NEW Activity Finder! This new Girl Scout year may be more virtual than originally anticipated, but our team of staff and volunteers are giving their all to make it as jam-packed with exciting events nonetheless! To make finding and registering for events simpler, we’ve updated our old Activity Finder into the new and improved Events Calendar !
The new layout works great on your computer or phone and is
simple to navigate so girls can get hands-on in planning their troop
year. Choose between list, calendar, and day view, and filter
activities by grade, location, price, audience, program theme, length
of program, location, and more! Plus, the improved search function
makes finding a new experience or event easier than ever before. Dive
in and give the new Events Calendar a spin!
Pro-Tip—Speaking of back-to-troop activities and events, can you and your girls get Girl Scout bingo this month?
Scary Good Resources to Start Your Girl Scout Year
Dive into fall with these resources to grow, plan, and connect
with your girls:
Fall Take Action Program
The 2020 Fall Take Action Program launches this Saturday, October 3, and runs through November 22. By participating, girls develop their curiosity, initiative, and collaboration skills while learning about and supporting sloths to make a global impact. Troop leaders and volunteers can check out our Troop Manager Guide to get started, and girls and their families can head directly to the M2 site to get registered on October 3. And remind your girls and families to register today for our Digital Day kickoff!
Brainstorm Troop Meeting Ideas With your Girls
Need a boost when it comes to planning your troop meetings this year? The best resources is right there: your girls! Use our six-step process for starting that brainstorming session, or dive in with GSUSA’s sample virtual meeting agenda and supply list!
Invite a Friend to Start a New Troop and Receive a $50 Coupon
Did you know that 88% of volunteers believe that their life is better because of Girl Scouts? Now's the time to share that with your friend circle! Invite a friend to start a new troop before October 31 and each of you will receive a $50 coupon for the Girl Scout retail shops. You do need to be a registered adult member and have a background check on file to qualify.
Volunteer Support Opportunities
GSUSA Discounted Zoom License are coming!
GSUSA has worked up an amazing deal for discounted
accounts with Zoom ($36!) for our service units and troop volunteers!
These accounts will run through July 31, 2021 to support virtual Girl
Scout activities.
New troops and service units will be
provided with a gsZoom account for free, and current troops who have
renewed membership for 70% of their girls plus a Troop Leader and
another adult volunteer in a troop role by October 31st, will receive
50% off the gsZoom price. For leader of troops who don’t reach 70% and
for volunteers that are a part of other events, camps, trainings, and
programs, we are still working through the best way to offer this deal
to you. We will have those details to share soon.
As we
wait for the final details to get you connected, help us get girls and
families renewed now! As an alternative to
using family funds, you can renew using
GSNorCal funds if girls choose to use their Product Program reward cards, by agreeing with
your troop to use troop funds, or by requesting
financial aid. Fun fact: troops who sell $180 of product during
the Fall Take Action Program will have paid for the cost of their
license!
Updated COVID-19 Guidelines
We have completed significant updates to the COVID-19
guidelines for parents and volunteers, in alignment with CA's
Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Please familiarize yourself with the
latest guidance at norcal.gs/COVID-19
Reminders and Announcements
Grow your troop before November 30 to receive our exclusive
patch! Opt-in to the Troop Catalog and add at least one
new girl and volunteer to qualify.
Join our Town Hall
discussions on national proposals and give us your
feedback! This year's National Council Session includes proposals
on membership dues, Gold Award scholarships, Lifetime Membership
discount, and more. Join us virtually on October 8 and 10 to learn
more and give your input to our National Delegates before they
vote.
You’re invited to experience the first-ever
virtual National Council Session! Register to
attend the sessions of your choice October 23-25 to watch
delegates nation-wide debate topics around the future direction of
Girl Scouts and vote on our national proposals.
Mark your calendars for the Columbia Sportswear event September 18 through October 18! Girl Scout staff, volunteers, and families will be able to shop in their household groups with appropriate social distancing at Columbia’s private employee store in the East Bay, with items marked at 40 to 50% off of original retail price! 10% of purchases donated back to GSNorCal. See the invitation for details on how to access the sale.
Support Girl Scouts and order curbside pickup! Watch this video to learn how to order, and browse the GSNorCal Catalog via our Retail Order Form. To thank you for your purchase, all curbside orders will include a coupon for a future curbside order.
Join our online Girl Scout community! Connect with Girl Scout families and volunteers in your area on Facebook to get the most out of our supportive Girl Scout network.
Shop curbside through October 3 for a 10% discount! Use the code "SummerSisterhood” you will receive 10% off your order, plus an additional curbside coupon inside and other amazing mystery treats. Place your order on our retail order form, and browse the catalog to shop now.
GSUSA New Badge Activity Samplers have arrived! This year, Girl Scouts is introducing 24 new badges to inspire the next generation of strong female leaders. Whether she’s interested in entrepreneurship, automotive engineering, STEM careers, or civics, every girl is invited to sample these new badge activities or tune in for one of the special events.
Does your employer offer “Dollars for Doers"? Many
companies encourage their employees to volunteer in the communities
where they live and work—in turn, the employer will offer matching
dollars for the hours. Inquire with your Human Resources department
about your program, or check out this list of companies that offer this kind of
financial support!
Looking for previous issues of
Volunteer View? Check them out on our GSNorCal
Publications page.
