Samantha of Lakewood Ranch Goes Gold

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Gold Award Project: Primping for Prom and Pageants 

See the Video Interview here: https://youtu.be/qA7NbN6grNU?list=UUQu2q2bmzfNZJUoW1Qz20fg

Samantha HyattSamantha is a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School. She is the head captain of the marching band color guard and president of the Latin club. After high school, she is headed to University of Florida and she wants to be a TV news broadcaster.

Samantha noticed that there weren’t as many girls participating in the school’s beauty pageant and prom. She found that many girls could not afford these dresses which inhibited them to participate in the memorable events. With the Junior Advisory Board, she has started the program which involves young women donating dresses and others borrowing these dresses free of charge for these events. This program will be sustained through the years.

Samantha said, “My project helps increase self-worth in the girls at my high school because now all girls can participate in these events in which they will always remember. This project was a stepping stone in what I hope will be a lifetime of service.”

“We celebrate the Gold Award recipients for implementing community action projects that will serve those in need for years to come. Samantha exemplifies the Girl Scout motto of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place,” said Sue Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. Samantha will be recognized for this achievement in May 2015, at Girl Scouts Young Women of Distinction ceremony. Congratulations Samantha!

Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award: http://www.gsgcf.org/girls/gold-award

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Ashlynn of Lakewood Ranch Goes Gold

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Gold Award Project: Dance for Lexi’s Paw Pals 

 See the Video Interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-a9-QFk53g

IMG_5576Ashlynn is a Senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, a cheerleader with the varsity squad, and a dancer with Jump Dance Company. For her project, she planned a ‘dance-a-thon’, in memory of her sister’s former classmate. She combined her passion for dance and love for animals to raise awareness within the community and collect item donations for the nonprofit, Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue.

Ashlynn says of what she learned, “I will no longer be hesitant to take on new challenges or to lead groups because I know I am capable of making a difference and teaching others that they can do the same.”

“Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Ashlynn, has already changed the world as a high school student. She mastered skills necessary to be an outstanding leader such as creativity and ability to positively influence others,” said Sue Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. Ashlynn will be recognized for this achievement in May 2015, at Girl Scouts Young Women of Distinction ceremony. Congratulations Ashlynn!

Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award: http://www.gsgcf.org/girls/gold-award

10 Easy Cookie Selling Tips

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida
  1. Booths start on Valentine’s Day. Have themed ribbon and cards at your booth and pre-package bundles (example: Chocolate lovers bundle)c.2.5_bundlesofbliss
  2. When you arrive at your booth, “Check-In” on Facebook so your friends know where you are selling cookies.
  3. Share GSGCF Facebook or other related cookie images on social media and encourage your friends to share too! Also, share the cookie locator link and app as much as possible: www.girlscoutcookies.org.
  4. Hand out homemade thank you notes and include an adult contact in case the customer wants to order more cookies.
  5. Show your fun and charitable goals at your booth and have a goal chart or a countdown so customers can see how close you are to your goals.
  6. Promotion! Create yard signs, door hangers, car magnets, business cards, and decorate your car to get the word out that your Girl Scout has cookies.
  7. Get creative in your signs, pitch, and booth. Check out Bling Your Booth Contest. Rachel Grothers Troop, Sarasota Pic 2
  8. Hand out some printed cookie recipes to customers. Checkout Pinterest page or www.littlebrowniebakers.com.
  9. Open a couple of boxes to have some samples (you will have to pay for these cookies).
  10. Remind them that cookies are here once a year. Towards the end of the sale, remind customers they need to order before it’s too late. “One more week.” “Last day of cookies.”

Updates and Important Dates:
– Taste of Home is sponsoring The National Girl Scout Cookie Recipe contest (bonus tip #11. Share this contest with customers!). See all the details here.
– Don’t forget to enter the National Bling Your Booth Contest. Six troops nationally will win $500 per troop!
– Cookie Boss Twitter Party is February 25, 2015 at 9pm. Join the conversation using #cookieboss and #gno.
– National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend is February 27-March 1st. We are looking to share your #cookieboss stories. Email marketing@gsgcf.org.
– Find all your resources for GSGCF Cookies here.

