January 2013January 2013January 2013VOLUNTEERnews

i n s i d e :Girl Scout Spotlight .......2Greater Iowa Greats .....2Volunteer Awards ..........3Volunteer Training .........3GSLE ..................................4Announcements ...........5Product Program .......6-7Support & Shop .............8

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2013 Girl sCouts oF the usa Centennial silVer dollar

The Girl Scouts of the USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Act was signed into law in 2009 in commemoration of the yearlong celebration of our 100th anniversary.

The coin will be available for sale starting February 28, 2013. Pricing will be set soon. A surcharge from the sale of each coin is authorized to be paid to Girl Scouts of the USA’s national program development and delivery, which helps girls grow into their best selves. And the coolest part? This is the first time the United States Mint has produced a commemorative coin dedicated to a girls’ organization!

Quick Facts:• The Girl Scouts of the USA Centennial Silver Dollar weighs 26.73 grams, is 1.5 inches in diameter, and

contains 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.• The United States Mint will produce a maximum of 350,000 across all product options.• Coins will be sold online through Girl Scouts of the USA at girlscouts.org and sold by the United States

Mint by mail order and online at www.usmint.gov.

information about the design:

Silver Dollar Obverse (Heads):

• This design depicts three girls who represent the different ages and the diversity of the Girl Scouts of the USA.

• Inscriptions include COURAGE • CONFIDENCE • CHARACTER, key elements of the Girl Scout mission statement. The 100th anniversary trefoil symbol signifies the centennial anniversary. Additional inscriptions are 2013, LIBERTY, and IN GOD WE TRUST.

Silver Dollar Reverse (Tails):

• This design depicts the iconic trefoil/profiles symbol of the Girl Scouts of the USA with the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, $1, and GIRL SCOUTS.

2013 Girl Scouts of the USACentennial Silver Dollar

Coming in Early 2013

Governor's luncheon for scoutingwednesday, January 9, 2013; noonmeadows Conference Center, altoona, ia

Gary Palmer, President/CEO of Prairie Meadows has been named Chair of the

2013 Governor’s Luncheon for Scouting. Guests will hear from Iowa’s Governor Terry Branstad about the positive effects the Scouting Movement has had on our communities. More than 700 business and civic leaders are expected to attend this prestigious event. For more information, contact Joanne at jpurtill@gsiowa.org.

Cookies are CominG FeB. 1!

See page 6-7 for more details!

Don't miss our new cookie and the On-time Challenge!

2 • VOLUNTEER NEWS

Girl scout spotlighttRooP 10184 A multi-age troop made up of girls in grades K-11 decided to make and donate a beautiful quilt to the Schaller Chamber to use for their annual holiday drawing in December! The troop consists of girls from the communities of Schaller, Early, Newell, Holstein, and Galva. Troop Leader, Linda Clark, said the girls commented on how they now

understand the hard work involved in piecing a quilt together! Assistant troop leaders include Sarah Sackett, Annie Hansen, and Diana Werner. They all were able to participate and the girls celebrated the completion of the quilt at a troop lock-in.

Featured greater Iowa greats

troop #40505, council bluffs, IA

On top of organizing a successful food drive for SU 406 for the past few years,

they came up with an additional idea around Halloween. They donated the majority of their candy to troops that were unable to trick or treat during Hurricane Sandy. They sent approximately 18 lbs! Troop 40505 is lead by Laury Baxter.

Jackie giles, troop #505, Adel, IA

(nominated by Cristin Kreifels)

Jackie is the epitome of a Girl Scout. She commands a troop of Girl Scout Brownies, but started last year with Girl Scout Daisies, most of which were first graders, but included a few kindergartners when they couldn’t find a troop to join. When her daughter was to bridge to Brownies at the end of the year, Jackie lined up leaders for those girls who would not be able to bridge and continues to assist that troop as much as possible. Not only is she a great troop leader, but Jackie is also a wonderful mom to three children, a very caring daycare provider, and the wife of a soldier who is currently serving in Afghanistan. She makes sure that her troop is involved in community service projects throughout the year, brings in guest speakers to educate her troop, and fosters independence in her girls.

