Dear GSWNY Members,
Over the weekend we had a lot of news that I wanted to acknowledge as we settle into our week.
My heart and my prayers go out to the victims and families, and to our Rochester community, after the mass shooting that left 14 people injured, and two 2019 high school graduates, Jaquayla Young and Jarvis Alexander dead. This was also in the midst of the community already reeling from Daniel Prude’s killing and the pandemic. I am so sorry to learn of this tragic event.
We also lost Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday evening. Many Girl Scouts and Girl Scout alums saw RBG as a role model and a gender equality icon.
We lost another champion for rights, earlier this year, Representative John Lewis, civil rights icon on July 17, who devoted his entire career to fighting for equality and justice.
Their legacies can be examples for us and our girls, as we work together to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made”, and “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
John Lewis: “If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it.”
This continues to be a challenging time for so many, here in our WNY community, nation, and world. Please reach out if you ever need someone to talk to, need support, and know that as Girl Scouts, our mission is a bright light to many, and an empowering space for girls who are learning how to lead today and tomorrow. You are giving back to the world in amazing ways and thank you for all you do!
Thank you,
Alison
Please see the important announcements below and for questions, please contact Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. In an emergency, please call 1-800-882-9268.
Only one week left for great renewal incentives!
Renew by 9/30 for great incentives!
There’s still great incentives for renewing by 9/30 including:
- Girl Scout-branded face mask for all girls who renew by 9/30
- Laptop drawing for girls – 3 girls will win!
- $300 gift card drawing for girls and leaders
- SAGE Tuition Rewards – 2,500 points for girls and 3,500 points for leaders
Financial assistance is available for girls and leaders, and you still qualify for all incentives. Troop leaders, remember that it’s a great use of troop funds to renew girls.
Even if you’re not sure what your Girl Scout year will look like, renew by 9/30 so you don’t miss out on these great incentives!
Contest opens when the Fall Product Sale begins on Sept. 28, 2020!
Excited for another year of Girl Scouts?
Renew your membership today to confirm your commitment to another year of Girl Scouting and help us celebrate the Fall Product Program 9/26 kickoff! Show your Girl Scout Spirit by creating your own unique Fall Product Program inspired avatar!
Create your personal avatar:
Create Adult Avatar
Create Girl Avatar
Want to learn more about the Fall Product Program? Visit gswny.org today!
Congratulations to Mariana from Troop 60117 of Rochester as the winner of the New 2020 Council Patch Contest!
Mariana is in the 6th grade and her patch design was among seventy other hand drawn entries that went through a voting process to become a finalist and then the winner. You can view her congratulatory call with our CEO Alison Wilcox below.
The Council Patch is a major symbol that celebrates Girl Scouts’ mission and unity across GSWNY’s nine counties twelve years ago when multiple, individual Girl Scout councils from across the region merged into one, to become Girl Scouts of Western New York.
Zoom Into Fall
TWO SESSIONS | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1
Join us for one of our FREE adult training sessions to learn all about how you can use Zoom this Fall to run your Girl Scout Troop and Service Unit meetings. We will walk you through setting up a Zoom account, how to schedule meetings, and how to run a Girl Scout meeting virtually.
GSUSA has subsidized the cost of professional zoom licenses for troops and GSWNY will soon be sharing how you can sign up for one. The monthly fee will be $3 per month ($36 per year). Licenses can be purchased by troops using troop funds, and for troops who need it, financial aid will be available to cover the cost. More details to come!
Troop leaders interested in free rentals of GSWNY properties for troop meetings on Monday-Thursday evenings please contact customercare@gswny.org if interested.
Questions? Contact Customer Care at 1-888-837-6410 or customercare@gswny.org
MORNING SESSION 11:30 AM | EVENING SESSION 6:30 PM
Retail Item of the Week: Girl Scouts of Western New York Baseball Hats
This week we are featuring our Girl Scout WNY Baseball Caps! They are perfect to keep the sun out of your eyes, sweat off your brow or just for a bad hair day! The rustic look is on trend and the perfect look for any aged Girl Scout. They feature an adjustable strap in the back!
Blue is available ONLINE with FREE SHIPPING! Don’t like Blue? In Store only for CURBSIDE PICKUP is a rustic PURPLE color as well! Contact your local GSWNY Shop via email to order today!
Girl Scouting at Home
Looking for ways to stay involved with Girl Scouts? Check out our Girl Scouting at Home page today! New resources are added regularly.
UPDATE: We put the call out and you answered! Thank you for helping to fill our Pen Pal Program in just one week! Over 20 residents from Kaleida Health’s HighPointe on Michigan and DeGraff Skilled Nursing facilities were paired with a Girl Scout and will start exchanging letters in October. At this time, the program is not accepting new inquiries.
New Pen Pal Program for 5th Grade Girls
The pen pal program connects girls in 5th grade with residents at Kaleida Health’s HighPointe on Michigan and DeGraff Skilled Nursing facilities.
Given the current state guidelines due to COVID-19, these residents are not allowed any visitors. We are hoping this program will help lift some spirits and form new friendships with our girls.
The commitment required is a letter a month for a year starting mid-October. Handwritten letters are preferred.
Looking for more options? Head to girlscouts.org for even more at-home opportunities for your Girl Scout by grade level, and check out some of the online opportunities below:
Girl Scouts Doing Good Things
Brownie Troop 34187 participated in GS Loves State Parks weekend and earned their “Take Action” badge to complete their Outdoor Journey. They collected two bags of litter in the rain at Knox Farm State Park, and learned more about the Park’s history.
We are #GirlScoutStrong! Looking forward to talking to you next Tuesday! In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. In an emergency, please call 1-800-882-9268.
Categories: Member Essentials
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