New Troop Leader Newsletter - November 2023

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Thank You Volunteers!

In this season of reflection, I am truly grateful for our incredible volunteers who invest their time and energy to the mission of Girl Scouts. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for stepping up and being a Girl Scout volunteer. The fun, support, and encouragement you bring to the table make a bigger difference than you'll ever know. Your dedication helps to build girls of courage, confidence, and character.

We are reimagining our spaces and places. We are inviting you to take the Girl Scout Places Survey. You will find it in the Membership section of this Newsletter.

GSNETX shops and offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving break starting Tuesday, November 21 and reopening on Monday, November 27.

Mark your calendars for the November New Leader Virtual Meeting on November 14 and 15. You can find the times for the meetings, the Zoom link, and topics for the meeting in the Volunteer Learning section of this newsletter. If you were unable to attend any of the prior New Leader Virtual Meetings, you can find the PowerPoints in the archive section of the New Leader Rallyhood.

We love questions! Connect with the New Leader Engagement Team at newtroop@gsnetx.org.

This Month's Topics • • • •

Membership Volunteer Learning Product Sales Camp

• • • • •

Programs, Events & Activities Girl Scout Traditions Patches of the Month Mental Health & Wellness Troop Leader Resources

Still Need to Renew for Year 2?

Are you a second-year troop with members that still need to renew their 2023/2024 Girl Scout memberships? Girls who do not currently hold an active 2024 Girl Scout membership cannot attend troop meetings, GSNETX events, or service unit activities. Membership renewal is also required to participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. There’s so much more to explore with your Girl Scout crew. Please reach out to your parents to get your Girl Scouts renewed for another year and keep the excitement going!

Renew in MYGS

Girl Scout Places Survey We're reimagining our spaces and places! If you frequent our Service Centers (or if you wish there was one closer to you) we want to hear what you need our spaces to be for them to serve you and your girls better! Share your feedback in the Girl Scout Places Survey.

Due by November 5!

Share Your Feedback

November New Leader Virtual Meeting Get the latest news and answers to your pressing questions, LIVE! You have two options to attend – Tuesday, November 14 at 7 pm or Wednesday, November 15 at noon. Topics will include Girl Scout traditions, cookie program info, ideas for how to incorporate mental health & wellness into your troop meetings, and more!

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98769569379 Meeting ID: 987 6956 9379 Passcode: 222832

New Leader Required Trainings

TR402: Protecting Our Girls is REQUIRED for all volunteers every 2 years. You can find the New Leader required trainings in gsLearn in your MY GS account.

New Leader Required Training

TR301: GSNETX Camping Certification This is a BLENDED LEARNING course, meaning you take the class by starting online in gsLearn (Part A), and finish by registering for an inperson part of the class that happens at one of our GSNETX Properties where you learn additional skills and do hands on learning (Part B).

Camp Training Part A

Camp Training Part B

TR401: First Aid/AED/CPR Certification This course is conducted by a certified First Aid/CPR/AED instructor whose First Aid course has been reviewed and meets GSUSA course requirements. Any adult Girl Scout volunteer or parent may participate.

FIRST AID TRAINING

Camp

Learn More About Rallyhood in gsLearn Learn how Rallyhood is going to help GSNETX and how GSNETX will use Rallyhood and more. Join Rallyhood.

Rallyhood Training in MY GS

GSNETX Learning Channel on Facebook Check out daily micro-content and pop-up learning events on this Facebook page. Look for these events: • •

Organizing your Troop Financials 101 Sweet and Salty "Healthier" Caramel Apples

Learning Channel GSNETX

New TCMs or volunteers returning to the role after a break must take Cookies 101 in addition to the TCM Quick Start Training.

Refer to Cookie Resources.

Resources for Cookie Sellers Our website's Resources for Cookie Sellers section has answers to many common questions about cookies.

Cookie Resources

Parent Permission Form

Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors!

Cookie University for D/B/J at JAF Cookie University is great for returning and new Daisy, Brownie and Junior (K-5) Girl Scouts. It’s a fun and exciting event where girls will hone their "5 Skills" of cookie sales and gear up to conquer the upcoming year's Cookie Program.

Cookie University

Bringing your Girl Scouts to camp is a great way to unplug and connect with one another and nature! Each of our camp properties offers something a little different. "Camp Properties at a Glance" contains a quick guide for each property.

Properties at a Glance

Troop Camping and Family Camping For Family Camping, Troop Camp Training is NOT required and First Aid/CPR/AED Certification is NOT required.

For Troop Camping, Troop Camp Training is required and First Aid/CPR/AED certificaton is required.

Family & Troop Camping is open for September to December and January to May. Do you need help registering for camp? Check out this youtube video, GSNETX - How to register for weekend camping. Ultra-Camp how-to.

Weekend Camping

How-to-register

NEW! Program Resource Guide We hear you! After receiving feedback from our Girl Scouts and volunteers, the GSNETX Girl Programs Team put their creative minds together and created this handy resource guide to help members plan for and navigate our council's many events and activities.

Visit our website to view the Program Resource Guide.* New events are added throughout the year! *New assets coming soon: Stay turned for a Spanish version of this guide, which will also include information on areas volunteers need most support in, including multicultural patches, DEIRJ topics, and community events with badge connection.

