Category Archives: Volunteer News

Volunteer News

Volunteer Spotlight: Deena Buffington

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Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Deena Buffington of Gunnison in the Western Colorado region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.

GSCO asked Deena to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did.

Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?

My youngest daughter wanted to join Girl Scouts and the troop here in Gunnison is parent and girl-led and they needed volunteers.

Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.

I have been helping lead the troop since 2016 and started as the Fall Product Program Manager and Cookie Manager in the 2018/2019 seasons.I now serve as the fall product, cookie, and service unit manager.  We are a small town and small community, so many people take on several roles.

What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?

I have learned how to handle many different situations, personalities, and ways of dealing with them all. There have been so many funny, fun, and interesting situations. I’ve learned a lot about different troops and people who have been Girl Scouts at one point in their lives.

What do you hope girls have learned from you?

I hope the girls have learned hard work, life skills, fun crafting, traveling, and also dealing with different personalities and situations. My favorite time was last year when we took the troop on a cruise… to see the excitement in the girls’ eyes as some of them had never been on a plane much less a cruise ship. It was great to share that excitement and fun with them.

How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?

There is so much that goes into everything from planning a meeting to taking care of cookies, start to finish.  It’s fun to help girls set goals and help them achieve them.

Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. 

The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards is April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award. Nominators are responsible for ensuring enough endorsements are submitted to support their nomination of a volunteer for an award. Your volunteer support specialist can check nomination and endorsement submissions for you. Learn more.

Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Girl Scouting at home: “Drawing” badge for Girl Scout Juniors

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This resource was created by Jenni Grossman, a troop leader in the Western Colorado region.

Vocabulary you might need to know

Medium: 

your favorite dearing tool (pens, colored pencils, crayons, markers, pastels)

 Still Life:

An object that doesn’t move like a bowl, fruit, or a vase

 Shading:

A major part of drawing and it means showing the dark areas of a drawing.  It adds depth to help the picture look more real. 
Value in art:

is how light or dark something is on a scale of white to black 

 Hatching:

Using a bunch of little or big lines to make a value

 Cross Hatching:

Making a grid with the hatching lines
Stippling:

Using dots to shade by repeating them over and over

 Smudging:

When something touches the graphic (lead in the pencil) and smears it

 Perspective:

Some objects in the picture look farther away than others
Graphic Artist:

An artist whose job is to communicate messages or ideas in visual form, like a logo for a company.  They often use a computer.  

 Portfolio:

All the work an artist has completed that can easily be shown to others

 

Step 1: Experiment with different materials

Supplies: depends on what you choose from the three options below.

Choose a still life you want to draw.  We are going to draw it three times so choose one way below: 

#1 draw it with black pen, black colored pencil, and a regular pencil 

                                              Or

#2 draw it with colored pens, colored pencils, and crayons

                                             Or

#3 choose your own 3 mediums and draw the still life with each

Step 2: Learn how to add shading

Supplies: pencil, paper

HOW TO ART – How to Shade with Pencil

Watch this video and then do your own value scale (she will tell you what it is in the video) and practice the kinds of shading she explains

Step 3: Get some perspective

Supplies: pencil, ruler (or something that can help you draw straight), colored pencils, black marker

Watch this video and do your own perspective landscape drawing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFNRxfaCKLw

Step 4: Use your imagination like a graphic artist

Supplies: paper and whatever mediums you choose

Watch this video to learn more about graphic artists:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTi5SNgxE3U&list=PLnFwNzPWa3kCq6sUokAIWga4Z5gI2QlZh

Then, draw a new cover for a book.  What do the words make you think about? How do they make you feel?  What does this book mean to you? How could you show that in your drawing? Have fun being a graphic artist.

Step 5: Make your masterpiece–and show it off!

Supplies: It’s totally up to you!

It’s time to show off your things you learned!  Create a new masterpiece with some techniques you learned like shading, mediums, and perspective and be ready to show it to your sister scouts (and maybe we can invite parents to see it too) at an upcoming meeting either in person or virtually.  

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

Volunteer News

Volunteer Spotlight: Dean Parrish

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Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Dean Parrish of Colorado City in the Pueblo and Southeastern CO region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.

GSCO asked Dean to answer a few quick questions about his volunteer experience. We hope you find him as inspiring as we did.

Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?

It started when we were at last year’s kick off meeting. Our service unit was looking for volunteers to help with the Brownies and my daughter turned to me and said, “You can do it, you did it for Gavin (my son) when he was in Cub Scouts.” Hard to turn down your kids when they say they need you. 

Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.

