Connections Newsletter Contents
Winter 2014 Edition
CEO Corner Upcoming Dates GS Day at the Roundhouse GS Cookie Challenge Service Unit Team Conference Recognitions Camp Program Destinations and Travel STEM NM FIRST LEGO League Girl Scouts Taking Action Award Training Cookie Program 2013 Annual Meeting Recap Sponsors & Donors
Council Contact Info & Hours Council Headquarters (Albuquerque): p: 505.343.1040 f: 505.343.1050 Business Hours (Headquarters): Mon-Thurs: 8am-5pm Friday: 8am-12pm Santa Fe Office Hours: Each Thurs: 8am-5:30pm p: 505.983.6339
LaTienda
505.923.2522 Shop Hours: Mon-Thurs: 10am-5pm Friday: 9am-12pm Select Saturdays from 9am-2pm: 1/25, 3/15, 5/17, 5/31, 6/14
www.NMGirlScouts.org
This past year was a tremendously fun year for me. As I traveled the state visiting with our girls and volunteers, I can say we are doing amazing work daily and transforming lives. Not only our girls lives but also the people in their communities. As I traveled through Santa Fe I learned of Troop 10514 collecting over 700 lbs of food for Kids Helping Kids. Girl Scouts at Rio Grande High School presented an impressive study on issues affecting girls in their schools and presented a “take action� opportunity to get involved and make a difference. In Los Lunas I attending the Ceremony for Retiring of our Flags with Troop 10080. That will bring tears to your eyes- to watch our girls with such a sense of patriotism and respect for our flag. I also met with a Rio Rancho troop and talked with the girls about careers and I have no doubt that those girls will become the next leaders in their chosen field. And then I was tremendously touched by one young lady that explained that as a CEO I had protected her in a very difficult situation. Thank you to our volunteers and staff who are the leaders behind the leaders making this good work happen. My appreciation to you for your dedication to transforming lives and communities. Another great milestone for me this year was watching Hoffman Hall at Camp Elliott Barker become a fully functioning Hall. We have bathrooms, showers and a beautiful fully equipped kitchen. The roads are like driving a Cadillac on a velvet road! And our roofs no longer leaks at Rancho del Chaparral and our water valves no longer burst. Much was accomplished this year through the generosity of spirit from our wonderful donors. Thank you for investing in the future of our girls. Thank you for being part of Girl Scouts and helping grow and nurture our future leaders, Peggy Sanchez Mills, CEO
Upcoming Program, Training, Product Program Dates Cookie Dates & Event Dates Presale Dates:
Begin 3:30 on January 13 For more information, check the GSNMT website or Trails of Fun online. January 13-26 Initial Cookie Sale End midnight on January 26 January 27-March 30 Goal Getter Cook- D=Daisy, B=Brownie, J=Junior, C=Cadette, S=Senior, A=Ambassador ie SalesDelivery: UNM Arena, “The Pit.” Initial Lobo NIght: Girls Pack the Pit! Jan. 25 Albuquerque. Open to the public. week of ... cookies delivered Week of February 14-20 Service Unit Team Conference
Feb 1
Grace Church, Abq. Adults
Cookie Challenge
Feb. 9
Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown. Open to Familes, Public.
Celebrate Engineering
Feb. 22
Albuquerque Convention Center. Open to the public.
Bronze, Silver, Gold Training
March 9
Clovis. JCSA
NM Museum of Natural History & Science Sleepovers
April 4-5
CSA
April 11-12
DBJ
Volunteer Expo
April 12
Indian Pueblo Cultural Ctr.
Recognition Ceremony
April 12
Indian Pueblo Cultural Ctr.
National Girl Scout Leader’s Day April 22
BuddieZ / FriendZ
April 26
Location TBA
STEM Expo
May 3
Location TBA. DBJCSA
Have you renewed your membership for the 2013-2014 Girl Scout year? You must be a registered Girl Scout to participate in the upcoming cookie sale.
Rancho Big Clean
May 16-18
Open to Troops & Families.
Rancho Open House
May 18
Open to all.