Nominate someone as a Greater Iowa Great! "Greats" are featured on our website as well as in our publications. We'd also love to hear from you as a guest writer for our Girl Scout blog. Email us today at marketing@gsiowa.org.

tRooP 343, osAge This troop worked with United Way to help pack "Backpack Buddies". Children receive backpacks of food to take home as meals for their weekend. Backpack Buddies provide meals and food to elementary school children in the nine country region that United Way of North Central Iowa serves.

PRAIRIe schooneR seRvIce UnIt, sIoUX cItY, purchased 43 backpacks to be given to the Mercy Hospital Child Advocacy Center in Sioux City. The backpacks are filled with donations from over 200 Girl Scouts including diapers, washcloths, stuffed animals, shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, coloring books,

gloves, hats, underwear, socks, nail polish, baby bottles, hand-made baby quilts, hairbrushes, and dental floss. The backpacks are a year-long service unit project for three age groups including baby-toddler, elementary, and teen and were packed for both boys and girls. This is the second donation from this service unit with the first being 12 backpacks. The Mercy Child Advocacy Center is a comprehensive, child-friendly program dedicated to serving child victims of abuse. Most often, children are removed from the home. Prairie Schooner’s next goal is for 50+ backpacks to include a pillow with pillowcase, an age/gender appropriate outfit, as well as the necessary items listed above. Pictured are the Prairie Schooner Service Unit Troop Leaders.

westwood seRvIce UnIt #330, sloAn collected toys, diapers, and other items for their neighborhood Angel tree. Service Unit Manager, Kim Choquette, praises all the girls, parents, and leaders for their generous donations and "big hearts" over the holiday season.

VOLUNTEER NEWS • 3

Volunteer Awards/RecognitionsYou, or a group of girls and parents, can nominate a fellow volunteer/leader/mentor. The deadline for the applications to be submitted is February 15, 2013. To nominate an individual, please complete the application found on our website and include the requested number of letters of recommendation. A letter of recommendation should describe how the nominee has delivered outstanding service that has benefitted the council and/or the Girl Scout Movement overall. Please describe a specific impact the nominee has made through this service.

Volunteer task Group needed! We are currently searching for several volunteers from throughout the council to serve on our Recognition Committee. If you know of a good candidate or would be interested in beiong a part of this group please let us know at ALE@gsiowa.org.

Following is a short description of each of the awards - you can find the requirements online.

Volunteer oF eXCellenCe (new this year) Recognizes those volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience through use of the national program portfolio or

who have contributed outstanding service in support of the council’s mission delivery to girl and adult members. The candidate is an active, registered adult Girl Scout and has successfully completed a term of service and all requirements for the position.

thanks BadGe Honors an individual whose ongoing commitment, leadership, and service have had an exceptional, measurable impact on meeting the mission, delivery goals, and priorities of the entire council or the entire Girl Scout Movement. The candidate is an active,

registered adult Girl Scout.

thanks BadGe ii Honors a previous Thanks Badge award recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the entire Girl Scout Movement. The candidate is an active, registered adult Girl Scout. The candidate has

received the Thanks Badge.

honor pin Recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, which has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, allowing the council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals. The candidate

is an active, registered adult Girl Scout.

appreCiation pin Recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This service, which has had measureable impact on one geographic area of service, helps reach and surpass the mission-delivery goals of the area. The

candidate is an active, registered adult Girl Scout.

president’s award Recognizes the efforts of a service-delivery team or committee whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals. All service-team members are registered Girl Scouts. This award has an extensive list of documentation required so please contact the Volunteer Development groups with questions.

