Friday, January 6, 2017  
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Inclement Weather
Due to the winter storm approaching our area, we have made the decision to cancel the Southern Cookie Rally for Saturday, January 7, 2017. The posted "snow date" of Saturday, January 14, 2017 will take place at the same location: Thomas Dale High School from 4:00pm-6:00pm.
 
All registrants are automatically moved to the new date/time. If a registrant is unable to attend on January 14, a full refund will be provided. Our Help Desk is standing by to assist you with any changes at 804-746-0590 x316 or gshelper@comgirlscouts.org.

Please look for weather cancellations for council events:
TV (Central Virginia ) - WTVR CBS 6
Adjusted GSCV Office and Shop Hours
January 7: Shop closed for inclement weather
January 16: Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day     
Rest in Peace, Rita Epps
One of the saddest events in Girl Scouting is to hear of the passing of a sister Girl Scout. Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia has learned of the death of Rita Epps, a longtime leader for Troop 3310 in the Appomattox Connection HPD SU, formerly known as Petersburg SU. We would like to express our sincerest sympathies to the family at this difficult time. She helped the organization move forward in great strides, and her efforts and contributions will never be forgotten.  
2017 GIRL SCOUT COOKIE PROGRAM
LuLu Says: It's Cookie time! Our girl entrepreneurs have begun order taking - it's not too late to be a part of the largest financial literacy program for girls in the world! All girls in troops should have their order cards in hand.
Individually registered girl members - look for special cookie program materials in your mailbox next week.
Order Card
Do you need additional order cards for your Girl Scouts to sell cookies? Click here to download a PDF of the cookie order card.  
Need Help?
If you have questions about the Cookie Program, assistance is available and we want to make sure you get them answered! The GSCV Help Desk hours are 8:30am - 4:30pm. They can be reached by email (gshelper@comgirlscouts.org) or phone (804-746-0590 x316) and are happy to assist with product program related issues including SNAP login/password reset requests. ABC Bakers also offers a 24/7 Help Desk should you need assistance with SNAP login/password resets between the hours of 4:30pm and 8:30am.
Cookie Rallies!   
Our favorite Llama Girl will make her grand appearances at the January Cookie Rallies as a special guest with a special message-"Be Unique, Be You!". Join us for a Llama Good Time!

Each troop will leave with a special tool kit to work on their Goal Setting skills. 
Registration is available on COMAR. Click on the regional title below to register. 

Southern                            
Saturday, January 14, 2017
*New Date/Time*                            
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Thomas Dale High School - Chester                          
3626 W Hundred Rd, Chester, VA 23831 
 
Northern                           
Saturday, January 14, 2017
10:00am - Noon 
Tabernacle UMC - Fredericksburg                  
7310 Old Plank Rd # A, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Snow Date: January 21, 4:00pm - 6:00pm 
                                              
Central           
Saturday, January 21, 2017                          
10:00am - Noon    
Shady Grove UMC - Mechanicsville
8209 Shady Grove Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Snow Date: January 28, 10:00am - Noon 
New Gluten Free Cookie - Trios!
This year's cookie line-up includes a new gluten-free cookie, Trios. They aren't just completely gluten free - they are delicious! These cookies are made in a dedicated gluten free facility, with real chocolate chips, real peanut butter and certified gluten free whole grain oats. [Note: Please invite customers with food sensitivities to read the entire list of ingredients.] This special cookie will be available through an advanced planned order for cupboard pick-up ONLY and will be sold for $5.00 per box.  If you have any questions, please contact gshelper@comgirlscouts.org.
COCOdirect vs. COCOmobile
COCOdirect allows girls to send emails to customers to purchase cookies online and have them directly shipped to their home after paying via credit card online. For sales made on COCOdirect, there's no money collection and no hand delivery. COCOdirect compares to GSUSA's Digital Cookie platform.

COCOmobile
allows girls to set cookie goals, track sales pr ogress, and take orders via any mobile device. Through secure login, girls can create and manage their sales on the go. Girls must first create an account at www.abcsmartcookies.com.

Please note:
While customers cannot pay for cookies through the COCOmobile app, a promise order can be placed by the customer telling the girl that they will purchase those cookies utilizing the girl delivery method once the cookies have arrived. No money is exchanged up front with this option. The customer pays for the cookies when he/she receives them from the girl.
 
ADULT TRAINING & EVENTS
New First Aid/CPR Trainings Available
Get prepared for your spring troop activities with your girls! Check out the new training dates and times for
First Aid /CPR that are now available on COMAR.  
Volunteer Invite A Friend Extended!
Great news! The Volunteer Invite A Friend has been extended to January 31, 2017 to give you more time to recruit your friends! Once you have recruited a new volunteer, complete the form at www.girlscouts.org/inviteafriend to receive your coupon codes! For more details on the campaign, visit our website.  

PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
2017 World Thinking Day and Global Action Day
As a Girl Scout, you are part of a special network of girls that stretches across the world - join in and be a part of changing the world on a global scale! Click on the links below for information about the guidelines and activities for these awards.

The Global Action Award recognizes your commitment to improving the world by working to help meet any of the United Nations' eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The 2017 theme is "Increasing Girls' Access to Education." Every girl deserves the chance to get an education, despite obstacles. Through these activities, girls can raise awareness and help solve this worldwide problem.

On February 22 of each year, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from 146 countries celebrate World Thinking Day (WTD)-that's one BIG celebration! The World Thinking Day 2017 theme is "Grow." Girl Scouts and Girl Guides will explore, stretch, and take on new challenges through this year's activities-and celebrate what it means to be part of the global sisterhood!

Place your order for patches by email (gsshop@comgirlscouts.org). Patches are $2.00 each and are available in the shop.  
GSCV SHOP
Fall Shop Hours
Monday - Friday: 9:00 am to 6 :00 pm
Saturday: 10 :00 am to 2 :00 pm
Sunday: Closed  
The shop will be closed Saturday, January 7 due to inclement weather. The shop will be closed Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.