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Winter 2012

Girl Scouts of Western New York has always been this region’s best positioned organization to offer girls the tools they need to be successful leaders throughout their lives. However, we have found that there are girls in under served communities who are not able to join our organization. Through GSLE, the Girls Scouts of Western New York is able to provide the girl-scouting experience while promoting healthy lifestyles with mentor-based leadership-building programs.

Girls participate in fun-filled activities that will help them discover themselves, connect with others, and take action to make the world a better place. We have found that girls participating in the after school programs gain the following skills:

1. Participating Girl Scouts recognize and increase theirindividual potential through better self confidence.

2. Participating Girl Scouts develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for decision making.

3. Participating Girl Scouts will enhance their ability to relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect and will therefore be able to makea change in their community.

Community service is a key component of building leadership skills. Through GSLE, girls can participate in Take Action Community Service projects, such as collecting donations for several organizations and beautifying their local communities.

Girl Scout ProGramminG offered at after School ProGramS

ceo commentS

renewed commitment for the new YearHappy New Year! This time of year is when we take time to reflect on the memories of the past year, and make commitments to the things that matter most to us in the New Year.

This year, we continue to make a commitment to the girls and young women who make up the Girl Scouts of Western New York. As we move in the next century of Girl Scouting, our directive for the New Year is to continue to build upon our four advocacy platforms: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Financial Literacy, Environmental Leadership, and Healthy Living. We believe by investing in these areas that our Girl Scout mission -building girls of courage, confidence and character- will continue to be realized for years to come.

In this month’s issue, you will see some of the amazing things our Girl Scouts are doing in their communities. I’m sure you can image how proud I am of the accomplishments of these girls.

We sincerely hope that you will continue to partner with us in our commitment to building leaders by donating your time, talent and treasure. If you know someone who understands the importance of giving back to organizations that impact youth and ultimately our future, we hope that you will encourage them to volunteer for Girl Scouts. If you know someone who would like to donate to an organization that uses its funds to provide quality, girl-led programs that stimulate the interest in girls and young women, I hope that you will ask them to consider donating to the Girl Scout organization. Finally, if you know of girls and young women who would benefit greatly from our organization, I hope that you will consider recommending them to an organization designed specifically for them. We turn no one away! I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that we are always looking to collaborate with companies whose commitment to corporate responsibility includes organizations dedicated to youth, education, and technology, just to name a few.

Thank you for your past support and we are looking forward to accomplishing more in the New Year.

Girl talk

Did you know that we currently serve more than 2,000 girls from under served communities in Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) After School Programs throughout our nine county footprint?

Cindy L. Odom Chief Executive Officer, GSWNY

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Troops helps Zoo Recycle, Reduce, Reuse

Cookie Program Comes to a Close

Stay Connected

So lonG to three lonG-StandinG camPSHow do you say so long to three long-standing camps in a memorable way?

Commemorative camp ceremonies were recently held at Camps Sky High, Pinewood, and Oak Orchard to allow girls and women to reflect and share their wonderful, heartfelt memories.

Thanks for the memories!

Girl Scout leader, Sue Walker and her troop were looking for projects for the girls to earn their Girl Scout Silver Award. The troop contacted the Seneca Park Zoo to ask how they could help. The girls built three recycle bins for the Zoo to collect and store recyclables. They secured the support of Lamont Trophy, who graciously donated plaques for the bins. Job well done!

double the dollarS You donateDid you know many employers match charitable contributions of their current and retired employees?

In fact, many of these companies will match donation, dollar for dollar, or even double the amount given by their employees! In addition, many companies also participate in Volunteer Incentive Programs where they make contributions based upon the number of hours completed by employees.

To view a list of participating companies, visit our site. www.gswny.org/pages/matchinggift.com

If your company is not listed, please check with your HR department.

SilVer aWard ProJect helPS recYcle, reduce, reuSe

If your company is not listed, please check with your HR department.If your company is not listed, please check with your HR department.If your company is not listed, please check with your HR department.If your company is not listed, please check with your HR department.If your company is not listed, please check with your HR department.If your company is not listed, please check with your HR department.If your company is not listed, please check with your HR department.

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Camp Sky High

Camp Pinewood

Camp Oak Orchard

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This year’s campaign entitled, “What Can a Girl Do” showcased the numerous lessons girls learn by participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Girls learn five essential skills: Goal Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills, and Business Ethics. So we proudly ask, “what can a girl do?” “Girls can do ANYTHING they set their mind too!”

