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NEW COUNCIL WILL HAVE A NEW NAME As we have been informing you over the past year, Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi is in the merger process with Girl Scouts of Northwest Mississippi, Girl Scout Council of the Mid-South and Girl Scouts Reelfoot Council.  Committees have been established and meetings continue almost on a weekly basis.  The merger will be complete on May 1, 2008 and on that date, YOUR new council will be named: Girl Scouts - Heart of the South Council www.girlscoutsheartofthesouth.org   C.A.S.A. SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

The Tupelo Area C.A.S.A. after-school program is looking for troops who would like to earn service hours by volunteering to help read to children, listen to children read and help with homework.  Contact: Suzye Sheffield Executive Director Church After School Association, Inc. casa@selectconnect.net 662-842-3887 (office)

PROFESSOR GARFIELD FOUNDATION

The Professor Garfield Foundation learning portal is a fun interactive online environment where children can safely explore, learn and creatively express themselves. The website provides children, parents, and teachers an opportunity to enhance and support classroom learning in new and innovative ways. To access the hundreds of free resources and tools for youth, visit: www.professorgarfield.org.

TROOPS NEEDED

Traceway Nursing Home in Tupelo is interested in having Girl Scouts come out and volunteer or do service at the nursing home on a quarterly basis. They can even suggest service ideas! Contact Melissa Alexander at 844-1441 ext. 4

STORYTELLING IS A LIFE SKILL

Do you like to tell stories? Did you know that storytelling can help you in your career, school work, and public perception? For centuries, our leaders have understood the importance of a good story. Now it is time for your girls to learn that secret too.

Lauren Herbstritt, Director of Organizational Advancement for the Council, is offering a free Storytelling workshop for any Junior through Senior troop who is interested. She is willing to come to your troop meeting or host a combined troop meeting if there are many troops in one area who are interested. To sign up, just call Lauren at 1-800-624-4185 or (662) 328-1930. You may also e-mail her at lherbstritt@girlscoutsnems.org.

Dates are limited so call soon.

FREE GOGIRLGO! EDUCATION KITS

We already know the wonderful effects physical activity can have on girls. It can enhance their lives physically, emotionally and socially. The GoGirlGo! Project combines physical activity with an educational intervention that focuses on reducing and preventing health-risk behaviors. In 2004 and again in 2006, the GoGirlGo! curriculum received a Gold Award from the National Health Information Awards.
With your guidance, the girls can learn how to cope with circumstances and change behaviors that threaten their well-being and embrace a physically active lifestyle.

There are two versions of the GoGirlGo! Project curriculum -- one for girls ages 8-12 (3rd to 8th graders) and one for girls ages 13-18 (high schoolers). The material for the younger girls is focused on helping them understand various pressures they are faced with and make healthy choices for their body and mind. The high school material is focused on helping girls become leaders as they deal with the more mature challenges of being a teenager. Accordingly, there are two versions of the Official Coaches and Group Leaders Guide. These guides have been created to help walk administrators of this program through the process.

All of the materials are FREE.

http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/cgi-bin/iowa/funding/article.html?record=67

 

SCRAPBOOKING SUPPLIES AVAILABLE

Scrapbooks 'n More in Tupelo has a selection of Girl Scout scrapbooking materials for troops and leaders who want to add that "special" touch to their troop albums. They are located in the West Main Shopping Center.

NURSING HOME NEEDS TROOP VOLUNTEERS

Pam Cosby, Program Director, of Magnolia Manor would like for some Girl Scout troops to come and entertain, read, sit with or just be there to help the seniors.

It can be any day and time. Just call her and arrange it.

Magnolia Manor
1514 CR 41
842-6776
Lee/Pontotoc County Area

DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR TROOPS

Dear Leaders, We are the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, in the Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA is the lead Federal agency for research on drug abuse and addiction and works to prevent substance abuse among our Nation's youth.

As the Girl Scouts strive to create healthy, strong leaders, NIDA is here to serve as a resource. To that effort, NIDA has created the NIDA Goes Back to School campaign for children, teens, and the adults who influence them. The campaign is a source for free science-based publications and teaching materials that emphasize the consequences of drug abuse on the brain and the body.

