January 28, 2010

News you Can Use

January 28, 2010

What's Up

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Haitians, their friends and families, as they continue the process of managing the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake of January 12. World Thinking Day, February 22, reminds all Girl Scouts that we are part of a global community. The theme of World Thinking Day this year is "ending extreme poverty and hunger." The tragic events in Haiti can clearly serve as a way to educate our girls about the issues of extreme poverty and hunger throughout the world.

Girl Scouts of the USA is currently exploring ways that Girl Scouts can best assist in relief efforts, and we will share that information as it becomes available.

Yours in Girl Scouting,
Rusine

New Internet and Troop Banking Policies -The Council Board of Directors recently approved changes to the Volunteer Policies (CP107). A copy of the complete policies can be found on our website at http://www.nccoastalpines.org/BPWC/Documents/CP107%20Volunteer%20Policies%2011-2009.pdf.

A couple of the changes are highlighted below in BOLD:

II - F. INTERNET USAGE
For the safety of girls and adults, it is imperative that we as an organization protect the privacy of our girls. Refrain from including the following information on personal or troop Web sites or personal blogs unless they are password protected: girl's last names, girl's Web site addresses, email addresses, and physical addresses or other contact information of minors. Do not include addresses/ times of meeting places for troops or area events. Without permission from the parents/guardians please do not include photograph of girls. As a volunteer of this organization, we expect volunteers to uphold the Girl Scout Promise and Law in your troop electronic communication as you would in other forms of communication. This includes but is not limited to, social media sites such as Face Book, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn or personal/public blogs.

Email distribution lists of Girl Scout volunteers or girl members should only be used for Girl Scout business and not for personal or business promotions.

These changes were made to give direction for using online forums while acting in a Girl Scout capacity and for the protection of volunteers' and members' contact information.

IV - I. TROOP BANKING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING

Each troop is required to establish a troop bank account under the name of "Girl Scouts - North Carolina Coastal Pines, Girl Scout Troop #____" and using the Council's Federal Tax Identification Number. At least three adult signers are required to open an account.

All troop signers are responsible for safeguarding and maintaining the troop's treasury to include ensuring adequate funds to cover any payments drawn on the troop account and maintaining all troop financial records.   As with any banking account, signers are legally responsible for all account transactions and should verify account balances before disbursing funds.

Troop funds shall be reported on the Troop Financial Report annually, at the time a troop disbands, or as requested. Troop banking account records should be shared with and available to all girls and parents in the troop, with periodic reports.

Bank accounts of disbanded troops must be closed and all funds remitted to the Council and held for one year pending reorganization of that troop. Council will distribute troop funds to active troop(s) to which girls of disbanded troops have been transferred.

These changes were made to give direction to how a troop's bank account should be established and to clarify a signer's responsibility to maintaining the troop's account. It also lifts the requirement for number of signers on troop checks. As of the November 22, 2009 Council Board meeting, troop checks now only need one signature for processing. As the policy states though, signers must ensure that funds are available in the troop checking account before writing a check. The policy also now clarifies that the troop bank account records should be made available to all members of the troop for review.

Look Again!

Girl Scout Week
March 7-13 is Girl Scout Week, and if you want help asking your mayor to proclaim it in your city or town, we have a 'kit' for you at http://www.nccoastalpines.org/home/advocacy/GS_week.aspx. You can find a sample letter, a sample proclamation - even a sample press release. It's a great way to get involved and find out more about your city government. Let us know if Girl Scout Week is proclaimed in your city by sending a copy of the proclamation to mwebb@nccoastalpines.org

NEW! - Online Leadership Essentials - Need to take Leadership Essentials but can't find the time to attend a face-to-face training? Don't worry, we have a new option that will save you time and allow you to be trained! Please visit: http://training.girlscouts.org/ and you will be able to take GSUSA's brand new Online Leadership Essentials! That's right; you can take the class sitting in front of your computer in your PJs! It is in two parts (which includes the GSUSA Online Orientation- password required: discover), and both must be taken to complete the course. The online course takes approximately 1 hour and then the council has the ability to download your answers and review your responses and as soon as you have completed Volunteer Essentials we can mark you as "trained"! Try it today!   If you have questions/comments, please contact Robin Simonton at rsimonton@nccoastalpines.org or 919 600 6329.

NOTE: if you have registered for a face-to-face Leadership Essentials but wish to take it online, please call the training registrar to let her know that you are cancelling.

Product Sales News...