If you purchased a box of Girl Scout cookies, you’ve played an integral part in educating today’s girls and we say, “thank you.”

In the next issue of Girl Talk, we will spotlight the top sellers from this year’s Girl Scout Cookie Program.

caSeY mulroY featured in rocheSter’S democrat and chronicleCongratulations to Casey who was recently featured in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle for her interest in community service. Casey was quoted in the article as saying, “It all started for me in Girl Scouting.”

rocheSter Grand oPeninG a SucceSSGirl Scouts, volunteers, elected officials and other stakeholders attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Rochester Service Center.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program, America’s leading business and economic literacy program for girls, kicked off October 6, 2012 and closed on December 29, 2012 with a goal to sell 1.7 million boxes of cookies. Girl Scouts across the Western New York area took orders and sold cookies in various locations to meet the goals set by each troop. The Girl Scout Cookie Program allows troops to set goals for their sale and to determine how the proceeds will be spent. Most troops use their cookie revenue to pay for troop activities, special interest projects or for a wonderful trip. Did you know that all but the cost of the cookies ($.94/package) stays in Western New York to support girls?

There were a lot of exciting changes implemented in this year’s Girl Scout Cookie Program. The traditional Girl Scout cookie box was updated to showcase the amazing accomplishments and fun activities that girls participate in. To keep lock-step with technology, Girl Scout troops used credit card mobile devices to accept payments for the delicious Girl Scout cookies. Several troops saw an increase in sales this year. In addition, a GPS-based software was used to help customers locate Girl Scout cookies.

VolunteerS attend GSWnY-uHow do you meet the needs of busy volunteers who need training but just don’t have the time to attend? You create a university setting!

Our volunteers spoke and we listened. GSWNY-U was created to allow our volunteers to complete their training, develop their own leadership skills and share best practices.

Sessions were held in West Seneca and Rochester for approximately 200 volunteers who were able to complete their required training, enjoy a funny and engaging keynote address, plus receive pertinent information and best practices on how to recharge their meetings.

The feedback that staff members received was positive and many of the volunteers asked if another session would be hosted in the future.

Girl Scout cookie ProGram comeS to a cloSe

Pictured (L to R), Dan Myers, President, Al Sigl Center, Cindy Odom, CEO, Girl Scouts of Western New York, Judy Cranston, COO, Girl Scouts of Western New York

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alumni corneronce a Girl Scout always a Girl Scout

Members from the Girl Scout Volunteer Alumni (GSVA) and their guests recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts by hosting a special luncheon at Webb’s Captain’s Table Restaurant in Mayville.

Long-time Girl Scout, Ro Woodard, who served as a counselor at Camp Timbercrest for many years, shared photos from her visit to Savannah, GA to celebrate the birthday of Juliette Gordon Low. Members took a walk down memory lane as Ms. Woodard modeled a 1919 GS uniform, which belonged to long-time Girl Scout/leader/GSVA member Mary Cooper of Findley Lake.

GSVA was founded in 1985. A special thank you to Jody Evans of Bemus Point, Carol Johnson of Jamestown and Deanne Manzella of Westfield for coordinating the event.

Girl Scout ViSitS Gordon loW home commemorative Stamp unveiled

Pictured are Girl Scout leader and mom, Deb Coller, and her daughter Molly visiting Juliette Gordon Low House in Savannah, GA.

buffalo SerVice center headquarterS 3332 Walden Ave, Suite 106Depew, NY 140431.888.837.6410www.gswny.org

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PAIDBUFFALO, NY

PERMIT NO. 4586

Celebrating100 Years of Girl Scouting

Girl Scouts of Western New York is staying connected better than ever! If you’re tweeting, pinning, posting or blogging, we are too!

Please take a moment and ‘like’ our Facebook page, ‘follow’ us on Twitter and Pinterest and read our CEO’s Blog.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gswny

Twitter: http://twitter.com/girlscoutswny

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/gswny/

CEO Blog: http://gswnyblog.wordpress.com/

CEO Blog, launched in October, focuses on the thoughts and ideas of our CEO, Cindy Odom.

dateS to rememberGirl Scouts of Western new

York offices will be closed on:

January 21, 2012 - martin luther king day

StaY connected