Volunteer News Girl Scout Council of Vermont Newsletter for Council Volunteers December 2007/January 2008 What's New in 2008! As the new year begins, Girl Scouts has made a New Year's resolution to provide girls across the nation a consistent experience based on leadership development. A number of pathways- or ways to join- will enable girls and volunteers to fit Girl Scouts into their lives. There will still be a variety of activities, badges and resources available, and now, more than ever, they will be tied to outcomes—the specific knowledge, skills, and values girls gain in Girl Scouting. The local, national, and international power of girls will be galvanized around action projects that make a difference. The New Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a journey into the future. The first six "journeys" (one for each age level) will be available for use this fall. By the fall of 2010, there will be a total of 3-5 journeys for girls of each level. Girls will be invited to explore a theme through a series of fun and challenging experiences. They will identify problems and put "Take Action plans" in motion to change their world. The goal is for each of the journeys to: • Provide a global and multicultural perspective • Touch on healthy living and the environment • Highlight Girl Scout history and tradition • Encourage girls to live the Girl Scout Law "Discover, Connect, Take Action" outcomes will be incorporated. Girls will earn one or more corresponding awards along each journey. Complementary program activities with companion badges will continue as supplements to journeys. Every journey will have a "pick up and go" leader's guide making it easy to coach girls. Volunteers will learn how specific activities and experiences tie to leadership outcomes. There will be suggestions for volunteers to encourage the three Girl Scout processes: Girl Led, cooperative learning, and learning by doing. Tips will encourage volunteers to customize the journey with girls, such as adding trips, camping and other traditional events. Through the journey, girls at each level will have their own unique and fun new challenges, volunteers will see their impact on girls, and when people hear "Girl Scouts" they will think: LEADERSHIP! Happy New Year! Janet Francis Operational Vice President of Program Resources January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Cervical cancer causes thousands of deaths among women each year, so it is an issue for all of us who care about girls. Concern about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has grown in recent years. HPV is a common virus. Most types do not cause symptoms and may go away on their own. In some cases, however, the virus can develop into cervical cancer. The GSCV began partnering with the Hicks Foundation this summer to educate parents about cervical cancer, HPV, and the new vaccine to prevent HPV. In July, we offered the first in a series of interactive television forums for parents. CEO Sharon Baade was a keynote speaker at The Hicks Foundation's Benefit Auction this fall. More forums will be planned in 2008. The Girl Scout Council of Vermont has also developed an interest project patch for teens called "In the Know." More than 12,000 women in the US get cervical cancer each year, so being In The Know about HPV makes good sense for teen girls. Through the interest project, girls research cervical cancer and its causes, learn about HPV, select ways to discover, connect and take action on related topics of interest. For patch guidelines and information, contact Carmel Quinn at cquinn@girlscoutsvt.org or 800/ 639-3055, x105. The Hicks Foundation is offering a Free Screening Day, Saturday, January 12, from 9-4 at Maitri Health Care, Colchester Ave., Burlington. All girls and young women may come to get an HPV vaccine and free pap test. For more information contact Allison Hicks, allisonhicks@hotmail.com. From left, Courtney Mattison, Amanda Greenslet and Allison Hicks at the CNN taping for "Health Watch," to air in January. Photos of Your Girls Could Be Here! The Girl Scout Council of Vermont is always interested in what girls are doing with their troops, groups, service units - even independently! It's their stories - of courage, confidence and character, of taking a leadership role, and of celebrating self - that show us all that what we do is truly important to girls throughout Vermont. These snapshots, remind us of how many girls NEED Girl Scouting and they help us communicate our Mission to others. Send in your best photos to the Essex Service Center, attn: Director of Communications MaryBeth Pinard- Brace, 79 Allen Martin Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. We can accept photos in printed format, on PC- compatible CD, or digitally via e-mail. Don't forget to provide the stories