2017 G.I.R.L.-Connection

Fall 2017

G.I.R.L.

connection

There Is Power In every G.I.R.L. Unleash it at GSLE’s Believe in G.I.R.L. (BIG) event!

Calling every G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, and leader) to join us for our BIG event on Saturday, October 21, at the University of New Orleans! You’ll enjoy a day of hands-on activities and demonstrations on Life Skills, Entrepreneurship, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), the Arts and the Outdoors!

Girls will meet role models, explore career options, and have fun. The event is open to all girls, grades K – 12, registered by October 1 for the 2018 membership year. It’s $4 per girl, and fee includes patch. Adults are free. Event registration is easy at www.gsle.org/ebiz.

This year’s BIG event service project is a donation drive for our local women and children shelters.

More STEM and Outdoor Journeys and badges are here!

Girl Scouts is all about being girl-led, and developing new programs is no exception. That’s why GSUSA surveyed girls to find out which science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics they most want to explore. The results weren’t surprising—computer science, engineering, and outdoor STEM landed in the top three!

Fall Product Sale is

Louisiana Girl Scouts can now earn 23 new badges, focusing on STEM and the outdoors! With the introduction of these new badges, which marks the largest programming rollout in almost a decade, Sept. 22 – Oct. 22, 2017 girls can design robots and racecars, go on environmentally Raising money for your Girl Scout troop conscious camping trips, write code, collect data has never been easier! By participating in this in the great outdoors, Friends and Family Sale, troops earn start-up funds try their hand at to support their activities by participating in the council’s fall

engineering, and so fundraiser of nuts, chocolates, and magazines. much more!

All orders are pre-paid and there are no booth sales. The troop earns $1 for every food item sold, and 10 percent of the price of each magazine sold (15% for online sales). Food products range from $5 to $10 and with the items being delivered in mid-November, they make great holiday gifts for teachers, friends, and family! In addition to troop proceeds, individual girl sellers receive incentives ranging from patches, plush animals, and much more. View the website at www.gsle.org/fallproduct to view recognitions, products, and for additional information.

Unleash Your Hero!

G.I.R.L. — What Kind are You? Are you a Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader? Find out now! Take the online quiz at bit.ly/GIRLquiz2017! After you take the quiz, share it with your troop and other Girl Scouts!

Once you find out what you are, here is an explanation of your results:

Go-getter

Innovator

Risk-taker

Leader

She’s bold, honest, and determined to succeed. Goal oriented and ambitious, she’s also a life-long learner who believes no challenge is too difficult!

Thinking outside the box is her specialty, so she’s always looking for a creative way to take action.

She definitely knows how to get things done.

Courageous and strong, she’s keen to try new things and to embrace the unfamiliar. She’s ready to step up and break the mold if that’s what it takes.

She’s confident, responsible, and committed to changing the world for the better—and she’s happiest when others join her in taking the lead!

So what did you do this summer? These Go-getters learned how to give an oral presentation at our public speaking workshop being held at Delgado Community College! A big thank you to instructor Nell Toomer!

One year after the historic floods that devastated our communities, Aubrey of Walker repaid the kindness by holding a school supply drive for families affected by flooding in Pearl City, Illinois. The families received the supplies before school started!

With plans to one day become a marine biologist, Caitlin traveled to World Center, Nuestra Cabana, in Mexico where she learned about the different types of native sea turtles, even helping to release the baby turtles back into the Pacific Ocean!

Hrilina is a member of the 2017 Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council. She’s working with some of our state’s outstanding students in an effort to influence the legislative process and make the state a better place for young people.

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How you can invest in Girl Scouts

Supporting Girl Scouts is an investment in your community, your future leaders, and tomorrow’s volunteers. We need partners like you – who recognize that if we want stronger leaders, we need more GIRL SCOUTS. We’re not stopping until every girl is prepared to empower herself for a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success.

2017 FOREver Green Golf Classic – October 6 Sponsorships and player packages are still available for our FOREVER Green Golf Classic being held on Friday, October 6, at City Park’s new Bayou Oaks Golf Course, a championship level golf course, designed to accommodate players of all skill levels. A big thank you to sponsors Louisiana Lottery, WWNO and Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

2017

FOREver Green

Activities include an 11 a.m. lunch and pre-event golf show, prior to the 1 p.m. shotgun start, scramble format, with an awards reception and dinner at 6 p.m. Sponsorship packages, ranging from $500 to $25,000 are available and include custom signage on course, printed and online collateral, and other benefits.

A foursome is $1,000 with single player fee of $250, and all player packages include range balls, lunch, dinner, and unlimited beverages. Player gift items will include items such as: polo shirt, golf balls, cap, golf tees and more. Players and interested sponsors may register online at www.forevergreengolfclassic.com.