Girl Scout Cookie Sale in the Media - If you are in the Triangle area, listen to the following radio stations who are promoting the Girl Scout cookie sale:

- 94.7 FM (WPTF) - Promoting the Girl Scout cookie sale in conjunction with the QDR Lunchbox the week of January 25th entitled "A week's worth of Girl Scout Cookies." Prize package includes 5 Girl Scout Cookies a day for each winners.
- 680 WPT (WPTF) - During the weeks of January 25th & February 1st, Girl Scout cookies are being given as away as prizes during the Brian Freeman show in the morning.

If you are in the Wilmington area, mark your calendar to listen to the following broadcasts to promote the Girl Scout Cookie sale:

- Monday, February 1, 2010 - WWAY News Radio. Interview on the morning program on at 6:45 a.m. with
Media Coordinator/Girl Scout leader Sandy Crumrine and a local Girl Scout.
-Tuesday, February 9, 2010 - WHQR Public Radio. Interview on the Mid-day Cafe program on Tuesday,
February 9 with Media Coordinator/Girl Scout leader Sandy Crumrine and a local Girl Scout.
- Friday, February 12, 2010 - WECT TV. Television coverage of the Wilmington Cookie Warehouse.

Follow along with the media promoting the Girl Scout cookie sale at http://www.nccoastalpines.org/home/media/Cookie_media_10.aspx.

Reminder - What Can a Cookie Do? Video - This video was created to spread the word about the Cookie Program in a fun and interactive way. We know that women of all ages, along with young adults, love our cookies. The video speaks not only to our beloved cookie sale but also to the Girl Scout brand. Feel free to use this video at events, cookie trainings etc. Check out the video today! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wy31SsNPv4

Upcoming Program Opportunities - Share with Your Troop!

Girl Scouts - North Carolina Coastal Pines Memorial Scholarship - Currently registered Girl Scouts who will be graduating from high school in May/June 2010 and will be attending an accredited institution of higher education can apply for the Girl Scouts - North Carolina Coastal Pines Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is to promote further education for graduating Girl Scout Ambassadors. Applications and references must be received by April 5, 2010. To download the application, please visit http://www.nccoastalpines.org/home/JustForGirls/Teens/Awards/Scholarships.aspx

Jane S. Barringer Award - Girl Scout Gold Award recipients are eligible to apply for the Jane S. Barringer Award. This award is a $750 cash scholarship established to honor Mrs. Barringer, an outstanding teen advisor. A group of her former Girl Scouts, along with the council, has instituted an award in her name to be given to an individual who embodies the principles and spirit Mrs. B works to instill.
Award criteria state that the applicant must:
•   Be a currently registered Girl Scout in Girl Scouts - North Carolina Coastal Pines
•   Have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award or its equivalent (First Class, Curved Bar, Golden Eagle)
•   Show evidence of academic and/or professional achievement
•   Exhibit how she incorporates the Girl Scout Promise and Law into every aspect of her life
•   Have a concrete plan for how the award money will be used to further education or skill development
One award is given each year. For the 2010 award, all applications and references must be received by April 5, 2010. To download the application, please visit http://www.nccoastalpines.org/home/JustForGirls/Teens/Awards/Scholarships.aspx.

If you have any questions regarding these scholarships, please call Terrica at 1-800-284-4475 or email her at thay@nccoastalpines.org.

Camp Guides Available NOW! - Younger Girl and Older Girl camp guides are available online now! Go to http://www.nccoastalpines.org/home/camps/residentcamp.aspx to see what great summer opportunities are available for your favorite Girl Scout. Join us and Camp to the Music this summer!

Footprints in the Clouds - A Step Up! If you have experience backpacking either as a graduate of Footprints in the Clouds beginning backpacking training or with your troop or family, this advanced trip is for you. We will be hiking six days on the Appalachian Trail. Be prepared to carry a pack weighing 25-30 pounds and hike in the mountains. Backpacks and other specialized gear will be provided. Each girl will need to provide a small amount of personal gear including well fitting, lightweight hiking boots and socks. This trip is for experienced hikers; if you are not a graduate of Footprints, you should have experience hiking 5-6 contiguous days and nights, be used to packing a backpack, cooking meals, pitching and striking shelter, treating water, and hanging a bear bag. If you are not sure if you are qualified, call the program director. One parent will need to attend the planning meeting on March 27 from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required with registration. No more than three girls per troop may participate unless space is available as of March 6, 2010.If you have questions about experience for this trip, please contact Trip Leader, Theresa Frye at 919-380-7665.

