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 intro...

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 w...

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...