Subscribe to our email list
News from GSHOM!
News from GSHOM!
Share this:
Become A Girl Scout Volunteer Support
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Logo

Volunteer Newsletter
January 2016

Jan Barker, CEO

Message from the CEO

Happy New Year!

We wish you each more joy-filled moments than you thought possible this year, as you make Girl Scouting a reality for more girls than ever before in Girl Scouts Heart of MIchigan.

We have so many exciting things to look forward to this year, and I am thrilled to share this journey with you: the mentors, and the life changers.

It is always phenomenal to hear the fun and fabulous stories of how important Girl Scouting is to girls, volunteers, and families. Girls are able to conquer their fears, come out of their shells, travel the world, and create a successful foundation for the rest of their lives. You are making a difference with every troop meeting, every song, and every adventure. They are learning to be an amazing role model, just like you.

Let's make this year special - cherish every minute, every day, every week. Smile, celebrate, laugh, and enjoy the time with your girls. What you are doing is big!

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Jan Barker,

Chief Executive Officer

World Thinking Day 2016

February 22 is World Thinking Day!

As Girl Scouts, we are part of a special network of girls that stretches across the world. On February 22 of each year, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from 146 countries observe World Thinking Day. Celebrate the diversity of our global sisterhood and connect with Girl Scout friends across the world. Learn about their environment, or get to know your community or a place in nature -- then look wider still, and explore the relationships that matter to you. Be a part of this occasion, and connect with Girl Scouts around the world.

Travel Progression

“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” – Mary Anne Radmacher.

Travel is an integral part of the Girl Scout experience because through travel girls can connect with nature, see new places, gain insight into other cultures, become more independent, meet new people, and so much more.  If you would like to learn more on ways to travel with your troop please read Travel Progression to link to the full story from your Program Department.

A BIG thanks to volunteers who nominated someone for an Adult Award and to everyone who wrote endosement letters. We had more than 90 nominations for regional and council-wide awards. We, volunteers and staff, appreciate the time you took to recognize the amazing work happening across Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan. Volunteers that will be receiving an award will be invited to the Adult Award Ceremony in Lansing on April 23, 2016.

Overnight camp registration begins February 1!

Overnight Camp 2016

Overnight camp memories start at Camp Linden or Camp Merrie Woode, and registration begins February 1! It's time to choose the great adventures you will explore this summer. Girls will have a terrific time forming new friendships and making life long memories. Join the fun at camp!

Reach new heights with Product Program this year ... because our Cookies and Treats are worth sharing!

Cookies

Product Program is an integral part of the annual Girl Scout experience. Our Product Programs have provided financial assistance for more than 200 new girls who joined Girl Scouts. All Girl Scouts learn to set goals, manage their troop money, make educated decisions, speak well in public, and practice the Girl Scout Law. 

Saginaw

  • Bonus Booths are available now through February 8. Be sure to check eBudde for more locations. Your troop can can earn additional profit by participating in Cookie Bonus Booths.
  • Strive for Five! Winner was drawn January 11.  
  •  Gear up for Treats and Reads! Training starts in February! Returning troops can take online training -- just click here.

Ann Arbor, Jackson, Kalamazoo, and Lansing

  • Cookie Sales started January 6! Start sharing the news -- it's worth it!
  • Have you sent emails through Cookie Club to people who have promised to order cookies to support your troop? 
  • Set up your own Cookie Booths now. See your Troop Cookie Manager for details. (Troop Cookie Managers, reference page 16 of the Troop Manager Guide.)
  • Cookie Delivery begins February 15! Remember, any person in your troop can pick up your cookies. Be Prepared!
  • 1,000 Club, girls that sell 1,000 or more packages of Girl Scout cookies, will enjoy a fun day at Michigan Adventures on July 11, 2016. We hope that every girl earns this reward. This opportunity to earn the reward continues through Bonus Booths.

Hometown Heroes product is available now in your Regional Center.
You can work with your Area Product Manager and staff to deliver these gifts to heroes in your community. Have a conversation with your area team and girls -- were you able to reach your donation goals this year? 

Training Reminder:

Trip Planning: This home study is required before a troop goes on a field or camping trip and is a prerequiste for Outdoor Skills 1. This course needs to be completed just one time.

Outdoor Skillls: This introductory course helps participants gain confidence in their ability to work with girls to plan, implement, and evaluate a trip to a Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan lodge or cabin.

Outdoor Skills 2: This course completes your outdoor training so that you are now ready to camp with the troop at  new and different campsite. Some topics that will be covered are: cooking methods, outdoor etiquette, and safety.

Adult and Child First Aid and CPR: Any time the troop is not at its regular meeting space there needs to be a CPR/First Aid certified person in attendance. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan offers American Red Cross First Aid/CPR courses for volunteers.

What does Family Partnership do for Girl Scouts?

Ever wonder who you're helping when you give to Family Partnership? The program benefits all girls in Girl Scouting.It provides resource materials that troop leaders use to provide the best possible Girl Scout experience. It gives educational opportunities to new troop leaders and other adult volunteers, so they gain appropriate skills and confidence to work with girls. A gift from you helps families challenged with hardship have an opportunity to apply for financial assistance for camps and programs. When you invest in Family Partnership you are maintaining the Girl Scout camps, shops, offices, and program facilities. Family Partnership, is a gift for the future and other Girl Scouts!

