Girl Scouts CEO on New England Cable News Tonight

Watch New England Cable News' Broadside: The News with Jim Braude at 8 p.m. tonight 9Friday, Feb. 19)!
Girl Scouts of Eastern MA CEO Ruth N. Bramson will be on his weekly quiz show.

Reminder: World Thinking Day is Monday, Feb. 22

COUNCIL NEWS: Girl Scouts' World Thinking Day is coming up on February 22.
Each year on this day, girls participate in activities and projects with global themes to honor their sister Girl Scouts in other countries.
The theme for World Thinking Day 2010 worldwide is "together we can end extreme poverty and hunger."
In this spirit we encourage our girls to explore ways they can help make the world a better place.
World Thinking Day not only gives Girl Guides and Girl Scouts a chance to celebrate international friendships, but is also a reminder that Girl Scouts of the USA is part of a global community—one of 145 countries in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). “Think globally, act locally,” is the mantra for encouraging girls to design activities that increase cultural awareness and emphasize the positive connections between Girl Scouts in the United States and their sisters throughout the world.

Girl Scout Camp T-Shirt Design Contest Deadline is March 8

Girl Scout Camp T-Shirt Design Contest
GET CREATIVE! Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Council needs your help to design the coolest Girl Scout Camp T-shirt EVER!
The winner’s t-shirt design will be worn by happy Girl Scout campers all summer long.
If you want to be the winning designer follow the instructions below:
* Present your design using one to three colors, make sure you show how much fun camp is! * Designs may be created on the computer or drawn by hand.
* They can be submitted on white 8 1/2 x 11 paper or via e-mail.
All designs must be received by 5 pm on Monday March 8, 2010.
Finalists will be selected and the winning design will be announced on the
Girl Scout Birthday, March 12.
 Winner will receive a fabulous gift package from the Girl Scout shop.
 The winning design will be featured in the Girl Scout shops and Camp Trading Post.
 The winning designer will be announced in our E-newsletter to 32,000 households.
 A photo and press release of the winner will be sent to their local paper.
Submit this signed form along with your design by mail or e-mail to:
ATTN: Girl Scout Camp T-shirt Design Contest
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts
95 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116
Email: contest@girlscoutseasternmass.org
All designs submitted become the property of Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts.
Designs may be altered. Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts has the right to
determine when, if and how all designs will be used.
Name_________________________________
Phone________________________
Address _____________________________
City/State/Zip____________________
Age______
Email ________________________________
Years in Girl Scouting____
Troop #_______________
Service Unit: ____________________________________
Signature of parent or guardian (if applicant is under 18)
___________________________________________________________________

Council Coco Key Event CANCELLED

The Coco Key event on Friday, Nov. 20 has been cancelled by Council.
For additional information visit: http://framinghamgirlscouts.blogspot.com/2009/10/girl-scout-day-at-coco-key-water-resort.html

NEW Volunteer Recognitions Announced by Council

EASTERN MA COUNCIL NEWS: With the Girl Scout year underway, volunteers are hard at work providing quality programs.
Take a moment to help Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts and the Service Unit recognize volunteers who go above and beyond the job description by nominating volunteers for the adult recognition awards.
At the Council level volunteers can earn the Appreciation Pin, Honor Pin, Thanks Badge, and Thanks Badge II, while Service Units can be awarded the President’s Award. Service Units can award the Outstanding Volunteer and Outstanding Leader awards.

This year GSEM has created 3 new recognitions:
* Green and Growing - for outstanding new volunteers;
* Sustained Service Award - for volunteers who continue to provide the same excellent service year after year
* Make New Friends Certificate – a recognition to give thanks to community organizations that support local Girl Scouts.

More information will be available on the Eastern Massachusetts Council Web site soon.
In the meantime the nomination forms are available in the Resources and Forms library on the website under Awards, Volunteer Recognition Nomination and Volunteer Recognition Endorsement.
The deadline for nominations is January 8, 2010.
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Green and Growing Pin Design Contest
The Green & Growing Pin will be awarded to adults who have been troop volunteers for less than 2 years and have already exemplified the qualities of an outstanding troop volunteer.
The contest is open to all registered adults in Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts.
The design can include up to three colors and will be reproduced on a 1” enamel pin.
Entries should be received electronically and in full color.
Entries are due by Tuesday December 1, 2009 to klambert-serna@girlscoutseasternmass.org in order to be considered by our Adult Recognitions Committee.
Click on this link for more information.
http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/Volunteer/green-and-growing.pdf

Eastern Massachusetts Council Now on Facebook

Leaders are invited to join the group at
www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Boston-MA/Girl-Scouts-of-Eastern-Massachusetts/95226843716

