Member Essentials – 10/27/20

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Dear GSWNY Members,

October 31 is Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthday

For Girl Scouts, Halloween is much more than costumes and candy – it’s also our founder’s birthday! In 1860, Juliette Gordon Low was born in Savannah and began a life that would ultimately lead to the creation of our beloved organization! To celebrate, many of our troops celebrate through birthday parties, costume parties, service projects, and more! If you’d like to submit individual or troop activities to GSWNY, please email photo(s) and a description to  communications@gswny.org.

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.

Troop Leader Tips for Safe and Fun In-Person Meetings

We asked our amazing troop leaders for their best tips on keeping in-person meetings safe and fun! Check out their wisdom on our Troop Leader Blueprint page

Now more than ever, you need friends to share and create memories with, through in-person and virtual events. We challenge YOU to get out there and Grow Your Girl Crew because what’s better than making new friends?

Invite your friends, classmates, teammates, club mates, and every girl in between to join Girl Scouts now through January 31, 2021. And you know the cool part? Not only can they get to be a part of the Girl Scouting fun, there are prizes for you, too! 

Prizes include: GSWNY crewneck, a patch with charms, Air Pods, and more! 

LEARN MORE ABOUT GROW YOUR GIRL CREW

Virtual National Council Session

Friday, October 23-Sunday, October 25 was our first virtual National Council Session in the history of Girl Scouts of the USA!

Thank you to our Girl Scouts of WNY delegates and alternates who led the way. We were so proud of all of our delegates and alternates, and especially our 4 girl delegates! Girl Scouts of WNY delegation led the way on clarifying, supporting, and debating several of the proposals. Our delegation joined our sister councils across the country for over 30 hours of discovery, discussion, parliamentarian procedures, Robert’s Rules of Order, and the democratic process. We can’t wait to share more over the coming weeks!

There’s still time to enter our Fall Nature Photo Contest! 

Our Outdoor Department put together a great guide full of self-led activities for troops and families to do outside. 

Activities include hiking challenges and badges, a fall photo contest, and more! 

Download the guide today and get outside with your troop and/or family.

DOWNLOAD SELF-LED GUIDE

GSWNY Properties Available for Use

Our properties are currently available for use. However, in the interest of safety, we’ve modified our offerings. View our page here for an overview of our current procedures.

Join us for the Cookie Jar LIVE tomorrow at 9 a.m.

Girl Scouts is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, but leadership cultivation should continue on as they become adults as well! Please join Alison Wilcox, CEO of GSWNY, and Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner, President of Buffalo State College, for a conversation about board leadership, civic engagement, and how women can use these opportunities to help their careers and uplift their communities. Have a question you’d like them to answer? Email it to communications@gswny.org.

This video will premiere live on Facebook at 9 a.m. and will be reshared to YouTube after.

Vote
Election Day is next week Tuesday, November 3.  Civic education has always been a cornerstone of Girl Scouting, and we are proud that the majority of women in elected office are Girl Scout alums!  In 2020 Girl Scouting released new civics badges for girls at: https://www.girlscouts.org/en/girl-scouts-at-home/activities-for-girls/for-every-girl/new-badges.html

Check out the article on Raising Awesome Girls about talking with your girl about voting and the election:
https://www.girlscouts.org/en/raising-girls/leadership/life-skills/how-to-vote-with-kids.html

At GSWNY we encourage all members to vote!   

Face to Face with GSWNY: New Leader Welcome Meeting

The Volunteer Experience Team is hosting a New Leader Welcome Meeting via Zoom “Face to Face with GSWNY!” for new leaders on Thursday, November 12, 2020. The purpose of the virtual meeting will be for them to meet GSWNY staff face to face, learn about our council’s various departments and what they do through a series of short presentations, and network with other volunteers. Service Unit Team members are also invited; come meet and greet your new volunteers.

Meeting Agenda
6:00 – 6:10 Welcoming remarks
6:10 – 7:00 Support Department presentations
7:00 – 7:30 Q & A Please sign up to attend using the Zoom registration link.

Registration will be open through the start of the meeting! Please come join us for the evening – an opportunity for YOU to have some Face to Face Time  with GSWNY and new co leaders in your Service Unit!

If you have any questions contact our Customer Care Team at 888-837-6410 or customercare@gswny.org.

REGISTER TODAY

Retail Item of the Week: Free Trefoil Tech Mirror!

This week, in honor of Juliette Gordon Lowe’s Birthday, we are paying it forward to YOU! You can get a FREE trefoil tech mirror with the purchase of $30 or more from your local Girl Scout shop in WNY.

This tech mirror looks great on the back of your phone or any tech device! It also is the perfect stocking stuffing for your Girl Scout or thank you gift for a co-leader! Email your local store TODAY to put your order in!

Additional Tech Mirrors available for $8.00 (1 PER guest per transaction per day) ***Does not include Badge in the Box Sales. ***

Do you know about Fun Patches?

Fun Patches are a GREAT way to show how you participated in an activity, event or visited a special place. These patches are to be worn on the back of the Girl Scout sash, vest or tunic.

The pictures are a few samples of the +1,000 different fun patches that are available. Did you know you can view the patch catalog online? Just go to https://patchcatalog.com/ and then submit your order to any shop via email for a curbside pickup service!

Please allow a few weeks for your fun patch order to come in​​.

Upcoming Outdoor Programs 

Check out Ebiz for the latest additions to our listings. “Art at Camp” and “Starry Night at Camp” with two possible locations for each, at Camp Seven Hills and Camp Piperwood have something for every level. Sign up today, join us for some outdoor fun, and earn a badge in the process. We hope to see you there!