You may find our materials beneficial and useful. If you are interested in learning more about our campaign, or ordering materials, please visit www.BacktoSchool.drugabuse.gov. You can also call (800) 729-6686 to order FREE publications and teaching materials for grades K-12.

GSUSA GETS LOCAL INPUT!

Congratulations to Stacie Jones, a Senior Girl Scout from Baldwyn. Stacie has been chosen to be on the GSUSA Studio 2B Girl Web Team for older girls who are girls from all over the country and even the globe. These amazing girls will be writing, editing and brainstorming fresh ideas to make STUDIO2B.org totally girl driven and THE online place to be! Visit the lounge at www.studio2b.org for Stacie’s Bio and the bios of other team members: http://www.studio2b.org/lounge/bgfg/default.asp

COUNCIL CHECK PROCESSING CHANGE

Beginning immediately, Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi will no longer accept checks made out to multiple departments. Separate checks must be written for Membership, Shop Sales and Program Events. Please help us keep a better eye on YOUR money by adhering to these new procedures. Thank you.

DENTAL CLINIC WANTS TO HELP TROOPS

Access Family Health Services - Dental Clinic Dr. Draper - HWY 25 North 60025 Olive ST - Smithville, MS
7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
662-651-7112
Interested in providing activities to help troops in earning patches and badges, career exploration etc.
You may contact Dr. Draper for scheduling.

SERVICE PROJECT WITH GILBERT’S HOSPICE

Gilbert’s Hospice is looking for willing volunteers to provide some much needed cheer to their patients.
Opportunities include:

Birthday Cake Club, they try to give each patient a birthday cake.

Troops interested in helping out may contact April Roper, Volunteer Coordinator at 844-9725.

 

CAMP OVERNIGHT ABOARD THE USS KIDD

Come walk on the decks of history aboard America’s most authentically restored warship. Examine the dented helmet of an infantryman who stormed the beaches of Normandy. Stand beneath the 500-lb. bombs of a Vietnam-era jet or the machine guns of a World War II fighter plane. Learn about those who paid the price of freedom.
The USS KIDD Veterans Memorial is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
For information on prices, group reservations and the overnight camping program, call 225-342-1942 or visit the website at http://www.usskidd.com

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GIRL SCOUTS

The current list of scholarships available to Girl Scouts may be accessed from our website at: http://www.girlscoutsnems.org/forms.html

SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES FOR UNDERREPRESENTED POPULATIONS

A list of scholarship resources for underrepresented populations provided by GSUSA is now available on our website at:
http://www.girlscoutsnems.org/forms.html

GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM KEY MESSAGES

The mission of Girl Scouts of the USA is Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. To honor this commitment to girls, Girl Scouting is moving forward with a strengthened leadership experience, referred to as the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program.

The Girl Scout leadership model is the new design for what girls do in Girl Scouting and how adult support can strengthen their experience. It is the road map for determining what a girl will learn and how she will be impacted. The model defines and displays all the elements that must be in place to positively impact girls’ lives. The Girl Scout Leadership Development Program, then, is the model in action.

Through the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program, girls will discover their personal best and prepare for a positive future, connect with others in an increasingly diverse world, and take action to solve problems and improve their communities. Girls have told us that these opportunities matter very much to girls—both in their daily lives and as they prepare for their futures. And, with our unique focus on a By Girls, for Girls approach and cooperative and experiential learning, girls will continue to have fun, friendships, and exciting adventures.

The Girl Scout approach to leadership is based on the three principles—Discover, Connect, and Take Action.

Discover
As a Girl Scout discovers her world, she:
o Develops a strong sense of self
o Gains practical and healthy life skills
o Strengthens her values

Connect
As a Girl Scout connects with others in a global community, she:
o Forms caring relationships
o Promotes cooperation and team building
o Embraces diversity

Take Action
As a Girl Scout takes action in the world, she:
o Feels empowered to make a difference
o Identifies and solves problems she cares about
o Advocates for herself and others

The Girl Scout Leadership Development principles represent cycles of activities that engage girls in practicing leadership skills, based on the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. These activities are directly tied to specific outcomes such as: valuing cultural diversity and individual uniqueness; educating and inspiring others; and making a difference through community service and action. The outcomes indicated in the Girl Scout leadership development model will allow us to measure the impact Girl Scouting has on girls’ lives.