 It’s a great time to think about activities your troop might do to celebrate Girl Scout Week, which is March 6-12.  March 12 marks the anniversary of the very first Girl Scout Troop meeting in Savannah in 1912. Maybe your troop could collect ideas to celebrate Girl Scouts week in your community. They could participate in a service project by cleaning up a garden bed or they could have a Girl Scout birthday party and bring a birthday party item to donate to a local food bank. There are so many fun activities to incorporate at your next Girl Scout meeting. Why not explore the idea of a nature adventure? Try a day trip to Camp Merrie Woode or Camp Linden. It’s a great way to take advantage of your exclusive access to our camps as a Girl Scout member. Let the journey begin!

With Thinking Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to plan an activity to celebrate the diversity of girls around the world. Explore activities other Girl Scout and Girl Guide friends experience across the globe, including tasting new foods or learning a new language. Join the fun by hosting a booth at our Thinking day event at the Ypsilanti Regional Center.

It’s also a fabulous time review your troop’s cookie goal. How many boxes of cookies will help a girl go to Overnight camp or what will it take to be able to explore a new program as a troop? 500 boxes of cookies get her to the 500 club, a fun day of tubing, swimming, making crafts and so much more. Help your troop make a plan to ask their neighbors, family, and friends how many tasty Girl Scout cookies they’d like to purchase. 

Cookie Season is in full swing for most of the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan.  Cookies gives girls the  opportunity to start managing their own business. Girls can consider who their potential customers are, make a list and practices their sales techniques.Girl Scout Juniors and up may even be able to take it a step further and develop a business plan. Girls can explore the world of business, which includes learning marketing, money management and customer service skills. The skills they’re learning today will help build their future resumes!

We all know a person that would be a terrific Girl Scout leader. Here are the steps to get them started.

Step 1


All volunteers must submit a volunteer application, background check authorization, and a list of references.

Once your application is processed, you will receive a Volunteer Appoimtment Letter and a Volunteer Agreement that will need to be signed and returned to your nearest regional center.

The application process is complete once you register as an adult member ($15) and you appointed as a leader.

Step 2


You're a stronger leader with training.These steps help ensure the girls in your troop have a safe, fun, and engaging Girl Scout experience. Required Trainings: Girl Scouting 101 (Online, duration 45 mins. during your application process), Council Essentials (Online, duration 20 mins. during your application process),Troop Management (in person, duration 2 hrs, before),  Grade Level.

Step 3


Congratulations! You're ready to start meeting. Be sure to invite more girls to join, and ask every parent to play an active role in your troop.

Retail News

Loyalty Points Redemption Dates: 

January 11-22

It's a great time to get Troop Resources!

New store hours became effective January 4, 2016.

Kalamazoo

M 8:30 am-6:30 pm

T W Th F 8:30 am-5 pm

 First Sat 10am-2pm

Saginaw                                 

M 8:30 am – 6 pm

T W Th F 8:30am-5pm

First Sat 10am -2pm

Ypsilanti                 

M-F 8am-6pm

Sat 10am-2pm

Jackson               

M T Th F 8:30-5pm

W 8:30-6pm

First Sat 10am-2pm

Lansing            

M T Th F 8:30am-5pm

W 8:30am-6pm

First Sat 10am-2pm

All Girl Scout Shops will be open on Saturday, January 9, 2016!

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Annual Success Report (Town Hall Meeting Webinar)

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Annual Success Report 

At this town hall meeting-style webinar on January 19, you'll hear from Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan's Chief Officers and Chief Executive Officer, Jan Barker. Get the latest news and reports on last year's successes in Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, plus give your feedback on what is working, as well as where we can continue to grow and make improvements.

Volunteer Essentials at gshom.org

Camp Facility Rental

It's not too early to reserve your spot at camp! Every camp has heated facilities available for rent. >>> Reserve your winter getaway today!

Deer Trails Family Camp

Our very own exclusive camp property is available for all Girl Scout families to enjoy, and we still have winter cabins available for rent! Imagine your private winter wonderland with cozy heated cabins where you can enjoy quality time with your family. Partake in activities like snowshoeing, hiking, and fishing on site ... or travel just a few minutes for a nearby skiing or snowboarding adventure. 

Have No Fear. Help Desk is Here!

The Help Desk staff is your one-stop-shop for any questions or concerns you may have. Forgot your eBiz password? We're on it. Need help registering for an event? You got it.

So give us a call, use the Help Desk Form, send a carrier pigeon ... whatever works best for you, we'll be here, ready to help.  

Meet Your Staff 

Everyone at Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan shares your passion for helping girls, and we are ready to assist you any way we can. For a list of staff members by region and department, visit our Selfie Directory.

Cleaning out the garage?

We are looking for used appliances (but working) and cabinetry. Donate yours to help your camp! We will get them out of your space.

Contact Matt Bates at mbates@gshom.org for additional questions.

There's excitement in the air at Camp Merrie Woode!
The ground has been broken at Camp Merrie Woode to make way for a new Adventure Unit. Woohoo!


Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Logo
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan
1223 Turner Street
Lansing, MI 48906
gshom@gshom.org
Facebook YouTube

This email was sent to .
To ensure that you continue receiving our emails, please add us to your address book or safe list.
manage your preferences | opt out
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.