Wondermakers Pumpkin Patch
D/B – Virtual
Celebrate autumn and Halloween with fun stories from England, Puerto Rico, Turkey, and the African American tradition. Children from the audience will be invited to help The Wondermakers act out the folk tales.

Saturday, October 31 | 11-11:35 a.m.
Deadline to Register Extended!
Register Here		Introduction to Quilling
S/A – Virtual
What is quilling?  It is art of thin strips of paper rolled, shaped, and glued that result in creating a decorative design. Learn the basic steps and different types of rolls to craft a unique creation. Once you know the steps and rolls the possibilities are endless; from intricate designs to monograms. These make great gifts for all occasions or a something special for you. 

Wednesday, November 11 | 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Registration closes TODAY
Register Here

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

On October 24, Girl Scout members gathered at Camp Seven Hills to assist with a trail maintenance and development project. Here are two pictures submitted by Troop 30656.

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.

Grow Your Girl Crew: Invite girls to join Girl Scouts and win prizes!

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Referral form for members: https://bit.ly/growyourcrew2020

Now more than ever, you need friends to share and create memories with, through in-person and virtual events. We challenge YOU to get out there and Grow Your Girl Crew because what’s better than making new friends?

Invite your friends, classmates, teammates, club mates, and every girl in between to join Girl Scouts now through January 31, 2021. And you know the cool part? Not only can they get to be a part of the Girl Scouting fun, there are prizes for you, too! (keep scrolling to see what they are!)

Follow these three steps:

  1. Invite girls you know in Western New York to join Girl Scouts! (we know you may have friends and family around the country, but this is all about building your local crew)
  2. Fill out this form to tell us who you invited to join.
  3. Win prizes when they join Girl Scouts! (prizes pictured below)

It’s that simple – tell your other girls about Girl Scouts, let us know who you invited, and then when they join, you get prizes? What are they, exactly? Keep reading!

We have three tiers of prizes you can win, as well as prizes for the two girls who have the most new girls join!

Tier 1: Refer one girl who joins

Receive a Grow Your Girl Crew patch and 2021 trefoil charm for the patch

Tier 2: Refer three girls who join

Receive a Grow Your Girl Crew patch, 2021 trefoil charm, heart charm, and your choice of a large bow OR bucket hat

Tier 3: Refer five girls who join

Receive a Grow Your Girl Crew patch, 2021 trefoil charm, heart charm, rainbow charm, your choice of a large bow OR bucket hat, and a GSWNY crewneck sweatshirt

BONUS: The top 2 girls who refer and have the most girls join will win their choice of Air Pods or a $100 gift card

Adults, we have a prize for you, too! Refer one person who joins as an adult volunteer and you’ll receive a GSWNY crewneck sweatshirt and they’ll get a GSWNY mask. Fill out the same form for girls to enter today.

Reminder: All girls and adults must join Girl Scouts in Western New York in order for you to qualify for the prizes.

You can enter up to five names at a time using the form. If you invite more friends, simply fill out the form again. Have you told someone to register for Girl Scouts? We will check the names regularly to see if they have joined, and if they do, you qualify for great prizes!

Questions? Reach out to us any time at 1-888-837-6410 or join.us@gswny.org. 

Member Prizes

This patch with the trefoil charm will be sent to all girls who have at least one friend they invite join Girl Scouts! The heart charm will be sent in addition to the patch and trefoil if you invite three people who join, and the rainbow charm will be sent with the other two charms and patch if you invite five girls who join. 

If you invite three girls and the join Girl Scouts, you have your choice of a GSWNY bucket hat or a large bow.

If five girls you invite join Girl Scouts, you get a GSWNY crewneck. Adults, you receive a crewneck if someone you invite registers as an adult volunteer. 

The top 2 (two) girls who invite the most friends who join will either win a pair of Air Pods or $100 gift card (their choice).

Member Essentials – 10/20/20

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Dear GSWNY Members,

REMINDER: Our shops are currently open for curbside pickup ONLY. At this time, you cannot come and shop in-person. Check out our blog for more information about curbside pickup.

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.

Halloween Guidelines & Event Planning Checklist

We know Halloween may look different this year, but we also know that many girls and troops still want to have fun!  To assist troops and service units in planning their events, we have created Halloween Event Guidelines which are aligned with the CDC recommendations for holiday celebrations. 

Our Halloween Event Guidelines includes a new resource – the Troop & Service Unit Event Safety Plan Planning Checklist, which will assist troops and service units in designing any in-person events.

If you have questions, please reach out to Customer Care so we can assist you in working through the guidelines.

Introducing the new Troop Leader Blueprint

You’ll find tips and resources for safe in-person and virtual meetings, as well as badges, Journeys, and activities for every grade level. All made especially for today’s constantly changing world. It’s everything you need to be the support your girls need, no matter where or how your troop meets this year.

  • High-quality troop time
  • A simple plan for getting started
  • All the tools to map out your year

TROOP LEADER BLUEPRINT

Stay safe while going virtual!

Many of our girls and troops are enjoying virtual programming this year.  Some of these programs are being run by GSWNY, others are vendor-run. Just like when preparing for an in-person event, discussing behavior expectations and safety guidelines before the event ensures everyone has a great experience. Prior to virtual programs, families and troops leaders should review the GSUSA  Online Safety Guide and Virtual Meeting Safety Tips, and girls should sign the Online Safety Pledge.

Reminder: Member Halloween Fun Party this Thursday!

Girl Scout members are invited to join us for a free virtual Halloween Fun Party Thursday, October 22, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Costumes are encouraged, and we’ll play games and have a scavenger hunt! RSVP is required.

REGISTER FOR THE PARTY

Do you have friends who aren’t Girl Scouts? Invite them to our recruitment events happening during Halloween Week, October 19 to 26. There may just be some prizes in it for you if they join! Stay tuned for more information and check upcoming sign-up events here.

