Monthly Newsletter Issue 9 | The Power of Girl ScoutsSeptember
I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.
Grounded in the Girl Scout Promise and Law, Girl Scouting is an experiential, cooperative education program that promotes girls’ personal growth and leadership development. Partnering with caring adults, girls design fun and challenging activities that empower them and raise their voices within a local, national, and global sisterhood.
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Girl Scout Mission
On my honor, I will try: to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.
The Girl Scout Program
In This Edition Girl Scout Mission, Promise, and Law ..... 2 Contact Us ................................................. 3 Membership............................................... 4 2022-2023 Product Program .................5-6 Program and Volunteers ........................ 7-9 Celebrations .......................................... Trael............................................................10-1112MonthlyNewsletter September
Girl Scout Law
Girl Scout Promise
3 | The Power of Girl Scouts - Annual Report gsmw.org | 3 Contact Us! Phone: 406-252-0488 Email: customercare@gsmw.org Mail: 2303 Grand Ave | Bilings, MT 59102 @girlscoutsmtwyfacebook.com/GSMWcouncil @GSMWcouncil https://www.linkedin.com/company/gsmw Regional Facebook Groups GSMW - Billings, HDQ GSMW - Northeastern Wyoming GSMW - Eastcentral Wyoming GSMW - Southeast Wyoming GSMW - Southwest Wyoming GSMW - Southcentral Wyoming GSMW - Southwest Montana GSMW - Northcentral Montana GSMW - Southcentral Montana GSMW - Northwest Montana GSMW - Central Montana GSMW – Eastern Montana
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Between now and October 15, 2022, take the Girl Scout Grow Your Troop OR Build Another PLEDGE to recruit a minimum of TWO or more girls to your troop OR recruit two new volunteers to start their own troop by December 31, 2022.
1. If you grow your troop by recruiting two new girls OR two volunteers to start a new troop before December 31, 2022 the troop will receive TWO 24-can iCool Trail Cooler Backpacks, perfect to keep your troop snacks cool, while getting out and exploring the great outdoors!
2. If you recruit at least two or more girls to your troop or volunteers to start a new troop, your entire troop (including leaders), will receive a fun Recruit a Friend patch!
* In order to participate and qualify for any rewards for your troop, you must take the “PLEDGE” before October 15th. If you don’t end up with growth of two girls/volunteers, there is no penalty. However, in order to claim any rewards, you must officially register your pledge.*
On-Time Renewal
A portion of proceeds from this backpack goes to Shelter to Soldier, who trains service animals for veterans in need.
My Girl Scout Kit
September is Back to Troop season! If you spend $60 on items for new or returning girls, you are eligible for a free draw string bag in navy, lime, jade or black (while supplies last).
Fun with friends, new adventures, and making a difference. This year especially, she is ready to get going again and Girl Scouts is ready for her. Continuing her journey with Girl Scouts will allow her to build her leadership skills, learn how to impact her community, and take the next step toward changing the world. We can’t wait to launch another great year, renew by September 30th to receive the exclusive 2023 renewal patch!
Membership Grow Your Troop Or Build Another
2022-2023 Product Program Milestones Key Dates *September 8th at 7:00 PM* *September 13th at 6:00 PM* *September 13th at 7:30PM* *September 15th at 12 PM* October 1st - November 16th October 1st - October 23rd October 1st - Novemebr 16th at 9:59 PM October 23rd at 9:59 PM October 25th at 9:59 PM October 27th at 9:59 PM October 27th at 9:59 PM November 15th - 23rd November 17th at 9:59 PM Service Unit Kickoff Juliette Fall Kickoff Option 1: Troop Fall Kickoff Option 2: Troop Fall Kickoff Fall Program Paper Orders Online Orders Caregiver Entry Due in M2OS Troop Entry/Edits Due in M2OS Service Unit Edits Due in M2OS Online Girl Delivery Orders End Product Pickups from Service Unit Girl Reward Choice Due in M2OS ProgramProductFall gsmw.org | 5
Fall printed materials are on their way to Troop Leaders right now. If none of the leaders in the Troop receive materials by September 15th, please check in with your Service Unit Product Manager and/or email customercare@gsmw.org to request Fall materials. Fall is a fantastic way to get funds for your Troop to use throughout the year and can be done all ONLINE!
Volunteer trainings are right around the corner! Make sure you get registered for the appropriate time and date that works for you below.
Fall Product Program & Dates
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2022-2023 Product Manager Agreements Due
Inventory – GSMW Shop Closures
For the convenience of our customers our council shops won’t be closed at the same time.
