Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Fall Product Information



The Fall Product Sale is coming soon.  Sales begin October 1.  This is a great way to earn money for your troop - $1-$2 per product.  If your troop sells $500 of Fall Products by 10/27, you will earn an early Cookie Booth selection!

Your customers can purchase delicious snacks, nuts, and chocolate.  These make great holiday gifts.  Favorite include Fruit Slices and Dark Chocolate Mint Penguins.  New this year: Thin Mint Almonds, BBQ Flavored Snack Mix, and Dark Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels.  There are even more options online which will be direct shipped to customers. 

Training and Program Packets

If your troop is participating, please have the Fall Product Manager (or troop leader) complete the online training.  The process is different this year, so please take some time to go through this before the leaders meeting on September 9 when I will have packets available for leaders.
  • Log in to GSACPC Volunteer Academy at: http://training.girlscoutsaz.org/login/index.php
  • Go through the “Managing the 2019 Fall Product Program” training and take the quiz.
  • Fill out the 2019 TPM Agreement
  • You will receive an email confirmation – forward this to me at louiseaz@hotmail.com and please let me know HOW MANY GIRLS are in your troop so I can have your packet ready. 
  • Council will grant you access to the Unify system in a couple days.  Instructions of how to log in will be emailed to you. 


Important Dates:
  • September 24:             Girls receive email to set up website
  • October 1:                   Sale begins
  • October 27:                 Orders forms and girl delivery order due
  • November 23-24:        Product delivered and ready for pick up
  • December 1:                Online sales end

Helpful links:
Volunteer Academy (to log in for training)
Program Resources and Dates

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Fifth Annual Juliette Low Birthday Party

Fifth Annual Juliette Low Birthday Party

Kick up your heels and join the Pima Neighborhood in celebrating Juliette Low’s Birthday!

When:  Saturday, November 2 from 2 - 4 pm
Where: Legacy Martial Arts of Scottsdale
11485 N. 136th Street, Unit 106
Scottsdale, AZ  85259 
(NE corner of 136th Street and Via Linda)  
karatescottsdale.com

What:  A fun, interactive basic introductory karate class focusing on: 
1)  girl’s self-defense  
2)  girl empowerment 
3)  team building!  

The karate demonstration team will perform a high-energy and exciting routine for the girls, as well as 3 current Girl Scouts who are students at the studio!  

The girls will also participate in party games and enjoy birthday cake.

Cost: $6 per girl - includes admission and a patch (no charge for leaders)

Checks should be made out to Pima Neighborhood. One payment per troop please.

Register by Friday, October 25 to reserve your spot!  

As always, for the safety of the girls, unregistered adults should not attend.  In addition, please avoid bringing tagalongs.

** Girls need to bring water bottles to this and every event. **   

All troops are welcome, but the activities are geared for Daisies and Brownies.  

Juliette Low is the founder of Girl Scouts.  She was born on October 31, 1860 in Savannah, Georgia.

Please email pima.neighborhood@gmail.com for further information.

REGISTRATION:

Please consult your neighborhood service team roster and RSVP to Maria McDaniel by Friday, October 25.  Checks should be made out to Pima Neighborhood.

TROOP #  ________________________________________

LEADER NAME(S) _____________________________________________________________

LEADER EMAIL(S) _____________________________________________________________

LEADER PHONE #(S) _____________________________________________________________

NAMES OF GIRLS ATTENDING (FIRST & LAST)  

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Monday, August 12, 2019

How to join a troop in Pima Neighborhood


Pima neighborhood serves girls living in the Desert Mountain complex (Redfield, Laguna, Anasazi, Cheyenne, Copper Ridge, DCES, DCMS, Mountainside, Desert Mountain, Archway, BASIS, and Scottsdale Prep), as well as Sonoran Sky, Grayhawk, and Pinnacle Peak.

If you are interested in joining a troop in our neighborhood, please fill in this form.

bit.ly/GirlScoutPima

August Leader's Meeting

Welcome Back!

Our first leader's meeting will be at either 10 am or 7 pm on August 12th at the Boys and Girls Club located at 10515 E Lakeview Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.  The evening meeting will be followed by our usual outing to Goldies, starting at about 8:15 pm. 

All volunteers are welcome and we ask that at least one leader from each troop attend. This is the single, best way you can enrich your troop's experience in Girl Scouts and make your job as a volunteer easier.

