VISTA 6:

Printable Agenda (click here)

VISTA 6 Minutes

November, 2008

Blackwell Elementary School

Barb called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Denise led the group in an opening ceremony in which new leaders were honored. 

Two representatives from Chicago Storm Soccer informed us about the March 15, 2009 Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Kick-It with the Storm event.  The day includes a Kick-It Clinic and a commemorative patch in addition to the regular game.  This troop activity is appropriate for scouts to attend with or without a parent.

Next, Sandy from the Schuette-Biermann Farmhouse Museum in Elk Grove Village informed the group about badge earning opportunities through the museum.  Designed for Brownies and Juniors, the museum offers a low-cost selection of history based learning opportunities.  Materials were distributed.

Cathy returned to inform the group about the Yellow Ribbon project she has been spearheading.  The scope involves shipping boxes to soldiers in Iraq.  She went through a lengthy list of needed articles, encouraged letters from individual scouts to be included, and suggested troops participate in the “buy a box of cookies for the troops.”  The project also collects money to cover the cost of mailing the boxes.    

Following these announcements, Barb introduced herself and her ambassador team.  Each member gave a brief description of their focus and provided contact information.  The opportunities presented by the ambassadors included:  Nutcracker performances, potential service hours for babysitting, District 54/CRC Holiday Party participation (potential Bronze Award project), earning up to 3 Leader Bucks per VISTA meeting (one for attending, one for wearing pins, and one for wearing an article of clothing with ”Girl Scouts” on it), the process for redeeming Leader Bucks, and the upcoming adult Bingo night.

Barb then gave a report on the convention recently attended by her and Karen.  Briefly, she described the convention as a great place to see over 8000 energetic women embrace the new slogan of Girl Scouting:  Girl Scouts Can Lead Anywhere!   She went over the major proposals that did pass, with perhaps the most significant of them being the increase to $12 in dues, beginning 10/1/09.  This change generated a lot of discussion in light of the current economic environment but it was pointed out that there have been no increases for the last six years.   

Donna Marie cautioned everyone to make certain Cookie Moms/Dads are registered adults.  Cookie training will be announced shortly and all involved are encouraged to attend since changes have been made this year.  She also mentioned that a couple School Organizers have some troops that have not registered.  Registration forms should be sent to the appropriate East or West point person.  Donna Marie will work with anyone who is having trouble registering.  Grant applications should go directly to council.  Girls and adults should continue to be registered.  Current passwords will expire on 12/31/08.  Donna Marie will notify leaders when their password expires and all were reminded to keep their passwords to themselves.

Barb gave Donna Marie a commemorative container to collect money to enable girls to go to Juliette Lows’ birthplace.  Since Donna Marie’s troop is going 6/15/09 she is an appropriate recipient on behalf of her troop.

In Julie J’s absence, Barb updated the group on the fall product sale.  Whiles sales were down, the results are still good.  Of 120 troops, 72 participated in the sale with total VISTA sales of $81,094.44.  While the exact delivery date is not known yet, the delivery site will be Schaumburg Township building on Illinois and unloading help will be available.  Troops wanting to help with the unloading and delivery to cars can earn service hours.  

Cookie training will be posted on the website by East schools and West schools.  Theme this year is Going Places.  Selena will work with West schools, Dawn with East schools, and Lori will handle site sale scheduling.  Sale dates are 1/1/09 – 1/25/09 with delivery to be between 2/14 and 2/20.  Site sales will begin 2/21.  Training will be 11/24, 11/25, and 12/5 at St. Hubert at 7:00 p.m. and 12/4 at a TBD Elk Grove location.  New Daisy troops (new this year is that Daisy troops are able to sell) and new-to-sales troops should attend on the 11/25 date.  If you are not new, avoid that date since many details will be covered.  Send Selena with the name and contact info of your cookie parent.   Other changes:  online order entry; Cinnaspins now called Daisy-Go-Rounds; taste of peanut butter cookies has been improved; Cookie Share program has been introduced so that boxes can be ordered and given to a charity, such as to US troops; and poster ready clip-art is available.  Prices have not changed.

Dawn distributed tax-exempt wallet cards and letters.  As a precaution it was announced that debit/credit cards can’t be used with the tax exempt info since the name on the debit/credit card would not match the tax-exempt entity.  Dawn believes issues with Staples, Office Max and Office Depot not accepting the tax exempt status have been resolved.  Other merchants not accepting the tax-exempt status should be brought to Dawn’s attention.  The existing tax-exempt wallet cards (green) are good until 2/1/09.  

The 11/16 Roller Skating-Bring a Friend event is for girls and friends only not family members. Still places available but reservations need to be given to Julie R asap.  A bowling event will kick off the cookie sale on Sunday January 4.  West troops will bowl at Hoffman Lanes and East troops will bowl at Elk Grove Bowl.  Both venues will have two separate times to accommodate schedules.  Forms should be given to Julie at next VISTA meeting or by 12/15. This will be a VISTA event so all girls should be informed about it even if leaders are unable to attend.

Prior to adjourning, Barb made an announcement that Journey manuals are available for “check-out” for those who have not purchased them.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:40 p.m.