Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland Blog » Important Info

The Healthy Media for Youth Act (H.R. 4925)

gsmoheartland — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:55:31 +0000

The Healthy Media for Youth Act (H.R. 4925)

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Issue Children are consuming more media than ever, but unfortunately, the images they see often reinforce gender stereotypes, emphasize unrealistic body images or show women in passive roles. The need for more positive images of girls in the media is clear. As children’s media use continues to increase, all youth would benefit from seeing healthier and positive messages about girls and women.

Impact The Healthy Media for Youth Act would promote healthy media messages about girls and women for the benefit of all youth. This legislation will help girls and young women see themselves in a new and stronger light and create possible funding opportunities for Girl Scout programming and research.

Background In March 2010, Girl Scouts of the USA worked with Representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to develop and introduce H.R. 4925. This bill establishes grants for media literacy programs and youth empowerment groups like Girl Scouts, facilitates research on how depictions of women and girls in the media impact youths’ health, and creates a National Task Force on Women and Girls in the Media that will develop voluntary standards for promoting healthier media images of girls and women.

What’s Next We need your help to encourage Members of Congress to cosponsor this legislation. Please join the Girl Scouts Advocacy Network to be a Voice for Girls on Capitol Hill and to send a message asking your U.S. Representative to support H.R. 4925.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Join the Girl Scouts Advocacy Network

www.GirlScouts4girls.org

“Girl Scout Day” proclaimed by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon

gsmoheartland — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:52:15 +0000

Girl Scouts across the state of Missouri celebrated when Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed Senate Bill No. 649 into law on June 29, 2010, proclaiming March 12 as “Girl Scout Day” in Missouri. The proclamation will be issued annually for that day, recommending Missouri residents to recognize Girl Scouts, the premier leadership development organization for girls.

Girl Scouts was founded by Juliette Gordon Low on March 12, 1912. Low assembled 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia, for a local Girl Scout meeting. She believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. With the goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments and into community service and the open air, the country’s first Girl Scouts hiked, played basketball, went on camping trips, learned how to tell time by the stars, and studied first aid.

Girl Scouting in the state of Missouri began in 1918, when the St. Louis City and County Council of Girl Scouts (now Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri) was established. In 1923, the Kansas City area council was formed; and in 1954, additional councils formed in the central and southern areas of the state, including those that are now Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland. Today, more than 88,000 girls, supported by 25,500 volunteers in the state of Missouri join a membership of more than 3.4 million Girl Scouts across the United States. On March 12, 2012, Girl Scouts will celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Girls in grades K -12 join for fun and friendship, but they also benefit from clear developmental outcomes that will serve them for the rest of their lives. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls discover a stronger sense of self, connect through healthy relationships with others in an increasingly diverse world, and take action in their local and global communities – these are just a few of the many ways that Girl Scouts empowers girls to become leaders. All Girl Scout experiences are intentionally designed to tie to one or more of the 15 national leadership outcomes, or benefits.

For more information about Girl Scouts, please visit www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org, or call 877-312-4764.

Dear Girl Scout Volunteer

gsmoheartland — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:27:25 +0000

Dear Girl Scout Volunteer,

On behalf of Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, I would like to thank you sincerely for giving your time and your talents to girls. Providing a safe, effective and inspiring Girl Scout Leadership Experience to more than 16,000 girls across a 68-county jurisdiction requires an immense amount of support.

As a volunteer Girl Scout leader, you are entrusted to mentor and encourage girls today – so that they may take the lead tomorrow. Every day, we hear stories in our office about the great things that girls are doing – discovering a stronger sense of who they are and what they believe, connecting with new friends and new worlds, and taking action in their local, national and global communities. These girls are extraordinarily fortunate to have volunteers like you as they engage in these processes.

April 22 is Girl Scout Leader’s Day, a special day in Girl Scouts to celebrate our volunteer Girl Scout troop leaders. Although we recognize you today, I hope you know how much you are appreciated each and every day. We all know that Girl Scouts exist for girls, but volunteers like you ensure that our mission to serve them is fulfilled.

For your time, your skills and your hearts: Thank you.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Jennifer M. Orban, CEO
Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, Inc.

Extended Cookie Sales – Special Troop Offer

gsmoheartland — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:23:01 +0000

First of all, we wanted to take a moment to tell you how much we appreciate all of your effort and support during the 2010 Cookie Program!

The 2010 cookie season has had many new and exciting opportunities, but with that we have had challenges (or learning experiences).

This year ABC started a new ordering process, so whatever we have in the four warehouses – we own.

Our challenges have become your opportunity to earn additional funds for your troop. We have cleared out the warehouses and have more cookies than we need.

