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ToGetHerThere!
On January 31, 2012 Girl Scouts of the USA launched the largest, boldest advocacy and fundraising cause dedicated to girls' leadership in the nation's history.
This multiyear effort organized by the Girl Scouts of the USA will seek to create balanced leadership-the equal representation of women in leadership positions in all sectors and levels of society-within one generation.
This long-term goal is urgent: and to do that, everyone must play a role in helping girls reach their leadership potential. Because when girls succeed, so does society.
To take part in this cause, sign the online pledge today and learn about other great ways to participate.
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Upcoming Activities!
Brownie Pet Journey Day
Feb. 11, 2012
10 AM - 12:30 PM
B
HSWM, GR
Learn more here!
Cadette Animal Helpers
Feb. 11, 2012
1 PM - 3:30 PM
C
HSWM, GR
Learn more here!
World Thinking Day
Feb. 22
Learn more here!
Imagine Engineering Workshop
Feb. 25, 2012
10 AM - 1 PM
C
Cascade Engineering, GR
Learn more here!
Lights! Camera! Action!
Feb. 25, 2012
10 AM - 2 PM
J
Pathfinder School, TC
Learn more here!
Meet the Butterflies
March 4, 2012
12 PM - 4 PM
D, B, J, C, S, A
Frederik Meijer Gardens, GR
Learn more here!
Mission: Live Strong
March 10, 2012
10 AM - 12:30 PM
J
BCH, Muskegon
Learn more here!
Teen Take Action Series
March 10, 2012
9 AM - 12 PM
C, S, A
BCH, Muskegon & TCSC
Learn more here!
Brownie Pet Journey Day
March 17, 2012
10 AM - 12:30 PM
B
HSWM, GR
Learn more here!
Cadette Animal Helpers
March 17, 2012
1 PM - 3:30 PM
C
HSWM, GR
Learn more here!
Girl Scout Legacy:
100 Years & Beyond
March 31, 2012
3 PM - 6 PM
D, B, J, C, S, A & Family
BCH, Muskegon
Learn more here!
Girl Scout Media All Nighter!
April 13-14, 2012
10 PM (Fri) - 6 AM (Sat)
C, S, A
Celebration Cinema South, GR
Learn more here!
CAB Big Clean Weekend
April 20-22, 2012
4 PM (Fri) - 3 PM (Sun)
B, J, C, S, A & Family
Camp Anna Behrens
Learn more here!
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Family Champion
$2 per girl - that is all we are asking Girl Scout families and friends to contribute to the 2012 Family Champion Campaign! This campaign provides Girl Scouts in our council with financial assistance and campership funds. It also provides funds that are used to train more volunteers and keep up our beautiful camp properties. All of the funds stay within the council and, new for this year, Service Units will receive 10% of all the funds that are raised by that Service Unit!
Our 2012 Family Champion Campaign has brought in more than $2,800 since Oct. 1 and many Service Units continue to actively work with their volunteers and parents to raise more funds! Do you know how your SU is doing? Visit our Family Champion website and click on "Team Statistics" to find out!
You can also donate via this website - just click the DONATE button and fill out the form. Thanks for your support!
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Greetings!
2012 is the YEAR of the GIRL, and we have a lot of exciting events, programs and celebrations happening right here in our council, including our Girl Scout Forever Green Project. GSFG is our 100th Anniversary Take Action Project - a global effort to improve the environment and protect natural resources. In our council, we have chosen to take on the issue of plastic waste. Girl Scouts around the world are switching to reusable bags and bottles as they learn about how plastic waste affects the environment.
One of the ways we're looking to reduce plastic waste is by creating mats for Haiti using plastic store grocery bags. The mats will not only help protect items being shipped to Haiti for disaster relief, but will also be used in schools, orphanages, medical centers and community gatherings to improve sanitary conditions as well as adding comfort.
And because this is our 100th Anniversary Year, our goal is to make 100 mats for 100 years! We're also hoping to have 100% of our members take the Forever Green Pledge by December 2012 and to get 25% of our membership to engage in GSFG projects.
Have you taken the pledge yet? We invite you to lead your family, school and community by taking the Online Pledge today and make a yearlong commitment to environmental efforts! To learn more about participating in our Mats 4 Haiti project visit our Forever Green page on the 100th Website here. Get involved today! |
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Community Cookie Booth Weekend
Girls are out and about selling cookies, and we're gearing up for our big Community Cookie Booth Weekend!
 This year Community Cookie Booth Weekend will take place Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18. GSMISTS staff will be servicing troops throughout the council with cookies at various booth locations. Troops may secure booth locations beginning February 20, 2012 at 8 AM on eBudde. The general public can find booth locations within their area by using the cookie locator on our website, which will go live on the homepage March 1, 2012. For more information on all things Cookies visit us online here. |
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100th Anniversary Patch Program
 Do your girls want to have fun and earn a special 100th Anniversary patch? Then check out our GSMISTS 100th Anniversary Patch Program. You can download the brochure here or pick up a copy at one of our Service Centers. You have the entire year to earn this cool patch!
Questions about the patch program? Contact one of the Pathways Managers at your Service Center. Patch design coming soon!
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Alumnae 100th Sing-Alongs
The 100th Anniversary Alumnae Committee is planning five alumnae receptions and sing-alongs this summer and fall - and would love to have your help! Here's the schedule: Saturday, June 9, 2012: Ludington Little House Saturday, August 25, 2012: Camp Anna Behrens Saturday, September 8, 2012: Camp Saki Sunday, September 16, 2012: Grand Haven Little House We are still in the process of scheduling one for Betsy Cutler House. If your troop or group would like to help organize and staff these events, please call Mary Robinson at 616.784.3341 or mrobinson@gsmists.org. |
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Support GS with a Tax Check-off!
New this year! The State of Michigan has provided a new way for you to support the Girl Scouts in Michigan. Public Act 346 of 2010 provides that "Michigan personal income tax payers may contribute a portion of their refund or increase their liability to the Girl Scouts of Michigan Fund."
If you would like to take advantage of this program, simply check off the Girl Scouts of Michigan Fund box on your 2011 State Tax Form and include the amount you would like to contribute.
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| Adult Learning Opportunities
We still have lots of dates, times and locations available to get your Volunteer Essentials 101 and Dimensions of Diversity trainings in.
Coming up we are also offering It's Your Journey - Customize It!, Troop Camp Leadership I (required prior to taking girls on overnight camping trips), Babysitter Instructor Course (become a GSMISTS Babysitting Instructor), American Red Cross First Aid/CPR Course, and First Aid/CPR Challege (re-certification).
We also offer training for Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Please check out the dates on eBiz or online in the VolunteerZone under "Adult Trainings."
Click here to access the VolunteerZone Adult Trainings Calendar. (Please note: you will need to login to the VolunteerZone to access.)
Need a VolunteerZone login? Fill out this online form here to register.
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Troop Incentive!
All troop leaders who turn in their completed Troop Annual Finance Report, Detailed Cash Report, bank statement and Volunteer Feedback forms by June 1, 2012 will be entered into a drawing.
There will be two (2) prizes awarded in each of our 6 regions for two different troops - one will win a Girl Guide to Girl Scouting handbook and one will win a Journey set (Adult Guide and Girl Book).
Forms are available here, from your SU Director or at a council Service Center. Thanks for your commitment to meeting this deadline!
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