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January 2014 VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 
Dear Volunteers,

We hope you had great holidays. This is the time for resolutions for the new year, and there's a great opportunity to keep your healthy promises -our council's Million Miles Challenge. You will not just be "talking the talk" about healthy habits when you and your girls participate. You will literally be "walking the walk" to better health.

 

The two of us are registered and tracking our miles. Won't you join us? Here's how to participate:

  1. Get EVERYONE active! Girls, leaders, volunteers, adult members, family members, friends and community members should lace up their sneakers, fill up their water bottles and get moving!
  2. Click here to download and record your activity on the Healthy Promise Tracker.  
  3. Click here to report your activity on the first of every month. 

The Million Miles Challenge ends May 1, 2014 and while you're moving closer to the finish line check out our Healthy Promise page see how you can get involved in the second year of Healthy Promise's program events.

 

In our next issue we'll be discussing important strategic planning and governance activities coming up. Until then keep on walking!

 

Sincerely,

 
Signature - Jane Ransom
 Carolyn Warman Jane Ransom
 Board Chair   President & CEO
Smart Cookies Gain Valuable Business Skills at Cookie Rallies

South Central Region

South Region

Northeast Region

North & West Regions

On Saturday, Jan. 4, over 400 Girl Scouts (Daisies to Juniors) became marketing mavens and customer service gurus when they attended Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania's (GSHPA) Cookie Rallies, which provided hands-on workshops to kick off the 2014 cookie program.   

 

The four Cookie Rallies covered GSHPA's 30-county service area to give Girl Scouts the confidence, tools, and cookie knowledge to run a successful cookie sales campaign and celebrate being a part of a $790 million national girl-led business.  

 

Many of the hands-on activities encouraged girls to set goals as they discussed what they loved about cookie season. "I like to do the walk-about because it is fun to hand out cookies and talk to people," said Emma from Troop 10633 in Enola as she wrote down her goal of 320 boxes on the Cookie Mural.    

 

"My daughter sets her own goals," said Jessica Wheeler, Assistant Leader of Troop 11068 of Middletown, "The Cookies get her dealing with money and responsibility."     

 

It wasn't all business though as the girls got to decorate marketing tools like sandwich boards, understand the product they are selling by taste testing the different cookies and brushing up on some basic customer service skills like saying "please" and "thank you". "If they do buy one, I say 'Thank you and enjoy your cookies' when they leave" Natalie from Delta's Troop 20303 said with a smile.    

 

The Rallies ended with bellies full of Thin Mints, Tagalongs and Samoas and troops ready to head out in the communities and sell some cookies.

 

Marketing Cookies 101: A Cookie College Course   

It may have been a blustery Saturday in January, but Dixon University in Harrisburg was filled with over 60 bright and eager students ready to learn, discover and enhance their business skills; however, they weren't college students, they were Girl Scouts attending Cookie College.

 

On Jan. 4th, Cookie College attendees got ready to apply their skills and knowledge to the real life business experience awaiting them this upcoming 2014 cookie season. Girls started off by taking a Cookie Aptitude test to help identify their natural cookie selling strengths. Based on these results, these Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors were then placed into groups like Management, Number Naturals, Creative Chiefs, Social Sensations, and Techies to encourage them to use and develop these natural talents to help boost cookies sales and self-confidence.  

 

To wrap up the afternoon, the girls broke into smaller groups and put what they learned to the test by planning, writing and acting out their own versions of a 30 second Girl Scout Cookie sale commercial.  

 

After a fun-filled afternoon, these 60 girls may not have left the Dixon University campus with an official B.S. or B.A. degree but they certainly did head home with a wealth of cookie information and a more confident portfolio of cookie sales tips, strategies and techniques.

 

Thank you to our Cookie College sponsors M&T Bank, Glatfelter, The Phillips Group and York Traditions Bank.

GSHPA's eBiz Makes 2014 Easier for Volunteers

2014 just got a lot easier! With the Jan. 10th launch of our new online registration software called EBiz, registering for programs, trainings and even summer camp will be a whole lot easier. This new software will replace ECouncil as new girl program and adult training opportunities are introduced.

 

Beginning today all new program registration* will only be available in eBiz. All GSHPA members will use the same login and password that they currently have to access the online membership account.  

*Previously advertised programs will continue to accept registration via ECouncil until that program's registration deadline.

 

When members login to eBiz they will notice some improved features, which include:

  • My Family and My Troop tabs for easy management.
  • Email confirmations for every adult and girl.
  • New search capabilities with filters like geographic location, date range and grade level.
  • Ability to check the number of available spaces for specific programs, events and trainings.
  • Automatic online payments with credit cards.