Barker Big Clean
May 16-18
Open to Troops & Families.
Remember, you can register online! nmgirlscouts.org
Barker Open House
May 18
Open to all.
Pecos Wilderness Backpack Adventure
June 2-5
CSA
Roar ‘n Snore
June 14-15
Rio Grande Zoo. BJCSA
Outdoor Expo
June 21-22
Cuba, NM. All ages
Build Your Own Mountain Adventure
July 26-Aug 1
Telluride, CO. SA
Booth Sales: Begin 4:00pm on February 28 End 8:00pm on March 30
Upcoming Girl Scout Dates
World Thinking Day (WAGGGS) Girl Scout Sunday Girl Scout Week Girl Scout Birthday Girl Scout Dates Girl Scout Sabbath Girl Scout Volunteer Day
February 22 March 9 March 9-15 March 12 March 15 April 22
Are You Registered?
Volunteer & Community Nominations due January 31 nmgirlscouts.org
Girl Scout Day at the Roundhouse February 17, 2014
Girl Scouts take action in many ways--through direct service in their community, by educating others, and by advocating for issues that better their community. Join us at the Roundhouse to learn more about the legislative process. Meet local legislators and decision makers. See how laws are made. Learn how you can make a difference! Join us February 17, 2014 at the Roundhouse. For more information, contact Carol Ann at cashort@gs-nmtrails.org. The 2014 legislative agenda for Girl Scouts includes increasing girls’ engagement in STEM, strengthening financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills, promoting safe and healthy living--reducing bullying.
Join us at the Girl Scout Cookie Challenge
The Girl Scout Cookie Challenge is a brand new event for girls, families, and friends of New Mexico Trails! This event is a FUNraiser and a FUNDraiser, all focused on the Girl Scout cookies. Chefs from across the state are invited to create delicious desserts and savory treats made from our Girl Scout cookies. Other activities will include a taste test challenge, cookie eating competition, cookie box jenga, facepainting, and more!
2014 Event Sponsors & Supporters
2014 Participating Restaurants ABQ Grill at the Sheraton Uptown, Albuquerque Osteria d’ Assissi, Santa Fe Bravo! Cucina Italiana, Albuquerque Pasion Latin Fusion, Albuquerque Chocolate Cartel, Albuquerque P’tit Louis Bistro, Albuquerque Flying Star, Albuquerque & Santa Fe RealBurger, Santa Fe Hyatt Tamaya, Albuquerque Rebel Donut, Albuquerque La Fonda del Bosque, Albuquerque The Sassy Apron, Albuquerque La Quiche Parisienne Bistro, Albuquerque Savory Fare, Albuquerque Meals on Wheels, Albuquerque Smallcakes: A Cupcakery, Albuquerque M’tucci’s Kitchina, Albuquerque
Summit Creamland Los Alamos National Bank All American Moving Century Bank New Mexico Bank & Trust New Mexico Mutual Sam’s Club #4938 Walmart #850 AlphaGraphics Sheraton Uptown, Albuquerque
Register online: nmgirlscouts.org
2014 Recognition Ceremony
April 12, 2014 Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque Volunteers are an essential part of the Girl Scout Movement. There are many ways to recognize volunteers for their time and dedication. Whether in the form of a simple “thank you” for a small job well done or a formal commendation for years of faithful service in a key position, acknowledgment is a signal to the recipient that she or he is noticed and appreciated. Help us recognize our amazing volunteers and community partners by nominating them for a recognition. The nomination and endorsement process can be completed online: nmgirlscouts.org Nomination deadline is January 31.
Camp The Value of Summer Camp The value of an outdoor experience in a girl’s life is beyond measure. It is a time for creating memories that will last a lifetime, and it has been an important component of the Girl Scout experience since the beginning of the organization. The camp experience provides a setting for girls to stretch their minds and muscles, appreciate the uniqueness and beauty of the world in which they live, exercise leadership and learn a wide variety of new skills. They are also challenged as individuals and as groups working toward a common goal.
