Parades for Girl Scouts

Girl Scout participation in large area parades are now organized through the Council. Registration and fees for the Council to participate in large area parades will be paid by the Council. Troops and individual girls can register to participate in theses large area parades through the Council. A committee will be formed to plan and organize each parade. Participating service units will have their own banners to carry, which will be provided by the Council.

Mark your calendars now for these parades, and check back later for more details:

GSCCC Office and Retail Shop Hours

All GSCCC offices and retail shops will be closed Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day.

Beginning Tuesday, September 6, 2016, GSCCC offices and retail shops will resume regular hours as follows:

A Place for Girls
912 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, VA 23322

Chesapeake office hours:

• Saturday & Sunday: Closed
• Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Chesapeake retail shop hours:

• Sunday & Monday: Closed
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Thursday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Getting Ready for Customer Engagement Initiative (CEI) in the New Membership Year

We have THREE big CEI things you need to know for this month.

1. The next Membership Year is almost here. Parents and volunteers, make sure you renew your and your girls' memberships on eBiz. Troop leaders, make sure you get your troop's information in the Troop Opportunity Catalog by filling out the form before Friday, September 30. We have girls lining up at the door to join Girl Scouts, and we need your help to show them some Girl Scout sisterhood. Filling out the Opportunity Catalog Form will get these girls a spot.

Shop Promotions for the Month of September

September 1-30: Starter Kits
Get started with Starter Kits! Receive a free bag when you purchase a complete Starter Kit. (Starter Kit includes: Girl’s Guide, Journey book, vest or sash, flag, Council ID, troop numerals, insignia tab, World Association pin and membership pin.)

Back to Troop
Spend $75 or more from September 1 - October 15, 2016, and receive a $10 coupon to spend on a purchase of $25 or more from November 1-18.

Volunteer Kickoff – Register Now!

Saturday, September 10, 2016
Old Dominion University Webb Center
Norfolk, VA

We can’t wait to...kick off another awesome Girl Scout year! Come kick off your Girl Scout year at this FREE event for all volunteers!

Start planning your day as you read through the Volunteer Kick-Off Guide available here. There is something for everyone including the following:

• Check out the new Volunteer Toolkit.
• Hear the latest information about the Customer Engagement Initiative (CEI).
• Visit with community partners.
• Choose from dozens of fun, interactive and informative workshops.
• Visit community service organizations and find out how your girls can lend a helping hand!
• Enjoy free refreshments.

Delegate Chair and Delegate/Alternate Delegate Training

Delegate Training is required for all service unit Delegate Chairs and Delegates/Alternate Delegates to prepare for their role as voting members of GSCCC. The training will include an explanation of the delegate chair job description, information on topics that will be voted on at Annual Council Meeting, an overview of Robert's Rules of Order, and a State of the Council report.

Delegate Chair Training
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
6:30–8 p.m.
A Place for Girls
Chesapeake, VA

Delegate and Alternate Delegate Training
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
6:30–8 p.m.
Peninsula Service Center
Newport News, VA

Become a Cookie Captain!

Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors - are you experienced at selling Girl Scout Cookies?  If you answered yes, become a Cookie Captain!

Remember how hard it was to ask that first cookie customer? Become a superhero to some Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies who are selling cookies for the first time. Share what you know - and earn service leadership hours too!

• Help new cookie sellers develop skills and confidence.
• Show the ropes to troop leaders
• Lead activities at a cookie rally
• Receive training that includes lots of fun game and activity ideas.

Camp Darden Challenge Course Facilitator Class

By completing this class, you be qualified to work with girls on the GSCCC Camp Darden low ropes challenge course. You will learn Girl Scout activities that are appropriate to do with Girl Scout Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors on the ground as well as on the challenge course. Learn games that will build self-esteem, encourage teamwork, teach conflict resolution and enhance communication and problem-solving skills.

Archery Facilitator Course

This course will teach you the basic steps of shooting and prepare you to facilitate archery courses for Girl Scout groups.

Date: Sunday, October 9, 2016
Time: 12–6 p.m.
Location: Camp Darden, Courtland, VA
Cost: $45

Register at eBiz here.

For questions about the class, contact Cheryl McGrenra, Learning Manager, at cherylm@gsccc.org.