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Cameron of Naples Goes Gold

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Gold Award Project: The Taming of the Bard

 See the Video Interview here: http://youtu.be/ox-zlf5eT9A

Cameron Buxton is a senior at Seascrest Country Day School. She is preparing for college, applying at distinct schools such as Yale, Dartmouth, and Columbia to study paleontology. At her school, she is the stage manager of the drama department, the captain of several academic teams, the founder of The Scholar Bowl, part of Youth Leadership Collier, and has been in Girl Scouts for 11 years.

IMG_5411When she and her peers first were introduced to Shakespeare, her peers weren’t interested and thought it was hard. Cameron decided that she would introduce 40 students at her school to Shakespeare in a fun, non-intimidating way. Cameron wanted to teach students about important works of literature to enhance the already strong arts and music program at the school, so she educated and inspired.

Cameron is proud of the leadership skills she gained; “I think that my leadership skills will grow in the future because I have now gained the confidence to teach others about what I was passionate about. Leading people through artistic vision is something that I had never thought of doing before and definitely changes how I look at theater and my potential roles in it in the future.”

Peggy Arndt, Cameron’s Gold Award Advisor and Theatre Director at Seacrest Country Day School said, “Over the course of many weeks, Cameron succeeded in not just presenting Shakespeare, but in making his writing accessible to her students. Cameron had not only become a teacher, but a remarkably good, and inspiring one, at that.”

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. Cameron will be recognized for this achievement in May 2015, at Girl Scouts Young Women of Distinction ceremony. Congratulations Cameron!

Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award: http://www.gsgcf.org/girls/gold-award

 

Goal Setting for the Girl Scout Cookie Program

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Goal SettingThe Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business as it not only teaches girls valuable skills, but it can help them financially create experiences they never thought possible.  Goal setting is one of the 5 Skills learned during the Girl Scout Cookie program and can help girls achieve their dreams.

Individual girls have their own rewards for every part of the Girl Scout program including patches, fun events, cookie dough (a credit card for the shop or Juniors and up can bank it for great options), and the extreme team: 1,000+ cookie sellers who earn items such as tickets to “Girls Unite” at Walt Disney World, iPad, and more (all items cumulative). Last year we had 145 extreme team winners!

Inspiration from 2014 top seller Emma, "If someone says you can’t do it, don’t believe them. Just keep going; you’ll make it!” On setting goals. She sold 4,267 boxes of cookies.

Inspiration from 2014 top seller: “If someone says you can’t do it, don’t believe them. Just keep going; you’ll make it!” Emma sold 4,267 boxes of cookies.

Troops earn funds for each box of cookies. Volunteers should discuss what kind of troop goals they should set. Think about a fun/learning goal such as a celebration or travel opportunity and also a goal to help others and give back to the community. As a troop, try and do something new and exciting that girls may not experience otherwise. Also remember the most important aspect, girl-led. Incorporate goal setting in your troop meeting so girls can discuss and vote on what they want to do. And remember, girls can save their earnings for future big trips.

2014 GSGCF fun and learning goals: troop took a cooking class, designed and purchased troop shirts and visited the local print shop, space camp, saving for Europe in 2016, went to a marine biology camp in the Keys to learn about protecting the waterways, purchased starter kits and membership for each girl, saved for a troop trip to NYC and a Girl Scout program on Broadway.

2014 GSGCF Girl Scouts Give Back: purchased needed products for centers, shelters, and hospitals, supporting Ronald McDonald House with donations and dinner (and cooked themselves), each girl picked a charity and donated $25 in their name, donated $100 to a month of satellite time to track turtles, supported a 3-year old with epilepsy in getting her a service dog, purchased much needed PE equipment for their school, helped make play grounds wheelchair accessible, and delivered extra boxes of cookies to a veteran nursing home.

Picture1Don’t forget to tell customers about your goals! They might not need any Girl Scout cookies but once they hear your goal, they may just change their mind. Be creative. Troops last year decorated their booth with their goals and causes. With Digital Cookies, incorporate your goals on your personal pages.

Here are resources to help with Goal Setting: Goal Chart, Little Brownie Girls and Goals, Goal Setting crafts and games

2014 Girl Scout Goals:

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Amanda of Bradenton Goes Gold

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Gold Award Project: The Peaceful Place

 See the Video Interview here: http://youtu.be/xM2QOqQYI0c

Amanda is a freshman at State College of Florida, majoring in hospital administration and marketing. She was in Girl Scouts for over seven years. For her Gold Award project, she built a meditation garden for Peace Presbyterian Church in Bradenton. She says, “It’s a place for people to feel comfortable and get away; to think and be at peace.”

