New Resources from GSUSA

This issue of the Volunteer Update contains info on Treats & Reads, the new Recruiter Patch, and interviews with our very View in Browser own GSOFCT volunteers!

Happy fall!

Phew, the heat has subsided and the fall colors will be here before you know it! We can't get hot apple cider and donuts out of our minds!

This is a really busy time for all of us here at Girl Scouts. We're in full on recruitment mode and getting last year's members renewed. Please review your troop listing and make sure everyone has renewed. If you are recruiting new members, be sure to review the new Recruiter patch requirements so we can say thank you with a patch!

We hope you've been able to host your first troop meeting and have started planning out your year. We highly encourage you to log in to the Volunteer Toolkit and see the Parent/Caregiver Meeting Outline as part of Meeting 1. This 60–90 minute meeting will make all the difference in the year ahead. There is some great information to get parents involved in your troop. It's worth a look!

New resources from GSUSA

GSUSA has many resources that will help you with your troop!

 Check out the new Tips for Troop Leaders webpage  This new Why Girl Scouts microsite is fun, interactive, and a great tool for recruitment. Share it with potential members!  Raising Awesome Girls is a great resource for parents and troop leaders alike! It regularly posts new articles that reflect the current social climate and how to talk to your girls about different issues and events.

SEE TIPS FOR TROOP LEADERS

Do you have your copy?

If you missed Kickoff, be sure to get your copy soon! We think you'll love this full color magazine-like guide this year! It's chock full of great photos, amazing events, and information to help you and the girls decide what to do this year! We're adding events to the online event registration area daily so be sure to check it often. Popular events fill fast so be sure to register as soon as you can!

Make sure everyone in your troop is renewed!

The new Girl Scout year starts on October 1. Be sure all the girls and adults are renewed!

Did you know that all registered members are covered by Girl Scout insurance should anything happen? That's just one reason why every member must have an active membership!

Use these instructions to renew your family. Use these instructions to renew your troop.

Renew Today

Saving you time with less paperwork!

We know the hardest part of Girl Scouting is all the paperwork! So we have a new improved process for the Annual Consent Form!

Parents/Guardians may now sign the new Annual Consent Form that allows troop volunteers to take non-high adventure, day trips in Connecticut without having to complete a separate Parent/Guardian Trip Permission Slip!

So that means if you want to take a hike, head to the zoo, or meet at a location other than your normal meeting place, you can do so without a special permission slip! It just has to be within Connecticut and not be considered high adventure.

However, the new Annual Consent Form must be signed by every parent in order to make this happen!

Read this FAQ to answer questions you and your families may have about this new form.

Get the new Annual Consent Form »

Election Day Booth Sales update

The deadline to reserve cookies for Election Day Booth Sales was September 24, 2018. If you did not reserve cookies and would like to hold a cookie booth between November 3-11, please contact your product sales manager or [email protected] by October 1.

MORE EDBS INFO

Treats & Reads has begun!

The Treats & Reads Program is now underway. This newly revamped and simplified program is a great way to start the troop year.

Parents and girls can get started here! Troop volunteers should have received a launch email inviting them to get started. If you did not receive the email, contact the Product Sales Department. Check out all these great resources.

Besides a new vendor and intuitive platform, this revamped program now offers girl delivery for online nut and candy orders, additional reward opportunities, the ability for parent entry, and no paperwork to hand into the service unit. Contact your service unit fall product manager if you have not received your troop’s materials.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TREATS & READS

Volunteer Engagement

Regional Trainings Days are now scheduled! Get a lot of training done in one day! Classes are scheduled in various parts of Connecticut and cover a variety of subjects, including Out and About and Ready, Set, Camp! To register for a Regional Training Day, sign up through GSOFCT’s online training website, LMS.

New Leader Orientation is here! The previous six core leadership classes have been streamlined into one class. Don’t worry; the same important information is there! It is available online or in person. If you are a seasoned co-leader, take it as a refresher! If taken online, New Leader Orientation can be taken in stages; it does not have to be completed in one sitting. If you have to log out, it will save where you left off! Sign up for New Leader Orientation through LMS.

