Message from our CEO - August Town Hall Recap

Hello,

It warms my heart to think about how many of you attended the August 2015 Town Hall meetings throughout our area - a testament to the extraordinary work you have already done for our girls, and of your dedication to be ready to do what it takes to move our organization forward together.

Since the spring Town Hall  meetings, we have been working very hard to develop solutions designed to address the challenges that you expressed you are having – challenges that keep you from doing what you signed up to do: serve girls.

Family Partnership Change, Beginning October 1

At Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, volunteers deliver learning experiences to girls by encouraging them to reach for the stars. We appreciate all that you do to foster this community of discovery and support. Because of you, girls come together to share stories and experiences and make new friends that last a lifetime. And because of you, girls have exceptional role models who inspire them to do great things.

Beginning October 1, 2015, the Family Partnership program is being eliminated to relieve service units and troops of the burden of asking for support.

Product Sales News!

As we near the beginning of the Fall Product Program we are sending a plea to parents/guardians and leaders to take some time to review the following key fields needed to sell nuts/candy and cookies online. Login to your online account in eBiz and make sure these fields are populated with the up to date information for your family and/or troop:

• Girl name
• Girl date of birth
• Girl grade (for this coming school year)
• Parent/Guardian name
• Parent/Guardian email

Thank you for taking the time to help ensure the success of our Council sponsored product programs.

For help accessing and updating eBiz please email support@gscccc.org.

Student Night at the Opera

2015-2016 Season
Student Night at the Opera
Harrison Opera House
Norfolk, VA

4 Shows (Student/Chaperone): $30
4 Shows (Adult): $60

Orpheus in the Underworld
Jacques Offenbach
September 23, 2015
7 p.m.

La Boheme
Giacomo Puccini
November 4, 2015
7 p.m.

Romeo & Juliet
Charles Gounod
February 3, 2016
7 p.m.

The Flying Dutchman
 Richard Wagner
April 6, 2016
7 p.m.

For tickets and more information call 757-213-4550 or visit www.vaopera.org/snato.

Join Us for the Third Annual Leader Launch

Saturday, September 19, 2015
9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Church of the Holy Family
1279 N Great Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Calling all volunteers! You are invited to attend the third annual Leader Launch, presented by the Coastal Connection Community.

Join us as you browse displays, learn about the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and explore materials that can help you and the girls you mentor. New volunteer classes as well as enrichment classes will be offered free at this event.

See this flier for more information and register today.

For questions, please contact Cheryl McGrenra at cherylm@gsccc.org or 757-410-0595.

2015 Famous Former Honorees

Join us in congratulating our Famous Former Honorees for this year. They will be honored at our Famous Former Luncheon on Thursday, October 29, 2015, at the Norfolk Yacht & Country Club. Tickets are available for purchase at www.gsccc.org.

• Peggy Birkemeier, Retired Senior Associate with the North Carolina Community Foundation

• Emma Jean Brady, Retired Branch Manager with the Blackwater Regional Library

• Susan Colpitts, Founder, Chief of Client Engagement at Signature Family Wealth Advisors

• Barbara Hamm Lee, Executive Director and Host of Another View at WHRO Public Media

Zombie Fun Run and Party

Zombie Fun Run and Party
Chesapeake Central Library
October 17, 2015
5:30 p.m.

Volunteers are needed for this event that supports the Chesapeake Public Libraries. Volunteer with a group or individually to:

• Dress as a zombie to chase runners
• Give refreshments at the recovery station
• Assist at the games and books station

To register or for more information, contact Heather Simpson at 757-410-7127 or hsimpson@infopeake.org or visit ChesapeakeZombieRun.com. Spaces are limited.

Fall Product Rallies!

Are you looking for a fun and exciting way to kick off the Girl Scout year? Why not host a Fall Product Rally for your troop or service unit?

Rallies are a great way to get the girls excited while participating in fun hands-on activities that educate them on the nut and chocolate and magazine offerings, goal setting, leadership and other life skills. Our vendors, Ashdon Farms and QSP, are excited to offer service units and troops a Rally Guide. The Rally Guide includes planning steps, rally procedures and nine station ideas. Download this year's Rally Guide here.

Let’s motivate the girls to Be Spotacular!

The Barn Life at Cedar Hill Farms

The Horse Lovers Forever Saddle Club welcomes beginners through advanced riders starting at age four through adult to enjoy riding lessons at The Barn Life at Cedar Hall Farms.

The Barn Life offers the NEW Girl Scout Junior Horse Badge program along with The Barn Life fun patch for all levels of Girl Scouts. Troops and service units are welcome to host their next event at the farm!

The Barn Life at Cedar Hall Farms
1501 Gum Bridge Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23457

Call 757-237-6253 for more information or visit www.facebook.com/thebarnlife or www.thebarnlife.com.

2016 Cookie Program

The 2016 Girl Scout Cookie Program theme is "Worth Sharing", and the mascot is "Daisy Belle".

• Girl Scout Cookie Program starts January 9, 2016.

• Booth Sales start February 20, 2016.

• Tentative Service Unit Cookie Coordinator training dates are November 9-11, 2015.

Digital Cookie Update

• Freight costs are being reduced.

• There are no charges to customers for Gift of Caring orders.

• Help us prepare - parents and guardians, make sure both your information and your Girl Scout's information are correct in eBiz (name, email, date of birth and grade).

The gluten-free Toffee-Tastics are back! 

• Service units will be required to pre-order in October. 
• Inventory will be available in cupboards.

Cookie Captains
This is a new program that inspires older girls to build leadership skills as they mentor younger girls keeping them enthusiastic and engaged in the Girl Scout Cookie Program.

2015-16 Fall Product Program

The 2015-16 Fall Product Program Theme is "Reach New Heights".

• Fall Product Program starts October 3, 2015.
• Booth Sales start November 7, 2015.

Register for Service Unit Fall Product Coordinator Training online here.

Training Schedule
August 10, 2015 - Virginia Beach
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church
5345 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

August 10, 2015 - Peninsula
6:30-8:30 p.m.
First Christian Church
1458 Todds Lane
Hampton, VA 23666

August 11, 2015 - Chesapeake
9:30-11:30 a.m.
A Place for Girls
912 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, VA 23322

2015-2016 Service Unit On-Time Membership Rewards

Help your service unit earn big rewards for on-time membership renewal.

At Girl Scouts, it’s not just that you get to go – it’s that you get to go together. All of your troop’s adventures are even more special because all of the girls will have their friends right by their sides!

Make sure your troop renews their 2016 membership by Friday, September 25, 2015, at 4 p.m., and your service unit can earn a free or discounted encampment or a cookie costume. Learn more here.