As of tonight, there are already 599 fans.
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November Service Unit Meeting Minutes

All leader meetings this year to be held the first Tuesday of the month at the Plymouth Church.
Next meeting = Dec 1
Agenda: Cookie University. Each troop planning to sell cookies should send their Cookie Parent or another parent volunteer. New volunteers should plan to stay for the meeting starting at 7 pm, experienced volunteers may choose to stay and listen or just pick up their supplies between 7-8 pm

November Service Unit Meeting Attendance: 16

*Fall Registration: is now closed. If you troop still plans to register or you have additional girls joining your Troop please contact Deb at 508-405-1211 or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FraminghamGirlScoutLeaders/post?postID=WT0-mhxLq-WKWSa1w126zBwRpkLbUb3kk_yoD99-R83Sh0bRE_YkcCPIlMDYAqXaOa8sbmUgU8PQqQq2WcIm
Reminder: Your Troop may not sell cookies if it is not registered by Dec 1st.
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* Service Unit Open Positions: We are still in search of a Town Coordinator and Registrar. Any one interested in either of these positions is encouraged to contact Nancy for the Coordinator position at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FraminghamGirlScoutLeaders/post?postID=Zk4tUmgYbrxjWaQU-5k7y3czP-42W2tCxgUbQ8N5pYsKQ3H8_4zE1nhshHQCPsbae59aFp8rO32Stck and Deb for the Registrar position at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FraminghamGirlScoutLeaders/post?postID=6i-N7_bXV8sGrIAZLWu8Zznlf6gQ78cNt9G0U-OycTApVDMSGPFusU64Fd5iYnYkM7n0S6UhmdpHOExjS7tsbag so they can help describe the time commitment involved. It is very important that both these positions get filled as soon as possible to keep the town programs running smoothly.
* Cookies: It is important that Helena hear from your troop if you wish to sell cookies this year at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FraminghamGirlScoutLeaders/post?postID=dsdMRdZuDQzzda3sfSmP5jRuhoPUCETtduKHu0gyOcRVtFl5bDu5_Gz7pf2S9Hwkq5PgJEo4BcbtrQ Cookie University will be held at the Plymouth Church on Tuesday, Dec 1st, but Helena must have the following information ASAP to prepare your Troop materials: Troop #; Cookie parent name, phone number, and e-mail; # of girls in the Troop and level of Troop.
* Leader List: A list of current leaders in town was given out at the meeting and a copy placed in each Troop box for those who could not attend. Please check your Troop folder at the church
* Library Display: Once again a great job on the display window this past October. Watch for another display next March
* Service Unit Treasurer: We have a new treasurer for the town! Thank you Mary Ayotte! She lives at 56 Jean St and can be reached at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FraminghamGirlScoutLeaders/post?postID=Mt-v2VIRuNtAE9n5D0VFxjfPMBRLley50pafZtHLTmJ8Eqdo46YCr8Jp3MJgHM9Nto6R5rm1KLdQ8w3dRiRo or 508-877-9202
* Bank Accounts: Instructions on opening troop bank accounts will be forwarded soon, watch the yahoo e-mails.
* CORI: We are working on getting a town SU member authorized to witness the CORI's watch for further information
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*Review of required forms: Please feel free to contact any SU members with any questions about which forms should be kept and when they are due, new leaders are encouraged to attend training sessions with the council. A new training is in the process of being scheduled. Watch the yahoo e-mail for date and time.
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*Council Updates:
* Council offices will be closed: Nov 26-27 and Dec 25 to Jan 3
* Troop Terrific Patch: Troops which demonstrate well rounded experiences for their girls. For complete details, visit www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/forms/Troop-Terrific-Patch.pdf
* Bronze/Silver/Gold Awards: Check the Council Web site for new ideas from the Leadership Experience.
* Upcoming Volunteer dates to watch:
* Jan. 8 = nominations for Volunteer Recognitions due to Council
* March 11 = Volunteer Recognition Dinner
* April 10 = Thank you day for volunteers --- lunch in Quincy
* May 5 = Outdoor skills day in Norton
* June 25 = Gold Award Ceremony
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Town wide Events update:
* Oct 25: Math and Computer Workshop at St Bridget School Hall. Approximately 70 girls attended from 9 troops
* Nov 1: Roller skating party. A great time just over 100 girls attended; look for pictures on the Web site
* Dec 1: Cookie University. Please pre-register with Helena at helenasic@...
* Tree Lighting --TBA: We need to hear from the town regarding the completion of construction at town hall
* January Service Unit Meeting: Leader swap night: Bring in your old badge, handbooks, unused patches or badges to swap or give away
* Girl Scout Sunday: St Bridget Church will host a Mass on Sun, March 7 at 9 a.m. Watch for flyer
* Girl Scout Bowling: Tentatively scheduled for Sat, March 6 late morning/early afternoon.
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UPDATED Girl Scouts Policy on H1N1

www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/forms/GSInformationrelatedtoH1N1.doc

New TROOP TERRIFIC Patch Program Offered by Council

For complete details, visit
www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/forms/Troop-Terrific-Patch.pdf.
It is a PDF File.

