VISTA 5:

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1.    AMERICAN LEGION GUEST SPEAKER

• The American Legion has had a long-standing relationship with Girl Scouts, and Jac A. Charlier of Post 134, Morton Grove spoke of two recognitions available to Girl Scouts, and encouraged leaders to help their girls receive them.
• Any Girl Scout receiving her Gold Award is eligible to receive the Good Citizen Citation.
• A member of the American Legion will come to her award ceremony and present the certificate to her. There is no cost involved. This service is done free-of-charge, with no donations in return. The American Legion does need a few days notice to make sure they have a volunteer available.
• The Illinois Scout Award is open to any Girl Scout of any level. Requirements include several activities, such as naming the state flower, tree, nickname, etc.; studying Illinois historic places, Illinoians and Native Americans.
• The Legion pays for the patch and will come to present it to the scouts.
• Please contact Jac at jac.charlier@gmail.com, or click Morton Grove American Legion [www.mortongrovepost134.org/] to access their web site.

2.    BRONZE AWARD PROJECT

• The girls of Skokie Junior Troop 40914 and their leader, Lisa M., thank those volunteers who brought items of donation for the Heartland Animal Shelter. The girls are currently working on their Bronze Award.
• As part of their requirements, the girls visited a veterinarian and a pet store to learn about caring for pets. Then they used the information they learned to write a booklet for younger scouts to help them earn their pet badge.
• The girls will also be working with biologists at Lincoln Park Zoo to gather information about zoo animals.
• If you were not able to make a donation at the meeting, and would like to, please contact Lisa M. (she’s in the roster). Items needed are: canned cat/kitten food (no seafood), canned dog food, milk bone treats, toys (nothing with catnip or buttons), bleach, laundry detergent, dish soap, paper towels, small paper plates, antibacterial wipes, tall garbage bags, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, old newspapers.

3.    SELF DEFENSE CLASSES

• One of the leaders at our Service Unit 405 meeting shared that she has taken the self-defense classes taught by Kevin Engstrom, and said that they were very worthwhile.
• Kevin is a former employee of the U.S. Secret Service and police officer.
• Classes are open to all levels of Girl Scouts.
• Contact Kevin at kevinmengstrom@aol.com or 865-235-5371, or contact Sue S. for more information.

4.    SPRING REGISTRATION

• Totally NEW for this year--Parents will register their own daughter(s) on-line!
• This spring girl and adult registrations may be submitted electronically using eSubmit (GSGCNWI’s new electronic registration process).
• If you have any questions, please contact your Community Registrar.
• Niles/Morton Grove: Joyce M.
• Park Ridge: Kay S.
• Skokie/Lincolnwood: Susie S.

1. Leaders, if you did not pick up your troop’s registration packet at the April Service Unit 405 meeting, please contact your Community Registrar. (For Park Ridge, Kay has your packet waiting in a plastic bin on her front porch.)
2. Please read and follow the instructions on the packet.
3. NOTE: Girl Scout membership dues are now $15.00 per person.
4. Each troop leader should complete the troop registration information form on-line. Please forward your confirmation to your Community Registrar and Joyce M. (Niles/Morton Grove), Service Unit 405 Registrar.
5. Provide each Girl Scout with the Quick Start Guide eSubmit. Make sure to put your troop number, Service Unit number (405) and your e-mail address on each guide before handing them out.
6. Parents should use eSubmit if paying by credit, debit or pay pal. Once the parent has completed the registration process on eSubmit, they need to forward a copy of the confirmation e-mail to you, the leader.
7. If paying by cash, check, or applying for financial aid or troop monies, parents will need to use the traditional forms. The same procedures as last year should be used. Registration forms can be found on-line at http://www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/volunteer-resources. Scroll to the bottom of the page for 2013 Registration Forms and Resources. Be sure to use the new registration form which shows a $15.00 annual fee. These are the only forms that will be accepted. Old forms should not be used (and should be recycled :) ).
8. The following should be given to your Community Registrar when your troop is registered if:

• If all girls/adults are registered through eSubmit: Copy of the Registration Record
• If all girls/adults are registered via paper forms: original Girl & Adult Registration forms, Family Partnership, payment, Dues Summary form, and Registration Record.
• If using a combination of eSubmit and paper registration: Same as above for those registering via paper forms, plus listed on the Registration Record those who registered via eSubmit

• Early registration incentives: the deadline to your Community Registrar is Thursday, May 23rd in order to receive the May 30th deadline incentives (10% off in GS retail shop, $5 off Journey set & free tote)
• In order to receive the June 28th deadline incentive (5% off GS shop & tote bag), those Niles/Morton Grove or Skokie/Lincolnwood troops using paper registration forms is June 21st. Those Park Ridge troops using paper registration forms is June 12th. (This is not a typo!)

