Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida

In this Issue: January 24, 2018
calendar 
 celebration
Save the Date: GSSEF HQ Grand Opening Celebration
Please mark your calendars for the GSSEF Administrative Headquarters Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, February 17 at 10:00 a.m. immediately following the Annual Meeting. Join us for a family-friendly morning with music, a food truck, sweet treats, Girl Scout activities, tours and the official ribbon cutting.

scholar
Graduating Ambassadors Now Eligible For Leadership Program And Scholarship
Annually, top female high school seniors from around the country are selected to participate in the KPMG Future Leaders Program and receive a scholarship of $10,000 per year through four years of college. Selected students attend a three-day retreat at Stanford University the summer before their freshman year of college and take part in a yearlong mentoring program, paired with a female leader participating in the KPMG Women's Leadership Summit.

Learn more about the program here:
https://womensleadership.kpmg.us/charitable.html. Applications are due to the Office of Condoleezza Rice by January 31, 2018.

season
It's the Best Season of the Year
It's Girl Scout Cookie Sale Season! That sweet spot between Winter and Spring when Girl Scouts pop up on every corner ready put their business and leadership skills to work. It's Day 7 of the sale and we're hearing that girls are everywhere making sure our cookie customers are stocked with all their favorite varieties. We are well on our way of selling 1.6 million boxes of cookies and breaking even more records. Here's to a turtle-y awesome, record setting, fun-filled Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program. 
 
digital
Digital Cookie
Digital Cookie is a great way for a Girl Scout to enhance her s ale. This digitally  delicious cookie selling enhancement has been live and delivering cookies since December 15. It's a great way to reach out to your family members all over the country for their support. They too can enjoy delicious Girl Scout cookies delivered right to their doorstep OR send some to the military (with no shipping and handling charges) through your Digital Cookie online site.
 
This year, we have some very cool rewards as well. Click here to see what your Girl Scout might want to earn. If you did not get the invite to Digital Cookie, or if you forgot your password, Digital Cookie now has an awesome self-help feature where you can get started! Just click here and follow the prompts.
 
Here are 4 easy steps to jump into the fun, and slay those cookie sale goals like a true cookie boss!
 
cakes
S'mores Cupcakes & Martinis 
Girl Scouts has partnered with Duffy's Sports Grill to offer two S'mores cookie- themed tasty treats this Cookie Season. Now through February 9th, Duffy's customers can enjoy S'mores Cupcakes, decadent chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting, dusted with cocoa and topped off with a Girl Scout S'mores Cookie or a S'mores Martini made with Pinnacle whipped vodka, Kahlua, creme de cacao and creamer served in a graham cracker rimmed martini glass, chocolate sauce and two Girl Scout S'mores Cookies. A portion of every sale will benefit Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida.

opening
NEW Palm Beach Retail Store Grand Opening
On Saturday, February 10, 2018 we will cut the ribbon - and some cake - at our new Palm Beach County Retail Store located at 1232 West Indiantown Road, Suite 105 in Jupiter. It's the same plaza as our former Service Center, but this store is bigger, brighter and waiting for shoppers like you!

Join the party and grab some amazing, one-day deals and discounts from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

journey
Program Spotlight 
         
SAVE THE DATE! Journey in a Day 
It's Your Planet, Love It! is our Journey in a Day theme for 2018. Join us at Camp Nocatee on April 21 for Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors and on April 22 for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors. Don't miss this awesome opportunity to explore the It's Your Planet, Love It Journey all in one day while having an awesome outdoor experience at the same time. New this year: A limited number of Cadettes will have the opportunity to apply to earn their Journey on Saturday then spend the night and work with Brownies on Sunday to earn their LiA (Leader in Action) award. Adults who are interested in volunteering at the program should contact Mica Minor at mminor@gssef.org. More details coming soon. Keep watching the Activities page.  
 