behind the photos. E-mailing is easiest! Just send to MaryBeth at mpinardbrace @girlscoutsvt.org! Be sure to include your full name and town and the who, what, where, when, and why of the story in the body of the e-mail, attach the photo, and click send. Please be certain we have permission to use images of all the girls in your photos. Once you send them, we assume they are okay to use. Thanks! All photos and disks received in the mail become the property of the GSCV and will not be returned. "Here is a picture from Troop 822's Third Annual Food Drive. Donations were sent to the Springfield Family Center." - Jenn Battista, Springfield "My daughter Sarah Zelley delivered 397 large print books to Club Respite as part of her Silver Award project. Both the staff and clients were so grateful that I misted up and cried half way home. The woman in this photo is Sarah's grandmother (Sylvia). It was something that I won't get over for a while. I AM SO PROUD OF HER!" - Marti Sterin, Fairfax "Brownie Troop 497 donated homemade Christmas ornaments to the Hope Lodge in Burlington and helped them decorate their tree." - Melissa Davis, Colchester "My daughter, Moira Stettner, a Juliette Junior Girl Scout, recently visited the Grafton Cheese Factory. She had some cheese-making questions, and the folks at the factory were happy to answer. Starting with how milk gets to the facility and moooo-ving through the process, Mo learned about the "culture" of cheese...literally! From temperature to bacteria, waxing to aging, cheese-making is a pretty involved process involving lots of work. The tour is the introductory activity to earning the Junior Best Bones badge. Many thanks to the wonderful folks at the Grafton Cheese Factory for their time and their very gracious attitudes." - Kelly Stettner, Springfield "On Thanksgiving day, Charleston Troop 436 worked at the Elks Club in Derby at a Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging. The dinner was free to anyone, including the elderly, homeless, and people that didn't have anywhere to go on Thanksgiving day. What a great job these girls did, serving coffee, dessert, cleaning up, and just interacting with the people. They all say they want to do this again next year. Pictured from left to right are myself, Michaela Green, Meagan Marsh, Chelsea Woodard and Jodi Woodard. Other local girls also participated but I didn't get any pictures of them - Laurie Grimm and her daughter Brianna Grimm, a Juliette; Monique Hilliker and her daughter Alyssa Hilliker from Troop 364 in Newport; and Angie Moore and her daughter Kerissa Moore, also a Juliette. " - Jessica Green, West Charleston Why Raising Money is Good for Girls (1st in a Series on Troop Finances) Moneymoney Money…MONEY!! may be the mantra of your new troop. You've gathered the girls, parents and way too many ideas to fit into one school year. Brainstorming and prioritizing have helped. Beyond dues, how do you fund the best of those great ideas? How does your troop support girls who come from financially less-able families? Girls' working to raise funds for their program is an essential component of Girl Scouting. When groups are given "hand-outs" and sponsorships, girls do not feel the same sense of ownership to the entire project. Planning and participating in money-earning projects gives girls the opportunity to learn many skills, including budgeting, goal setting, customer relations, good business practices, marketing, and public relations. Then, when they have a leadership role in how the money is spent, they have come full circle with the project. Does your Brownie troop want to go to Disneyworld? One small money earning project might help them to see that a trip to Shelburne Museum is a much more realistic goal. Do your high school Seniors want to visit Pax Lodge in England? Now that's possible with some long-term planning! Girl Scouting provides girls with a path to take ideas and turn them into reality through planning, hard-work, and your essential guidance. If your troop participated in both product sales yet still needs more funds for basic supplies, to provide community service, or participate in events, what can you do? Brownie troops may conduct one, Junior level and up may conduct two additional money-earning activities after QSP and cookies. Be prepared with completed form #366 to discuss with your MMD the troop's proposed goals. Start with the girls…ask their ideas! What can they make? Crafts to sell? Bake sales? What can they do to earn money? Babysitting? Car Wash? Choose money-earning activities that have Girl Scout program value. You, as their leader, should guide them toward good choices that are: • Inclusive – all girls of all abilities play an active role • Develop leadership opportunities – leaders listen, participate, and make room for others to do the same • Encourage cooperative learning – taking turns and being respectful • And, experiential learning – actually doing the deed, not just dreaming it! Sales of non-Girl Scout products that provide a profit to a 3rd party are off limits to Girl Scouts. According to Safety Wise: "Examples of money-earning activities that are not appropriate for Girl Scout groups are product demonstration parties, raffles, drawings, games of chance, the sale of commercial products (other than those offered during council-sponsored sales), and door-to-door solicitation." As our Girl Scout Laws states, Girl Scouts are "considerate and caring", so don't' forget to talk to your girls about giving back to the community. If your town is supporting you by making purchases at a bake sale, or trusting you to baby-sit their children, it is Girl Scouts' duty to give back. After conducting money-earning projects, troops should then consider what they may do, such as plant flowers in public areas, spring cleaning at the local library, etc., as a means of returning the goodwill. Good will in deeds will grow in children from kind acts, to community service, to adult philanthropy – all ways to make the world a better place. For the safety of girls and security of troop funds: • GS troop money-earning activities/sales may not be conducted on the internet; • Girls may not engage in direct solicitation for money; • Use Troop Money Earning form, #366, and Parent Permission forms, #023 for all Girl Scout activities; and • Download combined forms #119/#465 from GSCV's website, www.girlscoutsvt.org/Forms.php, and start tracking troop resources now. It's so much easier to track throughout the Girl Scout year, than waiting until the end! Don't forget, other groups in your area are raising funds for their worthy causes as well. Don't be unrealistic about how much might be raised for Girl Scouts or selfish by tapping out area resources. Lastly, people are supporting your troop's Girl Scout efforts, not an individual girl, therefore, if a girl leaves your troop, the money does not go with her. If your troop disbands, funds must return to the council, the protector of Girl Scout's nonprofit status. Please do not distribute troop funds to participating families, as that would become taxable income to them. Resources for this article: Safety Wise Chapter 3 - Group Planning and Budgeting, Standards 28-33; Leader's Digest Blue Book of Basic Documents 2006, pages 10-11; GSCV council forms #366, combined #119/#465, and #23; Brownie Leader's Guidebook, page 16; Junior Leader's Guidebook, pages 24-27; www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/money_earning/; and your Membership Marketing Director! On November 24th, teen girls in Vermont had a very unique opportunity. They were invited by GSUSA to participate in an interactive global conference with teens from India, England, Canada, Kenya, and California. Here is one girl's reflection on this remarkable experience: World HIV/AIDS Day Going into this conference, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had been told it was a conference using Interactive TV for girls from all over the world to talk about HIV/AIDS. I had studied HIV/AIDS in school in 9th grade, and wanted to learn more about its effects all over the world. I had no idea how much I would learn. I was one of three girls at the Montpelier VIT site. I wasn't sure what it would be like to hear from girls all over the world. When I arrived, many questions filled my mind. Did the girls all speak English? What would they think of me, a typical American girl without a clue about how much HIV/AIDS impacts the world? I learned very quickly that it didn't matter what I looked like or how little I knew. It didn't matter that sometimes I had a little bit of difficulty understanding some of the girls from the other countries or that I didn't always know what to say. What did matter was the fact that I was a girl trying to make a difference in my community. I was thrilled that my voice and my ideas about HIV/AIDS could be heard by girls my age across the globe, girls who were all trying to make a difference. I left with a new understanding about HIV/AIDS, and some great ideas on how to spread the word about HIV/AIDS to others. On World AIDS Day (Dec. 1st), I handed out small cards with 10 basic facts about HIV/AIDS to all the girls in my class. I only was able to pass out about 15 of these cards, but I knew from the conference that 15 people with a better understanding of HIV/AIDS was still taking a small step towards providing millions of people with an understanding this disease. I know that knowledge about HIV/AIDS is the key to stopping the spread of this disease. Rachael Sanguinetti, U32 High School, Montpelier Creating a Welcoming Environment for ALL Girls Troop 12 in Tunbridge, Vermont participated