Dear GSWNY Members,

As promised last week, we are including updates to our COVID-19 guidelines for the yellow, orange and red zones. We continue to review and assess GSWNY guidelines based on CDC, NYS and county guidelines.

The major change is that we have updated our orange zone restrictions. Effective 12-8-20, in-person meetings and programs can now occur in a county with orange zone designation, but the size must be limited to 10 people or less.

Please see the updated COVID-19 guidelines and the updated COVID-19 FAQs for more information.   

As always, in-person activities are optional, and virtual and at-home programs are the safest way to participate in Girl Scouting. Any in-person activities must follow safety guidelines.

Thank you for all that you do to keep Girl Scouting available for our girls. We hope that you and your family have a safe and peaceful holiday season.

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.

Family Property Rentals

For a limited time, we are opening our property rentals to private households at the Girl Scout rate.  COVID-19 guidelines have affected the number of girls and troops who have been able to rent our properties, and we want to ensure that girls still have the opportunity to get outside and enjoy our properties with their families. Here are some FAQs for families about renting our properties. 

How do I make a reservation? Go to our Camp Property Rental page to find available accommodations and reserve your space. Be sure to choose the Girl Scout rates. 

What is a private household? Private households encompass anyone who you regularly live with. Groups cannot exceed 10 people and should not mix multiple households. 

Who can attend? Each private household must include at least one registered Girl Scout. 

What are the accommodations like? Each of our heated buildings includes a kitchen space and beds with mattresses. Families will need to bring food, cookware and bedding. 

What about insurance? Anyone who is not a registered Girl Scout will need non Girl Scout insurance. After booking your space, our Customer Care team will work with you to purchase the insurance. The minimum fee is $5. 

Where can we go? Family Property Rentals are available at all four of our camp properties. We’re currently taking these specific reservations until May 1st, 2021. 

What are the COVID-19 guidelines? Private households do not have to wear masks while in their reserved cabin. However, we do ask that you wear masks while out on the trail, in case you run into others. All accommodations include hand sanitizer and cleaners. In addition to leaving the space clean, we require that all groups sanitize surfaces upon departure.  If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our Customer Care team at customercare@gswny.org or 1-888-837-6410.

Girl Scouts: We want to hear from you!

We are looking for 6 girls to join the Recruitment Team for a Facebook Live conversation. Are you having a good Girl Scout Troop experience that you want to share? Is your troop meeting virtually? Have you completed a badge? Have you completed a community service project? If you answered yes to any of these questions, are a current Daisy-Cadette Girl Scout and have a story to share please complete the survey below and a member of the GSWNY Recruitment Team will contact you about joining an upcoming Facebook Live Conversation on your experience.

GIRL SCOUT EXPERIENCE SURVEY

VS 2.0 Updates

Great News: We’re Live! Our refreshed Girl Scout member account management system is LIVE and we’re so excited! Over the last couple of weeks Girl Scouts has been busy making updates to My GS to make it easier than ever to manage your household’s Girl Scout memberships and keep track of your Girl Scout experiences. To get started, you’ll need to reset your account password.

To help, Girl Scouts will be sending a special email to members and household account managers containing a link to reset your Girl Scout account password. Look for the email to arrive sometime today, if it hasn’t already. Once you receive your email, simply click on the Reset Password link, follow the steps provided, and you’ll be all set to begin exploring Girl Scouts’ new member portal! Can’t find the email? We understand. Emails can land in Junk folders or simply get lost in today’s crowded inboxes. You can still get started. From the council’s website, www.gswny.org , click on My GS and follow the system provided prompts and guidance.

Of course, if you have any trouble, be sure to reach out to Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410 (hours listed below) and we’ll be happy to support and welcome you to our refreshed Girl Scout member platform!

• Monday | 8:30-12:00 (closed 12-1) 1:00-4:30
• Tuesday | 8:30-12:00 (closed 12-2) 2:00-4:30
• Wednesday |11:00-1:00 (closed 1-2) 2:00-6:00
• Thursday | 8:30-12:00 (closed 12-2) 2:00-4:30
• Friday | 8:30-12:00 (closed 12-1) 1:00-4:30

Professional Zoom Licenses for Troops

GSUSA has subsidized the cost of professional Zoom licenses for troops. The monthly fee will be $3 per month ($36 per year).

Licenses can be purchased by troops using troop funds, or troops can request financial aid support through the Council Opportunity Fund. 

There is only one license per troop available, and the license is good through July 31, 2021. Use the button below to request your Zoom license today.

REQUEST ZOOM LICENSE

Retail Item of the Week: Stocking Stuffers & Holiday Gifts for your Girl Scout!

The Holidays are right around the corner and it’s time to fill those stockings! Check out these items that are perfect for the holidays and are sure to put a smile on the Girl Scout in your life’s face!

• GSWNY Knit Pom-Pom Hat – $23
• Trefoil Antibacterial Door Opener – $5
• GSWNY Girl Scout Strong Pencil – $.50
• Mini Trefoil Notebook – $4
• GSWNY Girl Scout Strong Water Bottle – $20

Remember, your local Girl Scout Shop is open for CURBSIDE PICKUP ONLY. Please email your local shop with your order and we will call you back for payment and to schedule a pickup time.

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.

Last week the invitation went out to all Co-leaders and Service Unit Finance Consultants and it looked like this….Did you get yours?

If you haven’t received your Cheddar Up invitation (don’t forget to check your junk mail!) please reach out to your Service Unit Finance Consultant and let her know. She will work with the Volunteer Experience Manager to insure an invitation gets sent to you.

Click this link to receive more information Cheddar Up GSWNY FAQ

Call All Seniors and Ambassadors with Holiday Spirit!

Join Scrooge, The Grinch, and all the other bah-hum-buggers as we take some of my (and hopefully your) favorite winter song classics and create new and funny singalongs. Bring your vocals, bring your lyrics, bring your ideas, or just bring your ears as we transform “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” into “Got Another Splinter in my Hand” and many more.

Wednesday, December 16, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Click here to register!

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.

Girl Scouts Doing Good Things

Troop 31262 spent time during their virtual meeting making holiday cards to send to a local nursing home! 

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.