VISTA 12:

Girl Scouts - Illinois Crossroads Council

VISTA 12

Beach Park/Zion/Winthrop Harbor/Waukegan/Great Lakes/North Chicago

Agenda - September 13, 2007 Leader Meeting

• Welcome
• VISTA 2007/2008 Leader Meeting Dates

o        October 11

o        November 8

o        December 13

o        January 10

o        February 14

o        March 13

o        April 10

o        May 8

o        June 12

• Update from Council

o        Registration processes/procedures  - Council has incurred an huge expense in printing of registration forms.  Please do not take what you will not use. 

o        Membership Status and Goals for the Year – VISTA goal is to start up 15 new troops.

o        Recruitment Events in North Chicago - Fliers are in the process of being approved for all elementary schools in the North Chicago/Great Lakes area including: Greenbay, Yeager, North, AJK, South, Hart, and Forrestal.  A confirmation of the date will be sent next week.

o        New staff initiated program sites – There is a new staff initiated program being started at the schools called a Contemporary Awareness Program.  It is after school for girls to attend.  All leaders are encouraged to help with this program.

o        Volunteer opportunities at Happy Hollow – Take Down/Tidy Up the Hollows is October 20^th.  For more information click on the link.  http://www.ilcrossroads.org/Calendar/EventDetails.jsp?EventType=PROGRAM&EventSubType=&AgeCat=ALL&EventInstID=1217

• New Troops – Deana is enlisting the help of all leaders to help start new troops in September and October.  Please help encourage everyone to help us with our goal of 15 new troops this fall.
• Positions Available -  Girl Membership, Adult Membership, Public Relations and Family Involvement Ambassador Positions are still available.  If you are interested, please contact Deana.
• Fall Product Sales – See the flier at the end of the notes for more information regarding fall products.  Online training is now available on the Illinois Crossroads website.  If you were not at the meeting, please contact Christine A. for to arrange pickup of your packet.  Sales start 10/12. 
• Website Update – Meeting notes and event information are posted on the website.  If you need help navigating the website, please contact Christine A. for help.
• Bracelets / Make-It Kits – Deana distributed Make it Kits and new Panorama’s to all leaders.  The Make-it kit is something you can do with your troop and order.  There is an additional fee for the plates.  Deana also ordered bracelets from A Complaint Free World.org.  The intent is to wear the bracelet on one wrist.  When you catch yourself complaining, gossiping or criticizing move the bracelet to the other arm.  The goal is to keep it on the same arm for 21 days.  For more information or to get bracelets for your troop, contact Deana.
• Brownie Event – October 13^th – Don’t forget to register your troop for this event with Sue M.
• Methodist Church Troops – Deana is going to be contacting all leaders who meet at the Methodist Church in Zion.  All troops will be put on a rotation to help stock the church with hymnals and offering envelopes.
• Registration – All troops should be doing their own registrations.  You must sign the waiver to get your new passwords.  Please contact Margaret B. if you have not already gotten it.  All registration fees should be deposited to First Midwest.  Registration paperwork must be given to the registrar.  PLEASE SEND GRANT FORMS DIRECTLY TO COUNCIL.
• Bank Accounts -  There are a number of troops that do not have a VISTA Ambassador listed as an authorized signer.  This is a council requirement and is very important for this to be updated.  Remember the money in troop accounts is to be used for the girls.  Girls and parents are absolutely entitled to know exactly what is happening with that money.
• Labor Day Parade – Deana was very disappointed in the turn out for the parade this year.  Aprox. 20 girls walked in the parade this year.  The Zion Labor Day parade is the largest in Illinois and our showing was pitiful.  Christine A’s troop is going to reconstruct the float that was damaged over last winter as part of their Bronze Award project.
• Troop Recognition -  Theresa Kennedy’s troop #246 in Great Lakes/North Chicago all 7 girls completed their Bronze Award.  This is the first troop to ever complete the Bronze Award in Great Lakes/North Chicago.  Congratulations to the girls for all of their hard work! 
• Family Partnership – Pennies For Partnership – Please encourage Family Partnership with your troops.  Every area of our VISTA benefits from Family Partnership contributions.  Please do not let this fund run dry.  Try setting up a Pennies For Partnership with your troop where girls/families can add their pennies to a jar that can be donated to Family Partnership.
• Event Planning

o       September - Girl Scout VISTA 12 Camp Fire Fun

Saturday, Sept 29^th, 6 to 8 pm

Camp Oakarro, 40635 Mill Creek Road, Wadsworth, IL

Fee: $1.50/person including patch

Each scout brings a log for the fire. Leaders bring drinks, ‘smore ingredients & roasting sticks for your troop. Leaders RSVP to Angie J. by Monday, August 27^th. Money due today.

o       September - Annual VISTA 12 Corn Maze

Sunday, September 30^th

Each troop will visit farm animals(new: baby donkey), corn maze and hayride.  It will take approximately 1-1/2 - 2  hours to complete verything (depending on navigation ability in maze!). Groups of 5-7 with adult will be allowed in maze at a time. 

$5.00 for both maze and hayride, $1.00 patch

Please pay Kim S. at the event.

o       October – Linda B will look into planning a Bowling event for the VISTA.

o       November – Sabrina G is looking into a CYT play for the VISTA.

o       December – No events

o       January – (The Leader Holiday Party) – Deana will plan the Leader Party

o       January – (Mother - Daughter Event) – Many ideas were thrown out for the Mother Daughter event, but no one has stepped up to plan it.

o       February – (World Friendship Day/Thinking Day) – Margaret B. will setup a location for the World Friendship Day event.

o       March – (Ice Skating / Roller Skating)

o       April – (Father/Daughter Event)

o       May – (Overnighter)

o       June – (Leader - Daughter Event)

o       August – (Family Picnic)

2007 Fall Product Sales

Program Highlights

• Troop earns 15% of sales
• You can download activity booklets and goal charts at http://gsorders.ashdonfarms.com
• The Magazine Patch and Nuts/Chocolates patches fit together.
  

Highlights - Magazines

• Girls must sell 2 magazines for the Seal Patch
• 7 of the top 10 magazine sales for Girl Scouts are children’s magazines!
• ALL Magazine sales are guaranteed
• New magazines this year:
  • O (Opra) Magazine
  • Every Day with Rachael Ray
  • National Geographic for Little Kids (for ages 3 to 6)
• Orders can be tracked at www.qsp.com

Highlights - Nuts and Chocolates

• NO CASE ORDERING – All Troop orders will be the exact number of items ordered, NO EXTRAS!!
• 10 items to sell
• Prices range from $5 to $7 each
• Troop must order a minimum of 12 nuts/chocolate items – any combination
• Girls must sell 6 nuts/chocolate items to earn the Dolphin Patch
• All tins are specially designed for Girl Scouts, you will not find them at Wal-Mart!