Volunteer TrainingMany of you have taken advantage of the volunteer trainings we offered this fall. Thank you to all of the volunteer trainers who are doing a fantastic job! We have listed numerous training opportunities in our new

program book (near the back of the book).

Over 50 people participated and networked at our Volunteer Retreat at Camp Sacajawea in October. Another Volunteer Retreat is being planned for April 26 - 28 at Camp Tanglefoot, so watch our website for more details.

The best way to keep up on new training times and locations is on our website. If you are interested in hosting a training in your area, please send us an email or speak with your Girl Services Manager. We prefer to have a minimum of five participants so that we are using our resources wisely. We want to continue to hear from you regarding the types of trainings you would like to see in your areas as well as how we are doing. Please send your feedback and suggestions to ALE@gsiowa.org.

a list oF the reQuired traininGs inClude:• Girl scouting 101 (orientation) We requires volunteers

to participate in the Girl Scouts of the USA online volunteer orientation, Girl Scouting 101, at http://training.girlscouts.org/. It is also required for individuals volunteering for Series and Events.

• Growing with Girls – new leader toolkit is required within two months of being appointed as a leader. This is also a good refresher for experienced leaders.

• Growing with Girls – Grade level essentials is required within two months of beginning or when advancing to the next program level. It explains the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and how we use Girl Scout Journey books and The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting to deliver our program.

• First aid/Cpr - Certified First Aiders are required for trips, overnights, etc. Check Safety Activity Checkpoints for additional requirements.

• Basic outdoor awareness (Boa) - Required for beginning outdoor activities away from the meeting spot including field trips and overnights. It includes Safety Activity Checkpoints and basic information on trip and travel. To be completed within the first year or before taking girls out-of-doors.

Volunteer trainers needed! Do you have a special interest in sharing information and mentoring new volunteers? Are you comfortable speaking in a group of people? Is your idea of training more than standing and lecturing? Then we want to speak with you about becoming a volunteer trainer. Our goal is to have core training groups assigned to each Leadership Center. We want to get trainers in all areas of the council. Skills include a positive attitude, basic Girl Scout knowledge, understanding of group dynamics, and ability to think on your feet. You need to be willing to travel around your area and engage with numerous volunteers. For more information on becoming a volunteer trainer please email ALE@gsiowa.org

4 • VOLUNTEER NEWS

+

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEYS

THE GIRL’S GUIDE TO GIRL SCOUTING

grades 11-12grades 6-8grades 2-3grades K-1 grades 4-5 grades 9-10

Every journey needs a

great guide.

= gIRl scoUtLeadership ExperienceG

SLE

gIRl scoUtgIRl scoUt

GSLE

gIRl scoUtgIRl scoUtconsistent | clear | customizable

take a girl on a Girl scout leadership journey and watch her do great things!

All journey books and The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting binders are sold in our local shops and online at girlscoutsiowa.org. Adult guides and earned awards are also available that correspond to each age-appropriate journey. To learn more about Girl Scout journey materials and how to use them, please contact your local Leadership Center.

4 • VOLUNTEER NEWS

VOLUNTEER NEWS • 5

Announcements & RemindersPRogRAm And events book

gRAnts AwARded

Best Buy Children's Foundation Grant Our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programming was given a boost thanks to a $10,000 grant from Best Buy Children’s Foundation. “The Ankeny Best Buy and its employees are excited to award this grant to our local Girl Scouts. Many employers today express concern over the quality of the workforce. We want to take an active role in developing the workforce of tomorrow,” Kim Marie Schulze, Home Sales Manager at Best Buy in Ankeny, said. “We are committed to helping students excel in school and develop life-long skills that will ensure their success as individuals and future leaders.”

usda rural iowa Communities take aCtion Grant Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa has been awarded a $49,617 grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be used in an effort to provide middle school girls in the rural communities of Charles City and Algona with opportunities to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills. One of the projects the girls will take part in includes implanting sustainable ‘Take Action projects’ that make a significant long-term impact on their communities.

