This site last updated on 5/15/13
All Council shops and offices will be closed on Friday, May 24 in observance of Memorial Day.
By now, most of the troops have received their early bird packets and cookie incentives. Your next step is to distribute incentives and have parents sign the form, have parents fill out registration forms and leaders enter them into EBIZ, complete your annual finance report covering June 1, 2012 - May 31, 2013, complete your troop progression form(s); volunteers agreements for all 01, 02 and 03's; annual reviews for all 01 and 02's; and bring everything at one time to your June Area Meeting for Paper Push.
The Area Registrars, Treasurers and Chairs will be checking and verifying your information. Additional forms will also be available at the area meetings and at the office. Be sure to bring the extra copies of the submitted forms as indicated on your packet. If you cannot attend your area meeting, you can always turn in your paperwork at any one of the other area meetings or on the specific paper push at the office.
Please do not use the old girl or adult registration forms. The membership fee is now $15 and the new forms should be used.
Get acquainted with the program now, you’ll need it for Early Bird registrations!
Early Bird Registration began April 16 and ends June 28. The registration fee will increase to $15 per girl/adult, so plan accordingly when budgeting for the end of year trip and community service projects.
With EBIZ, you can register for programs and events, adult trainings, and submit girl and adult membership. Troop leaders will also have the ability to manage their troop member records! To get started, please follow our walkthrough tutorial below which will give you step-by-step directions on how to activate your account, sign up for
events or trainings and how to register or renew your membership. Click here to get started with EBIZ.
The registered 01 (leader) in the troop can click on the troop management link and the current troop roster will be displayed. You can actually send emails to your members and print membership cards too!
Questions or issues, click on this link: helpdesk@gssgc.org
That’s a very good question and we have the answers. Policy states that within 30 days of the decision to disband your troop, troop leadership must submit a report along with all records, a Troop Finance Report, troop non-expendable equipment and remaining troop funds to Council.
Just come into the office and meet with Mary or Jewel. They will provide you the Disbanded Troop Report and explain any questions you may have with the steps to be completed.
Disbanding of troops includes girls graduating out to adults, leaders who can’t find anyone to take over leadership, troop divorces, troops not meeting the minimum requirements of a troop, etc.
Start your planning now. If you are disbanding after paper push in June, and you are not returning in October, your disbanding paperwork must be completed and turned in prior to October 1. Do not distribute any funds or equipment without prior approval from the office.
As you start planning for summer activities, please be aware that some required forms have been updated and are now available on the website. Be sure to look for the 2013 updates and discard any prior forms you may have in your possession:
This year's Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recogntions will take place at the Bear Creek Golf Club, 22640 Bear Creek Dr., North Murietta on Saturday, June 8, 2013 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please RSVP by Friday, May 24. No exceptions for late reservations. Dress is Girl Scout Uniform or Business Attire.
Please RSVP with $35 payment per person for luncheon. For more information, contact Leonard at llongo@gssgc.org.
Proceeds from the sale of your tax-deductible basket donation benefit Girl Scout programming in your community. To submit a basket donation or for more information, please contact Cindy at choltbusch@gssgc.org or David at dmaxfield@gssgc.org.
The High Desert Region and several areas are submitting baskets. If your troop, or you individually would like to donate towards a basket, please bring your donated items into the office before Friday, May 31. Please attach a note with your items identifying the value of the items. Baskets and basket items can also be brought to your May area meeting. Apple Valley Area is doing a wine and cheese basket, Hesperia Area is doing a Starbucks basket, and the Region is doing a Disaster Preparedness basket.
Attached you will find the link to tell us what worked and what didn't work for you in the Fall 2012 Sale and the 2013 Cookie Sale. District Managers please share this with your troops. Troops, please share this with your families. Families please share this with your girls.
We would love to have your input for our exciting new Product Sales Year 2013-2014!! We can't wait to hear from you.
https://girlscoutsgssgc.wufoo.com/forms/20122013-sale-survey/
Please be sure to download or pick up a copy of the 2012 Revision to Policies and Procedures. There have been many changes that will affect your troop right now. As soon as the link is up, we will post the P & P here. In the meatime, they arre available at the Area Meetings.
If you are planning any trips where a rental car is needed, please be sure to follow Policies and Procedures in regards to rentals.
• Whenever a vehicle is chartered, leased, or rented to transport girls for any Girl Scout activity, a certificate stating proof insurance and proof of the most recent maintenance must be on file at the Council Service Center prior to departure.
• All required transportation contracts and/or agreements binding on the council MUST be submitted to the Council Service Center for approval, and MUST be signed by a person authorized by the Council Board of Directors.
• Troops are NOT able to rent vehicles that are not normally available for retail sale i.e. passenger vans of more than 8 seats. Specifically the 12-15 passenger vans. In order to lawfully operate these vehicles the driver would need a Class B license along with a Passenger Transport Endorsement.
