Peninsula Office Move Update

Wow!  What a HUGE job!  I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this major project. This took assistance and hard work from a lot of team members.  We could not have gotten through this massive amount of work over the last few weeks if it weren't for all of our awesome team mates who helped with packing, moving, planning, cleaning and the help they gave with all of that heavy lifting. Not to mention we certainly would not have been as cheerful without the abundance of smiles and entertaining moments! We are looking forward to your visits and we are incredibly close to having our new home in Newport News in order.  The soft opening is on track for November 4, 2013 - We look forward to seeing you!  When visiting our new office, I hope you take a moment to thank our great team for their hard work and energy.  The official housewarming date will be set soon! Thank you very much for your patience!

Sincerely,
Camile
More Pictures:
Front sign, shop 1, work station, reception, before pic, shop 2

Girls can Add a Friend and Earn a Patch!

What’s more fun than Girl Scouts? NOTHING! And bringing in just one more friend to join gives girls double the fun!

Girls who bring a friend to join Girl Scouts between November 1, 2013 and February 28, 2014, and the new Girl Scout will each receive the "Power of One" patch.

Then, girls and their friends have the opportunity to participate in all of the fun Girl Scout activities together!

Click here for more information.

Happy Birthday Juliette Gordon Low

Every October 31, Girl Scouts all over the world celebrate the life of their founder Juliette "Daisy" Gordon  Low, who was born October 31, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia.

Low's vision, to see girls blossom into productive and responsible women, led her at age 51 to form the Girl Scouts. What began on March 12, 1912, as a small gathering of 18 girls has flourished into an international movement with 3.7 million girl and adult members, and guaranteed the Girl Scouts its place in history as the preeminent organization for and leading authority on girls.

Juliette would be proud to know her Girl Scouts today are self-reliant, responsible and that they have a heart for community service. Happy Birthday Daisy!

VCU Women's Volleyball Opportunity for Girl Scouts!

Special discounted tickets, just $3, for Girl Scouts (and family and friends) for the November 15, 2013 match at the Siegel Center against Duquesne! Girls will get to form the tunnel during pre-game introductions for the team to run under. There will also be postgame meet & greet with the team complete with posters and autographs! 

You can purchase through VCU online or by calling the ticket office. Make sure to use the promo code GIRLSCOUTS!

Ticket Office: 804-828-RAMS (7267)

 

Service Unit Delegate Training

It is that time of the year again when service units are electing their Service Unit Delegate Chair, delegates and alternates.  Once the election process has been completed, the Delegate Chair will need turn in the paperwork (available here) no later than Friday, November 15 to the council office.  Paperwork includes the following:

• Completed Delegate and Alternate Delegate Consent Forms
• Completed Special Service Unit Meeting Report Form

All delegate chairs, delegates and alternates will need to register for the face-to-face training on Tuesday, November 19th.  If you are unable to attend the face-to-face training, please make sure you register for one of the upcoming webinars on Wednesday, November 20th, or Tuesday, December 3rd.  For more information about registering for one of the upcoming trainings, go here.

Please plan on attending the Annual Council Meeting on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at Norfolk State University.  Registration details will be forthcoming.

Family Volunteer Day

On Saturday, November 23, VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads and the Hampton Roads Corporate VOLUNTEER Council are holding the 15th annual Family VOLUNTEER Day at Virginia Wesleyan College. Volunteers from throughout the community will join together to pack boxes of food for 13 local homeless and domestic abuse shelters and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors - and/or adult volunteers - are needed to assist with children’s crafts from 9 to 11 a.m. at the event. Contact kaitlins@gsccc.org to volunteer.

