Volunteer 411 Fall/Winter 2020
Fall/Winter 2020
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Volunteer 411
Volunteer 411 is a publication of the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland and is published twice yearly. Think of this 411 as your sidekick. It’s here to help you create wow-worthy moments for our girls. Within its fun-soaked pages is a roadmap of possibilities, including exciting programs, amazing service opportunities, and ways to make the troop experience a blast!
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Volunteer 411
VOLUNTEER 411
CONTENT
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Girl Scouts at Home
Girl-Led Exploration
Virtual Volunteer
Girl Scouts may look different this year—but that hasn't stopped you from earning badges and changing the world. Learn all about Girl Scouts at Home and more!
Need help signing up for our new virtual programs? Don't worry— we have tips just for you! Check out our virtual programs and all the ways for you to join in on the fun!
From virtual trainings to communicating digitally, we are here to help. Don't miss all of the trainings and the tips for communicating virtually.
04 Girl Scouts Stands Against Racism 06 Girl Scouts at Home 08 Girl-Led Exploration 10 Virtual Volunteer 11
What I Wish I Knew
12 Volunteer Awards 14 Conflict Management 15 Tips for Troop Finances 16 Fall Product Program 18 Leader’s Weekend 19 Learn 2 Lead 20 New Badges
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Volunteer Awards
The 2020 New Badges
Girl Scouts Love State Parks
Without our amazing volunteers Girl Scouts wouldn't be the same. Check out all the award winners and ways to nominate your fellow volunteers!
The year 2020 has brought many things— including new Girl Scout badges. Check out all of the new badges for skillbuilding, friend-making and, life-changing!
It's back—Girl Scouts Love State Parks is here to help you embark on your next outdoor adventure. You won't want to miss this year's event!
We want to connect with you! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland
@gsmoheartland
@girlscoutsmoheart
info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org
www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org
877-312-4764
22 Girl Scout Merch 23 Girl Scouts Love State Parks 24 Promote the Vote
I'M A BUTTON
When you see this shape, it's actually a button—here to help you learn more information on our website, or help you sign up for an event or check out even more cool stuff! Click away! Fall/Winter 2020
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Girl Scouts Stands Against Racism A
t Girl Scouts, we build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. In this moment of suffering in our nation, Girl Scouts commits to taking action to support black girls, their families, and their communities. We want to reiterate to all girls, volunteers, alums, supporters, families, and staff that we do not tolerate racial injustice and we know that Black Lives Matter. We will do our part to dismantle systemic racism. We recognize that this is far from easy or fast work, but we are Girl Scouts—we believe in sisterhood, justice, and fairness—so we are in it for the long haul. GSUSA is making an initial financial investment to partner with experts in their areas of race, inclusion, and equity, with a focus on girls and women. Change in these areas will permeate all levels of our organization, such as leadership, staff, volunteers, and—most importantly—our girls. To see more details on what changes GSUSA is committed to check out the Anti-Racism Pledge . When you’re there—you can sign the pledge and join the fight against racial injustice. We are asking for all Girl Scouts—girls, volunteers, alums, supporters, and families— to commit to taking action to make the world a more equitable place. SIGN THE PLEDGE
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Fall/Winter 2020
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Girl Scouts At Home
"I have loved all of the resources from Girl Scouts during this time. I really hope they continue with some of the virtual sessions, tours, etc." -Scarlett, Troop 71598 6
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irl Scouts has looked different this year—but our mission remains the same. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Our mission does not specify a time or place, because we can do this from anywhere—even from our homes. Nobody showed this more than you—our volunteers. You remained positive role models and leaders in a time of change. From transitioning to virtual meetings to going the extra mile to spread kindness in your communities, you stepped up and showed off the strength of Girl Scouts. Girl Scout Strong cannot be quarantined. Girl Scouts at Home provides badge sheets, live program opportunities, ways to make the changing world a better place, and much more! For all the virtual exploration, leadership-building, and communityenhancing experiences during this time—we thank you for not only bringing Girl Scouts home but making Girl Scouts home for our girls!
GIRL SCOUTS AT HOME
Click this button for more information!
Girl Scouts at Home has so much to offer! You won't want to miss out on all of our great virtual opportunities. • Live Virtual Programs • Facebook Live Badge Workshops • National Service Project • Awesome Girl Series • New Badge Activity Sampler • Earn Badges from home • And more!