“In Girl Scouts we know that when you invest in girls, they have the power to create meaningful change in the world,” said board member Dr. Erica Murray, who is chairing the golf classic. “We need the community’s support as we develop leaders who never give up, who try new things, and who make their ideas a reality.”

2017 Women of Distinction

Juliette Low Leadership Luncheon — October 31 Girl Scout alumna, volunteers, and friends of Girl Scouting are invited to attend Girl Scout Louisiana East’s very first Juliette Low Leadership Luncheon on Tuesday, October 31, at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans. A champagne reception will begin at 11 a.m. with lunch from 12 to 1 p.m. Tickets for the awards luncheon are $75 per person or $60 if purchased by October 15, and may be purchased online at www.gsle. org/leadershipluncheon. Buy One-Get One free tickets are available to members of the FOREVER Girl Scouts alumnae club and/or Man Enough To Be A Girl Scout club. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Honorees are: Dr. Cynthia Thomas, President of Dominican High School, Outstanding Woman; Billy Nungesser, Lt. Governor of Louisiana, Outstanding Man; Albemarle Foundation, Outstanding Business/ Foundation; GIST - Girls In STEM at Tulane; Outstanding Business/ Educators; and Margie Loud Zeno, who will receive the Minnie Finley Award which is awarded to a GSLE volunteer who also impacts the greater community.

The council honored some amazing community leaders at its 2017 Women of Distinction Luncheon last May in Baton Rouge. The next WOD luncheon will be April 5, 2018.

This year’s

J.Low Fall Festival and Duck Derby is Saturday, October 28 at Camp Whispering Pines! Visit www.gsle.org/duckderby for more info and to register!

Contact Jill Pollard at 504-355-5871 or jpollard@gsle.org for more information.

FUN FACT: Girl Scout Founder Juliette Gordon Low was born on Halloween, 1860.

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Girl Scouts go for the Gold!

Someone once described the Girl Scout Gold Award as being “what you really want to be remembered for” in Girl Scouting.

For many, the leadership skills, organizational skills, and sense of community and commitment that come from “Going for the Gold” set the foundation for a lifetime of active achievement.

Congratulations goes to seven of our Girl Scouts who were recognized at the Governor’s Mansion recently for earning this prestigious award!

They are Lacey, Prairieville; Rose, Metairie; Alexa, Covington; Aishwarya, Metairie; Heather, Mandeville; Jazmine, Slidell; and Abigail, Denham Springs.

Chronic health issues such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and heart disease affect a significant portion of the U.S. population. Lacey held an event to demonstrate to youth and adults that exercising can be fun and exciting but challenging. The event included physically strenuous practice activities and competitive challenges that any fitness level can perform. She also distributed informational sheets covering nutrition and activities and Presidential Youth Fitness Program pamphlets.

Wanting to help young people in her community overcome fears of public speaking, Rose developed a workshop in a comfortable and nonjudgmental environment based on the principles of constructive criticism and self-improvement. The workshop was held monthly for three consecutive months at the East Bank Regional Library. Participants were able to practice public speaking in front of other participants, receive feedback, and analyze and improve each time, while learning to practice constructive criticism to help improve others’ skills. Among the participants were two Honduran students who were excited to take the lessons and activities they learned back to their country when they return.

Alexa recognized that for many children, regular visits to the local library are not always feasible, so she decided to build a lending library on her school’s property. By removing a librarian from the equation, her library required that

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children at the school assume full responsibility for their own use of the library. Children have been using the lending library regularly.

Aishwarya decided to focus her project on creating awareness about juvenile diabetes. She went around her school and local elementary schools, accompanied

by Haynes Academy registered nurse Erica Genovese, giving presentations on diabetes and the severity of the disease.

Her goal was to make sure the students understood the disease and were supportive of their fellow classmates who had been diagnosed with diabetes.

After her sister died of brain cancer, Heather and her parents started a nonprofit to raise money for brain cancer research. She also wanted to help and support one of her sister’s passions: Girl Scouts. Recognizing that many people do not know what the Girl Scout Gold Award is, she started a scholarship for one outstanding Louisiana Girl Scout Gold Award recipient each year. Her hope is that the scholarship will help make the Gold Award a widely recognized and a soughtafter achievement.

Jazzmine’s Gold Award project was to raise awareness on the importance of spaying or neutering pets and to influence adoptions with time-restricted shelters. She chose this topic because her own dog was mistakenly euthanized at a shelter. To honor his memory, she held an adoption day at her local shelter.