Who: Girl Scouts who will be at least 14 as of July 1, 2010 and have appropriate experience
Fee:    $200/girl
When: Planning meeting: March 27, 2010 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Trip: June 19-26, 2010 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Registration: Closing March 5

Council Events- Looking for fun and exciting program opportunities for your Girl Scouts? We have lots of great upcoming events.
        Camp Informational Session- Every Tuesday And Thursday In February- Internet
•        Silver Award Workshop- February 2, 2010- Roanoke Rapids Girl Scout Hut, Halifax County
•        Daisy Body Talk- February 20, 2010- Alice Aycock Poe Center For Health Education, Wake County
      Medieval Princesses For Teens - February 20, 2010 - Camp Mary Atkinson
•        Midnight Movers- February 20, 2010- Museum Of Life And Science, Durham County
•        Tech Girls' Summit- February 20, 2010- UNC-Wilmington, New Hanover County
•        Climbing The Alpine Tower- February 27, 2010- Camp Mary Atkinson, Johnston County
•        Green Teen: Environmental Ambassador- March 26-27, 2010- Camp Hardee
•        Gold Award Workshop- March 2, 2010- Roanoke Rapids Girl Scout Hut, Halifax County
•        UNC-Chapel Hill Gymnastics Meet- March 20, 2010- UNC-CH, Orange County
•        Footprints In The Clouds - A Step Up! - Meeting March 27, 2010 - Trip June 19-26, 2010
•        Camping Quest- April 23-25,2010- Camp Graham

Follow the links below to learn more about our council-sponsored and community events.

Program Opportunities for Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies and Juniors
http://www.nccoastalpines.org/home/JustForGirls/DaisyBrownieJun/ProgramOpp.aspx

Program Opportunities for Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors
http://www.nccoastalpines.org/home/JustForGirls/Teens/ProgramOpp.aspx

Community Events
http://www.nccoastalpines.org/home/events/ProgramOpps.aspx
*These events are not sponsored by the council. If you have any questions regarding registering for this events, please contact the program provider listed for the event.*

Retail News

Web Shopping - Our web shop is growing - new items have been added!!! Brownie Try-Its, Junior Badges, and Teen Interest Project Awards are now available for purchase on-line. All the Cookie Sale theme items are on our web shop, too. Thank you for shopping on-line at the Council Shop.

Reminder - Cookie Merchandise - It's Cookie Time in the Girl Scout Shops - We have special cookie theme t-shirts and merchandise just in time for our Cookie Sale! See our special flyer at the link below and come to the shops to see the new items.
http://www.nccoastalpines.org/home/shop/Promotions.aspx

Volunteer Services - Reminders

Got Questions? Get Answers! - Volunteer Services is here to help you! If you have a question, comment or suggestion about how we can best help you with your duties as an adult Girl Scout, please email council@nccoastalpines.org. We are here to help!

Spotlight a Volunteer - Is there someone in your area who has done something great? Let us know so we can highlight their accomplishments in the weekly email. Send entries with a brief description of what makes this volunteer great to Betsy Wharton at bwharton@nccoastalpines.org.
Upcoming Adult Learning Opportunities
American Red Cross Babysitter's Training Instructor
Saturday, February 6
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Raleigh Service Center
Pre-requisite: Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT) https://www.nccoastalpines.org/home/events/trainingevents/first_aid.aspx

Certify to teach girls to become competent responsible babysitters.   For information about completing the FIT self-study or information on the program and registration, contact Jane Womack at jwomack@nccoastalpines.org. For information on sponsorship in exchange for service, contact Eileen Lawlor at elawlor@nccoastalpines.org.

Leadership Essentials
1-31-10 - Onslow Co.
2-6-10 - Harnett Co.
2-6-10 - Franklin Co.
2-9-10 - Halifax Co.
2-13-10 - Brunswick Co.
2-15-10 - Wayne Co.
2-23-10 - Chatham Co.

Outdoor Skills
2-28-10 - Vance Co. - outdoor skills planning session; overnight weekend March 6-7, 2010 at Camp Graham.

First Aid/CPR
2-18-10 - Orange Co. - CPR Review - must be current within 30 days of expiration date
2-18-10 - Orange Co. - CPR Challenge - there is no review for this class
2-18-10 - Orange Co. - CPRO Challenge - for professional rescuers only
2-20-10 - Orange Co. - First Aid & CPR - complete class
2-27-10 - Wake Co. - First Aid & CPR - complete class - must take both first aid & CPR portions
3-13-10 - Camp Pretty - First Aid & CPR - complete class
Online CPR
2-8-10 - Cumberland Co.
2-18-10 - Orange Co.
2-20-10 - Orange Co.
2-24-10 - Wake Co.

GS Divide