IMG_5381Amanda learned lifelong skills. She learned time management skills, how to lead several people in the management of a project, and she knows now she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to. Amanda knows she has made a difference in her church community. She feels that with the fast paced world, this garden can be a peaceful place for people to sit back and think. She says, “Maybe some of the world’s most inspiring thoughts are here. We don’t know?”

Sue Stewart, Cheif Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc., stated, “Nationwide only 5.4% of qualifying Girl Scouts earn the Girl Scout Gold Award. As Amanda enters those ranks, she has distinguished herself by standing up for what she believes and taking action to make her community better.”

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. Amanda will be recognized for this achievement in May 2015, at Girl Scouts Young Women of Distinction ceremony. Congratulations Amanda!

Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award: http://www.gsgcf.org/girls/gold-award

 

Give the Gift of Girl Scouts!  

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Giving Tuesday(1)DSC02624

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, December 2, 2014, a global day dedicated to giving back. Join Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. on #GivingTuesday!

Did you know that 20% of Girl Scouts need support with their annual membership and uniform essentials? On #GivingTuesday, we are asking that families, donors, and friends join in a council wide effort to Give the Gift of Girl Scouts to 10 new girls! This gift can be your contribution in the Family Partnership Campaign.

  • $15 will get her a year’s membership to Girl Scouts
  • $72 will get her the starter kit which includes essentials to get going
  • $87 will get her everything she needs to feel like a Girl Scout

Give the Gift of Girl Scouts and let’s help 10 new girls be a part of the movement that’s changing the world! Save the date and invite others to Give the Gift of Girl Scouts with our Facebook Event>> 

Invest in girls. Change the World.

Ellie of Sarasota goes Gold!

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Gold Award Project: Dance, Dance Round the World 

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Ellie Tsuchiya, a Senior at Pine View, recently completed her Gold Award Project, “Dance, Dance Round the World” to address cultural apathy in younger generations. The program was created for the Dance-The Next Generation (DNG) students. DNG is a free Sarasota Ballet program for low income students at Title 1 schools. Ellie volunteered with the program and through interacting with the students realized, “they didn’t know about the diversity in our world and I thought it was something I could teach them.”

With her program, she expanded student’s knowledge of different dances and created a global link to cultures around the world. She believes, “cultural apathy causes many young people to partake in stereotyping or racism simply because they are not knowledgeable. My program helps these students become more culturally aware and more respectful.”

Lisa Townsend with the Sarasota Ballet and Ellie’s Gold Award advisor said, “Since our program utilizes dance to teach self-discipline, this tied in perfectly with what we do. It was a great way to help broaden their horizons, not just with dance, but with global cultures.”

This summer, Ellie visited the Girl Scout Headquarters in Japan, where she shared her project with members from across the world. Local GS visiting Girl Scouts of Japan Headquarters in Tokyo

“Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award designation is truly a remarkable achievement, and Ellie exemplifies leadership in all its forms,” said Sue Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. “Her dedication, perseverance, and leadership, is making the world a better place.”

Ellie's Gold Award Pose

Ellie’s Gold Award Pose

Ellie learned presentation skills, confidence, audience adaptation, and time management through this project, but expressed the biggest thing she learned, “was that I could put my ideas into action for a cause I care about.”

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. Ellie will be recognized for this achievement in May 2015, at Girl Scouts Young Women of Distinction ceremony.

Fantastic job Ellie!

Ellie in the news: Herald Tribune * The Observer

Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award: http://www.gsgcf.org/girls/gold-award

~Guest Blogger is Emily Prettyman, Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. alumna and volunteer. Emily C. of Troop 121 with the Media Team helped interview Ellie and is featured in the video.

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Top Seller!

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Kaitlyn P. is the TOP Seller for the 2014 Fall Product Sale! 

Kaitlyn and GSGCF CEO, Sue Stewart

Kaitlyn and GSGCF CEO, Sue Stewart

Congratulations to Kaitlyn P. of Troop 600! She is the 2014 Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida’s, Fall Product Sale, TOP Seller. Kaitlyn sold over $1,200 in items by participated in both the online sales and direct sales. She said she wrote the emails and made the asks, stating “it was a really easy sale.”