I helped with day camp and have been a troop leader and a cookie manger for the last few years.

What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? 

That Girl Scouts are so much more than cookies. I  have been amazed at impact the program can have on the girls. 

What do you hope girls have learned from you? 

That hard work pays off and to celebrate their differences.
Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org.
The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards is April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award. Nominators are responsible for ensuring enough endorsements are submitted to support their nomination of a volunteer for an award. Your volunteer support specialist can check nomination and endorsement submissions for you. Learn more.
Council News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Girl Scouts at home

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Everything has changed: Your daily routine, your physical connections, for many people their ability to make a living, and for many others their health and well-being. At this time of global crisis, we lean (virtually and figuratively) on one another. The Girl Scout community has a solid history of coming together, of taking the lead when things get tough, of showing compassion for those in need and being resilient when facing challenges.

We’ve seen troops and Girl Scouts staying connected virtually, trying new things at home and earning badges, and dreaming up ways to help her community through this crisis.

If your troop or girl is in a position to continue their Girl Scout experience, we’ve compiled a number of ways to support that experience virtually.

Check out the new, interactive Girl Scouts at Home website and Girl Scouts of Colorado’s web page highlighting council patches that can be done at home.

GSCO has developed a list of activities/service projects that can be done at home and may even help girls earn a badge or patch!

Please note, this resource is not inclusive of every activity Girl Scouts can do at home. Check out the complete list of Girl Scout Badges and Journeys online and use the online Badge Explorer to understand basic requirements.

Watch our social media channels, website, and blog for more virtual programming opportunities in the near future!

Our first-ever VIRTUAL Girl Scout Spirit Week

Show your Girl Scout Spirit Sunday, April 5– Saturday April 11, 2020! Each day will have a special theme and you can join the fun by sharing your videos, photos, comments, etc. on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Twitter and Instagram users, be sure to tag @GSColo in your posts and use #GSColo.

  • Sunday, April 5: Favorite Girl Scout T-shirt or sweatshirt
  • Monday, April 6: Favorite badge or earned award
  • Tuesday, April 7: Favorite memory
  • Wednesday, April 8: Favorite Skill
  • Thursday, April 9: Favorite Song
  • Friday, April 10: Favorite Trip
  • Saturday, April 11: Favorite Patch

New “Stand and Be Counted” patch!

Girl Scouts of Colorado is thrilled to launch our “Stand and Be Counted”patch in honor of the 2020 Census! Earn this patch to discover why we count everyone, what happens afterward, and how you can become involved.

Learn more

Highest Awards

Now is also the perfect time to start working on requirements for your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award! The Highest Awards program will be adding a few additional virtual trainings in the next few weeks while everyone is at home.

Also, the award project completion deadline for bridging girls has been extended to Dec. 31.

Learn more

 

Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Spring 2020: Completing your Cadette Program Aide Award requirements

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On the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and the Colorado Department of Health and Environment and due to COVID-19, all Girl Scouts of Colorado in-person activities have been suspended at least through May 17, 2020. Read more here.

This decision may have affected your girl’s access to a Cadette Program Aide training, which she needed to complete before attending one of our resident camps or day camps. This training typically runs at least six hours and is filled with hands-on activities to get your girl ready to lead younger Girl Scouts through activities. GSCO has decided to not convert the training to an online course to keep the integrity of the award and ensure girls are acquiring the necessary skills. Instead, we are asking caregivers to guide their girls through earning this award.

Accessing Program Aide training

Leaders, day camp directors, and caregivers now have access to our Program Aide Facilitator training and resources through Girl Scouts of Colorado’s YouTube page. In this short video, we will walk you through the facilitator guide and how to lead the training with your girl. The training can be done all at once or you can complete it over several days – whatever works for you and your girl’s schedule! Please email girlexperience@gscolorado.org  if you have questions or need extra support.

Program Aide Facilitator Training: https://youtu.be/xvVcwwgE5bU

Program Aide Facilitator Guide: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/dam/girlscoutsofcolorado/documents/PA%20Facilitator%20Guide.pdf

Program Aide Girl Toolkit: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/dam/girlscoutsofcolorado/documents/PA%20Girl%20Toolkit%20022019.pdf

Completing the Program Aide Internship

The other part of a girl earning her Program Aide Award is for her to lead younger girls through six activity sessions, or the Program Aide internship. The goal in doing this is for girls to take what they have learned in the training and apply it in real life. We recognize that this might not be possible with social distancing or stay at home policies, but we are encouraging girls to try to find at least one opportunity to lead younger girls through a Girl Scout activity before they participate as a Program Aide.