New Democracy Badge in a Box for all levels!

Now is a great time for girls to learn about government and have a chance to participate in the Promote the Vote national service project. To help you, we have new $10 Badge in a Boxes available.

  • Democracy (all Girl Scout levels): Learn about how government works through games and activities. Also be part of the Girl Scouts national service project Promote the Vote and receive a fun patch. 

Grant funds available for some areas of our Council reducing the cost of boxes down to $5.00. If there is not a grant available in your area, members can  apply for Council Opportunity Funds. 

READ MORE

Face to Face with GSWNY: New Leader Welcome Meeting

The Volunteer Experience Team is hosting a New Leader Welcome Meeting via Zoom “Face to Face with GSWNY!” for new co-leaders on Thursday, November 12, 2020. The purpose of the virtual meeting will be for them to meet GSWNY staff face to face, learn about our council’s various departments and what they do through a series of short presentations, and network with other volunteers. Service Unit Team members are also invited; come meet and greet your new volunteers.

Meeting Agenda
6:00 – 6:10 Welcoming remarks
6:10 – 7:00 Support Department presentations
7:00 – 7:30 Q & A Please sign up to attend using the Zoom registration link.

Registration will be open through the start of the meeting! Please come join us for the evening – an opportunity for YOU to have some Face to Face Time  with GSWNY and new co leaders in your Service Unit!

If you have any questions contact our Customer Care Team at 888-837-6410 or customercare@gswny.org.

REGISTER TODAY

Retail Item of the Week: Anti-Racism Patch

As seen in last week’s Member Essentials, GSWNY premiered our Girl Scout Values: Anti-Racism Patch. The Anti-Racism patch represents the first Girl Scout Values patch created by GSUSA to reflect the values of the Girl Scout Movement.

Girl Scouting prepares girls to be leaders in our world, to speak up, speak out, and take action for fairness, equality, civility, and compassion for all people, and to arm them with the courage, confidence, and character they need to make the world a better place.

This patch is $1.50 and available TODAY for CURBSIDE PICKUP ONLY at your local GSWNY shop or online. Please email or call your local with your order. Interested in how your troop can engage in an activity to earn this patch? Click the link below for the information!

Trail Service Day at Seven Hills

We’re looking for some troops to help us maintain one of our Seven Hills trails. Come and enjoy some time outdoors while helping to improve our outdoor spaces! We’ll be meeting from 10-2pm on Saturday, October 24. All ages are welcome to participate. If you’re interested, please RSVP to Karen.lundgard@gswny.org. Hope to see you out there!

Get your Skills and Chills 50th Anniversary Hoodie today!

The hoodie color is dark heather gray with a left chest embroidery of the 50th Skills and Chills patch and the back is a white silkscreen of the Campsick definition. Hoodies youth medium to adult extra large are $26.00 per hoodie. A 2X hoodie is a $3.00 additional fee, 3X is a $4.00 additional and 4X & 5X is a $5.00 additional fee. All hoodie pricing includes shipping and handling.

The deadline date to order is THIS Friday, October 23, 2020.

ORDER TODAY

Registration closes tonight – H20: Beyond the Tap (Ambassadors)

H2O! It’s an important natural resource we can easily forget because it’s readily available to us. Some countries have free water, limited clean water, or pay for water. Water is part of our world; how can we help to keep it clean? We will find out why water can taste different and explore different ways to treat water. What can the power of water do? In this program, you will gain knowledge about water you didn’t know before. Ambassadors will earn part of the Water badge.

Saturday, October 24 | 10-11 a.m. | Register Now!

Wondermakers Pumpkin Patch
D/B – Virtual
Celebrate autumn and Halloween with fun stories from England, Puerto Rico, Turkey, and the African American tradition. Children from the audience will be invited to help The Wondermakers act out the folk tales.

Saturday, October 31 | 11-11:35 a.m.
Deadline to Register Extended!
Register Here		Championship Martial Arts
J – Virtual
This is an opportunity for Girl Scouts to learn some basic self-defense in a positive and safe environment. The class will focus on martial art exercises and self-defense drills. This program will include a fun patch. 

Sunday, November 1 | 12-12:45 p.m.
Registration closes October 24
Register Here
Activism for Animals
S – Virtual
In this badge we will discuss worldwide animal issues and things everyone can do to help. Seniors will earn their Voice for Animals Badge.

Wednesday, November 4 | 6-7 p.m.
Registration closes October 27
Register Here		Healthy People, Healthy Planet
S – Virtual
Girls will explore environmental issues they feel strongly about, play Carbon Budget Monopoly to demonstrate consumption patterns in the United States versus other countries, and learn how human health and wildlife conservation are interconnected. This program focuses on the empowerment of women and girls to advocate for a healthier planet.  

Tuesday, November 10 | 6-8 p.m.
Registration closes November 4
Register Here

Introduction to Quilling
S/A – Virtual
What is quilling?  It is art of thin strips of paper rolled, shaped, and glued that result in creating a decorative design. Learn the basic steps and different types of rolls to craft a unique creation. Once you know the steps and rolls the possibilities are endless; from intricate designs to monograms. These make great gifts for all occasions or a something special for you. 

Wednesday, November 11 | 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Registration closes TODAY
Register Here

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

Rush-Henrietta Senior Girl Scout Lauren W. made book-themed benches for her Silver Award project for the Henrietta Public Library patio! Looks like a lovely place to kick back with a good book!

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.

Verify your SAGE points have been loaded

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Hello Girl Scout families,

SAGE points are being loaded in October. If you don’t see your points by Monday, November 9, please contact Customer Care at 1-888-837-6410 or customercare@gswny.org.