The Girl Scout leadership model consists of three processes, which include By Girls, for Girls, experiential learning and cooperative learning. These processes, intentionally combined, make Girl Scouting unique, determine the quality of experience, and create fun and friendship for girls. Girls will have the opportunities to create their own experiences, reflect on them and apply what they learn to new situations.

Girl Scout staples, like books, badges, and websites, exist to engage girls in leadership skill building in fun ways. GSUSA will begin to phase in new and updated resources to support the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program in October 2008.

Decisions about the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program are based on input and ideas gathered from all members of the Girl Scout community including councils, volunteers, members, non-Girl Scouts, and experts in the youth development field. As the program continues to evolve, additional ideas and input will be elicited.

Girl Scouts has a long-standing tradition of change. Since 1912, Girl Scouting has risen to the challenge of meeting the unique needs of each generation of girls.

GIRL SCOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE

Did you know? Girl Scouts receive discounts at several national chain stores. One in our area is Claire’s located at the Mall at Barnes Crossing. Others include 1-800-FLOWERS and Barnes and Noble On-Line. Click on the link below to be linked to the Girl Scout webpage that explains it all and has printable coupons!

http://www.girlscouts.org/newmember/partners.asp?y=08420472569014

OVERNIGHT FEES IN TUPELO

Due to the rising cost of utilities, the council has established an overnight fee of $20.00 per troop for groups wishing to stay overnight at the Tupelo Council Office. Please use the Room Scheduling Form to make reservations if your troop would like to spend the night. The form is located in section 4 of your Leader Information Manual.

 

HEART FOR THE HOMELESS ACTIVITY PATCH

Last year, Bridge Communities launched a patch program for youth groups to teach them about the issue of homelessness and how it impacts children and youth.

During the past school year, nearly 100 Girl Scout troops and over 1500 girls from New York to Hawaii earned the patch and shared their experiences with us. Hundreds of other leaders downloaded our interactive curriculum on homelessness from our website.

The patch program, called “A Heart for the Homeless” teaches girls about the issues facing homeless families in their communities and find out what they can do to help.

Click on the following link for a picture of the patch and all the details:
http://www.bridgecommunities.org/scoutpatch.htm

Each year, an increasing number of families across America struggle to find living wage jobs, and as a result more and more families find themselves experiencing episodic or chronic homelessness.
Children are most acutely impacted by this experience.

For over 18 years, Bridge Communities, a non-profit organization based in the Chicago area, has been helping homeless families cross the bridge from homelessness to self-sufficiency through their transitional housing program.

This patch program is available for use by any Girl Scout Troop or individual Girl Scout Juliette.

All of the information necessary to complete the patch program and order patches ($1 each) can be accessed from our website http://www.bridgecommunities.org.

THE TRANS FAT ISSUES

We at Girl Scouts are concerned about trans fats and are working diligently with our bakers to eliminate trans fats from all Girl Scout cookies. This process takes time, and, for now, we offer a choice of seven healthier varieties.

Girl Scout leaders are parents, too, and we care about this issue personally as well as professionally. As we move forward in eliminating trans fats, we ask for continued support of the Girl Scout cookie program, which not only funds essential services for Girl Scout troops, groups and 2.7 million individual girls but provides girls with hands-on experience in many life skills that they will need and use throughout their lives including, team work, goal-setting money management, oral presentation skills and customer service.

In addition to developing and strengthening skills, the cookie program revenue helps Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi supply essential services to troops, groups and individual girls, such as providing program resources and communication support, training adult volunteers and conducting special events.

Proceeds from last year’s cookie program enabled the Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi to run summer camp at Camp Tik-A-Witha, offer program events in various areas throughout the council for each age level, and provide training for troop leaders. In addition, the proceeds helped troops to travel to Savannah, the birthplace of Girl Scouts, and perform community service in their communities.

For more information on our annual Girl Scout Cookie Program, which starts in January and runs through March each year or other ways you can help girls navigate the mystifying path to adulthood, just contact the council office at
1-800-624-4185.

PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES

Badge Programs are offered at the Lichterman Nature Center in Memphis, TN. Girl Scouts may earn Try-Its or Badges such as: Animals Try-It, Earth and Sky Try-It, Earth Connections Badge, Wildlife Badge and many more. Saturday programs last approximately 1 1/2 hours. Overnights are also available. A minimum of 10 scouts is needed to book a program. Programs for groups of 10 or more may also be booked on weekdays. Overnight fees are $30 per scout and $15 per chaperone. Call for more information - 901-767-7322, ext. 121 or visit them on the web at: http://www.memphismuseums.org/public.htm#lich

CHALLENGE AWARDS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

At the 2005 National Council Session, Girl Scouts of the USA adopted a new mission statement: Girl Scouting build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
The essence of the mission is echoed throughout the Girl Scout Challenge Awards, available to Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts and Girl Scouts in Middle and High School.
When girls take The Challenge, they will explore the courage, confidence, and character that are inside themselves. Here are some sample activities from the Girl Scout Challenge Awards:
• Brownie Girl Scouts can explore new things such as: making a new friend or working in the kitchen to help make a special dinner. As they try new behaviors and succeed, they will begin to learn the assets of courage.
• Junior Girl Scouts can build confidence by recognizing special talents, and using them. They can sing at a nursing home, or build a mural on a dilapidated wall.
• Middle and High School girls can build character by learning to identify problems they care about and assessing possible solutions
Details of the Girl Scout Challenge Awards are available online at http://www.gogirlsonly.org/spotlight/challenge_1.asp for Brownie Girls Scouts and at http://www.gogirlsonly.org/spotlight/challenge_2.asp for Junior Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts in middle and high school can find their Challenge Awards on the STUDIO 2B Web Site at http://www.studio2b.org/lounge/gs_stuff/challenge_11_17.asp.
Fun awards are available for each Challenge Award so that girls can celebrate their achievements.

FREE TRUE YOU! WORKBOOK HELPS EMBRACE UNIQUE BEAUTY

A Workbook Specially Designed for Mothers and Daughters
Thanks to Girl Scouts of the USA’s national collaboration with Dove, councils and external audiences will be able to download free copies of true YOU! , a workbook specially designed for mothers and daughters.
Why mothers and daughters? Because research shows that a mother’s attitudes about her health and body image influence her daughter’s ideas about her own sense of self and appearance.
The ten activities in the workbook—on such things as sharing feelings, tracing one’s heritage, puberty, and aspirations—are designed to raise self-esteem by encouraging mothers and daughters to embrace their own inner and unique beauty.
Copies may be downloaded by going to http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com and clicking on Dove Self-Esteem Fund on the top of the home page. true YOU! is part of uniquely ME! The Girl Scout/Dove Self-Esteem Program.

THE PENNY PROJECT

An Innovative Financial Literacy Program For Girls Ages 6-8. These fun activities will help girls learn and use key concepts and skills related to personal money management.
By guiding girls through the girl-friendly activities in The Penny Project, you as a Girl Scout volunteer have the opportunity to help girls build a solid foundation of financial skills and competency that will support them for years to come. It all starts with giving them a “Penny” for their thoughts.
The Penny Project is a “project in a box” that can be delivered in many different ways to girls, depending on your group’s schedule. The Penny Project requires a minimum of seven hours to complete, however, you are welcome to condense or expand the time to better accommodate the needs of the group.

The Penny Project Kit contains:
The Penny Project Guide for Adults
1 Girls Fun Workbook (including “My Money Journal”)
2 Posters (including The Penny Project Board Game)
The Penny Project Game Cards

Today’s schools often include financial literacy in their benchmarks for measuring educational success. Likewise, Girl Scouts of the USA is committed to empowering today’s girls to be financially literate and independent.

Call Juliette's Closet to order or purchase the Penny Project for your troop - 662-844-7577

 

TOKENS FOR TENTS

You can help replace tents at Camp Tik-A-Witha! Start collecting your "tokens" today. Each tent costs about $500. The Service Unit who raises the most money will receive a free campout weekend at Tik-A-Witha! All donations should be sent to the Tupelo Office.

 

ASTHMA AWARENESS PATCH PROGRAM: HELPING GIRLS BREATHE EASIER

The Asthma Awareness Program was developed by the Asthma Coalition of Long Island in partnership with Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, GSUSA, and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology to advocate and promote healthy lifestyles for Girl Scouts and their families.