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ACTIVITIES LIST
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Volunteer 411
Girl-Led Exploration G
irl Scouts can discover life skills, STEM, entrepreneurship, and the outdoors through council-led programs. Girl-led experiences allow girls to expand their world—even from their own backyard or homes. We are always updating and creating new experiences for your girls to enjoy.
To find programs available for your Girl Scout, follow these steps! 1. Go to the Activities List on our website
2. Select advanced search
3. Select her program level and explore her options!
4. Register!
Our activities allow girls to earn badges, experience new things, and discover what she loves—all from home. We utilize Zoom for all live virtual programs. To enhance your girl's experience, make sure to do the following before your live virtual program. 1. Practice joining the meeting. You have two options—download Zoom or join sessions through a web browser. You will to click on the Zoom link to join the meeting via internet browser. 2. Make sure your audio is working! You don't want to miss the opportunity to hear and speak to other Girl Scouts in the program, so check your devices' microphone and speakers before participating. 3. Check your video. Using video enhances the experience, but is not a requirement. You can use your desktop/laptop webcam or your phone’s built in camera. If you do not have capabilities to video yourself, you will still be able to listen, speak, and see the webcam video of other participants. 4. Check your internet quality. It is important that wherever you plan to be when participating in GSMH vitiual activities to have quality internet. 5. Check your environment. What does your background look like? You may want to turn off distractions (TVs etc.) or set aside other personal items if those show in your background. 6. Review activity details. You will be receiving a confirmation email the day after the registration deadline with important information for the program—make sure to check for supplies needed to fully participate. 7. Join your Zoom session! About 5-10 minutes before your Zoom session, have your Girl Scout click on the Zoom link provided in the confirmation email. She will be prompted to enter in the password, also provided in the confirmation email. She will then be sent to a virtual waiting room, where she will stay until a GSMH Staff member officially starts the program. Fall/Winter 2020
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Virtual Volunteer P
repared leaders are confident leaders. Volunteer trainings give you the resources you need to be the best, most inspiring volunteer you can be! Now that we have gone virtual— you can complete training from anywhere. Through gsLearn, we offer many trainings to be a successful Troop Leader. New trainings will be coming throughout fall too, so make sure to check our Activities Calendar regularly! gsLearn Trainings Available Now: • Successful Leader Learning Series • Volunteer Toolkit Tutorials • Mandated Reporter Training • Indoor Overnights and Day Trip Training • Outdoor Level 1 Training • Money-Earning Activities Training • Zoom for Virtual Meetings
Trainings Coming This Fall: • How to Open a Troop Bank Account • Financing the Fun! • STEM for Daisies and Brownies • Daisy Grade Level Training • Brownie Grade Level Training • Product Program Training There some trainings that are available in-person only and should be requested by filling out the Volunteer Training and Support Request.
Tips & Tricks for the Virtual Volunteer! Get Connected! Join the Girl Scouts MO Heartland Volunteers Facebook group. Remember—Safety First! Safety of our members is always our top priority. To help you keep your girls safe, check out our Safety Activity Checkpoints and Virtual Troop Meeting Guidelines to help you keep your girls safe while meeting virtually. Bring Girl Scouts Home. Participate in Girl Scouts at Home—world of virtual resources, at your fingertips, that help you lead virtually! If you want more, make sure to check out GSUSA’s Girl Scouts at Home. Use your Resources Wisely. Use Zoom and other video conference software to meet safely and virtually.
GET CONNECTED
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Explore the Volunteer Toolkit. The Volunteer Toolkit is a one-stop-shop for volunteers. From badge activities to year plans, you can set your troop up for success! Take-Action from Home. Encourage girls to complete any or all of the socially distanced service projects found on Girl Scouts at Home.