AGENDA

MSE News

Money Matters
  • Delinquent Finance Reports (Kelle/Lesley)
  • New Credit Card Service/Cancel PayAnywhere and replace with FirstData
  • Use can use Venmo to accept payments (from parents or for cookies)
Neighborhood Realignment
     Addition of Sonoran Sky, Pinnacle Peak, and Grayhawk

Service Team Positions
  • Cookie Trainer in Training
  • Older Girl Representative
  • Sonoran Sky Organizer
  • Pinnacle Peak Organizer
  • Redfield Organizer
  • Recognitions/Leader's Gala Planning
  • Brownie Level Mentor
Recruitment bit.ly/GirlScoutPima
     Role of School Organizers
     Accepting girls into your troop by request or on your own
     Neighborhood-wide parent-interest meeting

Registration
    Monitoring the Volunteer Toolkit

Fall Product (Louise)

Pima Outstanding Seniors Recognition (Older Girl Celebration)

First Aid/CPR (Susan V) (see also opportunity at Vol Con)

  • Sessions being offered (examples: bullying, ceremonies, level basics, First Aid/CPR, travel, high awards, knots, LGBTQ, money, TCC, SWAPS)

2019-2020 Neighborhood Planning

Potential Events
OdySea
Butterfly Wonderland (Troop 2153)
Father/Daughter Dance
(Cookie Rally?)
Leader's Gala
Badge Workshops
Medieval Times
Great Wolf Lodge

AUGUST
*August 17, 11-2, Ice Cream Social & Recruitment Event, Piccolo's Italian Ice (2256/4727)
August 25th, 1 to 3, Pool Party (83)

SEPTEMBER
* September 14, 6:15 to 8:15, Back-to-School Ice Skating (2256/4727)
September 29, 2 pm , Frozen Jr at Fountain Hills Theater ($11 pp) (SOLD OUT)

OCTOBER

October 18-20, Encampment at Willow Springs (2010)
October 27, Community Service Day 
(2010)

NOVEMBER
* November 2, Juliette Low Birthday Party (4402/Maria)
Vista del Camino (1265/Holly)
November 22, tentatively, Songfest (83/Terri)

DECEMBER
December 7, Caroling
December 15, 2 pm, Fountain Hills Theater, Mom-and-Me Holiday Party and Theater Event: Elves and the Shoemaker (2010/2256) 
Gift Wrapping?

JANUARY
January 10, Cookie Rally 

FEBRUARY
February 23, 1:30 to 4:30, Thinking Day (2256/4727)
February 29-March 1, Camp B.A.S.I.C. at Usury Park (2010)

MARCH
Cupcake Wars, Juniors-Ambassadors (Troop 83)
March 28, Powderpuff Derby

APRIL
April 17-19, Spring Encampment at Camp Maripai (2010)
April 25, Annual Meeting
April 26, Mother's Day Tea, (2469/Ashlye)

MAY
May 6, Older Girl Recognitions and Celebration (2256/4727)

JUNE
Day Camp: Time Traveler




Community Service Day


Come Lend a Hand at Pima Neighborhood’s Community Service Day


Sunday, October 27, 2019, 1:00-3:00
Location: Scottsdale Preparatory 
16537 N 92nd Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Girl Scouts of all ages, from Daisy to Ambassador, will have the opportunity to participate in, or lead, service projects.

Tables can be reserved for troops to gather donations, create items for their favorite charity, educate other girls about a need in the community, and/or call girls to action. Past projects have included: making cards for the elderly, tying
blankets for the homeless, stuffing pillows for a pet shelter, etc. See reverse to reserve a table for your project.

Items needed for the Shoebox ministry (NO SHOEBOXES): 

We are looking for troops to bring travel, hotel, or full size toiletries including:
  • bars of soap
  • body lotion
  • chapstick
  • combs, hair brushes
  • deodorant
  • emory boards
  • feminine hygiene products
  • mending/sewing kits
  • nail clippers
  • pocket size tissues
  • shampoo
  • conditioner
  • shower caps
  • shower gel
  • socks (adult and children)
  • stationary + pens
  • sunscreen
  • tissues
  • toothpaste
  • wash clothes
  • ziplock quart size bags

To register for this event, please send the following information to Lee 

Register by Monday, October 14th

Troop # ______ 

Level: Daisies/Brownies/Juniors/Cadettes/Seniors/Ambassador 

Number of girls: ______

Leader Name(s): 

_________________________________________________________
Contact e-mail(s):

_________________________________________________________
Contact phone (s): 

_________________________________________________________

Cost: $2.00 per girl for badge and clean-up fee 

Total: _____ (checks need to be made out to Pima Neighborhood)


PROJECTS

  • Troops 2256/4727 will be accepting donations of diapers for Mountain View Presbyterian's support of Thrive AZ.  Mountain View is our gracious host for day camp and has requested our support in their diaper drive efforts.