in many of the activities that most troops around the state enjoy. They went camping, sang songs, collected food for the local food shelf, and made goodies for stockings that would be distributed to families during the holidays. The main difference between Troop 12 and other Girl Scout troops was that a large percentage of the troop had disabilities. Jennifer (a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy), Lili (who has Down Syndrome) and Julia (TB I) had never been invited to be Girl Scouts until Mary Alice Leonard-Heath came along. Mary Alice had had experience working with people with disabilities, so the idea of including these girls in her troop came naturally to her. Soon Troop 12 was selecting service projects that focused on Vermont's disabled population. One of their main projects was to build an accessible lean-to structure at Kettle Pond in Groton State Park. Mary Alice reflected: "Not recruiting girls with disabilities is really a lost opportunity all the way around. These girls loved having the opportunity [to be Girl Scouts]." As Troop 12 was winding down, the girls discussed donating the money remaining in their troop account to the Girl Scout Council to encourage accessibility and allow more girls with disabilities to join Girl Scouts. Their funds are building a handicap access ramp to Trout Lodge at Camp Wapanacki. Troop 12's story is an inspiration to all of us who care about girls. Whether it's the girl who is left to play alone on the playground, or the girl whose family has fallen on difficult times, or the girl who maneuvers around school in a wheelchair ~ there is room for ALL girls in Girl Scouts. Troop 12 proudly displays the goodies they made for holiday stockings for local families in need. In June of 2007, Nicole Morse with five other VT STUDIO 2B teens traveled to New Orleans to work with Habitat for Humanity on Hurricane Katrina relief work in New Orlean's 9th Ward. The experience had a profound impact on the participants: Souls Never Die Standing in New Orleans, in cold muddy water, I couldn't help but be angry. The city's levees hadn't been properly fixed and the drainage system wasn't fully repaired. I was angry at the government and its inaction in the two years after Katrina. In June of 2007, I went to New Orleans with the Girl Scout Council of Vermont. This trip was new in many ways for me. I had never flown before and knew none of the girls in my group. I had never been further south than South Carolina. I was overwhelmed but wanted to follow through. We were all there for the same reason ~ to help rebuild the city of New Orleans. When I arrived I saw far worse than expected. I thought after two years rubble would be gone. Instead, I saw piles of crumbled concrete, and torn houses. Buildings were still inscribed with the dead body count. I realized how much I take for granted. I never thought about what I have, until I saw what others had lost. I never realized what a gift it was to go to school or to have clean water. The lower 9th ward of New Orleans is where I worked; it is the most devastated area in New Orleans and the most impoverished. While carrying eighty-pound bags of concrete, I saw an older woman watching me. She lived in the FEMA trailer next to my worksite. We introduced ourselves, and Ms. Irene recounted terrible stories of the storm. After, she looked at me and said, "It's okay, though, baby... New Orleans is the city of soul, and souls never die". The people of New Orleans don't want pity; they are strong and happy enough to see others come together to bear this burden with them. I learned friendship, compassion, generosity ~ all that fulfills us and cannot be taken for granted. Personal commitment defines our character, our integrity. I am proud to have been one of the souls reviving New Orleans. Nicole Morse, Middlebury Union High School Nicole Morse with Ms. Irene in New Orleans' 9th Ward Congratulations to the 2007 Gold and Silver Awardees The Girl Scout Council of Vermont awarded its highest recognitions – The Gold Award and The Silver Award - to 25 Vermont teens at a special luncheon at the Hartness House, Springfield, VT, in November. The following Girl Scouts all received the prestigious Gold Award: • Ellen Kujawa – graduate of South Burlington High School – "Recycling: Where Does It All Go?" – prepared an educational video and display for Shelburne Farms • Amanda Connoly, Elizabeth Gardner, Martha Evans-Mongeon, Linnea Shepeluk, Whitney Commo, and Megan Quenneville – graduates of Harwood Union High School, Duxbury/Moretown, VT - "Rising through the Ranks" – led a Daisy Girl Scout Troop in their community • Cory Fusco, Hillary Estes, Amanda Greenslet, and Renee Noel – students at Mount Anthony Union High School, Bennington – "Jumping Across Vermont" – designed and developed a peer mentoring program