What are you waiting for? Search and find the next Girl Scout adventure today by clicking here. 

 

eBiz is not compatible with Internet Explorer 11. Please use another search engine like Firefox or Google Chrome. If you experience any problems or have any questions about how to use eBiz, email GSHPA Help Desk at helpdesk@gshpa.org or call at 800.692.7816.

 

Girl Scout Sightings

On Dec. 3rd, Girl Scout Troop 40350 from Reedsville in Mifflin County mixed amusement and science when they explored Hershey Park and learned about the science behind a roller coaster and inspirational historical female scientists. Audrey and Meagan from Troop 40350 from the West region participated in Matt Hockenbrock's, Energy & Systems Specialist at Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, demonstration of transference of energy during a roller coaster.
 
 
 In support of the Commission on Economic Developments annual food drive girls from Girl Scout Troops 50506 and 50463 from Mehoopany in the Northeast region developed, advertised and collected over 200 cans of non-perishable food items for those in need. Kevin Holehan, Wyoming County Director for Commission on Economic Development, happily greeted Girl Scouts as they dropped off food donations. 
Girl Scouts in the South Central Region were spotted getting into the holiday spirit by giving back to their communities. Alanna and Lindsay from Troop 11592 from Cumberland County in the South Central Region got into the Christmas spirit when they shopped for families in need as part of their troop's holiday project in support of Operation Wildcat.
Girl Scouts from 11 different troops in Community 174 in the Hershey area in South Central got together to make tie blankets for the Strohman Foundation. In total they completed 45 blankets.
Girl Scout Troop 41230 in Centre County from the West Region got into the holiday spirit when they collected and distributed to over 25 Thanksgiving turkeys for the Fillmore Food Bank. They went back to the food bank the 3rd week in December to carry out Christmas dinners to families in need. Marissa, Taylor, Maya and Tara Mondock poses with turkeys that will help feed families in need. 
Seven Girl Scouts from Donegal Troop 70596 in the South Region celebrated their recently earned Silver Awards which included refurbishments at a local rescue horse farm, organizing a shoe drive for children in Africa and volunteering at a local Rotary Park. Girl Scouts were all smiles as they earned their Silver Award. Top Row: Abby, Erika, Amelia; Bottom Row: Aliza, Cheyenne, Katie and Ashleigh
Girl Scouts in Union County in the North Region celebrate the holiday with sweet treats and community service. Girl Scout Juniors Paige and Skylar from Troop 60109 enjoyed making Gingerbread Houses with in mid-November at Michaels craft store in Selinsgrove, but even sweeter was participating in the community service project that helped 22 families in need this holiday. 

 

Calling all Annual Meeting Proposals

If you would like to submit a proposal for the GSHPA 2014 Annual Meeting on May 3, 2014, please click here for a form and email it ssprenkle@gshpa.org, fax it to "Annual Meeting Proposal" at 717-901-5987 or mail it to "Annual Meeting Proposal, Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA, 350 Hale Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17104."

Proposals must be received by January 23, 2014 to be considered.

 

In This Issue
Smart Cookies Gain Valuable Business Skills at Cookie Rallies
Marketing Cookies 101: A Cookie College Course
GSHPA's eBiz Makes 2014 Easier for Volunteers
Girl Scout Sightings
Calling all Annual Meeting Proposals




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Save the Date!
 
January 23 - 2014 GSHPA Annual Meeting proposal submission deadline

February 10 - 2014 GSHPA Summer Camp Registration Opens 

 

February 19 - Healthy Promise Video Chat - Episode #4

March 1 - Traveling Store in York

March 8 - Traveling Store in Montoursville

March 15 - Traveling Store in State College

March 22 - Traveling Store in Scranton

March 28 - GSHPA Scholarship Applications Due by 4:30 p.m.


April 4 - 6 - Work Days at Camp Echo Trail

April 4 - 6 - Work Days at Camp Furnace Hills

April 11 - 13 - Work Days at Camp Louise

 

April 25 - 27 - Work Days at Camp Archbald  

 

May 3 - GSHPA Annual Meeting 

June 8 - Healthy Promise Finale at City Island in Harrisburg, PA 

 

June 21 - Gold Award Ceremony at Founder's Hall in Hershey, PA

 
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania | 350 Hale Avenue | Harrisburg, PA 17104
www.gshpa.org | general@gshpa.org | 1.800.692.7816