Big Weekend & Rancho del Chaparral 45th Anniversary
Join us this summer as we celebrate Rancho del Chaparral’s 45th anniversary! The celebration weekend will be July 11-13. Registration for this anniversary weekend will open in February.
Big Clean Weekends & Open Houses:
Big Clean weekends are great weekends for troops and for families to come have a camp experience while helping to prepare camp for summer camp. Yes, there is work, but there is also plenty of time to meet new people, explore camp, and to have a great time making new camp memories! May 16-18 Rancho del Chaparral Big Clean May 18 Rancho Open House May 30-June 1 Camp Elliott Barker Big Clean June 1 Barker Open House Registration is required for Big Clean weekends.
Why attend camp as a family? One dad shared: “I probably do not need to say what a terrific and passionate team you have at camp, nor what a gorgeous gem of a camp it is. I only regret there were not hundreds more Girl Scouts and their families in attendance. I honestly believe that we have just discovered one of the best family-outing values in the New Mexico Trails Council!”
I always loved going to camp! Riding horses, zipping on the zip line and doing arts and crafts were a few of my favorite activities. I am so happy to continue that tradition here in New Mexico. There will be something for everyone. Get ready for your adventure! I look forward to seeing you at camp this summer! Vanessa “Shoe” Grose, Camp Director
Keep your eye out for the camp book online to be posted online and mailed to each member household in February.
Program Fall FriendZ / BuddieZ November 2, 2013
The Fall BuddieZ and FriendZ was attended by over 100 girls. Daisies and Brownies made new friends, played games, and learned about service. The Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors boarded buses to learn about service with organizations in the community. Join us in April for the Spring BuddieZ and FriendZ, both focused on outdoor fun!
Seniors and Ambassadors find their voice at KUNM
STEM Camporee at Loretto Park in Bernalillo October 19-20, 2013
Over 800 people attended the STEM Camporee this past October. This camporee hosted STEM organizations from across New Mexico that provided hands-on activities and demonstrations that provided girls an engaging STEM experience. Participating organizations included the Society of Women Engineers, New Mexico Museum of Space History, UNM American Chemical Society, New Mexico Ag in the Classroom, Intel, and Challenger Learning Center of New Mexico. Exhibitors provided a wide range of activities, including: - Making s’mores in a solar oven - Building and racing solar cars - Learning about Zero Gravity and space exploration - Creating watershed models and learning about water conservation - Using household items to create “gobbly-dee-gook” - Created Solar Spinart using solar powered motors - Operating a solar arm like those uses in space And a special thanks to our sponsors: Boeing Employee Community Fund, Kerr Foundation, Intel Foundation, PNM, and LANL Foundation. Mark your calendar for the next Camporee: September 13-14, 2014!
Going Places: destinations and Travel Tatiana Goes to Costa Rica
About a year ago, Tatiana had picked out her dream destination: Costa Rica. Her interest in marine biology guided her toward the destination in Coast Rica this winter where she would learn about sea turtles and about culture. This past spring, she learned that she was accepted! Tatiana set her goal for this past cookie sale high so that she could pay for her destination. By the way, she was the highest seller of cookies in the council, selling 3,300 boxes of cookies! On this trip, Tatiana learned about environmental conservation, helped the endangered sea turtle population, and explored the unique ecosystems of Costa Rica. We can’t wait to hear much more about what she learned. Tatiana urges all older girls to explore destinations and travel. The trip was all that she hoped for and more!
Sea Turtle Retreat Costa Rica
What a great way to spend New Years!
What is a destination?