Catholic Religious Emblem Facilitator Training

Diocesan Pastoral Center
Saturday, November 16th, 2013
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Calling all Girl Scout volunteers involved in Religious Emblems Training! We will hold a “train the trainer” course for Religious Emblem Training facilitators that will certify both new and experienced facilitators to conduct Religious Emblems Training in your church or troop. The Catholic Religious Emblems programs for Girl Scouts will be reviewed, followed by breakout sessions to cover in detail the Girl Scout programs. The meeting will be held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center (7800 Carousel Lane, Richmond, VA 23294) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There is no charge, and lunch will be provided. Please register no later than November 8, 2013 at regonline.com/emblemtraining2013. Bring your facilitator’s and youth participant guides if you have them. Dress is uniforms preferred.

For more information, please call (804) 622-5159, or email scouting@richmonddiocese.org.
Come and be prepared to lead your Scouts in earning one of the Catholic Religious Emblems! 


Religious Emblems Books
Do you have Scouts interested in earning a religious emblem?

Girl Scout Religious emblem books are not carried in the council shop. To order these materials, you can visit the following webpage to see what emblems you can earn: Girl Scout Religious Emblems. Girl Scout emblem booklets are available for purchased by using the order form found online here: Girl Scout Emblem Booklets Order Form.

Care Package Supply Drive and Flag Retirement Ceremony - First Landing State Park

VETERANS DAY
November 11 2013
11 a.m. Care Package Packing - Trail Center
2:30 p.m.  Flag Retirement Ceremony - Picnic Shelter

True to tradition, and to mark Veterans Day, First Landing State Park is hosting a care package supply drive to send deployed units from the armed services care packages. If you would like to show your appreciation to those in harm’s way, stop by our Trail Center and drop off items from the list. We welcome anyone who wants to help make the packages to join us on Veterans Day, November 11, 2013 at 11 a.m. in the Trail Center conference room where we will be decorating and packing the boxes.

Items Needed

Powdered drink mix: Hot beverage mixes such as cocoa, instant coffee, tea bags, and creamer or cool sweetened drink mixes such as lemonade and iced tea. 

Meal enhancers: Anything that can be mixed with meals ready to eat (MREs), such as ramen noodles, seasoned salt, hot sauce, mustard, relish, and ketchup is appreciated. 

Quick protein: This includes energy bars, tuna fish, sardines, non-perishable beef jerky, or beef summer sausage. Make sure the meat is labeled USDA.

Snacks: Look for small, hard containers of chips, pretzels, and nuts. Avoid bags, which may burst under high pressure. Snack cakes, cheese crackers, and cookies are in high demand.

Candy and gum: Gum and other types of candy may soften and become gooey so send these in plastic zipper-lock bags. Avoid sending chocolate as it can melt in the heat.

Miscellaneous items: Troops appreciate, note paper, envelopes, pens, pencils, stamps, paperback books, current magazines, comic books, cross-word puzzles, word searches, jigsaw puzzles, foam footballs and basketballs, frisbees, hacky sacks, playing cards, and other games.

 

For more information, contact:

First Landing State Park
2500 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA, 23451
Phone (757)-412-2306
Email FLInterpreter@dcr.virginia.gov

ODU Lady Monarch's Girl Scout Night - November 17, 2013 DEADLINE MONDAY!

Old Dominion University v/s Radford

Ted Constant Center

November 17, 2013

2 p.m.

$20 includes patch, Girl Scouts exclusive Lady Monarchs experience, 24 oz. beverage and a hot dog or nachos

Deadline: November 11, 2013


Join GSCCC for a fantastic night of Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs basketball!
Register for this event at ebiz.gsccc.org. Tickets will be available for pickup at 12:30 p.m. on the day of the event. A check-in table will be in the lobby as you enter. Tickets are held under the name of the person who placed the order and must be picked up all at once. Partial orders will not be distributed. Any tickets that are unclaimed 15 minutes prior to the start of the game will be held at the will call window.

 

 

Special Performance of West Side Story

Girl Scouts are invited to attend a special performance of West Side Story on Saturday, November 23 at 2 p.m. at Chrysler Hall. There will be a free post-show dialogue facilitated by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities to raise awareness about bullying and its effects on everyday interactions.