stem sCale up Dozens of Girl Scouts will benefit from the near $40,000 in funding, materials and volunteer staff the STEM Advisory Council of the Governor’s STEM Scale Up program and Girl Scouts of the USA awarded to our council in an effort to support 12 STEM teams in First Lego Leagues (grades 4-6), First Tech Challenge (grades 7-9) and Hyperstream Computer Clubs.

sUmmeR cAmP bRochURe

Watch your mailboxes for the new program book mailed the second week in January. All of our programs, and a flipable/readable electronic book are also all on our website! We have so many exciting programs and trips for you to choose from - sign up today!

ALL NEW!

Summer camp 2013 is right around the corner and we're preparing so many exciting programs for girls of all ages. Watch your mailboxes and our website for up to date information. Looking for a great place to work for the summer? We're hiring seasonal staff for all three of our resident camps. Check out our website for more information - click "summer camp" under our "Camp" header.

When you utilize Girl Scouts University, from Girl Scouts of the USA, you will be able to access resources from other

volunteers or staff from the greater Girl Scout world. It is great new resource to research and gather ideas. Girl Scouts University offers personal, professional, and career development learning opportunities for Girl Scouts.

Take advantage of GSU’s growing online resources! Tabs include:

• Customer Experience• Communities• Courses• Professional Development; and • Juliette’s List (Girl Scout’s version of Craig’s

List).

Check it out at http://gsuniv.org and share the information with your fellow volunteers.

girl scoutsUniversity

commUnItY FoRUms

Community Forum update We've hosted five community forums throughout the Council. The focus is on The State of Girls In Iowa and gives platform to some staggering and eye-opening statistics about girls and leadership, the issues and barriers they face within their community, and how we can work together to get her there. These community conversations have brought together community leaders, elected officials, community based organizations and agencies, educators, and other people concerned about the future of girls in our society. Some general themes have surfaced at each forum:

• We need to help girls by being an example (mentoring) to help her “see it - dream or aspire to it – and become it”.

• We can find strength in working together - collaborating and partnering will bring our vision into clearer focus.

• We have a strong commitment to girls – connecting them to us and to each other.

three Community Forums are still to come. Online registration is available through our homepage - please pass the word to anyone who you feel would be interested in the conversation.

• January 10, 2013 – Fort Dodge• January 28, 2013 – Spirit Lake• February 4, 2013 - Ottumwa

gIRl scoUts UnIveRsItY

6 • VOLUNTEER NEWS

P R O D U C T P R O G R A M S Product Program Team, cookies@gsiowa.org

Due to the overwhelming success of the 2012 direct sale, we will once again primarily use the direct sale format for the 2013 sale. We learned a lot from last year and we know that you have, too. Your communication, guidance, support, and partnership with the leader of your troop are instrumental in the success of the sale. We are confident you will find the experience to be both enjoyable and rewarding.

This year’s theme, What Can a Girl Do?, will inspire your Girl Scout to step up and claim her place in the world while learning about business as she develops five essential skills for the future. What an awesome way to have fun and learn important life skills!

Goal settinG Because your Girl Scout sets cookie sales goals and develops a plan to reach them… she won’t tell you on Sunday night that her science fair project is due tomorrow.

deCision makinG Because your Girl Scout helps decide how her troop will spend their cookie money… she can decide how to use her baby sitting money; spend some, save some, give some to those in need.

money manaGement Because your Girl Scout takes cookie orders and handles customers’ money… she can handle a checking account, help with the grocery shopping and even stay on top of her cell phone bill.

people skills Because your Girl Scout learns how to talk and listen to all kinds of customers selling cookies… she can work well with others on a school projects or sports teams.

Business ethiCs Because your Girl Scout is honest and responsible at every step of the cookie sale… her friends, teachers and classmates can count on her and think of her as trustworthy.