Graduating High School Seniors can apply for their Girl Scout Lifetime Membership at the current price of $156 until October 1, 2013. After that date, the price goes up for both graduating seniors and adults. Applications for Lifetime Membership Scholarships are available at the area meetings and in the office. Deadline to submit is June 15.
Carroll Hoskins is looking for volunteers to help plan and run a day camp for this coming summer (June 17-21). If you are interested, please let the Area Chairs know at your upcoming meeting or contact Carroll directly at cruzncarroll@verizon.net. Please put the words "Day Camp" in the subject line of the email. Leaders, please share this information with your parents in case any of them are interested. Older girls wanting to help must have completed Program Aide training prior to the day camp.
Many troops are planning their summer camping experience and/or end of year troop trip. Here are some things to remember and consider before finalizing your trip:
Forms
Guidelines
Equipment available to check out
Transporting girls
You will need to complete the INTENT TO EVENT (I2E) package (4 pages) that includes the Application, Activity Details, Budget Worksheet, and a Signature page and a Flyer to advertise your event.
Did you know that we have an event committee who are very willing to help guide you through the process and give you tips to make your event a success? Our High Desert Event Chair is Nancy Baumbusch. You may contact Nancy at (snowline_sa@yahoo.com).
• At least 90 days before -- Complete the I2E, all four pages. Pay special attention to the budget section. You will need to charge the right amount; enough to cover the expenses but not so much that you have excessive leftovers. (Fund raising is a different subject.) Scan and email a copy of the packet to Nancy at (snowline_sa@yahoo.com) AND place a printed copy in the “Events” folder in the HD Office.
• Prepare a flyer (pdf format) for the Event Committee to review at their next meeting (the first Wednesday of every month.) Be sure to include: who, what, when, where, and why.
• Once the EVENT, DATE and LOCATION are approved by the committee, you will hear back from Nancy. You are confirmed to start the FUN stuff!
The “INTENT TO EVENT” package is printable on the GSSGC website under the Forms and Resources section under “Just for Volunteers”.
Please do not come to the Committee meeting the month before you want to hold an Event and expect it to be approved – you will force us to deny your request. To hold a successful event, the information must make it to the leaders and volunteers in time for everyone to make plans to attend.
With the new requirements for every troop having to turn in a monthly financial report at their area meeting, a new form has been designed to make your reporting easier. By completing and turning in your monthly financials on a regular basis, you will find that completing your end of year financial in June to be much easier. We've also included Troop Financial Report Instructions.
Here is a link for a monthly financial form.
Here is a link for another monthly financial form. You can use whichever one you choose, as long as one of them is turned in monthly to your area financial coordinator.
Here is a link for the annual Troop Finance Report.
Monthly area meetings are held at seven locations throughout the High Desert in order to keep the troop leaders, co-leaders and parents informed of what is happening in our Region. It is important that every troop is represented by either a leader, co-leader or parent at one of the monthly area meetings.
Remember, as a leader or co-leader, you agreed to "meet with appropriate groups on a regular basis for ongoing support and evaluation" when you signed your Volunteer Agreement. These groups include the area meetings as well as Regional meetings and trainings.
We are continuing to encourage troops to present a Girl Scout of the Month Certificate to one girl each month. The form is a little different this year because it embraces our theme of "Juliette's Pink Lagoon". Check it out and use it!
This checklist provides information on the trainings and forms needed for activities such as: overnight trips, cookouts, day trips, troop/group camping, extended trips and regional encampments. Dowload this helpful resource.
Kelly Bergstrom wrote the new patch program called "Girls On Target", the name being spun off of the Friends of NRA "Women on Target" program. With approval of the patch program for girls 12 and over, Kelly held the first program on March 23rd. Currently, the only approved site for this program is the Apple Valley Gun Club at their indoor range.
Leaders interested in participating in the program should contact their local Girl Scout office for more information. The Application for Markmanship Program must be submitted to the CEO 30 days prior to the event for approval.
Coming in November, a program for young ladies in grades 8-12. Are you on the right road to success? Get the real life skills needed to create the foundation for your success. If you would like to be a member on the planning committee, please contact Karen Early at klegs4life@aol.com.
This form is now fillable, savable and e-mailable. Please discard any older Special Activity Forms you may currently have and begin using this form. When planning your trips for this summer, make sure your troop meets all the qualifications and the proper paperwork is turned in ahead of time.
Special Activity Forms are due into the High Desert office 72 business hours prior to your trip. Make sure your 1st Aider has current certification and if you are going on a trip over 24 hours or doing any form of cooking, you must have a HGGO/BOT trained person attending with you. Their training must be completed at least 60 days prior to your trip. Check and double-check safetywise, safety checkpoints and policies and procedures for distances, girl/adult ratios, trainings and other important information.
Remember, a Special Activity Form MUST be filled out every time you do something with your girls that is different in time and location from what was filled out on your Membership Dues Summary Form. Yes, even if you change the day, times or location of your meeting - you must fill out this form. Don't put yourself or your girls at risk by not following procedures. Special Activity Forms and Camping Forms require approval, not just submission.
