Volunteer Connections by Girl Scouts of Nassau County

As Girl Scouts of Nassau County closes out 2016, we look forward to 2017 and give thanks for the time and work of our volunteers who are the mainstay of Girl Scouting!   This past year we celebrated the 100 th Anniversary of the Girl Scout Gold Award with an extra fancy Gold Award Ceremony for 101 recipients at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, with Captain Cynthia Robson, Gold Awardee and a professor at the Academy, as our keynote speaker.   In November we concluded our 100 th Anniversary Celebration with our Golden Flight to Leadership Conference that included noted women as keynote speakers and panelists.   Geared to both adults and older girls, the Conference provided information and inspiration on the skills and traits one needs to be a leader. The bulk of Girl Scouting occurs in Troops and groups that meet regularly.   Troop Leaders, parents and Association volunteers set the path for our Girl Scouts to pursue Journeys and badges that introduce girls to new e

You may know that your Troop earns proceeds from Cookies and girls earn patches and rewards, but did you also know the Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls essential skills that will last a lifetime….and it’s fun? Every year, Girl Scouts of Nassau County (GSNC) asks our girls and families for their feedback about the Girl Scout Cookie Program . What you told us you liked most* about selling Cookies was: 1. It’s fun 2. People love buying Girl Scout Cookies 3. The excitement of striving to reach sales goals 4. Earning rewards and patches When the Girl Scout Research Institute measured the impact of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, they found that a majority of Girl Scout “Cookie Entrepreneurs” are developing the five essential skills of goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. Learning valuable life skills via the Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls become successful community and business leaders, now and in the future.

“I will do my best to be: Honest and fair, Friendly and helpful, Considerate and caring, Courageous and strong, and Responsible for what I say and do, And to Respect myself and others, Respect authority, Use resources wisely, Make the world a better place, and Be a sister to every Girl Scout.” If you recognize this statement, either you or someone you know is a proud Girl Scout. I have been a Girl Scout for so long that it feels like I was born in uniform. I joined Girl Scouts in kindergarten as a Daisy, the youngest Girl Scout group. My mom signed me up because she thought it would help me make friends, but in reality, Girl Scouts has taught me not only about friendship, but also about responsibility, leadership, honesty, respect, and so much more. I used to recite the Girl Scout Law from memory without really thinking about what the words mean, but now I realize that the Girl Scout Law has shaped the person I

Giving Thanks! By Donna C. Gratitude should be an active part of everyone’s life, year round. Keeping a gratitude journal can make you happier, healthier and even help you to sleep better! Having our girls learn how to appreciate and value the many blessings that they have in their lives can help them to live richer lives.   I am grateful each day for my privilege to have this job. I am grateful I work for an organization with such a compelling mission as the Girl Scouts, and where I am surrounded by so many good people – girls, volunteers and our staff team.   Here are few things on the top of my “THANKS LIST” this week …   Our GIRL SCOUTS who are out there taking risks and making a difference in their community. They are the leaders of tomorrow. Our VOLUNTEERS who make Girl Scouting possible by sharing their time, talent and treasure…Girl Scouts runs on Girl Scout VOLUNTEERS! Our Girl Scout PARENTS who help t

Did you know… the first Girl Scout Troops reportedly did not have Troop numbers, they had Troop crests to identify themselves? Today, Troop crests are used as a symbol of a Troop's goals or main interests. Once a Troop chooses a crest that has special meaning to them, it is used for the life of that Troop and can be placed on the uniform of each girl in the Troop. This is a good way to bring scouts together in a Troop around a common goal, particularly if the Troop is multi-level, or made up of girls from different schools, etc. Who can have a Troop Crest? All Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Troops. How do we choose which Troop Crest we should have? The girls in the Troop should vote on which crest meaning describes the Troop the best. We suggest to read the meanings of each crest out loud to your Troop, but don't tell them what the crest is or show them a picture of the crest. Where can I purchase the Troop Crest for my Troop? Once you

On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country… The foundation of Girl Scouting is the Girl Scout Promise and Law – which links to and reinforces many of the principles and values common to most faiths. While Girl Scouts is a secular organization, it encourages girls to grow stronger in their own spiritual beliefs while respecting the beliefs of others. Today there are a number of awards girls may earn that help them to do this. GSUSA My Promise, My Faith pin (Girl Scouts and Faith): Girl Scouts of all grade levels can earn this pin once each year (individually or with their Troop). It complements faith-specific recognitions (see below) and encourages girls to further strengthen the connection between their faith and Girl Scouting. Find requirements in The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting for all levels, or online (see GSUSA link below). Faith-specific religious recognitions are created/offered by national faith-based committees, and have been approved by GSUSA for w

