Dear GSWNY Members,
At Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY), we build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
GSWNY acknowledges and condemns the recent surge in violence against the Asian community across the country. We uplift and amplify the Asian American Federation’s statement with Asian, Black, and Hispanic Association nonprofits condemning attacks and calling for solutions. We want to reiterate to all girls, volunteers, alums, supporters, families, and staff that we do not tolerate racial injustice, and we strive to create a welcoming space where all of our members feel they belong.
Girl Scout members stand up and for the principles of the Girl Scout mission and law. You can find resources from the Asian American Federation here.
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.
Thank you for all you do!
On behalf of the GSWNY Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee, we are celebrating Black History Month by highlighting Black women who were pioneers in fields that reflect our four program pillars: Life Skills, Entrepreneurship, STEM, and Outdoors. Each week we’ll share a blog post with her story, as well as other information and activities to help you celebrate the month, too!
We selected Bessie Coleman for Outdoors because of her adventurous achievements in the world of aviation. While we would love to include all of her feats, travels, and training, as well as more of her personal story, Coleman’s biography is so full and rich that this summary hits mostly only the highlights.
It’s your last chance to win!
Our Grow Your Girl Crew membership campaign ends THIS SUNDAY, February 28, which means you only five more days to invite girls to join Girl Scouts. Everyone you invite must register as a Girl Scout by the end of day Sunday.
When your friends join, you get amazing prizes like charms, a patch, a sweatshirt, and much more. Plus, our top two girls with the most friends joined will win either a pair of Air Pods or a $100 gift card!
Take a tour of great GSWNY Resources
Did you know you can find videos on how to run troop meetings online on our website? Tips for leading safe and fun in-person meetings? Badges-in-a-box that provide all of the supplies girls need to work on badges? A regularly updated calendar of programs and events? So much more? If not, check out this video tour of all of the great resources on our website!
LAST CHANCE: Order Silver Trefoil Memory Garden Commemorative Bricks Today
Silver Trefoil is a group of Girl Scout Alumnae with 20+ years of Girl Scout membership who assist Service Units in Girl Scout traditions and maintain the Memory Garden located at Camp Windy Meadows, Lockport Service Center.
We want to create a new path in the Memory Garden and we need your help! We are raising money to fund the upkeep of the garden by offering the opportunity to purchase a 4” x 8” brick engraved with a message of your choice! Included in the price is a commemorative 4” x 4” tile coaster for you to keep. Anyone can order a commemorative brick to honor a troop, group, In Memoriam, Gold Award Girl Scout, Lifetime Member, or Service Unit.
Use the link below to learn more about the Commemorative Bricks, see examples, and place your order today!
LEARN MORE ABOUT COMMEMORATIVE BRICKS
Retail Item of the Week: Girl Scout Cookies Half Apron
This tie-back half apron features two front pockets, great for holding cookie money and change, notepads, or even more cookies. “Girl Scout Cookies!” screen print on front. Natural/tan apron with purple, green and white graphics. 100% cotton canvas. One size fits most. 16 1/2″ x 7 1/2″.
Price: $14.00 each
Email your local Girl Scout Shop to order today!
Click here to check out more gear for the cookie season, including the Cookie Booth Kit
Girl Scout Volunteer Spotlight
Behind every girl is a caring adult who is passionate about seeing girls succeed. We want to celebrate the work of our amazing Girl Scout volunteers and we need your help! Weekly, GSWNY will spotlight 1-2 Girl Scout volunteers who will be featured in the Member Essentials email and on GSWNY’s social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and etc.
Please take a few minutes to fill out the information in the survey below about a Girl Scout volunteer who should be spotlighted for their great work in supporting girls. Please note that the spotlights will be text only with no photos. If you have any questions, contact GSWNY Communications (1-888-837-6410 or communications@gswny.org). Thank you.
Cookie Program Updates
Watch out for Wacky Weather Warrior Days! When Mother Nature decides not to be so nice, we declare it wacky and give you the chance to win a special Cookie Program Survival Kit!
We’ll share the photo on your Facebook and then you can share your photos from being out in the wacky weather in the comments. Each time we post, we’ll randomly select one winner.
Coffee Break with Your Product Program Team is happening now!
Every Friday at 10 a.m., our Product Program Team is going live to go over different topics and answer your cookie questions.
All videos will premiere on our Facebook page and be available after for viewing on demand. Check out past videos on our YouTube here.
Appreciating You: A Day to Recharge + Renew – For Adults & Volunteers
Saturday, May 15 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Volunteers and adult members have asked for mental health programs and we’ve answered! GSWNY is proud to work with our sponsors The Thinkers and the Girl Scouts NY State Training Cohort to bring this exciting program to our council!
Vetted facilitators from Google, NASA, Emmy Award Winners, New York University, and Georgetown University will deliver 3 sessions to participants:
- Beat Burn-Out When Caretaking & Supporting Others
- Supporting Youth Through Mental Health Challenges
Building Strong Bonds with Youth: How to build positive relationships and cultivate positive attention with youth
Looking for more programs? Visit gswny.org 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.
New Multi-Level Think Like a Programmer Badge in a Box!
Need help getting started on a Journey to earn a Girl Scout Highest Award? Look no further than our new Think Like A Programmer Badge in a Box! In this box is everything girls need to earn the Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador Think Like a Programmer badge and the tools needed to complete and earn the Take Action Project badge too! That’s right, you get 2 badges in 1 box!
Activities include: creating a card sorting algorithm, designing clothing that integrates computer technology, and creating and sending binary messages!
Each box is $10. Grant funds are available for some areas of our Council reducing the cost of boxes down to $6.00. If there is not a grant available in your area, members can apply for Council Opportunity Funds.
There are a limited number of boxes available and will be for curbside pick-up only at the Buffalo, Rochester, Lockport, and Jamestown Service Centers. Click here to order your Badge in a Box
Awesome Girls: Start Your Engines with Automotive Design
Saturday, February 27, 2021, at 11:00am
Start your engines and get ready to design a brand-new vehicle! Explore how vehicles go from just an idea to something that can drive on the street.
Girls who participate will get a chance to complete an activity from the brand-new Automotive Engineering badge series, hear from a professional at General Motors and earn a FREE Automotive Engineering Patch! *Limited supply available.
This event is open to all girls in grades K-5, no previous experience needed! Don’t miss out. Secure your girl’s spot today by registering online.
Please note: This event is hosted by Girl Scouts of the USA and is not operated by our GSWNY council.
REGISTER FOR START YOUR ENGINES
If you are interested in your girl attending this program and they are not available for the live event, please go ahead and still register. A playback link will be sent out after the program that can be viewed.
Looking for more options? Head to girlscouts.org for even more at-home opportunities for your Girl Scout.
Girl Scouts Doing Good Things
Troop 31009 came in first place for the Mission Possible 2020 Food Drive Challenge! These girls competed against 14 other teams across the WNY area (schools, churches and youth organization teams) to achieve their bronze award.
They not only won the entire competition, but collected the most canned goods, earning a free Chick-fil-A lunch! These wonderful ladies were able to raise 1,766 non-perishable food items which is enough to feed 442 people!
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, Uncategorized
GSWNY Blog 