June 2007, Issue No. 5

In this issue:

ANNOUNCEMENTS
TROOP OPPS
VOLUNTEER OPPS FOR GIRLS / TROOPS
TROOP NEWS
PROGRAMS

Welcome to Council Connection!

Council Connection is emailed to all volunteers who provided us with an email address. This ‘up to the minute’ email will feature news that YOU need to know to support girls ... like opportunities in program, community service, training, volunteering, and more! Many emails and flyers are combined into this one, comprehensive email. We encourage you to forward it on to parents!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Girl Scouts say ‘goodbye’ to Elise Oppmann, president of our board of directors
Elise Oppmann, president of our board of directors, will move to Tennessee later this summer due to her husband's job promotion. More

Andrew Oppmann, former executive editor and general manager of The Post-Crescent, was promoted to the position of vice president of audience management for The Tennessean in Nashville. He will also be president and publisher of The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Elise has played key roles in various board and committee positions during her tenure on the board. She has led the council through much of the work leading up to the council realignment and was instrumental in developing and ensuring the success of our inaugural Campout Gala event. Her vision and insight into what Girl Scouting is all about has facilitated the council realignment process working toward delivering the best possible program for our girls.

Elise is working with the board on the transition of leadership, and we wish to thank her for her commitment to Girl Scouts and to the entire community.

Opportunity for input: Centennial in 2012 survey
GSUSA has already started the planning process for the Centennial in 2012, which includes obtaining input from girls, volunteers, and national and council board and staff. A survey is available at www.girlscouts.org/centennialsurvey for girls ages 14 - 18 and adult volunteers. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey by June 30.

Opportunity for input: National Council Session
The national board of directors has invited Girl Scout councils to partner in building the agenda for the 2008 national council session, which will convene in October in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Major responsibilities of the National Council are to:

• Elect a national board of directors and national nominating committee;
• Vote on proposals and amendments to the Constitution of GSUSA;
• Provide input to the national board to assist in determining national policies to guide direction of the Girl Scout Movement;
• Receive a national board report on stewardship of the Movement for the 2005-2008 triennium.
  

Councils may submit proposals or discussion topics. Proposals must provide strategic direction to the entire Girl Scout Movement by giving guidance at a major policy (NOT operational) level, requiring consideration by the national council for implementation. Since not all matters affecting Girl Scouting nationwide require formal action by the national council, councils may also offer further guidance to the national board of directors through discussion topics. There is a prescribed process for submitting both proposals and discussion topics. Both must have the firm support of the originating council board of directors. If you feel strongly about our council developing a specific proposal or submitting a discussion item, contact Barbara Chambers at bchambers@gsfra.org by August 1.

A reminder: update your email address with us
Please note that it is our intention to delete email addresses that get returned or bounced back to us, unless we hear from you! If your email address has changed or will be changing, please send an email to asager@gsfra.org with your name, new email address, troop number, and city. Be sure to note if the email address of other registered family members will be changing as well.

A reminder: change your bookmark
Our website is located at www.gsfra.org. If you have our home page bookmarked in your web browser, please check to make sure you have it bookmarked at www.gsfra.org and not the old address of www.girlscoutsfoxriverarea.org

TROOP OPPS

Scout Night at the races
Seymour Speedway and NEW Dirt, Inc. invite your Girl Scout troop to Scout Night at the Races on Sunday, July 8. Make your group’s reservation for July 8 and have a section in the grandstand reserved for you! All tickets for adults, seniors and students over age 12 will be discounted by $2. Visit www.seymourtrioval.com

Green Lake Festival of Music
The Green Lake Festival of Music is offering Junior Girl Scouts, as well as middle and high school girls, an opportunity to complete as many as four requirements of the Music Fan Badge (Junior) or the Interest Project "On a High Note" (middle and high school) by attending a concert performed entirely by talented high school musicians at Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake on July 13 at 7 p.m. Some additional related activities would be required. Cost $5 per person. Contact Jeannette Kreston at 929-748-9398 or Jeannette@Kreston.org

Women Soar
"If you dream it, you can do it." This powerful statement can change the lives of young girls. Women Soar, held July 23 - 24 at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, brings dynamic women who have achieved recognition and success in their fields together with aspiring girls who do not yet know what the world has to offer them. The event aims to increase awareness of the possibilities of careers in aviation, science, engineering, high technology, and other careers traditionally underrepresented by women; to recognize women who have achieved success in these fields; and to raise important scholarship funds for girls. Ages 14 - 17. Cost $10. Visit www.airventure.org/womensoar

YMCA Badge Earning Clinic
Junior Girl Scout Jamboree, a special 4-day event, will be held August 20 - 23 from 1 - 4 p.m. at Fox West YMCA. There is an opportunity to earn the Let’s Get Cooking, Dance and Art in 3-D Badges. Cost is $20 for YMCA members or $30 for general public. Contact Jean Gloudemans at 920-757-9820, ext. 353.

