Meeting Notes from 9/18

We had a great first meeting of the year and we learned that an hour is DEFINITELY not long enough for us!  We welcomed Sofia to our troop and played a getting to know you game called Two Truths and a Lie.  We started planning for the coming year and will continue planning at the next meeting.  One thing we did decide was that our theme for the Trunk or Treat would have something to do with mustaches.  Perhaps mustachioed mummies? We will have to get our art committee together to start working on it.

We are trying to select a Troop Crest, and we have it narrowed down to either Pansies or Shooting Stars.  We will try to reach a consensus on that next time.

Each girl brought home a list of potential workshops for the coming year that I narrowed down from the options available through Council to things I thought they would enjoy or that fit in well with what we are doing this year.  Before the next meeting they should look over the list and rate each choice Sounds Like the Best Thing Ever, Meh, or I'd Rather Not.  Once I know what the girls want to do, I'll see what we can fit into the schedule.

They unanimously agreed is that they would like to go camping this year.  There is an Overnight Adventure at Lake Rickabear in April again, but personally I'd be more inclined to set something up for just our troop at Jockey Hollow (where the toilets are in the building where we will sleep) and they seemed to agree.  Once we have the rest of the schedule set for the year, we will try to find a good date and book a campground.

They each got a notebook where they can jot down notes and ideas.  Starting with the next meeting on 10/2 they should be sure to bring their notebook, a pencil, and their World of Girls book to each meeting.

Each girl also should have brought home her fall fundraiser packet.  Thanks to Kim for "volunteering" to manage our fall product sales this year!  Hurrah!!!  Fall product sales start on October 1, and the troop gets a decent return on our girls' sales so please do participate.  Magazines are easy because you can set up a cute website through GSNNJ and sell them online and people can just renew their subscriptions for magazines they already receive.  If you fill out the postcard booklet (even if you just write "No pressure to buy!  Disregard if you don't need any magazines!") the troop gets $3.  And I have to say, the photo items they added this year look pretty cute, and if you're going to buy holiday cards or photo books anyway why not have the troop get some cash back?

Do be sure that you check the packet even if you don't plan to sell.  The first year Brownie star/discs are in there for the girls who still need them, and the yearly paperwork is in there as well.  Please be sure to return that to me at the next meeting if not sooner.

Please note:  There is NO FOOD OR DRINK at meetings held at BAC.    This is a condition of our building use and if we are not respectful of this rule, we will lose the privilege of meeting there.  And the violator will then have to host the remainder of our meetings at her house.  ;)  Thanks for feeding your daughter before she comes to our meetings.

Looking forward to a fantastic year!!!

Opportunities for Community Service

Some troops around town are looking for support for the following community service projects:

• Donations of Dog or Cat Items - Brownie Troop 95027 is collecting dog/cat items for Eleventh Hour Rescue. 
• Donations of Halloween Costumes - Brownie Troop 95642 is collecting gently used Halloween costumes for Market Street Mission. 

The Food Pantry is also always looking for donations and are in particular need of cereal, canned fruit, tomato sauce, vegetable oil, mayo, school snacks and canned meats (tuna, chicken, ham, Spam).    Donations will be collected at the October 6 Leaders' Meeting, so please be sure to get any contributions to me before then.  

Badge Magic

For those moms who, like me, are frantically applying badges in preparation for Scout Pride day tomorrow, I wanted to let you know that I finally got a chance to try the Badge Magic No Sew adhesive and it really is magic!!!  I did about 18 badges yesterday (embarrassing, I know!) with one sheet and still have some left over.  You can buy it online or at the council store, and it comes as either a Brownie uniform kit or as a cut-to-fit sheet, and it is definitely worth the investment.

Back to troop

A new year is upon us, and I am excited to get started!  A few reminders:

1.  Our first meeting is this Thursday.  Remember to be prompt because late girls cannot be admitted as per school security protocol.

2.  Thursday 9/18 is also Girl Scout Pride Day so be sure to have your girl wear her vest to school!  If she does, let me know so I can be sure to get her special participation patch from Council.  Better yet, snap a photo for me!

3.  Fall product sales are upon us!  I will have the girls' packets ready for this week's meeting, and sales start on October 1.

4.  Many girls are participating in the Colorfest Walk/Run on 10/11/14 at 10:00 am at Lake Rickabear.  If you plan to attend, register your girl on the GSNNJ website and shoot me an email letting me know.  I will have white t-shirts for the girls to wear that day and I want to make sure I have enough.

5.   This year we will do the World of Girls journey.  Each girl has received a copy of the guide book for this journey, so now is a good time for you to dig it out.  I will introduce the journey at this week's meeting if we have time, but the girls' won't need the books until the next meeting.

6.  Mark your calendar for the Cucinella Trunk or Treat on Friday, 10/24.  We will participate in this as a troop.

7.  Council is running its Annual Family Campaign to raise funds to bridge the cost gap between operating costs and funds raised through membership, product sales and program registrations.  Our troop has already made a small contribution as a group, but please consider making an individual contribution as well.  Information will be sent home with the girls this week.

Can't wait to see you all soon!