 
 glows
Calling all GLOW Getters! New Mall! New Stores!
Registration for Mall Madness 2018 is still open! Don't miss your chance to join us at this exciting program on February 24-25 at Pembroke Lakes Mall. Bring your holiday cash and gift cards and check out all kinds of new stores like Lunchbox and Bath and Body Works, as well as some old time favorites like Build a Bear and the Disney Store. Plus stop by the Slime Bar and have a blast with a Glow in the Dark Scavenger Hunt. There's something for everyone at GLOW the Mall Madness 2018! Gather your troop and get your GLOW on! Register today here!
Tune into the GSSEF Facebook page for Mall Madness Mondays. Special drawings and surprises await! 
   
    
spring
It's Never to Late to Spring into Girl Scouts
Join us on Saturday March 24, 2018 at Mills Pond Park in Ft. Lauderdale for a fun-filled, family-friendly free afternoon of Girl Scout activities. There will be trunk-or-treat, a scavenger hunt and bounce house, a costume contest and drawings throughout the day. And Girl Scouts, if you bring a friend and they register for Girl Scouts at the event, you get a free $5 gift card. For additional information, see the flyer.  
 
Questions? Contact Jeanette Jones at jjones@gssef.org.

bling
Bling Your Booth
Love to showcase your Girl Scout style at your cookie booth? Want your customers to see that you are a #cookieboss? Then Bling Your Booth and show it off for your chance to win. Use fun colors and awesome accessories to be creative.
 
How to Enter!
  1. Snap a photo of your blinged out booth.
  2. Download the GSSEF App from the Apple or Android App Store and click on the Bling Your Booth tab.
  3. Follow the instructions for uploading your photo.
  4. You must include your troop #, leader name and email address in the body of the email message.
  5. Click send and you're done.
 How to Win!
  1. Photos can be submitted from January 18 - 28, 2018. All photos submitted by the deadline will be uploaded to a Bling Your Booth album and posted on the GSSEF Facebook page.
  2. A group of unbiased judges will choose 10 finalist photos.
  3. An online poll featuring the 10 finalist photos will be posted on the GSSEF Facebook page and on our website on February 5, 2018.
  4. The photo with the most votes on February 7, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. will win Bling Your Booth patches and a $200 gift card to the food or entertainment venue of your choice. The runner up photo will receive a $50 GSSEF Council gift card.
Questions? Contact Melinda Glasco, Director of Marketing and Communications at mglasco@gssef.org .

races
On Your Mark, Get Set, Register!
The race to register for the 2018 Thin Mint Sprint is on. Bring your family and  troop for a morning full of fun activities. You can register online to participate in the 5K or Tagalong Trot at your favorite race location (or all 3!)
 

Saturday, April 7, 2018 - Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, Hollywood

 

Sunday, April 8, 2018 - Okeeheelee Park, West Palm Beach

 

Saturday, April 14, 2018 - Halpatiokee Regional Park, Stuart

 
The 5K is a chip-timed race. Awards will be given in 17 categories, and all finishers will receive a box of Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies. Also, all registered Girl Scouts will receive a fun patch. And girls, make sure you practice so you can earn the "I Beat the CEO" patch. For additional information, see flyer  here . Register yourself, your troop, or your team today. Click here.

beach 
Join Us for the Emerald Awards: February 24  
On Saturday, February 24, join us at the Emerald Awards as we honor six Palm Beach County women who represent the national initiatives of Girl Scouts and serve as role models for today's girls. The Emerald Awards will be held at The Beach Club on Palm Beach from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
 
This year, we will present the Lifetime Achievement Award for Philanthropy to Geri Emmett. New this year is the Young Philanthropist Award which will be presented to Noemi Coltea. 
   
In addition, we will honor the following four women is these categories:
Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy: Tammy O'Rourke
Healthy Living and Life Skills: Theresa LePore
Outdoor and Environmental Leadership: Hannah Campbell
STEM: Carla Duhaney
    
Get your tickets today here and help us celebrate these wonderful women. For additional information, see the invitation .
          
   goals
Has Your Girl Scout Set Her Cookie Goal?  
   