Girl Scouts of Colorado is here to support you and your girl as you navigate through this programming. Please email GirlExperience@gscolorado.org with any questions or support that you or your girl might need.

Council News, Volunteer News

Deadline extended for nominations for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards

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The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards has been extended to April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award. Nominators are responsible for ensuring enough endorsements are submitted to support their nomination of a volunteer for an award. Your volunteer support specialist can check nomination and endorsement submissions for you.

More information about the awards, including the number of required endorsements for each award, is listed on the volunteer appreciation page on our website and in the Volunteer Recognition Award Guide. You can also learn more about how to write strong nominations and endorsements.

Questions? Please contact your volunteer support specialist or customer support at inquiry@gscolorado.org.

Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Fun activities Girl Scouts can do at home

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Many Girl Scouts are out of school and troops are unable to meet in-person for at least the next few weeks. But, that doesn’t mean that Girl Scouting stops! Now, more than ever, it is important to maintain meaningful connections with our Girl Scout family, friends, and community. While some troops and service units are meeting virtually, GSCO has developed a list of activities/service projects that can be done at home and may even help girls earn a badge or patch! Please note this is a working list that may be updated at any time: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GbqoF8PqGsWIcPfkDzLNl7pI4fg1sFGhsqlHkO6fbos/edit?usp=sharing

Volunteer News

Important Update: 2020 Early Bird Renewal

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We’re all in an unprecedented environment due to the coronavirus pandemic. At this time at Girl Scouts of Colorado, we’re focusing on how we can best deliver an amazing Girl Scout Leadership Experience to girls and volunteers remotely and how we can all stay connected when we can’t connect physically. Membership renewal will open on April 1, however we plan to push back the Early Bird renewal incentive period and reevaluate the incentives previously offered to give everyone time to get through this crisis, regroup with troops, and get ready for a new year of Girl Scout adventures. We’ll provide details as soon as we’ve got them.

Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Take Action/Highest Awards, Volunteer News

Highest Awards Program: Virtual Options

In addition to GSCO’s regular online training options that are scheduled for the year, the Highest Awards program will be adding a few additional virtual trainings while everyone is at home in the next few weeks.

Please find the webinar info below and sign up if you are a Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador troop leader, girl, or parent. The online registrations for these events will all be available soon on the Events page of the GSCO website.

Contact Kaitie LoDolce, Highest Awards Manager, at highestawards@gscolorado.org for questions.

Gold Award Training Webinar

Tuesday, March 31, 2020  from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

This is our official Gold Award training requirement for girls who would like to pursue Gold. It is also recommended for troop leaders or parents who plan to support their girls through the process.

Highest Awards and Take Action Training Webinar

Thursday, April 2, 2020 from 11 a.m. – Noon

This training is for any troop leaders who would like more information on Take Action projects and/or the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award programs.

Gold Award Project Workshop

Tuesday, April 7, 2020 from Noon – 1 p.m.

This is a workshop for any Girl Scout Seniors or Ambassadors who are at any stage of starting their Gold Award process but have not yet submitted an initial proposal.

Volunteer News

Volunteer View: March 2020

Cookie Program Update

Thank you to all Girl Scout cookie entrepreneurs, volunteers and Girl Scout families and friends! Your hard work, support, sisterhood, and enthusiasm made the 2020 Cookie Program a season of WOW!

Important Dates

March 18

ACH debit occurs for total amount owed to council.

April 15

Cookie Credits begin being mailed directly to girls.

April 22

Cookie rewards begin to ship to service unit cookie managers.

April 30

Last day to sell excess inventory.

Although troops are having to cancel activities right now because of COVID-19, know your troop proceeds and Cookie Credits will be there for some much deserved rescheduled fun and service!

Have questions or need assistance? Please contact GSCO customer care atinquiry@gscolorado.org or call 1-877-404-5708.

Cookie Resources

Concerns about COVID-19

Because the safety and well-being of girls is always our top priority, Girl Scouts of Colorado has decided to follow the actions of area school districts and the Colorado High School Sports Association. All staff-run and partner-led, in-person activities for girls and adults are canceled effective immediately until at least April 6. We will offer refunds or reschedule when possible.

Reservations for troops and outside users of Girl Scouts of Colorado properties are also canceled beginning Monday, March 16, until at least April 6.

We are advising troops to follow their school’s guidelines. If their school is closed or not allowing after-school activities, then troops should not meet. Troops hosting events at other locations should use their best judgement and exercise an abundance of caution.

We will continue to monitor the actions of local school districts, Colorado Department of Health and Environment, and GSUSA, and reevaluate as needed.

