse journey. During the meeting, girls created artwork for Girls Love Mail, which sends letters and drawings to breast cancer centers for women to receive while getting treatment. 

Troop #2921 from Nashville earned their Flower Badge at the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

Troop #8809 had two girls bridge to Cadettes, one girl bridge to Brownies and 1 girl bridge to Juniors.

Daisy Troop #381 made special “I Love My Brownie Troop” t-shirts to wear for their bridging ceremony. 

Danielle Patton and Emily Hocking from Jefferson County Troop #8603 were among the Girl Scout Gold Award recipients who served as Grand Marshals for the Girl Scout Day at the Capitol parade in Springfield. 

Perry County held a fantastic Leader Appreciation banquet complete with decorations, seven course meal, great gifts and inspirational speeches.

Troop #8032 from Carterville enjoyed the Dinner By the Fire program at Touch of Nature in Makanda.

Wabash Troop #8505 bridged to Juniors.

Girl Scout Cadettes from Dupo attended the 71st Annual Lincoln Pilgrimage in Springfield, which included sightseeing in Springfield, camping at New Salem, touring a historic village there and walking in a parade from Oak Ridge Cemetery  to the Old State Capitol building. 

Troop #2355 from Mascoutah bridged to Juniors.

Brownie Troop #48 treated their mentors from Junior Troop #611 to a spa day. 

Anna-Jonesboro Troops #8597 and #8524 spent one of their Saturdays picking up two dumpsters worth of litter along the road in Anna.

Troop #54 from Granite City bridges to Brownies - complete with a “bridging” themed cake.

See Around the Council Photo Album!

What's Happening Around the Council: April 2016

Ever wonder what Girl Scout Troops have been up to?  Looking for ideas?  Check out what's been happening around the 40 1/2 counties that make up Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois' council!

Don't Miss It: 
April 2016 Around the Council Photo Album

Here's some of what's been happening:

Junior Troop #129 planted a tree at the Mascoutah Dog Park to celebrate Earth Day.

Perry County Senior Girl Scout Troop #8138 went ziplining.

Nearly 150 Girl Scouts attended an Earth Day event hosted by Anna-Jonesboro Troop #8597 held at Camp Cedar Point.

Girls camped, made Earth Day posters and learned about animals and the environment. Special thanks to adult volunteers.

Melissa W., David W., Chelena D. and Cupquake, Rockcat, Peanut and Kaleidoscope.

Girl Scout Troop #68 held a bake sale to purchase a Buddy Bench for St. John Neumann School in Maryville.

Daisy Troop #4321 from Marshall picked up trash in honor of Earth Day.

Daisy Troop #8713 donated supplies and visited with cats and dogs at Jefferson County Animal Shelter.

Troop #8130 from Du Quoin planted a dogwood tree in Keyes City Park for Earth Day.

Freeburg Junior Troop #8349 recently enjoyed letterboxing.

Troop #8487 learned about taking care of horses by helping clean the barn and clear trails, fill water troughs and cleaningtackle gear and saddles.

Glen Carbon Troop #611 donated supplies and treats to Cindy’s Critters Lab Rescue for the GSSI’s Paw-Some Pets Council-Wide Service Project.

Du Quoin Junior Troop #8123 earned their Digital Photographer badge with the help of Faith Photography. Belleville Troop #525 had fun at the “Drive-In/Camp-Out” program at Camp Chan Ya Ta. They made campfire spaghetti and Elvis s’mores and then watched a movie while sipping hot chocolate.

SU 105 - Jersey/Calhoun had a painting party for Leader/Co-Leader Appreciation Day.
Troop #130 worked with 5A’s Animal Shelter in Godfrey for their Paw-some Pets Service Project. The troop made and donated 80 scratch pads out of Girl Scout Cookie cases...and then got to see the cats there enjoy their gifts.

Girl Scouts from Perry County celebrated Earth Day by attending a recycled craft event in Du Quoin. Each girl brought an item to donate to Twin Oaks Children’s Home, which serves people with developmental disabilities.

Service Unit 521 - Western Coles County held a GirlCon program on April 16 at Eastern Illinois University that was attended by 153 girls, 53 adults and 30 volunteers. Girls got to design their own superhero costume, create a Creeper from Mindcraft, make a Harry Potter wand and work with polymer clay. Attendees could also sit on panels to learn about topics such as Cosplay, writing books and fan fi ction and being a comic artist. The End Zone, a local gaming business, set up board games and taught girls to play. Comic artist Todd Black helped girls learn to draw comics, as well.

