Dear GSWNY Members,

The safety of our members is our first priority and given COVID-19 that means following GSWNY’s Updated 11-17-20 safety guidelines and FAQs, washing hands, wearing masks, social distancing, and staying home when needed.

NYS is following a microcluster strategy which means regions within NY may be placed in a yellow, orange, or red zone if they have a high number of COVID-19 cases. Currently, Erie and Monroe counties have been placed in the yellow zone. GSWNY applied the yellow zone restrictions across all 9 county areas last week and will continue for the time being. This affected GSWNY’s gathering size only, and changed from a maximum of 50 people permitted to 25.

Girl Scouts strive to always be prepared. If any county is placed in the orange or red zone, that county will need to suspend in-person programming per NYS guidelines. Orange or red zone restrictions will be handled county by county, and will not be applied across the council, unless NYS advises otherwise.

We recommend you to be ready for the possibility that Erie county will be placed into the orange or red zone. It is also possible that any county could be placed into one of these zones in the future depending on COVID-19 rates.

As a reminder, GSWNY will give full refunds for any in-person program or property rental for GSWNY events, activities, and properties

Curbside retail and product program delivery will still be permitted in the orange zone. Troop leaders and volunteers may still arrange contact-less delivery and pick up of supplies with families in the orange zone. We do not yet have enough information to determine additional impacts of the red zone and are monitoring guidance from NYS. 

In-person programs and events can be a wonderful outlet for our girls when permitted by NYS, however, they are always optional. There are many ways to participate in GS at home with virtual meetings, badge in a box, and at-home activities. At-home is the safest option. Always follow your own comfort level, and if you participate in person, please follow all safety guidelines to reduce the risk.

If a county is placed in an orange or red zone, and we need to suspend in-person programs, GSWNY will notify all members by email, on our social media pages, update our blog, and website. 

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.

Again, please see our updated COVID-19 guidance with updated FAQs.

Thank you for your flexibility and your dedication to ensuring safety standards.

VS 2.0 System Upgrade Updates

Starting November 18 at 11:59 PM EST, Girl Scouts will begin system-wide updates that will temporarily pause access to myGS including your member profile and the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) for approximately 2-3 weeks. Please watch for an email from Girl Scouts in early December announcing the debut of our refreshed member account management system as well as updated login information and instructions for accessing your account.

To Prepare: Be sure to download and save troop rosters, meeting plans, or any other resources you might need during this time.

During system downtime: To continue the fun with your Girl Scout(s) during this time, visit our national Girl Scouts at Home page here for badge and Journey activities, service projects, patches, and event recordings that you can use either in-person or virtually. Visit our GSWNY Troop Leader Blueprint for additional resources here. You can also visit the Girl Scout Shop for printed or downloadable program materials by badge and Journey.

Thank you for your patience while we work to enhance your Girl Scout member experience.

Pop-Up Message: After Login to myGS or VTK – example can be seen in the image to the right.

Given the momentary system updates, if a member or non-member has any trouble joining or renewing their membership online, please use this special digital form here and a Customer Care representative will be in touch or call 1-888-837-6410. Thank you.

Election – Girl Feedback Wanted!

This year had a record number of women running for public office and many historic firsts of women being elected – we would love to hear from girls on what this means to them. Please have your girl complete the survey below to share her thoughts.

COMPLETE THE SURVEY

Pre-Black Friday Sale: $4 Buffs and Bandanas!

Didn’t get enough last week? We have MORE sales all month ALL for you! Starting today, November 17, through November 24, we are featuring our GSWNY Buff and GSWNY Camp Bandana for ONLY $4 EACH!

The Green Buff is a piece of multifunctional headwear-you can wear it over 19 ways! Dip it in water on a hike to stay cool or pull it over your mouth and nose to wear as a convenient quick face mask.

Also featured this week is the beautiful “Life is Good at Camp!” tie-dyed colored bandana with all four Girl Scouts of Western New York camp names on it. Remember to email your local shop with your order for curbside pickup.

How to Order:

1. Place your order via email by emailing the shop location you want to pick it up from. Include a daytime phone number for the shop staff to contact you.
   • Buffalo Service Center 716.935.6035 – Shop.Buffalo@gswny.org
   • Rochester Service Center 585.239.7901 – Shop.Rochester@gswny.org
   • Lockport Service Center 716.935.6080 – Shop.Lockport@gswny.org
   • Jamestown Service Center 716.935.6040 – Shop.Jamestown@gswny.org
2. Await confirmation from the shop staff that your order is complete with the total amount due.
3. Make payment via debit or credit card and choose pick up day and time with retail staff during confirmation call. Current Pick up hours: Monday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM & Wednesday 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
4. Arrive at scheduled location on pick up day and time.

Voice for the Animals Badge with SPCA Serving Erie County – Seniors

Learn about current animal welfare issues from the organization responsible for enforcing cruelty laws. Meet one of our peace officers and take a tour of the facility while completing requirements 1, 3, 4, and 5 of the Voice for the Animals badge. Requirement 2 (track a beauty product) should be completed prior to the workshop and brought for sharing. Activity requirements will be emailed in advance of the program. Please no siblings, if possible, during this virtual experience. Included: All Girl Scouts will receive an emailed certificate of participation; badges are not included. Optional SPCA fun patches are available for an additional $2/girl. Patches will be mailed to participants.

REGISTER 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. 

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

For her Silver Award Project, Catherine from Troop 30327 in Evans, New York, decided to help the animals at the Chautauqua County Human Society. She saved money and collected donations to buy supplies on the needs list, as well as making 39 T-shirt dog ropes, 25 cat beds, 18-noise-making Easter Egg cat toys, 18 water bottle dog toys, 12 pill bottle cat toys, 4 jean dog ropes, and other items. Click here to read more about her project and work.

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.