Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast joins the nation in offering our thoughts and prayers to those who have been affected by the tornado that devastated the Oklahoma City area on Monday, May 20.

We have learned that Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma Council appreciates all of the good wishes being sent to them by fellow Girl Scouts, but they are unable to handle all of the calls and emails at this time. Instead, they ask that you check their website or Facebook and Twitter feeds for the latest information.

Learn more about how you can help...
The council cannot accommodate material donations but asks that those interested in donating do so through the Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund. You can also text the word GIRLS to 20222 to make a $10 donation.

Another way to show your support is to send messages or art in the shape of the Girl Scout trefoil.

Send your trefoil artwork to:

Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma
Mary Nichols' Family Leadership Center
6100 N. Robinson Ave.
Oklahoma City, Okla. 73118

The Early Bird Catches the Worm! Be an Early Bird!

Wow! – The 2014 Early Bird Registration has taken off and 403 troops have already renewed their membership online. Way to go!

Early Bird is a chance to register for the next membership year in Girl Scouting (Oct. 1-Sept. 30) a little early. Then, you'll have one less thing to worry about in the fall.

The 2013 Early Bird Registration period ends May 31, 2013. Hurry! Time is running out to qualify for these Early Bird incentives:

Girl Incentive
Girls who are registered by May 31, 2013 will receive the early bird patch.

Troop Incentive
Troops registering at least 70% of their returning girls (as of their March 31, 2013 girl membership) and at least two returning adults will receive one 15% discount certificate for merchandise purchased at a Girl Scout of Colonial Coast retail shop. If the entire 70% is registered online, the troop will receive a bonus 5% off coupon (making their shop discount 20%).

Service Unit Incentive
Service units registering at least 70% of their returning girls (as of their March 31, 2013 girl membership) by May 31, 2013 will receive a $50 gift certificate for merchandise purchased from a Girl Scouts of Colonial Coast retail shop. If the entire 70% is registered online the service unit will receive a bonus $50 coupon, making their shop gift certificate $100.

Anyone who experiences issues with online registration or who does not have access to a computer may contact support@gsccc.org, (757) 548-4602 or (800) 777-2688, ext. 1252 for assistance.

Online membership registration resources can be downloaded here.

New Membership Fee
Did you know that we have a new membership fee for 2014? At the 2011 National Council Session in Houston, delegates voted to increase the annual and lifetime membership dues starting with the 2014 membership year. Annual GSUSA dues for girls and adults will be $15.00.

Lifetime Membership
The lifetime membership fee is 25 times the annual fee, so on October 1, 2013, the lifetime fee for adults will be $375. If you are interested in purchasing a lifetime membership, please take advantage of the current fee and save $75. In order to ensure that your Lifetime membership is processed and completed before October, this paper form and payment must be turned in by September 1, 2013.

Lifetime Membership makes a Great Gift! 
Lifetime membership is a great gift and a great value for our dedicated Girl Scout Ambassadors. Girl Scouts who will graduate high school this year can purchase a lifetime membership at the reduced rate of $156. Graduating Girl Scout Ambassadors, submit an Adult Registration form and payment of $156 by September 1, 2013.

Lifeguards Needed!

Many troops and service units need lifeguards for their summer activities.  If you are a certified lifeguard (age 18 or older) and would like to be included on a list of available lifeguards for Girl Scout swimming activities, please let us know.

If you would like to become an American Red Cross certified lifeguard, training options are available through local organizations. GSCCC will cover the cost of a student kit (a $50 value) for anyone willing to become certified and volunteer for Girl Scout swimming activities. 

For more information, contact Cheryl McGrenra, Adult Learning Manager, at cherylm@gsccc.org or 757-410-0595 (800-77SCOUT, ext. 1229).

Girl Scout Leadership Institute - Sponsored by Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia

Girl Scout Leadership Institute -
Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia
June 28 - 30, 2013
5 pm to noon
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
$125
GSCCC is providing transportation and chaperones for the first 12 girls who sign up by contacting Robyn Singleton at robyns@gsccc.org. 
If you register directly with Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth, you will be responsible for your own transportation.


The Girl Scout Leadership Institute (GSLI) is coming to Richmond, Virginia on June 28-30, 2013. Girl Scouts entering the 11th or 12th grade in the Fall of 2013 are encouraged to join us for a weekend of insight, learning, and fun while experiencing life on campus! Register with a friend for this life-changing event!

Girls arrive Friday evening and get settled into the dorms. Afterwards, they will come together for a Welcoming Ceremony & Opening Dinner.