Girl Scouts would pay a small fee or donate items to participate in the program, earn a patch and learn about animal shelter conditions, all while having fun.

As a nature lover, Abigail noticed a decline in the Monarch butterfly population due to urbanization. Having worked at Bluebonnet Swamp, she was able to secure a space to create a butterfly garden that would provide a lasting habitat.

She hopes the swamp will use the habitat as an education piece for camps and inspiration for visitors to create their own sustainable butterfly garden.

To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a young woman must

2017 Girl Scout Bronze & Silver Awards Congratulations go to the following Girl Scout Juniors and Cadettes for earning the Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Awards!

2017 Girl Scout Silver Award Recipients (as of 8-31-2017) Troop 10340 Meghan B. Leah H. Troop 10374 Abby S. Troop 20019 Lauren E. Kennedy E. Giavanna R. Laila H. Taylor H. Troop 30120 Noelle F. Madelyn G. Courtney H. Shalimar S. Imani S. Elise S.

Troop 30164 Alexis B. Sophia B. Savanah B. Cali C. Abigail E. Alexis E. Hannah E. Gabriella E. Karissa G. Emily Ha. Jennifer L. Lucille M. Ciara R. Amber S.

Troop 40787 Zia B. Isabella B. Kelsey K. Riley P. Ellen R. Sophia W. Individually Registered Kennedi W.

demonstrate ability and skill in goalsetting, planning, putting values into action, and relating to the community, which includes planning and executing a community service project with a minimum 80 hours of work, that reaches beyond the Girl Scout organization and provides a sustainable, lasting benefit to the girl’s larger community.

2017 Girl Scout Bronze Award Recipients (as of 8-31-2017) Troop 10406 Brynn A. Angelina B. Layla C. Jillian C. Greenley D. Anna H. Sarah H. Jacelyn K. Makenzie K. Jolie L. Abigail M. Holland M. Katie M. Emily N. Nikki N. Addison S. Emma S. Ellory W. Kristina W. Savannah W. Blakely W. Troop 20230 Taelon B. Caroline G. Emma H. Addison M. Sara R. Troop 30120 Jenna B. Carleigh H. Lacey S. Alexis S.

Troop 30200 Kieleigh A. Savanna A. Madison B. Keelie H. Rhiannon J.s Emily K. Beckey L. Vivian Grace M. Katelyn M. Katelyn M. Anzlie M. Kamyla P. Kaliyah P. Alexis P. Isabele R. Meredith S. Jayden V. Troop 30201 Elizabeth K. Natasha N. Grace N. Kamryn R. Sara S. Giama T. Troop 30456 Audrey A. Margaret F. Eliza L. Maddie M. Gabby M. Caitlin M. Rebecca S. Ella W. Jenna Z. Troop 40270 Micah A. Grace B. Ella M. Morgan T.

Troop 40317 Mia A. Emma B. Katelyn B. Faith C. Colleen C. Lilly F. Rachel H. Samantha J. McKenzie J. Sarah L. Grace L. Raleigh L. Morgan L. Valeska M. Megan O. Mina P. Lauren S. Harlie S. Molly T. Troop 40401 Lily H. Emma H. Victoria K. Amiyah M. Lelah R. Jadon R. Brooke S. Srija T. Delina T. Sefanit T. Soliana T. Brooklin W.

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Man Enough to be a Girl Scout In June a “Man Enough to be a Girl Scout” Day was held at Fontainebleau State Park, featuring nature walks, a knot-tying challenge and other outdoor activities that offered opportunities for girls to bond with their male role models. Guest speaker for the day was Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

Men are encouraged to support their Girl Scouts and become involved in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience by participating in “Man Enough” events. Fee to join Man Enough To Be A Girl Scout is a $45 donation (individual membership) or $75 corporate donation, and includes 2017-2018 GSUSA Membership (if not already a member); Man Enough T-Shirt for him, patch for her; and discounted admission to special Man Enough events. Join online at www.gsle.org/manenough. Future Man Enough events are September 16 (Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center), April 21 (Camp Whispering Pines), and a Fishing event with Lt. Governor Nungesser (date TBD).

Eddie and daughter, Corinne of New Orleans.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Board Member Julie LeBlanc.

Camps get ACA Accreditation Girl Scout Camps Marydale, Covington, and Whispering Pines have once again received American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation, good for three years, for its resident camp programs! ACA accreditation means that each camp undergoes a thorough review process by outside camping professionals in the areas of personnel, program, site administration and health care.

Gretna Troop 40401 at CWP.

The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share its knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs.

