Emergency Foodshelf Network is looking for assistance during the following times:

• Thursday, May 9, 4:30–6:30 pm (10–20 girls/adults)
• Saturday, May 11, 9:30–11:30 am (10–25 girls/adults)

Due to safety regulations at the warehouse, this opportunity is available for girls age 12 and up.

Where: Emergency Foodshelf Network warehouse, 8501 54 Ave N., New Hope, MN

If your troop or group of girls is interested, please email River Valleys’ Public Relations by April 22 to confirm attendance and receive further instructions.

Color guards honor the American flag and formally represent Girl Scouts at events. Getting involved is a great way for girls of all ages to build courage and confidence, and display their Girl Scout pride.

To apply, please email Public Relations with:

• parent/guardian contact information
• the name and troop number of the Girl Scout applicant

All current girl members can apply.

River Valleys cannot guarantee a color guard opportunity to every Girl Scout applicant and will contact girls as needed.

Use your Girl Scout knowledge to help the Alumnae Association. We are looking for volunteers to help in a variety of ways:

Serve on an Alumnae Association Committee

Time commitment for each committee varies.

• Travel
• Young Alumnae Retreat (recent high school/college grads)
• Communications

Help with an Alumnae Association Event

• Forever Green Breakfast, March 2013
• Networking event, Spring, 2013
• Regional events for adult recognition, May 2013
• Summer Camp Days for alumnae and families, Summer 2013

If you are interested in any of the above Alumnae Association volunteer options, please contact Stephanie Klenk at 800-845-0787, ext. 1266.

Girl Program Volunteer Options

Welcome to the Flower Garden Journey

Help Girl Scout Daisies dig their way into their first Journey, the Daisy Flower Garden. Volunteers will assist with set-up, clean-up, registration and leading/assisting with activities. Three dates and locations to choose from. For more information, please contact Nicole Huebner-Briese.

• November 10, 1:00–3:30 pm, Woodbury, MN
• December 1, 1:00–3:30 pm, St. Louis Park, MN
• January 19, 1:00–3:30 pm, Stillwater, MN

Brownie Quest Journey Day

Lead girls and adults as they join Brownie Elf on her quest. Volunteers will assist with set-up, clean-up, registration, giving directions and leading activity stations. Multiple shifts available. For more information, please contact Kayla Schmalz.

• November 3, 10:00 am–3 pm, White Bear Lake, MN or St. Mary’s Church, Olivia, MN
• December 1, 10:30 am–3:30 pm, Eisenhower Community Center, Hopkins, MN
• January 20, 2013, 1:00 pm–6 pm, Prior Lake, MN
• January 26, 2013, 10:00 am–3 pm, Elgin, MN or New Ulm, MN

Agent of Change Journey Overnight

Assist Girl Scout Juniors as they discover their own super powers and those of their sister Girl Scouts. Volunteers will assist with set-up, clean-up, registration and leading/assisting with activities. Volunteers with experience in drawing or drama are especially encouraged. Multiple shifts available. For more information, please contact Sarah Kuenle or Mary Thompson.

• November 17, 9:30 am–4:00 pm, Hutchinson, MN
• December 1, 9:30 am–4:00 pm, Falcon Ridge Middle School, Apple Valley, MN
• January 20–21, 2013, 3:00 pm–2:00 pm, Camp Lakamaga, Marine on St. Croix, MN
• February 17–18, 2013, 3:00 pm–2:00 pm, Camp Elk River, Zimmerman, MN

Overnight 2-in-1 Adventure

November 3–4, 3 pm–6 am, Owatonna, MN
Assist Girl Scout Juniors as they discover their own super powers and those of their sister Girl Scouts. Then help them use those powers to start a Bronze Award project. Volunteers will assist with set-up, clean-up, registration and leading/assisting with activities. Volunteers with experience in drawing or drama are especially encouraged. Multiple shifts available. For more information, please contact Rachel Hoben.

Membership volunteer options

Regional Community Troops

• Multi-age level troops (Daisy, Brownie, Junior)
• Meet in public locations
• Open to drop-ins
• A team of volunteers delivers Girl Scout programming
• On-going support is provided to volunteers

Service Unit Cookie Manager

Tonka Waters East Service Unit, Minnetonka area
Partner with River Valleys to promote, coordinate, and implement the River Valleys Cookie Program Activity within the Tonka Waters East Service Unit. Help make the Cookie Program Activity rewarding, fun and successful for every girl and volunteer.　Training is provided.

Interested in volunteering for one of our regional community troops or as a Service Unit Cookie Manager? Please contact Wendy Walton at 651-251-1230 for more information.

Women of Distinction Luncheon

April 18, 2013
Hilton Hotel, Minneapolis, MN
The fourth annual Girl Scouts River Valleys’ Women of Distinction luncheon will honor women in our community for their leadership, professional accomplishments and community contributions. If you are interested in volunteering for this event in either a planning capacity or as a volunteer on the day of the event, please contact Stephanie Pommier at 651-379-4774.

We know Girl Scouting has a powerful impact on girls, and we want to make sure that all girls who are interested in joining a troop are able to do so.