It’s time to verify that you SAGE points have been loaded into your SAGE accounts.  See below for instructions on how to verify your points.  After checking your SAGE accounts, if you do not see this year’s points, please contact our Customer Care team at 1-888-837-6410 or via email at CustomerCare@gswny.org ASAP. 

The deadline to reconcile SAGE accounts is 11/30/2020. After that date, no changes can be made to accounts.

To check your Girl Scouts points:

Girl Scout Parents:

  • Log into your SAGE account
  • Next to your child’s name you should see the “Available Actions” column 
    • Choose “Select an Action”
    • Choose “View Student’s Statement”
    • Then click “GO”. 
  • You should see the words “Student Account Statement for…” at the top
  • Below that are the dates that your Girl Scout earned points-dates will vary for each family, but you should see something to effect of:
Date SAGE Points are appliedDescriptionTransaction AmountAccount Balance
9/30/2020 (this will be  the date your SAGE account was opened)Tuition Rewards Student Registration Bonus (this is a one-time bonus for opening your SAGE account)500500
10/20/2020Girl Scouts of Western New York Tuition Rewards 2,5003,500

Student’s Total Available Tuition Rewards 3,000

If you do not see this year’s points, please contact our Customer Care team at 1-888-837-6410 or via email at CustomerCare@gswny.org ASAP.

The deadline to reconcile SAGE accounts is 11/30/2020.  After that date, no changes can be made to accounts.

************************************************

To check your Girl Scouts points:

Girl Scout Leaders/Service Unit Managers/Lifetime Members/Staff:

  • Log into your SAGE account
  • Click on the “Your Rewards” tab
  • You should see the words “Your Rewards Statement ” at the top
  • Below that are the dates that you earned SAGE points-dates will vary for each person, but you should see something to effect of:
Date SAGE Points are appliedDescriptionTransaction AmountAccount Balance
9/30/2020 (this will be  the date your SAGE account was opened)Tuition Rewards Student Registration Bonus (this is a one-time bonus for opening your SAGE account)500500
10/20/2020Girl Scouts of Western New York Tuition Rewards 2,5003,500

Your Total Available Tuition Rewards 3,000

************************************************

If you do not see this year’s points, please contact our Customer Care team at 1-888-837-6410 or via email at CustomerCare@gswny.org ASAP.

The deadline to reconcile SAGE accounts is 11/30/2020. 

Member Essentials – 10/13/20

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Dear GSWNY Members,

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.

Haven’t Renewed Yet? – Don’t Miss the Fall Fun!

You can still renew your girl’s (or your) Girl Scout membership and jump into all the fun this fall. From Zoom cupcake decorating to in-person archery to Virtual STEM-A-Palooza, there are so many unique ways for your girl to connect to her sister Girl Scouts and have a blast! She can participate with her troop or go solo, whatever works for you. Renew today!

Please see this link to the updated COVID-19 guidelines for meeting in-person that was shared in last week’s email from our CEO, Alison Wilcox.

Girl Scouts of Western New York invites you to attend a virtual Town Hall Meeting on October 14, 2020

We want to hear your voice and opinion on the current National Council Session Proposals through the survey below or by attending our Town Hall Meeting. You will hear summaries of the proposals from a few of our National Delegates and get the chance to discuss the proposals with our National Delegates, Staff, Board Members and volunteers.

Attendees can also ask your questions and share your input about any other Girl Scout topics with council leadership.

We hope to see you on October 14, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

GSWNY Town Hall Survey

Don’t miss out on our 2020 Fall Product Program!

Your Girl Scout can help her troop earn startup funds while earning awesome rewards and a personalized patch for herself! Don’t wait! Set up her online site today to allow family and friends plenty of time to shop online and help her reach her goal.

Girls who send 15+ e-mails to friends and family will earn the TRUST YOUR STRENGTHS patch!

Virtual Participation is so easy!
Troops and girls who feel unsure about in person selling right now can easily participate in the Fall Program by simply sending emails to potential customers and not offering Girl Delivery as an option. All sales would be paid for by the customer and shipped directly to them, eliminating any in person contact or delivery of product. This is a fantastic way to earn startup funds for your troop without ever having to leave your house. Easy Peasy!

  • Create your account in M2. Be sure to design your avatar!
  • Set a sales goal and select the rewards you would like to earn.
  • Send emails through the M2 system to friends and family and share your sales link via social media. Do not offer Girl Delivery.
  • All online orders automatically go into the M2 system so you don’t have to enter them.

All product orders are paid for online and shipped directly to the customer so you or your troop do not have to handle any product or make deliveries to customers.

Girl Scouts of Western New York will offer a gluten free Girl Scout Cookie again this year. Troops must let us know of their intent to participate in advance of our normal ordering and selling period.

Pre-order is required by ABC Bakers due to the special requirements of gluten free products. If your troop would like to order Gluten Free Caramel Chocolate Chip, please read ALL the details below and submit your order by October 23, 2020. Payment will be due in March at the same time as all other varieties.

  • Pre-orders are in CASE AMOUNTS only. (12 packages per case)
  • The gluten free cookies will retail for $5.00 per pouch. Troop proceeds will follow the same plan as all other cookies sold.
  • We can only guarantee product to troops who special order the GF cookies by October 23, 2020.
  • Cases that are pre-ordered will be distributed with the troop’s initial cookie order at Service Unit (or Mega Drop) delivery.
  • Caramel Chocolate Chip will not appear on the cookie order card.

Submit your troop order by visiting the Girl Scouts of Western New York’s website: www.gswny.org. Order link is on the home page. Caramel Chocolate Chip sales DO count toward girl recognitions.

Questions? Contact us at 1.888.837.6410 or customercare@gswny.org.

