Resources for the 2021 Cookie Program are live!
Search the Forms Index on our website for all cookie forms needed by volunteers, and find girl and family resources on our main cookie resource page. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for up-to-date information and marketing campaign tips, and troop cookie volunteers can look out for weekly email and text updates from our Product Program staff. Initial cookie orders are due January 11 and girls' online businesses launch January 23, so take a look and prepare to support our premier girl entrepreneurship program!
Psst—Looking for extra cookie backup? Join our weekly Cookie Q&As with the Product Program team! After our Family Cookie Kickoff on January 6, join the GSNorCal Product Program team every Wednesday at 6 PM for a Cookie Program Q&A. We're ready to chat and answer your questions in real time and to keep you in-the-know about what to expect this year. All adults supporting girls' cookie businesses are welcome.
Set some New Year Girl Scout Goals!
Whether you’re diving in to the new Volunteer Essentials and
Safety Activity Checkpoints or planning community service projects
with your troop, we’ve got everything you need to be your best Girl
Scout Volunteer self this winter:
The New Volunteer Essentials Has Gone Live!
The Volunteer Essentials has a fresh, new look and now lives right on the GSNorCal website. Covering everything you need to know about volunteering from Product Program to Safety-Wise, the Volunteer Essentials is updated throughout the year with new information as changes occur.
Updated Safety Activity Checkpoints
The Safety Activity Checkpoints have been updated! Although many of our troops’ favorite activities are on hold during the pandemic, these guidelines can help you plan your next big adventure.
Community Service Opportunities
From GSUSA’s National Service Project fighting hunger and food insecurity, to a plethora of local opportunities and ideas you can do in your hometown (or even from your house!), here are several ways to give back this winter.
Volunteer Support Opportunities
- Discoveree on January 23, 2021. Discoveree is virtual this year, but our one-day learning event for volunteers and leaders still provides tons of training, skills, and crafts that will enrich your troop’s experience. Register by January 21, 2021!
- Volunteer Support for VTK on January 15. Attend a workshop to learn about the new membership management system, VTK, Troop Leader Blueprint and other resources to make your troop year successful this year. Don’t worry if you can’t make it, we will have a recording posted on our website shortly afterward. Register now!
- New Leader Great Start Series on January 14 and 21. Whether you’re a new leader or an existing one who needs a hand transitioning your troop to virtual meetings, we are here to help support you! The New Leader Great Start Series is a two-part training that will walk you through your first virtual meetings, give you with resources for future meetings, and onboard you as a new troop leader. Register for part one and part two (troop leaders only) today.
- Virtual Troop Meeting Series for January. Join us as we lead your first two virtual troop meetings! These meetings will help girls earn the Entrepreneur badge as they learn about money, goal setting, and how to be an entrepreneur of your own Girl Scout cookie business. At the end of the two-meeting series, we will send you the complete virtual meeting packet to help you lead your girls through the remaining badge meetings. Register here for Daisies or Brownies.
Reminders and Announcements
We’ve updated the Troop Leader Blueprint with even more exciting new resources!
Our refreshed Girl Scout member account management system is LIVE! Keep an eye out for an email to reset your password and explore the new and improved systems.
Your girl can apply to be a Girl Board Participant to bring her creative ideas to the board room and make her voice heard! Girls in 9th-11th grade are eligible for this one-year leadership opportunity. Applications are due January 15.
Cast your vote for Service Unit Delegates! Delegates represent you in member governance, so make sure to review our Voter Guide and elect candidates for your service unit. Adult and girl members age 14+ are eligible to vote in the election January 4-25.
Preorder one of our 3 brand new GGB Program Boxes! Designed to be enjoyed at-home, these Program Boxes were made to support a virtual GGB experience and help troops to feel connected, and to showcase the amazing programmatic opportunities for our 5th–6th grade Girl Scouts! Pre-orders opening in early January 2021! GGB Program Boxes will begin shipping* on February 1, 2021.
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.
