Service Unit News - Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes ...

March2013Service Unit NewsWhat’s Inside: Introducing GS on-lineMembershipRegistration Jump Start On-lineRegistration TroopIncentive Membership DuesIncrease Bring a FriendCampaign Product Sales Info SU vs. SU DeliverySites Communicationwoes… Combining SUChecking Accts. 2012 Annual MeetingReview 2012 Annual ReportAvailable Get Involved Family Partnership Day Camp DirectorTraining ConferenceCall Upcoming Programs Agenda Items for SUMeetingsThe SUN provides timely information and ongoing learning for Service Unit Managers, CommunityCoordinators, Service Unit volunteers and Troop Leaders; assisting them in the delivery of the Girl ScoutLeadership Experience. The SUN is also available at www.gslakesandpines.org.Girl Scout WeekStory HeadlineServing as a Girl Scout today means being part of a worldwideorganization that builds leadership skills by providing girls withopportunities to discover their interests, connect with others, and takeaction to change the world for the better. March 12, 2013, marks the101 st Anniversary of Girl Scouting. During Girl Scout Week, which runsfrom March 10 through 17, Girl Scouts of all ages celebrate bydemonstrating leadership and commitment in ways that have a realimpact on their communities.We encourage service units to let the public know about this annualevent, especially if there are troop or service unit events happeningaround this time. In addition, many faith communities have and welcomeGirl Scout Sunday or Girl Scout Sabbath events during Girl Scout Week.The Lakes and Pines communications department can provide templatesfor public service announcements, newspaper ads, and bulletin insertartwork to aid you in getting the message out. Please contact TaunaQuimby, tquimby@gslakesandpines.org or 320 252-2952 to request.Join us at Dreams to Reality!St. Cloud Area: Thursday, March 14, 2013 at Blackberry Ridge in SartellTwin Ports Area: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at the Kitchi Gammi Club inDuluthThe event runs from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and is an opportunity tocelebrate and support leadership development for girls. Please join usfor reception Hors d‟oeuvres, wine tasting, silent auction, and liveentertainment!We are also looking for volunteers to assist with the pre-event work, aswell as the day of the events.For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, visit ourwebsite at http://www.gslakesandpines.org/pages/DreamsToReality.

It’s fast, easy and convenient. No more paper registration forms. Register onlinewith a few clicks of the mouse…and receive a great troop incentive…read on!Introducing Girl Scouts On-line Membership RegistrationSpring Jump Start March 1 through June 15, 2013Go to http://gslakesandpines.org/pages/OnlineMembershipRegistration/Click „Register Now‟ (see Quick Guides below „Register Now‟ button)You Login with a User Name and Password for the member you want to reregister (a Quick Guide tocreating user names and password to activate your account is just a button away online.)Click „My Account„, under Membership Info, click ‟Renew for 1 year‟Under Additional Information, click *Add* to activate membership registration renewalReview and update information,For girls:‣ Contact Information (address, phone number and email)‣ Date of Birth‣ Number of years in Girl Scouting (up to the year you are registering for, not including it)‣ Grade and School (if unable to find your daughter‟s school, please search and select “Other”)‣ Race and Ethnicity‣ Guardian Information‣ Participation and involvement optionsFor adults:‣ Contact Information (address, phone number, email, etc)‣ Number of years in Girl Scouting (up to the year you are registering for, not including it)‣ Employer and occupation (if you are unable to find your employer, please search and select“Other”)‣ Position code* and Troop/Service Unit/Area (*all self–reported positions are pending untilcouncil approval)‣ Participation and involvement optionsClick „Save‟‣ *Add* will now read *Edit*Support Girl Scouting by selecting a donation amount and click „Donate‟Enter credit/debit card information*Click „Process Payment‟Print a receipt for your recordsYou should receive an email confirmation of your registration within 15 minutes. Congratulations! You havenow completed online membership registration renewal!Important online registration points:1. You can join as a new member and renew your membership online now.2. Parents and Guardian need to register their girl personally. Your personal e-mail is considered yoursignature for your girl‟s permission to participate.3. Payment must be made at the time of registration using a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. This is adirect payment to GSUSA for your national membership.4. At this time registrants using Cookie Dough or requesting scholarships must use a paper registrationform. Cookie Dough and scholarship funding comes through local Councils and not processed throughGSUSA.5. Troops have always been encouraged to include membership renewal in their troop budget as part ofbeing a self sufficient troop.a. We encourage you to consider this by allowing all members of your troop to use the troop‟sdebit card to online register in your presence. (Do not give card # over the phone or via e-mail.)