Pima Neighborhood Encampment


Camp Camelot
Pima Neighborhood Encampment


When:  October 18-20, 2019
What:  Camping and fun in the pines! 
Where:  Willow Springs Program Center 
Who:  Grades 3+ and 
    Grades 1-2 leaders and daughters   
Cost:  $40 per person (+ program fees) 
    $15 for Saturday only (no meals)

Registration due:  September 9.  Register Here!
Late Registration until October 1 (if available):  $50. 


We are having our Fall Encampment at Willow Springs, our amazing Girl Scout camp
located outside Prescott, about 1.5-2 hours from Scottsdale.  It's a beautiful camp.
You'll love it!  
Programs:  Our Camp will have a plethora of activities for girls to enjoy. 
On Saturday morning will be the Quest for Camelot for all to enjoy. 
Archery ($6) is for girls 4th and up, and the Challenge Course ($9-24) for girls 6th
and up. 
The remaining time is open for your own troop's activities, so you can take a hike,
work on a badge, prepare gourmet meals, or even give your girls some down time. 
Whatever you wish! We'll have a large group campfire Saturday night.

More Camp Programs
Meals:   We will serve Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast
in the lodge. 
All troops will cook Friday dinner and Saturday lunch and any snacks they want.
Feel free to buddy up with another troop! 
This is a great bridging or friendship building opportunity.
Accommodations:  There are various cabins and buildings for us to stay in,
each of which accommodate a different number of people.  All buildings have beds.
Sites will be assigned a few days beforehand.
Swaps:  We will have a swap exchange. 
Please prepare your swaps around the camp theme or a
wilderness/camping/outdoors theme. 
We suggest that each girl bring at least ten swaps, but that's up to you and
your troop.   
Required Training:  All troops must have a troop First Aider with current
First Aid and CPR cards and a TCC2 person (Troop Camp Certification Levels 1 and 2). 
(Leaders attending with just their daughters are exempt.
If you’re having trouble getting a TCC person, let us know.)

TCC Info  & TCC2 Courses
To Sign Up:  Please click this link to fill out the Registration Form.  
More information:  See the general encampment packet
(camp rules, directions, schedule, etc.), and the Willow Springs map
Also, don’t forget to send Lee your check and Roster/Car Form and submit your
Troop Trip Form to Susan R.  Troop camping assignments will be available a few days
before the encampment. 

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Working with Parents

Adapted from the Palo Verde Neighborhood

Working with Parents 

  • Be transparent with your troop parents about what the troop is doing/has accomplished at meetings and events 
  • Keep parents informed about trips, finances, programs, etc. Share the Pima blog with them and let them know they are welcome at our monthly meetings.
  • Set expectations (parents meetings!) 
  • Develop a troop support committee (examples: assistant leader, cookie mom, treasurer, program assistant, or carpool driver)
  • All involved parents must be registered and have a current background check on file. This includes parents just sitting in the room during a meeting.  Recent revelations about Boy Scouts underscores that we need to follow all the basic safety guidelines established by GSUSA.

Discussing specific situations
  • What to do if a parent is uninvolved, asks if (s)he can help, but seems to have no idea how to follow through or take leadership of even the smallest tasks? “I do need your help, here are some written guidelines on how to prepare for our camping trip.” 
  • What to do if a parent constantly talks about all the ways you could make the troop better? “I need your leadership. Project ideas you would like to develop and lead can fit in well with our plan. Please put down your ideas in writing and perhaps I can help you carry them out.”
  • What to do if a parent tells you things about other families not belonging in your troop because of economic status or another exclusive reason? “I need your sensitivity. Girl Scouting is for all girls and by teaching your daughter to be sensitive to others’ feelings you help teach the whole group sensitivity.” 
  • What to do if a parent shifts parental responsibilities to you and is so busy with her own life that she allows no time to help? “I love volunteering for Girl Scouts and want to make a difference. If you could take a few moments from your busy schedule to let me know what you value about what we’re doing, I’d appreciate it. It would keep me going for another year.” 