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Billings – closed Weds 9/14 and Thurs 9/15 Great Falls – closed Weds 9/28 and Thurs 9/29
Product Manager Agreements were due the beginning of August. If you have not filled one out, it is not too late! Please complete your Troop Product Manager Agreement today so we have the right person to invite to trainings, send materials to, AND give access to the troop information in the Product Program Online sites (M2OS and Smart Cookie).
The Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming office has been relocated to: 1011 Bonnie Brae St. Casper, WY
The GSMW shops are getting ready to do their annual inventories in September and will be closed for two days each.
Questions? Please contact
2022-2023 Product Program
Did you hear the big news? Get ready to ‘Rally’ for our new cookie coming to the line-up this Spring – Raspberry Rally! This new cookie is a thin, crispy, cookie infused with raspberry flavor and dipped in chocolaty coating. We like to think of it as Thin Mint’s sister cookie! This cookie will be an online-exclusive cookie, meaning that you and your customers can only purchase it online to be shipped direct.
Ready, Set, Rally!!
If you are the Service Unit Product Manager for your area, please fill out the Service Unit Product Manager Agreement.
Check out the announcement and learn more!
Casper Office Relocated!
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• We will begin receiving orders from September 1st – 16th for boxes to be received October, November, and December.
What your girl can expect:
October
Girls will learn how to make smart money choices by creating and maintaining a budget. Daisies will earn the My Money Choices badge, Brownies will earn the Budget Builder badge, Juniors will earn the Budget Maker badge, and Cadettes will earn the Budget Manager badge.
• To explore the night sky, learn basic American Sign Language and the importance of communication, and how to manage their money wisely.
December
Badge in a Box Seasonal Subscription
Order Your Badge in a Box Here! 7 | The Power of Girl Scouts - June Monthly Newsletter
Girls will earn the GSMW American Sign Language patch! For many people, ASL is their primary language. By learning basic signs in ASL, girls are better able to make the world a better place while being a sister to every Girl Scout!
• Order link here!
• The fall series will expose your girls to STEM and life skills, two important Girl Scout pillars—all on their own schedule!
What you need to know: Just $25/Month!
Program and Volunteers
October — November —December
Fall Series
• We will be processing and packaging boxes in September; expect to receive your first box in October and each month from there forward.
• Each box will contain everything girls will need to earn their badge, plus some fun extras to take the adventure outside the box.
Girls will earn the Space Science badge! October is a great time to learn about Space Science. October 4th-10th is World Space Week. People all around the world will be focusing on space and sustainability. On October 20th through the 21st, you should be able to see a meteor shower known as the Orionids.
November
Our fall Badge in a Box subscription series will encourage girls to try new things! This series includes one of the new badges released by GSUSA as well as a GSMW council own patch. Step away from your busy schedule and earn badges on your own time.
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First, on October 13th, Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors can snack or dine along with wild animals during the Zoology Nutrition program. Participants will explore what and how wild animals eat while also learning about the importance of personal nutrition.
Then, on October 17th, our Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors, under the expert instruction of The Kids Table’s professional chef educators, will create two healthy culinary delights: Easy Being Green Dip and Fruit Kabobs with Chocoloate Fondu. For more information, check out the Cookin’ with Girl Scouts event page.
GSMW Council-Sponsored Program Calendar of Events
Across council, GSMW staff and volunteers, along with generous community sponsors, host signature programs throughout the Girl Scout year. This year, we have a calendar of events that is sure to entertain and educate your Girl Scouts. Be on the lookout for your area’s programs occurring throughout the year:
October Virtual Life Skills Programs
Participants in both programs will receive a fun patch!
GSUSA Daisy Petal Badges
This learning Path is a fun and fast introduction to the ten updated Daisy Petals Badges. The updated Daisy Petal Badges are designed to thoughtfully guide a Daisy, their parents, and troop volunteers through their first two years of Girl Scouting and help Daisies understand the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Each course in this Learning Path is a short exploration of each Petal Badge. Courses provide hands on, age-appropriate activity ideas in the updated format of three steps/two choices for wider variety and greater choice. Courses share ideas for how to use the unique Girl Scout Leadership Experience framework of keeping activities girlled, encouraging learning by doing and fostering cooperative learning and each course concludes with convenient links of additional resources.
Program and Volunteers
Girl Scouts of all ages can enjoy one of two virtual Life Skills events offered by GSMW this October.