You’re invited to an online Halloween Fun Party!

Girl Scout members are invited to join us for a free virtual Halloween Fun Party Thursday, October 22, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Costumes are encouraged, and we’ll play games and have a scavenger hunt! RSVP is required.

REGISTER FOR THE PARTY

Do you have friends who aren’t Girl Scouts? Invite them to our recruitment events happening during Halloween Week, October 19 to 26. There may just be some prizes in it for you if they join! Stay tuned for more information and check upcoming sign-up events here.

Introducing the Anti-Racism patch!

This new Anti-Racism Patch features engaging activities for your girl at any grade level. Find out or learn about an interesting fact? Share it with us and send a photo of you completing an activity from the patch to email.

To find the new patch – please click here.

DOWNLOAD THE FORM

It’s your last chance to tell us your camp theme idea!

As planning begins for 2020 Girl Scout Camp, we have one question – what do YOU think this year’s theme should be? Our theme last year, Camp: Life Unplugged, came from Kaura C., a senior from Olean, known at camp as ‘Legacy.’ 

You can submit one to three ideas for the 2020=1 Summer Camp Theme Contest and our winner will receive a 2021 Camp Hoodie and have their photo shared as the mastermind behind this year’s theme. All submissions must be received by Thursday, October 13, at 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Click the button below to access the 2021 Summer Camp Theme Contest survey.

SUBMIT YOUR IDEA

Retail Item of the Week: Free Girl Scout Tote BAG with purchase of $75 or more!

Promotion will run Oct. 14 – Oct. 21

This Tote bag is the perfect way to keep you organized for this year’s Girl Scout season! Or it’s the perfect place to keep all your Girl Scouts items together!

This week ONLY with the purchase of $75 or more, from our WNY Girl Scout Shops, you can get this tote bag FREE! Remember to email your local shop your order and arrange Free Curbside Pickup on Mondays and Wednesdays!

Can’t pick up the order this week? No problem! We will process your order (with your free tote) and hold it here till you’re ready to pick it up!

Additional Totes can be purchased for $15.00

Trail Service Day at Seven Hills

We’re looking for some troops to help us maintain one of our Seven Hills trails. Come and enjoy some time outdoors while helping to improve our outdoor spaces! We’ll be meeting from 10-2pm on Saturday, October 24. All ages are welcome to participate. If you’re interested, please RSVP to Karen.lundgard@gswny.org. Hope to see you out there!

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

GSWNY Skills and Chills 50th Anniversary Hoodie is now available!

The hoodie color is dark heather gray with a left chest embroidery of the 50th Skills and Chills patch and the back is a white silkscreen of the Campsick definition. Hoodies youth medium to adult extra large are $26.00 per hoodie. A 2X hoodie is a $3.00 additional fee, 3X is a $4.00 additional and 4X & 5X is a $5.00 additional fee. All hoodie pricing includes shipping and handling.

The deadline date to order is Friday, October 23, 2020.

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. 

New Badge in a Box options!

We have new $10 Badge in a Boxes available for all levels!

  • Democracy (all Girl Scout levels): Learn about how government works through games and activities. Also be part of the Girl Scouts national service project Promote the Vote and receive a fun patch. (Photo coming soon.)
  • Senior Space Science Expert: Become a Space Scientist and discover “shifting stars”, compare your eyes to telescopes, and scrapbook the lives of stars! 
  • Ambassador Programming Robots: Do you want to build a robot? Have fun learning how robots work and how to control them and make your own robot that creates art! 

Grant funds available for some areas of our Council reducing the cost of boxes down to $5.00. If there is not a grant available in your area, members can  apply for Council Opportunity Funds. 

READ MORE

This event is for every Girl Scout Cadette, no matter where you are located. Come join us for an action packed weekend of skills and fun. Let your imagination travel to the Wild West. This event is for Cadette troops and Juliettes at the Cadette level. Download the form to learn more . Registration is $20. 

REGISTER TODAY

REGISTER TODAY

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

Troop 20010 spent their last meeting at Point Gratiot in Dunkirk, finishing up their VOTE posters and painting some VOTE rocks. The girls had a lot of fun with these non-partisan activities. They also met with some local politicians and learned about rights and responsibilities as they worked toward their democracy and government badges

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.

GSWNY Family Newsletter – October 2020

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Fun Activities for Kids Spending a LOT of Time at Home

Whether you’re on school break or it’s just the weekend, your family is probably spending more time at home than ever. If you’ve had enough movie nights to program an entire film festival and are hungry for something (anything!) different, we hear you.  There are lots of tips out there about how to get through all this extra time at home unscathed, but we’d rather you get through it smiling with a ton of fun new memories and experiences under your belt. Here’s how to make it work.

READ MORE

Enjoy fall with these self-led family activities

Looking for ways to enjoy the fall season with your family? We have a document full of ideas, including hiking, pumpkin carving, and more!

LEARN MORE

Anti-Racism Patch

We are proud to announce the release of the NEW Girl Scouts of Western New York Anti-Racism Patch for girls and families.

This new Anti-Racism Patch features engaging activities for your girl at any grade level. Find out or learn about an interesting fact? Share it with us and send a photo of you completing an activity from the patch to email.

To find the new patch – please click here

DOWNLOAD THE FORM

Badge in a Box

If circumstances make it difficult for a girl’s troop to meet in person, if she is a Juliette Girl Scout, or if you simply want to have some additional Girl Scout fun and learning experiences as a family, the new Badge in a Box program might be a good fit for your family.

NEW! We have Democracy Badge in a Boxes for all levels for $10. Pictured is an example of one of our Badge in a Boxes, Brownie Senses.

Visit gswny.org to learn more about Badge in a Box and how to order.

