Girl Scout tornado Relief Efforts

We're sure you have been following the headlines regarding tornado-related losses of life and property most recently in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi and in many parts of the Midwest. The losses have been catastrophic, the worst tornado season in more than 90 years. While it appears that council offices and camps have survived with limited damage - we know that many Girl Scout families are experiencing devastating loss.

Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama had significant damage in 31 of their 37 counties. Their council's CEO, Trish Coghlan, reports that countless members of the extended Girl Scout family have suffered significant loss. They will not know the full impact until power and communication lines are restored throughout their jurisdiction.

How to Help Those Affected
Many Girl Scouts around the country want to know how they can help. We encourage those who would like to donate money or collect funds to do so with respected national charities that focus on disaster relief including the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. You can also visit the North-Central Alabama Web site at girlscoutsnca.org for more details.

At times like these, Girl Scouts come together in sisterhood to help those in need. We have seen our Movement rally in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters over the years, and will continue to do everything we can to help our communities in the weeks and months ahead.

In closing we want to express our gratitude to the staff and volunteers who continue to serve girls in the affected regions. You are truly living the Promise and Law.

The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army asks those who want to help to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Donors may text "GIVE" to 80888 to make a $10 donation. Checks may be made out to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta , GA 30384-0339.

The Red Cross
The Capital Region Chapter is our local Red Cross and they are located at 1565 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento, CA 95815. They are taking monetary donations. You can bring the donations into the office, mail donations ATTN Tornado Relief, make a donation online at www.redcrosscrc.org or text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make $10 donation.

Handmade Ornaments Needed for U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree!

California has been asked to provide Washington, D.C.'s 2011 Christmas tree, which will be displayed in front of the U.S. Capitol building throughout the Christmas season. The tree, a gift to the nation from California's Stanislaus National Forest, will symbolize the theme: "California Shines." Californians are being asked to provide all 7,000 handmade ornaments that will adorn the main tree and approximately 100 smaller trees. The ornaments should showcase the theme "California Shines" by showing all that is special about California's history, culture and natural beauty. All state residents are invited to make ornaments for the trees, and GSHCC would love for local Girl Scouts to make their mark on this special project. Two types of ornaments are needed: 1. Five thousand ornaments for the large, outdoor tree 2. Two thousand ornaments for the smaller, indoor "companion" trees Please visit http://www.capitolchristmastree2011.org for ornament criteria and other information. Ornaments will be collected by the Stanislaus National Forest and need to be sent in no later than June 30, 2011. They should be shipped to: Mi-Wuk Ranger District Stanislaus National Forest Attn: Capitol Christmas Tree Ornaments P.O. Box 100 24695 Highway 108 Mi-Wuk Village, CA 95346 If you have any questions about this opportunity to let California shine in front of the rest of the nation, please leave a message for the Capitol Christmas Tree Committee at 209-586-3234, ext. 602.

Girl Scout Volunteers are Appreciated

April is the month to celebrate Girl Scout volunteers and Girl Scout Leaders. April 10 - 16 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week and following that, April 22 is Girl Scout Leader's Day. Troops often give thank you cards to their troop leaders, draw them a picture or get them something from the Girl Scout Shop to show appreciation for all the hard work they do. There are several items in the shop that would make perfect gifts for leaders. Here are some ideas: 1. A Girl Scout charm bracelet with a GS volunteer charm or a Girl Scouts 100th anniversary charm. Click here to see this item... 2. A new canvas tote bag, which could be really handy for Girl Scout paperwork or for taking on troop trips. Click here to see this item... 3. A Precious Moments Girl Scout Volunteer Figurine. Click here to see this item... Thank you Troop Leaders and all Girl Scout volunteers for volunteering your time. With our volunteers like you Girl Scouts could not run successful Girl Scout program that builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.

C.S.I.

Have you heard of C.S.I.?

It's not what you think it might be...

C.S.I. stands for Cookie Site-sale Investigators.

The C.S.I. crew is made up of Girl Scouts who volunteer to help other or sister Girl Scouts with site sales. They will be looking for site sales throughout the council every weekend until March 20. If your Girl Scout troop has an excellent site sale, the girls will receive C.S.I. t-shirts and stickers.

C.S.I. will also try to help girls learn and practice the five skills:

1. Goal Setting

2. Decision Making

3. Money Management

4. People Skills

5. Business Ethics

One important message we have for parents and troop leaders is that the Girl Scout Cookie program is not only for girls to earn money for their troop but to also build life skills that will help them in the future. Site sales will be marked down if parents are selling cookies, talking to customers or answering questions for their girls. It's OK to help the girls, but it is not OK to do it for them.

If you want to help your girls prepare for site sales and C.S.I., here are some tools:

Click here to watch the C.S.I. video

Click here for a Pocket Guide

Click here for cookie video tips

Click here for a description of an excellent site sale

They're Back!

Girl Scouts from all around the council are kicking off the 2011 Girl Scout Cookie Season.

Holding a cookie rally is a great way to get everyone in your service unit together to make posters for site sales, set troop goals, learn about the new cookie the Shout Out and the new packaging for the Thanks-A-Lots.

Cookie rallies are also great for new cookie moms or new troop leaders.

Check out these photos from a cookie rally in Woodland.

The Count Down Begins!

Can you believe it? December is just flying by. Excitement builds as each day passes with the anticipation of holiday festivities. In particular, the Girl Scout Shop's Annual Holiday Celebration! Saturday December 18th will be a day of pure delight when Mrs. Clause breaks from her busy schedule to visit the Girl Scout Shop. She will be visiting and taking picutes from 10am-4pm. Be sure to tell her any messages you want Santa to get! Bring a canned food donation for our local food banks and get your picture taken for FREE! Helpful elves will also be here to assist in all the fun. Don't forget, we will have the brand new journey books- IT'S YOUR STORY-TELL IT! There will be all kinds of fun activities that compliment these amazing books.



While you're here don't forget to take advantage of all the great one-time-only specials we will be offering...

-Spend $50.00 or more and get a FREE STUFFED BEAR dressed in a cute sweatshirt

-15% OFF any Long Sleeve fashion item

-20% OFF all Holiday Ornaments

*Don't forget to stock up on stocking stuffers too. We carry Groovy Girl Dolls, Karito Kids Dolls,

Webkins, and a variety of fun toys and games.

*If you're making the trip anyway, plan ahead for World Thinking Day 2011 and Cookie Sales.



Come share your passion for Girl Scouts and embrace the spirit of giving! See you there!

Fun at the Girl Scout Shop

Have you heard of all of the exciting things going on at the Girl Scout Shop? Where do I even begin? There all all kinds of great new items and a spectacular holiday window display to come check out. Oh, and do I ever have the insider tip for you! Come by the shop on Saturday December 18th for the Grand Premiere of the third Leadership Journeys, "It's your story-Tell it." Join in on all the fun activities and be one of the first to get a taste of these thrilling new Journeys. And did I mention Mrs. Clause will be here? Have your photo taken with Mrs. Clause and shop for all of your holiday gifts too. Enjoy the Card Making Station where you'll get a chance to share your favorite holiday story or memory. Cards will be collected and donated to a local Senior Center where they will surely spread some holiday cheer! Rumor has it that sometime in the afternoon, there will even be a special guest appearance by our Council's own mini-horse, Nettie! You simply can't miss this event so mark your calendars now! Come join in on all the fun and excitement. Can't wait to see you there!

-Velina from the Shop