. Consider holding a family member registration meeting with online access available for familiesto take advantage of online registration without the need for using Cookie Dough orscholarships. Make it a membership party!For assistance registering online just call 800-955-6032, Monday through Friday 8:30-5:30 pm. Or emailhelpdesk@gslakesandpines.org Please allow up to 1 business day for a response.Jump Start On-line Registration Troop Incentive!Drumroll please! If your troop has 80% of all girl members reregistering online by June 15, your troop will earn$5 per girl that reregisters. So if you have 10 girls in your troop, 8 girls would need to reregister online to reach 80%. 8 girls x $5 = $40 Your troop will earn a $40 voucher to any Council Program or Camp to be used by September 30,2014. Girls will also receive their individual 2013-14 Jump Start Patch. This incentive is only for the 2013-14 Jump Start (Spring Re-registration).Membership Dues IncreaseEffective for the 2013-14 membership year, Girl Scouts of the USA annual membership dues are increasing to$15. The last dues increase was in 2009. This was only a short-term, bare-minimum solution intended to keepoperations funded through the recession. At the 2008 National Council Session where this dues increase wasdetermined, the National Board asked that we anticipate an increase to $15.00 in three to four years whichbrings us to today.At $15.00, membership remains a great value. GSUSA looks forward to working with councils to deliver thebest possible leadership programming with efficient learning and support tools for GSLE delivery, as well astechnology that makes joining Girl Scouts fast and easy.“Bring a Friend” CampaignShare the great Girl Scout experience with all girls!Lakes and Pines ―Bring a Friend! program has encouraged many girls to share the fun and adventure of GirlScouting with their friends throughout the years. Already this fall, 83 girls have shared Girl Scouts with a friendand both have received the “Add-a-Friend” patch.Criteria: Girls submitting must be a currently registered Girl Scout. New members must not have been registered for the past two membership years. Attach the Add-a-Friend form to your new member‟s registration form. This form can be found atwww.gslakesandpines.org, click on the Forms and Documents button.What you will receive: Two Add-a-Friend patches--one for you and one for your friend. A chance to win a $25.00 Girl Scout Gift Certificate to attend Council Camp, Program, or purchasesfrom the Council Shop. (You will be entered into the drawing one time for each friend who joins.)Send in the membership form between:February 1-April 30, 2013, for a chance to win the $25.00 gift certificate drawing held in May 2013.

Mar 10Last day for girl credit for recognitions and earn troop and service unit bonus.Mar 11Update girl information and transfer cookies.Mar 11-14 One-Time troop returns are allowed. Only troops with an initial order of a minimum 120-package average per girl selling may return FULL, UNOPENED CASES of one case pergirl selling (e.g. Troop has 9 girls selling, troop may return maximum of 9 cases).Mar 13Troop Recognition Orders due in Snap. Super Sister forms due to the Community ProductSales Manager.Mar 15-17Clean up cookie booths for troops that may still have inventory to sell.Mar 20Council debits troop accounts for 50% of balance due.April 1If troop is unable to pay in full, Outstanding Money Reports are due at the Waite ParkRegional Center.April 10Council debits troop accounts for final balance due.Service Units vs. Service Unit Delivery SitesLakes and Pines is made up of 29 Service Units. Service Units have been divided into “A” “B” or “C” only toindicate the Product Sales Delivery Site your town or zip code has been assigned, to ease the process for youin picking up your initial Cookie or Fall Product order. Service Unit # “A” “B” or “C,” is only recognized by theProduct Sales staff for delivery only and should not be used beyond the Product Sales Delivery process.Communication woes….There has been a flurry of worries for Service Units these days concerning volunteers no longer engaging inthe time honored tradition of meetings, planning events, coming together for trainings, and taking the time tomake new friends through social gathering of leaders. Even returning phone calls or e-mails seems to belacking.It may be helpful to know that your concerns are not unique to your area, that your experiences are also thoseof your Council and of many community organizations today.So what do we do in response? Well, wringing our hands in dismay has not helped so rather then lamentingthe past, lets open a door to the future…It is 2013 and online communication through e-mail, although still pertinent, seems to be competing withFacebook, Pinterest, text messaging, twitter, blogging and more.We are looking for your great ideas on how to meet the communication challenge. Here are a few ideas to getyour started:1. For the many now accessing their e-mail via their smartphone: Include your pertinent info in the subjectline: i.e. GS-RSVP by 2/1/13 Cookie Overnight. This fits the phone screen. If this is important for themor their girls they can access the additional information in the body of your e-mail when convenient.2. Similar notice as above sent via text messaging3. Meetings including a Tele Conferencing optionWe hope you will add to this list of suggestions by emailing Ruth at rsteffes@gslakesandpines.orgCombining Service Unit Checking AccountsAnother Service Unit concern or woe may be in the closing of existing service unit bank accounts fromprevious service units in order to establish a new bank account for the new Service Unit. Envisioning what thiscould look like could help relieve anxiety that may be attached to this particular concern. Let‟s give it a try withhypothetical Service Unit 101.