Kaitlyn’s troop is planning a trip Savannah, Georgia.  She has never experienced the history of the birthplace of Girl Scouts and is excited that her sales will help her troop achieve that goal. When asked what to tell other Girl Scouts about her accomplishment she said, “If you put your mind to it you can do it.” Skills she learned during the sale include responsibility, pride, and courage. Way to go!

 

Fall Product Sale – Round 2

Did your troop miss out on this year’s Fall Product Sale? We are so excited about the new online options and products that are part of the Fall Product Sale that we wanted to be sure every girl had the opportunity to participate!

November 14 – December 1, 2014 – (online only)

During the Round 2 sale, girls can participate in all of the ONLINE ONLY pieces of the Fall Product Sale, including nuts, candy, magazine subscriptions and photo keepsakes!

  • Troops earn 10% of all online sales from 11/14/14 – 12/1/14.
  • Customers’ products are delivered right to their door just in time for the holidays!
  • No money to collect!  No products to deliver!  No forms to fill out.
  • Troop proceeds will be deposited in early January 2015.

Perfect for online holiday shopping during Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

Every girl who participates in the Round 2 sale and sells at least one item will earn a special patch!  (No other individual rewards can be earned during Round 2.)

How to Dive In to Round Two:

  1. Troop volunteers and families log in to the Online Fall Sale Program at http://girlscouts.qspgao.com/gulfcoast.
  2. Girls set goals, customize their online shops and enter email addresses to send friends and family a link to their own online shops.
  3. Customers shop online, pay with a credit card and items are shipped directly to the customer.
  4. Families and volunteers can track progress, send additional emails and celebrate success.
  5. Troop proceeds are distributed to troops in early January.  No paperwork to fill out, no money to collect.

Got Questions?  Need additional info? Contact Alicia Rance, Sales Coordinator, at aliciar@gsgcf.org or (941) 921-5358 ext. 315.

Dive in round 2

I Can’t Wait to… Invite-a-Friend to Volunteer!

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

What could make volunteering with Girl Scouts even more fun? Volunteering with a friend and getting rewarded for inviting them! We are so excited to announce that during the month of November, our Council is participating in the GSUSA promotion, “I Can’t Wait To… Invite-a-Friend”.

All current volunteers who Invite-a-Friend to start a new K-5th grade troop will receive a $50 gift code for the GSUSA online store, AND the new Troop Leader will receive free program materials! But besides the $50 discount code and free program materials, the GREATEST BENEFIT  is the additional girls who will become part of Girl Scouting! In order for us to continue to reach every girl we need to reach more volunteers, like you, who can help!

ICWT-Vol-SM-1Picture your favorite Girl Scout memory…maybe when one of your Girl Scout Daisies realized that swimming wasn’t so scary…or the moment that your Girl Scout Cadette found her voice and stood up to bullying…or maybe when you realized that without YOU, those moments may not have happened. Don’t you want to invite a friend so that more girls can have wonderful memories?

So take some time to think of someone who would be an EXCELLENT Girl Scout Leader/role model and invite them to join you and be a part of the Girl Scout Community – church members, school volunteers, family, and friends. Tell them about the huge impact they could have on girls in the community and the wonderful experiences they’ll enjoy as Girl Scout Troop Leaders.

So, share your experience, recruit a friend, and get rewards!

Promotion runs November 1 – December 1, 2014. After you have referred a friend, fill out this form girlscouts.org/inviteafriend. Questions? Contact Yvonne Bras (800) 232-4475 or yvonneb@gsgcf.org.

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RULES AND GUIDELINES

PROMOTION PERIOD – The Invite-A-Friend promotion is valid between November 1, 2014 and December 1, 2014. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. will confirm that a new troop has been started by the recruited volunteer.

ONLINE SHOP COUPON CODES – Each unique coupon code has a value of $50.00 and is a onetime use only code. Once the purchase is in your shopping cart, you can apply the code at checkout to deduct $50.00 from the product purchase prior to shipping and applicable taxes. Coupon codes expire February 28, 2015. Only one coupon code can be used per order and cannot be combined with any other coupon offers that may be running on the Girl Scouts’ Official Online Store at that time.

VOLUNTEER RESOURCE PACKS- Your recruited friend will receive 1 coupon code to purchase a Volunteer Resource Pack of their choice.