GSMW Council-Sponsored Event Calendar Girl Scouts Love State Parks In-person Life Skills programming In-person and virtual Think Like a Programmer Journeys Annual Virtual Crafting Cadettes, Seniors, & Ambassadors voted to attend in-person ART programs Girl Scout Day of Science & Girl Scout Week virtual events Virtual In-personeventsSpring Spruce & Resident Camp In-person Outdoor programs & Resident Camp Resident Camp Certain MT & WY regions will offer additional programming September October DecemberNovember OtherAugustJulyJuneAprilMarchJanuary VirtualLifeSkills
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts has created the 2022 International Day of the Girl activity pack for use by our girls and volunteers. The organization hopes that by following the steps laid out in this #GirlsSpeakUp activity pack, you will discover how simple and rewarding it is to consult your Girl Scouts in a way that is Relevant, Exciting, Accessible and Learner-led. Download the activity pack and prepare your Girl Scouts for the International Day of the Girl on October 11th, 2022!
Troops can request online access from their banks to avoid a monthly statement fee. Please contact your MEM if you have questions or accounting@gsmw.org for additional assistance.
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9 | The Power of Girl Scouts - Annual Report
Finance Tip:
Learn More About Troop Banking Here!
International Day of the Girl
In 2012, The United Nations named October 11th the International Day of the Girl (IDG), and Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world have been celebrating ever since. Each year, the day is a moment for us to come together to raise up girls' voices and show how our Movement empowers girls to shape the world they want to see.
Program and Volunteers
Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate turning 110 years old this year!
Extra, Extra, Read All About It in our 2022 Yearbook! Read about the different Gold Award winners and their projects, see who won all of the many volunteer awards, peruse a fun story about one of our recent graduates and so much more! Check out our all new GSMW Yearbook! gsmw.org | 10
GSMW 110th Celebrations
10 | The Power of Girl Scouts - Annual Report Celebrations Here’s to the next century of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
We held three events across council including Billings, Helena, and Cheyenne. Our Jackson event has been postponed until summer 2023. In total we had over 370 attendees participate in activities like archery, sapphire mining, canoeing, learning business skills, leather stamping, outdoor cooking, orienteering, first aid, hiking, fishing, and much more!
Morgan K. Mental Health Improvement Suicide Prevention Gold Award Girl Scout
Margrit Firehammer
Alumna Spotlight
When did you start with Girl Scouts?
Girl Scout Alumna
1950 - Seventh grade meant a new school and a new route to walk there. I often shared this with Christa, a 9th grade girl who lived down the street. She told me about the Pfadi (Girl Guides), where she was a Patrol Leader, and invited me to a meeting. My mother was sure this was a one-time thing and cancelled my piano lesson so I could attend a meeting of Troop #9. As usual, the troop met somewhere in the forest. That first day we made tin can stoves and cooked tea. I loved it all. I have been a Girl Scout ever since and have not had another piano lesson for 72 years!
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Click Here to Read Margrit's Story!
Celebrations
Morgan K. of Lyman, WY earned her Girl Scout Gold Award by raising awareness for mental health at her high school. She designed decals with inspirational quotes and a QR code linking people to a website with resources and support for students. The decals were placed in the school’s bathrooms and locker rooms. Morgan also took a leadership role during Suicide Prevention week by creating a Character Ed lesson for students about mental health.
Highest Award Spotlight
Congratulations Morgan!
Visit the current Destinations web page now for a preview and to access application materials.
Adult Travel with Girl Scouts
Girl Scout Trips and Travel Opportunities
Fostering lifelong friendships and global connections, Girl Scouts through Club Adventures will introduce adult Girl Scouts (volunteers, lifetime members, supporters, etc) to incredible places around the world. Unleash your curiosity, discover new destinations, and connect with women from across the country. These tours are an opportunity to make new friends and keep the old ones close, so gather your friends (or former troop mates) and join us! And, with a local woman leader at the helm, you'll gain perspective on the destination's traditions. For more information on trips to the Galapágos, Morocco, Savannah, and more, check out the Girl Scouts Club Adventures
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Beyond the United States, Destinations can take you to fifteen countries across four continents! Take a hiking challenge in the Swiss Alps or the Peruvian Andes. Immerse yourself in culture through the food of Thailand, or by exploring the Māori culture in New Zealand.
TravelAdult
Travel
Girl Scout Destinations
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GSUSA is in the middle of re-vamping their Girl Travel web page, but they are eager to announce that applications for GSUSA Destinations will open this September 20th. Visit girlscouts.org/destinations by September 20th to see everything new and to access the application for next summer’s trips!
Here’s a preview of the Destinations you can expect to see on the new website by mid-September:
Destinations are planned in sixteen states! There’s an adventure for every Girl Scout – from the California coast to Broadway, from the mountains of Colorado to the Great Lakes, to an opportunity to attend Girl Scouts 56th National Council Session and Phenom Convention in Orlando, Florida with a team of new friends.
Global and Domestic Travel with Girl Scouts Destinations