5.    RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS -- Margaret T. (Park Ridge)

• Council Adult Recognition Luncheon

• Saturday, April 20, 2013 @ 12 Noon - 3 pm. (Doors open at 11 am)
  
• White Eagle, 6839 N. Milwaukee, Niles
• Cost: $27 per person. Everyone is welcome to attend.
• Register on-line at register.girlscoutsgcnwi.org by April 1.
• Program code: 3315
• Click here [www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/current-volunteers] to download the official event invitation.
• This year’s theme is "Celebrate: Leadership in Action" which indicates that it is time to recognize and celebrate all the hard work of our adult members in this past year.
• Years of Adult Service pins (in 5-year increments) are awarded at this event. If you think you should be receiving this pin, please contact Margaret.

• Service Unit 405 Leader Appreciation and Recognition Event

• This event is a local Service Unit 405 event open to all of our SU405 volunteers. There is no charge for this event.
• Wednesday, May 8, 2013 @ 7:00 pm.
• St. John Brebeuf Ministry Center, 8301 Harlem Ave., Niles
• Thank you to Park Ridge Junior Troop 40651 and their leaders, Laura H., Sue S. and Karen H., for volunteering to organize this evening. The girls are very excited about preparing the centerpieces and decorations. Save the date. An official invitation will be e-mailed shortly.
• Thank you to those who nominated other volunteers for awards. Nominees will be receiving a letter shortly notifying them that they have received an award.
• Also, the recognition task force would like to award our volunteers their Years of Membership pins. This pin is for years of membership as both a girl and adult, and is issued in 5-year increments. If you think you are eligible to receive this pin, or know someone else who might be eligible, please contact Margaret.
• Lastly, our Service Unit 405 Honor Roll of Service is a special award for those volunteers who do not fit the criteria of other recognitions. Please complete the nomination form [www.ilcrossroads.org/vistas/5/events/detail/?eventid=1937], and submit it to Margaret by May 3, 2013.
• Click here [www.ilcrossroads.org/vistas/5/events/detail/?eventid=1372] to access the official invitation for this event.

6.    HOLIDAY PARADES

• Troops from the entire Service Unit 405 are invited to participate in either of these two holiday parades.

• Park Ridge Memorial Day Parade

• Monday, May 27, 2013
• Parade steps off at 10:00 am
• At 9:30 am, Girl Scouts should start lining up in front of Roosevelt School, at the south end of Fairview Ave., just south of Talcott.
• Girls should be in uniform, and troops may carry banners or flags.
• The parade officials have asked that the Girl Scouts not have any cars.
• Please contact Sandy H. (Park Ridge) for further details.
• Trip applications should be turned into Sue S. (SU405 Manager).
• Click here [www.ilcrossroads.org/vistas/5/events/detail/?eventid=1457] to see more event information.

• Niles 4th of July Parade

• Wednesday, July 4, 2012
• Parade steps off at 9:00 am
• At 8:30 am, Girls Scouts should assemble in the Notre Dame High School parking lot, 7655 W. Dempster St., at Ozark Ave., Niles. The parade will proceed to Grennan Heights Park, 8255 N. Oketo Ave. where there will be activities, games and food.
• Judie E.’s (Niles) troop organizes a food drive for the Niles food pantry in conjunction with the parade, pushing grocery carts along the parade route. If you would like to donate non-perishable, non-expired food items for the pantry, but cannot be at the parade, please bring your donations to the May 8th Service Unit 405 meeting.
• Please contact Judie for further information, or to let her know that you will be joining the parade.
• Click here [www.ilcrossroads.org/vistas/5/events/detail/?eventid=1458] to see more event information.

7.    CAMP ANOKIJIG -- Nancy F. (Morton Grove)

• Friday, August 23 - Sunday, August 25, 2013
• Cost: $105 (two-night stay) and $80 (one-night stay)
• Horseback riding--$17 per camper (not available for adults)
• Coral rides (for campers 43" and shorter)--$5 per camper
• Climbing wall--$17 per camper
• This year’s camping trip starts after most schools have started in late August because Camp Anokijig is a not-for-profit camp that runs its own summer programs. These are the first dates available to our Service Unit.
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• Registration packets for Troop Leaders have been sent via our Service Unit’s e-mail system, and are posted on-line at our Service Unit web site. Click here [www.ilcrossroads.org/vistas/5/events/detail/?eventid=1876] to access the troop leader registration information.
  