Learning about the respiratory system and how we breathe is the basis of the new resource booklet Asthma Awareness Program: Helping Girls Breathe Easier. Girls will develop knowledge of asthma triggers and learn to make healthy choices, such as avoiding cigarette smoke, eating healthy foods, and practicing relaxation techniques. By earning this patch, girls can take the lead in educating their families and communities about asthma awareness. The patch can be earned by Girl Scouts who complete the activities outlined in the Asthma Awareness Program: Helping Girls Breathe Easier book. The book is available on-line at:
http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/online/participation_patches/asthma_awareness/AsthmaBkENG.pdf

Patches may be ordered through Juliette's Closet.

MONEY IN MOTION

Lessons on banking and money management can be found on-line for girls at http://www.aba.com/consumer+connection/scholastic.htm
Troop leaders may wish to download printable lessons or introduce their girls to the on-line lesson format.

GUIDELINES FOR CREATING YOUR OWN TROOP OR GROUP WEB PAGE

GSUSA has established guidelines for adult volunteers, older girls, and others considering developing a Web page or “home page” for a troop or group in Girl Scouts. Although there is some “how to do it” information, the guidelines are not meant to lead you through the construction process. We leave that to the experts. We suggest that you find someone who knows the technical and legal aspects of Web construction, and someone who is capable of making it a learning experience for girls. You should also check with your Girl Scout council for additional guidelines and/or hosting opportunities. Information posted to the Internet on a Web page can be read by people all over the world. Therefore, safety and how you represent yourselves as Girl Scouts should be the guiding principal of any Web-based endeavor, even if your information is password protected. This includes issues of privacy, language use, sponsorship, links, and use of any kind of copyrighted material (writing, music, brand images, and pictures). Follow this link to the guidelines: https://ocn.girlscouts.org/SupportingDocuments/Guidelines_for_Web_2_10_051.doc

VALUABLE INFORMATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS OR SENIORS

The following website has tons of information on obtaining grants, and scholarships for college. This information could be very valuable to parents and older girls who have been active in Girl Scouts, their schools, churches or communities. The website is http://www.house.gov/roybal-allard/

THE CORINNE JEANNINE SCHILLINGS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP & GRANT

The Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation is dedicated to preserving the memory of Corinne Schillings, a 26 - year-old woman who lost her life in the Baltimore Water Taxi accident on March 6, 2004. Corinne was a Silver Award Girl Scout and a 1999 graduate of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Corinne received her undergraduate degree in foreign languages, majoring in Italian; she also studied Spanish, French, and Portuguese. She spent two semesters studying in Italy, first in Florence and then Milan. During her study abroad in Florence, Corinne met her future fiancé, Andrew Roccella, who also died in the accident. Corinne believed strongly in higher education for women and in learning about various cultures through language. The foundation will award scholarships and grants to deserving young women who reflect Corinne's aspirations, values, and enthusiasm for life.

Scholarship: The foundation will award scholarships to deserving young women who have earned the Girl Scout Gold or Silver Award and who plan to or are currently pursuing a college major or minor in foreign language. This scholarship IS renewable.

Grant: The Foundation will provide airfare for a Silver or Gold Award Girl Scout who plans to study abroad, regardless of her major/minor. It is not necessary to be a scholarship recipient to apply for this one-time grant; nor are scholarship recipients excluded from applying. This grant is NOT renewable.

Criteria

The Foundation will award scholarships to deserving young women who have attained at least the honor of Silver Award Girl Scout, and who plan to or are currently pursuing a college major or minor in foreign language. This scholarship IS renewable.

Scholarship Guidelines

1. Applicant must be a Silver or Gold Award recipient
2. Applicant is currently or will be pursuing a major/minor in a foreign language 3. Applicant is currently or will be attending an accredited four year college or university as a full-time student 4. For a first time college/university attendee, applicant must have attained at least a "B" average during high school (3.0 on a 4.0; or, 4.0 on a 5.0 - grading scale) . 5. For a currently enrolled college/university student, the applicant must have attained at least a "B" average in their major/minor foreign language (3.0 on a 4.0; or, 4.0 on a 5.0 - grading scale) 6. The scholarship recipient will receive $1,500 (which may be used for tuition, fees related to their major/minor, or books) 7. The scholarship may be renewed for a maximum of four years ($6,000 maximum), if: a. the recipient remains a full-time student b.continues to major/minor in a foreign language c. progresses toward a degree d. maintains a "B" average in the major/minor foreign language

8. Applicant must submit a one page letter of recommendation from a Girl Scout volunteer or professional Girl Scout staff member. (The recommendation should come from someone who knows the applicant and her accomplishments well.)