Is your family participating in our Fall Product Program?

Our Fall Product Program is a financial literacy program allowing girls to be entrepreneurs by offering family and friends the opportunity to purchase delicious nuts,  chocolates, and magazines.

Your girl can win this giant, 5 foot sloth!
Click here for more details

There are multiple ways to participate:

  • In-person by taking orders using the nut order card and collecting payments.
  • Online by inviting friends and family to place an order. Customers can choose to have nuts, chocolates, or magazines shipped directly to them, or they can select from a group of nut and chocolate products that girls can deliver in person.

Proceeds stay locally to benefit our council, and troops earn funds on all items sold. The program is an excellent way to support your council while earning early funds for your troop to use during the Girl Scout year for your activities and projects.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FALL PRODUCT PROGRAM

Upcoming Girl Scout Programs

Programs are marked by level: Daisies/Brownies/Juniors/Cadettes/Seniors/Ambassadors

Health People, Healthy Planet – A Saturday, Oct. 17
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Exploring Space with SPS – B/J/C Saturday, Oct. 17
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
College Knowledge Academy – S/A Sunday, Oct. 18
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Gold Award Training – C Wednesday, Oct. 21
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Girls Go Techbridge with the Society of Women Engineers 
J/C/S/A Saturday, Oct. 24
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
H20: Beyond the Tap – A Saturday, Oct. 24
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Meghan’s Tasty Treats Cupcake Decorating Class – B/J Sunday, Oct. 25
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Wondermakers Pumpkin Patch – B/J Saturday, Oct. 31
11:00 AM – 11:35 AM
Championship Martial Arts 716 – J Sunday, Nov. 1
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Activism for Animals – S Wednesday, Nov. 4
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Health People, Healthy Planet – A Saturday, Nov. 17
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Girls in Space – D/B Saturday, Nov. 7
12:00PM – 1:00PM
Virtual STEM-A-Palooza 2020 – J/C Saturday, Nov. 7
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Championship Martial Arts 716 – S Sunday, Nov. 8
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Introduction to Quilling – S/A Wednesday, Nov. 11
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Toy Story Business School – D/B Saturday, Nov. 14
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Gold Award Training – C Tuesday, Nov. 17
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Animal Helpers Badge with SPCA Serving Erie County – C Saturday, Nov. 21
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Voice for the Animals Badge with SPCA Serving Erie County – S Saturday, Nov. 21
12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
First Aid Badge – S/A Monday, Nov. 30
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The programs listed above are available as of October 7, 2020. All programs are virtual unless otherwise noted. To view more programs, visit gswny.org.

Welcome Back to a New Girl Scout Year + Important Guidelines Update

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Dear Girl Scout members,

Welcome back to a new Girl Scout year!

As I settle back into the new school year and membership year, as a mom, wife, community member, and your GSWNY CEO, I reflect on what has been a challenging year and an inspiring year.

I think about how you are all doing and faring during this time. I hope for your health, your safety, your stability and your connections with others. I hope that all of our Girl Scouts are adjusting, and they know that they have caring Girl Scout sisters and mentors in their corner.

I also hope that much like it is for me, that Girl Scouting has been one of the pieces in your life this year that has helped you to connect, gain support, and be inspired and uplifted by the courage and brightness of our girls. 

I’ve shared in the past that I emigrated to WNY from Canada–this coming weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving, and will also be nearly 7 months since the border was closed due to the pandemic, and more than that since I have been able to see my family. As this weekend approaches, I miss them dearly. My husband and son here in WNY, my Girl Scout team and friends, and the mission of Girl Scouting are all gifts that help me keep my spirits up in these times.

I thank you, our members, for all that you do to help Girl Scouting remain strong. When you see the pictures of girls smiling with their friends, in person or virtually, or pictures of girls helping in their community, you can see the power of the Girl Scout sisterhood. Girl Scouting is not just what we do, it’s who we are.

In this time of uncertainty, our mission remains as relevant as ever as girls’ needs are changing daily. 

With changes in school, we are concerned that students may fall behind. We worry how self-isolating and social distancing may impact girls’ need to connect and their interaction with their friends. Families are dealing with the financial impact of this pandemic and stress on our personal wellbeing. 

Our girls need us more than ever, and our world needs Girl Scouts more than ever. 

I thank all volunteers, girls and families who renewed for the new membership year. Please know that you are giving to girls at a time when they need you the most. 

For anyone who has not yet renewed, I have heard some discussions about “waiting for Girl Scouts to come back.” I want to make sure you know that Girl Scouts has never left, we are still here, and we are always evolving. Girl Scouts continues to change over time, to meet the ever changing needs of girls, and that is a great thing. 

Your membership makes us stronger, and makes our girls stronger. Being active in Girl Scouts responds to those critical concerns on everyone’s mind. Girl Scouts can help mitigate learning loss. Girl Scouts supports girls’ mental health. Girl Scouts promotes equity and civic education.
​​​​​​​
I could easily say “please renew for me”, but it isn’t for me. It is for the girls. Across our WNY region, there are thousands of girls who need opportunities to realize their potential. And Girl Scouts offers those opportunities.

Our staff and volunteers have been working hard to keep adjusting our program to meet safety guidelines, and to lead fun and meaningful programs that meet what girls need most today. We have many ways to participate that can fit you and your family best, there is no right or wrong amount to participate, and we will keep sharing resources weekly in Member Essentials and our upcoming monthly Family Newsletter for you.

I’m so proud of Girl Scouts of Western New York as a council, and our strong network of over 19,000 members – adults and girls – dedicated to our important mission: building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. I’m also proud of how we have all stuck together through this pandemic and challenging time in our community and world.

