Dear GSWNY Members,

On Monday, November 23, 2020, parts of Monroe and Erie Counties were placed into the orange zone.

As we communicated with members last week, any county placed into the orange or red zone will need to suspend in-person Girl Scout programs and meetings. 

All Girl Scout in-person programs and meetings in Monroe and Erie Counties are suspended Tuesday, 11-24-20 until further notice. This includes girls and adults residing in Monroe and Erie Counties, and any in-person program or meeting taking place in Monroe or Erie Counties.

Parts of Niagara County were placed into the yellow zone last week.

NYS stated they will reassess in 14 days. We are awaiting additional details, along with monitoring the situation throughout our nine counties. We will provide updates as relevant.

Please see the guidelines and FAQs, released 11/17/20 that have further details about the yellow, orange, and red zone restrictions and how they affect Girl Scout programming.

The health and safety of our girls, volunteers, families, and staff are of the utmost importance. We know girls may be disappointed about in-person programs being suspended. There are many ways to participate in Girl Scouts from home including virtual and at-home meetings and activities, badge in the box, etc. 

If we can be of any assistance to help volunteers and girls switch to at-home activities, please contact Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410.

Thank you for all that you do to follow the safety guidelines.

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.

Create moments of joy this holiday season!
We’re opening our online Cookie Program Saturday, December 5th, which means you can get Girl Scout cookies in time for the holidays!

While social distancing measures may continue to keep families and friends apart, cookie customers will be able to stay connected this season through a gift box option that ships directly to their family and friends via the Smart Cookie online platform.

All cookies will be available for $5 a package.

Consumers will delight in knowing their cookie purchase is an investment in girl leadership in WNY. With every sale, the Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls to think like entrepreneurs as they run their small businesses and learn lifelong skills, like goal setting, people skills, and decision—making, which are imperative for any leadership role.

GSWNY is holding a Girl Scout Cookie training for troops!

REGISTER FOR DECEMBER 1 COOKIE TRAINING

Grow Your Girl Crew is happening now! 

We challenge YOU to get out there and Grow Your Girl Crew because what’s better than making new friends? How about making new friends AND winning amazing prizes! From Oct. 22, 2020 to Jan. 31, 2021, we want you to invite your friends and grow your girl crew!

From patches with charms to Air Pods, we have prizes to give you when you have new girls join. All you have to do is invite them, make sure they register, and then you win! We have three tiers of rewards available for you to win. 

Visit gswny.org/join to read more about the campaign and how you can win. We’re also going live Dec. 10 to show you the prizes in real life. You can join us on Instagram or Facebook.

Cyber Monday Week Sale! Exclusive Preview!

From Monday, November 30, to Friday, December 4, we are offering all PLUSH for only $9.95!

Every Girl Scout wants to hang out with the cutest plush around! These huggable plush buddies have a rainbow pattern with “Girl Scouts” embroidery and are perfect to fill every girl’s stocking.

Plush includes: Sloth, Monkey, Narwhal, Lion and Unicorn.

ORDER ONLINE

Please note, that the GSWNY council will be closed starting at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25. All Curbside Orders received via email after this date will be responded to starting Monday, November 30.

Still collecting cash and checks?

Now you can collect money online at zero cost to your troop. Create a collection page in minutes and share your link. All payments and information are tracked automatically and can be exported to Excel for easy reviewing.

Cheddar Up is the easiest way to collect money and forms online!

• It’s a digital payment and tracking tool
• December 2020, coleaders will receive an invitation from Cheddar Up to open an account. Friendlysupport@cheddarup.com  – Please check your junk email too!
• Accept payments for registration, uniforms, camporee, field trips, etc.
• No additional charge to the troop. A flat .45 fee to the payee – which costs less than a stamp! The troop does have the option to absorb this cost.
• Cheddar Up provides all the training the Troop Treasurer will need.
• Click this link for Cheddar Up FAQs

Watch for your email invite from Cheddar Up!

VS 2.0 System Upgrade Updates

Starting November 18 at 11:59 PM EST, Girl Scouts began 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.

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.

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. 

VISIT GIRL SCOUTING AT HOME PAGE

Looking for more options? Head to girlscouts.org for even more at-home opportunities for your Girl Scout.

Girl Scouts Doing Good Things

Troop 60516 made Thanksgiving cards for a senior care center.

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.