Troop Leaders & Service Team Members
Please forward the June Top 10 to all volunteers so everyone can keep connected on what is happening in our council. Thank you so much for your support and for keeping our movement going strong!
Our team is working to support you in any way that we possibly can. If you, or another volunteer, are experiencing any stressors related to Girl Scouts, please reach out to info@girlscoutstoday.org so we can provide a solution and support.
1. Renewal
We have some exciting new additions for all girls who renew this summer!
FREE Girl Scout Shirt (expires July 15)
FREE access to monthly virtual programs through May 2021(expires August 15)
Our Girl Scout sisterhood has stayed so strong throughout the COVID-19 (coronavirus) Pandemic and we want to give back to our girls as much as possible.
For this unique year, we have opened up the opportunity for girls to use Program Credit to cover their renewed membership fee. We are also offering a gift of membership to any girl or volunteer who needs the support. When renewing in My GS, simply mark the checkbox to indicate that you are requesting financial assistance.
If your Troop has already renewed through My GS and did not get the chance to submit a shirt size, request a free shirt by July 24, 2020.
More information and new and imporved options to renew, for parents AND Troop Leader, visit www.girlscoutstoday.org/renew. Our team is always here to help! We encourage Troop Leaders and parents to call 800-798-0833 or email Info@GirlScoutsToday.org for assistance.
2. New Member Deal
This year, the benefits of the New Member Deal look a little different. Because new members will begin their Girl Scout experience virtually, we want to ensure that they still get a high-quality experience. Girls who register before July 1, 2020 will receive:
FREE Girl Scout Shirt
Access to exclusive, monthly virtual programs
An email series to earn badges at home
If the climate allows, we will also host in-person events for all girls who register with the new member deal. To learn more or share the New Member Deal, visit www.girlscoutstoday.org/info.
3. Fall Product & Cookie Update
Once you renew, a great way to get your Troop up-and-running for the fall is to participate in the Fall Product Program! It’s a fun and easy way to earn funds for your Troop bank account as you begin a new school year. Troops earn 25% profits on all items sold!
The 2020 Cookie Program has officially ended! Thank you for supporting your Troop and making sure girls learn essential life skills through opening their very own cookie businesses. Your hard work has made a big impact on girls! We will be sending out a survey soon to see what went well and how we can improve, so we appreciate your feedback.
Also, make sure you stay engaged on Facebook! In June, we will share a link for girls to vote on prizes earned in the 2021 Cookie Program.
4. Virtual Program
The team has been hard at work to ensure that programs, traditions, and fun are available to girls and their families during this time at home. Badges, Journeys, service projects, camp sings, and more are ready for all program levels!
We will be releasing new content regularly, so encourage all girls, parents, and other volunteers to follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@gseiwi) and check out the events tab on www.girlscoutstoday.org. We have links to videos of past virtual programs as well – these activities can be viewed at any time on www.girlscoutstoday.org/virtual!
5. Family Resources
With the inability to host Troop meetings in person, parents have been stepping up to carry on the Girl Scout experience at home. Parents are new to tracking badges and patches, and sometimes our program in general. Encourage parents to download the Keep Girl Scouts Going resource guide! The last couple of pages in the guide have helpful tracking resources so parents can keep girls engaged at home.
During this time of uncertainty, our team has been doing their best to keep up with the needs of girls, parents, and volunteers through live and recorded virtual programming, self-led badges, patch programs, and much more. One additional way to keep girls engaged is access to the VTK for parents. Any parent who requests access to the VTK will be able to see all badge and journey content, resources, etc. This way, girls can continue working on badges and journeys, even if their troop isn’t meeting. Parents will need to email info@girlscoutstoday.org or call 800-798-0833 to request VTK access.
6. Summer Virtual Outdoor Experiences
Our Girl Scout resilience is shining bright this summer camp season! With the difficult decision not to hold in-person programs came a spark of innovation from our camp team! All girls are invited to keep active and exploring the outdoors through our virtual summer camp programs. Visit www.girlscoutstoday.org/summercamp to find upcoming sessions!
Programs will run Monday-Friday and girls will connect for one hour each day with counselors and other girls in her program. Each session will host a virtual Final Night Campfire experience on Thursdays and keep other camp traditions going. We might be socially distant, but the spirit of summer camp will keep going!
Each virtual program includes a shipment/kit with supplemental program supplies to enhance the experience of
Virtual campers will receive a package prior to her week of camp that will include supplemental program supplies to enhance her virtual and outdoor activities in the program. Each kit includes:
Full-week program with daily access
2020 Summer Camp Patch
2020 Camp Liberty Pin
Specialized kit with program supplies
Earned badges
If you have any questions about our summer virtual outdoor experiences, give us a call at 800-798-0833 or email us at info@girlscoutstoday.org.
7. Troop Finance Reports
Volunteers can stay organized by recording Troop income and expenses throughout the year on the finance tab of the Volunteer Toolkit. This digital finance tool has all kinds of special features to make your experience easier:
Submit Troop Finance Report with ease
Keep parents engaged with viewing access
Print simple finance documents to review with other volunteers and parents
Troops should update the finance tab for their Troop over the summer and submit their final reports to our council finance team by August 31, 2020.
Service Units will also need to submit their Service Unit Finance Report to their Community Engagement Manager by August 31, 2020, as well.
8. Girl Scout Shops
Did you know that our Cedar Rapids and Bettendorf retail staff are available to take your shop orders? Please call 800-798-0833 or email info@girlscoutstoday.org for more information or to place an order. Orders will be available for curbside pickup or can be shipped directly to your home.
If your girls have been busy with virtual programs, check out our fun patch guide for easy ordering!
9. Event update
‘While we’re waiting to gather again as troops, we would like to share some opportunities for you and your family to stay connected with Girl Scouts. Save the Date for One Tough Cookie on August 29, 2020 at Camp Liberty and Family Halloweekend on October 24, 2020 at Camp Liberty. Learn more about Tent-N-Treat for troops during Family Halloweekend here.’
10. Quick Updates
Offices, properties and shops will remain closed to the public. However, staff members are still working, so call 800-798-0833 or email info@girlscoutstoday.org for support. As changes occur we will update you via email or social media.
When you are ready, designate a Troop Leader to update your Troop’s information form. Our member support team will then update your Troop record. The member support team may reach out throughout the summer to confirm information – please reply when they do! Our membership system will be updated soon and accurate information with ensure a smooth transition.
It is important to stay connected during this time! Updates, guidance, and adjustments are being made frequently. While our properties are closed, our movement is still going strong.
Check your email for updates from our team and stay tuned on:
Website – www.girlscoutstoday.org
Email – info@girlscooutstoday.org
Phone – 800-798-0833
Facebook – www.Facebook.com/gseiwi
Instagram – www.Instagram.com/gseiwi
Twitter – www.Twitter.com/gseiwi