This is why we are able to offer troops a one-time increased proceeds on cookie sales (while supplies last).

You can earn $2 per box on cookies sold AND no additional paperwork! Here’s how:

All troops who come to a service center and purchase cookies between 3/15/2010 and 3/31/2010 will get the following perks:

Troop Profit: $2.00/ per box

Can purchase mixed cases

No Paperwork Due

Note:

All purchases will need to be in full cases, these can be mixed cases (total of 12 boxes).
Must pay at time of purchase ($24.00/ per case) with a troop check only or NO discount will be given.
In order to streamline this process (no paperwork), additional cookies picked up will not count towards girl recognitions, cookie credit, troop or SU bonuses.
All direct selling to the public must be completed by April 30, 2010.
Additional cookies purchased and troop proceeds earned must be documented on your annual Troop Financial Report due on July 1st.
All sales to the public will continue at $4.00/ per box – no exceptions.
It is the responsibility of the troop to collect on any insufficient funds checks received for cookies sold during this time period.

This is a great opportunity for those troops who are planning to go on a trip or want to help girls attend resident camp this summer!

Stop by one of the five service centers to pick up your cookies today!

Cookies will only be available in the service center cookie cupboards. You can still call ahead for larger orders.

If you are unable to come to a service center, please contact your community/membership development specialist to make arrangements for a delivery.

Toll Free: 877-312-4764

Cape Girardeau Service Center, 1432 Kurre Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO x1503

Dexter Service Center, 1420 Girl Scout Way, Dexter, MO x1423

Jefferson City Service Center, 230 Metro Drive, Jefferson City, MO x1337

Joplin Service Center, 1029 E 7^th Street, Joplin, MO x1215

Springfield Service Center, 210 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield, MO x1132 or 1133

All service center cupboard hours are as follows: Monday – Friday 11:00 am – 4:30 pm and Saturday, March 20^th from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

All service centers will be CLOSED on 3/17/2010 and 3/27/2010 due to a previously scheduled staff meeting and annual meeting.

ABC Baker Lemonades – No Quality Issue

gsmoheartland — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:35:00 +0000

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland and ABC Bakers would like to clarify that Girl Scout Lemonades cookies sold by Girl Scouts in the Missouri Heartland Council are not affected by recent quality concerns with Little Brownie Baker’s Lemon Chalet Crème cookies. The Lemonades cookies that are part of our Girl Scout Cookie Program are tested regularly by our baker, which had not detected any evidence of oil rancidity or quality withdrawal. Given the inherent stability of the oils that ABC Bakers has chosen for its formulations, we do not expect to experience any issues similar to those that Little Brownie Baker is currently experiencing with its Lemon Chalet Crèmes.

Annual Meeting of the Corporation Membership

gsmoheartland — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:44:57 +0000

All registered Girl Scouts 14 and older are invited to join us for Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland’s
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CORPORATION MEMBERSHIP

Saturday, March 27, 2010
Lodge of the Ozarks
Branson, MO

Event Highlights
Traveling Girl Scout Shop 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Voting Representative Training 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Annual Meeting of the Corporation Membership 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Corporate Meeting
Luncheon
Adult Volunteer Recognitions

Don’t forget! The GSMH Basket Silent Auction begins at 9:00 am!
Special deals just for Girl Scout families attending this event!

See Meeting Event Registration to RSVP and for more information

GSMH Supporting relief for Haiti

gsmoheartland — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:04:36 +0000

Tragedy in Haiti
The Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland joins the world in expressing our condolences to the millions of Haitians affected by the recent earthquake. It is at times like these that Girl Scouts throughout the world pitch in to help in many different ways. We know, however, that after natural disasters like these, sending funds is often the best way to help.

The Girl Scout Cookie program is one such way. Girls can choose to contribute a portion of their troop proceeds to the Haiti relief efforts. This is an opportunity to educate girls about how their generosity and acts of kindness can make the world a better place, especially in times of such extreme tragedy.

Additionally, the Executive Committee unanimously adopted, and the National Board ratified a special rule of order allowing girl members to support emergency relief for the January 12 earthquake disaster. This temporary suspension makes it possible for Girl Scouts to raise much needed funds for relief efforts in Haiti and remains in effect until September 8, 2010. Some suggestions for money-earning projects include bake sales, car washes, collecting and recycling cans, babysitting night, etc. Please take note that the money our girls raise can be contributed only to those agencies on the list below.
List of Agencies

The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is accepting donations through its International Response Fund.

Pan American Development Foundation
The foundation is encouraging people to donate through its Web site at www.PanAmericanRelief.org.

UNICEF
UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.

Oxfam
You can donate to online at Oxfam America at www.oxfamamerica.org.