The Foundation will provide airfare for a Silver or Gold Award Girl Scout who plans to study abroad, irrespective of her major/minor. It is not necessary to be a scholarship recipient to apply for this one time grant; nor are scholarship recipients excluded from applying. This grant IS NOT renewable.

Study Abroad Grant Guidelines

1. Applicant must be a Silver or Gold Award recipient
2. Applicant is currently attending an accredited four year college or university as a full-time student 3. Applicant must have attained at least a cumulative "B" average 4. The grant will provide round trip, coach class airfare not to exceed $1,000

Deadline
May 15, 2008

Awarded by
The Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation

Subject
Foreign Language Studies and Internationl Travel

Frequency will be Annually

Additional Information

Applications and ALL supporting materials, INCLUDING the "Submission Checklist" (NO fax or electronic applications will be accepted) must be received NO LATER THAN 5:00 pm CST on

Thursday, May 15, 2008 (5:00 pm, CST)
Friday, May 15, 2009 (5:00 pm, CST)
Monday, May 17, 2010 (5:00 pm, CST)
Monday, May 16, 2011 (5:00 pm, CST)
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 (5:00 pm, CST)
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 (5:00 pm, CST)
Thursday, May 15, 2014 (5:00 pm, CST)
[All future applications are due on May 15 or the following Monday, if May 15 falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

Comments

For further information about Corinne, the foundation, and to obtain downloadable scholarship and grant applications, visit the foundation's Web site at: http://www.cjsfoundation.org or contact the foundation by emailing: dschillings@cjsfoundation.org or phoning: 708-957-3684 or 630-886-0507

 

NEW PATCH: "GIRL SCOUTS SHAPE UP!"

Have girls get off the couch, toss the 32-ounce can of soda, shape up, and feel
better with this activity chart that will also earn them a patch!
To earn the Girl Scouts “ Shape UP!” patch, girls need to do at least 30 minutes
of activity, three times a week, for three months, and follow the nutrition
activities in their age group. Included are some charts to help them track their
progress.
Follow the link to our "forms" page to get the steps and order form:
http://www.girlscoutsnems.org/forms.html

 

R.I.S.E. TO YOUR DREAMS

Responsibility, Integrity, Self-Control = Empowerment

The Mississippi Community Education Center has an "Aiming for Abstinence" program available for Cadette and Senior Troops. Troop leaders who are interested in this FREE program should contact parents within your troop to discuss the possibility and approval of providing this training and then contact Kay Harrelson at 662-871-8994.
This program is a character education program that stresses the importance of waiting until marriage.
The program is approved by the National Abistinence Clearing House.

NEW SEWING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TROOPS

Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi has received new instructional books for sewing! There are sewing machines located at each office which can be checked out for a $20 refundable deposit. The instruction books also come with leader guides that will walk any leader through the instructions for her girls, even if she is not a seamstress!! Girls can choose there projects from the eXpressSew Books according to their interests: *Quilt Quest - Easy beginner quilt in two styles and four sizes *Pillow Power - Six sassy pillows in five fun shapes *Locker Combination - Roomy locker caddy, A+ binder covers and a super simple day pack *Slumber Party - Mix and match pj's with pillow duffel and sleeping mask *Flirting with Fleece - Fleece Hats, scarves, mittens and more "Groove Girl" tips for sewing are also located in the back of each book. Get your troop involved in the joy of sewing today and give them a skill to be proud of tomorrow!!