The storyline of West Side Story illustrates the pointlessness of bullying and violence and provides a platform to open dialogue about the issue of bullying.
There are discounted rate for groups of 10 or more. If you are interested in bringing a group to this thought-provoking show and the free dialogue after the show, contact Nancy Rogan at 757-664-6957.

Ticket Prices:
Level 1 $ 66.00 (regularly $73.00)
Level 2 $ 52.50 (regularly $58.00)
Level 3 $ 39.00 (regularly $43.00)
There is a $6.00 service charge on each group order.

Be the Video Game Developer

Through a two-year, $600,000 grant from Dell’s Powering the Possible youth learning initiative, GSUSA, as part of its Journey and Connect Through Technology program, is releasing Bethe Video Game Developer, an interactive experience that puts girls in the driver’s seat of video game creation. To celebrate the launch, GSUSA and Dell hosted a panel discussion this morning called Game On: Girls and Technology. This event was a think tank on innovation in today’s gaming industry as it pertains to girls, and the key skills girls need to build in order to succeed. A recording of the event was made and will be available here.

Heritage Community Good Turn for Goodwill Service Project

In November, Girl Scouts in the Heritage Community will be collecting donations for local Goodwill stores. Girl Scouts will be passing out bags to friends and neighbors in the community to use when collecting donations around their house. On Saturday, November 9, Girl Scouts will ask that those with donations leave the bags on their driveways by 9 a.m., and Girl Scouts will collect the donations and bring them to the nearest Goodwill location. View a list of needed items here.

This collection drive will help Goodwill provide job training and placement to improve the quality of life through the power of work.

For more information, contact Mei Stukes at mstukes@cox.net.

Voice of Democracy Contest

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is sponsoring a patriotic audio essay competition. This competition is open to students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in high school in the United States. Students compete by writing and recording a broadcast script on this year’s theme: Why I’m Optimistic About our Nation’s Future. Students should submit their recording of a 3-5 minute essay on a standard cassette tape or CD and a written copy of their essay by November 1 to: VFW Post 392, Sue Sowers, Scholarship Chmn, 2408 Bowland Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23454. The grand prize is a $30,000 scholarship. For more information and to download the entry form, visit the VFW website.

The Norfolk Freedom Marathon & Half Marathon - Volunteer Opportunities

The Norfolk Freedom Marathon & Half Marathon - Norfolk, Virginia
Veteran's Day Weekend, November 8-10, 2013
Are you looking for a great way to get in on the action? Be a Volunteer!!!

Volunteers are needed to assist in a variety of places throughout the Veterans’ Day Race Weekend including at water stations, hospitality areas, baggage tent, medical stations, the Health and Fitness Expo, the Kids Freedom Mile and information tents.

Visit the Norfolk Freedom Marathon and Half Marathon website for a list of volunteer opportunities.

November Community Service Project - Eyeglass Recycling

Eyeglass Recycling Center, Chesapeake
Available shifts
     November 2, 2013 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
     November 16, 2013 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
     November 23, 2013 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Maximum: 10 girls per shift
Note: An adult must stay on site with the girls.

Your gently used eyewear could make a world of difference to someone in need. Clear vision could enable a child to see clearly to learn in school. Clear vision could help an adult maintain a job and support their family. Ask family members, neighbors, your church and friends to help you collect gently used prescription eyewear and non-perscription sunglasses to recycle. That pair you no longer wear could help others see clearly and fulfi ll their dreams. Drop off your collection at APFG or the Peninsula location between November 2- 15, 2013. These will be donated to the Lion's Club.

Interested girls will help at the eyeglass recycling center in Chesapeake to sort, clean and grade donated glasses. What a great opportunity to follow through from start to finish with the collecting of eyeglasses to sending out to those in need.

To register, to get directions and for program content questions, contact Donna Farnham at donnaf@gsccc.org.

 

Peninsula Service Center is moving - same great work, new location!

The Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast's Peninsula Service Center finds a new home in November
2013 at 894 J Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, Va 23601!

Read more about this exciting news!

The Newport News retail shop and office at 813 Forrest Drive is closed as we move and prepare for a soft opening at our new peninsula location on Monday, November 4, 2013.  Once the move is complete, our new peninsula office will be easily accessed via J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, just off of exits 258A or 258B from I-64.

While the Peninsula Service Center is closed for the move (October 19 to November 3, 2013) our Chesapeake shop at 912 Cedar Road remains available for walk-in, online and phone orders.  All Peninsula Service Center phone and email services will remain operational during the move.

This move is coordinated by John Morgan, Property Director.  For information about volunteering to help with the move, contact John at 757-548-2903 or johnm@gsccc.org.

We are very excited about the changes and opportunities ahead, and appreciate everyone’s help and patience as we make this move happen. Stay tuned to Volunteer Connection and our Facebook page for more information and a “Save the Date” for an Open House celebration!

Fall Product Program - Hometown Heroes

Fall Product Season is in full swing. Initial orders have been placed and the products are on the way! Delivery is November 1-2, 2013 but girls may continue selling fall product and sending emails for QSP Magazine orders until the sale ends on December 1, 2013.

Although customers may not wish to purchase items for themselves, many like to contribute by purchasing items through our Hometown Heroes program. Hometown Heroes products are donated to the men and women of our military and will be delivered in time for a special holiday treat to those serving both here and overseas. Remember, girls who sell five Hometown Heroes items will also receive the share patch.

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program

Exceptional student leaders are invited to apply for the 2014 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program. In honor of the legacy and character of President Ronald Reagan, this program annually rewards up to 20 college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with $10,000 renewable scholarships (up to $40,000 per recipient). 

Like President Reagan, candidates use the formative experiences of their youth to lead, serve, and pursue a life of progress, both individually and for their communities. Help put promising young leaders in the running for this prestigious award. Share this news with scholars who exemplify these characteristics inside and outside the classroom and encourage them to apply. You also may download a program flyer. 

Applications for the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program will be accepted online until January 9, 2014. Additional information, eligibility requirements, and a link to the application are available online. You may also follow us on Facebook. 

Applicants who have questions about the application process may contact the program’s administrator, Scholarship Management Services, at
ge-reagan@scholarshipamerica.org.

Commission on the Status of Women - Girl Delegate Application - Deadline October 25, 2013, 4 p.m.

Each year, GSUSA joins over 5,000 women and girls from around the world at the United Nations headquarters in New York to participate in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). CSW is a functional commission of the UN, dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. Every year, national representatives of Member States gather for a two-week session to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and the advancement of women worldwide. As NGO Consultative members, Girl Scouts of the USA and the World Association of Girl Guides/Girl Scouts participate to bring the voice of girls and young women to the global stage.

GSCCC is seeking four delegates (ages 14-18) to represent GSUSA and WAGGGS from March 7-14, 2014 in New York City and participate in online trainings from November 2013 – February 2014. All relevant funding for selected delegates will be covered by GSCCC.  Girls will be chaperoned by a GSCCC staff member and a GSCCC volunteer.  Selected delegates will be contacted by November 1, 2013. Applications must be sent to jenniferm@gsccc.org by 4p.m. on October 25, 2013.

Please visit the forms page of gsccc.org for an application.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

If you know a girl who has made a difference through volunteering and who has provided significant community service over the past year, encourage her to apply for the 2014 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.  Girls who have recently earned Girl Scout Silver and Girl Scout Gold Awards may be particularly good candidates.

This unique youth recognition program, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, has recognized more than 100,000 middle and high school students - including thousands of Girl Scouts - at the local, state and national level for outstanding acts of volunteerism over the past 18 years. 