Girl Scouts offers many different travel opportunities so girls can see new places, meet new people, and learn about different cultures and ideas. Whether exploring their own neighborhoods, going on overnight camping trips, participating in community service projects, or flying to one of the four world centers, Girl Scouts are continually expanding their horizons. Girl Scout destinations are events or trips open girls up to whole new worlds and ideas. These trips are facilitated by Girl Scouts of the USA and hosted by individual Girl Scout councils, GSUSA, and contracted organizations, such as Outward Bound. Learn more online: http://forgirls.girlscouts.org/travel/
Did you know: travel opportunities are available through GSNMT. In 2014, there is a trip planned to New York City for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts. Future trips abroad include a trip to Sangam in India! Learn more: http://www.nmgirlscouts.org/Travel.aspx or contact Vanessa at VWheeler@gs-nmtrails.org
STEM STEM Series in Algodonnes
This fall, twenty-one girls participated in a STEM series at Algodonnes Elementary School. These girls learned robotics hands on. Kindergarten and 1st graders explored wind power, gears, pulleys, and levers by building simple lego machines. 2nd and 3rd grade girls built and programmed robotic models featuring motors and sensors. 4th and 5th graders explored engineering by programming LEGO mindstorms. This program was co-facilitated by GSNMT and Tools for Learning, with funding through the United Way of Central New Mexico.
Congratulations to Aaron Brundage! We would like to extend our congratulations on an honor well deserved! Aaron Brundage received a BEYA STEM award for Minority in Research Science (MiRS) ‘Most Promising Scientist-Government’ award with Emerald Honors. He is among only 200 Emerald Honors recipients over the last 25 years. Aaron has been instrumental in helping GSNMT provide STEM series in the South Valley and Algodonnes.
Upcoming Community STEM Event: 1st Annual Black History Month STEM Festival
February 22 at the Albuquerque Convention Center The Black History Month STEM Festival provides an opportunity for business, government, and education to partner in helping to expose K-12th students to STEM fields and the importance of excelling and staying in school. For more information, contact Amanda at ALujan@gs-nmtrails.org. STEM updates are regularly posted on STEM Central: http://nmgirlscouts.org/STEM_Central.aspx
New Mexico FIRST ® LEGO ® League The New Mexico FLL State Championship Tournament & Disaster Blaster Jr.FLL State Expo will take place February 1, 2014 (8:00am6:00pm) at Albuquerque Academy. Spectators are welcome to attend, free of charge. For more information, check the NMFLL website: http://nmfll.org
Meet the Gear Girls: 2014 NMFLL Ambassadors The Gear Girls (pictured at right) practice for the NM FLL State Tournament. This team mentored a Jr. FLL team for their Silver Award project last year. Other FLL Girl Scout Teams include: Noisy X-treme Team, Albuquerque Atomic Flying Pickles, Los Alamos Gear Girls, Albuquerque Radioactive Fireflies, Los Alamos NM Twisters, Socorro Bloonatics, Los Alamos Jr. FLL Girl Scout Teams Gear Kids, Albuquerque The Rockets, Belen The Fantastic 5, Belen Super Stars, Albuquerque Super Sonic Snowflakes, Albuquerque Fuzzy Fuzzy Cats, Albuquerque
Girl Scouts Taking Action Desert Skies and Jefferson Washington Service Units have been sending care packages to Afghanistan. This effort is a personal one. In September, Erica White was deployed to Afghanistan. Over the past year, Erica became a fixture at Troop 1680 meetings and outings. She became known as their leader extraordinaire and the troop’s “Peanut Butter Patty.” Right before Erica was deployed, the girls of Troop 1680 gave Erica a compass so that she could find her way back.
Want to help out with these care packages for the troops? Contact Jennie at belongajennie@gmail.com
This will be the third batch of care packages sent to Erica and her troop. So far, the service units have sent about 200 packs of gum, miscellaneous items, wet wipes, vaseline, and a ton of fruit roll-ups. For the holidays, Troop 1680 sent a Christmas tree. In February they will be sending green chile. Erica’s unit must be pretty excited about these Girl Scout care packages! Remember, you can provide cookies to Troops through the Gift of Caring.
Santa Fe Troop Room Renovation Santa Fe Troop 10356 noticed that their troop room at the Santa Fe office was not so comfortable or stylish. They proposed to council staff that they could renovate the room themselves, getting donations of supplies and doing the labor themselves. Thank you girls for seeing a need and for taking action to make it better! And we LOVE seeing our girls use power tools! Albuquerque Troop 10449 helped sort food at the Roadrunner Food Bank.
Santa Fe Troop 10514 collected food for Kids Helping Kids.
