VISTA 8:

Sara S
Kris K

REGISTRATION AMBASSADOR:

Jan S

THUR November 20
THUR January 15
THUR February 19
THUR March 19
THUR April 23
WED May 13

Introductions

2008-2009 Registration Update:

We still have a few troops that have not yet completed 2009 registration. Please contact Jan S, if you need any registration materials. Each year one person per troop is required to submit a data entry waiver form for a new password. If you need the form, please contact Jan. Once you have completed your data entry for registration, please submit your forms to Jan within one week of data entry. Registration is not complete until the signed forms are turned in.

The Vernon Hills Regional Service Center (aka the Hub) underwent a computer server upgrade a few weeks ago. They are still experiencing some problems and the issuance of passwords has been delayed. Passwords will be issued as soon as I receive them. You may experience some problems with data entry. Please be patient and keep trying.

New Leader Orientation:

Please contact Marisa N if you are interested in becoming a new leader. The next training session will take place on Tuesday, October 28 from 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Marisa’s home. New leaders should bring their driver’s license and snail mail addresses for 4 letters of reference. All new leaders are required to complete New Leader Orientation.

Brownie/Junior Training:

Ellen S is offering a training session for Brownie leaders on Thursday, November 13 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. in Social Hall of St. Nick’s Church. Please contact Ellen by Friday, Nov 7 to let her know you are coming. You can also complete training at the Hub.(see below) Leaders are required to attend this level specific training within six months of becoming a leader or moving up to the next level.

Girl Scout Fall Product:

This is the official fall fundraiser selling nuts, candy and magazine subscriptions. In order to raise funds in bake sales, etc, troops need to participate in the Fall Product sale and the Cookie sale in January.

Selling dates are from Oct. 10th until Oct. 26th. If you have any questions please call Kathy B.

Cookie Sales:

Cookie Sales begin January 1, 2009:

Cookie Materials will not be distributed at the November Leaders Meeting.  There are lots of new changes with troop online ordering. Daisy Girl Scouts will be allowed to sell cookies this year.

Please send your troop cookie parents e-mail address and phone information to Mary F.  All cookie parents must be registered this year.

Three training dates will be set up at the end of November/beginning of December. One of those meetings will be in depth for the Daisy Troops, new Brownie Troops and for any new Cookie Parents. The other two will be for veteran cookie parents. Dates to be announced.

Materials will not be distributed to any troop that is not registered or that do not attend training. If you need registration forms or information please contact our VISTA Registrar, Jan S.

Publicity

If any Evanston troops would like to share information with the community via the Evanston Review, The Roundtable, etc. please send information to Elizabeth H. You can use this opportunity to share exciting news (like troops getting a Bronze Award), publicize events like the Daisy/Brownie skating party, or to solicit donations or help for service projects (collecting books or DVDs?). Let’s let the community know what a large and vibrant VISTA we are.

Ivy S has taken on the job of our new VISTA webmaster. We are going to post news of different activities and events. We would love to get some pictures of troops in action. If you have any photos of your troop that you would like to share, please send them Ivy’s way.

CPR-First Aid Certification:

Did you know that all leaders must renew their CPR certification every year, and their First Aid certification every three years? Our last CPR class of the fall will be offered Monday, November 10. The class will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2515 Central Park Avenue in Evanston. The cost is only $20 per class, and we must get a minimum of ten people to hold the class. If you are interested in signing up, please contact Laurie M as soon as possible.

If you cannot make any of these classes, please check the Evanston Recreation Department guide: they often offer CPR and/or First Aid classes at the Chandler-Newberger Center. These classes may be longer (2 nights) and more expensive.

Girl Scout Music Day:

Saturday, November 1 is given by NU Sigma Alpha Iota women’s music fraternity at 720 Emerson, NU Evanston campus. There may be room for a few more juniors. If some one has a small troop of brownies, you can go on the waiting list. E-mail reservations to m-molenaar@northwestern.edu Please put Music Day 2008 in the subject line. Call Mary Beth with questions at 847-676-2060.

Junior High Dance

Date to be determined - November or early December

Let’s get the girls together for a night of dancing and fun. Volunteers and suggestions for a location are needed. Any dad willing to be the DJ? Light refreshments will be served. Contact Jennifer F to volunteer your services and/or your suggestions.

Upcoming Events:

Music Day at Northwestern (Nov. 1) for Brownies and Juniors - coordinated by Mary Beth M
Ski Trip for Juniors, Cadettes and Seniors (Jan. 25) coordinated by Mary Therese S
NU Basketball Scout Day for all (Jan. 4, 2009)
5^th Grade Overnight (Feb. 21-22) coordinated by William Q
Brownie/Daisy Ice Skating (late Feb./early March)
Camp Duncan for Brownies, Juniors and Cadettes (March 21-22)
Earth Day Service Project for all ages in April

Tuesday, October 27 - Junior leader training - 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at the Hub
Tuesday, October 20 - Brownie leader training - 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at the Hub
Saturday, November 8 - Daisy leader training - 9:00 a.m. - Noon at the Hub

Check Safety-Wise when you are planning your activities. Put your health cards and registration forms together on a clipboard or in a binder so you will have them at all times. We need to use permission slips EVERY time we take the troops somewhere other than our regular meeting place.