Registration: Girl Scouts Day - Saturday, Sept. 12 at several Massachusetts Malls

Saturday, September 12, is Girl Scout Day in Eastern Massachusetts and to commemorate the day, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Council is hosting a series of registration and celebration events at eight area Simon Malls from noon – 3 p.m. (Solomon Pond Mall in Marlborough is the closest to Framingham).
The cost to register your daughter for Girl Scouts this year is just $12.
Framingham Girl Scouts will hold its own registration on Monday, Oct. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, at the corner of Brook and Water streets, in Framingham.
Participating malls in Saturday's Girl Scout Day registrations include:
Arsenal Mall in Watertown
Burlington Mall in Burlington
Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis
Liberty Tree in Danvers
Northshore Mall in Peabody
Solomon Pond Mall in Marlborough
South Shore Plaza in Braintree
Square One Mall in Saugus

Gold Award Orientation in Waltham on Oct. 6

Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts will hold a Gold Award Orientation session Oct 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Camp Cedar Hill in Waltham.
Pre-registration is required but the fee is $0 for Scout, adult, or leader.
Girls and adults are encouraged to attend orientation before beginning to work on the Gold Award.
You will learn about the process and get tips to move forward.
GSUSA's new guidelines will be discussed and all questions will be answered.
Senior & Ambassador level Scouts are eligible.

Go For It! Silver award Orientations on October 6 in Waltham

This info session is for Cadettes interested in pursuing the Girl Scout Silver Award, and for the adults who will support them. Learn about the prerequisites, appropriate projects and documentation. Please check our website for the newest requirements.
GSUSA was updating Silver Award requirements in August 2009.
Date: Oct 06 from 6 to 8 p.m.
at Camp Cedar Hill in Waltham
Pre-registration is required but there is no fee for Scout, adult or leader.

Early Bird Spring Registration Deadline is June 15

The spring registrations are starting to come in!
Thanks to all the leaders who have already registered.
To those of you who have yet to get the registrations in to me---What are you waiting for? :) Remember the fall will be SO much easier getting up and started if your troop is already registered.
My Girl Scout bin is out front by the basketball hoop. I'm usually home so feel free to ring the doorbell and drop it off.
If you have any questions AT ALL please email or call me! (E-mail works better but I will call you back, if you call.) No question is dumb. I'm here to help.
The Award of First Troop to Register goes to troop 72172 who not only got the registrations in first but turned them before June! Thanks to Kim McCarthy and Colleen Hildreth!
Let's see if Framingham can be 100% registered by June 15!
Deb Brisbois
Framingham Girl Scout Registrar

Top Girl Scout Cookie Seller in Massachusetts

Shannon Leary, 15, of Quincy, sold 2,254 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, which, according to the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, makes her the highest seller in the state.

READ MORE AT:
http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/state_news/x1176003750/Top-Girl-Scout-sells-2-254-boxes-in-Massachusetts

Girl Scout Registration Increasing to $12

At the National Council Session last fall, the Girl Scout delegation approved a change in GSUSA's annual membership fee, to $12, starting in the 2009-2010 membership year.
Membership renewals this spring and in the fall will be at the new rate not at $10.
GSUSA says the last increase was in Oct 2003, and over the last 40 years, there have been increases approximately every 6 years.
The entire membership fee goes to GSUSA in New York, to help them pay for program and resource development, research and outreach initiatives, technology and insurance for members.

Booth Sale Opportunity: Sell Girl Scout Cookies at Natick Service plaza on MassPike

Exciting news!! Girl Scouts have been invited to have cookie booth sales at the Natick Service Plaza on the Eastbound MassPike for the next three weekends!
These dates will be assigned as part of the council-organized booth sale program, and will be filled on a first-come, first served basis.

Details: Booth Sale shifts are available from 10am-3pm on the following days:

Saturday March 14, 21, and 28
Sunday March 15 and 22

Troops will be able to set up by one or both entrances to the Natick Service Plaza on the eastbound side of the Mass Turnpike.
You may set up right outside the doors if the weather is nice, or just inside if it is inclement. Please do not block entrance/exit doors and keep all personal belongings secured and out of the way of traffic (both pedestrian and vehicular).