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543

2

CoCo: Cookie Command Center / online Business CenterCoCo for Girls CoCo for leaders • Set and track individual goals. • Send e-cards (COCO cards) to notify your friends

and family about the upcoming sale*• Record progress towards goals. • Send encouraging "cheers" to teammates and

receive cheers given to you.• Links for teens to share via social media.

• Use troop page to post messages, communicate with, and monitor your girl’s sale progress.

Login information for COCO Go to www.abcsmartcookies.com. Click on your age level or status. Click "Login” on the lower left side of the screen and then click on “register.” Fill in the registration information. Girls who have a Cookie Zone ID from last year will use that ID as their username. If they do not have one, they will create one.

* Girls may begin sending COCO Cards on January 26. For the safety of girls, these invitations should only be used for close family and friends. There is also a Facebook tool for girls 13 and older. Girls may use the Internet to notify friends and family of their cookie sale, however, posting cookies on

resale sites like Craigslist and eBay is prohibited. All money and products must be collected and delivered in person - no money or products can be exchanged online. No cookies will be sent to customers from the Council. These tools and guidelines are available at abcsmartcookies.com or girlscoutsiowa.org.

abcsmartcookies.com

new thIs

YeAR!

new! mango Crèmes

VOLUNTEER NEWS • 7

reminders / Current inFormationon your honor! You may begin selling cookies on February 1, 2013. You may not sell before this date.*Note, the Order Card features an incorrect start date.

January key dates• January – Two Cookie Cupboard Manager online training

webinars - dates will be emailed to Cookie Cupboard Managers (CCM).

• January 1 – Booth sale scheduler open in Snap. Council-secured booth sale requests may be made and troops can add their own troop-secured locations and/or requests. *Troops will not be granted access to Snap without turning in a signed Troop Cookie Manager (TCM) Position Description & Agreement form to the council or to their Cookie Product Chair (CPC).

• January 4 & 11 – Girl membership rosters will be added to Snap. Troop Cookie Managers (TCMs) are responsible to check roster(s) in Snap to verify each girl that is selling cookies is registered. If not, contact your local Girl Services Manager.

• January 14 – TCMs place initial cookie order into Snap by 11:59pm

• January 14 – CPCs forward all TCM Agreements and ACH forms received to Product Program Coordinator in GSGI’s Des Moines office.

• January 31 – Last day for TCMs to enter their request(s) into Snap Booth Scheduler. Snap will notify TCM of assigned booths on February 1.

"smart Cookies" manage cookie inventory to zero by the end of the sale and communication with troop leaders!

swap out for varieties you need email customers (COCO cards) ask about holding a booth sale reach out to your troop leaders regularly to control inventory track and set goals on abcsmartcookies.com

Cookie program Chair Challenge!This year, Cookie Program Chairs have the opportunity to win a Kindle Fire HD! In order to qualify, five deadlines must be met - see more information click the home page link on our website!

money handling • Money is collected when the cookies are delivered. • Customers make checks payable to your troop, Girl

Scouts, or Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa. • Parents are financially responsible for all cookies in your

girl's inventory. Troops/parents are responsible for all cookies in the troop inventory. Turn money in frequently and always ask for a receipt!

• Parents/troops do not need to pay for the cookies when you receive them. Money is due to the leader after the cookies are sold. Please be sure to follow the dates that the leader sets for turning money in.

recognitions Recognitions were all voted on by girls and have an aquatic theme this year that ties into to theme "What Can a Girl Do?". You may find a full list of the recognitions on our website, the Cookie Program Order Card, and COCO! Girls can create a working plan to achieve their recognition goals!

web support • www.girlscoutsiowa.orgUnder the “Cookies & More” header, you’ll find our Cookie Program forms including the Communication Flow Chart to help you know who to reach with your questions. You'll also find materials and training modules. We broke up the trainings into short videos to answer individual questions about our program and using Snap, to help save you time and keep you on track. In addition, you'll find links to Snap, our cookie varieties, booth sale information, the history of cookies, and more!