“The camp sites were in great shape, well kept,” read the ACA email. “I have been a camp visitor since 1986 and camps Whispering Pines, Covington and Marydale were among three off the best visits I have made.”

Kudos to Lauren Vance, Rebecca Wagner, Jason Brown, Mike Heyd, and Jeff Craighead on the successful ACA site visit and approval ratings.

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Gonzales Troop 10449 at Camp Marydale.

Louisiana Girl Scouts

elling tip kie S ogul M s from o o adely C kie M o n! o C M We have thank you cards and bags for the cookies.

I encourage them to give them as a gift!

show their Smarts The Girl Scout Cookie Program is such an important (and exciting!) part of the overall Girl Scout experience—tons of learning for her and delicious cookies for our awesome cookie customers! It’s a win-win.

Last year’s Cookie Season was no exception – with southeast Louisiana Girl Scouts selling over 1 million boxes of cookies, with the girls averaging 172 boxes each. The girls went after their goals, tried new selling tactics, took risks by broadening their customer base, and led their troop and council to victory with a 4.5% increase over 2016.

M We gave our

customers cookie recipes.

We make a different dessert each year for each cookie.

A total of 312 girls entered Girl Scouts Louisiana East’s Cookie Hall of Fame for selling 500+ boxes of cookies, including 45 girls who sold over 1,000 boxes, and one “Cookie Mogul” – Girl Scout Cadette Madelyn of Denham Springs who sold 1,751 boxes, becoming this year’s top seller!

M Sing, dance and

wear costumes!

Every year Girl Scouts all over the country use their cookie earnings to do amazing things in their communities and beyond. From helping animal shelters and feeding the homeless to raising awareness about bullying, making public areas more accessible to people with disabilities, and tons more, Girl Scouts can and will do anything they put their hearts and minds to.

As cookie entrepreneurs, girls gain essential life skills and work as a team to accomplish common goals and solve problems, while building the confidence they need to shine as girls, as young women, and as future leaders. And did we mention fun? They have lots of that along the way, too.

Cookie Entrepreneurs receive Cookies to College Scholarships Girl Scout Ambassadors Olivia of Slidell and Rebecca of Hammond are recipients of Girl Scouts Louisiana East’s 2017 Cookies to College Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually, following an application process, to outstanding college-bound Girl Scouts whose dedication and involvement in Girl Scouts as well as the Girl Scout Cookie Program have led them to succeed. Both girls have been active in many other extracurricular organizations, in addition to their Girl Scouting experience.

Olivia says participating in the Cookie program helped her learn to set reasonable goals, make good decisions, in addition to funding her troop’s travel opportunities. She credits her Girl Scout troop leaders for inspiring her.

GSLE's Alisha Moore with Olivia

“I have learned so much from my leaders and I want to be able to do that in the future by being a teacher to younger children,” she said.

Our Cookie Troop 100 winner is Troop 30209 of Ponchatoula!

Their Take Action projects include providing pet beds, toys, and other items for two local animal shelters!

Rebecca says that the skills learned in the Cookie program have helped her in many ways, but most importantly in people skills. “You have to be able to talk to the customer and persuade them to buy cookies in a short amount of time,” she said. Rebecca, who has autism, says cookie-selling made her learn to talk to people she didn’t know and speak clearly and quickly.

Rebecca

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Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID New Orleans, LA PERMIT NO. 428

P.O. Box 10800 • New Orleans, LA 70181-0800 (504) 733-8220 • (800) 644-7571 • www.gsle.org

G.I.R.L.connection Stand Up. Stand Out!

The 2018 Cookie Program January 12 – March 11 cookie sale dates

Let’s Show the World her Cookie-Selling Savvy!

This cookie season, six girls nationwide, one per Girl Scout grade level, will be named GSUSA’s Top Cookie Pro 2018 and get the EPIC chance to be featured on the Girl Scout Cookie box!

By entering the contest, girls get a chance to:

Unlock this awesome, limited-edition Cookie Pro 2018 patch

Girl Scouts of the USA

Be featured on our iconic Girl Scout Cookie box

COOKIE PRO 2018

Travel to NYC for an all-expenses-paid Girl Scout Cookie Entrepreneur Experience, where girls will talk business with GSUSA leaders and be recognized as a Top Cookie Pro 2018

Entries will be accepted online January 2, 2018 through April 30, 2018.

Her cookie pro submission should include things like:

Cookie badges she’s earned and skills she’s learned

What she’s done or plans to do with her cookie earnings

Best selling tips for crushing cookie sale goals like a PRO!

FUN FACT: 200 million Girl Scout Cookie boxes are distributed each year to more than 50 million cookie buyers!

www.girlscouts.org/cookiepro