In closing, thank you to all of our volunteers for your dedication to ensuring safety standards. The safety of our girls, volunteers, members, families, and staff is our #1 priority. Virtual and at-home programming remains the safest way to participate, and there is no requirement to meet in person – any in-person meetings or activities are optional. Please review the Updated Guidelines here and FAQs here for volunteers and members who plan to meet or participate in-person.

I am hopeful and excited for what is ahead of us. I challenge anyone still waiting to renew today. And I look forward to another great Girl Scouting year!

Thank you for all you do,

Alison Wilcox, GSWNY CEO

Member Essentials – 10/6/20

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Dear GSWNY Members,

Please look out for an email tomorrow with the updated COVID-19 guidelines.

PLEASE NOTE: Our Council will be CLOSED on Friday, October 9, 2020 from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm for a Staff Development and CLOSED all day on Monday, October 12, 2020 in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day. We will return to our virtual business hours on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 8:30 am.

REMINDER: For social media, we are currently accepting photos of in-person meetings and events again, but all submissions MUST show girls, families, and vendors following all safety guidelines regarding COVID. You can read the FAQs here.

Due to the fact that it is often impossible to tell who is in the same household visually, we are only accepting photos that show all girls and adults properly wearing masks and social distancing. We understand this limits the number and types of photos that can be submitted and will be accepted for posting, but due to the number of questions we have received about what is being depicted in photos we can currently only use photos clearly following the above rules.

We apologize for any confusion and for the limitations this imposes, but we want to make sure we are clear about the safety of our members. We reserve the right not to post any photos for any reason. Photos can be sent to communications@gswny.org. For questions about guidelines, please contact Customer Care at customercare@gswny.org or 1-888-837-6410.

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.

Haven’t Renewed Yet? – Don’t Miss the Fall Fun!

You can still renew your girl’s (or your) Girl Scout membership and jump into all the fun this fall. From Zoom cupcake decorating to in-person archery to Virtual STEM-a-Palooza, there are so many unique ways for your girl to connect to her sister Girl Scouts and have a blast! She can participate with her troop or go solo, whatever works for you. Renew today!

As planning begins for 2020 Girl Scout Camp, we have one question – what do YOU think this year’s theme should be? Our theme last year, Camp: Life Unplugged, came from Kaura C., a senior from Olean, known at camp as ‘Legacy.’ 

You can submit one to three ideas for the 2020=1 Summer Camp Theme Contest and our winner will receive a 2021 Camp Hoodie and have their photo shared as the mastermind behind this year’s theme. All submissions must be received by Thursday, October 13, at 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Click the button below to access the 2021 Summer Camp Theme Contest survey.

SUBMIT YOUR IDEA

Retail Item of the Week: GSWNY Knit Hat

Cozy sweater, hot cocoa, and boot season are almost upon us! Complete your Fall/Winter look with this adorable Fashion KNIT HAT! It comes in one size fits most and is the perfect fit for Adult Volunteers and Juniors/Cadettes alike!

We premiered this hat last Spring and had a HUGE positive response! Get them before they sell out by emailing your local Girl Scout Shop to put in/schedule a pick up for your order TODAY!

Price: $23.00

GSWNY Skills and Chills 50th Anniversary Hoodie is now available!

The hoodie color is dark heather gray with a left chest embroidery of the 50th Skills and Chills patch and the back is a white silkscreen of the Campsick definition. Hoodies youth medium to adult extra large are $26.00 per hoodie. A 2X hoodie is a $3.00 additional fee, 3X is a $4.00 additional and 4X & 5X is a $5.00 additional fee. All hoodie pricing includes shipping and handling.

The deadline date to order is Friday, October 23, 2020.

ORDER TODAY

Girl Scouts of Western New York invites you to attend a virtual Town Hall Meeting on October 14, 2020

We want to hear your voice and opinion on the current National Council Session Proposals through the survey below or by attending our Town Hall Meeting. You will hear summaries of the proposals from a few of our National Delegates and get the chance to discuss the proposals with our National Delegates, Staff, Board Members and volunteers.

Attendees can also ask your questions and share your input about any other Girl Scout topics with council leadership.

We hope to see you on October 14, 2020 at 6:30pm!

GSWNY TOWN HALL SURVEY

Trail Service Day at Seven Hills

We’re looking for some troops to help us maintain one of our Seven Hills trails. Come and enjoy some time outdoors while helping to improve our outdoor spaces! We’ll be meeting from 10-2pm on Saturday, October 24. All ages are welcome to participate. If you’re interested, please RSVP to Karen.lundgard@gswny.org. Hope to see you out there!

Appreciation Pin: GSWNY Adult Recognition Award Monthly Highlight – October 2020

We are kicking off the 2021 Membership Year with a focus on The Appreciation Pin! This award recognizes a volunteer that has shown a measurable impact, giving outstanding service delivery to one service unit or geographic area. To earn the Appreciation Pin, a volunteer must nominate the awardee, and the nomination must be approved by the GSWNY Adult Recognition Committee. One peer reference is needed to endorse this nomination. 

LEARN MORE

REMINDER: Your Girl Scout Member Account. More Features. More Fun!
Please review and update your household email address prior to Go-Live.

(Unique Email Slide Deck Here)

Later this fall, Girl Scouts of Western New Yorkwill debut a refreshed member account management system designed with you in mind. Cleaner views, more features and functions, and enhanced search options will make it easier for you to find more fun for your Girl Scout!

In the new platform, all parents/caregivers must have a unique email address to identify them in the new environment. In our current system, many parents/caregivers are sharing one email address to access their family’s Girl Scout account. To ensure a smooth transition for your family, and to avoid the need to ask for assistance later, we’re encouraging all members to take a moment to review and prepare your household for our fresh new environment by following these 3 steps:

1. Log in to your MyGS login page account.
2. Review the email addresses for your household, are the parents/caregivers in your household using the same email address? If yes, complete the next step.
3. Provide a new email address for the secondary caregiver.