to extend the Girl Scouts' jump roping program throughout Vermont The following Girl Scouts received the Silver Award: • Rebecca Pickering – Mount Mansfield Union High School, Jericho, VT – created a web page for the Vermont Childcare Provider's Association • Stephanie Garland – Spaulding High School, Barre, VT – built doghouses for the local Humane Society • Victoria Pelkey and Tabitha Blais – Crosset Brook Middle School, Duxbury, VT – provided Hurricane Katrina relief • Kim Morrill, Kristen Hardgrove, Ellyn Fournier, and Tara Bradley – Lake Region Union High School, Orleans, VT – created a nutrition and fitness program for children • Fahmina Zaman, Ditra Backup, Victoria Hadley, Kelsey Jensen, Katie Davies, and Carolyn Anderson – Champlain Valley Union High School, Hinesburg, VT – developed an arts, books and creativity program at their community library The girls deserve praise and congratulations for their outstanding and very special achievements. Congratulations also go to all leaders, advisors, mentors, parents, and community members who worked to support these girls in their endeavors to make the world a better place. GSCV Welcomes New Board Members The Girl Scout Council of Vermont elected the following Board-Members-at-Large at their Annual Meeting at the State House on Saturday, November 3, 2007: Jack Daniels, Cabot ~ Jack is the Dean of Administration for Vermont Technical College. He has served previous terms on the board and most recently has been an active member of the Girl Scout Council of Vermont's Integrated Property and Planning Committee. Sarah Hoffert, Burlington ~ Sarah is a Graduate Assistant for the Commmunity Service Programs Division of the Department of Student Life at the University of Vermont. She is a life-long Girl Scout and brings to the board her expertise around college-aged volunteers. Barbara Martin, South Burlington ~ Barbara is the Dean of Administration for the Community College of Vermont. She served as Council Board President for two terms and has brought her expertise to numerous board committees and task forces. She has been a Girl Scout for over 35 years. Keeley Weening, Bristol ~ A Girl Scout Volunteer since 1997, Keeley is a microbiologist who is currently employed as the lead technologist in the parasitology program of the Vemront Department of Health. She has designed and developed a number of programs allowing students to tour the facilities and train in parasitology and mycobacteriology. Amy Whitehorne ~ Employed as Special Assistant to the President of VSAC, Amy has acted as State Affairs Liaison between the people of Vermont and the General Assembly, the administration, and local and municipal government. She also holds a law degree from Vermont Law School. In addition, she is a foster parent, an advocate for young people, and youth facilitator for Outright Vermont. Laurie Berryman, Waterbury Center, and Keeley Weening, Bristol, were both elected to the Board's Nominating Committee. In addition, Carol Story, South Burlington, and girl members Crystal Connelly, Lower Wallingford, and Courtney Mattison, Rutland, will all be returning for second terms. Please join us in welcoming these dedicated volunteers. GSCV Recognizes Exemplary Vermont Adult Girl Scouts At our Annual Meeting at the State Capital in Montpelier on November 3, the Girl Scout Council of Vermont recognized 31 outstanding adult Girl Scouts for their dedication to Vermont girls. The Girl Scout Council of Vermont offers a variety of educational programs to "build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place." These outstanding individuals have contributed significantly to helping Vermont girls build leadership skills to become strong young women. Please congratulate these amazing Girl Scouts! Recognitions were awarded in a variety of categories: Thanks Badge – This award is presented to a Girl Scout Council of Vermont adult for truly outstanding service that benefits the total council or entire movement – awarded to Dannah Beauregard, Fletcher ; Jeff Marckres, Hardwick; Mary Morrissey, Bennington; Paulette Petelle, Plainfield; and Janet Whitney, Rutland. Honor Pin – This award is presented to a Girl Scout Council of Vermont adult for outstanding service that benefits two or more Service Units – awarded to Wayne Boyce, Danville; Debbie Lajoie, Hyde Park; Barbara Connelly, Lower Waterford; Heidi Santaw, Newport ; and Wendy Cusson, Vergennes. Appreciation Pin – This award is presented to a Girl Scout Council of Vermont adult for outstanding service to at least one Service Unit that furthers the council's goals – awarded to ara Eddy, and Kelly Giard, Brandon; Judi Tazelaar, Brookfield; Laura Cunningham-Firkey, Essex Junction; Sandy Cunningham, Huntington; Amy Boise, Middlebury; Carol Stephens, Northfield; Carolyn Tatlock, North Ferrisburg; Betty