Troop 1025 from West Hempstead/Franklin Square Association doesn’t think so. It is one of our most favorite activities every year. We have had pajama fashion shows, nail polish parties, and this year paint night. No outside activities you say? We take hikes, go to the beach, build snowmen and even have compass races for prizes. The wildlife is abundant and fun to watch. The activity building is a favorite hangout where we play volleyball and other sports. The cabins are warm and comfortable and the perfect venue for badge work and crafts. The kitchen is great for cooking our meals but we have been known to cook out on the campfire when the weather permits. We love making fires in the fireplace and of course sharing S’mores. We have been going for many years and hope to go many more! Whether earning badges, working on a Journey or just having fun, Girl Scout Troops have a blast when they go Troop Camping at Camp Blue Bay. Traditional Troop Camping is a unique experience plann

1. Because you will learn great entrepreneurial skills like Goal Setting, Decision Making, People Skills, Money Management and Business Ethics. 2. Because you'll get to run a real online store (sign up at: girlscouts.qspgao.com/gsnc ) 3. Because your Troop will earn funds to do exciting girl-led events, community service and take action projects. 4. Because you’ll have an opportunity to earn special patches and cool rewards. 5. Because it’s great practice for Girl Scout Cookie season! Did you know that once the product is paid for, all of the remaining revenue stays in Nassau County to help our girls explore and do great things?   How can you Participate? You can get a packet of information and an order card from your Troop’s Mags&Munchies Manager. You can also sign up directly for the online program at: girlscouts.qspgao.com/gsnc

This is a true story shared by one of our Program Specialists. One day a girl asked me, “ What do Girl Scouts really do? ” She said “I know they sell cookies, go camping, make crafts and they do nice things for people. Why do I have to become a member to do any of those things, especially when one of those things is just being what you should be…helpful?” I am not sure if she expected the answer she got, but I do know that she did not want to be convinced or cajoled. She wanted the facts. I am sharing the facts with you as I did with her at the start of the summer. This past school year girls from all over Nassau County participated in programs where they explored the barrier islands and dissected dog sharks at the Sports Fishing Alliance Center. They learned proper archery form at C & B Archery; having seconds to prepare for a target game that challenged their newly acquired skills. More than 180 girls prepared themselves for summer jobs by earning their Babysitter badge

Not sure what resources you need make your year as a Troop Leader strong? Here are all of the basics to get you started:   TIP #1: Know the 2 staff people that represent your area Our Girl Scouts of Nassau County  staff is here for you! There are two staff people, one from our Volunteerism team and one from our Membership team that will help you start your Girl Scout year right. Our Volunteerism staff person will make sure you are provided with all of the information you need like trainings, background checks, etc. Our Membership staff person will make sure they guide you with registering all of the girls in your Troop, etc. To find out the two staff members that are assigned to you call 516.741.2550. TIP #2: Know who your Service Team is A Service Team is a group of Volunteers that are trained to help all Leaders in an Association (group of towns that are close to each other). A Service Team is comprised of Volunteers with many different roles to help you

Don’t Leave Home Without Them! To save time and extra trips to the bank make sure you have done the following BEFORE opening your account: Choose a Bank – (consult your Association Service Team for bank suggestions) Decide who will be on the account - Required is a minimum of 2 signatures –one of the Troop Leaders and the other a member of the Association Service Team (Treasurer or CAV). Request a letter from Council on Council letterhead: Once you have the names of the signers, the bank you wish to open the account in, and your Troop number, go to our website’s Forms/Documents Library and click on Bank Account Request Web Form . Or, contact your volunteerism or membership staff person to assist you. Once you receive the letter (which also indicates the Council’s ID number) you can go to the bank and get signature cards for your new account. IMPORTANT: Remember to indicate that all bank statements be mailed to the Leader’s address - not the Council’s address.

Meet the “Golden Girls” of Girl Scout Troop 520 of Girl Scouts of Nassau County. Not only have most of the girls been together since Daisies, but 10 of the 11 girls earned the Gold Award this year— and the 11th is currently waiting for final approval on her completed project. Connie, mother and adult Girl Scout Volunteer, has led her Troop of girls from Girl Scout Daisies into mature Girl Scout Gold Award honorees. “I watched these girls grow up. It’s an amazing commitment on their part — they have stuck with the program since they were in kindergarten. To watch their progress has been an amazing experience,” said Connie, whose daughter, Amanda was one of the recipients. “Most Troops don’t stay together; many groups shrink after the girls enter middle school or high school,” Fratianni-Wysota said. “With high school graduation, tests and getting ready for college, it takes a lot of effort to do this.” Congratulations to Connie and girls on a job well done! Learn more a

by Katie Genari My time at Girl Scouts of Nassau County as an intern was less about having an internship for the summer and more about being able to take an opportunity to continue my Girl Scout journey and give back to an organization that had a profound impact on my young adult life. Being able to work as an intern for the summer in the Marketing and Communications Department has allowed me to experience Girl Scouts in a new light and from a different perspective. As a current college student with a Broadcasting Major and Minor in Business Marketing I looked forward to learning about Media and Marketing from a not for profit perspective, a perspective different from what I am studying in school. Coming into the start of my internship, I was unsure of what to expect as there are many tasks and responsibilities that are taken care of each day and week within the Marketing Department. To my surprise and liking, I was able to experience and learn about the many different aspect