Goal setting is a huge aspect of the Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program. It's about trying new things and having fun. Girls work together to set a troop goal for the season; whether it's funding a community service project or taking a trip to Savannah. Sure, selling the cookies is great. But what girls do with the money they earn is even greater.
 
This year we have the coolest incentives to help keep your Girl Scout motivated during the sale, as she works to achieve her cookie goal! Check out the Girl Reward Card and help her see how many cool items she can earn this year,
in addition to helping power her troop's earnings!  
 
Have you met this year's featured Cookie Mascot?  This Turtle-y AWESOME plush is super soft, super colorful and it arrives in its super amazing shell. This year, we wanted more girls to make this gorgeous sea turtle their BFF-- so we lowered the plush level!
   
Remember, the girl rewards are distributed at the end of the sale and are the individual rewards that each girl earns by participating. The cookie money-earning opportunity is a group effort and the funds go back to power your troop's projects and programs for the year! Questions? Please contact Gabriella Gaita at ggaita@gssef.org.
        
shopping
Find Your Fave G.I.R.L. Gear  
Getting ready for your next awesome G.I.R.L. experience? There are many ways you can shop to keep your Girl Scout ready and excited for her next Girl Scout adventure. Our Palm Beach County Retail Store and Broward County Pop-Up Shop carry everything to meet all of your Girl Scout needs all year long.   
 
 
GSSEF Online Store Open 24/7 
You can shop anytime by visiting our Online Store that is open 24/7.       
   
             
 clearance
It's Red Line Clearance Time: Extended Through February 3!
During this special time of year, shoppers in the GSSEF Retail Stores can enjoy big savings on selected merchandise! Because it is our store-wide clearance time at both retail stores, you will receive an additional 20%-50% off selected in-store merchandise that has a red line on the ticket. And we have extended the clearance time through February 3! Don't wait - when it's gone, it's gone. Shop early for the best selection.
   
      
  mom 
 
Cookie Mom kit 
Gear up for cookie time and be inspired to make your own sweet treats with your Girl Scout! The colorful Cookie Mom Kit includes mixing bowl, spoon, spatula, bag, cookie cutters, and five balloons. $24.99 *while supplies last  
 
    
                
 
 
 global
World Thinking Day & Global Action Awards
Each year on February 22, Girl Scouts participate in activities and projects with global themes to honor their sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in other countries. It is a special day in the Girl Scout year when we remember we are part of a worldwide movement. 

The 2018 World Thinking Day Theme is 
Impact! This year, we'll celebrate the Impact that the movement brings in the lives of our members and their communities. Let's celebrate, learn about and participate in all of the amazing ways our global movement has impacted each of us in our communities.
 
Each year, Girl Scouts of all grade levels can earn the Global Action award. This award emphasizes the WAGGGS sisterhood (146 countries strong) by encouraging girls to work together to make a difference as they support an issue that affects girls and women around the world.

In 2015, the U.N. community came together to form the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-a set of 17 ambitious goals aimed at ending extreme poverty, fighting inequality and injustice, and curbing climate change by 2030. Starting this year, as they work to earn their Global Action award, girls will learn about the SDGs and related challenges locally and globally. They'll join their sisters worldwide to take action in support of this important global agenda.

Both the World Thinking Day and Global Action awards are Official Awards and therefore may be worn on the front of the Official Uniform sash or vest and placed where other earned badges are worn.
  
    
test
Cookie Pro Contest
This cookie season, show how the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world prepares girls to lead, learn, succeed, and shine-not only for today but also for the future-by entering Girl Scouts of the USA's Cookie Pro 2018 Contest from January 2 through April 30, 2018.
Six girls nationwide, one per Girl Scout grade level, will be named Girl Scouts of the USA's Top Cookie Pro 2018 and get the epic chance to:
  • Be featured on the Girl Scout Cookie boxes!
  • Travel to New York City for an all-expenses-paid Cookie Entrepreneur Experience!
Plus, every  girl who enters GSUSA's Cookie Pro 2018 Contest will unlock this awesome, limited-edition Cookie Pro 2018 patch. Check out the Cookie Pro Submission Form for all the details!

 
military
Cookies for the Military
Another way of participating in the Cookie Sale Program and making an impact on the lives of others, is through the Cookies for the Military (CFM) program. Each year we send thousands of boxes of cookies to our men and women deployed overseas. In its 10th year, our Cookies for the Military goal this year is 70,000 boxes. What better way to feel the love and remember that we are thinking of them back home.  
 
