December 2013 - Girl Scouts of Central Maryland
Transcription
December 2013 - Girl Scouts of Central Maryland
12.2012 VINE In This issue: Cookie Sale Extended p. 4 Make a Difference, Adopt-a-Ghost p. 7 Letter from the CEO: Council Service Fee p. 2 Happy Holidays As we look back on 2012: The Year of the Girl, we have so much of which to be proud. This year, many of our girls demonstrated the skills learned through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. They have helped make the world a better place. The annual Girl Scout Cookie Program is not least among their efforts. By selling cookies, girls put smiles on many faces—including those who rely on local food banks to fill their cupboards and military personnel who willingly sacrifice on behalf of our country’s safety and stability. At this time of giving we hope that you will remember that Girl Scout Cookies make great gifts and stocking stuffers. GSCM board member Judy McGovern has shared what she has done with Girl Scout Cookies this holiday season. We hope you will follow suit and give cookies to your favorite teachers, neighborhood firefighters, EMTs, police and nurses. Girl Scout Cookies are a great way to say thank you for your service. And, this year, you still have time to sweeten the holiday season with delicious Girl Scout cookies because the sale has been extended until December 21. 1 VINE: Volunteer Information & News Electronically Gift Giving that Gives Two Ways By Judith McGovern, GSCM Board Member I am excited to share with all of you that I just purchased 920 boxes of Girl Scout cookies as holiday gifts for my clients and employees. I decided that I would provide them eight boxes of cookies each, and GSCM even supplied me with the boxes to package them. I have a neighborhood troop going to the Council to package up the cookies and insert a holiday card for me. The best part is that this troop is receiving credit for the sale! I wanted to share my story because Continued...p.4 Troop 1394 delivered Cookies from the Heart to Marines in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. Which heroes will you honor with cookies? A Message from the CEO, Traci Barnett Dear Girl Scout members, families and volunteers, I think we all agree that Girl Scouting and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience provide invaluable benefits to our girls. In addition to teaching girls a variety of skills, girls also have opportunities to explore careers; visit new places both in the U.S. and abroad; mentor younger girls and be mentored; exercise independence; participate in service projects and earn awards, some of which enhance their educational and career prospects—and a host of other opportunities that are unique to Girl Scouting. As the premier leadership development program for girls in the country, Girl Scouts provides unique leadership opportunities that are not available through any other organization. Members currently pay annual $12 membership dues which go directly to Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. (GSUSA). In 2013 the annual membership dues will increase to $15 per member to assist our national organization with increased costs. Here at the local level, providing a premier Girl Scout program also comes with a cost attached—and that cost increases every year. In 2012 the cost to provide Girl Scouting in central Maryland was $191.44 per girl. While the Council does receive funding for some of our programming, over the last several years we have lost funding from organizations like the United Way and experienced decreases in donations from corporate donors as a result of the economic downturn. And, as mentioned above, the $12 member registration fee goes directly to GSUSA to subsidize the support it provides to Girl Scout Councils, staff and volunteers across the country. At the 52nd GSUSA National Council Session in November 2011, Girl Scout delegates from across the country overwhelmingly approved the voluntary implementation of a council service fee for each girl member. That fee would 2 VINE: Volunteer Information & News Electronically be added at the time of registration. Delegates recognized the financial realities and responsibilities of operating a Girl Scout Council in today’s economy and felt strongly that giving Girl Scout councils the option to add a Council Service Fee (up to $15 per girl member) was necessary given the substantial value of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Discussions on this topic were held at Girl Scouts of Central Maryland’s (GSCM’s) spring and fall 2012 Association Forums. Feedback from the GSCM delegates was taken into consideration and after thoughtful deliberation, GSCM’s board of directors voted to implement a Council Service Fee of $7 at the October 23, 2012 board meeting. The additional income from the council service fee will help defray the costs of a myriad of Council operating expenditures. Please note: The $7 