During this time, GSCO staff will be working remotely and we will do everything we can to allow for virtual Girl Scout activities to continue and provide troop leaders with ways to guide their girls through activities online when possible.

Please see the GSCO website for additional updates.

COVID-19 Q&A

Recognize outstanding volunteers

Update as of March 25, 2020:  The nomination deadline for Volunteer Recognition Awards has been extended to April 30.

Nominations are due on or before March 31 of each year. Recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award. Nominators are responsible for ensuring enough endorsements are submitted to support their nomination of a volunteer for an award. Your volunteer support specialist can check nomination and endorsement submissions for you.
More information about the awards, including the number of required endorsements for each award, is listed on the volunteer appreciation page on our website and in the Volunteer Recognition Award Guide. You can also learn more about how to write strong nominations and endorsements.

Questions? Please contact your volunteer support specialist or customer support at inquiry@gscolorado.org.

Cadette Day at the Capitol

Cadettes, earn your Finding Common Ground badge at the Colorado State Capitol during Cadette Day at the Capitol on June 19. Girls will explore civic debate, learn the art of compromise, and practice skills in mediation. Each of these skills will provide broader understanding of how decisions are made in a democracy. Girls will earn a fun patch along with the Finding Common Ground badge. Space is limited so register today!

Early Bird Renewal begins April 1

Update as of March 20, 2020: We’re all in an unprecedented environment due to the coronavirus pandemic. At this time at Girl Scouts of Colorado, we’re focusing on how we can best deliver an amazing Girl Scout Leadership Experience to girls and volunteers remotely and how we can all stay connected when we can’t connect physically. Membership renewal will open on April 1, however we plan to push back the Early Bird renewal incentive period and reevaluate the incentives previously offered to give everyone time to get through this crisis, regroup with troops, and get ready for a new year of Girl Scout adventures. We’ll provide details as soon as we’ve got them.

Also, if you still have a $25 Girl Scouts of Colorado shop credit from the 2019 Early Bird renewal, those will not expire until June 30, 2020.

Remember: whether she’s exploring the great outdoors, practicing entrepreneurship, learning life skills, or expanding her imagination through hands-on STEM activities, there’s always so much more for her to try as a Girl Scout!

Unlock her potential with another year of learning, growing, and fun that will set her up for success today and in the future.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Girl Scout membership renewal opens April 1.

Girls who renew between April 1 and May 1 are eligible for a drawing for a Colorado staycation for their family (valued up to $500). All girls renewed before June 15 will receive an exclusive membership patch.

Travel with Girl Scouts

Cadette, Senior, and Ambassadors, trying to decide what to do with your Cookie Program proceeds or Cookie Credits? Travel with Girl Scouts! Information about travel opportunities, from troop travel to individual travel with a Girl Scout Destination trip can be found on the GSUSA travel page.

Learn more

RSVP for Highest Awards Celebrations

We cannot wait to celebrate the newest Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award Girl Scouts across the state! See the list below of statewide celebrations and attend the event you’d like.

If your troop or Girl Scout earned a highest award this year you must RSVP for the celebration you want to attend through the event registration on the GSCO Events webpage. Information about how to prepare for the celebration will be included in your confirmation email. Register early as events may reach capacity and close before the posted RSVP deadline.

If you have any questions about Spring 2020 Celebrations or your Girl Scout’s highest awards, please email Highest Awards Manager, Kaitie LoDolce athighestawards@gscolorado.org.

We are currently monitoring advice from CDHE and school districts about COVID-19 and community events. At this time, the Highest Awards Celebrations will go on as planned however this could change before the end of March.

gsLearning: Online Training

If you haven’t logged into your gsLearn account yet, now is a great time! As we wind down from the Cookie Program and look to spring and summer, check out the Travel Peak. In the Travel Peak you’ll find courses for Field and Day Trips and International Travel! You’ll gain a working knowledge of the travel progression within Girl Scouts and be able to take your troop on an overnight adventure!

Looking to understand more about troop financial management? Check out our new Managing Troop Finances course available in the course library in your gsLearn account!

If you are having issues with your gsLearn account or trouble logging in please reach out to your volunteer support specialist or Kendy Doolen, instructional design manager, for support.

Keep your girls connected

We are in unprecedented times with schools closed and activities canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As Girl Scouts, we’re prepared, innovative, and ready to turn this setback into an opportunity! This is a good time to try hosting a virtual meeting with your girls or provide badgework for girls to do at home. Reach out to your volunteer support specialist for ideas on how to keep the girls connected during this pause in activity.