Important Cookie Updates! - Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana

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December 11, 2020

Important Cookie Updates!
Cookie Sales Begin TODAY!! Girls can start taking pre-orders beginning Friday,
December 11, 2020. If a parent has not received an email to register her daughter
in Smart Cookies, please contact us at cookies@girlscouts-gssi.org. Girls must be
registered for 2021 with a current cookie permission form on file to participate in
the program.

Recognitions Update: The Goal Getter Patch is now part of the main
recognitions. Cookie volunteers do not have to enter an order for this patch. Girls
who participate in the program and set a goal will receive this.

Cookie Booth Lottery, Lowe's East: We will have a Cookie Booth Lottery for
Lowe’s East Side in Evansville. Watch for updates in the newsletter and on
Facebook for rules. Lottery will take place on Smart Cookies in early January.

We encourage troops to start approaching local businesses to set up cookie

booths. We have included a letter to take to businesses thanking them for their
consideration and going over COVID safety guidelines the troops will follow.
Download Cookie Booth Request Letter

Note: GSUSA is still negotiating cookie booths for Walmart, Sams, and Schnucks.
This should be finalized by early January.

Zoom Smart Cookie Training: GSSI is hosting a Zoom Smart Cookie Training
with our ABC Bakers rep, Reggie, on Wednesday, December 16th at 5:30 CT.
This is a great opportunity for cookie volunteers to go over questions they may
have about the Smart Cookie platform.This training will be recorded if you can’t
make it. If any cookie volunteers or troop leaders have questions that they would
like to submit prior to the training, send them to cookies@girlscouts-gssi.org.

    ZOOM MEETING INFO

Cookie Carts Now in Stock

Make your cookie deliveries a snap with the Girl Scout Cookie cart! Each cart
holds up to 30 packages, has pockets inside and out, wipes clean, and folds
down for easy storage. Each cart is $40 and supplies are limited, so stop by the
Council Shop or call to order yours now! (Note: Due to limited stock, carts cannot
be held without payment.)

         New Cookie Resources Now Available

We have created two new 2021 Cookie Program guides to support girls,

families, and volunteers.

      Cookies 101: An in-depth guide for leaders and volunteers covering all
      aspects of the Cookie Program.
      Girl & Family At-a-Glance: A quick reference guide for girls and their
      families including what's new, cookie program basics, important dates, and
      more.
      Virtual Cookie Booth Guide: Information regarding the new Virtual Cookie
      Booth option.

 Mark Your Calendars for these Cookie Dates

      Girls take pre-orders: December 11-January 10
      Cookies arrive: February 8-12
      National Cookie Weekend: February 19-21, 2021

COVID-19 Guidance & Reminders
COVID-19 is an extremely contagious virus that spreads easily in the community.
As a Girl Scout volunteer, please take all reasonable precautions to limit potential
exposure for yourself, your girls, and their families. Please keep up-to-date with
real-time local and national safety directives and continue to survey your families
for their comfort level with respect to troop meetings/outing/activities. This is the
perfect time to showcase Girl Scouts’ longtime commitment to safety and our
sincere value of health and community service.

NOTE: GSSI’s Back to Troop COVID Recommendations and Guidance has been
updated as of 12.9.2020 with safety suggestions from GSUSA on the following:

     Backyard Meetings
     Cookie Booths

    READ MORE

         GSSI Council Office & Shop Holiday Schedule

The holidays are fast approaching and the year is winding down! Please note

that the council office & shop will be closed on the following dates and times in
the coming weeks.

      Tuesday, December 15: Office & shop will close at 12:00PM CST for our
      staff holiday party
      December 24-January 1: Office & shop closed

We will reopen for regular business hours on Monday, January 4. We wish
everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

Like Our Christmas Tree on Facebook to Earn
Donations for GSSI!

This year’s Christmas tree contest looks a little different! Fee Construction, LLC is
donating $1 for every “like” on this picture on Facebook. The proceeds will
provide COVID leader kits including a contactless thermometer, gloves, kid
masks, hand sanitizer, hand soap, disinfecting wipes, and a gift for troop leaders.
Follow the link below and click "like" on the post to earn us another dollar!

    LIKE NOW!

Girl Scouts NEW Member Account Portal is Here!
In early December, Girl Scouts released a refreshed new member management
portal as part pf the My GS community of online member resources. My Account
makes it easier than ever to manage your household’s Girl Scout memberships
and keep track of your Girl Scout experiences. With so many new features, we’re
choosing to highlight just a few for you today like:

     The NEW Household Summary View: A scrollable list of all current and
     inactive Girl Scout members in your household along with troop affiliations
     and the status for all household memberships - renewing your girl has never
     been easier!
     A NEW Event Dashboard: A scrollable summary of upcoming events and
     activities for your household (coming in Spring 2021).
     The NEW Troop Summary View: There to provide you with a quick look at
     basic information on the troops that your household members are a part of!
     The NEW My Account Menu: Ready to take to you pages like My
     Household, My Troop, My Profile, My Events where you will be able to find
     more details and information – beyond the summary views on your landing
     page—and where you’ll go to update and edit your member account
     information!

Of course, there’s more but we wanted to save a few surprises for you to find! Be
sure to check it out! We think you’re going to like what you find!