Co-ops/Alternating Meetings 
  • Some troops rotate meetings through each family so that parents stay involved and girls and their parent/guardian each take a turn leading a meeting. This also helps take the burden off of leaders who feel the need to “do it all.” 
  • This is so common that some councils have packets to help troops set up under these structures.  Check on out here.

Engaging Non-Parent Volunteers 
  • Discuss with your co-workers, friends, and other network connections you know who don’t have children the nature and benefits of your role as a volunteer with Girl Scouts, to see if anyone you know might be interested in helping out even if they don’t have a daughter in the troop 
  • Be realistic about expectations and tasks, and transparent about the time commitment 
  • Check in with local college clubs, academic programs, and sororities for young women who may be looking for volunteer hours (remember that volunteers under 21 cannot drive girls in their vehicle, but the extra adult can be helpful in so many other ways!)
  • Some of our older Pima girl graduates are great resources.
“When Can I Expect That?” 
  • Use this phrase/script when you need something from parents so they will set their own deadlines
  • This works with girls too! 
Be transparent about timelines & expectations 

Kids get excited when they can share Girl Scouts with their parent/guardian 

4 Her Promise: Here’s a handy document from council about requesting 4 hours of volunteer help from each family https://www.girlscoutsaz.org/content/dam/girlscoutsaz/documents/volunteer-resources/4-her-promise.pdf 

Parents Meetings: What should you include in your Parents Meeting agenda? 
  • Uniform expectations, diagrams, purchase lists 
  • Dues/Troop Finances/Fundraising 
  • Meetings and Events schedules, RSVP procedures, and expectations 
  • Troop Communications 
  • Receive parent expectations - what do parents expect for their girls to get out of Girl Scouts? 


Here is a sample parent meeting from another council.  Please note that the join link, phone numbers, and other contact details in the script are not for our council.

Mom and Me Event: Elves and the Shoemaker

This children’s story has been musically revitalized with the playful and eclectic tunes of Bill Francoeur!  Filled with delightfully wacky characters — including elves Mortz, Schwartz, Hazel, Gracie and Studebaker, this familiar tale is laced with clever dialogue to make audiences of all ages smile.  You will want to sing along as you put on your dancing shoes!


**************************************

Pima is heading to the theater on December 15th at 2 pm for a showing of the Elves and the Shoemaker at the Fountain Hills Theater: 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd. Fountain Hills, AZ 85268.

Following the show, we will have a Mom-and-Me* Holiday party with a white elephant exchange for both moms and daughters. Each gift should be limited to $10. 

If you would like to contribute to our holiday diaper drive, please also bring a package of diapers any size. These will be donated through Mountain View Presbyterian Church (our Day Camp partner) to local needy families.
Cost is $12 and includes refreshments at the holiday party and a patch for all girls.

Attendance is limited to 90. 

Troops should RSVP to pima.neighborhood@gmail.com and make checks out to Pima Neighborhood. 

*Grandmas, Aunts, big sisters, or other special mother figures are, of course, welcome.

New Credit Card Services for Cookie Sales

We are excited to announce changes to our guidelines regarding accepting payments for your Troops and Service Units. GSUSA has partnered with First Data to provide a credit card solution for Girl Scout Troops to use. GSACPC has decided to make First Data our preferred credit card reader. Please review the information below regarding First Data and other payment solutions:
Credit Card Readers

