Your Volunteer Connect
August 26, 2014
GIRLS CAN VOTE ON RECOGNITION ITEMS       
Voting for 2015 Cookie Sale recognitions continues

Don't forget that girls can still VOTE on the 2014-15 Cookie Program Recognitions by clicking this link. Girls will enter their first name and grade level, and rate the items they like best.  

 

Please share the link with parents and girls! Voting continues through Aug. 28.    

TROOP CHECKING ACCOUNTS
Is your account in good standing? 

 

Are you a troop leader, treasurer, or a signer on a troop checking account? Ensure that your account is in good standing by making sure you can answer YES to each question on the list below!

  • Has your Troop Finance Summary been submitted? Reminders have been sent to troops and service units who missed the June 30 deadline. Contact your regional office for assistance.
  • Do you have (at least) two volunteer signers with current volunteer applications and background checks? Applications and background checks expire after three years. Reminders have been sent to volunteers with expiring applications and background checks. Contact your regional office for assistance.
  • Are the troop signers carefully tracking troop income and expenses, following the guidelines in Volunteer Essentials Chapter 5: Managing Group Finances?

Thank you for helping girls earn and manage money as part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience!

EARN TROOP FUNDS THIS FALL!    
Find your FOS Training

 

The Fall Opportunity Sale (FOS) is a great way for troops to generate proceeds early in the Girl Scout year to ensure girl-led activities happen all year long. FOS also introduces girls to financial skills they will use throughout their lives. We are excited to partner with M2 Media Group along with the Trophy Nut Company this year to offer online sales of nut and candy products as well as magazines.  

 

FOS Trainings start the first week of September. Click here to view the schedule, then register online for a session near you.

INFO MEETINGS ON AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND TRIP       
Get the details on the "Journey Down Under"!

Do you know a Girl Scout who would love to travel the globe? Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland is planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand in the summer of 2016 for girls who will be age 14 by the trip (exact dates TBD). Girls will learn about New Zealand's thriving Maori culture and see the iconic sights of Sydney, Australia, and the Gold Coast! Two upcoming meetings will offer more details on this exciting travel opportunity:

  • 12 to 1 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Wichita Girl Scout Office, 360 Lexington Road in Wichita.
  • 12 to 1 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Garden City Girl Scout Office, 114 Grant Avenue in Garden City.

Don't forget that girls in fourth through 12th grade may bank Cookie Credits from year to year in order to apply them toward a long-range council approved trip. Adults who are interested in participating in a travel committee or being a chaperone may contact travel@gskh.org. For more information, go to the Travel page or email travel@gskh.org

SPEND YOUR EARLY BIRD PERKS     
Troop Cookie Credits are available

If your troop earned Cookie Credits by submitting Early Bird registrations by the June 30 deadline, those credits are now available in your troop UltraCamp account. Use credits to sign up for activities on UltraCamp, or fill out a Cookie Credit Transfer Form (simply enter the troop number instead of girl name) to spend credits in a council shop or for an approved troop trip. Troop Cookie Credits earned through Early Bird will expire on Dec. 15, 2014. The Cookie Credit Transfer From for troop credits must be submitted by a current troop leader or co-leader. 
PARENT MEETING TIPS     
Start your year off right

Host a parent meeting to communicate troop activity plans and talk about expectations of the parents in the troop.
  • For younger girls, arrange for a parent, another volunteer, or an older Girl Scout troop to do activities with the girls while the parents have a discussion.
  • Be prepared with any forms that parents need to fill out - like the annual Girl Scout Authorization Form and Membership Registration forms for girls and adults who have not yet registered.
  • Discuss troop dues, snack duties, and other ways parents can support the troop. Be sure to have any parents/guardians planning to help or drive fill out their Volunteer Application.
  • Use the Girl Scout Starter Supplies handout to help parents understand what's available in the council shops for all grade levels.
  • Find more tips for meeting with parents in Volunteer Essentials and the Troop Appendix.
STARTER KITS      
Available in GSKH shops

 

Holly Slawkowski
Volunteer Services 
hslawkowski@gskh.org

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

 

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