service fee will be added to all girl registrations beginning with the early bird registration period in the spring of 2013. Adult members will not be assessed the $7 council service fee, only girls. Girls who receive financial assistance to pay for their memberships will also not be assessed the $7 council service fee. The council service fee will support the operation of our Council in the following ways: • General operating expenses for all Council properties, service centers, and camps including utilities, insurance, maintenance and capital expenses. • Supporting technology initiatives such as online registration and maintenance of the GSCM website. • Providing quality customer service and training to the volunteers who help GSCM deliver the Girl Scout program to 27,000 girls. • Adequately protecting girls and adults by providing liability insurance coverage for all council approved events, activities and non-Girl Scout facility use. • Subsidizing year-round turn-key outdoor experiences for girls. • Processing and placement of girls in various membership pathways. The council service fee, along with product sales, corporate and foundation support, and gifts from families and friends to the Annual Fund campaign (SHARE), will give us the combined resources needed to deliver Girl Scouts’ premier leadership program for girls. We hope you understand and support our decision to implement the council service fee. We believe we owe our girls the opportunity to, in a safe, nurturing environment, learn new skills; make new friends; and develop courage, confidence and character so that they can make the world a better place. So many Girl Scouts before them have—and I don’t want any girl to miss the opportunity to do the same. The council service fee provides a source of sustainable and renewable income that supports our Council in a way that ensures the Girl Scout program will remain strong and viable in our local community. Yours in Girl Scouting, Traci A. Barnett, M.B.A. Chief Executive Officer Girl Scouts of Central Maryland 4806 Seton Dr. Baltimore, MD 21215 P: 410.358.9711 F: 410.358.9918 Frequently Asked Questions: Council Service Fee Does the Council Service Fee apply to both girls and adults? No, the Council Service Fee (CSF) applies only to girl registrations. The total cost for girl participation including annual membership fee and CSF is $22. Will financial assistance be available to cover the CSF? Girls who receive financial assistance will be exempt from the fee since GSCM covers the cost of their annual membership dues whether in part or full. How will the new CSF impact adults? The CSF does not affect adult membership. Adult registration fee remains at $12 currently which will increase at Early Bird registration time in April 2013 to $15 per adult member. Why don’t adult members pay the CSF? The CSF applies only to girl members because our service is to the girls. Welltrained adult volunteers are part of the service we provide to girls but the direct service is delivered to the girls. What, if any impact will the CSF have on lifetime members? As lifetime membership is only available to adults, the CSF has no affect on lifetime membership. What benefits will girls receive from the Council Service Fee? The CSF enables the council to sustain and support the Girl Scout Leadership program for girls at the local level. This fee also ensures the quality of service to and the safety of girls. Why is the Council Service Fee being implemented at this time? Economic realities face us all, therefore councils need sustainable income to ensure the quality of service to and the safety of girls. At the 52nd National Council Session in November 2011, delegates were given the opportunity to take action in response to this issue. GSCM’s Council delegates along with delegates across the nation voted to approve the CSF. How was the amount of the CSF decided? The decision was made by our Council’s Board of Directors to implement the CSF after feedback was received from GSCM Delegates. The fee was 3 VINE: Volunteer Information & News Electronically determined based upon the funds needed to serve each girl, while keeping within the parameters set by GSUSA. The CSF can not exceed GSUSA’s annual membership fee. When will the CSF take affect and how will it be collected? The CSF will be implemented for the 2013 membership year beginning with the early bird registration in spring 2013. The CSF will be collected at the same time as the annual membership fee. Is the CSF being implemented in all Girl Scout councils across the country? Each Council will make the decision regarding timing of implementation and the amount of the fee based on their budget needs. Will the CSF cause a decrease in girl membership? Girl Scouts of Central Maryland ranks among the highest nationally in retaining girls from year to year. Research indicates finances are not a key factor for girls leaving. Reasons girls have provided for