On Saturday, different tracks offer girls the opportunity to learn more about Health & Wellness, Financial Fitness, Career Options, Professionalism, and Personal Safety. Register early so that you guarantee your spot in the sessions you want! Each session is facilitated by highly respected professionals from the community. The special lunch program on Saturday offers girls the opportunity to interact with successful women to build their own "Recipe for Success."

Saturday night promises even more fun and excitement! Join us for a special appearance of Gabby Douglas, two-time US Olympic Gold Medal gymnast. Gabby will join the girls for dinner and afterwards a special interview program. The day wraps up with a special dance party, Girl Scout style…

Sunday will wrap-up with introspective time for the girls to think about and apply what they have learned over the weekend. 

This fun and engaging program is a joint venture between Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Mary Washington. Major corporate sponsorship provided by Dominion Resources, Martin’s Grocery Stores, and MeadWestVaCo.

Girls Report Limited Opportunities To Interact With Successful Women. 

 

• A majority of teen girls say they have not been offered the opportunity to visit the workplaces of successful women in their community (60%) or serve on a committee with a successful woman (50%) in the last school year. 
• From having women speak at their school about steps that have led to their success to working with girls in their community to help others, about 4 in 10 teen girls say they have had no such opportunities to interact with successful women in the last school year. 
• Moreover, 12% of teen girls say that they have not had ANY recent experience with these types of interactions with successful women 
• More than 8 in 10 girls are interested in each of the possible scenarios for interacting with successful women

Ninety-five percent of girls want to change the world for the better, 94% want to be role models, and 91% believe they have the skills to be leaders. Yet 90% of these same girls reported that men are more likely to lead in both corporations and Congress and 60% believe that women can rise up in a company or organization, but will rarely be "put at the top." 

Details:

• The program is open to registered Girl Scouts entering 11th or 12th grade for the 2013/2014 school year. 


• Girls must bring an updated Health History form to registration. A copy of the form on file with a Troop is fine.
  
  
  
• It is advised that girls dress in a manner that is appropriate for the caliber of the event. During the day: shirts with collars and capris, slacks, or knee-length skirts; sandals but no flip flops. For the evening event, feel free to dress up and be festive. Keep dress conservative and appropriate for a Girl Scout event.
  
• Feel free to bring your tablet, laptop, smart phone, or other electronic device. Social media tools are allowed but must be used in a manner that is productive and not disruptive. We will cover this more in our very first session! Feel free to start sharing with #gsli2013  

2013 Dare to Lead Volunteer Support Conference

2013 Dare to Lead! Volunteer Support Team (VST) Conference

Saturday, July 27, 2013
Oak Grove United Methodist Church
472 N Battlefield Boulevard
Chesapeake, VA

At this VST conference, you will receive the position training you need whether you are a community-level volunteer or a member of the service unit volunteer support team.  Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.
For information about this event, please click here.

To register for this event, please click here.

Please contact Cheryl McGrenra, Adult Learning Manager, at (757)410-0595 or cherylm@gsccc.org with any questions.

Relay for Life Volunteer Opportunity

Relay for life is looking for girls to help with luminaries.

May 18th at Cox High School

Relay for Life needs Girl Scouts to get involved! In the past, girls have helped decorate luminaria bags, as well as light the bags around the track. 

Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts are needed to decorate luminaria bags from about 3pm-7pm.
Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts are needed from 7pm-9pm to help light the bags for the 9pm ceremony.

Check in for volunteers is under the registration tent. The volunteer coordinator will provide directions to the luminaria area from there.
www.RelayForLife.org/VirginiaBeachVA

For additional information contact:
Paula Miles | Community Manager-SAD
South Atlantic Division | American Cancer Society, Inc.
Phone: 757.493.7976

 

Community Service Opportunity With The Multiple Sclerosis Bike MS 150

 

Volunteers Needed

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that involves an immune system attack against the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves). The attacks block the pathways of information that travel throughout the body. The disease begins to affect a person’s vision, balance, memory, and movement. Research is being done to find a cure but a cure has yet to be discovered.


The MS150: Ocean to the Bay Ride is a 2 day bicycle ride totaling 150 miles. Riders ride with the hope of raising awareness and funds to help stop this disease before it can affect another person. The riders in the event are people that have MS, family members of people with MS and those that just want to make a difference.

The local MS chapter is looking for volunteers (must be 10 years old) to help with the event. They are in need of help at the rest stations on June 1st and 2nd. The rest stations are a short break for the riders where they can grab a snack and something to drink.

This is a great opportunity to fill some community service hours. Please consider coming out to support the riders and make a difference for someone with MS.

For more details visit the MS website: www.fightms.com or contact  Hampton Roads Chapter 760 Lynnhaven Parkway, St. 201 Virginia Beach, VA 23452 (757) 490-9627