A Proud Moment for #ZimmCasters and the Girl Scouts of Nassau County By Marisa Drago and Marissa Kelly This year was the 100th Gold Award Ceremony for the Girl Scouts of Nassau County, and we were lucky enough to cover the event in our new role as #ZimmCasters ! When we were presented the opportunity to attend, we weren’t sure what to expect. We were Girl Scouts when we were younger, so we knew a bit about the organization, but never made it far enough to earn the prestigious Gold Award. We were excited to attend the ceremony and learn what the award was all about.  The two of us are currently interning at Zimmerman/Edelson Inc (Z/E) , a public relations firm that has the Girl Scouts of Nassau County as a client. This summer, as part of our season-long intern project, we were tasked with becoming “ZimmCasters.” This means we must challenge ourselves by becoming reporters and social media handlers for Z/E and several of its clients. As #ZimmCasters, we wanted to experiment wi

Girl Scouting is full of unique, incredible, and life changing opportunities for all girls involved, but earning the Girl Scout Gold Award is a life changing experience in itself. Going for the Gold is so much more than earning a prestigious award ; it gives girls the opportunity to find themselves while also making a difference/impact in their community. While the journey in earning the Gold Award is unique for every Girl Scout because of the many different take action projects, the skills, connections and feelings that come out of earning the Gold are very similar. As a lifetime Girl Scout who earned her Gold Award as an Ambassador, I know from experience that earning the highest award in Girl Scouting is an enriching and unforgettable journey. It all started with an idea and identifying how I wanted to help my community. Over the course of a year and half I watched what started out as an idea, blossom into a project that helped make my community a better place, and that is wh

Men Volunteer Their Time to Help Their Daughters Get the Girl Scout   Experience In honor of Father’s Day, the Girl Scouts of Nassau County (GSNC) are commending the fathers who make being a Girl Scout possible and invite other Dads to step up to the challenge. Our male Troop Leaders, council members, Cookie Dads and behind-the-scenes volunteers are crucial to the success of each Girl Scout experience. The organization creates openings for fathers to be a part of their daughter’s lives and strengthen their relationships with one another through participation in numerous activities. We encourage fathers to be involved and on this holiday, thank the unsung heroes who load the camping gear into the truck, build “bridges” for our bridging ceremonies and lend a hand when needed . The Girl Scouts of Nassau County considers itself lucky to know numerous fathers interested in volunteering their time to contribute to their daughter’s, and other Girl Scout’s, experiences. These include

Buddy Bench Bronze Award Project by Girl Scout Troop 3095 Hi! We are Troop 3095 from Jericho. This year we worked on our Girl Scout Bronze Award , the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can earn. For our Bronze Award, we decided to address the issue of loneliness on the playground. We didn’t want to see children afraid to join in with a group or to feel left out. So, we decided to donate a Buddy Bench to each of our 3 Elementary Schools. A Buddy Bench prevents bullying and is a great way to make new friends.  In order to pay for our benches, we had to sell A LOT of Girl Scout Cookies . Our goal was to sell 2,500 boxes and we actually sold 2,822 boxes!! We sold to our family and friends, went door to door and had a lot of booth sales. With our cookie money, we were able to buy 3 Buddy Benches and 3 plaques to put on the benches. The plaque says, “Buddy Bench donated by Girl Scout Troop 3095”.  We even had some money left over to have a pizza party to celebrate all of our hard work!

A taste of the many things Girl Scouts can do. by Katie G.   Girl Scout Daisies through Ambassadors put their baking skills to the test at the first ever Girl Scouts of Nassau County bake off. Fifty-five Girl Scouts from twelve different Associations went head to head on May 13th to challenge one another in creating tasty treats and desserts, all of which had to be made by scratch. The bake-off which took place at the Cradle of Aviation , consisted of each level baking a different treat which would be competing against the other desserts in their level. The Daisies were required to make cookies, the Brownies, well to no surprise brownies, Juniors made single layer cakes, Cadettes stirred up some tasty pie recipes and last but not least, the Seniors and Ambassadors who made an assortment of baked breads. Each girl earned her spot in the GSNC bake-off by winning her association's bake-off.  The assortment of delicious baked goods were premade and brought in the day