ACTIVITIES CALENDAR
What I Wish I Knew L
et’s face it—the first year of Girl Scout leadership is unique. With information flying at you and new things to learn, it can be overwhelming. But when you join Girl Scouts, you join a family, a sisterhood of leaders ready to help. In the end, Girl Scout leadership is one of the most rewarding experiences you can do. Don’t take our word for it—listen to some of the awesome advice from leaders just like you below! It Takes a Girl Scout Village "One thing I try to tell new leaders in our Service Unit is to avoid becoming overwhelmed. It looks like they need to do so much. I want them to know that older leaders are there to help and our local council people are amazing. I tell them to not hesitate to give me a call! Think of your fellow Girl Scout people as a sisterhood. And most of all go at a pace that works for your Girl Scouts and have a good time.” -Linda Panier, Troop 70032 of Perryville, MO
All Things Finance "I'd encourage first year leaders to participate in Fall Product Program and the Girl Scout Cookie Program. We didn't and missed out on earning troop funds our first year. The girls love it, and with council training, we shouldn't have been scared of it." -Terri Blessent, SU 702, VSC of Pittsburg, KS
Communication is Key "Set up some type of communication system early with parents (Facebook, RemindMe, etc) and have them check frequently, especially on meeting nights, Use Your Resources Wisely "Make sure to like and follow Girl Scouts MO Heartland during cookies, and prior to events. You don't have time to call all of them, and it is an easy way to share Facebook page. There’s lots of good information!" all the info!" -Tara Bolin, Troop 71265 of Kennett, MO -Kathryn Hardy, Troop 70392 of Webb City, MO. Fall/Winter 2020
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Volunteer Awards V
olunteers are the adventure-making, leadershipbuilding, and unique-experience giving adults that Girl Scouts would be nothing without. We are not only the premier leadership organization for girls with Volunteers, but because of volunteers. That’s why we recognize those volunteers that create impactful change in both their communities and the Girl Scout community! Volunteers, parents, and staff members are all encouraged to nominate their change-making volunteers! Here’s all the recognitions you can give to your favorite Troop Leader, Assistant Leader, or any volunteer!
Check out all the different awards! GSUSA Awards GSUSA Awards are movement-wide awards, designed by GSUSA to recognize council volunteers who go above and beyond. Awardees are recognized each spring at the GSMH Volunteer Recognition Ceremony. Nominations are accepted at any time throughout the year but must be postmarked by February 1 for the following ceremony. The Appreciation Pin—Congrats to the GSMH Volunteers who received this award last year. • Amberle McClanahan—Cape Girardeau, MO • Amanda Nurnberg—Springfield, MO • Jessie Joswick—Springfield, MO • Mavis Bowin—Columbus, KS • Patty Cowden—Springfield, MO • Sonja Jones—Springfield, MO The Honor Pin—Congrats to the GSMH Volunteers who received this award last year. • Giboney Sparks—Cape Girardeau, MO The Thanks Badge—Congrats to the GSMH Volunteers who received this award last year. • Karen Hann—Jackson, MO 12
Volunteer 411
The Volunteer of Excellence Award —Congrats to the GSMH Volunteers who received this award last year. • Patricia Renard—Cape Girardeau, MO • Julia Gentle—Springfield, MO • Jenny Gallet—Pittsburg, KS
New GSMH Awards GSMH awards are the most prestigious awards we honor our volunteers with here at Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland. These awards are given to those who exemplify our highest values and are recognized by both their local community and our entire council. • GSMH Diversity Award • GSMH Glowing Green Award • GSMH Leadership Launch Award
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GSMH Rising Star Award GSMH Unsung Hero Award GSMH Lasting Legacy Award
Service Unit Awards These awards are recognized at the local level and are an honor given to volunteers by their local service unit. Plus these can be submitted at any time! • • • • • • •
Service Unit Outstanding Leader Award Service Unit Outstanding Volunteer Award Service Unit Guiding Star Award Service Unit Helping Hand Award Service Unit Outdoor Enthusiast Award Juliette Low Community Partnership Award The President's Award
Are you thinking of a volunteer that deserves a GSUSA or GSMH Award? Nominate them today! The deadline to submit nominations is February 1. Explore even more awards and nominate your leadership-building, award winning volunteer at our Volunteer Awards page. VOLUNTEER AWARDS Fall/Winter 2020
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Conflict Management W
ith a girl-led experience, there is an endless amount of choices and sometimes that may end in differences in opinion—whether it be between volunteers, girls, or a parent and troop leader. When a conflict does come up, effectively navigating through it allows better communication, new ideas, and results that will allow you to have a successful leadership experience.