  All state level honorees will receive special recognition; the top high school and middle school volunteers will receive silver medallions, $1000 awards and an all-expense-paid trip to the nation's capital for several days of national recognition events.  In addition, the top 10 youth volunteers receive a $5000 cash award, a $5000 grant for the charitable organization of their choice, an engraved medallion and an all-expense-paid trip with a parent or guardian to Washington, DC, for the national awards ceremony.

Girl Scouts can apply online at http://spirit.prudential.com. Applications must be submitted to the Girl Scout Council office by November 5, 2013.  We will then review applications and select one or more honorees to represent our council in the state-level judging.  If you have any questions or need a paper version of the application, please call toll-free 877-525-8491.  For additional information or to submit your application, contact the council Program Services Director, Jennifer McGowan at jenniferm@gsccc.org.

The Campus Girl Scouts at Christopher Newport University host Journey Day Fall 2013: A World of Girls

Date: Saturday, November 2nd
Time:1-4pm (arrive between 12:30 and 1p.m.)
Location: Christopher Newport University, Forbes Hall, Lecture Hall 1022
Designated for: Brownies
Cost: Free

Please join us for Journey Day Fall 2013: A World of Girls to learn about the worldwide community of Girl Scouts. Explore the diversity that exists in Girl Scouts and how stories from both near and far bring us together.

Please register by the sending the following information to cgs@cnu.edu no later than October 31, 2013.
Name of Girl Scout:
Name of Parent/Guardian:
Emergency Contact Information (Phone Number):
Email:
Special Instructions: Allergies, etc.  

Hungarian State Folk Ensemble - Special Girl Scout Pricing

Christopher Newport University
Ferguson Center for the Arts
Monday, November 11, 2013
7:30 p.m
Ticket Prices: $5*

The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, regarded as one of the greatest folkloric dance ensembles in the world, was established in 1951. Its aims were to collect and play authentic folk music and to preserve the folk dances and traditional costumes of Hungary and Hungarian-inhabited areas by showcasing them on stage. During the nearly five decades of its existence, the ensemble has revitalized the culture of the Hungarian people. Choreographies are based on authentic dances, some collected in isolated villages with dance elements dating back hundreds of years. Its rich and colorful repertoire entitles the ensemble to be regarded as one of the top touring groups in the world.

Contact Lana Sadowski at (757)594-8468 or lana.sadowski@cnu.edu for your group sales package today!
 
*Some restrictions may apply. Groups of 10 or more required in order to receive special pricing. Offer valid in all zones VIP,1, 2 & 3. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. No refunds or exchanges. All sales final. $20 Group processing fee applies.

Contest Opportunity through North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Do you have girls or adults in your service unit that dabble in photography? If so, the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail are looking for young photographers who may be interested in submitting some of their photos to our NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail 2013 Photo Contest. We have a Youth Photographer category for all youths 17 and under. We also have categories for adult photographers as well; both amateur and professional are welcome. 

The deadline for submitting photos to the contest is Oct. 31

Link for information, contest rules and submitting photos to the contest: http://www.ncmst.org/get-involved/photo-contest/

Link to see this year's contest photos already submitted & previous year's photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mountains-to-sea-trail/

Link to find the MST in your area/Link to trail map: http://www.ncmst.org/the-trail/interactive-map/ 

Also, we are happy to help photographers locate the closest section of MST in their local region. Feel free to contact me at the email or phone below. 

For more information interested participants and contact JoEllen Mason at jmason@ncmst.org.

 

Date Change for Peak Expereinces Rock Climbing Lock In - Now open to Girl Scout Juniors

The Rock Climbing event at Peak Experiences originally scheduled for February 1, 2013 has been changed to February 15, 2014.

Lock In Peak Experiences
February 15, 2014
9 p.m. - 6 a.m.
Open to Girl Scout  Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors
$40 for climbers $5 for non-climbers
Deadline:  February 1, 2013

Experience the rock gym for a night of climbing and fun. An optional belay class is available for girls 13 and up.  Dinner and a light breakfast are provided.