leaving the organization include: lack of time, too many other commitments, the lack of an adult volunteer to facilitate the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and troop disbandment. GSCM allocates resources to retain girls from year to year and we believe the CSF will not significantly impact retention. It is important to remember that financial assistance will still be available to qualifying girls. Will the CSF amount change each year? The amount of the CSF is based on two factors: (1) The maximum amount of the CSF can be no more than the annual membership fee set by GSUSA and (2) A decision by our Council’s Board of Directors. How about transfers from Council to Council? Will you charge the service fee? At this time, if a girl transfers from one Council to another, the receiving Council will not charge a CSF. If you plan on moving, please contact the Council so we can facilitate your transfer. Will there still be an Annual Family Campaign? Yes. The CSF, along with product sales, corporate and Continued...p.4 Girl Scouts of Central Maryland 4806 Seton Dr. Baltimore, MD 21215 P: 410.358.9711 F: 410.358.9918 Cookie Sale Extended to 12/21/2012 A huge thanks to the dedicated volunteers and girls who have worked hard to make their goals! By popular demand, the cookie sale has been extended through December 21, 2012 which gives girls one last chance to meet their cookie goals for the year. This means there is one last chance to do world of good through the Girl Scout Cookie Program. This is also the last chance for troops to re-evaluate how they intend to use their cookie money. You now have time to do a little extra. The proceeds from a few extra cases could be put toward Hurricane Sandy relief. A few more customers can learn about the Cookies from the Heart campaign and who your troop intends to honor. Hometown heroes really deserve a free box of cookies—and we have many heroes to thank! This is also an opportunity to support girls striving to reach their individual goals or girls who want to move to the next reward level. You can support them by taking this remaining time to encourage them to reach their goals. So let’s go! Council will also have cookies on hand during normal business hours. Make sure you call to reserve your cases and check the Google maps for cupboard updates weekly. Gift Giving That Gives Two Ways...continued from p.1 every year I spend money on some sort of holiday gift for my clients and employees, which they appreciate, but I am certain that they will enjoy our delicious Girl Scout cookies even more! To quote the GS website: “The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the country. Girls set cookie goals to support their chosen activities for the year, to fund community service and leadership projects, to attend summer camp, to travel to destinations near and far and to provide events for girls in their community.” I encourage each of you to consider purchasing cookies as gifts for your clients/business associates. It’s a win-win for everyone! Happy Holidays to all of you! Best Regards, Judy Upcoming Programs There are lots of great GSCM programs coming up over the next few months. Use the events calendar links below to discover available program opportunities. Please note: New programs and events are added all the time, so be sure to visit the events calendar often! 4 VINE: Volunteer Information & News Electronically Council Service Fee Frequently Asked Questions...continued from p. 3 foundation support and gifts from families and friends to the Annual Fund Campaign, gives us the combined resources needed to get to the current $191.44 per girl cost locally that is necessary to deliver the premier leadership program for girls. What specifically will the income from the CSF support? The CSF will support the operation of our local council, including general operating expenses, property improvements, supporting technology initiatives, providing quality customer care and service to our members, initiating background checks of volunteers and staff, providing liability insurance, providing outdoor experiences for girls and processing girl membership. Click for December Programs/Events Click for February Programs/Events Click for January Programs/Events Click for March Programs/Events Girl Scouts of Central Maryland 4806 Seton Dr. Baltimore, MD 21215 P: 410.358.9711 F: 410.358.9918 Cookie Cupboards Still Open Think you are too late to sell cookies? It’s never too late to start. Even though the initial order deadline has passed girls can still go door-to-door selling cookies and set up in a cookie booth. The troop can pick up all the cookies they will need at the GSCM Urban Program & STEM Center or at one of the cookie cupboards. Please see below for cupboard locations open through the December 21 extension. Once you or your cookie parent has registered as an adult member and completed the volunteer approval process http://gscm.org/for-volunteers/become-a-volunteer/ all you need to do to start your girls on the exciting cookie journey is: Step 1: Open a troop bank account: Click here to open a troop bank account. Step 2: Fill out and complete the ACH banking form for cookies. Click here for the ACH form. Note: if you are unable to open a bank account in time for this year’s sale, you may pre-pay for your cookies or sign out cookies for a booth sale at the GSCM Urban Program & STEM Center then you may pick up cookies at here or at a cookie cupboard location. A T-10 form (cookie responsibility form) will need to be signed to take goodies for booth sales. http://gscm.org/cookies/for-cookievolunteers/ Great Resources Click here for links and guides Click here for tips and hints from the bakery. Click here for info about a great way to sell cookies and support your community at the same time! Step 3: Fill out and complete the troop cookie manager job description and agreement. This is your guide to how, when and where to sell cookies, as well a as a guide to other resources and information you may want. Click here for information about the Troop Cookie Manager position. Step 4: Attend cookie training. Trainings are performed in your neighborhood by your service unit cookie manager, if you do not have that person in place, trainings will be done by Council staff. Training is an hour and will cover all the information you need to sell cookies and much more. Here are the Cookie Cupboards that are open through December 21, 2012: # 9000 Baltimore County GSCM Warehouse 8800-8804 Orchard Tree Lane Baltimore, MD 21286 Contact: Rob & Karen Coppage 410.294.7694 cell 410.530.7574 cell 410.663.1830 home [email protected] [email protected] # 9001 Baltimore County (Southwest) Linkus Refrigeration Inc. Warehouse 36 Alco Place Baltimore, MD 21227 Contact: Rhonda Linkus 410.636.2704 (h) 410.493.4419 (cell) [email protected] Linda Grice 443.527.7207 (cell) [email protected] # 9003 Baltimore City GSCM Urban Program & STEM Center 4806 Seton Drive Baltimore, MD 21215 Contact: Terry Mercer [email protected] 410.358.9711 extension 227 (during normal business hours) Step 5: Get the girls and sell some delicious cookies! 5 VINE: Volunteer Information & News Electronically Girl Scouts of Central Maryland 4806 Seton Dr. Baltimore, MD 21215 P: 410.358.9711 F: 410.358.9918 Spring Schedule for Adult Learning Click for volunteer trainings Be sure to visit our website for a listing of the upcoming trainings, webinars, and workshops for this spring. Some dates are still pending, so as sessions are added, they will be posted. We have six opportunities for basic camp training this spring. If your troop is planning to camp this fall, be sure to take advantage of one these spring sessions. You should allow at least four meetings from when you finish your training before you plan to camp with the troop to give you plenty of time to plan with the girls. New in January and February – grade level chats. If you’re new to your grade level and still have questions, join the online webinar for your grade level and get some additional tips and information beyond basic grade level training. Content will be based on your questions! Adult Learning Survey Take the Survey Girl Scouts of Central Maryland offers a variety of adult learning opportunities, including in-person trainings/workshops, home studies and webinars for our volunteers. To help us plan future offerings to meet your needs, please let us know what types of learning opportunities you would like. We ask that you complete the survey by January 25, 2013. [Click here to tak the survey] Thank you in advance for your help! Mondawmin Mall Lock-In (New Website) Mondawmin Mall Lock-In has a new website. Go to http://malllockin.webs.com/ to register for this event. Be sure to regiser by March 8, 2013. The lock-in is open for Girl Scout BrowniesAmbassadors and costs $20 for registered Girl Scouts and $32 for non-registered girls. # 9004 Anne Arundel County GSCM Warehouse 703 East Ordnance Rd Suites # 605-607 Glen Burnie, MD 21226 Contact: John & Cindy Geskey [email protected] 443.413.7809 [email protected] # 9005 Howard County Hadley Residence 9307 Michaels Way, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Contact: Joyce R. Hadley 410.418.4994 [email protected] # 9015 Harford County Cooke Residence 207 Doncaster Road Joppa, MD 21085 Contact: Sabrina Cook 410.802.0093 [email protected] Print your work at Girl Scouts of Central Maryland Did you know Girl Scouts of Central Maryland has A PRINT PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT THAT THAT can help you with your printing needs? The GSCM Print Production Department can print up to 12x18 size sheets in color or black and white. Contact the GSCM Print Production Department today to learn about the many products and affordable services they offer by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 410.358.9711, ext. 207. When you print with Girl Scouts of Central Maryland’s Print Production Department, you are helping to support local Girl Scouts. Special offer! Get 15% off color print orders until December 21, 2012 15% off To learn more, please contact [email protected] or call 410.358.9711, ext. 207. 