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Top 10 Tips 1. Invite the other person to meet in private and talk it out directly. Do not discuss the issue with parties that are not directly involved in the conflict. Arrange to meet at a time where children will not be a distraction. 2. Have a face-to-face conversation whenever possible. Communicating via text, email, or social media can lead to misunderstandings because you are unable to take into account tone and body language. 3. Keep it private. Make sure to avoid airing grievances on social media to avoid creating further conflict or potentially damaging reputations or relationships. 4. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Consider how the perspective of the other person might differ from your own. Remember to also consider the other side’s perspective and feelings. Then, think about how they can be acknowledged to support creating a safe place to work through issues. 5. Be fully present and listen without judgment. Let them know that you appreciate their willingness to meet, and respect that willingness by giving the meeting your undivided attention.
6. Ask questions to get to the heart of the issue. Identify the pain points, what is important, and seek possible solutions that work for both parties. 7. Focus on facts and impacts, not on personalities. The meeting should focus on discovering actions that can be taken to address concerns before conflict arises moving forward, not on placing blame for past perceived shortcomings. 8. Find agreement wherever possible. Start with agreeing that you share a common goal—to make the girls’ experience the best it can be. Establish a mutually agreeable solution to reset expectations and ensure success moving forward. 9. Write it down. Putting your agreement in writing allows both parties to keep an accurate account of what they have committed to. 10. Touch base to follow up. Is the agreement working? Does it need to be updated? Still having trouble resolving conflict within your troop? We are here to help! Email us at info@ girlscoutsmoheartland.org or give us a call to be connected with your Troop and Service Unit Support Specialist or New Leader Specialist for additional resources or assistance in resolving conflicts. Fall/Winter 2020
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Tips for Financial Success G
irl Scouts is girl-led—and that includes finance. From start to finish, our girls help plan their troop activities, even the budget part. Here are some tips on how to conquer your year financially.
Know your deadlines. Know your deadlines for important financial reports like the Troop Finance Report—due October 1. Due every year, it includes revenue, expenses, bank statements, and requires 3 non-related adult troop members to verify. Follow the troop financial guidelines. Whether you are leading a new troop or the troop you’ve led for years, make sure you read up on the Troop Financial Guidelines. Keep all finances girl-led and transparent. Transparency with troop finances is the most important thing to remember when dealing with troop funds! The troop earns the money together and everyone should have knowledge of how those funds are being used. A good way to do this to provide regular financial updates, as well as making sure girls are making choices on how to spend what they earned. Limit ATM/cash withdrawals for troop expenses. If cash is needed, document what it is for on the withdrawal receipt. Maintain a paper trail. Each transaction appearing on the troop’s account should have an explanation, including receipts, signed forms, etc. Keep troop funds and inventory safe. When troop funds are acquired, make sure to deposit it as soon as possible. Avoid holding onto troop funds for extended periods of time. Budget your troop earnings. Try using the 1/3 rule of thumb. This guideline suggests dividing troop earnings into 3 groups—troop expenses, troop activities, and troop take action plans. Check gsLearn. Keep an eye out for our upcoming Troop Finance Training on gsLearn.
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Volunteer 411
TROOP GUIDELINES
Fall Product Program E
very fall, Girl Scouts take orders from friends and family for nuts, chocolates, and magazine subscriptions in participation of the Fall Product Program. By participating in this program, troops get a head start on funding their activities for the year! But why should you participate in this entrepreneurship-skill building, leadershipfilled program? That’s simple—you can expand your troop’s future experiences while gaining valuable life skills like money management, decision making, goal setting, people skills, and business ethics. NEW! Introducing M2—our new Product Program Vendor. M2 offers all new features that make the experience even better: • • • •
Enhanced website with exciting features Personalized avatar and patch Custom program crossover patch Exciting recognitions
Create your own avatar and patch!
How do I get training? Virtual trainings will begin in September for Service Unit Fall Product Program Coordinators and October for Troop Fall Product Program Coordinators.
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Leaders Weekend W
e’re going back to our roots for Earth Day for our Leader’s Weekend! A weekend made for leaders to connect, learn, and grow! Save the date for April 23-25 and join us for a sisterhood-forming, volunteer-bonding experience.