1. SU 101 serves 5 communities with schools, 1 of these communities is a bit larger than theother 4. (Additionally 4 tiny communities without schools are also part of SU 101.) Previouslythese communities made up 3 service units.a. The larger previous SU had a balance of $1,200. The 2 smaller previous Service Units hadbalances of *$353 and $205. Total combined: $1,758.00.b. In addition to this balance, Service Units are allowed to receive $650 in sponsorships.c. Plus, this year if the SU cookie goal of 100% of their troops participating in the cookie sale ismet and the SU meets their 12% membership goal (they only have 13 more girls to register ineach of their 5 communities) they will receive a SU Bonus of $394.70.d. Adding all of the above together, SU 101 would have a bank account balance of $2,802.70.e. (Although with the above balance it is unlikely that the Service Unit would have the need, theycould also apply to hold a service unit fund raiser.)*The Lion‟s Club of one of the small towns with the $353 balance traditionally donates $100 to beused for Girl Scout activities in their specific town. This amount should be earmarked in the SUledger as donor designated for this town. (see Form 4724 to request these funds as describedbelow.)2. Closing their previous service unit bank accounts to create their new SU 101 bank accountwas done in the following steps:a. The account signer on each of the 3 previous Service Unit bank accounts personally closedthe previous SU bank account and had that bank issue a check for the account balance tonew SU 101.b. A new bank account for SU 101 was opened with the checks from the 3 closed service unitaccount, as directed in the GSMWLP Service Unit Finance and Money Earning Policies andProcedures as authorized by the Lakes and Pines Finance Committee and Board of Directors,Form #4721, (found on the council website under the volunteer tab).c. A minimum of 2 signers are required to be on the account. SU 101 decided to have 3 signerseach from different towns within the service unit that were part of the SU Core Team.d. As allowed, one signer held the service unit‟s debit card; the second signer held the serviceunit checks book and the third received the bank statements.e. Each signer had access to the online banking account information to ensure overspending didnot inadvertently occur.f. After the account was established, Form 4760: Girl Scout Bank Account Record wascompleted and submitted to SU 101‟s regional Product Sales and Finance Specialist.3. SU 101’s Core Team, those members who are taking the leadership roles for the service unit,completed a SU Plan of Action to help them determine what was important to their service unitthat needed to be included in their annual SU budget. These included both full Service Unitevents and individual town events:a. Full Service Unit Events:i. A welcome event for all volunteers in October with a Founders Day celebration andinvestiture ceremony for girls.ii. A Cookie Rally that incorporates Thinking Day prep activitiesiii. A Jump Start Spring Re-registration Eventiv. A Spring Volunteer Appreciation Eveningb. Events by troops or towns (with schools)i. Fall Recruitment Partiesii. Celebrating Thinking Day and GS Weekiii. Bridging and Court of Awards Ceremoniesiv. Girl Scout participation in each of their town festivals and parades.1. The troops from the individual towns decided if they needed monetary supportfrom their SU budget for the events they were hosting in their towns.a. After completing the Service Unit Funds Request Form #4724 (found onthe council website under the volunteer tab) and indicating if any moneybeing requested was pre-designated by a donor, they submitted thisform to the SU Core Team for approval.