If you would like to reserve a spot, please e-mail cookieboothsale@girlscoutseasternmass.org with your troop number, requested date(s), and troop contact name, e-mail, and phone number. Please provide alternate dates if possible.

Please contact me if you have questions.
I look forward to hearing from you!

Deb Shea
Administrative Assistant, Product Sales
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts
95 Berkeley Street, Boston , MA 02116
Phone 617 482-1078 x 5323 Fax 617 482-9045
dshea@girlscoutseasternmass.org
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Council Offering April School Vacation Week Camp Days in Waltham; But No Bus Service This year

Girl Scout Council of Eastern Massachusetts is again offering day camp 4 days during April School vacation.
Each camp has a specific theme and will be held at Cedar Hill in Waltham from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost for each day is $30.
Below is a summary on each day's activities:
April 21: POP STAR CAMP: Create your own pop star persona at camp! Learn how to be a true diva on stage. Create pop star jewelry. End your day with a pop star performance by other campers. The stage is yours!
April 22: Mission Earth Camp: Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Save Planet Earth from global pollution. Master the eco-friendly challenges! Can you recycle more materials than the average girl? Can you complete the trash triathlon? Yes, you can!
April 23: Camp Fabulous: Do you have what it takes to be a fabulous camper? We think so! Come experience why camp is so marvelous! Try outdoor cooking, games, songs and crafts while spending time with friends outdoors.
April 24: Adventure Camp: Do you crave a little adventure in your life? Could you hit the bull's eye in archery if your team depended on you? Boulder across a rock wall or walk the tight wire? Test your limits in this adventure-filled day.

Unfortunately this year, Council has eliminated bus service to the Waltham-based school vacation week camps from the Framingham/Natick area.

COUNCIL's reasoning: "As for April Vacation Camp, we ran buses through Framingham the last 2 years. We had 4-6 girls on the bus. It was not cost effective to continue at this rate."
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To register, for any of the days visit: http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/programs/search.html
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Framingham Bus Service Available For Camp Winnetaska This Summer

Bus Service for Camp Winnetaska in Ashland is available for Framingham residents.
Unfortunately, the information for Bus #4 didn't make it into the Camp Brochure sent out to all registered Girl Scouts by the Eastern Massachusetts Council.
Here is the information that was missing:
Bus 4: am pick-up / pm drop-off
Natick: Lilja School 7:45 5:15
Natick: Johnson School 7:55 5:05
Natick: Brown School 8:05 4:55
Framingham: McCarthy School 8:15 4:45
Framingham: Keefe Vocational School 8:25 4:35
Southboro: Town House Tot Lot 8:40 4:20
For more information on summer camp at Camp Winnetaska visit:
http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/programs/camp-day-winnetaska.html

Council News on Girl Scout Cookie Sales!

This from Council:
SALE EXTENDED THROUGH MARCH 31!
Because of inclement weather in January, the first few weeks of the cookie sale were challenging. We have extended the sale to give everybody a chance to sell in better weather.
Book another booth sale, and the girls can go back out with order cards.
Make reservations in QuickBase, then go to any cupboard to pick up the cookies.
You can keep booth sale cookies for up to a week now, so you have time to create more opportunities to sell out.
The final payment date is now April 2.

Girl Scout Cookies Safe from Peanut Recall

Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts wants to assure the public that two bakers of peanut butter Girl Scout cookies are not affected by the peanut butter recall. The peanut butter used by ABC Bakers' Peanut Butter Sandwich and Peanut Butter Patty cookies is not linked to the recall. According to ABC Bakers', they do not source peanut butter from either PCA or King Nut. ABC Bakers' peanut butter supplier is Hampton Farms. Further, incoming peanut butter shipments are tested for salmonella to prevent contamination of our products. ABC Bakers is the company used by Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts for their cookie sales. Little Brownie Bakers also announced in a statement that their products are not made with peanut butter tied to the recall. The company said that they do not use peanut butter supplied by the Peanut Corporation of America which is the focus of the FDA Investigation.

The annual Girl Scout cookie sale began on January 5th and ends March 15th.
Stock up while you can! This year Girl Scout cookies include Thin Mints, Caramel deLites; Peanut Butter Patties, Shortbread, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Lemonades, Thanks-A-Lot and the brand new Daisy Go Rounds, in honor of Daisy Girl Scouts sell Girl Scout cookies for the first time! The Daisy Go Rounds contain five grab-and-go snack packs full of crispy cinnamon flowers blooming with flavor in every bite. All the eight varieties of cookies are lower in trans fat per serving than FDA regulations.

.For more information about the Girl Scout cookie sale, please visit www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/cookies
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