Gold, Silver, & Bronze Award 101 Are you ready to start working on your Bronze (Junior), Silver (Cadette), or Gold (Senior and Ambassador) Award? If so, then join us for an afternoon learning about the highest awards a girl can earn in Girl Scouting. The training is free, but you must register in advance; to register, send an email to the award liaisons at BronzeSilverGold@GS-NMTrails.org or call 505.343.1040. • Clovis Training: Sunday, March 9 (2-3:30pm). Register by 3/4/2014.
NMGirlScouts.org/Awards.aspx
Troop 35 works with US Army Corps of Engineers to Protect Burrowing Owls What do you get when you invite a group of young Girl Scouts to help create burrowing owl habitats in an arroyo? You get an excited and energetic group of girls ready and willing to assist and learn. On Saturday, Dec. 14, eight members of Girl Scout Troop 35, arrived at the Calabacillas Arroyo to meet with Lt. Col. Gant, commander, US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Albuquerque District; Christopher Parrish, regulatory division, USACE; and Kurt Wagener, Field Engineer for the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority (AMAFCA). Lt. Col. Gant, a former Girl Scout herself, shared both her experiences and information with the girls regarding the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), as well as participating in this particular project. “When you girls grow up, you may be responsible for projects similar to this one, or for saving other types of wildlife,” said Gant. “This is a wonderful time for you to learn all you can about all types of wildlife and their interrelationship to their environment,” she said. Courtesy of Ronnie Schelby, US Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District Public Affairs
Tri Core Recognizes Rachel’s Volunteer Hours TriCore Reference Laboratories in Albuquerque recognized the volunteer hours of staff member Rachel Newquist. Rachel is a troop leader and dedicated volunteer in the East Mountains. This volunteer recognition system was started this last year at TriCore. Thank you for your service, Rachel!
Does your company offer a volunteer match for your service hours? For more information, contact the Development Department at GSNMT. 505.343.1040
Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails Board of Directors Officers
Marti Fournier-Revo, Chair of the Board of Directors Maribeth Thornton, Vice Chair Sherry Schulz, Treasurer Marian Wrage, Secretary Peggy Sanchez Mills, CEO
Members at Large Karen Bergren Delanie Montoya Emily Nail Stacey Niver Susan Pickering Tammy Roof Marny Schantz Elizabeth Sellers Doug Sieck Becky Teague Don Welker Connie Wenk
Girl Scout Cookie Program Important Dates
It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time!
The time is here for Girl Scouts to exercise their entrepreneurial skills, setting goals, while developing sales pitches and strategies. This GirlScout Cookie Sale is the largest girl-led busines in the world! So, let’s work together to make our girls successful in their sale!
January 13: Initial order taking begins at 3:30pm January 26: Initial order taking ends January 29: Goal Getter Sale begins February 14-20: Cookie deliveries to troops February 14: Albuquerque deliveries February 15: Santa Fe deliveries Week of February 17: Outlying area deliveries February 28: Booth Sales begin at 4:00pm March 30: Booth sales end at 8:00pm Week of May 19: GS$ Cards mailed to eligible girls
Set a Goal
Is your troop going on a trip this summer? Do you want to go to camp? Figure out how many boxes of cookies you need to sell to reach your goal. Use a goal tracker to keep track of your progress.
Dress for Success
Get help from parents / volunteers
Help your Girl Scout practice her pitch. You can have her knock ona door and pretend that you are a potential customer.
Goal Setting Decision Making Money Management People Skills Business Ethics When selling Girl Scout cookies, we ask that you were a Girl Scout uniform or t-shirt. Check out Cookie Program resources in the shop to help your cookie sale. We have t-shirts, signs, tablecloths, and much, much more!
MagNut
MagNut (the fall product program) sale totaled $171,400 with 996 participants.
Questions?
Check out the Cookie Resources on our website: nmgirlscouts.org / Cookies Or contact council at 505-343-1040
What is YOUR goal?
Sell Girl Scout Cookies
Pay Your Way to Girl Scout Camp!