Our River Valleys’ members have powerful networks, both personally and professionally, and we are asking that you reach out to your network this fall and partner with us. You probably know individuals who have the experience, knowledge and skills to lead a new Girl Scout troop—tap your network and help us find them. We are specifically looking for Girl Scout alumnae who would be willing to start and lead troops that will eventually be transferred to parents or permanent volunteers. As families experience what’s involved in a Girl Scout troop meeting, permanent leadership will be easier to identify and engage. Training and support are always provided.

If you know anyone who would be interested in leading a troop, please have them send us their name, contact information, availability and distance they are willing to travel.

Founded in 1984, Juliette Gordon Low Society honors individuals, foundations and organizations who demonstrate a deep commitment to the future of Girl Scouting by contributing to Girl Scouts River Valleys’ endowment fund or including River Valleys in their estate planning.

What: Juliette Gordon Low Society luncheon
When: Saturday, November 3, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Where: Burnsville Performing Arts Center

Volunteer opportunities

Girl Scout Juniors through Ambassadors are encouraged to volunteer as greeters or to conduct the opening flag ceremony at the luncheon.

We’re also looking for a Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador to share her leadership skills with the audience. If interested, please write a short essay (250-300 words) about what Girl Scouts means to you, what projects you’ve worked on, and what lessons you’ve learned because of your involvement in Girl Scouts. Please provide your name, age, phone number and email with your submission.

We also have opportunities for adults to serve on the Juliette Gordon Low Society Luncheon Planning Committee.
Contact Stephanie Pommier to learn more about or apply for these volunteer opportunities.

Partner with one of River Valleys’ ConnectZ troops in implementing the Girl Scout Cookie Program Activity.

• Coach girls in goal development, financial literacy, marketing and customer service skills
• Coach girls through cookie booth sales
• Coach girls in developing self-confidence
• Gain and develop skills for personal and professional growth
• Have fun as you make a difference

Short-term commitment: Jan-April (approximately 10-15 hours a month); training will be in January. Resources, training and on-going support provided.

Multiple locations available in Metro and Southern MN. Good opportunity for those who need/want a short term opportunity with scheduling flexibility.

To get started click Contact Us and put “ConnectZ cookies” in the comment box, complete a volunteer interest form or call 800-845-0787.

If you are working on your Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award, you may want to consider applying for these grants. Please note that River Valleys does not manage these grants.

Do Something Seed & Growth Grants (Deadline: Ongoing)

Are you working to start a community action project or program? Do you need money to put your ideas into action? If you answered, “YES!”, you are eligible to apply for a Do Something Seed Grant. We give out a $500 Do Something Seed Grant every week to help young people just like YOU!  Do Something Seed Grants are targeted towards project ideas and programs that are just getting started. These grants can be used to jump-start your program or to realize your ideas for the first time. These are grants for all types of community action projects around causes that you care about and are important in your community! Deadlines: Rolling- Apply now! You will be notified whether or not you have won within 2-3 months after submission. www.dosomething.org/grants/seedgrants

Did you create a sustainable community action project, program or organization that you want to grow? Are you looking for funding to take your already successful project to the next level? If you answered “YES!”, you are eligible to apply for a Do Something Growth Grant. We give out a $500 Do Something Growth Grant every week to help young people just like YOU! Do Something Growth Grants are targeted towards projects that are already developed and sustainable. These grants go towards the next steps of your project and organization to help you as you look to expand your project and grow your impact.Deadlines: Rolling- Apply now! You will be notified whether or not you have won within 2-3 months after submission. www.dosomething.org/grants/growthgrants

Partner with one of our River Valley’s Cultural Initiative troops for a successful Cookie Program Activity.

• Coach girls in goal development, financial literacy, marketing and customer service skills
• Coach girls through successful cookie booth sales
• Coach girls in developing self-confidence
• Gain and develop skills for personal and professional growth
• Work with a diverse group of girls and adults
• Have fun as you make a difference

Short-term commitment: Dec-April (approximately 6 hours a month); training in December, program from January to April. Resources and training provided.

To get started, call 800-845-0787 today or click Contact Us and put Cookie Coach in the comment box.

Help steer the future of Girl Scouting in River Valleys

River Valleys is embarking on an exciting journey! Over the past several months, volunteers and staff have worked on strategies for shaping the future of Girl Scouting. We’ve set new goals for retaining older girls, engaging volunteers in new ways, increasing the numbers of girls and volunteers from low-income and under-served population groups, and reaching new financial supporters. If these topics energize, inspire, or invigorate you, we want to hear from you.

Your input is needed

Volunteers are critical to the success of Girl Scouting, and we need your help in reaching our ambitious new goals. In the coming months, River Valleys will be hosting several volunteer roundtables. Roundtables are an opportunity for volunteers to learn about new strategies, give feedback, and share ideas.

How to participate

The next volunteer roundtable will be held Tuesday, October 12 at 7 p.m. This event is a conference call/Webinar. Detailed instructions will be e-mailed to registrants on October 11. Register online.

Is your service unit interested in learning more? Contact us to request a staff facilitated volunteer roundtable in your service unit.

• Coach girls through successful cookie booth sales
• Coach girls in developing self-confidence
• Gain and develop skills for personal and professional growth
• Work with a diverse group of girls and adults
• Have fun as you make a difference

Short-term commitment: Dec-April (approximately 6 hours a month); training in December, program implementation from January to April. Resources and training provided.

To get started, call 800-845-0787 today or click on Contact Us and put Cookie Coach in the comment box.