shout out! enewsletterWatch for regular updates during the cookie program in our enewsletter "Shout Out!" for all Cookie Program Managers. If you aren't receiving this newsletter, please email us to let us know at cookies@gsiowa.org.

parents h e l p yo u r G i r l s c o u t by. . .• Review the cookie training materials on

www.girlscoutsiowa.org.• Visit www.abcsmartcookies.com and help your Girl

Scout set goals and send COCO cards. • Helping your Girl Scout remain honest and fair - wait

until February 1 to begin door-to-door sales. • Remind your Girl Scout to wear her Girl Scout uniform,

pin, or something to identify her as a Girl Scout while selling.

• Help your Girl Scout track her progress on COCO Support her selling; take her to your workplace, assist with phone orders, volunteer at the troop’s cookie booth, and help deliver cookies. Remember that this is a girl driven sale.

• Communicate cookie inventory with the troop leader regularly!

P R O D U C T P R O G R A M SProduct Program Team, cookies@gsiowa.org

Did you know?

of proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie

Program stay in our council to support girls locally.

73%

people buy Girl Scout cookies is to support

Girl Scouting.

The #1 Reason

Volunteer news is published four times annually as a service to the volunteers of Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa. Articles, photos, and suggested topics are welcome.

Chair: martha kroneCEO: Jamie Boersma

www.girlscoutsiowa.org

1860 Madison Ave, Ste 3Council Bluffs, IA 51503

712-328-2338800-422-2093

10715 Hickman RoadDes Moines, IA 50322

515-278-2881800-342-8389

112 S 3rd StreetFort Dodge, IA 50501

515-573-814180-798-8141

601 S Illinois Ave.Mason City, IA 50401

641-423-3044800-657-5853

1515 Zenith DriveSioux City, IA 51103

712-255-0187800-746-8947

Girl scout mission: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

10715 Hickman Rd.Des Moines, IA 50322

Leadership Center Locations: Council Bluffs, IA Des Moines, IA Fort Dodge, IA Mason City, IA Sioux City, IA

girlscoutsiowa.org

Sioux City, IA

support Girl sCouts oF Greater iowaThe year is just beginning and there are so many ways to support Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa. An example of financial contributions looks like the following:

• $50 = Membership for 4 girls to join Girl Scouts• $100 = Provides start up funds for 4 new Daisy Troops• $250 = 25 girls attend the Believe in Girls (BIG) Event• $350 = Girl Scouting for 1 year for 1 girl• $500 = 20 girls attend Girl Scout Day at the Capitol

Give a Seat for Camp• Donors can provide a bench for girls to use at camp.

Exclusive artwork commemorates Girl Scouts' 100th Anniversary • Purchase this limited time commemorative art piece today.

All sales from our shops helps support local girls in their leadership experience.

Like us. Follow us. View our videos. View our albums.

We have multiple channels to connect with you - are you connected to us? Social media is a useful, informative, and fun way to stay in touch!

Every Girl Scout has a story, and your unique story is important to us! Whatever your story is, we'd love to hear it! You can submit your story by emailing us at marketing@gsiowa.org. We will contact you to obtain further information if needed (select stories, used with permission, will be gathered for Girl Scout promotion, Facebook posts, and/or our Blog).

The more people who follow us, the more informed volunteers, parents, staff members, girls, and Girl Scout supporters will be! Go to www.girlscoutsiowa.org to find the links to our social media sites.

Girl scoutsand

social media

sale is now through January 31.

notiCes and priCe updates as oF January 1, 2013!

• We've lowered our special order fun patch prices from $1.10 to $1.00 - place your order today!

• All shops will now require 24 hour notice when phoning in or emailing orders. If items are needed for a Service Unit Meeting/event or for pick up, please plan accordingly.

Want the world to know you’ll always be a Girl

Scout? Try our beautiful trefoil jewelry on for size.

donate online!