. Upon approval, SU 101 Core Team communicated with the townrepresentative listed on the form that expenses would be reimbursedafter submission of approved receipts for their local event.4. By February 15 and September 15, SU 101 submitted their semi annual Service Unit FinancialReport to their regional Product Sales and Finance Specialist as directed in GSMWLP ServiceUnit Finance and Money Earning Policies and Procedures Form #4721.We invite you to use the SU 101 example as a guide to help you ease the concerns of your volunteers andtowns. Service Units who have successfully completed this process have done so with very fewproblems.Service Unit Accounts are to be combined by August 31, 2013, as shared in pervious editions of SUN.Please contact your regional Product Sales and Finance Specialists if you have any questions at all. Theyare happy to serve you!2012 Annual Meeting ReviewThe Annual meeting took place on January 26, 2013 and we had a fantastic turn out. Thank you to all of thedelegates and visitors who were able to attend this important meeting. We had great representation at ourmeeting this year. We had 83 delegates, 13 Board of Directors, 3 Board Committee members, and severalstaff in attendance. We also remained the same as last year in the number of Service Units that wererepresented. There were 21 out of 29 service units present. We again reached our goal and had ALL fiveregions represented. The meeting included year end reports, a small group discussion about Older GirlParticipation in Council Governance, and a celebration of the accomplishments of girls throughout the council.We sent a survey to all that attended to gather data about locations, events, and times of the annual meeting.Thank you for participating in that survey. We would also like to hear from those that were not able to attend.Please watch your email inbox for your survey to be used to help us plan for the next annual meeting inJanuary 2014.2012 Annual Report AvailableVisit the What‟s New page of the GSMWLP website to view the 2012 Annual Report. In addition to sharing ourcouncil‟s financial status, it features stories and facts from around the council. Here‟s the path:http://girlscouts.le1.getliveedit.com/files/3731.jpgGet InvolvedHave you ever thought about joining a board or helping to develop a strong Board? Here is the door…..open itfor the 2014 – 2016 term!The Girl Scout Board of Directors is currently seeking potential candidates to serve on the Board of Directorsor to be a community member on the Board Development Committee. Previous experience is not required, butboard members can not be Operational Volunteers (i.e. troop leaders, cookie volunteers, etc.) while servingtheir term. If you would like to personally take this next step, or you know someone qualified to serve, indeveloping girls of courage, confidence, and character please visit our website:http://girlscouts.le1.getliveedit.com/pages/BoardofDirectors/ or contact Katie Koester at 320-247-4560 or 800-955-6032 ext. 4560.To view a listing of the current Board of Directors, go to the council‟s website under About Us / Board ofDirectors http://girlscouts.le1.getliveedit.com/pages/BoardofDirectors/

Family Partnership InformationWhat is my Service Unit Goal?The goal for each service unit is $2 per girl registered in2011-12.What is Family Partnership?Family Partnership is specifically designed for families tohave the opportunity to contribute financially to the Girl Scoutexperience. Family support for Girl Scouting is very important.We offer a wide range of opportunities for girls and familycontributions provide programs and funding for our camps, aswell as resources and training materials for adult volunteers.Where do the Dollars Go?100% of your gift stays right here in our Council to helpprovide resources members use to learn new skills. Fundsraised help provide:Programs to over 9,000 girls in our 39-county serviceareaBackground checks for all adult volunteersLeadership development for over 2,000 adultvolunteersRegional Girl Scout Offices and ShopsFour area camps with exceptional outdoor educationand equestrian programsWeb site and publications, including: QuarterlyNewsletters, Camp & Program Guides, and VolunteerEssentialsOver 100 program events and covering a wide varietyof topics from college road trips to language and science explorations5 council-sponsored trips to country-wide and international destinationsLocal Family Partnership ActivityIdeas: Create a Fundraising Page throughwww.givemn.org – Create a FamilyPartnership page with your service unitgoal where members can be emaileddirectly, marketed through socialnetworking sites, and contribute online! Hold a Silent Auction at your AwardsCeremony (remember to complete anIn-Kind Contribution form for donateditems). Change for Change – have large“penny” jars at events and askparticipants to toss whatever loosechange they have in their pockets. Youwill be amazed at how it all adds up! Use our March Giving Calendar –available on our website, this allowsgirls to make small donations each dayduring Girl Scout month. Spring Parent/Daughter Activities –incorporate a contribution into youralready planned events. (i.e. if your SUhas a planned dance, try a “dollar”dance concept).Who Should I Contact with Questions?For additional information, questions, or resources, contact Becky Reynolds at 320.247.4561 or by email atbreynolds@gslakesandpines.org.Day Camp Director Training Conference CallFebruary 20 th | 7pm – 8pmAll Day Camp Directors and committee members are invited to participate in training conference calls. Askquestions, receive your Director‟s packet, and learn about anything new. Please RSVP to Anastacia –aschnabel@gslakesandpines.org to receive your packet with updated forms by February 19 th and to receivethe call-in information. Don‟t have a Day Camp or need more info? No problem! Just contact Anastacia toinquire how to get a Day Camp going in your Service Unit.