First Data – First Data is our Council’s preferred Credit Card Platform. Fees for First Data are 2%+$0.08/transaction. For troops that sign up to use First Data, the GSACPC Leadership Team will partner with Troops to cover the fees for Troops during cookie season (January-March). Any fees associated with using the card reader outside of Girl Scout Cookie season will be the responsibility of the troop. The platform is app-based and no device or swiper is needed. Troops will have the option to purchase a device for $39.95 if they prefer to have one. We will have instructions for how Troops can sign up by September!
Square and other card readers – Troops may choose to use Square or other credit card readers, but they are responsible for any fees associated with using these readers, even during the cookie program. Since GSACPC does not have an established partnership with these companies, we will be unable to support any issues that arise with these readers.
PayAnywhere – Based on our current issues with PayAnywhere, mainly a lack of customer support to the Council,we are encouraging Troop Leaders to discontinue the use of PayAnywhere readers. Troops will need to contact our banking team by emailing banking@girlscoutsaz.org and we’ll support thecancellation of PayAnywhere devices. It’s important towork with GSACPC Customer Care to cancel devices to ensure that account aren’t charged fees for inactivity.
Peer-to-Peer Payment Platforms (Venmo, Cash App, Facebook Payments, etc)
The use of these apps are permitted for receiving funds in to your account only, with the exception of Facebook Payments which may also be used to send money. Paypal and Zelle are not permitted.
Council-Supported Options
In the coming weeks, we’ll provide a form that will allow Troops or Service Units to initiate an ACH transfer from their bank account to that of another Troop or their Service Unit. There will be no fees associated with using this method of transferring funds. We would then ACH any funds received to the Service Units on a weekly basis.
We hope that this makes it easier for Troops and Service Units to collect money for cookies and other activities!

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

First Aid and CPR Training

We have set up a 1st Aid/CPR Training for October 1st or 15th at the Congregational Church of the Valley, 12001 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale AZ 85259 at 6 pm.

The class will start promptly at 6 PM and will be over around 9:30 PM. Attendees should arrive 
10 -15 minutes early so that we can start on time. The cost is $40.00 per person and checks should be made payable to Pima Neighborhood.  

Please give your payment to Susan Vargas at the neighborhood meetings or mail it to Susan (see email for mailing address).

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Presidential Service Awards


Pima coordinates ordering Presidential Service Awards twice a year.  If you wish to order for your girls, information needs to be sent to Louise Turner who submits information September 30th and March 30th (to receive awards in time for end-of-the-year ceremonies).
This is great to have for college and scholarship applications!  Below is information from their website about the award.  The information Louise needs is: Name (as you want it to appear on the certificate), Age Group (see award levels below), Hours Served (date, activity, how many hours), Year of Service (any 12 month period).  Also let her know whether you would like a pin, medallion or coin, or just the certificate.  She will let you know your total cost and you can reimburse her once she has placed the order.  Shipping and handling costs are divided  amongst the girls.  

PRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD 
Presidential recognition sets you apart from your peers. It is a tremendous honor. Even though you may not seek recognition, your example can deliver a powerful message that encourages others to take action.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes United States citizens and lawfully admitted, permanent residents of the United States who have achieved the required number of hours of service over a 12-month time period or cumulative hours over the course of a lifetime.

How it Works

Criteria

Individuals, families and groups that meet the criteria are eligible for the PVSA.
  • Recipient(s) must be a United States citizen or a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States.
  • Awards are issued for service hours served within a 12-month time period or over the course of a lifetime.
  • Awards are issued for volunteer service only; additional levels of participation with the organization (i.e., charitable support) are not a factor considered for the award.
  • Court-ordered community service does not qualify for the award.
  • Awards are issued by approved Certifying Organizations.
  • Service must be with an approved Certifying Organization that is legally established in the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or one of the U.S. territories.

Eligibility

Hours are measured over a 12-month period and awards are designated based on cumulative hours. The awards are offered in multiple levels and are designed to recognize each milestone of your service achievement. Levels include bronze, silver, gold and the highest honor, the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for those who contribute more than 4,000 hours of service in their lifetime.

Hours by AwardBronzeSilverGold
Kids (5-10)
26 – 49
50 – 74
75 +
Teens (11–15)
50 – 74
75 – 99
100 +
Young Adults (16-25)
100 – 174
175 – 249
250 +
Adults (26 and older)
100 – 249
250 – 499
500+
Families and Groups*
200 – 499
500 – 999
1,000+
President’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Individuals who have completed 4,000 or more hours in their lifetime
* Two or more people, with each member contributing at least 25 hours toward the total

Along with the ultimate honor of presidential recognition, recipients will receive a personalized certificate, an official pin, medallion or coin and a congratulatory letter from the president of the United States.

For more information, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov

Each award covers one 12 month period – it does NOT have to be a calendar year.

REMEMBER:  If your girls were 14 & under when they did the service work, they have different hours requirements than girls ages 15+. Please contact Louise Turner if you have questions.