Save The Children
Save the Children has launched an emergency relief effort for Haiti. Donate to Save the Children.

Mercy Corps
Donate online, call 1-888-256-1900 or send checks to:
Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund
Dept NR
PO Box 2669
Portland, OR 97208

Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders has set up clinics to treat people in Haiti. Donate to Doctors Without Borders.

The UN World Food Programme
The UN World Food Programme is gathering all available resources to deliver food to the recently homeless and impoverished in Haiti. Donations can be made through https://www.wfp.org/donate/haiti

CARE
CARE is deploying emergency team members to Port-au-Prince to assist in recovery efforts. It’s focusing its efforts on rescuing children who may still be trapped in schools that collapsed. Donate to CARE

The International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee is deploying an emergency response team to Haiti. Donate to the IRC Haiti Crisis Fund.

World Vision
World Vision has more 370 staff members in the Haiti. Donate to World Vision.

United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
This fund is used for emergencies like the earthquake in Haiti. Donate online.

Girl Scout Commemorative Coin Act signed into law!

gsmoheartland — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:02:00 +0000

President Obama Signs Girl Scouts Commemorative Coin Act! Girl Scouts Join President In Oval Office As He Signs Bill Into Law.

I am delighted to announce that President Barack Obama signed the Girl Scouts of USA Commemorative Coin Act today, October 29, 2009 at a ceremony held at the White House in the Oval Office. The ceremony included Connie L. Lindsey, GSUSA’s National President; Laurie Westley, Senior Vice President, and girls from the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital. Congress authorizes the minting of only two commemorative coins each year, so it is quite an honor for Girl Scouting and the millions of women who have been touched by our Movement. What a wonderful gift with which to honor Juliette Gordon Low just two days before her birthday!

I want to express my gratitude to the tens of thousands of supporters from all over the nation who sent more than 40,000 messages in support of the bill to their members of Congress. It clearly made a difference. The bill received very strong support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. When the House took up the bill, a number of the members recognized how great the bipartisan effort had been. “See, Madam Speaker, only the Girl Scouts could bring such bipartisan fellowship here so quickly in a bill,” said Congressman Jack Kingston, who sponsored the legislation. And, U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee also acknowledged the fellowship and collaboration, saying: “This is the true spirit of bipartisanship, and I am delighted that we are rising today to support this very fine bill to honor the Girl Scouts with this coin.” Senator Susan Collins, who was once a Girl Scout and is a co-leader of the Honorary Congressional Girl Scout Troop in Congress, introduced the Senate bill in February. “The Girl Scouts have a tremendous history which should be celebrated and remembered, “ said Senator Collins. “The character, volunteerism, and leadership skills that Girl Scouts build contribute greatly to our society. “

The Girl Scouts Centennial Commemorative Coin will be minted in 2013, marking the end of the celebration of our first 100 years, and the beginning of our second century of leadership. That the signing of the bill comes almost exactly on Daisy Low’s birthday is so special, and I can’t imagine a more fitting use of the proceeds from the sale of the coin than for much-needed restoration and improvements to the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace in Savannah.

Our Movement has thrived since Daisy Low gathered together those first Girl Scouts in 1912. She would be proud indeed of all that our Movement has accomplished since then. Once again, congratulations to everyone in Girl Scouting for making the Girl Scouts Centennial Commemorative Coin possible.

Computing Award Opportunity for High-School Girls

gsmoheartland — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:50:33 +0000

Encourage the girls in your council with computing-related achievements and interests to apply for the National Center for Women & Information Technology’s NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing, sponsored by Bank of America. Awardees will be selected for demonstrated aptitude and interest in information technology/computing; leadership ability; academic history; and plans for post-secondary education. Complete information is available at http://www.ncwit.org/award including Spanish language versions of promotional materials.

Each qualified national awardee will receive:

$500 in cash
a laptop computer
an engraved award for the student and the student’s school, and
a trip to attend the Bank of America Technology Showcase and Awards Ceremony, March 27, 2010, in Charlotte, North Carolina

Application deadline is November 15, 2009

Cookie Deadlines March 27th.

gsmoheartland — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:58:39 +0000

Leaders: Don’t forget this very important deadline! All copies of your deposit slips/payment are due to the Service Unit Product Activity Manager by March 27th, 5:00 p.m.

Also, don’t forget:

Troop Earnings Worksheet (T-3)
5 Cent option form (T-5) if applicable
Bonus Worksheet (T-8)
Uncollected Funds Recport (T-9) if applicable
Review “Cookie Works” for accuracy (Girl Cookie Detail Summary and Recognitions Order Summary By Girl)