Last, but most definitely not least, we want to introduce GSOFCT’s Jenna Bowen, Senior Manager of New Leader Development. Jenna will be assisting new co-leaders with training, navigating a new Girl Scout year, and helping make sure they have a great Girl Scout experience. Jenna has lots of experience with Girl Scouts and knowledge to share with new co-leaders.

Office Hours Reminder

Customer Care Tuesday, Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

NEW! Volunteer Development The Volunteer Engagement Office will offer evening hours to answer questions from volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays froom 8:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. at (800) 922-2770 ext. 3306.

Girl Scout shop promotions

We have two new promotions happening all year!

Shop Hours Updates

 All shops will be closed on Friday, October 19 for an all staff meeting.  All shops are open on Columbus Day, Monday, October 8  All shops are open 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. on Saturdays 10/6, 10/13, and 10/20

Shop now!

Did you see us on CT Live! on NBC 30?

NBC 30's CT Live! held a week-long series on Women in Leadership and five Girl Scout volunteers were featured! We bet you can relate to all of them! Check out their interviews:

 Helaine Bertsch from Avon  Trina Williams from Glastonbury  Maria Milanez-Miller from Ellington  Kristy King from Durham-Middlefield  Darcey Cobbs-Lomax from Naugatuck

FIND THEM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

Last minute opportunity - please share with your families!

Girl Scouts of Connecticut are invited to Tegan Marie's show this SUNDAY, September 30, at Infinity Hall in Hartford.

With a larger-than-life voice, Tegan Marie, 14, has been seen on Disney Channel and is a Radio Disney artist. She catapulted into the national spotlight when her breathtaking rendition of Florida Georgia Line’s “H.O.L.Y.” received over 20M views online and has been on Good Morning America, TODAY Show, and regularly performs on the Grand Ole Opry stage. In 2017, she became the youngest female artist – at age 13 - signed to a major Country label (Warner Music Nashville) in over 45 years. She also made 2018 watch lists for Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Huffington Post and has been coined as the next Taylor Swift! Tegan was also a Girl Scout Brownie and is a true inspiration to young girls across the country.

WHAT: Tegan Marie Concert with Exclusive Meet & Greet WHERE: Infinity Hall, 32 Front St, Hartford, CT 06103 PRICE: FREE for Girl Scouts (includes family/friends) and will host an exclusive Meet & Greet for Girl Scout Members and their families with exclusive merchandise. First come, first served. HOW TO REDEEM: Email, [email protected] with the subject line: Girl Scouts - Tegan Marie

GET YOUR TICKETS

Don't miss out on Girl Scout Day at Quassy A full day of fun for the whole family!

Registration has been extended for Someone Special and Me until October 4.

Our events are for Girl Scout troops and individual girls - for anyone interested in attending! If you are not a Girl Scout, come try us out and register as a member if you see what you like!

The best place to see what's available and to register is here. We recently updated lots of events in the new Program Resource Guide, so be sure to check it out!

Girl Scouts of Connecticut is a silver charity for the 25th Running Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, and we are looking for runners and supporters to help us raise visibility and funds for college scholarships for Gold Award Girl Scouts. Join us in the #RaceforGSGold! To run, join our team on Crowdrise.

Cookbook project

In partnership with Bank of America, Girl Scouts of Connecticut is creating a cookbook to be distributed to families participating in a Thanksgiving food distribution program. Learn how your troop or service unit can contribute to the cookbook. LEARN MORE

Historical and classic car show

In partnership with Deloitte, we invite you to join us Saturday, October 20, from 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. at Black Bridge Motors for “An Afternoon of Historical and Classic Cars.” The event will feature live music, food, fun, seminars, and great prizes. In lieu of an entry fee, donations will be directed to Girl Scouts of Connecticut.

LEARN MORE

A new partnership to support women and girls!

Girl Scouts of Connecticut is thrilled to join the Connecticut Collective for Women and Girls, a network of organizations committed to the advancement of women and girls throughout the state! #CollectivePower #WorkingTogether #CTWomenandGirls

Thank you to the funds that have supported this work:

 Aurora Foundation for Women and Girls  Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Women and Girls Fund  Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Community Fund for Women and Girls  Connecticut Community Foundation, Women’s Fund  Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Fund for Women and Girls  Main St. Community Foundation, Women & Girls’ Fund

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Have a question? Don't be shy! Contact us for more information.

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Our address is 340 Washington St., Hartford, CT 06106