Family Campaign 2008

It's that time of year! All registered Girl Scout households will receive a letter followed by a phone call asking you to make a pledge to the 2008 Family Campaign.  Funds raised from the Family Campaign are used for programs, adult trainings, supplies, publications, insurance, facilities and outdoor program opportunities. 

Gifts from parents and Girl Scout members enable the Council to continue its mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Your gift will help create the leaders of tomorrow by providing life-changing programs for the Girl Scouts of today. Thank you, in advance, for your investment in the future of our girls and the impact they will make on our world.    

Program tip: sign up early!

Council programs for 2007 are winding down, but the time for sign-ups for 2008 activities is now! Please make your plans early since programs fill up fast, and once the maximum capacity of the event has been reached, registration will close. This is for ALL events in Girl Scouting. 

Photos wanted for newsletter

Please do not delay in sending in your photos from any Girl Scout event at the individual girl, troop, service unit, or council level by December 10 for inclusion in the winter issue of the VIP. Both Just for Girls and the VIP are mailed in late December and early January, but with the holidays, etc. they must be at the printers, ready to go, far before then. You may mail your photos to the Girl Scout Council of Southeast Louisiana, Attn: Communications Dept.,  841 S. Clearview Parkway, New Orleans, LA 70121, or if they are scanned or digital, you may email them to maddy@girlscoutssela.org 

Please be sure to include a  brief write-up of what is going on in the photo, first and last names of the girls and adults in the photo if possible, troop #, and your name and phone number/email address.

Toastmasters Dinner & Workshop for Cadette/Senior Girl Scouts Jan. 17

Come be a part of a professional leadership building workshop presented by Toastmasters International on Thursday, January 17, from 6-9 p.m. at the Council Service Center. Participation will fulfill some of the requirements for the Leadership and Public Relations Interest Projects as well as strengthen communication skills, sharpen presentation abilities, and build on a girl's courage as she prepares to take over the corporate world!

Cost is $10 per girl which includes pizza dinner and presentation materials. The registration deadline is January 10, and register by completing the event registration form for an individual and faxing or mailing it to the Council office at 841 S. Clearview Parkway, New Orleans, LA 70121 / Fax: (504) 733-8219.

Sign up for First Mate Scouting Patch Program at the New Orleans Boat Show

The New Orleans Boat Show is offering free admission to Girl and Boy Scouts in uniform along with a First Mate Scouting Patch Program designed for troop participation on Saturday, January 12 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, January 13, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Troops interested in this program please contact Becky Chaney at New Orleans Boat Show at 504-780-1818 or email at bchaney@nmma.org to set up a designated time for your troop.

Answer the STEM question* and camp for free

Congratulations to Girl Scout troops #841 and #579 who were the only two troops to submit answers to last month's STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) challenge question and who each will be receiving a free weekend of camping at CWP!

So don't miss out this time! Submit your answers by Jan. 13 for your chance to win! This month's questions are again supplied compliments of the Louisiana Children's Museum. *Click here for your age-appropriate STEM Question and rules.

Sign up for some fun events this winter

Don't forget to sign up early since programs fill up fast. Just a few of the events include:

• Evening at the National WW II Museum - Jan. 12, 6 - 10 p.m. Junior Girl Scouts. $10 per girl.
• Nursing Exploration Day at Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Covington- Jan. 19, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Junior Girl Scouts. $3 per girl.
• Arbor Day & Family Camping at CWP - February 9, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Girls all ages. $5 per person. Registration deadline: January 25.
• Arbor Day at Covington - February 16, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Junior - Senior Girl Scouts. $5 per girl. Capacity: 150 girl maximum. Registration deadline: January 7.
• Chemistry Fun Day for Brownies - February 16, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m., Loyola University. $8 per girl.
• Chemistry Fun Day for Juniors - March 1, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Loyola University, $8 per girl.
• GIRLfest at CWP- March 15, $10 per girl. Limited to a maximum capacity of 500 girls. Registration deadline: February 23.
• Harlem Globetrotters - March 15, 11:30 a.m. New Orleans Arena. $15 per ticket (patch, handling extra). Deadline: February 22.

Realignment News

Here's the latest from the Council Realignment Committee's last two meetings (10/29 and 11/26/07):

• GSUSA has approved a name for the new council.  The Communications Subcommittee for the CRC is drafting an announcement to be distributed to all constituencies shortly.
• The CEO Search Subcommittee has signed a contract with Evergreen, GSUSA’s preferred executive search firm, to conduct a national search for the new council’s chief executive officer. The CRC hopes to have the CEO in place by mid-February.
• The Transition Nominating Subcommittee has developed a board member profile and is accepting nominations for positions on the new board.  Complete the board referral form and mail it to: Girl Scouts, Attn: Transition Nominating Subcommittee Chair, P.O. Box 10800, New Orleans, LA 70181-0800.