Leader Tips: October 2009 Archives

Girl Scouting is now officially recognizing two special weeks in the calendar year to commemorate volunteer service--"Make a Difference Week" and "Volunteer Appreciation Week."

Many people around the nation celebrate Make a Difference Day--"America's largest day of doing good." Held on the fourth Saturday in October, the day highlights how people engaged in public service have the power to transform their communities and our world. Girl Scouting is now instituting it as a week-long event.

In addition, several countries around the world participate in National Volunteer Week celebrations--and Girl Scouting will continue to join in on the fun.  During National Volunteer Week, which includes National Girl Scout Leaders Day (April 22), Girl Scouts of the USA pays tribute to innovative volunteers for making a difference. For 2010, National Volunteer Week will be celebrated Sunday, April 20 through Friday, April 25.

For more information on special dates in Girl Scouting, visit: www.girlscouts.org. And, to learn about products you can purchase in support of Girl Scouting, check out your local Girl Scout council store or visit the GSSA Shop on-line: shop.girlscoutssa.org.

Find all of the top picks for Leaders and Volunteers on our Online Shop!

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month and Girl Scouts of the USA is continuing to take the lead in highlighting the importance of online safety for girls with their innovative online safety campaign called LMK (Let Me Know).

While the full scope of online threats, such as cyberbullying, are difficult to measure, we do know that nearly one in six U.S. children grades six to 10 (that's 3.2 million students) are victims of online bullying each year, according to the National Council of Juvenile Court Judges.

"Being online is a part of every teenage girl's life," says Shannon, age 17, a member of the LMK editorial team. "Now we have a chance to teach our parents about the real issues we face every day."

LMK includes an interactive Web site for parents and girls, as well as an e-newsletter for parents. The e-newsletter and parent site are designed to provide parents with guidance and also serve as a tool to help families have open and honest conversations about the dangers that lurk in cyberspace.

Haven't been to LMK yet?  You should check it out!  There's all kinds of useful info at: http://lmk.girlscouts.org

Each year on February 22, girls participate in activities, games and projects with global themes to honor their sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in other countries.  The theme for World Thinking Day 2010 is girls worldwide say "together we can end extreme poverty and hunger."  World Thinking Day is part of the WAGGGS Global Action Theme (GAT) based on the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which aim to improve the lives of the world's poorest people.

Girls voted and selected Germany, Kuwait, Peru, the Philippines, and South Africa to represent the five regions of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS)--Europe, the Arab region, Western Hemisphere, Asia/Pacific and Africa. World Thinking Day not only gives girls a chance to celebrate international friendships, but it is also a reminder that Girl Scouts of the USA is part of a global community--one of nearly 150 countries with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

Download the World Thinking Day Resource to start planning your activities.

Join other older girl leaders during Purple Pearls Sunday, October 11 from 2 - 5 p.m. at the University of South Alabama. While the girls enjoy the activities, we will discuss all of the programs and opportunities available to older girls and brainstorm some new ideas!  RSVP if you would like to do an Older Girl Award training by October 8, or if you would like to just brainstorm, we'll see you there!

For more information, contact Mary Anne Brutkiewicz at extension 1202.

This coupon is only for in-store use, because the function is not available yet on our online shop.

NEW!  The Online GSSA shop is now LIVE at shop.girlscoutssa.org.  If our shops are too far away from where you live, you can still get all of the Girl Scout items you need, with personal service from our council. You'll find uniforms, fun accessories, new Journeys, and even gift certificates available online. The online store offers guest ordering, or the convenience of a one-time account set up, so you don't have to re-enter shipping and billing information every time you order. Questions about the store? E-mail us at shop@girlscoutssa.org.

Dove is running a special promotion this October in which anyone who buys Dove products can have $1 from their purchase donated to Girl Scouts!

Dove continues to communicate the importance of building positive self-esteem in girls. The purpose of the promotion, entitled, "Thank You for Making a Difference," is to show the positive effects self-esteem programs have on girls, and to thank consumers for making a difference.

Dove is partnering in the campaign with three charitable organizations who have programs designed to build and support girls' self-esteem--Girl Scouts of the USA, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Girls Inc.

Girl Scouts of the USA and the uniquely ME! program will be featured on Dove.com.