Program Resource Guide

Robotics Club Have Girl Scouts excited about creating robots and things that move? Start a FIRST LEGO League Junior Robotics Team!

More Information

NEW Badges for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors Calling all Makers! We’re excited to announce our new Maker badges, all made possible by Stanley Black Decker. Unlock your creativity and a new badge.

Maker Badges

The Nutcracker at the Blecher Center Longview, Tx Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Nutcracker Ballet on November 17.

Girl Scout Group Discount

Special Interest Club - Miss Media Whether you're interested in photography, video, or writing, your unique skills are welcome here. Our team engages in collaborative projects that highlight the Girl Scouts' values and stories, and we offer skill-building workshops to ensure your growth. Get started today and amplify the voice of Girl Scouts!

Miss Media Team member Eisha Alam writes about ways to maximize the girl-led experience for troops and members. Check it out.

Miss Media Club

Girl Scout Leadership Institute (GSLI) The Institute gives girls in grades 9-12, the opportunity to visit local corporations and universities, gain access to female role models and empower girls to positively impact their communities now and in the future.

GSLI - Info

Workshops & Events Click on each image to see upcoming events sorted by your Girl Scout's program grade level (PGL).

The Friendship Circle Representing the unbroken chain of friendship among Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world, the Friendship Circle involves Girl Scouts standing in a circle, crossing their right arms over their left, and clasping hands with their friends on both sides. Everyone then makes a silent wish as a friendship squeeze is passed from hand to hand around the circle.

Native American History Month Throughout November, Native American Heritage Month celebrates the cultures, histories, and countless contributions that Native American communities have provided to the United States. We invite you to take this opportunity to learn more about the cultures of the Indian Nations in your state and across the country. Not a free patch Celebrate at Old City Park Fun Patch Activities - English

Actividades en Espanol

Celebrate! at Old City Park

Pajamas For Seniors Participating Girl Scouts will donate new pajamas and improve the quality of life for residents of nursing homes, assisted living, and adult daycare facilities. This patch is available year-round. Free patch PJs For Seniors

New! Nature Cat Explorer Patch Earn a free Nature Cat Explorer patch by completing one activity from each character section: Nature Cat, Daisy, Squeeks, and Hal. Download the Girl Scout Explorer Patch Program Guide and get started on your outdoor adventure (like only Girl Scouts can do).

GS Explorer Patch Program Guide

Activ

Mindful Mini-Breaks - Balloon Breath When we feel stressed or anxious we may breathe into our chest, taking short and shallow breaths. When we breathe into our bellies it can help us to become calm. Before a meeting or activity, guide Girl Scouts to take deep breaths.

Say: • • • • •

Picture a balloon in your favorite color.

Place your hands on your belly, imagining your belly has become the balloon.

Take a big breath in, imagine your belly is blowing up like a balloon.

Breath out, letting go of all the air from your belly & lungs as you feel your balloon deflate.

As you breathe in and out, feel your belly rise up and sink in.

Explore these programs with FREE activities Designed for Girl Scouts in 4th to 12th grades, our new mental wellness patches help girls learn about self-care, build healthy habits, safely explore their feelings, and to seek support and resources in a safe and intimate setting.

Mental Wellness

This month, consider using Rethink Care to engage in activities that support your mental health and wellbeing. As a GSNETX volunteer, you have FREE access to 250+ science-based mini-courses covering a wide array of topics. Download the RethinkCare app from the App Store or Google Play and enter your login credentials. Start training via Desktop, Android or iOS app. Anytime. Anywhere.

Create an Account

Info Center on Rallyhood This info center is a source for mental health and wellness articles, videos, activities, and info sheets. Volunteers are encouraged to share these resources with parents/caregivers to help reduce mental health stigma and increase awareness.

INFO Center

Want to know more or have questions?

Contact GSNETX Mental Health and Wellness Manager, Brittany Kelly at bkelly@gsnetx.org.

Girl Scout Places Survey We're reimagining our spaces and places! If you frequent our Service Centers (or if you wish there was one closer to you) we want to hear what you need our spaces to be for them to serve you and your girls better! Share your feedback Girl Scout Places Survey.

Due by November 5!

We Want Your Feedback

Volunteer Essentials and Safety Activity Checkpoints Check out the Volunteer Essentials. This guide is designed to support busy troop volunteers on the go. You can easily find what you need to get started on your Girl Scout journey and search for answers throughout the troop year. Safety Activity Checkpoints is a resource for Girl Scout members that provides general safety standards and guidelines for activities and outings.

Adding a New Leader or Co-Leader to your troop?

Have you recently added a new volunteer as a co-leader to your troop?

Send your troop number, the name of your new co-leader, his/her email address, and phone number to newtroop@gsnetx.org with the subject heading New Leader/Co-leader for Troop XXXX SUXXX. We will make sure your new leader gets trained and receives resources and support created especially for first year leaders.

Email

Build-A-Bear Workshops We’re excited to announce that Build-A-Bear Workshops will be coming to the JoAnn Fogg Girl Scout Shop, featuring all your favorite Girl Scout bears and accessories! The Girl Scout Shop is accepting Build-Your-Own Party reservations online. Questions? Email Shops at shop@gsnetx.org.

Find more resources, guides and more.

Resources

Have a question? Don't be shy!

Contact us for more information.