Troop #8062 from Carterville recently had a blast attending a “He & Me” dance.
Troop #2 finished the Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden Journey by completing their Take Action Project at St. John United Methodist Church’s Mission Garden in Edwardsville.

Troops #8240, #8084, #8086, #8064, and #8896 from Johnston City planted flowers around the local Scout Cabin.

Hamilton County volunteer Rebecca Irvin decorated the window of Irvin Jewelry in McLeansboro for Girl Scout Week.

Brownie Troop #8133 donated 125 items for the Perry County Humane Society - including food, treats, litter, pet bowls, collars and leashes. They also enjoyed spending some time with the animals there.

Members from Troops #8853 and #89178 volunteered over their spring break to serve meals at Herrin House of Hope.

Make Sure Your Area is Represented!
E-mail Erin Johnson at ejohnson@gsofsi.org to share what your troop is up to! While not every submission can be published, we will make an effort to reflect the diverse interests, activities and areas that make GSSI so great.

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

 

Register Online through EBiz through June 30 for Early Bird Incentives

INCENTIVES. INCENTIVES. INCENTIVES!  

We are extending Early Bird re-registration incentives!  Choose the incentive that works best for your girl, troop and leaders and then be sure to re-register within the dates listed below!  

Register online on or before June 30, 2014 and become eligible to receive the following incentives: 

TROOP

FREE Early Bird Patch if you meet all of the following criteria:  

Turn in your Membership Registrations to your Service Unit Registrar on or before June 30, 2014 at 5 p.m.

Re-register on-line at least 50% of current girls (if you lose a girl, you can recruit/add a new girl and receive the same benefits if done during this period only)

Register on-line at least 5 girls and 2 adults

Have no product program sale debt (troop, leader or parent).  NOTE: Troops still qualify if debt is paid before Early Bird deadline.  

NOTE:  If requesting Financial Assistance, a paper registration must be submitted for processing.

TROOP

Earn entry into a drawing for one of 2 (two) Complementary GSSI Vouchers (can be used for GSSI programs, store, training, camp and any GSSI option) valued at $50 each.  

LEADERS

Primary (01) Troop Leader receives FREE registration ($15 value) (You must re-register a minimum of 85% of your troop and 2 adults) 

NOTE:  To receive this incentive, you must submit an Ebiz receipt confirming you met the above criteria with your registration for a 

free troop leader.

SERVICE UNITS

GSSI Voucher (good for any GSSI program or for GSSI shop) if you meet the following criteria:

Service Units with 45-49% re-registered girls will receive $50 GSSI all council voucher!!!

Service Units with 50-69% re-registered girls will receive $100 GSSI all council voucher!!!

Service Unitswith 70-89% re-registered girls will receive $150 GSSI all council voucher!!!

Service Units with 90% and above re-registered girls will receive $200 GSSI all council voucher!!! AND choice of 1 of 3 Cookie Costumes (Trefoil, Samoa and Thin Mint) for Cookie Rally or other GSSI events!!!!

For more information or assistance, please contact our 

Help Desk at 618.307.3680 or e-mail helpdesk@gsofsi.org.

Ask Membership: What If the Troop is Full and More Girls Want to Join?

Dear Membership,

I am a leader of a troop of 25 girls. I hate turning girls away because I believe that every girl should have the opportunity  to participate in Girl Scouting. While I have the parent help to be able to take on more girls I know that there are some  troops that do not and are not able to do so. What happens to the girl if a troop is full? - Girl Scouting for Everyone

Dear Girl Scouting for Everyone,

While we understand that a troop can only take on as many girls as they can manage, we do not want to see a girl turned away from Girl Scouting. In the case that a troop is full, the leader needs to inform the parent that we have other options  available and direct the parent to either the Troop Organizer Consultant (TOC), Service Unit Registrar and/or the Membership Development Manager (MDM). The leader should also contact the TOC, Service Unit Registrar and/or the MDM to give them the information for the girl. From there the TOC, Service Unit Registrar and/or the MDM will help the girl and her family explore other membership options. You are right, every girl should have the opportunity to participate in Girl Scouting! If volunteers and staff work together, we can make sure it happens. - Membership