You’re all set! Thank you for your help in ensuring a smooth transition for your family to Girl Scouts’ refreshed member account platform.

Look for a brief introduction to the new features you’ll find when accessing your Girl Scout account coming later this fall. We think you’re going to like it!

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

Girls Go Techbridge with the Society of Women Engineers
J / C / S / A

Join the Society of Women Engineers from Western New York and the University at Buffalo for a morning of engineering fun and creativity as we complete projects from Techbridge Design Time. Girls will explore the engineering design process with activities such as building the safest cookie package and then testing their prototype.

Included: A kit of program supplies and Design Time fun patch. (Options to receive the kit include curbside pickup in Rochester or Buffalo, or shipped to home by mail.)

Additional supplies needed (not included): markers, scissors, a heavy book, access to water.

THIS EVENT IS NOT IN EBIZ – REGISTER USING LINK BELOW.

REGISTER NOW

Looking for more to do? Check out our Programs & Events at gswny.org

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. 

Virtual Girl Scout Workshops with Seneca Park Zoo

October 18, 2020:

  • 10 a.m. Brownies: Wonders of Water
  • 1 p.m. Daisies: Between Earth & Sky
  • 3 p.m. Juniors: Animal Habitats

Virtual workshops range from 30 min to 1 hour and include:

  • Lesson taught by a Zoo educator to help earn patches and badges
  • Observing Zoo animals
  • Time for Q&A

Cost: $15 per girl

REGISTER FOR SENECA PARK

Virtual Girl Scout Badges with the Buffalo Zoo

Dates available throughout 2020 with programs for different Girl Scout levels.

Each badge includes:

  • Animal demonstrations
  • Exclusive live views of animal exhibits at the zoo
  • Badge-related discussions and activities

Is your troop interested in a badge that’s not listed? Contact us at lthibault@buffalozoo.org and we can set up a custom badge for your group of 10 or more girls.

LEARN MORE

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

Our 51st Annual Skills and Chills looked a little different than normal, but the feelings were just the same! Girls participated in virtual and in-person events, including one girl saw, archery, orienteering, kayaking, firebuilding, and more! 




  • Troop 30554



  • Troop 70283



  • Troop 31020

To view more photos, visit our Facebook page!

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.

IMPORTANT: Your Girl Scout Member Account – More Features & More Fun!

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Your Girl Scout Member Account

More Features. More Fun!
Please review and update your household email address prior to Go-Live.

(Unique Email Slide Deck Here)

Later this fall, Girl Scouts of Western New York will debut a refreshed member account management system designed with you in mind. Cleaner views, more features and functions, and enhanced search options will make it easier for you to find more fun for your Girl Scout!

In the new platform, all parents/caregivers must have a unique email address to identify them in the new environment. In our current system, many parents/caregivers are sharing one email address to access their family’s Girl Scout account. To ensure a smooth transition for your family, and to avoid the need to ask for assistance later, we’re encouraging all members to take a moment to review and prepare your household for our fresh new environment by following these 3 steps:

1. Log in to your MyGS login page account.
2. Review the email addresses for your household, are the parents/caregivers in your household using the same email address? If yes, complete the next step.
3. Provide a new email address for the secondary caregiver.

You’re all set! Thank you for your help in ensuring a smooth transition for your family to Girl Scouts’ refreshed member account platform.

Look for a brief introduction to the new features you’ll find when accessing your Girl Scout account coming later this fall. We think you’re going to like it!

Thank you for all you do!

Thank you,
Girl Scouts of Western New York

Questions? Contact Customer Care at 1-888-837-6410 or customercare@gswny.org

Appreciation Pin: GSWNY Adult Recognition Award Monthly Highlight – October 2020

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We are kicking off the 2021 Membership Year with a focus on The Appreciation Pin! This award recognizes a volunteer that has shown a measurable impact, giving outstanding service delivery to one service unit or geographic area.

Who should be considered for the Appreciation Pin? Great question! Nominate a volunteer in your Service Unit who has gone above and beyond at the Service Unit level. For example, Beth is a new Service Unit Manager who already plans the annual SUCO, and has been a true go-getter. She has increased Girl Scouts’ visibility in the community through recruitment and dynamic programs. She has built a sense of Girl Scout community by increased parent engagement and volunteer involvement in Service Unit meetings. Beth definitely deserves an Appreciation Pin!

To earn the Appreciation Pin, a volunteer must nominate the awardee, and the nomination must be approved by the GSWNY Adult Recognition Committee. One peer reference is needed to endorse this nomination. Nominate an awardee by filling out the Survey Monkey form, or downloading and completing a paper nomination form located on the Adult Recognition page of our website. The deadline to apply is February 1 – so mark your calendars! Council acknowledges Awardees in print and at Annual Recognition Event with the pin. Acknowledge the award recipient at SU meeting, awards ceremony, or SU function.

The driving factors that lead people to volunteer their time include the fact organization (GSWNY) is a part of their family’s values and traditions; people volunteer to socialize with existing friends, and develop new connection; and people step up to volunteer as a response to a specific concern or they see need in their community. The greatest gift a person can give you is their time. The least we can do is formally recognize our volunteers for their hard work and dedication. The Appreciation Pin is a great way to thank volunteers who have made significant improvements within your Service unit.

For more information about this award and all other GSWNY adult awards, please read our Adult Awards and Recognitions Quick Guide or check out our Adult Recognition web page. You can always reach out to a member of the Volunteer Experience team for more information! Email us at volunteer@gswny.org. Thank you for all that you do!