Girl’s Multicultural Book Group offered
The Fox Cities Rotary Multicultural Center presents Girl’s Multicultural Book Group for girls going into grades 6 - 8. This is for girls who love to read books and poetry, especially about other cultures, and who want to meet and discuss books with other girls. The group meets the second Sunday of every month (beginning July 8) from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Multicultural Center, 128 N. Oneida St., Appleton. The first book is The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake. Books can be checked out from your local library or purchased at Conkey’s bookstore in Appleton for a 15% discount. Contact Anu or Shanti at 920-991-0669 or Anu.Varma@yahoo.com

Fundraising opportunity
Earn cash for old cell phones, ink jet cartridges, DVD movies, and DVD video games - even damaged, non-working phones and ink jet printer cartridges (sorry, no toner cartridges). Unlike other programs, EcoPhones guarantees payment for every item - even ones not on the list of more than 600+ models. There's nothing to buy and nothing to sell. Simply ask parents, neighbors, co-workers, and local businesses to donate and recycle their cell phones, cartridges, DVD movies, and DVD video games. In addition, EcoPhones provides FREE customizable marketing materials and free shipping. Contact 888-Eco-Phones (888-326-7466) or www.recycling-fundraiser.com. A free Welcome Kit packet will be sent to you with color posters, marketing materials, price lists, pre-paid shipping labels, and everything else you'll need to get started.

VOLUNTEER OPPS FOR GIRLS / TROOPS

Menominee Park Zoo activity opportunity
Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts are needed to develop a fun activity and share it with others through a booth at a book give-away event at the Menominee Park Zoo in Oshkosh on August 8 - 10. The theme of the event is "Conservation Carnival." Developing and running this booth could be a great project for a Cadette Girl Scout troop or a Senior Girl Scout working on her Gold Award. Contact Memuna Khan at 920-233-4831 or khanm@ripon.edu

Girl Scout prairie
You may have been wondering what those “weeds” are by the Girl Scout Program Center. Well, they are not weeds…it’s a prairie in progress! When the program center was built, it was agreed that the council would help restore the surrounding land back to its natural habitat. This has been an ongoing project for the last few years, and we are just beginning to see some of the beauty that a prairie provides. Volunteers are needed in the fall to help measure plants, collect seeds, pick rocks, pull weeds, etc. Contact Angela at 920-734-7069, ext. 61 or aoehler@gsfra.org

TROOP NEWS

Honor Troop Patch Program
This voluntary program was created to motivate all troops to strive for excellence during their Girl Scout troop year and recognizes outstanding achievement and management within a troop. Each troop has the opportunity to nominate itself (see page 78 of the Volunteer Enrichment Guide). 12 of the 16 requirements must be completed. Congratulations to the following Honor Troop achievers!

• Brownie Troop 31 from Seymour Service Unit with trained leader Danielle Goetz.
• Cadette Troop 82 from Seymour Service Unit with trained leader Catherine Goetz.
• Junior Troop 438 from 7 Sisters Service Unit with trained leader Peggy Michonski.
• Brownie Troop 613 from Greenville/Hortonville/Shiocton Service Unit with trained leader Lori McNichols.
• STUDIO 2B Troop 155 from Menasha Service Unit with trained leader Angela Burke.
• Junior Troop 243 from Papermakers Service Unit with trained leader Lynn Herge.
• Senior Troop 572 from Papermakers Service Unit with trained leader Donna Wittmann.
• Brownie Troop 319 from 7 Sisters Service Unit with trained leader Heidi Hansen.
• Brownie Troop 254 from Appleton 604 Service Unit with trained leader Terri Clark.
• Cadette Troop 237 from Appleton 601 Service Unit with trained leader Monica Rathsack.
• Brownie Troop 013 from Appleton 603 Service Unit with trained leader Jennifer Bonikowske.
• Junior Troop 185 from Appleton 603 Service Unit with trained leader Joanne Wayner.
• Junior Troop 59 from New London/Dale/Medina/Readfield/Sugar Bush Service Unit with trained leader Wendy Corona.
  

PROGRAMS

* For these programs, register online or call 920-734-7069, ext. 28.

* It’s not too late to sign up for camp
Programs range from science, nature, cooking, art, horses, animals, to canoe and kayak trips! There is a camp program for every girl! Have fun on hikes, play games, sing songs, make crafts, and make lots of new friends. Sessions range from one day to three weeks.

Don’t miss out on Troop Taste of Adventure, August 19 – 24, at CBT. Choose a daily activity of biking, canoeing, sea kayaking, of hiking while using CBT as your base camp for adventure. See spectacular Northwoods scenery while dipping your paddle into a placid lake, peddling the rolling hills, or exploring the majestic old growth forests. Horseback riding and tubing are available for an additional fee. From overnights to a week long trip - you decide the level of adventure.

* Weekend camp programs available
Come to CBT for a weekend to experience these great programs: Me and My Pal, Outdoor Extravaganza, Me and My Gal, Women’s Weekend, and Fall Family Camp. Enjoy a variety of activities like fishing, canoeing, kayaking, nature activities, team building, mountain biking, games, archery, and more!

2007 Be A Reader Program
By participating in the council-sponsored Be A Reader Program, your troop can participate in program events, use activities at meetings, set goals, earn troop proceeds, and support your Girl Scout council. Program activities will be available in August and events will be held in October. The sale will run from October 20 - November 4. Contact Crystal at 920-734-7069, ext. 17 or www.gsfra.org/stuff/girls/magazines/index.shtml

Vote for 2008 Girl Scout Cookie Program recognitions
Girls can vote on-line for the recognitions they would like to see offered in 2008. Direct them to www.gsfra.org/stuff/girls/cookies/recognitions.shtml by August 3.

If your email address will be changing, please send an email to asager@gsfra.org with your name, new email address, troop number, and city. Be sure to note if the email address of other registered family members will be changing as well.

Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area, Inc.
4693 N. Lynndale Drive, Appleton WI 54913-9614
Ph 920-734-4559 or 800-924-1211
Fax 920-734-1304
Web www.gsfra.org
General email office@gsfra.org
Council Connection email girlscoutnews@gsfra.org

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