Cookie Booths are February 26 - March 28

The Girl Scout Cookie Program Activity is the country’s premier business and economic literacy program for girls. Cookie Booths are great learning experiences for girls.  Not only do Cookie Booths help troops in achieving their goals, they also give girls valuable experience in working with the public, money management, articulating their goals and building teamwork. 

 

 

Girl Scout cookies are a delicious and fun way to teach girls business and financial literacy skills. People all over the state will have their chance to do their part in supporting those skills at cookie booths in their community beginning February 26. An expected 40,000 girls throughout Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys’ jurisdiction will offer to customers everyone’s favorite cookies: Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils, Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos, Dulce de Leche, and Lemon Chalet Cremes. Learn more about the facts of the Girl Scout Cookie Program Activity here.

 

Cookie Share With Meals On Wheels

Feel free to share this video with others: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wy31SsNPv4

Girl Scouts is proud to partner with Meals and Wheels programs across our council jurisdiction to bring sweet treats to individuals receiving Meals on Wheels. The Girl Scouts Cookie Care & Share program offers opportunities for the community to do more with their cookie purchases. As part of the larger Cookie Care & Share program, the Cookie Share for Meals on Wheels activity helps cookie customers have a direct, positive impact on their local communities.

 

In the Twin Cities metro area, Girl Scouts has partnered with Meals on Wheels, M&I Bank, and KARE 11 TV to collect 10,000 packages at special Cookie Booths at M&I Bank locations on Friday and Saturdays through March. Learn more at www.mibank.com/cookies. In the Rochester area and southeastern Minnesota, Girl Scouts has partnered with Semcac, Rochester Family Services, Cumulus Radio, and KAAL/ABC 6 TV to collect 1,500 packages at all booth locations in which girls are participating in the Cookie Share program or cookie customers request packages to be donated directly to Meals on Wheels.  In Mankato, we are working with Country 103 and Z99 to collect 500 packages at Cookie Booths at the local Hy-Vee stores.  In Redwood Falls, Girl Scouts has partnered with the Redwood Falls Area Chamber to do a friendly “Chamber Challenge” to raise more than 500 packages for the local Meals on Wheels program. The partnerships highlight National Meals on Wheels Month as well as the 98th anniversary of Girl Scouts.

 

Girl Scout Cookies are currently on sale now and official Cookie Booths open everywhere Friday, February 26.

 

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Save the Date - April 8, 2010 Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys will hold its second annual Women of Distinction luncheon on April 8, 2010.  Women of Distinction honors and celebrates eight local women whose determination and leadership makes them positive role models for today’s girls.  These women are outstanding leaders in their professions and in our communities.  They inspire girls to achieve their goals and dreams.   Thursday, April 8, 2010 11 a.m. Registration 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Luncheon The Depot, Minneapolis View more information Learn more about the 2009 Women of Distinction event honorees and sponsors. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mae Jemison First Woman of Color in Space Emcee: Robyne Robinson News Anchor, FOX 9

 

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Girl Scouts Can Raise Funds for Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Haitians, and their friends and families, as they begin the process of managing the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquakes in January. The outpouring of support for the people of Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake last week has been remarkable, and Girl Scouts across the country have pitched 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.

 

Given the catastrophic events in Haiti, GSUSA's Executive Committee unanimously adopted, and the National Board ratified, the following:

That the Executive Committee of Girl Scouts of the USA’s National Board of Directors, on the National Board’s behalf, adopts a special rule of order to allow girl members to engage in activities, which may include the direct solicitation of money, from January 14 through September 8, 2010, to support emergency relief for the January 12 earthquake disaster in Haiti.  Monies raised shall be contributed only to organizations on the approved list of agencies (listed below); additions to the list shall be approved by the National President and CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA.

This now makes it possible for our girls to raise much needed funds for relief efforts in Haiti. Please take note that the money our girls raise can be contributed only to those agencies on the list below. The loss of life and suffering has been heartbreaking. This action by GSUSA is an opportunity for all of us as a Movement to do what we can to help the people of Haiti in their time of need.

 

River Valleys has received multiple requests from girls and troop leaders to conduct money earning activities during the timeframe of the cookie program activity which includes both order taking and cookie booths.  As a rule, girls may not participate in additional money earning activities during the timeframe of the cookie program activity.  In an effort to support Haiti and many of the organizations who have done so much to help those affected in Haiti we will allow money earning activities to take place to support organizations (approved partner list)providing relief to Haitians.  However, the following guidelines must be adhered to when earning money for this cause:

1. The troop must complete a money earning application form and submit prior to earning any money.  This form can be found on the forms and documents page of the River Valleys website.
2. Money earned (in its entirety) will be donated to one of the approved partners listed below.
3. The Girl Scout troop in its entirety agrees they would like to donate money to an approved partner for relief efforts.