For questions about registration, contact CustomerCare@gsccc.org.

GSCCC Offices and Retail Shops Closed for Holiday

All GSCCC offices and shops will be closed Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day.

2016 Fall Product Program

This fall, Girl Scouts of all ages will have a great opportunity to participate in the Fall Product Program where they will take nut, candy and magazine orders from their friends and families. This is a voluntary program activity and a wonderful way for troops to generate funds. With your help and support, your Girl Scout will have the opportunity to participate in a quality program, develop five key business and leadership skills, as well as generate funds for girl-selected troop activities and projects.

All who participate win! Girls learn new skills and can earn cool rewards. Troops generate funds for supplies, activities and trips. Your participation helps the Council continue to offer affordable, quality programs and events for girls, adult training and to maintain our camps. This year, our goal is to raise $125,000 to support the troops’ funds. We invite you to participate and take part in this fun activity.

The Fall Product Program begins October 1, 2016. For more information, visit our website or email fallproducts@gsccc.org.

Get Your Troop Information Ready for the Fall Product Program

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

• Girl name
• Girl date of birth
• Parent/guardian name
• Parent/guardian email

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

For help accessing and updating eBiz email customercare@gsccc.org.

2017 Cookie Program

Introducing the Girl Scout S’mores™ cookie! Do you want to be the first on your block to try the Girl Scout S’mores™ cookie? Ask a Girl Scout for a link to their online Digital Cookie store - you can have them shipped to your door in a matter of days!

Girls will begin taking traditional orders on January 7, 2017, and will be delivering cookies the week of February 19, 2017.

For more information email cookies@gsccc.org.

Volunteer Kickoff - Register Today!

Saturday, September 10, 2016
Old Dominion University Webb Center
Norfolk, VA

We can’t wait to...kick off another awesome Girl Scout year! Come kick off your Girl Scout year at this FREE event for all volunteers!

• Check out the new Volunteer Toolkit
• Hear the latest information about the Customer Engagement Initiative (CEI)
• Visit with community partners
• Choose from fun, interactive and informative workshops
• Enjoy refreshments

Schedule

• 8-9 a.m. Check-in and networking
• 9-10 a.m. General Session and Council update
• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Workshops
• 1:15-1:30 p.m. Closing Ceremony

Become an Adult Learning Facilitator

Do you enjoy conversing with adult volunteers? Do you enjoy speaking in front of a group? Are you ready to take the next step to become an adult learning facilitator? If the answers to any of these questions are yes, consider registering for the upcoming Effectively Facilitating Adult Learning class:

Sunday, October 23, 2016
1–6 p.m.
A Place for Girls
Chesapeake, VA 23322

Register today through eBiz.

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

Customer Engagement Initiative (CEI): Organizational Alignment at GSCCC

On August 1, 2016, GSCCC aligned our staff to new teams in preparation for new technology enhancements coming later this year. This organizational alignment creates an improved volunteer and membership experience. The new structure provides more specialized task-focused functions for staff so member questions and concerns are managed in a more effective way, volunteers can spend more time with girls, and staff can spend more time helping new members get started with Girl Scouts.

More details and descriptions of new teams can be found here.

Managing Troop Finances Online Learning Module

Introducing the new Managing Troop Finances online learning module that is required for all troop leaders and troop treasurers handling funds.

Helping girls earn and manage money is an integral part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). In this module, you will learn how to work with girls to cooperatively set goals, make decisions, manage a budget, maintain records, learn people skills, and develop good marketing, entrepreneurial, math and financial skills. You will also learn about the paperwork you need to complete, reporting guidelines and policies.

Newport News Shop Closed for Inventory

The Newport News shop is closed August 1-5 for inventory and will reopen Monday, August 8.

Girl Scout Senior and Ambassador Opportunity – Apply to be a Girl Innovator with GSUSA

GSUSA is seeking qualified Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors to serve as National Girl Innovators. This group is made up of 12 girls from across the country and directly advises the Girl Experience team at GSUSA. In addition to providing relevant and rapid feedback for evolving girl programs, these girls have the chance to inform new marketing assets, merchandise items, surveys, and much more. The members of the National Girl Innovators are exemplary Girl Scouts who share a common interest in making this organization better for their fellow Girl Scouts.