For program content questions and to register, contact Robb Wygand at (757) 460-2803.

Girl Scout Day at Tidewater Gymnastics Academy

Saturday November 16, 2013
6 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
All-Star Team demonstration at 7:00p.m.

Tidewater Gymnastics Academy

829 44th Street, Norfolk, VA 23508

$15.00 per girl - includes patch
Minimum: 25 Maximum: 50
Deadline to register: November 9, 2013

Get a great work out while you meet and hang out with other Girl Scouts. Come see what gymnastics is all about at Tidewater Gymnastics Academy, where fitness is fun! Learn more...

Registration, waiver, and payment due by Saturday November 9, 2013
To obtain forms and to register, contact:

TGA Attn: Jessy, Office Mgr.
829 44th Street, Norfolk, VA 23508
757-493-3600
info@tidewatergymnasticsacademy.com

Peninsula Service Center finds a new home - same great work, new location!

The Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast's Peninsula Service Center finds a new home in November 2013 at 894 J Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, Va 23601!

Read more about this exciting news!

Our current Newport News retail shop and office (813 Forrest Drive) will remain open until October 18, 2013.  We expect to be up and running for a soft opening at our new peninsula location on Monday, November 4, 2013.  Once the move is complete, our new peninsula office will be easily accessed via J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, just off of exits 258A or 258B from I-64.

While the Peninsula Service Center is closed for the move (October 19 to November 3, 2013) our Chesapeake shop remains available for walk-in, online and phone orders.  All Peninsula Service Center phone and email services will remain operational during the move.

Adult volunteers are needed! This move is coordinated by John Morgan, Property Director.  For information about volunteering to help with the move, contact John at 757-548-2903 or johnm@gsccc.org.

We are very excited about the changes and opportunities ahead, and appreciate everyone’s help and patience as we make this move happen. Stay tuned to Volunteer Connection and our Facebook page for more information and a “Save the Date” for an Open House celebration!

Looking Ahead!

The Girl Scouts annual cycle of activities and events is based on seasons, school calendars, facility availability, etc.  The Service Unit Operations Calendar & Agendas are tools for service unit volunteer support teams to use when planning monthly leader/volunteer meetings. Look ahead and get a jump on November!

Winter Troop Reward for Service Units

One service unit in each of the four Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast Communities will be recognized for forming the most new troops during the winter of our 2013-2014 membership year. The winning service unit in each Community will be awarded $100. This registration initiative begins November 1, 2013 and ends on January 27, 2014.  In order to be eligible to win, the service unit must form at minimum five new troops and troop's formed must be:

1. For the 2013-2014 membership year
2. New troops.
3. Have a minimum of five girls.
4. Have a minimum of two adults.

If there is a tie the winner will be determined by the highest number of girls in the troops.

Are You Our Next Employee?

Working for Girl Scouts means helping girls build courage, confidence and character. If you have a passion for turning today's girls into tomorrow's leaders, this may be the place for you. We are currently seeking candidates for several full-time positions.

· Program Manager, Events/Series/Troop

· Membership Specialist (2 positions available serving Chesapeake and Norfolk)

· Executive Assistant to CEO

Competitive salaries, exceptional benefits, and a fantastic work environment are included. To view detailed descriptions and instructions on how to apply, visit our website http://www.gsccc.org/Employment.aspx or contact Tammy Carlson, human resources director at 548-4743.

Girl Voices Survey Kindle Winner!

Congratulations Eryn Merkel!
Eryn is the winner of the Kindle Fire drawing held to encourage girls to sign up for the GSCCC Girl Voices survey panel. 

Girl Voices is a national survey that lets girls tell us about their Girl Scout experiences.  It's not too late to participate.  Simply visit girlvoices.org to register to be a part of the GSCCC survey panel.  Once you're registered, you'll receive a survey from us to complete by November 1, 2013.  Each girl who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing for one of four $25 Amazon.com gift cards.