To get started you’ll need to reset your password. From the council’s
website, www.girlscouts-gssi.org, click on My GS and follow the system provided
prompts and guidance. Of course, if you have any trouble, be sure to reach out
to support@girlscouts-gssi.org or (812) 421-4970 and we’ll be happy to support
and welcome you to our refreshed Girl Scout member platform!

         Save the Date for Upcoming Volunteer Workshops

In partnership with Mental Health America, GSSI will host two workshops for
volunteers in early 2021.

Workshop 1: "Tackling Sensitive Issues with Grace" on Tuesday, January 26,
6:00-7:00 PM CST more info

Workshop 2: "QPR, Questions, Persuade, Refer" on Thursday, April 8, 6:00-
7:00 PM CST more info

Exciting news: GSSI’s Troop Leader Blueprint now has even more resources to
help you and your troop thrive! You’ll find brand-new programming—including
Journeys!—for every grade level, alongside our tried-and-true tips and resources
for safe in-person and virtual meetings. Continue being the support your girls
need right now; we’ve got the rest.

    SEE WHAT'S NEW

GSSI's Virtual Troop Meetings Start January 2021
Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana would like to invite girls in grades K-5 to
participate in our Virtual Girl Scout Troop! This opportunity is for individually
registered girl members, girls whose troops have paused during the winter
months, and girls in active troops who are excited to meet new friends!

Staff-led meetings will be held through Zoom the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the
month from 6:30-7:30PM CST. (Meeting time subject to change based on needs
of participants.)

The first virtual Zoom meeting is Tuesday, January 12 from 6:30-7:30pm CST.
Register to join us with the link below! A link will be emailed to you to join the
virtual troop meetings after registration.

    REGISTER NOW

Take Action for the Environment with Alcoa
Thanks to a generous grant from Alcoa Foundation, GSSI will offer mini grants for
take action and highest award projects that focus on environmental sustainability
and/or environmental education throughout the 2020-2021 membership
year.Troops, service unit events, service unit camps, and/or individuals
(registered members grades K-12) must submit a mini grant proposal form to be
considered. If awarded, project will receive $75.00 towards project expenses.

    LEARN MORE

Introducing the Gold Award Girl Scout Military
Ribbon
If you're a Gold Award Girl Scout or Gold Award alum pursuing a career in the
military, you now have the opportunity to proudly claim and potentially wear the
new Gold Award Girl Scout Military Ribbon. This is a limited offer—the first 50
Gold Award Girl Scouts and/or Gold Award alums who register via this survey will
receive a complimentary military ribbon. The offer closes on January 8 or while
supplies last, so register now!

LEARN MORE

National Service Project: Fighting Hunger
As we think about ways to give back this holiday season, we know girls can
make a big difference in their communities—and for children around the world—
by supporting hunger-relief efforts.

Through our next Girl Scouts Give Back National Service Project, Fighting
Hunger, there are lots of ways for your troop to have an impact even if you
aren’t able to give food directly. Opportunities for service include supporting or
organizing a food drive, thanking food bank heroes, and participating in activities
to unlock local and global impact with your troop.

Check out the Girl Scout national service projects page on November 30 for
instructions on how your troop can get involved.

Shop for your Girl Scout at GSSI this Holiday
Season

For a limited time only, get a Happy Holidays bundle of Girl Scout merchandise
for only $20! The bundle includes an "I Love GSSI" stuffed animal, a GSSI
scrunchie, a My Girl Scout Memory Book, and a 2020 Christmas Fun patch! Offer
available in-shop only. Email rjones@girlscouts-gssi.org with questions.

Place Your 2021 Troop Tees Order by Friday, 12/11!

A new membership year means it's time for new troop tees! To view the designs
and place your orders, visit the link below. Contact support@girlscouts-gssi.org
with any questions.

    ORDER NOW

2021 Girl Scouts Essentials Guide
The 2020 Girl Scouts Essentials Guide has everything she'll need for an amazing
year of Girl Scouting, including program materials, uniform and official apparel,
badges, awards, and pins. It also includes uniform diagrams to guide you on
where to place insignia.

    View the Guide

Upcoming Events & Program Opportunities
Girl Scout Day of Dance with Children's Center for Dance Education
January 24, 2021 from 2:00-4:00 PM CST
Cost: $9 per girl
Registration and More Details Here

Girl Scout Program at DIY Studio
DIY Studio in Evansville is now offering Girl Scouts of all levels the chance to create
their own, one-of-a-kind wooden art! In-studio fees are only $15 per girl and include all
supplies. Take-home kits are also available for only $10 per kit, but do not include
paint and glue. DIY Studio is located at 1304 S. Green River Rd in Evansville. To get
started, contact Stacey Merkel at merkelstacey@hotmail.com or call 812-431-4006.

Girl Scout Programs at Angel Mounds
Angel Mounds offers Girl Scout badge programs for all ages including Art in the
Outdoors, Troop Camping, Citizen, Naturalist, Outdoor, and Crafts! Check them out in
GSSI’s program guide. Cost is $5 per Girl Scout ! Call or email Elizabeth Bostelman to
schedule your troop for the upcoming new year, 812-853-3956 or
ebostelman@indianamuseum.org.

2021 Community Partners and Program Requests
Do you have a program you would like to see in our program guide or a business that
would be a good community partner? Fill out our community partner online request or
the program online request to share your ideas for 2021!