If you are emailing your form, it should be sent to chart@gssgc.org.
The blue SafetyWise book has been updated into the new Safety Activity Checkpoints. From this point forward, in completing your Special Activity Form, you will need to reference these Safety Activity Checkpoints as well as the current copy of the Policy and Procedures. The Safety Wise book can continue to be used; however, the Checkpoints have more updated and accurate information for the activities.
In the space on the Special Activity Form where the page numbers are requested, please indicate the chapter title from Safety Activity Checkpoints and the section in Policy and Procedures pertaining to your particular activity in addition to any Safety Wise pages you researched. Information on Girl/Adult ratios for meetings are indicated in your Basic Leadership Training packet.
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Teams of Volunteers will meet monthly based on Area. Leaders, it is important that a troop representative attends these meetings regularly to receive important information and materials and to have your questions and concerns addressed by your Area Team. Information on upcoming events will be shared during the monthly area meetings. Here is the schedule for the meetings:
Ft. Irwin Scout Hut
Pizza Factory in Phelan (only for June Meeting)
Girl Scout Office in Victorville
NOTE: June meeting will be at the Girl Scout Office in Victorville
Girl Scout Office in Victorville
Needles Scout hut
Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, 1301 East Mountain View St., Barstow
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Be sure to periodically check the Council Events Calendar for other opportunities throughout the regions of Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council.
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This training must be taken by any adult wanting to be a leader, co/assistant leader and anyone working with money. 01’s 02’s 03’s. Please sign up under Events Calendar or contact Jan Gilbert at the Redlands office (800) 400-4475.
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Does your troop have some interesting activities scheduled? Has your troop been making a difference in the Community? Let us know! Your troop may just be featured in the Blog on our Council Website or on our Facebook Page. Click here to submit your stories to GSSGC.
Pathways - Are you interested in being involved in setting up travel trips, series programs, special interest groups, etc? If so, please contact Laura Baca to find out how you can help. gshdpathways@gmail.com
Flag Ceremonies - The Soroptimist Club in Hesperia is looking for troops to do flag ceremonies on a monthly basis. If you are interested, please contact Shaun Rickerl at rickerlzoo@verizon.net.
Summer Camp Experiences - The Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio believes every girl should experience Girl Scout camp and provides opportunities through the Girl Scout Product Sale Program for girls to fully pay for their experience. Exciting Girl Scout summer adventures await you!
Camp Azalea Trails is open to all Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts ages 7 to 18. We serve girls from diverse areas and backgrounds. No matter what your interest, you are sure to find a great experience at Camp Azalea Trails. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. When you go to camp, great things happen. Camp is designed to give EVERY girl the chance to succeed, build friendships, challenge herself and have fun.
For more information and the camp brochure, check the website at: http://gssgccamp.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/camp-2013-book_online.pdf. Opportunities are also available for camp staff. Please contact Joyce Knoll at jknoll@gssgc.org.
Check out the Council Region Flickr Page to see photos from recent events. Once photo submissions are sent in, the High Desert will get their own Region Flickr Page for pictures to be added to and viewed. We welcome you to share your photos with us. Please submit photos from your troop activities and events to be posted on our Flickr. Click here to submit your photos. Mark the GSSGC Girls page as one of your favorites. For the safety of Girl Scouts online, you must be a "friend" of GSSGC Girls on Flickr in order to download and print photos.
Have questions? Comments? Need some advice? Want to get in touch with other Leaders in the area? Click here to join us on Facebook. Search for and "like" Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council, HD Girl Scouts Product Sales and HD Girl Scouts to follow along with what's happening in the High Desert and throughout our Council.
We're looking for volunteers (01, 02, 03 and 14's) to become members of the High Desert Region Committee Teams. You can help with product sales, award recognitions, recruitment, events, camp, and mentoring. Positions are available in all city Areas. For more detailed information on the High Desert Volunteer Delivery Structure, please click here.
For information on the various committees you can join and their position descriptions, please follow the individual links below. If you are interested, please contact Mary or Jewel or sign up at the upcoming Area Meetings.
Area Chairperson
Apple Valley Area - Carroll Hoskins - cruzncarroll@verizon.net (760) 617-8063
Desert Mirage Area - Elaine Lambert - jeffelaine@verizon.net (760) 255-2970
Ft. Irwin Area - Frances Gutierrez - francesrgutierrez@yahoo.com (760) 447-1705
Hesperia Area - Jennifer Rodriguez - jro112978@aol.com (760) 881-9524
Needles Area - Nancy Guffey - guffman@citilink.net (760) 577-4210
Snowline Area - Lindy Stottlemyer - celebrationsbylindy@msn.com (760) 949-6779
Desert Breeze Area - Jocelyn Encarnacion - henrynjo@hotmail.com (760) 780-5075