 

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Girl Scout Week

Girl Scouts all over River Valleys are celebrating Girl Scout Week March 7-13. This year, Girl Scout Week celebrates 98 years of the Girl Scout Movement. It commemorates March 12, 1912, the day when Juliette Gordon Low officially registered the organization's first 18 girl members in Savannah, Ga. A faith organization bulletin is available for printing and a press release template has been made available for troops interested in seeking recognition by area media for their achievements during Girl Scout Week. Girl Scout Week also offers a chance for Girl Scouts throughout River Valleys to recognize and thank the community members, businesses, and volunteers that help them “make the world a better place.”

 

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2010 Long-Range Property Decision

In June 2009, River Valleys’ board of directors established a volunteer-led property task group. This group was charged with creating a long-range outdoor property recommendation and plan for both camp/program properties and service centers that will provide opportunities for girls to discover, connect, and take action in ways that build courage, confidence, and character.

 

On December 11, 2009, after reviewing current surveys, data, demographic trends, site visits, and obtaining input from River Valleys’ members and a national (Girl Scouts of the USA) property consultant, the property task group presented its findings to the board of directors. Please find the links to River Valleys' board decision and frequently asked questions below.

• Property Decision Fact Sheet
• FAQs
• River Valleys' Property Map
• Annual Meeting - Board Chair Comments
• Annual Meeting - Featured Girl Scout Comments
• Annual Meeting - Finance Report
• Annual Meeting - Leadership Report
• Annual Meeting - Long Range Property Report
• Rolling Ridges Meeting - Submitted Questions by Volunteers

A recent January/February 2010 article from Camp Business magazine which does a great job of summarizing the property issues facing Girl Scout councils across the country.

 

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March SUMIT

March 22 - Redwood Falls Service Center, St. Paul - Wellstone Center, Camp Greenwood, Northfield Service Center
March 23 - Rochester Service Center, Windom - American Lutheran Church, Mankato - Benco Electric conference room, Brooklyn Park - Grace Fellowship Church, Eden Prairie - Immanuel Lutheran Church
March 25 - Call-in option (details for call will be distributed with RSVP confirmation)

 

Time of events:
6 - 6:30 p.m. - Registration, shop open at service center locations only, social time
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - SUM information session, Break-out session for Resource Coordinators, Break out session for Registrars
8:30 - 9 p.m. - Q&A / networking

 

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Girl Scouts Forever Green Community Action Project
January 25 - April 30

In 2012, Girl Scouts will celebrate its 100th anniversary. To mark this milestone and honor our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts of all ages will be engaging in a nationwide Community Action Project, “Girl Scouts Forever Green.” River Valleys was selected as a pilot council for this exciting national initiative.

 

Using their leadership skills, girls will plan and implement a Take Action project in one of five environmental focus areas (air, waste management, water, energy, green space). Girls will track their environmental impact on a national website.

 

All Girl Scout troops, Juliettes, friends, and family can get involved today and be Forever Green! Please visit the Forever Green page for patch requirements, focus area information, and project ideas.

 

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Join Girl Scouts!

If you can think it, you can do it.

Girls in kindergarten through grade12 learn and practice leadership as they discover new talents, skills, and strengths, connect with other girls, and take action in their communities. Trained, caring leaders and other adult volunteers help girls to practice their decision-marking skills, build teamwork, develop healthy and positive self-esteem, strengthen values, and form caring relationships. Girls make friends and memories that will last throughout their lives.

 

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience and all programs and activities – from troop meetings to camping, engineering to arts, science to service projects–are designed to challenge and prepare girls for the future. Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

 

If you are interested in more information about Gil Scouts, please complete a Girl Scout Interest Indicator or contact Girl Scouts at 800-845-0787.

 

To learn more about the Girl Scout program, check out The Girl Scout Leadership Experience under Programs.

 

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Featured Council-sponsored Programs

Here are some featured council-sponsored program event from each of our service center areas.  To register or learn more about these featured programs, click on the link on the title.  Don’t forget to check out or register for the nearly 1,100 other council-sponsored programs for girls to enjoy.

 

 

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Contact Us | Locations | Site Map | ©2010 Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys

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Boys, looking to join Cub Scouts? Visit www.northernstarbsa.org (Twin Cities Metro/western Wisconsin), www.GamehavenBSA.org (Rochester/southeastern Minnesota area) or www.twinvalleybsa.org (Mankato/southwestern Minnesota area). River Valleys and the Northern Star Council, Gamehaven Council, and Twin Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America are separate organizations, collaborating in communications efforts to help ensure that all grade school youth are invited to enjoy the benefits of a Scouting experience in their communities.

 

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