Volunteer Scoop: August
News & Updates
Same URL. New Look and Feel
Girl Scout Dakota Horizons’ website has a new look. With straightforward navigation, easy-to-find resources, and all the Girl Scout News you want, our website is there to help all our members find the resources they need when they need them. Please, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the new layout.
Back to Troop Guide
Ready to lead your girls on another adventure filled year of fun and friendship? A printed Back to Troop Guide will be hitting renewed troop co-leader’s mailboxes very soon! You can also check it out on our newly refreshed website under Troop Resources.
Volunteer Toolkit Updates
The Volunteer Toolkit has been refreshed and is ready to use for the 2022-23 year! Login through your MyGS account and check out some of the new features including:
- You can now stack year plans together without resetting the current year plan.
- Even more information about the Girl Scouts in a troop all in one place - grade, communication preferences and secondary caregiver information has been added to the My Troop Tab.
- New program content for all 2022 new program released! To view the new content in one easy place use the ‘New for 2022-2023’ filter when searching for meetings (Explore Meetings or when you Add Badge/Journey).
- New Speaker Template! Invite topic experts to share their knowledge and passion with your troop. Use the Speaker invite under Manage Communication on the meeting plan to get started.
NEW! Mental Wellness 101 course in gsLearn
GSUSA just released a brand new course for Troop Leaders and other adults who work directly with Girl Scouts to learn what mental health is, how to recognize the signs of mental health challenges and learn how you can promote an environment within Girl Scouts for you and others to thrive and grow.
Confident leaders are prepared leaders! Our on demand courses in gsLearn will help you to be the best you can be for your girls. gsLearn is available to every adult member and is accessed by logging into your MYGS account and choosing gsLearn from the menu.
Apply to be a part of the Volunteer Advisory Go Team
Use your experience and perspective to support the Girl Scout mission as part of the Volunteer Advisory Go Team. This team of adult volunteers meets once a month virtually to provide feedback and collaborate with council staff on projects. Learn more about the Volunteer Advisory Go Team. To apply complete an online application by October 7.
Fall Product Program “Go Bright Ahead”
The Fall Product Program is September
16 - October 30.
Through this program, girls learn
financial literacy and develop five leadership skills: goal setting,
decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.
The Fall Product Program is designed for easy participation and troops
get a head start on funding their activities for the year.
View the calendar for a complete list of Fall Product Program
dates.
Troop volunteers can get started by reviewing the
Volunteer Manual and taking the 2022 Fall Product Program Training in
gsLearn. Login to your MyGS account and choosing gsLearn from the menu.
Watch for more information to come from your volunteer
Service Unit Fall Product Manager regarding training with local
volunteers and getting your girls’ sale materials. (Be sure to thank
these amazing volunteers for making the Fall Product Program a success
for the girls in your area!)
Get your girls excited for
the Fall Product Program and learn about this year’s mascot with the
Seally Me Patch Program where you will dive into the world of the
Hawaiian Monk Seal to explore their family members and habitats.
GSDH Staff Comings and Goings
We are excited to announce the addition of Brooke Irion to GSDH. She
has joined our Troop Engagement Specialist team in Bismarck, ND.
Brooke comes from a non-profit background and has a heart for female
leadership and community service. When you have the chance to meet
Brooke, please extend a warm Girl Scout welcome!
--
Nicole Gustafson, Sr. Troop Engagement Specialist in the Bismarck
Service Center, has resigned her position effective Friday, August
12th. Troop Engagement Specialist Louisa Nettenbeek has assumed the
role and is actively working to support troops in the Bismarck region.
Please, reach out to Louisa with any questions. She can be contacted
via email at Louisan@gsdakotahorizons.org.
Our Member Services Team is also ready and available to serve
you! Please reach out to them at 1-800-666-2141 or help@gsdakotahorizons.org
with any questions or support needs that you have.
Friendly Reminders
Finance Reminders
Every group who submits the required annual submission of the Bank Account
Confirmation/ACH Form between August 1 and October 1 will be
entered into a drawing to win $50.00 for your group! Take a few
minutes to make sure your group’s has been submitted.
Stay on top of your group’s finances all year by downloading the
2022-23 Check Register from our website. As a friendly reminder, all troop bank
account signers should hold a Troop Treasurer role and agree to the
Authorized Signer Responsibilities.
Dakota Dough Expiration Reminder
Girl Scouts work hard to earn Dakota Dough, don’t let it go unused.
Check the expiration date on her Dakota Dough, today! A batch of
Dakota Dough will be expiring on September 30th, 2022.
A
request to extend Dakota Dough’s expiration date may be requested
prior to the printed expiration date via the Dakota Dough
Expiration Date Extension Form. Approval of the form from the
council’s Leadership Team is needed to grant a Dakota Dough extension.
Cookies, Corks & Brews: Fargo/Moorhead and Sioux Falls
There’s cookies, there’s corks, and there’s brews, what’s not to
love? Join us at Cookies, Corks & Brews for a fun night
celebrating Girl Scouts! This adult-only evening will be filled with
desserts inspired by Girl Scout cookies, wine and craft beer pairings,
and non-stop fun!
If you are interested in attending the
event or volunteering at the event, you can find all the details here
for Cookies,
Corks, & Brews - Fargo/Moorhead and Sioux Falls.
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