• (The Parent Package is still available to download from the Events [www.ilcrossroads.org/vistas/5/events/] section of our Service Unit 405 web site, or click here [www.ilcrossroads.org/vistas/5/events/detail/?eventid=723].)
• As soon as you are ready to register your troop, please send to Nancy three forms--Camping Registration form (p. 3), Horse Ride Registration form (p. 4), and Wall Climbing Registration form (p. 5).
• Submit your troop check (made payable to Girl Scouts VISTA 5) by May 8 to Sandy H. (Park Ridge), Finance Manager. Check should include a $50 deposit per camper plus $17 per wall climber. Also included with your check to Sandy should be a slip of paper with the leader’s name, number of campers, and amount for wall climbing fee.
• The balance of the paperwork and money is due June 30, 2013.
• As always, registration is on a first come, first served basis. The best way to register is via e-mail so that Nancy will have a time-stamp as to when she received your registration material. Incomplete forms or missing checks may result in your troop registration being pulled out of the line.
• We understand that cancellations may become necessary before the final amount is due. Cancellation information must be included in the June 30th information, after which no refunds can be made.
• Please remember that only checks and cancellation notices are sent to Sandy H. Paperwork goes to Nancy F.
• Get your registration in ASAP! The last few years, we have been almost filled to capacity.

• Nancy needs volunteers to help with simple jobs (sorting colored bracelets, making table signs, etc.), some of which can be done prior to camp (late July/early August), others to be done at camp. Please let Nancy know if your troop would like to help out.

• First Aid/CPR

• At least one volunteer trained in First Aid/CPR must accompany your troop to camp. Smaller groups may share a trained volunteer.

• Outdoor Training (for camping)

• At least one volunteer from your troop must be trained and present during your camp stay. Camp Anokijig is not a Girl Scout camp. The following modules are required:
• Outdoor Module 1 -- this is a self-study training, and a pre-requisite for Outdoor Module 2.
• Outdoor Module 2 -- for cabin camping
• Outdoor Module 3 -- for tent camping
• If you are going to a Girl Scout owned camp, and food and activities are going to be done for you, leaders do not need to be trained.
• If you are going to a Girl Scout camp, and you and the girls are preparing your own food and activities, leaders need to be trained.
• If you are going to a non-Girl Scout camp, even if food and activities are going to be done for you, leaders do need to be trained.
• Click here [www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/volunteer-resources] to check the Spring/Summer 2013 Training Calendar for class dates.
• Go on-line [register.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/] to register for classes. Search the on-line registration for Adult Training / Outdoor.

8.    VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENT

• Wednesday, May 8, 2013 @ 7:00 pm (Our May Service Unit 405 meeting)
• St. John Brebeuf Ministry Center, 8301 Harlem Ave., Niles
• A light dinner will be provided.
• This awards and recognition event is open to all leaders and volunteers, Fall Product and Cookie Sale volunteers, etc.
• Thank you to Park Ridge Junior Troop 40651 and their leaders, Laura H., Sue S. and Karen H., for volunteering to organize this evening. The girls are very excited about preparing the centerpieces and decorations.
• Please R.S.V.P. to Karen H. (Park Ridge/St. Paul of the Cross) by e-mail before April 30th so that she can get an accurate count for those preparing dinner. Karen’s e-mail can be found in the current roster.
• Click here [www.ilcrossroads.org/vistas/5/events/detail/?eventid=1372] to access the official invitation for this event.

9.    TRIP APPLICATIONS

• Q. Do moms have to be registered if they drive girls to an event?
• A. YES! Every driver who drives even one (1) Girl Scout that is not her own child must be registered and have a Volunteer Application [www.ilcrossroads.org/vistas/5/events/detail/?eventid=2370] on file. This is a new requirement for the safety of the girls, and is not found in Volunteer Essentials. This is required for council-sponsored events and events of your own troop and Service Unit.
• Additionally, if it is a council-sponsored event, and a parent is driving girls other than their own, you must submit a Trip Application [www.ilcrossroads.org/vistas/5/events/detail/?eventid=744] with the driver’s information, as well as the driver being registered and having a Volunteer Application on file. (If you have no parents driving, council-sponsored events do not normally need Trip Applications.)
• If a parent is driving and only taking their own child then the above requirements do not apply.
• Q. With regards to background checks, how many years into someone’s history does council check?
• A. According to council, something from someone’s teenage years would not likely show up in a background check, but if it did this information would not necessarily produce an unfavorable result as they are reviewed on an individual basis. Background checks are kept strictly confidential.

10. FAMILY FUN FAIR

• The Family Fun Fair scheduled at the Girl Scout Friendship Center in Country Club Hills on May 4, 2013 has been cancelled due to low enrollment.
• If you registered for this event and sent in money, you can expect a check in the mail within the next week.

11. GIRL SCOUT SILVER DOLLAR

• The 2013 Girl Scouts of the USA Centennial Silver Dollar is currently available for purchase. Go to www.girlscouts.org, or click here [www.girlscouts.org/something_big.asp], for details on this very special memento.
  
• Cost is about $50.

12. RAFFLE

• Congratulations to those volunteers who won a raffle prize at the end of the meeting! 
  

Thank you for coming to our Service Unit 405 meeting!

Next Service Unit 405 Meeting:

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 7:00 pm

St. John Brebeuf Ministry Center