This year, we've added some new incentives and even a Cookies for the Military Top Seller reward level. Check out all the awesome rewards here.  Whether it's a box, a case or some spare change, we thank you for your support.

 
move
 
 
On The Move at  
Team GSSEF
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cheré Morales
We are excited to introduce Cheré Morales as GSSEF's newest addition to the Finance team! Cheré joins us as our Finance Manager alongside Allyson Maharaj and Alese Cauley (CFO and Finance Associate respectively), and came to us from another local nonprofit where she was a Corporate Accountant. Cheré holds a Bachelors degree from FAU in Business Management, and has already made such a terrific addition to the team!
 
Welcome Cheré!  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gracyn Boss
We are very excited to introduce you to our new Manager of Outdoor Program & Education, Gracyn Boss! Gracyn left her position at the Houston Zoo where she was a Zoologist and relocated to South Florida where she started her Girl Scouting journey with us earlier this month!
 
Gracyn is eager to kick start GSSEF's outdoor initiatives by talking to our girls and developing programs that incorporate the GSUSA outdoor badges and activities. Outdoor initiatives involve a lot of "behind the scenes" work, so Gracyn will also be recruiting volunteer teams to deliver programs, recruiting and working with GSSEF outdoor trainers and providing support to Service Unit camporee/ingathering adult teams.
 
Welcome Gracyn!  
 
 
 
 
 
Mica Minor
Please help us in congratulating Mica Minor on her promotion to Director of Girl Experience! Mica replaced Meredith Slaymaker who has left us to continue her Girl Scouting career with another council.
 
Mica joined our organization as a Regional Girl Experience Manager back in October 2016. She has over 20 years of experience both as a past employee and volunteer in Girl Scouts, Hornets' Nest Council in North Carolina where she developed an extensive knowledge of the Girl Scout program. In addition to large-scale event organization, she brings more than 10 years of sales experience and demonstrated success in increased revenue generation to this role. She has lead staff and volunteer teams in various scenarios and capacities and has great understanding of roles each play in the successful delivery of our Girl Scout program.
 
We are excited for Mica to begin this new chapter with our Council!

 
 
golf
2018 American Honda Birdies for Children Donation Link is OPEN!
American Honda Birdies for Children program is a vehicle for GSSEF to team up with The Honda Classic and present you with a chance to win a new Honda automobile.Your donation will be matched at 110% courtesy of The Honda Classic. The minimum donation is $20 for which you will receive one guess. Any size donation can be given through this link and GSSEF will receive an additional 10% on each gift! Donations can be made through late February. Click here to donate.
 
 
scouts
Girl Scouts Take the Lead
Do you have photos from your troop or service unit activities or service projects that you would like to share? We'd love to give you a shout-out. To share your photos and activities, complete this short form here.        

        
 
 
High school seniors from Girl Scout Troop 10717 recently took an educational tour of Butterfly World and also learned about Purple Martin conservation from a local 4-H Club, The Glades. There are several Purple Martin birdhouses on the south side of Tradewinds Park as an effort to attract Purple Martins that these Go-getters observed while walking the trail around the lake.
 
   
 
   
   
 
      
Go-getters of Troop 20326 are well on the way to earning their community badge. As part of the badge work, the G.IR.L.s visited a local nursing home over the holidays bringing cheer to the residents and singing Christmas carols.
 
 
           
Take a look at more photos of Girl Scout Adventures
Check-out GSSEF'S Flickr page. 
 
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Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida is a funded partner of the Town of Palm Beach United Way

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