EF EDUCATIONAL TOURS

Wouldn’t it be great to bring your troop to where it all started—the Juliette Gordon Low house in Savannah, Georgia? Or what about one of the Girl Scout Centers in Adelboden, Switzerland or London, England? EF educational tours would like to help you plan an unforgettable trip and create lifelong memories with your girls. We share the Girl Scouts’ commitment to travel and its role in expanding the horizons of girls throughout the country. EF educational tours offer more destinations and activities around the world than any other educational travel company. Whether you are heading to the birthplace of the Girl Scouts, the home of Big Ben or wherever you want to go, EF will plan the perfect tour for your troop. Please contact Brooke Welu at 1-800-807-9021 or girlscouts@ef.com in order to learn more about the various options that EF has to offer and to receive a free travel voucher for your next tour!
Contact: Brooke Welu 1-800-807-9021 or
email: girlscouts@ef.com

LINKING GIRLS TO THE LAND PATCH

GSUSA announces a new patch that girls can earn by participating in Linking Girls to the Land (LGTTL) projects and opportunities. The purpose of the patch is:
• to give natural resource agency professionals and Girl Scout girls and adults a reason to become more familiar with federal natural resource agencies, so that both groups understand the benefit of working collaboratively.
• to encourage girl-to-girl, leader-to-leader, and girl-to-leader discussion about the initiative by having a visible award recognizing the LGTTL partnership.
• to encourage leaders and girls to go to environmental experts when they have questions while earning environmental Badges, Try-Its, Interest Project Patches, or STUDIO 2B charms.
• to show girls a way to focus their earned awards when working toward the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.
Click on the link to see the requirements for earning the patch: https://ocn.girlscouts.org/SupportingDocuments/LandPatchCriteria.pdf

EVENT RATIOS TO REMEMBER

To All Leaders: The following ratios must be observed when attending council events:
According to Safety-Wise,
*2 adults for every 5 Daisy Girl Scouts, plus one adult to each additional 3 Daisy Girl Scouts.
*2 adults to every 12 Brownie Girl Scouts, plus one adult to each additional 6 Brownie Girl Scouts.
*2 adults to every 16 Junior Girl Scouts, plus one adult to each additional 8 Junior Girl Scouts.
*2 adults to every 20 Cadette Girl Scouts, plus one adult to each additional 10 Cadette Girl Scouts.
*2 adults to every 24 Senior Girl Scouts, plus one adult to each additional 12 Senior Girl Scouts.
2 adults should always be present and active with the girls.
Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi WILL ALLOW ratios of 1 adult to every 4 girls for events, but no less. Allowing too many adults to accompany girls takes up space that would allow more girls to participate. For those troops who have very committed moms/assistant leaders who want to participate, the troop or service unit should hold at least one Mom and Me Event, and the moms should rotate and take turns attending various council events throughout the year.

EVENT REGISTRATION NOTICE

Leaders! When you register for a council event, please be sure to address it to the attention of LaToya Brown or the name of the event. We don't want your troop to miss out on a deadline or maximum capacity because the registration was sent to the attention of the wrong staff member. LaToya handles all event registrations and is the correct person to address:
LaToya Brown, GSNEMS, P.O. Box 1087, Tupelo, MS 38802

RESOURCES FOR MILITARY PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN

http://www.dod.mil/mapcentral/children.html - Military Assistance Program: Children and Youth (run by the Department of Defense) assists commanders and families in balancing the competing demands of family life and military mission, reducing at-risk behavior while promoting youth skills and leadership.

http://www.militarychild.org/ - Military Child Education Coalition works to solve the challenge of helping schools and military installations deliver accurate, timely information to meet transitioning parent and student needs, and in the development and education of children from military families

http://www.mfrc-dodqol.org/MCY/ - The Military Children and Youth Web Site provides information on military children and youth issues, programs, and initiatives.

http://www.militarystudent.org/portal/page?_pageid=115,108465&_dad=portal9x&_schema=PORTAL9X - Military Student contains information, tools, and resources to help meet the unique needs of military children, parents, leaders, and educators.

http://www.mfrc-dodqol.org/ - Military Family Resource Center is a tool for enhancing the effectiveness of military family policy and programs.

http://www.nmfa.org/ - The National Military Family Association is dedicated to providing information to and representing the interests of family members of the uniformed services on which our national security depends.

http://www.sgtmoms.com/home.asp - Sgt. Mom's is run by a Navy spouse of almost 20 years and mother of two teens. Her site contains discussion forums, military-family related news, and other items.

http://www.sgtmoms.com/home.asp - U.S. Military Family from About.com provides links and resources on a wide variety of domestic issues.

 

THE RAINWATER OBSERVATORY HAS OPPORTUNITES

Visit their website to find out about all of their programs.
http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/programs