6 VINE: Volunteer Information & News Electronically Girl Scouts of Central Maryland 4806 Seton Dr. Baltimore, MD 21215 P: 410.358.9711 F: 410.358.9918 Make a difference for a soldier By Kim Jillson Cookie Mom, troop 307, Westminster Make a Difference, Adopt-a-Ghost Adopt-a-Ghost is a non-profit organization serving active military personnel and their families. Heather Vahovich, East Coast Captain for the organization, has many opportunities for Girl Scout troops to support the deployed including distributing Girl Scout Cookies from the Heart donations, writing cards, making care packages AND many, many more ways to support these heroes and their loved ones. If you or your troop would like to get involved with Adopt-a-Ghost, or would like more information, please contact Heather at [email protected]. Volunteers, speak up! You have the chance to share your views about volunteering with Girl Scouts of Central Maryland. If you lead a troop, facilitate a camp, run a cookie depot or do any of the countless other things to help girls Discover, Connect and Take Action, we want to know what’s working and what’s Take the Survey not and how GSCM can better support you as a Girl Scout volunteer. We are sending out a volunteer survey in early January, but only to people who have registered (it’s free!) with Girl Scout Voices at www. girlscoutvoices.org. If you haven’t already done so, register today to join the online advisory panel giving opinions on Girl Scouting. My older daughter (now a former Girl Scout) and my younger daughter’s troops have both donated their gift of caring cookies to overseas military troops over the years. My sisterin-law, who is active-duty in the army and has served two overseas tours, shared this story with me from her first tour in Iraq: There was a barracks room that got hit by a mortar that blew it up in Iraq in 2005. The soldier who lived in that building had just gone to get Girl Scout cookies they were handing out. It saved his life because he was going to his room until he heard about the free Girl Scout cookies. Girl members, too, should join Girl Scout Voices so they can share feedback about their experience in Girl Scouting. We will occasionally send surveys geared to specific levels of Girl Scout membership, so urge troop members to register at www.girlscoutvoices.org. As an incentive, we will give a special patch to 25 of the first girl members who register! 7 VINE: Volunteer Information & News Electronically Girl Scouts of Central Maryland 4806 Seton Dr. Baltimore, MD 21215 P: 410.358.9711 F: 410.358.9918 GSCM Holiday Closings The following is the holiday schedule for Girl Scouts of Central Maryland: December 21 (noon)January 1, 2013 GSCM Urban Program & STEM Center and both Juliette’s Closet locations will be closed. Juliette’s Closet will be closed all day December 21. Juliette’s Closet Troop Flags Place orders for Troop flags with us! Prices range from $36- $75. Please contact us for more information. Store Manager, Ericca Barnett Troop Flags: Order your troop flag from the GSCM store. Girl Scouts Give Back December 3-15 Donate a winter accessory to the less fortunate (gloves, scarves, hats even coats) and receive a 10% discount on your entire purchase! Offer is valid on all purchases. Take a Journey For a limited time, ALL Adult Journey Guides are just $10! That’s a savings of $5! Hurry, because this offer ends on December 31! This offer is valid on all purchases. Happy New Year’s Blowout Sale Jan. 2-12 Save up to 50% on already marked down merchandise. This could be your last chance to purchase the 100 and 50 anniversary merchandise. Don’t miss out! Be a part of history and be sure to purchase your anniversary collectables today. Offer will be valid while supplies last. Offer is valid in store only. A Thank You to Our Customers Spend over $75 and get a free Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Mug! All customers that purchase on the internet will have the complimentary mug shipped along with their purchase. Limit one per customer. Offer will be valid while supplies last. Offer is valid on all purchases. Jan. 21-26 8 VINE: Volunteer Information & News Electronically Juliette’s Closet GSCM’s Urban Program & STEM Center 4806 Seton Drive Baltimore, MD 21215 410.358.9711 ext.202 Hours of Operation: M-T-W-TH: 9 am-5 pm FRI: 9 am-3 pm SAT: 9 am-2 pm SUN: CLOSED Juliette’s Closet Clementine Peterson Activity Center 5042 Ilchester Road Ellicott City, MD 21043 410.455.0542 New Hours of Operation: T-W-TH: 9 am-4 pm FRI: 9 am-3 pm SAT: 9 am-2 pm SUN-MON: CLOSED Shop with us online on your time at gscm.org Girl Scouts of Central Maryland 4806 Seton Dr. Baltimore, MD 21215 P: 410.358.9711 F: 410.358.9918