VISTA 5:

1. Cookie Program
   

   • NEW! This year troops may return unopened, factory sealed cases to the designated drop off locations within their regional service center area. (Information about drop off site locations will be distributed at time of cookie pickup.)
     
   • Only cases taken from the trailers, cupboards, and storage sites from February 27, 2009 through March 31, 2009 may be returned.
   • The original receipt must accompany unopened, factory sealed cases.
   • Cookies must be returned by 3:00 pm on the Tuesday following booth/site activity.
   • Unopened cases of cookies not returned by the Tuesday following booth/site activity must be paid for by the troop.
   • If you have any questions, please contact your Cookie Community Partner (Cathy K., Park Ridge; Joyce M.; Niles/Morton Grove; Susie S., Skokie/Linconlwood).

   • Deposits

   • Troops are strongly encouraged to take out their proceeds prior to making their final deposit. Council does not reimburse until May. Any troop earning $20 or less in proceeds who waits for council to reimburse will receive a shop credit.
   • Incentives have been distributed. Please check with your Cookie Community Partner if you have not received them.
   • Winners for the various cookie contests are posted on the council web site.
     

2. Spring Registraion
   

   • We are still in need of a VISTA 5 Registration Ambassador. If you are interested, please contact Sara Nam, our council liaison.
   • Spring registration runs from March 16 (Partner Training) through June 30, 2009.
   • Incentive patches will be distributed for those who complete Spring Registration. The theme is "We are all one."
     
   • New pre-printed forms will be available at the April 8, 2009 VISTA 5 meeting for those who were registered prior to December 31, 2008.
   • Passwords have not changed, and are the same as last year. If you do not have a password, please contact your Registration Community Partner. Only those receiving new passwords must complete a waiver. Click here to access.
     

3. Training
   

   • Campcraft (Outdoor Education)

   • Saturday, April 4, 2009
   • 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
   • Morrison Program Center, Lake Villa, IL
   • 
     
   • Saturday, April 18, 2009
   • 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
   • Wild Rose Program Center, St. Charles, IL
   • 
     
   • Contact Melody at the Vernon Hills Regional Service Center for further information.
     

   • Safety-Wise updates

   • Girl Scouts of the USA recently released important updates and clarifications for Safety-Wise, effective March 1, 2009. All adult Girl Scout volunteers should review the updates as soon as possible.
   • To download the 16 page document, click here. [www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/for-volunteers/resources/]

4. Girl Scout Shop Double Punch Day
   

   • Monday, April 20, 2009 from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
     
   • Vernon Hills Regional Service Center
     

5. Adult Recognitions -- Margaret T. (Park Ridge)
   

   • Nomination forms for Outstanding Volunteer, Outstanding Leader, Honor Roll Awards, and Years of Membership from each school should be submitted to the VISTA 5 task force or community leader by the April 8 VISTA 5 meeting. They will be awarded locally at our May 13 VISTA 5 meeting/awards ceremony, as usual. There will be no Beaman-Denoyer Award available this year. More information is available on the web site, along with all the necessary forms.
   • Recognitions for council level awards (Appreciation Pin, Honor Pin, Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge II, etc.) will be held at four events during April. Several women from VISTA 5 have been nominated for various awards.:
   • April 20 in Merrillville, IN ($16 Dinner)
     
   • April 22 in Lombard, IL ($25 Dinner)
     
   • April 23 in Mokena, IL ($27 Dinner)
     
   • April 25 in Niles, IL at the White Eagle Banquets, 6839 N. Milwaukee Ave. ($25 Luncheon)
   • Honorees may choose the location at which they would like to receive their awards and recognitions.
   • New this year: Years of Adult Service pins in 5 year increments. 25+ years will be honored at the council awards ceremonies.
   • A service project opportunity is available to any troop who would like to make Volunteer Thank You Table Favors. The theme is The Power of One: Honoring Juliette’s Pearls. Favors should be swap size. For more information, please contact Debbie Nawara at 312.416.2500 ext. 212 or dnawara@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.
     

6. Daisy / Brownie Night 2009 -- Chris W. (Park Ridge), Sue S. (Park Ridge)
   

   • Friday, May 1, 2009
   • Emerson Middle School
   • 6:15 pm Registration; 6:30 - 8:30 pm Program
   • Cost is $8.00 per girl
   • Click here to see event information.

7. Food Pantry -- Colleen B. (Park Ridge)
   

   • Colleen’s troop of 17 girls is preparing "Birthday Cake Kits" for the local food pantry. She is looking for another troop to work with on this project.
   • Birthday Cake Kits are bags filled with cake mix, frosting, candles, sprinkles and a card to make someone’s birthday a bit brighter.
   • Please contact Colleen if you are interested in helping her troop.

8. Program Innovation / Events
   

   • NEW! lmk life online
     

   • LMK is a new web site created by the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. in partnership with Windows to help teens change the world every time they go online. Empower girls so that they can educate others on the reality of being a teen online and help adults understand the real issues that affect teenage girls every day. Being online, texting, and IMing are a part of teenage girls’ life. They probably understand how the internet works better than their parents do!
   • Check out this new web site at www.lmk.girlscouts.org

   • 2009 Summer Camp Program
     

   • www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/camps/summer-resident-camp/
   • online registration
   • brochures were mailed to everyone’s home

   • Daddy/Daughter Dinner & Dance Cruise
     

   • March 27, 2009
   • 7:00 - 10:00 pm
   • Spirit of Chicago at Navy Pier, Chicago
   • Cost: $53 per person
   • Register online. [www.girlscoutspw.org/program/search.php] Program Code: 37058
   • THIS EVENT IS NOW OPEN TO ALL FAMILY MEMBERS! This is a formal dinner dance just for girls and their special guy. Invite your dad, grandfather, uncle or male relative over the age of 21 for dinner and dancing on the Spirit of Chicago. Cruise along Lake Michigan dressed in your best party dress while you take on the spectacular view of the city!

   • FREE Car Care Clinic for Girl Scouts 15 - 17 yrs.
     

   • April 25, 2009
   • 12 Noon - 3:00 pm
   • Wickstrom Ford, 600 W. Northwest Hwy., Barrington
   • Max. girls: 65
   • Contact the Vernon Hills Regional Service Center for more information.

   • VISTA 5 Camporee Weekend at CAMP ANOKIJIG
     

   • August 21 - 23, 2009
     
   • Registration materials are on-line under Events
     
   • Please contact the event coordinator, Nancy F. (Morton Grove), if you have any questions.
     

   • 1964 The Tribute
     

   • #1 Beatles Show in the World!
   • Saturday, June 6, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
   • Rosemont Theatre
   • Special scout price and section on hold. Adult group price is $28.50; kids under 12 is $15.00
   • Call 847-891-8916 for more information.

   • Schaumburg Flyers Girl Scout Night 2009
     

   • Thursday, June 11, 2009
   • Flyers vs. Joliet Jackhammers
   • Gates open at 5:35 pm. Game begins at 7:05 pm
   • Download the official flier
   • www.flyersbaseball.com or 847-891-2255

9. Open Floor

St. John Brebeuf Ministry Center