Save the Date! Leader’s Weekend 2021 April 23-25 18 Volunteer 411
Learn 2 Lead I
t’s time to kick off a new Girl Scout year. A new year means new skills you can learn! Join us for a leadership-building, skill-sharing good time at Learn 2 Lead. Jump into learning the skills to help you plan your troop activities, reconnect with fellow volunteers and staff members, and participate in some interactive group activities to help get you energized for the new Girl Scout year. This event is a time-honored tradition at GSMH and this year—it's virtual! To help with social distancing measures, we have decided to offer this as a virtualonly event. Join us from the comfort of your own home, while still getting the traditional Learn 2 Lead experience. And we even have a bonus session for a virtual campfire in the evening.
Get the Details! Saturday, October 10, 2020 | 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Campfire 5:15 - 7:00 p.m. Cost: $5 Registration opens August 2020.
REGISTER HERE Fall/Winter 2020
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New Badges, New Adventures N
ew Girl Scout badges are here—and we’ve added even more skill-building, friend-making, life-changing experiences to the Girl Scout program! There’s never been a better time for girls to practice ambitious leadership—and there’s no better place to do it than at Girl Scouts. This year, we’ve added new badges in entrepreneurship, STEM career exploration, automotive engineering, and civics. Entrepreneurship (grades K-12) Girls develop an entrepreneurial mindset as they engage in age-appropriate exercises that help them create and pitch a product or service that solves a problem. They build their own business plan and think about topics like production, cost, profit, marketing, and competition. STEM Career Exploration (grades 2-8) Girls explore their career interests and connect them to STEM fields— particularly computer science, nature/environmental science, engineering, design, health, and agriculture—that can help them address the pressing issues of our time and change the world. Automotive Engineering (grades K-5) Girls learn about designing, engineering, and manufacturing vehicles, as well as the future of mobility. They design their own vehicles, test prototypes, learn about design thinking, create their own assembly line manufacturing process, and more. Civics (grades K-12) Girls gain an in-depth understanding of how local, state, and federal government works, preparing them to be voters, activists, and, potentially, political leaders. They research laws and how they’re created, voting and the electoral college, the representation of women in government, and more. They also research their local government officials and are encouraged to meet them.
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MORE INFORMATION
Fall/Winter 2020
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Fall brings colder weather, but we got you covered! Warm up with our tie-dye hoodie!
GIRL SCOUTS MO MERCH
Join our Facebook Group! From Live Shopping events to staying current on all GSMH merch, join to stay conected!
GS Merch Alert We are excited to welcome you back for in-person shopping in September! When: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Where: Springfield, Jefferson City, Dexter How: Email info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org to place an order or schedule an appointment and we will contact you. Curbside pickup not for you? You can shop online and get free shipping for a limited time! Also, inperson shopping by appointment only begins the week of September 8. SHOP NOW 22 Volunteer 411
Girl Scouts Love State Parks E
mbarking on outdoor adventures has always been a part of Girl Scouts’ DNA— that’s why Girl Scouts’ partnership with state parks is a perfect fit! Although the COVID-19 pandemic has kept so many of us homebound, as Girl Scouts we’ve found new ways to connect with the great outdoors and one another. Through Girl Scouts Loves State Parks, girls have adventured and explored the outdoors and this year is the same. This year, girls can see the state parks in a whole new light, and they will have the ability to see parks all around the United States. Celebrate with us virtually the weekend of September 12 with councils all over the country through virtually touring 50 parks in 50 states! Girls can fill their virtual passport and keep track of the various state parks they have visited.
NEW! Girls can earn another patch through the Ranger Patch program. The focus this year is the 19th Amendment Girl Scouts Ranger Program.
LEARN MORE Fall/Winter 2020
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Earn this patch!
Promote the Vote O
n August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was officially ratified, giving women the right to vote in all elections. Now, a century later, women’s right to vote and advocate for positive change remains a reason to celebrate! Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland is celebrating the centennial of women’s suffrage and we are challenging our members—girls and adults—to join in! With the Promote the Vote Patch Program, you’ll explore why voting matters, find out about voting in your own community, and take action to persuade others to support a cause that is important to you. Girl Scouts was founded in the final years of the suffrage campaigns, and many women supported both movements. For example, Edith Carpenter Macy and Mamie Williams (among many others) were both suffragists. Girl Scouts’ emphasis on the importance of civics education and of understanding democracy and government began in 1918 with the first Civics badge, followed by a Citizens badge in 1920. This continues to be a priority today. Although the 19th Amendment was a significant step for women’s rights in our country, many women were still discriminated against and denied equal rights.
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Check out our patch program today!
PROMOTE THE VOTE