2013 Annual Meeting Annual Meeting November 16, 2013
The 2012-2013 Annual Meeting was held at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. At this Annual Meeting, the Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails delegates elected Delanie Montoya, Emily Nail, Doug Sieck, Don Welker, and Connie Wenk, each to two-year terms. The membership also elected Sherry Schulz as Treasurer and re-elected: Marti Fournier-Revo as Board Chair; Susan Pickering and Becky Teague as Member-AtLarge Board Members. Girl Scouts from Clovis and from our newly established troop in the South Valley performed our flag ceremony.
Meet our New Board Members
Connie Wenk Albuquerque, NM
Delanie Montoya Aztec, NM
Delanie has been a GS for An active member on the GSNMT Finance Committee, 10 years. She earned her Bronze and Silver Awards Connie joins our Board and plans to work on her bringing GS, HR, and finance experience. She is Gold Award. She is excited about contributing a “girl a staff member at Sandia perspective” to the Board National Lab and is active and to serve as a role model in United Way and Junior for other girls. Achievement.
Corporations & Foundations
All American Moving Company Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NM Century Bank ClearChannel Creamland Dairies CVS Caremark Intel Foundation Matching Gifts Los Alamos National Bank Lockheed Martin New Mexico Bank and Trust Northern New Mexico Gas Co., Northrop Grumman Corporation PNM Resources Foundation RGK Foundation Sam’s Club Shepherd Business Services Sandia National Lab Shepherd Business Services Thornburg Investment Management Walmart Foundation Wild Birds Unlimited
The lunch program focused on highlighting generations of women in Girl Scouting. We were honored to have Anne Nokes, Amanda Lujan, and Haley Hanson each share their unique Girl Scout experience with us.
Don Welker Angel Fire, NM
Doug Sieck Santa Fe, NM
Emily Nail Clovis, NM
Don serves as a city councilor for the Village of Angel Fire and has a long history of public service. He has been an advocate for Girl Scouts, an active volunteer for Camp Elliott Barker, and a supporter of our camp development projects.
Having served over 30 years on other Boards, Doug comes to us believing passionately in leadership development for girls. His two daughters were Girl Scouts. Doug currently serves on the GSNMT Property Committee.
Emily has a deep commitment to her community. Her service has included Meals on Wheels and service with disabilities and literacy. Emily believes that the involvement in the community makes for better communbities for all.
Individual Donors
Our Sponsors & Donors
Armstrong, Ric Asbridge, Karen Asbridge, Marilyn & John Bingham, Kimberly & Rodney Casey, Paula D. Cavalluzzo, Virginia Chambliss, Gail Chrissinger, Jill & C M Cochran, John & Carol Czuchlewski, Kristina & David Davis, Linda Deguzman, Yolanda Dockendorff, Denise & James Donahue, Patricia Elliott, Mr. & Mrs. Russell Donahue, Patricia Elliott, Mr. & Mrs. Russell Felsch, Colleen Frick, Rebecca & Rick Gardenhire, Susan
Gilliam, Jack and Mary Hansen-Hellwege, Pamela Hartson, David & Nancy Hatch, Steven & Annette Hodges, Rebecca Homan, Mary Jones, Wendy Krostag, Diane T. Kuechenmeister, Laura Lyle, John and Georgia Maguire, Patricia & Richard McGee, Kathy & Larry Mills, Jason Peterson, Klaus & Barbara Pickering, Susan Ponce, Noemy Reynolds, Shirley Sanchez, Peggy & Jim E Mills Sayler, Brandon & Angela Schmidt, Kevin Schulz, Sherry Lynn & George
Snyder, Nancy Swinderman, Alisa Tarbox, Maureen Target #356 Employees, Teague, Rebecca & Weldon Thornton, Maribeth & Christopher Wenk, Colleen Wood, James A. Wood, Margaret Wouters, Laura and Jan Wrage, Marian Yost, Gretchen * The Fund Development staff have made every effort to ensure that this list is accurate. The list reflects donations received from October 1, 2013 - December 16, 2013. If you find an error or omission, please contact Charlene Kalbfell at 505.923.2513 or email CKalbfell@GS-NMTrails.org