Upcoming ProgramsWeekend Escape: Wisconsin DellsJune 24-28, 2013 | Mon 8am-6pm Fri | Wisconsin Dells | $575/person | girls in grades 4-12Let‟s take a few days and head to the waterpark capital of the world!Transportation provided from St. Cloud to Wisconsin Dells. Girls will have theopportunity to help plan some of our destinations, so register early. We couldgo to Noah‟s Ark, take a famous Wisconsin Dells Duck Tour, check out thego-carts at Mount Olympus, or even see a show at Circus World. Girls mayalso have the opportunity to go on a sunset horse trail ride. Cost includestransportation, accommodations, most meals, all entrance fees, t-shirt, and fun patch. Register by: May 21 st ,2013. $100 deposit due (included in cost of trip) with registration to secure spot, payment plans andscholarships available.Girl Scouts Health FairSaturday, April 20 th | 10am – 3pm | St. Cloud State | $32/girl, $10/adult | for girls in grades 2-5Girls choose their own workshops at the first annual Girl Scouts Health Fair. We‟ll explore all aspects of beinghealthy: from nutrition and exercise to relationships and stress relief. Experience a self-defense session, getadvice from a nutritionist, kickboxing, find out how to be a better friend, yoga, massage, or even learn how tomake healthy snacks. Cost includes lunch, snack, program sessions, t-shirt, and activity patch. The format ofthis event will be workshop style and will be structured.College 101 Road TripJune 17-21, 2013 | $300/person | for girls going into grades 9-12 in fall 2013Just over one third of American young adults go to college and only 17% complete college making the U.S.college graduation rate just 16 th in the world. Increase your odds of success by joining us on the College 101Road Trip! Find out what you should be doing in high school to increase your chance of getting into the collegeof your dreams. Get the nitty-gritty on financial aid, applications, and scholarships. We will tour colleges anduniversities in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa all while experiencing college living – see what the residencehalls look like, catch a sporting event, talk to someone about joining a sorority, and more! College can actuallybe FUN! Cost includes bus transportation from selected locations and during college tours, meals, t-shirt,program supplies, and patch. Possible pick-up locations are Willmar, St. Cloud, and Duluth. A minimum of 15girls must sign-up per city in order to have a pick-up location. Invite a friend and share with other girls in yourschool! Itinerary of schools included (this list of schools is subject to change at any time): MN State University – Mankato | Mankato, MN University of Iowa | Ames, IA Drake University | Des Moines, IA Iowa State University | Iowa City, IA University of Wisconsin – Madison | Madison, WI University of Wisconsin – River Falls | River Falls, WI University of Minnesota | Twin Cities, MN

GSMWLP OfficesOur phone system can nowtransfer you to any office.Waite Park 320 252-2952Duluth 218 726-4710Alexandria 320 759-1196Bemidji 218 751-4886Brainerd 218 828-3515Mora 320 679-6807Virginia 218 263-1596Willmar 320 235-2125Toll FreePlease help us keep our phonecosts down by using the toll freenumber only when needed,800-955-6032.FAXWaite Park 320 253-9403Duluth 218 726-4710All other offices 866 295-3820Shop and Office HoursSeptember-May, 8:30-5:30WebLakes and PinesGirl Scouts of the USAAgenda Items for SU Meetings How is the cookie sale going? Are all girls in theservice unit registered who will be selling cookies? Online Jump Start Membership Renewal March 1-June 15. Jump Start Online Renewal Troop Incentive February 22nd is Thinking Day March 12th is the Girl Scout Birthday March is Girl Scout Week, Girl Scout Sunday and GirlScout Sabbath. What are the SU‟s plans for Court of Awards?Bridging events? Looking ahead – April 22 is Volunteer AppreciationDay. What are our service unit plans for this? Looking ahead – will our service unit be holding aDay Camp? Camp Promotions are held. Discuss residentcamping, troop camping and BWCA trips with leadersso they can share this information with their troop. Troop Financial Reports (TFR‟s) are due to theProduct Sales and Finance Specialist by June 15.Check in with troops to see how they are doing withthis.Use this handy reference tool to findcontact info, business hours, orderforms, and other helpful tips for Lakes& Pines Girl Scout Shops: shopinformation sheetStaff from our five regional teams collectand share news. Check out the regionalblogs for more information.Region 1 Bemidji & Hibbing officesRegion 2 Duluth Regional CenterRegion 3 Brainerd & Mora officesRegion 4 Alexandria & Willmar officesRegion 5 Waite Park Regional CenterGirl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines | 400 2 nd Ave S | Waite Park MN 56387