Keller, St. Johnsbury; and Cindy Leavens, South Burlington. Ginger Award – This award is presented to a Girl Scout Council of Vermont volunteer who, over time, has demonstrated exemplary service in at least three different positions – awarded to: Lyn DeGraff, East Middlebury; Peg Tirrell, Lower Waterford; and Jacki Degree, North Ferrisburg. Girl Scout Ambassador – This award is presented to a Girl Scout leader who either is instrumental in outreach to girls who really need Girl Scouting, readily opens her troop to more girls, builds into her troop and her girls an environment that welcomes girls who might not be included in other groups, or reaches out to adults in a way that opens the door to new volunteers – awarded to: Tara Wright, Milton; April Berteau, Richmond; and Christine Orellana, St. Albans. By Girls, For Girls Champion – This award is presented to a Girl Scout leader who works to give girls the skills, trust and power to be successful in taking leadership for their Girl Scout program. From beginning Daisy Girl Scouts to our most sophisticated teen members, this awardee ensures that age-appropriate girl planning and a girl-driven approach are key elements of her/his troop – awarded to: Ann Arcovitch, Burlington, and Carol Baitz, Waterbury. Girl Scout Innovator – This award is presented to a Girl Scout volunteer who gets girls out of their comfort zones to do something unusual or inclusive. This volunteer gives girls the opportunity to grow in new directions and works to support and enable positive change – awarded to: Diane LeClair, Richmond, and Karen Cavender, Waterbury Center. Regional Mentor of the Year – This award is presented to a Girl Scout volunteer who has made a significant difference in the lives of girls, or the life of a girl; a volunteer whose actions on behalf of girls or one girl were so compelling that the story is an inspiration to others working with girls – awarded to: Carol Lizotte, Fairfield. Welcome New Staff! It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the arrival of two new staff members this fall. Both women will be based out of our Essex Service Center. Please join us in welcoming these talented individuals to our team! Colleen Campbell began as Council Registrar on October 11. From 2000-2002, Colleen was customer service specialist for the Girl Scout Shop of Vermont. She left our Council to be at home with her children, but returned seasonally to assist in a number of areas including the Essex cookie cupboard, shop inventory, and data entry for QSP, cookie credits, and membership. Prior to moving to Vermont and beginning her Girl Scout career, Colleen worked in finance as a trust assistant for a law firm and as a customer service representative for Barre Savings Bank in Massachusetts. Jan Mejia is temporary membership data entry assistant working with Colleen. Jan began by volunteering for the Council in 2006, when her family first moved from Illinois to Vermont and her daughter joined Troop 508 in Essex Town. She was so impressed by the warm welcome her daughter received that she contacted the Council, eager to give back in some way. Jan also comes to the Council with a background in finance. AAUW Sponsors Girls Rock Participant Brittany Weiland Each year the American Association of University Women sponsors deserving students. This year, they selected Brittany Weiland from our "Girls Rock the Capital" legislative internship. Burlington Branch President Mary MacEwan wrote: "It was extremely difficult to chose one person from the Girls Rock group to honor. They are all impressive." Brittany was selected for her interest in law and politics combined with outstanding extra-curricula activities and leadership initiatives. Mary MacEwan, Burlington Branch President of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) (left), and Judy Wizowaty, AAUW Awards Committee Member (right) presented Brittany Weiland (center) with flowers and a letter of congratulations. February 6th is National Girls & Women in Sports Day! The 22nd annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is Wednesday, February 6, 2008. The theme, "All In," encourages girls and women everywhere to unite as a team to conquer inequalities or obstacles in sports. Consider planning an event in your area. Need ideas? Check out the NGWSD website at www.NGWSDCentral.com. They feature tips on planning events, suggested activities, and much more. Register your event on their site to let others know what you are doing in Vermont! Don't forget to let the Girl Scout Council of Vermont know about your event, as well, so we can post it on our on-line calendar! Don't Miss a Single Issue of the VolunteerNews! Make Sure The Council has Your Most Current E-mail Address. Contact Registrar Colleen Campbellat ccampbell@girlscoutsvt.org or 800/639-3055, x112 to update!